Okay, the post mini-camp cuts are in and a couple of them were players I really liked:
Chad Stanley P: Stanley is an NFL-quality punter. Not a star (has there been a punting star since Ray Guy?), but a pretty good leg. The Colts appear to have signed him as insurance after Hunter Smith's subpar year in 2007. Since they cut him this early, it would appear that the Colts are confident Smith will bounce back.
Shane Andrus K: They sign him, they cut him. They repeat as necessary.
Patrick Ross C: I really liked this scrappy, typical Boston College lineman. He did everything well, but lacked functional strength even at the college level. With the influx of interior line talent in the draft, there was little room for him.
Dan Davis DT: This guy is not without talent, but was the least Colts-style of the many young defensive tackles in camp.
Justise Hairston HB: Here's another guy I thought had a good chance. A big strong halfback who can run inside and break tackles, Hairston's not much of a receiver or blocker. Guess the Colts didn't need a guy just for 3rd-and-1.
In other news:
• Local product and fan fave Rosevelt Colvin signed with division rival Houston. The Patriots don't like to give up on old linebackers — look at artefacts like Junior Seau, Mike Vrabel and Tedy Bruschi — so it will be interesting to see how much he has left. Even if he does bounce back, I don't think it's a great loss. The Colts blitz their linebackers on what seems like an annual basis, and that's Colvin's only real talent.
• One the subject of veteran free agents, I hear rumblings about Charles Rogers. Remember him? Drafted No. 2 in 2003 — just one pick ahead of the great André Johnson — by the Lions, his injury-plagued career was short and unspectacular. From what I've heard, he runs the forty in the 4.80 range (it was 4.28 at the 2003 combine) and has failed look-sees with a number of NFL and CFL teams. Best to let him move on with his life.
• The Jaguars waived ex-Colt Craphonso Thorpe after just a few days. The CFL perhaps?
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
So long, Luke
Well it appears Luke Lawton had some value after all — the Colts traded him to Philadelphia for a conditional draft pick.
The deal makes lots of sense for both teams. The Colts' offense almost never uses a pure fullback — and Lawton is a dictionary definition of one. They prefer instead to motion in a tight end, H-back or slot back into the fullback spot, or go without entirely. In his Colts career, he rushed 5-13-0 and caught 4-29-1; and the touchdown was on a trick play. He also had — according to the Colts’ own rather generous to my eye scoring — 8 special-teams tackles and 3 assists. I’m not getting down on the fan favorite, I think he’s a good guy; but keep in mind that since college he’s been with the Bills, Giants, Bills again, Falcons, Falcons again, Giants again, Jets, Jets again, Colts three frickin’ times and now the Eagles.
To put it simply, draft pick Tom Santi fits the team’s plans at fullback better than Lawton; and holdover Gijon Robinson is not without skills at the position either. Lawton probably wouldn’t have made the team anyway.
But he could well make the Eagles. Their modified West Coast offense has a place for a traditional fullback, and any offense with Brian Westbrook as a featured runner could definitely use one. Interestingly, Lawton's primary competition will come from former Colts (and former defensive tackle) Dan Klecko — himself a fan favorite when he was in Indy. You’ll see Kris Wilson listed as the starter at fullback on most Eagles’ depth charts, but that dude is a tight end.
So it’s a win-win trade. The Colts get the chance at a draft pick for a guy who wasn’t going to make the roster, and the Eagles get a bona fide fullback for next to nothing.
The deal makes lots of sense for both teams. The Colts' offense almost never uses a pure fullback — and Lawton is a dictionary definition of one. They prefer instead to motion in a tight end, H-back or slot back into the fullback spot, or go without entirely. In his Colts career, he rushed 5-13-0 and caught 4-29-1; and the touchdown was on a trick play. He also had — according to the Colts’ own rather generous to my eye scoring — 8 special-teams tackles and 3 assists. I’m not getting down on the fan favorite, I think he’s a good guy; but keep in mind that since college he’s been with the Bills, Giants, Bills again, Falcons, Falcons again, Giants again, Jets, Jets again, Colts three frickin’ times and now the Eagles.
To put it simply, draft pick Tom Santi fits the team’s plans at fullback better than Lawton; and holdover Gijon Robinson is not without skills at the position either. Lawton probably wouldn’t have made the team anyway.
