SB Nation - Keyunta Dawson

Week 13: Friday Injury Report

shake n bake — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:49:09 -0000

Out: Donald Brown (chest), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Adam Vinatieri (knee)

Questionable (# of practices): Dwight Freeney (2), Charlie Johnson (0), Jim Sorgi (0)

Probable: Joseph Addai, Gary Brackett, Kyle DeVan, Kelvin Hayden, Ramon Humber, Tim Jennings, Peyton Manning, Robert Mathis, Jerraud Powers, Jamey Richard, Tom Santi, Jeff Saturday, Tony Ugoh, Reggie Wayne.

Colts.com link

Week 13: Thursday Injury Report

shake n bake — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:11:23 -0000

3 defensive starters returned to practice today and no one moved backwards, but 7 players still remain out.

Back at Practice (all full participation): Dwight Freeney (abdomen), Gary Brackett (foot), Antoine Bethea (rested)

Upgrade: Tom Santi (limited to full, hand injury)

Still Out: Donald Brown (chest), Charlie Johnson (foot), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Jim Sorgi (shoulder), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Adam Vinatieri (knee)

Kelvin Hayden practiced fully a second day and looks ready to go.

Colts.com link

Week 13: Wednesday Injury Report

shake n bake — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:01:12 -0000

10 players sat out practice and the Colts have once again listed some players who practiced fully on the report. Notably sitting was Freeney, Brackett, Don Brown and Charlie Johnson. Notable return from Kelvin Hayden.

Did Not Participate: Antoine Bethea (rested), Gary Brackett (foot), Donald Brown (chest), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Dwight Freeney (abdomen), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Charlie Johnson (foot), Jim Sorgi (shoulder), Adam Vinatieri (knee)

Limited: Tom Santi (hand)

Full Participation (but injured enough for the report): Joseph Addai (knee), Kyle DeVan (shin), Kelvin Hayden (knee), Ramon Humber (calf), Tim Jennings (ankle), Peyton Manning (glute), Robert Mathis (neck), Jerraud Powers (knee), Jamey Richard (shoulder), Jeff Saturday (calf), Tony Ugoh (knee), Reggie Wayne (foot)

Colts.com link

The roster moves make some more sense now. Donald Brown has a new injury, causing the Mike Hart signing. Josh Thomas was replaced with another DE which means we know little about Freeney and Dawson's status and 2 O-linemen were added to the PS likely because 5 of the Colts 8 O-linemen appear on the report today.

Colts mull possible return of Dominic Rhodes

BigBlueShoe — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:50:23 -0000

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

4 months ago: Buffalo Bills' Dominic Rhodes runs with the ball during NFL football training camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y., Wednesday, July 29, 2009. (AP Photo/David Duprey)

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From Aaron Wilson at National Football Post:

The Indianapolis Colts auditioned former starting running back Dominic Rhodes today, according to a league source.
...

The Colts, who also tried out quarterback Shane Boyd today, have a couple of roster openings after cutting defensive end Josh Thomas and defensive back Anthony Madison earlier today.

Thomas getting cut (again) seems to signal that either Dwight Freeney or Keyunta Dawson are likely available for Sunday showdown with the resurgent Titans. But releasing Madison, who was a reserve defensive back and special teams contributor, is a bit puzzling. Though it likely (and hopefully) means that the reports are true that Kelvin Hayden will return to the starting cornerback spot after missing several weeks with injury, the big question is who will take Madison's spot on special teams. It certainly won't be Hayden.

These questions are the only reasons I can think of as to why the Colts would work out Dom Rhodes. I'm on record as saying Dom is one of my favorite all-time Colts. He is a wonderful NFL story, and the kind of player that really epitomizes what it means to be a member of this team. He was an undrafted player out of Midwestern State in 2001, and by 2006 he was working in tandem with then-rookie Joseph Addai, racking up 113 yards an a TD in Super Bowl 41. He is one of the best "diamond in the rough" players Bill Polian has ever found, and his career is a testiment to his hard work, dedication, and determination. Factor in that the guy is flat out LOVED by everyone in the locker room and in the organization, I am not surprised that Indy is giving him a look.

