SB Nation - Quinn Pitcock

Colts cut Dante Hughes, Steve Justice, and Nick Graham

BigBlueShoe — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:32:03 -0000

Dante Hughes, right, never lived up to expectations after a stellar career at Cal. He was cut today as the Colts trim their roster down to 53 active players. Photo: cache.daylife.com

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Special thanks to jumunjis for posting the link to Mike Chappell's Indy Star report. The first cuts towards the 53-man roster have been made, and on the chopping block are 2007 third round pick Dante Hughes, 2008 sixth round pick Steve Justice, and Nick Graham. As jumunjis astutely points out, Hughes is yet another victim of the curse of the third round pick. Former Colts tackle Quinn Pitcock was the other third rounder the Colts took in 2007. Now, both he and Hughes are former-Colts after just two years.

When you look back at the 2007 draft for the Colts, it had so much promise. I even called it "one of the best drafts Bill Polian has ever presided over in Indianapolis." Shows you how much I know.

From that 2007 draft class, only Anthony Gonzalez, Clint Session, and Keyunta Dawson remain (and Dawson is in danger of cutting cut himself). Dante Hughes, Brandon Condren, Michael Coe, and Roy Hall were all drafted by Indy that year, and all of them were cut this off-season. DT Quinn Pitcock quit football last year prior to training camp. That's five picks from just two years ago that are gone. And to top it all off, Indy's second round pick in 2007, Tony Ugoh, was just recently benched. Indy traded a first rounder in 2008 for Ugoh, and now it looks like he is going the way of all the other trash drafted in 2007.

Yikes!

The 2008 Draft for Indy isn't shaping up to be much better. Mike Pollak, a center out of Arizona State who Indy has converted into a guard, isn't setting the world on fire, or anything. Jamey Richard, who played center at Buffalo, is a quality back-up, but that's about all we can ever really expect from Richard. And now, Steve Justice, the third center the Colts drafted last year, has been cut.

Now, before people freak out, it's important to know that many of the players we were hoping Indy would draft from previous years have also recently been cut. The Broncos cut Kory Lichtensteiger and Carlton Powell today, two players we thought the Colts should have drafted in 2008. Kevin O'Connell was also cut recently; another player we wanted Indy to take in 2008.

The draft isn't an exact science, folks. And even future Hall of Fame personnel people, like Bill Polian, are not perfect.

Still, Polian was able to find quality starters like Anthony Gonzalez and Clint Session in 2007, and players like Jacob Tamme and Marcus Howard offer a lot of promise from the 2008 draft. Also, in 2007, Polian found and signed Melvin Bullitt as a rookie free agent. So, it's not like 2007 didn't give the team anything. It just didn't give the team the kind of talent we are used to seeing.

The cutting of Steve Justice likely means free agent Kyle DeVan will remain on the active roster, but we'll see.

Is Ed Johnson really that big of a difference maker?

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:04:22 -0000

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

6 months ago: FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2008 file photo, Indianapolis Colts Ed Johnson gestures during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the San Diego Chargers in Indianapolis. After being expelled from Penn State, going undrafted only to earn a starting job with the Colts and then losing his job after being arrested on a drug possession charge in September, Johnson is back with the Colts with another chance to restore his reputation. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

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Last Saturday against the Detroit Lions, Colts coach Jim Caldwell scratched DT Ed Johnson from the game even though he had practiced all week and was healthy enough to play. Mike Chappell explains why:

That was coach Jim Caldwell's plan going into the third preseason game. That game is when conditions most mirror those of the first game of the regular season, and Johnson isn't eligible to play in the Sept. 13 opener against Jacksonville.

"We wanted to look at our team without him,'' Caldwell said.

The result was a Detroit offense that dominated the line of scrimmage in the first half, converting on numerous third down situations and utilizing a diligent running game. So, if Caldwell indeed wanted this game to "mirror those of the first game of the regular season," then the third pre-season game was a complete and utter disaster from an execution standpoint. Even with a bad (and beaten up) offensive line last year, the Jaguars were still able to run the football at will on the Colts. This year, their line is improved, they've added Torry Holt at wide receiver, and David Garrard is healthy.

The the Ed Johnson-less Colts play like they did late Saturday, the Jags might get another 300 yard rushing day.

Now, before we continue, I'll state that I am aware that several Colts starters did not play on defense Saturday. Even though he was healthy, Gary Brackett was held out. Why? Who knows. Maybe they wanted to see if Freddy Keiaho could step in for Brackett. Hopefully, they learned what we learned: Freddy can't play MIKE. Also absent was Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney, Kelvin Hayden, and Antonio Johnson (for much of the game).

But, as we have seen for years and years, the Colts have a habit of incurring big injuries at inopportune times. This forces key reserves like Daniel Muir, Jordan Senn, Jamie Silva, Matt Giordano, Fili Moala, and Keyunta Dawson to step in and play significant snaps. From what I saw Saturday, many of these same players were terrible doing the most basic, fundamental things all football players should know how to do: Tackle and pursue.

No disrespect to the Lions, but our back-ups should be able to get them off the field, especially in third and long situations. Twice on one drive (which resulted in a Lions TD), the Colts got Daunte Culpepper into third and long (9 and 13, respectively). Twice, Culpepper converted. Back-ups or not, that is unacceptable.

Like many of you, what the first half of last Saturday's game looked like was what every game looked like last year for the Colts. And, just like Saturday's game, the Colts were without Ed Johnson for 90% of the season last year. This begs the question, is Ed really THAT important?