But he could well make the Eagles. Their modified West Coast offense has a place for a traditional fullback, and any offense with Brian Westbrook as a featured runner could definitely use one. Interestingly, Lawton's primary competition will come from former Colts (and former defensive tackle) Dan Klecko — himself a fan favorite when he was in Indy. You’ll see Kris Wilson listed as the starter at fullback on most Eagles’ depth charts, but that dude is a tight end.
So it’s a win-win trade. The Colts get the chance at a draft pick for a guy who wasn’t going to make the roster, and the Eagles get a bona fide fullback for next to nothing.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The new kid
The Colts signed a third punter — Adam Crossett P Missouri (6021, 220). He came to the Tigers as a kicker/punter, but didn’t do so well from placements (15/24 of field goals and 41/43 on extra points) and was replaced by the more accurate Jeff Wolfert. He did somewhat better as a punter — averaging 40.34 gross with 53 of 173 in the opponents’ 20 — despite having to put up with a lot of poor snaps and so-so blocking. While it’s possible he could develop into an NFL punter, I think his real value, at least for now, is as a kickoff specialist. As a senior at Mizzou, he averaged almost exactly five yards better than Wolfert.
It’ll be interesting to watch him in camp, but considering the Colts’ luck with kickoff specialists in past — look at Daves Kimball and Rayner — I wouldn’t hold my breath.
• Troubled JJ Milan is back in the fold to fight for a pass-rush specialist. I was pretty sure he was cooked when they gave Ben Ishola his number, but he’s back. And he’s No. 73.
• Speaking of numbers, it’s a tradition for me to root for whoever the Colts give my old high school number, 46. It’s usually some scrub — who’s the last 46 you remember being any good? I have to go back to sometime starting CB James Burroughs (1982-84). This year, it’s tight end Zac Herold. He has his work cut out for him to make the team with Dallas Clark, Jacob Tamme, Tom Santi and Gijon Robinson (do NOT count out Gijon) ahead of him, but he’s my guy this year. Go, Zac!
It’ll be interesting to watch him in camp, but considering the Colts’ luck with kickoff specialists in past — look at Daves Kimball and Rayner — I wouldn’t hold my breath.
• Troubled JJ Milan is back in the fold to fight for a pass-rush specialist. I was pretty sure he was cooked when they gave Ben Ishola his number, but he’s back. And he’s No. 73.
• Speaking of numbers, it’s a tradition for me to root for whoever the Colts give my old high school number, 46. It’s usually some scrub — who’s the last 46 you remember being any good? I have to go back to sometime starting CB James Burroughs (1982-84). This year, it’s tight end Zac Herold. He has his work cut out for him to make the team with Dallas Clark, Jacob Tamme, Tom Santi and Gijon Robinson (do NOT count out Gijon) ahead of him, but he’s my guy this year. Go, Zac!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Mini-camp opens
Things are shaping up a little on the interior line in mini-camp, but that doesn’t mean things will stay that way when the snaps are for real in September.
Right now, the starters from left to right are: Ryan Lilja, Jeff Saturday and Charlie Johnson. Behind them, respectively, are: Steve Justice, Jamey Richard and Mike Pollak.
There are some complications, though. Starting with right guard, I don’t think the team thinks Johnson is a better bet at the position than Pollak, just that they are unlikely to hand a starting job to a rookie (an unsigned one at that!) in mini-camp. Remember Thomas Houchin? Didn’t think so. But he was the starter at left outside linebacker at the 2005 mini-camp, largely because they didn’t want the team’s unsigned youngsters getting any ideas above their station. Look for Pollak to usurp Johnson before too long, which will force the veteran back into the fight for a reserve tackle gig. It's win or be cut out there.
Justice, who is fairly NFL-ready but doesn’t have the upside of Pollak, is at left guard because starter Lilja will probably miss at least some of mini-camp with a knee injury. With Lilja out, Justice will get lots of reps, and the offense won’t suffer too greatly.
Of the three draft picks, Richard is by far the most raw, so he will sit and watch behind Jeff Saturday, perhaps the best technician at the position in the game. He needs to learn, and he will if he pays attention.