However, conventional thinking among Colts fans is that with Keiwan Ratliff (another former Colts player from last season and a solid DB and special teams contributor) sitting out there after his release from the Steelers a few weeks ago, Polian and company should sign him to bolster Indy's injured secondary. To date, no information has surfaced that the Colts are interesting in re-signing Ratliff.

Dom worked out yesterday, and since we have received no word on him getting signed, it's likely that the team just wanted to work him out in case anything happens to Addai, Donald Brown, or Chad Simpson. Still, with at least one roster spot open, you have to think someone is going to get signed soon.

Tip to LovinBlue

Week 12: Thursday Colts Injury Report

shake n bake — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:32:33 -0000

In general the news is good, but still not very comforting.

Returning to Practice: Antoine Bethea, Reggie Wayne, Ramon Humber, Gijon Robinson (limited)

Still Sitting: Keyunta Dawson, Dwight Freeney, Aaron Francisco, Anthony Gonzalez, Kelvin Hayden, Jim Sorgi, Adam Vinatieri, Peyton Manning (limited again)

Backsliding:Charlie Johnson (limited to no practice)

Colts.com link

Week 12: Wednesday Injury Report

shake n bake — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:40:08 -0000

It looks like the Colts have changed the way they use the report and are now listing some players who have injuries, but did not miss any practice time. This, along with a large number of players missing time makes for the longest Colts injury report I've ever seen. Unfortunately the list is not just long but star studded.

Did Not Participate: Antoine Bethea (foot), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Aaron Francisco (Ankle), Dwight Freeney (Abdomen), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Kelvin Hayden (knee), Ramon Humber (calf), Gijon Robinson (concussion), Jim Sorgi (right shoulder), Adam Vinatieri (right knee), Reggie Wayne (foot)

Limited Participation: Charlie Johnson (foot), Peyton Manning (glute)

Full Participation: Joseph Addai (knee), Raheem Brock (neck), Donald Brown (shoulder), Melvin Bullitt (shoulder), Pierre Garcon (Ankle), Tim Jennings (ankle), Robert Mathis (neck), Jerraud Powers (knee), Tom Santi (hip), Jeff Saturday (calf), Tony Ugoh (knee)

Colts.com link

Welcome to Schmuckville; Population: Ed Johnson

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:34:11 -0000

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

Once again, Ed Johnson is a former member of the Indianapolis Colts (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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I'm having a hard time coming up with something to describe this tidbit of news that does not involve a long series of curse words, most of which involving the word f*ck. So, I'll just let Paul Kuharsky do the talking for me:

So much has gone right for the Indianapolis Colts as they’ve run out to a 5-0 record. But ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton is reporting the team has parted ways with a key contributor, cutting defensive tackle Ed Johnson.

A 5-0 start. A defense that is starting to dominate. Everything looking on the up and up. Then... this.

We have no reasoning why Big Ed was cut. What we do know is that he came back to the this team in May under a zero tolerance clause . This meant that if he did anything, ANYTHING to violate that policy in the slightest, it was back to the unemployment line. This latest termination from the Colts is also likely the end of Ed's football career. No one touched him after the Colts cut him last year for violating his previous zero tolerance clause. Why would anyone touch him now? And if he did something serious to warrant this, he'll likely be suspended again by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

I'm so disappointed in Ed Johnson right now it makes me sick.

From the Colts standpoint, they will be fine. They can re-sign Adrian Grady or Terrance Taylor, and likely they'll start integrating second round pick Fili Moala into the rotation, which needed to start happening soon anyway. Indy has talent on the defensive line, and stopping the run will not be the slap stick comedy it was last year. Guys like Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir, and Eric Foster seem to be bringing it every week.