Take a look at 2007, Ed Johnson's rookie year and his first as a starting defensive tackle (a nose tackle then) for the Colts. The Colts defense allowed only 3.8 yards a carry and was #1 in the league in points allowed. They were ranked 15th in run defense, 6th in yards per carry, and 9th in rushing TDs allowed. This allowed their offense to stay on the field longer and have more opportunities to score.

Fast forward to 2008.

The Ed Johnson-less Colts defense was 24th in rushing yards allowed, 19th in rushing TDs scored (18 TDs), and allowed 4.2 yards a carry. They were dead last in forcing offenses in three-and-outs, and were dead last in preventing teams from converting on third down. This contributed to Indy dropping to 13th in points per game on offense, as Peyton Manning had fewer and fewer chances to score points.

Now, other factors did play into the defensive regression of 2008. Bob Sanders missed much of the year (again), and key reserves like Quinn Pitcock were also gone. But since the emergence of Melvin Bullitt, I'm starting to sense that it is not Bob's absence that the Colts cannot do without. It's Big Ed's.

Key to overcoming our reliance on Ed is for reserves like Daniel Muir to stop whiffing on tackles he should make! The Colts also cannot afford to lose Gary Brackett for any length of time either. The defense struggled even more after Brackett went down last December with a broken leg, and the depth behind the MIKE spot is sorely lacking.

It's important to note that there is a very strong possibility that Bob Sanders could start the season on PUP. This would shatter any and all hope of Sanders ever shaking loose the stigma that he is an "injury-prone" player who cannot be relied upon. With the possibility of both Bob and Ed out for Week One, and with key players like Raheem Brock and Antoine Bethea nursing hand injuries, one has to be concerned that this Colts defense is not up to snuff; that they have not improved from last season's disaster.

In any case, after considering all this, I have to say I like how Caldwell ran things last Saturday. I make the comment often that the Colts "do not care about pre-season." The reason I say this is because they often sit starters and play lots of people who will, ultimately, either get cut before the season starts, or are back-ups. For me, the game is "taken seriously" when the starters start and play most of the game. That's why they are starters.

However, it seems Caldwell is looking at how good his team is sans key players like Sanders, Big Ed, and Gary. He seems to be working on shoring up the obvious weaknesses in the event one or several of these key players gets hurt and has to miss time. I applaud that, but make no mistake, if the Colts want to beat the Jags Week One, they cannot have a repeat performance of what we saw in Detroit, back-ups or no.

2009 Colts Training Camp: Colts break camp, ready for Eagles

BigBlueShoe — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:44:47 -0000

Another year, another training camp done. Though, I must say, this camp obviously seemed much more special due to the fact that the Colts have a new head coach for the first time in seven years. While many elements of old camps remained the same, the camp did have a different vibe, or frequency, to it. It had new energy, and I'm kind of sad to see camp break.

Last night's practice at Cook Field (a very nice way to close out camp for the fans!) was the last for this year's trip to Rose Hulman. Today, the Colts pack up their gear and head back to West 56th Street in Indianapolis.

While many are bemoaning the state of certain players and injuries, if you all step back and look at the camp, as a whole, it really seems as if it was one of the more successful camps in recent memory. From an injury standpoint, camp did not cause anything that would make you slam your head on your desk. Kelvin Hayden has a strained hamstring. Antoine Bethea and Raheem Brock have hand injuries. Dallas Clark had a minor concussion. Bob Sanders is getting his legs stronger after off-season knee surgery.

These are a far cry from James Mungro's and Rocky Calmus' ACL tears (2006), Booger McFarland's knee injury (2007), and Peyton Manning's bursa sac fiasco (2008). We haven't lost any players for the season (knock on wood) save Roy Hall (who was looking more and more like a wasted roster spot), and we haven't had any players quit for weird reasons that initially don't make sense (Quinn Pitcock). I mean, when you really look at it, the only eventful thing that happened at camp was Tony Ugoh getting benched for Charlie Johnson, and none of us are really certain this was a permanent move. What camp did provide for us is some answers to several questions we'd been mulling since Tony Dungy retired.

What kind of team will we have?

Is Peyton healthy, unlike last year?

Who will play slot receiver?

What kind of defense do we have?

Will the offensive line improve?

Who is playing DT?

We have answers and some last day comments after the jump as the Indianapolis Colts break training camp at the Rose Hulman Institute for the 2009 season. Next up, the Philadelphia Eagles.

The question of what kind of team we have was not answered for the Colts after their first pre-season game against the Vikings. Hell, it wasn't answered for them either, and they won the meaningless game! What it did do was shine some light on the basic framework of the team, the strategy the group will use to win football games. Thankfully, it is not much different from the strategy that has made Indy (arguably) the best NFL franchise the last ten years.

The Colts still run Tampa-2 on defense. They still run a base 2 TE, sometimes 3 WR offense that is no-huddle. They are built on speed, not power. Their strategy is to score, get the lead, and then turn loose their pass rushers on the opponent's QB. They still have the talent for a top 5 offense, top 5 defense, and their should be improved on special teams.

If you've seen Peyton in camp, you know he is healthy and determined. I mean, more determined even for Peyton. He was very much annoyed by his injury last season. This season, he wants to start strong. Considering he was the MVP last year despite playing half the season on one leg, an angry and determined (and healthy) Peyton Manning spells doom for many teams thinking they have a shot at the Colts.