• Speaking of Saturday, he told the media that he’s a little concerned that the Colts drafted three players at his position in his walk year. Well duh. His agent says he’s negotiating with the Colts for a contract extension. Good luck with that.
• Peyton Manning says he’s glad to have Dominic Rhodes back. Take that, Kenton Keith. You’re as good as cut.
Right now, the starters from left to right are: Ryan Lilja, Jeff Saturday and Charlie Johnson. Behind them, respectively, are: Steve Justice, Jamey Richard and Mike Pollak.
There are some complications, though. Starting with right guard, I don’t think the team thinks Johnson is a better bet at the position than Pollak, just that they are unlikely to hand a starting job to a rookie (an unsigned one at that!) in mini-camp. Remember Thomas Houchin? Didn’t think so. But he was the starter at left outside linebacker at the 2005 mini-camp, largely because they didn’t want the team’s unsigned youngsters getting any ideas above their station. Look for Pollak to usurp Johnson before too long, which will force the veteran back into the fight for a reserve tackle gig. It's win or be cut out there.
Justice, who is fairly NFL-ready but doesn’t have the upside of Pollak, is at left guard because starter Lilja will probably miss at least some of mini-camp with a knee injury. With Lilja out, Justice will get lots of reps, and the offense won’t suffer too greatly.
Of the three draft picks, Richard is by far the most raw, so he will sit and watch behind Jeff Saturday, perhaps the best technician at the position in the game. He needs to learn, and he will if he pays attention.
• Speaking of Saturday, he told the media that he’s a little concerned that the Colts drafted three players at his position in his walk year. Well duh. His agent says he’s negotiating with the Colts for a contract extension. Good luck with that.
• Peyton Manning says he’s glad to have Dominic Rhodes back. Take that, Kenton Keith. You’re as good as cut.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Well, that's me told then
Hours after I said I'd be shocked if the Colts re-signed Dom Rhodes, they did!
Oh, well, I hope he fares better than the last prodigal Colt, Rick DeMulling.
Here's a depth chart to make us all feel better:
QB 18 Manning, 12 Sorgi, 9 Betts, 15 Trafakis
RB 29 Addai, 36 Keith, 32 Hart, 33 Rhodes, 45 Lawton, 30 Dawson, 35 Simpson, 27 Hairston
WR 88 Harrison, 87 Wayne, 11 Gonzalez, 80 Aromashodu, 83 Hall, 85 Garcon, 10 Roby, 16 Jones, 2 Dillon, 3 Burgess, 14 Giguere
TE 44 Clark, 84 Tamme, 86 Santi, 47 Robinson
T 67 Ugoh, 71 Diem, 74 Johnson, 76 Federkeil, 75 Toudouze, 72 Hilliard, 60 Marquez
G 65 Lilja, 78 Pollak, 61 Richard, 62 Elgin, 86 Esera
C 63 Saturday, 53 Justice, 68 Ross
DE 93 Freeney, 98 Mathis, 91 Thomas, 90 Charleston, 92 Howard, 60 Johnson, 64 Ishola
DT 79 Brock, 99 Johnson, 97 Pitcock, 96 Dawson, 95 Reid, 61 Ferrell, 68 Foster, 66 Davis, 69 Bradley
OLB 54 Keiaho, 56 Hagler, 55 Session, 52 Guzman, 51 Worsley, 49 Senn
ILB 58 Brackett, 50 Wheeler, 59 Shotwell, Adams
CB 28 Jackson, 26 Hayden, 23 Jennings, 20 Hughes, 34 Rushing, 25 Coe, 35 Ratliff, 38 Foster
S 21 Sanders, 41 Bethea, 43 Giordano, 33 Bullitt, 42 Condren, 37 Smith, 40 Silva
K 4 Vinatieri, 8 Andrus
P 17 Smith, 7 Stanley
LS 48 Snow
Oh, well, I hope he fares better than the last prodigal Colt, Rick DeMulling.