What makes me want to vomit is just how STUPID Ed Johnson has been. Other than violating his tolerance policy, the only other reason I can think of for Indy to cut him is that maybe he was dogging it during games. On his radio show last night, Bill Polian said this, emphasis mine (Tip to SpazMo):

There are areas on defense we can improve, particularly in terms of all-out hustle all the time. We had some people like (defensive end) Keyunta Dawson that really stepped up and did a great job of that, but there are other people who can improve upon what they're doing.

I haven't gone back and looked at the tape, but maybe Ed was one of the people Polian was referring to in that statement. I don't know, and at this point I don't care. Ed was given his second chance and he seems to have flushed that down the toilet.

Now, we move on.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I absolutely refuse to allow yet another Ed Johnson f*ck up to distract me from enjoying my team.

Colts cut DT Ed Johnson, again

Recap Week Five: Colts 31-Titans 9

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:52:13 -0000

More photos » by Wade Payne - AP

2 months ago: Indianapolis Colts safety Tim Jennings (23) celebrates after intercepting a pass intended for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

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While blocking his man in the first quarter on a punt return, much maligned Colts cornerback Tim Jennings was doing everything he could to contain the Titans gunner he was assigned to block. Jennings entered the game on thin ice already, it seemed. Having been the primary back-up to Kelvin Hayden and starting in three games at cornerback already this season, Jennings was benched to start the game in favor of a rookie free agent, Jacob Lacey. For the past few weeks, opposing QBs had been picking on Jennings, known for playing too soft in coverage by providing WRs with too much cushion off the line of scrimmage.

While engaged with the gunner on the punt, Jennings (who did not know where the ball was) heard the call for "short punt." This meant the ball was kicked shorter than everyone anticipated, and that it was likely the ball was in his vicinity. But the call was too late for Jennings to disengage from his blocker and get out of the way. Instead, Jennings bumped into Colts return man T.J. Rushing, causing him to muff the punt, which was recovered by the Titans on the Colts 34 yard line.

The Titans faithful cheered wildly. Colts fans went ballistic. Tim Jennings walked off the field, seemingly disgusted with himself.

Despite the Colts building an early 7-0 lead off an Alge Crumpler fumble that was converted into a Peyton Manning to Reggie Wayne touchdown, early miscues and mistakes, like Jennings bumping into Rushing on the early punt return, kept the Titans in the game. While the continued stellar play of Peyton Manning (81% completion, 309 yards, 3 TDs) will likely generate all the headlines around Yahoo, CBS Sports, ESPN, and likely Peter King's Monday morning opus, it was really the play of the Colts defense that mainly helped Indy win its fourteenth straight regular season game, dating back to October of last year.

Despite the early miscues with turnovers, penalties, and sloppy play on offense and special teams, it was the defense that played hard, tough, inspired football. They harassed Titans quarterback Kerry Collins all night, and completely and utterly stoned dynamic running back Chris Johnson (9 carries, 34 yards).

And, at the end of the night, as the Colts walked off the field with a three game lead in their division as they head into a bye week, one of the big heroes of that defensive effort was none other than Tim Jennings. More after the jump...

Again, most of the "morning after" press will praise Peyton, claiming his efforts alone were the reason this team blew out the Titans for the second time in as many meetings. Yes, Manning was Manning, which is to say he continues to re-write the definition of greatness as a quarterback and continues to make bumbling buffoons like NBC announcer Chris Collinsworth sound like nothing more than blathering ear noise.

During the fourth quarter, Collinsworth made the claim that before anyone can start calling Peyton Manning as good or better than Tom Brady, Joe Montana, Dan Marino, or Sammy Baugh, Peyton had to win "multiple championships." Considering that Manning's statistics absolutely shatter all four of those men save Marino (who never played on a Super Bowl championship team), it pretty much shows you that NBC went from one idiot blabbermouth (John Madden) to another this year when John Madden returned and was replaced by the fumble prone choker at wide receiver who likes his girls young and extremely stupid.