Peyton has also been more chatty his off-season. He's signing more autographs and talking to more reporters in a candid way. Normally, Peyton is very guarded. He's not aloof or anything, but he knows he is the NFL's Michael Jordan. He knows he is the superstar in a league designed to de-emphasize superstars, and because of this he has been guarded. Not so much this year. One of the things Big P candidly discussed recently with a rather well-known reporter recently was the slot receiver position:

I'm gonna kind of whisper this because I don't like rookies to read anything I say. But I think [third-round BYU receiver] Austin Collie's got a chance. He can run. He can really run. He is working the slot only. We haven't had anyone since Brandon Stokley to work the slot only. That's all he practiced. He doesn't have to worry about anything but the slot.

The whole brew-ha-ha over "Who will play third receiver?" is more specifically a question over who will play slot receiver. Right now, as camp breaks, Austin Collie is the slot receiver. When Indy goes three wide, or "Kings" as the coaches say, Austin Collie will be there with Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez. This doesn't mean second year player Pierre Garcon sucks or anything. Indeed, Peyton has compared him to a young Marvin Harrison. That's pretty damn big praise! But Garcon is not a slot receiver in the NFL; nor is Anthony Gonzalez. These two are more effective on the outside. The only time we will likely see Garcon is if the Colts put Reggie in the slot in case people are doubling him.

Switching to defense, we know are defensive line is indeed stronger. Even after watching the Minnesota pre-season game, it's obvious. This is a much better d-line. Ed Johnson is playing under tackle, Keyunta Dawson has moved to DE, and Dwight Freeney (in some situations) is getting used as a stand-up pass rusher, like an outside LBer in a 3-4. The NT position, so decimated with injury last season, is anchored by a very strong group of players. The Colts should shave roughly 30 yards a game off last season's average per opponent rush.

Speaking of rushing, one of the biggest questions his past off-season was answered in camp: Ryan Lilja. He is healthy, and that is gigantic news! Lilja missed the entire 2008 season, which saw the Colts rank 31st in the league running the ball. He is back. He is healthy. He is motivated to pancake. Also looking good are Mike Pollak and Jeff Saturday. The status of Tony Ugoh is still in question, but as we have stated again and again, and as Ugoh has proven again and again, the best left tackle on this team is Tony Ugoh. Hopefully, he will improve enough to the point where Jim Caldwell will come to his senses and start him again.

Other questions lingering about this team are the health of Adam Vinatieri, the consistency of rookie punter Pat McAfee, the impact of rookie RB Donald Brown, and (of course) what kind of game manager will new coach Jim Caldwell be? However, when you look at these and compare them to the struggles of other teams, you will notice that the Colts actually do not have that many unanswered questions. Talent-wise, this is one of the more talented we've seen. They have great coaches. They have a strong front office. They have the MVP at QB. They have playmakers and difference makers at multiple positions.

This team will do special things in 2009. I know I feel that. What about you? Go Colts!

2009 Colts Training Camp: Starting Nose Tackle

BigBlueShoe — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:57:53 -0000

From the start last year, the defensive tackle position was an utter disaster. This was especially true for the over tackle position, commonly referred to as the nose tackle (NT). Traditionally, Indianapolis has not deployed a prototype nose tackle, ala Vince Wilfork, Casey Hampton, or Jason Ferguson.

Coming into the 2008 season, the Colts looked very deep at the position. The Colts had two young, potentially Pro Bowl caliber NTs returning in Ed Johnson and Quinn Pitcock. Coaches also liked what they saw in mini-camps from then-rookie Eric Foster out of Rutgers. But all that potential at the nose tackle spot for the 2008 Colts disintegrated before our eyes in less than two months.

Entering 2009, the Colts once again have a great deal of talent at the NT spot. But, will it last, and (more importantly) who will win the starting NT spot in camp. Our preview will breakdown who has the best shot, and why.

Nose tackles currently on roster: Ed Johnson, Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir, Terrance Taylor, Fili Moala, Eric Foster, Adrian Grady

Nose tackles competing for starting spot: Ed Johnson, Antonio Johnson, Eric Foster, Terrance Taylor

The 2008 disaster at NT started the day training camp opened. On the way to Terre Haute (literally, like, in his car driving), second year DT Quinn Pitcock stopped his car, turned around, and retired from football. It was literally a WTF moment when the story broke as Pitcock was known as a fiery competitor at Ohio State and had played so very well in 2007. A little over a month later, after an embarrassing opening day loss to the Chicago Bears, starting DT Ed Johnson was arrested for speeding and marijuana possession. Days later, he was kicked off the team. This meant that rookie Eric Foster (who weighed roughly 270 pounds) was thrust in to play nose tackle.

Despite Foster's toughness and determination, teams ran the ball at will against Indy. In October, desperate for some stability at the NT spot, Bill Polian traded a ~~third~~ fourth round pick to the Buffalo Bills for John McCargo. But, the Bills tried to pawn a injured player to the Colts. It was discovered that McCargo had a bulging disc in his back. He failed his physical, which nullified the trade. Foster continued playing much of the year as the starting NT, with newly-signed second year DTs Antonio Johnson and Daniel Muir backing him up.

NTs for the Colts are usually at or slightly under 300 pounds. They are not the 340-350 pound space-eaters other teams use. Quickness, speed, and power are all traits a Tampa-2 NT must possess. The prototype for a Tampa-2 NT was Anthony McFarland. For years, he anchored the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense and was critical to the Colts winning the Super Bowl in 2006. Under Tony Dungy, speed and quickness were valued the most, and that still has not changed as the Colts have transitioned to Jim Caldwell. Despite what many have written about the Colts "beefing up" their defensive line, the reality is they have (essentially) the same depth at NT they had going into 2008. The only NT that breaks the mold is rookie Terrance Taylor, a 6'0, 319 pounder out of Michigan.

