SB Nation - Jamie Silva

Early speculation on who will not play against the Jaguars

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:56:58 -0000

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

9 days ago: Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai (29) makes a catch during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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There are no injury updates from yesterday. So, don't even bother asking. We likely won't get any injury meaningful information until Bill Polian's radio show later this evening on HANK FM (a local Indianapolis radio station that, for some reason that defies logic, does not stream the show live on their website).

However, if I know the Colts, there are certain players who you just know will not play based on their recent history of injury, including the nixes and bumps certain players received yesterday against the Broncos.

Likely out:

Jerraud Powers (hamstring)
Jacob Lacey (hurt in Broncos game)
Charlie Johnson (foot)
Robert Mathis (quad)
Melvin Bullitt (shoulder)
Chad Simpson (hurt in Broncos game)
Dallas Clark (hurt in Broncos game)
Ryan Diem (hamstring)

With so many injuries incurred in the secondary, do not be surprised if Simpson, Tom Santi, or Jacob Tamme are cut to make room for another DB, perhaps even Keiwan Ratliff. Right now, only Antoine Bethea, Jamie Silva, Tim Jennings, Kelvin Hayden, and T.J. Rushing are healthy enough to play in the secondary. Aaron Francisco has sat out the last couple of games with an ankle injury, but he is more a special teams guy than a coverage safety.

If Santi, Simpson, Tamme, or anyone else is cut, don't fret too much. I don't think players signed now to shore up depleted areas will make the playoff roster.

The situation at offensive tackle is also a bit worrisome. Both Charlie and Ryan are hurt, and absolutely need rest to recover from these nagging issues. This means Tony Ugoh and newly re-signed Michael Toudouze might play extensive snaps against the Jaguars.

Regarding Dwight Freeney, look for him to get used on third down only. His snaps will be limited. Other than Peyton Manning, the Colts absolutely cannot afford to lose Dwight Freeney for any length of time.

And then, of course, there is the situations involving Adam Vinatieri and Anthony Gonzalez. Both have been out for extensive periods of time, and if both are in line to play in the post-season, we need to see them start working again in live games. Basicallly, we need them healthy, like, NOW!

Also, Donald Brown better be back and healthy this week. With Joseph Addai nearly decapitated on several big hits by the Broncos yesterday, I would not be surprised to see him limited against the Jaguars. Addai has cared this running game all season, and now is the time for Donald Brown to prove why he was drafted in the first round.

[UPDATE]: Jerraud Powers' Facebook page gives us an update as to his status (Tip to Z.Pain):

“Just a lil hamstring strain…nothing to be concerned about folks, but we definitely wanted to be safe than sorry. The trainers and staff here are already doing a great job getting me back to 1000%. All your support and words of encouragement certainly does help and I thank everyone of you for following me during this first rookie season.”

Also, for those of you looking to listen to the Bill Polian Show, but don't live in the Indy area, Indcolt18 offers some alternatives:

I have an iPhone and I have a couple of radio apps that I use to listen to stations in Indiana( I live in Florida). One is Wunder Radio and the other is “Pocket Tunes”. I like pocket tunes the best and I use it to listen to Hank FM. Also, PT has a record feature so that I can save the shows if I want to listen to them later.

Boston College - UVA and the Big Finish

Brian @ BCI — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:19:57 -0000

More photos » by Hans Deryk - AP

It was that type of day for Virginia quarterback Marc Verica and the Cavaliers as they got thumped by the Hurricanes last weekend. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)

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Brian: The Eagles begin their 3 game season with a road trip to Charlottesville. The Eagles road woes this season are certainly well documented. Can the Eagles finally get in the win column this weekend on the road? What do you expect to see out of the Eagles this weekend? Who will step up?

Jeff: Nothing can cure problems of going on the road for this team better than trips to the two worst teams in the conference which is what the Eagles have left this season with road games at UVA and Maryland. The point spread indicates that it will be a close game and I wouldn't be shocked if it is, but that is only because of the road problems the Eagles have displayed on the road. Fortunately, the Eagles should be able to get away with turning the ball over a time or two more than UVA tomorrow and still come home with a W.