Peyton Manning is better than all those players right now. It's obvious, and most people agree. Those that don't simply don't know anything about football, and are likely the same sad idiots who once claimed Peyton "couldn't win the big one." I now understand why Peyton watches football games on mute. After another Sunday listening to idiots like Gus Johnson, Joe Buck, and Chris Collinsworth try everything they can to focus attention away from the action on the field and onto them, it is becoming near impossible to watch games and listen to these self-important morons in the booth.

The best, period. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Back to the game, Manning's 309 yards and amazing accuracy in the face of a very aggressive Titans pass rush were big reasons why the Colts essentially ended the Titans season, but it was not the reason. For the third week in a row, the Colts defense dominated an opponent's offense, and they are doing so by completely shutting down the opponent's run game. The Titans ran for 90 yards on 21 carries, but even that stat is skewed. 20 of those yards came in garbage time, with 6 minutes left in the game and the score 31-9. Prior to that, Tennessee had 62 yards on 17 carries.

For three weeks, the Colts have held an opponent under 100 yards rushing. This time, it was (arguably) the best back in football that was held in check: Chris Johnson. Johnson entered the game averaging 6 yards a carry and leading the league with over 400 yards rushing. Last night, a relentless Colts defense limited him to 3.8 a carry, preventing him from getting outside the tackles and into open space, where Johnson is so very good at making defenders miss.

With Johnson neutralized, the unfair burden fell on veteran quarterback Kerry Collins to dig the Titans out of an early hole. However, despite early Colts miscues (like Jennings' mistake on special teams) giving the ball to the Titans in Colts territory, Collins was unable to get his offense into the red zone. It's fair to say that the fault was not Collins', though already many Titans fans are screaming for Vince Young to regain his starting job. Collins had to contend with a fierce Colts pass rush, turnovers by his receivers (Crumpler), and some outstanding coverage by the Colts secondary.

The conventional feeling is that the game essentially "ended" when, about one minute prior to halftime, Peyton Manning drove the Colts offense 93 yards in 57 seconds, capping the drive with a 39 yard TD pass to rookie wide receiver Austin Collie, who continues to remind so many of us of a young Brandon Stokley. The TD was made with 17 seconds left in the half, giving the Colts a 21-9 lead and seemingly breaking the will of the Titans. During the drive, the Titans were called for three roughing the passer penalties, one of which involved Kyle Vanden Bosch violating "The Brady Rule" and attempting to tackle Manning's knees. The play gave Indy a first down after starting on their own seven yard line.

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 11: Keyunta Dawson #96 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball after intercepting a pass during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on October 11, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

But while the TD before the half was indeed a crucial play, it was not the play that, essentially, called it a night for the Titans. That play belonging to none other than Tim Jennings.

The Titans got the ball to start the half, and it almost goes without saying that if they had scored on the opening drive of the second half, this game would have gone much differently. However, on a third and 6 on the Titans 24 yard line, Collins slung a quick out to wide receiver Nate Washington. Covering Washington at the time was Tim Jennings. This play was the sort of typical pattern that receivers had been killing Jennings with for weeks now. Jennings would provide too much cushion, the receiver would come back to the football, and the result was usually a first down.

Last night, ole Tim would have none of it.

When the ball hit near Washington, Jennings was right there with him, and fought for the football as if he were a hungry man and the ball was the last loaf of bread on Earth. When both players hit the ground, Jennings had firm control of the pigskin, and the Colts had created yet another Titans turnover in their territory. The Colts offense took over, and Manning hit Collie again for a touchdown, this one from 6 yards out.

Colts 28-Titans 9. Ballgame.

Later in the contest, the Colts would tack on an Adam Vinatieri chip shot to pad the lead, but for all intents and purposes, this game ended with Tim Jennings' magnificent interception. For you "old timers" out there, it reminded me of one-time Colts (and current Titans) corner Nick Harper fighting the football away from Derrick Mason in the endzone back in 2004.