Necessary attributes: Quickness; able to engage multiple blockers and still be able to attack gaps; strong burst; strong at point of attack; engage linemen to allow under tackle (or three technique tackle) to attack gaps and penetrate into offense's backfield

Ed Johnson

At A Glance
Position 1: NT	Height: 6'2
Position 2: DT	Weight: 296
Year: 3rd	Age: 26
Number: 66	Note: Recently re-signed after being kicked off team in 2008

Analysis: Big Ed is back in blue, and despite his run-in with the law in September of last year, the Colts decided to make a low risk, high reward offer to Johnson this off-season. They re-signed him to the team, but because of his legal issue he will be suspended for the first game of the 2009 season.

Prior to getting kicked off the team, Johnson was viewed by some to be a potential Pro Bowl-caliber DT. He took over the starting job at NT after Booger McFarland was injured in training camp n 2007. All throughout 2007, the Colts had a stout run defense. Had Dwight Freeney not gotten hurt, the Colts likely would have repeated. Their defense was that good.

Big Ed has the inside track to win the starting NT job mainly because it was his job in the first place. When Ed is on his game, he is a top tier DT. He attacks the point very well and shows exceptional football speed. At 296 pounds, he is the ideal weight for a Tampa 2 NT. He can take on multiple blockers, allowing the three technique tackle to penetrate gaps in the o-line and attack the ball carrier. Ed can also attack gaps himself, using his quickness to create rush on the QB.

The key for Big Ed is his mental toughness. Is he truly willing and able to clean up his life and focus on football? Many of us are pulling for Ed, but we all know that this is his last chance to make it in this league. If he has any kind of run-in with the law again, his career is finished.

Antonio "Mookie" Johnson

Image: Colts.com

At A Glance
Position 1: NT	Height: 6'3
Position 2: DT	Weight: 312
Year: 3rd	Age: 25
Number: 99	Note: Recently re-signed

Signed off the Tennessee Titans practice squad in an act of utter desperation by Bill Polian, Mookie Johnson seemed like all he could offer was a warm body in case anything happened to last year's starter at NT, Eric Foster. However, in December, we started seeing more and more of Mookie playing NT, and the results were encouraging. Though inconsistent game to game (he looked great against the Chargers in Week 14, but seemed to play poorly against the Texans three weeks later), it was understandable seeing as Mookie went from the practice squad of a rival team to (essentially) splitting time with Eric Foster. He had to learn a new defense with new coaches seemingly overnight.

Considering all that, Mookie's play in 2008 was pretty damn good.

Now, after an entire off-season working with line coach John Teerlick, new defensive coordinator Larry Coyer, and the trainers, Mookie has a real shot to win the starting NT spot. In many ways, he is similar to Ed Johnson, though he is taller (6'3) and bigger (312 pounds) than "Big" Ed. For someone so physically imposing, Mookie has good quickness and strong "pop" when he engages blockers.

Mookie impressed many scouts back in 2007, when he came out of Mississippi State. The Titans thought enough of him to draft him in Round 5 in 2007. [UPDATE: As reader project geo pointed out in the comments, Johnson torn his ACL in his left knee and was placed on Injured Reserve his rookie (’07) season.] In 2008, because the Titans had players like Albert Haynesworth and Tony Brown on the roster, they designated Mookie to the practice squad. Per NFL rules, any team can sign a player off an opposing team's practice squad, though few teams do this.

If Mookie has gotten more comfortable playing NT in Indy's Tampa-2, he could become a real force in the middle for this club, solidifying the position with a player with size, speed, and youth.

Eric Foster

At A Glance
Position 1: NT	Height: 6'2
Position 2: DT	Weight: 265
Year: 2nd	Age: 24
Number: 68	Note: Last year's starter

The unsung hero of the 2008 season was Eric Foster. If the NFL gave out a true "tough guy" award last year, this dude would have won it. At 270 pounds, this kid held down the fort at DT. Oh, and he was a rookie last year. Show me another rookie on this team who has ever performed better under such conditions. No play better exemplified Foster's toughness and determination than the hit he put on ~~Willie Parker~~ Mewelde Moore on the goal line in Pittsburgh, where the Colts beat the Steelers for the first time in 40 years.

In 2009, Foster may transition into more of a three technique tackle. This off-season, he's talked often about how he works hard in the video room, studying players and plays; working to get better. He sounds like the defense's Peyton Manning when he talks about tape study. He's also worked on his pass rushing skills, hoping to generate more pressure on the QB from the DT spot.

For Foster's long term health, he is best served playing three technique DT in the Tampa-2, not nose tackle. However, if he is needed in a pinch, he can be serviceable at NT. Hell, he might just be a playmaker at NT, as he was against the Steelers. But, realistically, Foster likely will focus on the other tackle spot, with a few snaps at NT sprinkled into the rotation.

