A coach once told me the secret to being a good cornerback was to have a huge ego and a short memory. For much of his career, Darius Butler didn't have those qualities, but he seems to have acquired them in Indy.
After a promising career at UConn and some great predraft workouts, Butler was chosen by the Patriots in the second round of the 2009 draft. His rookie year was up and down (which is often the case with corners), but he started the first two games of 2010, and was pummeled, being beaten badly and missing tackles. The Patriots benched and eventually cut him. He was picked up by the Panthers, but barely played before he was injured and left with a settlement.
In 2012, the Colts were already desperate for corners when injuries struck the position. With just about every other option exhausted, they signed Butler and put him on the field.
To almost everyone's surprise, he played like a savvy veteran. Quarterbacks had an 39.5 passer rating against him. A quarterback who throws nothing but incompletes gets a 39.6 rating. If that doesn't impress you -- it should, it was the second-best in the NFL of any player who played over 250 downs -- compare it to the 93.5 scored by Vontae Davis, the 97.0 by Cassius Vaughn, the 105.0 by Jerraud Powers and the 113.6 by Josh Gordy, the other Colts' corners who saw playing time in 2012. He still looked shaky at times in some man situations, but excelled in zones. He was especially effective as a slot corner. Despite his limited playing time, Butler led the Colts with four picks, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
He's not exactly a strong safety, but is a better tackler than many corners, and can blitz. He'll contribute on special teams and can even fill in as a return man in a pinch.
That Butler was terrible in New England and Carolina, but spectacular in Indy can, for the most part, be attributed to confidence and a shortening of his memory.
Will other teams bid for him?: Probably, but offers will not come from New England or Carolina.
Chances he'll be back: Very good. The Colts have plenty of cap room, a crying need for corners and a good relationship with Butler. For his part, Butler has a place in which his skills are properly applied and he's appreciated.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Colts 2012 free agents: Joe Reitz
It's hard not to root for Joe Reitz. A local Indy kid and a high school multisport phenom, Reitz decided to play basketball at Western Michigan. When the NBA didn't come calling, he accepted an invitation to Baltimore Ravens camp in 2008.
They saw a future tight end in the 6-foot-7, 250-pound power forward, but when that didn't click, they told him to gain some weight and learn how to play offensive line. They stuck him on the practice squad, but he injured his shoulder, ending his development that year. When they tried to stick him on the practice squad in 2010, the Dolphins grabbed him; but they didn't know what to do with him and waived him three days later. The Colts then stepped in and — in a large part driven be injury-related necessity — took him seriously as an offensive lineman, giving him serious playing time.
Despite his height, Reitz played guard for the Colts. He won the starting right guard job in 2012, but knee and concussion problems limited him to eight starts.
His play in 2012 was average at best. In 275 pass-block situations, he allowed no sacks, but five hits and 13 hurries. That's not great, but better than any of the other guys who played any significant amount of time at guard for the Colts. I graded him as a slightly better run blocker than Jeff Linkenbach, but many others disagree. At any rate, he was no better than average.
If you watch him play, Reitz is interesting. Unlike so many other young players, he shows excellent technique in many aspects of the game. But he is low in functional strength, and gets overpowered.
Will other teams bid for him?: If the Colts tender him, they can't because Reitz is an exclusive-right free agent. If the Colts let him walk, he'd be invited to camp somewhere.
Chances he'll be back: Almost certainly. Reitz won the right guard job last season fair and square, and played better than the team's other guards. He was by no means great, just better than what they had. It would better if he were not starting, but he is a quality player who's still improving — remember, he was a 250-pound power forward just a few years back — who can be signed for a very low price.
They saw a future tight end in the 6-foot-7, 250-pound power forward, but when that didn't click, they told him to gain some weight and learn how to play offensive line. They stuck him on the practice squad, but he injured his shoulder, ending his development that year. When they tried to stick him on the practice squad in 2010, the Dolphins grabbed him; but they didn't know what to do with him and waived him three days later. The Colts then stepped in and — in a large part driven be injury-related necessity — took him seriously as an offensive lineman, giving him serious playing time.