Jennings' INT capped off one of his better games as a Colt. Despite the early game miscue, Jennings seemed all over the field on special teams, making tackles left and right and preventing the Titans from mounting any kind of comeback. It was actually quite inspiring to see Jennings rise up and play this way. The key for him moving forward is to play this way consistently, but for one night, Jennings was brilliant.

We have the rest of the day to talk about the bad elements of this game (aka, Tony Ugoh), but for this recap, I think we should focus on the many positives. This team is 5-0 heading into the bye week. They have managed to do this without Bob Sanders, Anthony Gonzalez, and Kelvin Hayden for much of the season. All those players are expected back after the bye. We've seen young players like Austin Collie mature quickly and we've seen maligned veterans like Tim Jennings rise up and play the way we all know they can play.

This is a talented, tough, no-quit team that seems to reflect the convictions of their head coach, Jim Caldwell. I cannot say enough good things about how well Caldwell managed this game. From the decision to go for it early on fourth and goal to starting Jacob Lacey at corner, Caldwell outcoached Jeff Fisher. That is no small feat.

As always, thanks to Jimmy and the Music City Miracles crew for some excellent blogging leading up to the game. You can read their game recap here.

For two weeks, we get to enjoy being undefeated. Take it in and soak it up, because last year this time, our guys were 3-4 and looking like a bunch of bums. Fourteen straight regular season wins later, these guys look like something special.

Go Colts!

Colts vs Titans coverage

Poll

Week Five game balls?

CB Tim Jennings: 5 tackles, 2 passes defended, 1 INT

48 votes

QB Peyton Manning: 82% completion, 309 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT

219 votes

WR Austin Collie: 8 catches 97 yards, 2 TDs

416 votes

FS Antoine Bethea: 8 tackles, 1 forced fumble

52 votes

DE Dwight Freeney: 1 sack, numerous pressures

4 votes

739 votes | Poll has closed

Week 4: Friday Injury Report

shake n bake — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:47:05 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

Keyunta was back at practice today, but he is the only player off this weeks report with a realistic chance to play. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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Keyunta Dawson returned to practice, but the other 6 Colts remained sidelined, with Gonzalez and Sanders being ruled out. Freeney, Brackett, Hayden and Simpson are listed at questionable but did not participate in practice at all this week, so are more than likely missing Sunday's game. Marlin Jackson got the day off.

OUT: Bob Sanders, Anthony Gonzalez

Questionable (no practice): Dwight Freeney, Gary Brackett, Kelvin Hayden, Chad Simpson

Questionable (Friday only): Keyunta Dawson

colts.com link

Seahawks Report

OUT: OLB Leroy Hill, LT Walter Jones, backup LT Sean Locklear

Doubtful: QB Matt Hasselbeck (no practice)

Questionable: CB Josh Wilson (limited all week), FB Justin Griffith (DNP Wed/Thurs, limited Fri)

Probable: LG Rob Simms, MLB Lofa Tatupu, CB Ken Lucas, backup OT Brandon Frye (likely starting at LT), FS Jordan Babineaux

Seahawks.com report

Thursday Injury Report

shake n bake — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 21:43:12 -0000

Not only is it bad news, it's boring. No new (injury) additions and none of the 7 that sat out yesterday were back. Dwight Freeney, Bob Sanders, Gary Brackett, Kelvin Hayden, Anthony Gonzalez, Keyunta Dawson and Chad Simpson all missed a second day of practice this week. Tim Jennings, Tony Ugoh and Adam Vinatieri were given the day off.

I don't expect any of the 7 guys sitting to play with only a day or less of practice, which would mean a DE rotation of Robert Mathis, Raheem Brock, Eric Foster and Philip Wheeler (a bit concerning). Freddy Keiaho and Jennings would get starts again (quite concerning). T.J. Rushing would be returning kickoffs (not at all concerning).

colts.com link