Daniel Muir

Images: Colts.com

At A Glance
Position 1: NT	Height: 6'2
Position 2: DT	Weight: 312
Year: 3rd	Age: 26
Number: 90	Note: Recently re-signed

At 6'2, 312 pounds, Daniel Muir is one of the bigger players on the Colts. Again, despite what many have written, the Colts actually have a lot of "size" at the DT position. Muir signed with the team prior to Week One in 2008, rotating in with Foster, Mookie, and others. Muir was cut by the Packers when they trimmed to 53 in September 2008. The Colts immediately snatched him up. However, Green Bay ran a totally different defensive system than what Indy runs. Muir was also hampered by a hamstring injury much of the 2008, keeping him inactive for several games.

When Muir did play, he played quite well. The first Titans game and the Bengals game were good examples of what Muir brings to the table at NT. He's big, strong, and plays with a fiery temperament. In practices during OTAs this off-season, Muir was quite animated.

The Colts thought enough of Muir to re-sign him this off-season. If he can consistently play at a high level, as he did in a few games last year, his size and attitude could give him an edge over the laid back Ed Johnson.

Terrance Taylor

Image: Colts.com

At A Glance
Position 1: NT	Height: 6'0
Position 2: DT	Weight: 319
Year: 1st	Age: 23
Number: 62	Note: Rookie

The "wildcard" in all this is rookie Terrance Taylor, a 319 pound monster at DT who has a background in wrestling. After the draft, Polian said that Taylor was a "departure" from the norm for the Colts. Speed and quickness are not Taylor's strengths. He is big. REALLY big. Taylor's physicality and stoutness made him tough against the run. Where he lacks polish is his pass rushing.

Taylor might be more of a project at this stage. He doesn't move well, and seems slow off the line. But his size and power make him intriguing at nose tackle.

Thoughts Prior to Camp: Ed Johnson clearly has the inside track, but Mookie Johnson and Daniel Muir now have a full off-season to get comfortable with the system and the coaches. Look for them to push hard for playing time. Foster is likely transitioning to three technique tackle, and Taylor seems more of a three year project player.

Because of Ed Johnson' one game suspension, it is possible that all four of these NTs could make the 53 man roster, with one getting cut after Week One. We will follow the NT battle very closely in camp, and, like the rest of you, we will pray on our hands and knees that the NT position is not decimated by injuries as it was last year.

ESPN's Fantasy Football Preview Belongs in the Humor Section

Colts Homer — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:22:11 -0000

Personally, I think that the ESPN Fantasy Football Preview Magazine is a well edited and in depth magazine, but somethings in it are just too funny to pass up. I think that the writers may know that what they are writing is just insane, but they need to fill up a magazine where they have to analyze the fantasy potential of backup QBs and running backs who will never see the field. Almost everything in the magazine is hilarious, and some of it is Colts-related. Let's look at some of the funnier parts of the player rankings.

#3 QB Peyton Manning (Injury Risk)

It's like I always say. Manning is good, but he misses too many games to become great. All of his missed time really hurts his fantasy stock. This was what made me buy the magazine. I knew that more hilarity was in store.

#12 QB Jay Cutler (Falling Off)
"He's got one of the NFL's premier cannons and enough cockiness to believe he can make any throw, at any time. Alas, his shot at fantasy glory vaporized when he forced his way out of Denver and into Chicago. He could have had Josh McDaniels"

Oh boy. I'm sure after the terrible draft and horrible mismanagement he would have been thrilled to play for Josh McDaniels. McDaniels has already ruined the franchise. Cutler gets to play with Matt Forte in his backfield and for Lovie Smith. He made the right decision by asking to be traded.

#43 QB Vince Young (Sleeper)

LOL

"Don't give up on VY yet."

LMAO

"Yes, he entered the NFL as a flawed signalcaller with maturity questions. Yes, he's acted like a jerk around his team."

I'm sold.

"But he's just 26, and his biggest problem might just be the team that drafted him."

Unless this is a keeper league, it doesn't really matter.

[Editor's Note: For more for Colt Homer's hilarious beatdown of ESPN's Fantasy Football Preview Magazine, continue after the jump. I placed it there to conserve space on the front page. --bbs]

"Jeff Fisher just isn't an outside-the-box kind of guy. Young will probably never be a great pocket passer, but as a shotgun-based run/pass threat who can crack open defenses if the pedal is always to the metal, Young could be a superstar. A trade out of Tennessee could hike VY's value big-time."

This makes no sense. Number one, Young's contract is ridiculous and practically untradable. Number two, what team doesn't have a QB they are confident in right now? Maybe San Francisco, but they aren't a spread offense. The chance of Young getting traded is about .00001%.

#50 QB Brett Ratliff (Sleeper)

Yes, a third string QB is a sleeper. They are really just looking for something to write about for the number 50 ranked quarterback.

#56 QB Jim Sorgi
"We're trying to imagine how many interceptions Peyton Manning would have to throw in a row for the Colts to yank him in favor of Sorgi. Ten? Twenty? Thirty? Tell you what: We'll let you know if the count ever reaches five just to be safe. Until then, feel free to hit the snooze button on the guy."

That made so little sense it just blew my mind. I don't understand the part about the count reaching five. Why is that safe? If Peyton throws five interceptions in the row I'll be too distracted by my rage to realize they've pulled him, let alone thirty. I'm so confused by this.

#24 RB Joseph Addai (Falling Off)
"Look out below: Addai has seen his YPC plummet in the past two seasons, a trend that closely corresponds with the decline of the Colts offensive line (anchors Jeff Saturday and Ryan Diem both played hobbled and looked slower in 2008). By year's end, he found himself in a straight platoon with Dominic Rhodes, and given that the Colts just drafted Donald Brown in the first round, Addai's days as a full-time back are almost certainly over. Maybe if he regains his Midas touch for TDs, he'll prove to be a steal. Otherwise, he's looking like fool's gold."