Here's a depth chart to make us all feel better:
QB 18 Manning, 12 Sorgi, 9 Betts, 15 Trafakis
RB 29 Addai, 36 Keith, 32 Hart, 33 Rhodes, 45 Lawton, 30 Dawson, 35 Simpson, 27 Hairston
WR 88 Harrison, 87 Wayne, 11 Gonzalez, 80 Aromashodu, 83 Hall, 85 Garcon, 10 Roby, 16 Jones, 2 Dillon, 3 Burgess, 14 Giguere
TE 44 Clark, 84 Tamme, 86 Santi, 47 Robinson
T 67 Ugoh, 71 Diem, 74 Johnson, 76 Federkeil, 75 Toudouze, 72 Hilliard, 60 Marquez
G 65 Lilja, 78 Pollak, 61 Richard, 62 Elgin, 86 Esera
C 63 Saturday, 53 Justice, 68 Ross
DE 93 Freeney, 98 Mathis, 91 Thomas, 90 Charleston, 92 Howard, 60 Johnson, 64 Ishola
DT 79 Brock, 99 Johnson, 97 Pitcock, 96 Dawson, 95 Reid, 61 Ferrell, 68 Foster, 66 Davis, 69 Bradley
OLB 54 Keiaho, 56 Hagler, 55 Session, 52 Guzman, 51 Worsley, 49 Senn
ILB 58 Brackett, 50 Wheeler, 59 Shotwell, Adams
CB 28 Jackson, 26 Hayden, 23 Jennings, 20 Hughes, 34 Rushing, 25 Coe, 35 Ratliff, 38 Foster
S 21 Sanders, 41 Bethea, 43 Giordano, 33 Bullitt, 42 Condren, 37 Smith, 40 Silva
K 4 Vinatieri, 8 Andrus
P 17 Smith, 7 Stanley
LS 48 Snow
Media: Go Get Dom! Colts: Not So Fast!
I’m hearing a lot of blather on the TV and Internet that the Colts are going to bring Dominic Rhodes back into the fold. To them, it makes perfect sense.
To me, it doesn't and I’d be surprised if it happened. Some things to consider:
• The Colts just drafted Mike Hart to take over the No. 2 halfback spot
• Bill Polian has shown he believes halfbacks have short shelf-lives, as evidenced by how early he got rid of people like Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James while they still had lots of useful football in them.
• Rhodes may just be cooked. Discounting how he fell on his face with the Raiders, (1) he averaged 3.43 yards a carry in his final year with the Colts. (2) That contrasts unfavorably with the 4.40 Kenton Keith averaged last year behind basically the same line (3) and same game plan.
Oh, and SI is reporting that Marvin Harrison may face misdemeanor charges of the now-notorious bar shooting. While that may not seem terrible, the NFL has a strict policy regarding gun-related crime and Harrison may miss some playing time because of it.
1. He had 75-302-1 rushing, 11-70-0 receiving and lost his job to Huggy Bear’s boy.
2. And 2.95 the year before that.
3. The only change was Tony Ugoh in at left tackle for Tarik Glenn. As far as run blocking goes, I’d say that’s a step down. Also keep in mind that Ugoh missed some games and Charlie Johnson (no All-Pro he) had to fill in.
To me, it doesn't and I’d be surprised if it happened. Some things to consider:
• The Colts just drafted Mike Hart to take over the No. 2 halfback spot
• Bill Polian has shown he believes halfbacks have short shelf-lives, as evidenced by how early he got rid of people like Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James while they still had lots of useful football in them.
• Rhodes may just be cooked. Discounting how he fell on his face with the Raiders, (1) he averaged 3.43 yards a carry in his final year with the Colts. (2) That contrasts unfavorably with the 4.40 Kenton Keith averaged last year behind basically the same line (3) and same game plan.
Oh, and SI is reporting that Marvin Harrison may face misdemeanor charges of the now-notorious bar shooting. While that may not seem terrible, the NFL has a strict policy regarding gun-related crime and Harrison may miss some playing time because of it.
1. He had 75-302-1 rushing, 11-70-0 receiving and lost his job to Huggy Bear’s boy.
2. And 2.95 the year before that.
3. The only change was Tony Ugoh in at left tackle for Tarik Glenn. As far as run blocking goes, I’d say that’s a step down. Also keep in mind that Ugoh missed some games and Charlie Johnson (no All-Pro he) had to fill in.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Why I will always be a football fan, American football that is
This headline appeared on Fark:
Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo is very ashamed for hiring three transvestites in Rio, he claims he “cried a lot afterwards.”
Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo is very ashamed for hiring three transvestites in Rio, he claims he “cried a lot afterwards.”
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