Despite his height, Reitz played guard for the Colts. He won the starting right guard job in 2012, but knee and concussion problems limited him to eight starts.
His play in 2012 was average at best. In 275 pass-block situations, he allowed no sacks, but five hits and 13 hurries. That's not great, but better than any of the other guys who played any significant amount of time at guard for the Colts. I graded him as a slightly better run blocker than Jeff Linkenbach, but many others disagree. At any rate, he was no better than average.
If you watch him play, Reitz is interesting. Unlike so many other young players, he shows excellent technique in many aspects of the game. But he is low in functional strength, and gets overpowered.
Will other teams bid for him?: If the Colts tender him, they can't because Reitz is an exclusive-right free agent. If the Colts let him walk, he'd be invited to camp somewhere.
Chances he'll be back: Almost certainly. Reitz won the right guard job last season fair and square, and played better than the team's other guards. He was by no means great, just better than what they had. It would better if he were not starting, but he is a quality player who's still improving — remember, he was a 250-pound power forward just a few years back — who can be signed for a very low price.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Colts 2013 free agents: Antonio Johnson
Antonio "Mookie" Johnson hasn't had it easy, and hasn't always been lucky, but always seems to keep going and going.
From Jim Henson's hometown of Leland, Mississippi, Johnson was a high school star who did not play in his senior season. Without much exposure, he chose to attend and play at nearby Mississippi Delta Community College. He was a beast there, and was given scholarship offers from Mississippi State and Iowa State, choosing the Bulldogs. He played both nose tackle and defensive tackle in their multiple fronts, and was competent, but unspectacular.
Still, athletic 310 pounders do not crop up very often, so he was taken by the Titans in the fifth round of the 2007 draft. He promptly tore his ACL, and missed his rookie season. The following year, the Titans cut him, and the Colts — desperate for big bodies — signed him and pressed him into action. He's been playing as a regular more or less since.
This season, he opened camp as the team's No. 1 nose tackle, despite the presence of free agent Brandon McKinney — a more established nose tackle who had previous experience with the system. While ColtPlay at the time considered it just a tip of the hat to Johnson's veteran status, the argument was academic after McKinney tore an ACL and missed the entire season.
The spot was Johnson from then on, for better or worse.
Though not without talent, Johnson is a sloppy player who has developed just rudimentary skills as a pro. He runs hot and cold as a defensive tackle, but seemed absolutely overwhelmed at the nose, lacking effective playing strength, block-shedding techniques and quickness off the snap. The overall results were not good. Often handled by just one blocker, Johnson managed just three quarterback hits and three hurries (no sacks) in 13 starts. He did little better in the run game, managing just 15 tackles and four assists, often watching the action from a distance.
Will other teams bid for him?: Probably. Although miscast as a nose tackle, Johnson's a pretty decent defensive tackle who could earn a rotational job in the right scheme.
Chances he'll be back: Not good. McKinney is likely to be back, as will Josh Chapman, the player many observers believe is the future of the position but missed his rookie season to a knee injury. The draft could also yield a contender at the position. Colts GM Ryan Grigson seems determined to part ways with players who were on the roster before he arrived (with the exception of stars like Reggie Wayne), and Johnson is far from indispensable.
From Jim Henson's hometown of Leland, Mississippi, Johnson was a high school star who did not play in his senior season. Without much exposure, he chose to attend and play at nearby Mississippi Delta Community College. He was a beast there, and was given scholarship offers from Mississippi State and Iowa State, choosing the Bulldogs. He played both nose tackle and defensive tackle in their multiple fronts, and was competent, but unspectacular.
Still, athletic 310 pounders do not crop up very often, so he was taken by the Titans in the fifth round of the 2007 draft. He promptly tore his ACL, and missed his rookie season. The following year, the Titans cut him, and the Colts — desperate for big bodies — signed him and pressed him into action. He's been playing as a regular more or less since.