I agree for some parts, but others are just weird or plain hilarious.

1. Ryan Diem is an anchor? Really? I'd say that there is one anchor on the line, and that is the great Jeff Saturday. Diem also was the only offensive lineman to play 16 games for the team, but I guess he was hobbled while doing it?

2. Addai's only year as a full-time back was in 2007 when Kenton Keith was the backup. He has never been a full-time running back in his life besides that one year.

3. His Midas touch? Did they get advertising money for that? If they did, I am open with using corporate slogans in my blog posts for some extra money. Have it your way.

4. Fool's gold? No one will pick him up early after last year, unless you are saying drafting him would be foolish. In that case, why would he be the #24 running back?

#27 RB LenDale White (Falling Off)

via brotherpeacemaker.files.wordpress.com

#39 RB Donald Brown (Sleeper)
"Meet the guy who figures to be the thorn in the side of Joseph Addai owners. Funnily enough, Brown looks a lot like Addai, with his all-around skill set, though he probably has slightly better speed and isn't quite as good in short yardage. Addai struggles to stay healthy, which makes Brown one of the league's most valuable handcuffs."

I agree for the most part, except Brown is much more of a workload back, which may be the worst part for Addai if Addai plans on being the number one back. Also, I don't understand the handcuffs comment. That makes no sense. Does he handcuff Addai because he will be great for Addai's career, maybe not for fantasy. Handcuff seems like the wrong word though.

#123 RB Chad Simpson

If Simpson is the number three back for the Colts it means that Mike Hart and Lance Ball either killed someone and are in jail or pulled a Quinn Pitcock. Either way, I doubt that will happen, and there is no way Simpson passes up either of them.

#7 Reggie Wayne
"It seems odd that the moment Marvin Harrison finally fell off the fantasy map, Wayne failed to step in and take advantage."

This guy has apparently wiped the 2007 season from his memory. Marvin Harrison didn't even play a majority of that year, and Wayne had 1510 yards and 10 touchdowns. Last year, Marvin played and Wayne only had 1145 yards and 6 touchdowns. That means that Wayne should be a sleeper or riser or something.

#29 Anthony Gonzalez
"Ask us to define "sure-handed", and we'll show you a picture of Gonzalez. In 2008, he caught an astounding 72.2% of the passes thrown his way, third behind Wes Welker and Ike Hilliard among receivers with 75+ targets."

Ha. Shake had that up on Stampede Blue before this magazine came out. SB Nation should be the place for player info, not ESPN. Damn mainstream media.

"Maybe fantasy owners were disappointed that Gonzo basically put up the same numbers in 2008 as he did in '07."

Actually, he had 88 more yards and one more touchdown, which is 14 fantasy points. That's a good improvement if you ask me.

"But now that Marvin Harrison is officially gone (as opposed to last year, when it was only his legs that had departed), we think Gonzalez will jump out of the slot and split wide more often."

In 2007, Marvin was also gone. How quick we forget. Of course, at ESPN Marvin Harrison is pictured as a man who shoots Salvation Army workers and puppies, so they don't know much about him anyways.

"Reggie Wayne will be the best receiver in Indy, but Gonzalez will now define "picture-perfect complement."

I hope so. I hope so.

#104 WR Matt Jones

Is lines snorted a new fantasy stat? If not, I would have him around #10004 instead of #104.

#116 WR Brandon Stokely (Falling Off)

He's still awesome. He's my favorite Colt ever no matter how many concussions he has had. Who haven't they named yet?

#118 WR Marvin Harrison (Falling Off)
"A year after missing 11 games due to knee troubles, Marvelous Marvin scored 5 TDs but failed to eclipse 100 yards in any single game. The Colts cut him and, sadly, interest in him as a free agent has been minimal."

I sense a lot of sarcasm in that. And apparently they do know that Marvin has been hurt before, but apparently it didn't affect the team in 2007 at all.

#125 WR Pierre Garcon

So let me get this straight. Garcon will have a worse fantasy year than Matt Jones, Brandon Stokely, Marvin Harrison (who they predict to not play a game) and teamless DJ Hackett. Okay.

#126 WR Austin Collie (Sleeper)

Clearly they forgot about any Colts receivers after Gonzalez and listed them back-to-back. That's what I do when I forget a pair in a mock draft.

#129 WR Roy Hall
"The Colts carried Hall on their active roster all through 2008 despite the knee injury he suffered in Week 1, so it's possible they view him as a candidate for the number 3 job."

I'm sorry, but the only number three job he will win will be in the UFL. He's too injury prone to beat out Polian favorite Garcon and sleeper according to you Collie. Whatever I guess.

#3 TE Dallas Clark (On The Rise)

Oddly enough, Clark is rising but will have worse stats than last year. I'm not sure how he is rising if that is the case.

#63 TE Gijon Robinson
"The Colts have a mess of players behind Dallas Clark, and we presume at least one from the group of Robinson, Jacob Tamme and Tom Santi will be off the roster come Week 1."

That's a wrong presumption. They didn't draft Tamme and Santi to cut one after one season, and I doubt they cut a starter either.

#69 TE Jacob Tamme
"Answer: Tamme, Gijon Robinson and Tom Santi. Question: Name this bevy of Colts TEs who will likely admire Dallas Clark from the sideline for another season."

In a two tight end set, you need two tight ends. That second tight end will have to come from that "bevy".