Brian: The Eagles offensive line has come a long way since we watched them down in Death Valley. Do you expect the O Line to continue progressing and give Shinskie and Harris enough time to put in strong performances on offense?

Jeff: We had a bye week and we are playing against one of the bottom four or five teams we play this year. Neither of those points can be overemphasized. The bye week game the team some time to get back to the basics and move further away from Jags/Logan/TOB football to Spaz/Tranquil football. It also gave them a week of rest and recovery from injuries so I expect the team to look good, especially in the trenches where the long season can wear on the big guys and the O-Line was out of sync more than any other unit earlier this season.

Brian: Huge Eagles sports weekend. Perhaps the biggest of the year. On Friday night, the men's basketball team begins their 2009-2010 season as they host the Dartmouth Big Green at Conte Forum. The men's soccer team plays #7 seeded NC State in the ACC Tournament semifinals down in North Carolina. On Saturday and Sunday, the Eagles ice hockey team hosts Vermont as they wrap up their regular season Hockey East series. And of course on Saturday afternoon the football Eagles try to keep pace with Clemson in the Atlantic Division race as they travel to Charlottesville and take on the Cavaliers. Of the games I just mentioned, how many wins will the Eagles come away with this weekend?

Jeff: I hope this doesn't turn out to be the biggest sports weekend of the year. It's certainly big for the men's soccer team and hopefully they will advance and play in the finals. In the other four games I expect the Eagles to win. I will be disappointed with anything but a win from the football and basketball teams who should both be in control of their respective games come the second half. I also expect the hockey team to win at least one of two if not going 1-0-1 or 2-0. It's a weekend that has a lot going on for the Eagles, but no individual game has a lot at stake. For football, this game only matters if they go on to win the next two after Saturday.

Big Finish

Brian: Much has been made of BC's road woes this season, but let's not forget the Atlantic Division clubhouse leader has also struggled on the road this season. Clemson is 1-2 away from Death Valley, losing to Georgia Tech and Maryland and barely beating Miami on overtime. Chances NC State pulls off the miracle upset this weekend in Raleigh?

Jeff: I've probably watched as much Clemson football as anyone reading this and I am still not impressed. Spiller gets the thumbs up. Rest of team - thumbs down.

Jeff: Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen thinks that the Terps are better than their 2-7 record indicates and that they could easily be 7-1 or 6-2. Your thoughts?

Brian: Ok Fridge. And if BC could have played their first 9 games at home, they could easily be 9-0.

Brian: BC picked up a two-sport recruit in Bobby Swigert this week. An Ohio native, Swigert picked BC over Michigan, Stanford, Nebraska and Pittsburgh. You surprised BC beat out those four schools for Swigert's services as a wide receiver and shortstop?

Jeff: I am still slightly surprised and very excited anytime a football recruit comes to BC over Michigan and/or Nebraska.

Jeff: Do the Yellow Jackets wrap up the Coastal Division title this weekend against Duke?

Brian: Yes. Hopefully this gives Georgia Tech enough lead time to get students excited about their trip to Tampa and sell some tickets.

Brian: Former BC Eagle and Charlotte's starting power forward Shamari Spears was suspended for the 49ers season opener for a violation of team rules. Your thoughts?

Jeff: I'm disappointed. I had high hopes for him early on at BC but then his progress slowed before he regressed and eventually transferred.

Jeff: Indianapolis Colt and former Eagle Jamie Silva is "jacked up" about playing New England this weekend. Who ya got? The Colts or the Patriots?

Brian: Both teams have struggled the past few weeks. I'll go with the home team in this one. Colts win in a close one.

Brian: Last one, HD predicts a 21-17 victory for the Eagles this weekend. I'm fairly certain you will also predict a victory for BC so let's get to your prediction. What's the final score on Saturday?

Jeff: If it's a close game late I'll tell you right now that I won't like our chances to pull off the victory. I think BC will pull away earlier and coast though. A ton of Montel in the 2nd half. 27-7 BC.

Pick 5

Brian: Last week's college football carnage (Iowa, Oregon, Penn State, Oklahoma, Cal, etc., etc.) also took its toll on our Pick 5 last week, as neither Jeff nor I got above .500 last week. But since Jeff put in a better performance than I did, he gets to pick first.