This season, he opened camp as the team's No. 1 nose tackle, despite the presence of free agent Brandon McKinney — a more established nose tackle who had previous experience with the system. While ColtPlay at the time considered it just a tip of the hat to Johnson's veteran status, the argument was academic after McKinney tore an ACL and missed the entire season.
The spot was Johnson from then on, for better or worse.
Though not without talent, Johnson is a sloppy player who has developed just rudimentary skills as a pro. He runs hot and cold as a defensive tackle, but seemed absolutely overwhelmed at the nose, lacking effective playing strength, block-shedding techniques and quickness off the snap. The overall results were not good. Often handled by just one blocker, Johnson managed just three quarterback hits and three hurries (no sacks) in 13 starts. He did little better in the run game, managing just 15 tackles and four assists, often watching the action from a distance.
Will other teams bid for him?: Probably. Although miscast as a nose tackle, Johnson's a pretty decent defensive tackle who could earn a rotational job in the right scheme.
Chances he'll be back: Not good. McKinney is likely to be back, as will Josh Chapman, the player many observers believe is the future of the position but missed his rookie season to a knee injury. The draft could also yield a contender at the position. Colts GM Ryan Grigson seems determined to part ways with players who were on the roster before he arrived (with the exception of stars like Reggie Wayne), and Johnson is far from indispensable.
Colts 2013 free agents: Jerraud Powers
At all of his NFL stops, former Colts president Bill Polian was accused of overpaying (both in picks and salary) for cornerbacks. And Indy was no exception. In the 2005 draft, he picked Marlin Jackson in the first and Kelvin Hayden in the second. The following year, he selected Tim Jennings in the second and, the year after that, Jerraud Powers in the third.
Injuries to the more heralded and established players put Powers in a starting position and to the surprise of many, he flourished. While the others have since left, Powers quietly established himself as the team's No. 1 corner.
Headed into the 2012 season, Powers was considered the team's only NFL-quality corner. The position was declared a disaster area, and all the other holdovers (including recent draft picks Kevin Thomas and Chris Rucker) were summarily dispatched. New GM Ryan Grigson replenished the cornerback corps by trading for Vontae Davis, Cassius Vaughn, Josh Gordy and DJ Johnson, and signing Justin King and others, including, eventually, Darius Butler.
Powers remained the team's top guy at the start of the season. He started the first eight games of the season until his year was ended by a third-degree case of turf toe that included several torn ligaments.
Powers was widely criticized for his play in 2012, which saw him definitively beaten for four touchdown passes. Indeed his coverage skills did not look as sharp as they had in the past, but I think that can be attributed to his nagging injuries, being miscast as the team's No. 1 guy and comparison to Davis (who really came on after a rough start) and Butler (who looked spectacular after Powers went down). He also had an uncharacteristic problem with missed tackles. Still, he played with discipline, and did not back down or sulk when things did not go well for him.
Will other teams bid for him?: Without a doubt. Powers is a solid No. 2 corner, and could play a significant role on just about any NFL team. The recent increase in the value of cornerbacks will see players of Powers' caliber showered with big-money offers.
Chances he'll be back: Quite good. Grigson seems to value the position as highly as Polian did, and — despite his efforts — the cornerback corps is still in something of a crisis. While Davis is a given, Butler and Vaughn are free agents, and depth behind them is shaky. Even without injuries, a team needs at least four competent corners these days and the Colts would like to avoid the panic they went through last season trying to find them. They have two factors working in their favor: a huge amount of cap space and Powers' self-declared desire to return.
Injuries to the more heralded and established players put Powers in a starting position and to the surprise of many, he flourished. While the others have since left, Powers quietly established himself as the team's No. 1 corner.