#26 K Adam Vinatieri

25 kickers better than Vinny? Doubt it. They say he will hit only 68% of his field goals after hitting 80% last year. That is ridiculous.

#18 DST Colts

With Freeney and Mathis actually having big defensive tackles and the return of Rushing and Jackson, I bet the Colts defense and special teams is a pleasant surprise. They will end up in the top 10 of fantasy DSTs.

So that's the highlight of the ESPN Fantasy Football Magazine. Combined with little knowledge, bad fact-checking and comedy, it makes for a good topic on a blog. Bad journalism at its finest.

The Last Regular Season Game of 2008

BigBlueShoe — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:39:42 -0000

More so than any of regular season in the last 8 years, this one has by far been the most rocky, the most frustrating, and the most turbulent in terms of the roster. We started out with news that our famed WR was wrongly flogged by the national media for an incident occurring outside a bar he owned involving a known felon causing trouble. That news was followed by our QB being shutdown for Training Camp and preseason because of an infection in his knee. Then, our young, promising DT decided (while he was driving to Terre Haute) to turn around and retire; just like that. Training Camp saw us lose our kick returner for the year, and as camp wound down and pre-season started, the team looked shaky.

The grand opening of Lucas Oil Stadium was a dud, as the Colts lost badly to a Bears team that will likely not make the playoffs. Our QB looked weak, injured, and out-of-rhythm. After that humiliating defeat, Indy's other young DT decided to get high and take a late night joy ride. He was arrested, and then cut from the team the next day. Following a narrow escape against the Vikings, injuries started to mount. Bob Sanders was hurt and put on the shelf for a month, and since returning has been in and out of the lineup. The weeks after the Minnesota win saw nothing but inconsistency, and at the mid-point the Indianapolis Colts were 3-4 and had just suffered a devastating loss to the Tennessee Titans in Nashville; on Monday Night Football, no less. Losing is torture enough. Listening to the babbling fool that is Tony Kornheiser while you are losing is cruel and unusual punishment. After the loss, things really did seem to look bleak. The botched 11th hour trade for Bills DT John McCargo seemed to put a cherry on the first eight weeks of football. Things were low. Things looked dark. Life as a Colts fan was miserable.

Then, something happened.

This team decided that they were not going to simply pack it in and hope for things to turn their way next year. Despite all the bad breaks, the injuries, the sloppy officiating (like the first Jaguars game), and teammates out-and-out quitting on the club, the rest of the squad rallied together. Since that loss to the Titans way back in October, the Colts have won 8 straight games, including a hell-and-back stretch which saw them play New England, Pittsburgh, and San Diego back to back to back. After that 3-4 start, they have rallied back to earn an 11-4 record. Our team's QB, Peyton Manning, will indeed win his third MVP (tying him with Brett Favre as the only player with three league MVP awards). Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have battled back from last years injuries to become the best DE tandem in football. And for all the glory he has achieved as a coach, the season which sees Tony Dungy set an NFL record by getting to the playoffs for ten straight years (with two different teams) might be the best season he has coached, ever.

When I look at all this team has gone through, I can't help but feel very, very happy for them and our city. They do us very proud. They never bow down. Never give in. Never give up.

Never doubt.

They were never in doubt of each other. That's what a real team looks like, folks. A real one.

So, no matter what happens this year in the playoffs, this regular season has been one of the best I have ever witnessed as a fan. No, the football was not pretty. It was not perfect. That is not what I watch football for. If I wanted pretty and perfect, I'd watch figure skating or ballet. That is their essence. The essence of American football is watching a team pick themselves up from the mud together, stand tall together, and defy the odds together.

Today, our team has come full circle, in a way. The winning streak (8 games) started after Indy lost at Tennessee. Even though this game today is meaningless, and even though players like Albert Haynesworth, Bob Sanders, Kyle Vanden Bosh, Gary Brackett, and Dominic Rhodes will not play, there is a part of me that really wants to win this game. I've seen a great deal of improvement from these guys since the Titans loss back in October. The addition of former Titan Antonio Johnson has helped solidify the DT position, along with the play of Daniel Muir and rookie Eric Foster.

The playoffs are a whole new season, everyone. What you did during this season is almost meaningless there. So, as this regular season closes, let's give some love to our guys. They battled back when everyone counted them out, and if they win today they would have the second best regular season record in the AFC (even though they will be the 5th seed in the playoffs). This is a strong, gutty team and this has been a very memorable regular season.

Go Colts!

Where I stand on the 2008 Colts thus far

BigBlueShoe — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:33:34 -0000

We aren't even at the halfway mark, and if you talk to some Colts fans they will tell you they've given up on the season. For them, 3-4 now will likely result in a Wildcard spot in the playoffs (if the Colts are lucky). For them, that's lame, and they just don't think a team like that is worth their time.

These kinds of fans are what we call "bandwagoners," and I am more than happy to see them exit stage left.

As a fanbase, we are indeed very spoiled. Fans for teams like the Bengals, Lions, and 49ers would kill to be 3-4 now. And while 3-4 is not an ideal record to have going into November, it at least is a record a club can work with.

This Colts club has seen a ton of crazy things happen to them since the start of training camp. From Manning's knee to Ed Johnson's hash to John McCargo's bulging disc, it has been one head-scratcher after another. Factor in that the Colts have played virtually all of 2008 thus far without the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Bob Sanders, and one could argue it is a damn miracle the team is 3-4 and not 1-6.