Headed into the 2012 season, Powers was considered the team's only NFL-quality corner. The position was declared a disaster area, and all the other holdovers (including recent draft picks Kevin Thomas and Chris Rucker) were summarily dispatched. New GM Ryan Grigson replenished the cornerback corps by trading for Vontae Davis, Cassius Vaughn, Josh Gordy and DJ Johnson, and signing Justin King and others, including, eventually, Darius Butler.
Powers remained the team's top guy at the start of the season. He started the first eight games of the season until his year was ended by a third-degree case of turf toe that included several torn ligaments.
Powers was widely criticized for his play in 2012, which saw him definitively beaten for four touchdown passes. Indeed his coverage skills did not look as sharp as they had in the past, but I think that can be attributed to his nagging injuries, being miscast as the team's No. 1 guy and comparison to Davis (who really came on after a rough start) and Butler (who looked spectacular after Powers went down). He also had an uncharacteristic problem with missed tackles. Still, he played with discipline, and did not back down or sulk when things did not go well for him.
Will other teams bid for him?: Without a doubt. Powers is a solid No. 2 corner, and could play a significant role on just about any NFL team. The recent increase in the value of cornerbacks will see players of Powers' caliber showered with big-money offers.
Chances he'll be back: Quite good. Grigson seems to value the position as highly as Polian did, and — despite his efforts — the cornerback corps is still in something of a crisis. While Davis is a given, Butler and Vaughn are free agents, and depth behind them is shaky. Even without injuries, a team needs at least four competent corners these days and the Colts would like to avoid the panic they went through last season trying to find them. They have two factors working in their favor: a huge amount of cap space and Powers' self-declared desire to return.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Colts 2013 free agents: Dwight Freeney
Back in 2002, then Colts president Bill Polian pulled off one of the many master strokes of his career. Nobody would have guessed it (although Chris Burman claimed he did, later admitting to peeking at the cards), but the Colts "reached" for Dwight Freeney with the 11th pick.
Despite his awesome college production and 4.47 forty, many teams and the media were not sold on Freeney because of his modest height (6007, same as me). Eleven seasons, 107.5 sacks, 44 forced fumbles and seven Pro Bowls later, it appears that Polian was right.
But Polian is long gone, and so is the defensive system associated with his coaches. The new Colts regime re-signed Freeney to a one-year contract last season in what appeared to be a trial run in their distinctly 3-4 flavored defense. Freeney was immediately installed in what they call the "Rush" position, basically a 3-4 ROLB who shifts to RDE when there are 4-plus linemen.
It did not work out well. Better than many people believe, but not great. Fans noticed that Freeney had an uncharacteristically low five sacks, but they may not have seen his team-high 34 hurries (Robert Mathis was a distant second with just 19). Run defense was never a strong suit with Freeney, but he completely disappeared in 2012, record just eight tackles in the run game. He was rarely called upon to cover receivers in his new position, but has shown some limited adeptness there.
Chances he'll be back: Slim. Although he was still arguably the Colts best pass rusher last season (and even with him, the position is a crying need), it looks like Freeney's days as a Colt are about over. He will command a huge contract on the open market, and the Colts probably will not be willing to pay him the kind of money he wants (and deserves) if he's not a complete fit in their scheme. Besides,.its another link to the Polian era the new management would not mind severing. And from his perspective, it would probably be nice to end his career where he started it, but it would probably be better to build his case for the Hall of Fame (not to mention make more money) in a more friendly system.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Colts 2013 free agents: Winston Justice
Winston Justice has largely been the unwilling recipient of the problems associated with other people's flawed perceptions. A huge man (6061/319) with the wingspan of a California condor and the feet of a dancer, fans, scouts and coaches expected him to step in and be a cornerstone NFL left tackle after a standout career at USC. He was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2006 draft. They, like many teams, considered him in the first.
But it didn't work out that way. Manhandled by Osi Umeniyora in his first game, Justice earned the ire of Philadelphia's quick-to-judge, slow-to-forget fans, and even some teammates. But the fact was that Justice just wasn't ready for the NFL as quickly as he and his coaches thought he would be.
As time went on, Justice started at right tackle and acquitted himself well. Even Umeniyora later praised him as a player. But injuries and the resentment of Eagles fans who didn't think such a lofty draft pick and salary were deserved by a mere "right tackle," basically chased him out of town.
The Eagles traded him and their 2013 sixth rounder to the Colts for their 2013 sixth rounder. Nobody would have guessed it at the time, but the Colts had a much better season than the Eagles, so they actually moved up 20 spots in the sixth round to take Justice. Another master stroke by Colts GM Ryan Grigson, one of the people who help decide to draft Justice in Philadelphia.
Justice rewarded Grigson's faith with some good, if not excellent, play. A much better pass blocker than run blocker, Justice allowed on three sacks and six hits. He did give up 26 hurries (which is disproportionally high compared to the number of sacks he gave up), but the eye-ball test indicates that some of those hurries would have hits or even sacks had Justice not been so dogged in his second and third efforts.
On the minus side, he was no better than adequate as a run blocker, and was not immune to penalties.
Even more troubling was that injuries caught up with him again, this time it was concussions and a shoulder injury in the heat of the playoff race. But if the play of first young veteran Jeff Linkenbach and then street free agent Brad Sowell in his place is any indication of Justice's worth, he deserves MVP consideration.
Will other teams bid for him?: Maybe, talented tackles are rare. But Justice has a reputation not just for being injury-prone, but also not all that tough.
Chances he'll be back: Good, if he's healthy. Aside from left tackle Anthony Castonzo, Justice is the most talented offensive lineman the Colts have (and he was arguably more consistent until he was injured). If his head and shoulder check out, Justice could easily start at right tackle again, or serve as a swing backup.
But it didn't work out that way. Manhandled by Osi Umeniyora in his first game, Justice earned the ire of Philadelphia's quick-to-judge, slow-to-forget fans, and even some teammates. But the fact was that Justice just wasn't ready for the NFL as quickly as he and his coaches thought he would be.
As time went on, Justice started at right tackle and acquitted himself well. Even Umeniyora later praised him as a player. But injuries and the resentment of Eagles fans who didn't think such a lofty draft pick and salary were deserved by a mere "right tackle," basically chased him out of town.
The Eagles traded him and their 2013 sixth rounder to the Colts for their 2013 sixth rounder. Nobody would have guessed it at the time, but the Colts had a much better season than the Eagles, so they actually moved up 20 spots in the sixth round to take Justice. Another master stroke by Colts GM Ryan Grigson, one of the people who help decide to draft Justice in Philadelphia.
Justice rewarded Grigson's faith with some good, if not excellent, play. A much better pass blocker than run blocker, Justice allowed on three sacks and six hits. He did give up 26 hurries (which is disproportionally high compared to the number of sacks he gave up), but the eye-ball test indicates that some of those hurries would have hits or even sacks had Justice not been so dogged in his second and third efforts.
On the minus side, he was no better than adequate as a run blocker, and was not immune to penalties.
Even more troubling was that injuries caught up with him again, this time it was concussions and a shoulder injury in the heat of the playoff race. But if the play of first young veteran Jeff Linkenbach and then street free agent Brad Sowell in his place is any indication of Justice's worth, he deserves MVP consideration.
Will other teams bid for him?: Maybe, talented tackles are rare. But Justice has a reputation not just for being injury-prone, but also not all that tough.
Chances he'll be back: Good, if he's healthy. Aside from left tackle Anthony Castonzo, Justice is the most talented offensive lineman the Colts have (and he was arguably more consistent until he was injured). If his head and shoulder check out, Justice could easily start at right tackle again, or serve as a swing backup.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
ColtPlay contest
The first person to tell me who the next Colts free agent to be featured in ColtPlay (it's not random, there is a system) will receive their choice of one of my two recent books, Fighter (a biography of GSP, the UFC fighter) or Gangland (a look at how drug cartels are endangering the future of Mexico).
Just comment below.
Just comment below.
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