Here is what I have seen as the season has progressed: The run defense is now good; the pass rush, consistent. Melvin Bullitt has emerged as a strong option at safety and a superb special teamer. The special teams themselves have developed into a tough group, covering kicks as well as anyone. Pierre Garcon looks like a strong option as a returner. Gijon Robinson, despite his oddness catching the football, is a very good blocker as a TE. Charlie Johnson, once the whipping boy for us fans, has developed into a solid OG and a vital utility player at OT. Without Charlie Johnson, Peyton Manning's season might be over with right now. Rookie Eric Foster is a tough kid who will play NT at 275 pounds and doesn't complain one lick. Tyjuan Hagler is damn good in run support. Anthony Gonzalez is a star in the making.

In addition, I see a team that does not quit. Ever. The Minnesota and Houston games proved that. I've also seen them dominate playoff caliber teams, like Baltimore. The issue with Indy has been consistency. Some want to blame it on Dungy, and make the insinuation that his family living in Florida is the reason why Peyton Manning is under throwing receivers. Hell, we've even had Bob Kravitz dig up the corpse of an excuse that utters that Tony Dungy isn't firm enough with his players, unlike Jon Gruden.

Last I checked, Jon Gruden hasn't won a playoff game in nearly six years, and Tony Dungy has beaten him twice. I wonder if Bob Kravitz drinks on the job.

Is it possible this team has tuned out coach Tony Dungy?

I'm glad you asked that question, and I hope you noticed how I used this particular literary device in such a way that I could blame the rhetorical "you" for bringing up such a touchy subject.

I think it's possible. I really do. I think today's athletes, like most of today's young people, have the attention span of a fruit fly. Pacers president Larry Bird says NBA players stop hearing a particular coach after about three years. Raiders owner Al Davis once said, in a moment of clarity, that NFL coaches lost their players after 10 years -- and he said that years ago.

What happened to Dungy in Tampa? All of his players professed love and respect for him, but when they needed to win a playoff game to possibly save his job, they got rolled by Philadelphia.

There's a reason teams go from players' coaches to authoritarians to players' coaches to authoritarians. After Dungy left Tampa, the Bucs won the Super Bowl under crazy person Jon Gruden. It makes me wonder if associate head coach Jim Caldwell, who is something of a Dungy clone, is really the right guy to take the reins when Dungy leaves, but that's another column for another time.

It is funny to read all this about three years after it was dead and buried, but considering how utterly clueless Kravitz is, I'm not surprised. If the team had tuned Dungy out, we would not have seen the Houston and Minnesota comebacks. And using an NBA analogy in the NFL makes about as much sense as me comparing Unforgiven to Blazing Saddles because they are westerns. NBA players have guaranteed contracts. They can afford to tune coaches out. You tune a coach out in the NFL and your ass is cut. It is one of the beauties of the NFL. Produce, or you are gone. That simple.

Hell, the Colts cut a guy for smoking pot! Can you imagine what they would do if if a player pulled a Vernon Davis on them?

Kravitz idiotness aside, players do not give a crap where the head coach's family lives, and there is no one more dedicated to the team than Tony Dungy. The reason this team has played inconsistent football all season is injuries. That is the reality of the 2008 season.

Injuries.

Monday was the seventh different offensive line combo in seven games this year. Bob Sanders has not played since Week 2. Joseph Addai has been out for weeks. The secondary was minus two starters. Tyjuan Hagler just got back into the LBer corps. Quinn Pitcock and Ed Johnson are gone. Ryan Lilja's status is still uncertain. And for the first four weeks of the season, Peyton Manning basically played on one leg.

When a team has these kinds of injuries, it is very, very difficult to get consistent productivity.

I know the "manly" thing to say is Injuries shouldn't matter. Suck it up and stop whining. Everyone deals with injuries. I think it is no surprise that the team that is 7-0 and the defending champs, who are 6-1, have suffered very few injuries. Yes, Kyle Vanden Bosch did not play Monday, and the Giants lost Osi Umenyiora in pre-season, but a great team can overcome a key injury and move forward.

Multiple injuries to multiple difference makers is a totally different story.

The reality of pro football is if you suffer too many injuries, it is going to affect your win-loss column. The positive is the Colts are finally getting healthy, and the results on the field show that a healthy Colts team is a good one. The run defense has improved, and the Colts are running the ball better themselves.

This team is good enough to get on a roll and make a strong push to get to the playoffs. Again, we are not even at the halfway point. There is a lot of football left to play, and this team is too tough, too savvy, and too talented to not get itself together. If they don't, then the 5 year playoff ride was fun. The result of a bad 2008 would mean the NFL would hand Bill Polian at top 20 pick in the first round of the draft. Last time he had something like that, he produced Dwight Freeney. While teams like Tennessee have a very unstable future ahead of them (making all this "changing of the guard" talk laughable), the Colts still have 25 players at or under the age of 25.

They are the second youngest team in football behind Kansas City, who is rebuilding.

The foundation of this club is strong enough to overcome the craziness that has beset them to start 2008, and it is strong enough to push them forward past that. So, if you have given up on 2008, no offense but you weren't really a Colts fan to begin with. It is easy to root for a team that starts September and October at 19-1 the last five years. When this team does turn around the 2008 season, we real Colts fans will welcome you back with open arms. But, real fans stick with their team through thick and thin, no matter what.

In the meantime, the best the rest of us can hope for is that our guys get back 100%. That is already starting to happen. As they get back, the team will play more consistently, and we will start to see true Colts football.