Jeff:

Stanford (+10.5) at USC
Arizona (+3) at Cal
Miami (-3) at North Carolina
Clemson at NC State (+8)
Virginia at Boston College (-4)

Brian:

Georgia Tech at Duke (+12.5)
Florida State at Wake Forest (-5)
Auburn (+4.5) at Georgia
West Virginia (+8.5) at Cincinnati
Missouri (0) at Kansas State

Recap Week Eight: Colts 18 - 49ers 14

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:44:42 -0000

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

about 1 month ago: Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell looks on during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. Indianapolis won 18-14. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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Fans and media have grown accustomed to seeing the 2009 Indianapolis Colts blowing out teams left and right on route to a 6-0 start, winning 15 straight regular season games (dating back to last season). Against the San Francisco 49ers, we were promised some "real" competition.

And the game did not disappoint.

The 49ers jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, the result of a 64 yard Frank Gore TD in the first quarter. The Colts struggled to respond on offense, scoring only field goals rather than touchdowns when their team was in the redzone. And because we are all so very, very SPOILED this year, with offense exploding out of nearly every game the Colts have played, there were many Colts fans who spent halftime wringing their hands, wondering if the Colts were as good as advertised. Some fans were ready to "jump off the ledge" after Alex Smith drove the 49ers offense 89 yards in 1:11, capping the drive with an 8 yard TD pass to Vernon Davis with roughly 30 seconds left in the half.

However, at the end of the TD, Davis was flagged for excessive celebration, and 15 yards was tacked onto the end of Indy's kick return. In 25 seconds, Peyton Manning drove the Colts to the 49ers' 13 yard line. Matt Stover then kicked a FG to cut the lead 14-9.

From that point on, the Colts shutout and shutdown the 49ers, and exposed SF's coach Mike Singletary for the petty, immature bum he really is.

The 49ers did not score a single point in the second half. Their running game was stuffed and their passing game smothered. Frank Gore ran for 91 yards on 13 carries. That's 7 yards a carry. But, this is one time where the stats really lie to you. 64 of those 91 yards came on one play, which featured normally sure tacklers Jerraud Powers and Antoine Bethea attempting to "hit" Gore rather than "tackle" him. After that play, the Colts held Gore to 9 carries for 20 yards. To put it mildly, Gore got lucky on his 64 yard run. The rest of the game, he was stuffed. The Colt then turned their pass rushers loose on Alex Smith, who was decent on one series and terrible throughout much of the game.

In a nutshell, this was a game that really showcased the Colts defense, who helped make up for the lack of cohesiveness from the offense. Again, these are the new Colts. These Colts don't just play defense.

They dominate with it.

Let me first say the obvious one more time: Mike Singletary is a bum. I said it in my quick recap. I say it again. BUM. For all his silly talk of "playing tough" and being "tough minded," this schmuck is nothing more than a poser. In the third quarter with the Colts driving to gain the lead, Indy started gaining success by running a hurry-up offense. From the booth, Colts radio announcers Bob Lamey and Will Wolford noted that 49ers players were receiving signals from 49ers coaches to "go down" and "fake an injury" in order to stall the Colts offense. This was a tactic used by Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots years ago, and it was dusted off and used liberally by Mike Singletary and his cadre of puppets on the sideline. The tactic designed to stop the game, rest the defense, and disrupt the Colts offense all while not sacrificing a time out.

In other words, it's cheating.

Mike Singletary. Bum.

Image: 4.bp.blogspot.com

The strategy didn't work, as Indy scored the go-ahead TD on a 22 yard pass from Joseph Addai to Reggie Wayne to start the fourth quarter. Yes, I did type that correctly. On first and 10 from the SF 22, Addai ran left and threw to a wide open Wayne in the endzone. The score gave Indy the lead for the first time in the game, and they would hold on to win.

Later on in the game, with the Colts driving in the fourth quarter, looking to run out clock or (possibly) pad the lead and ice the contest, they went hurry-up again. The 49ers countered with signals from the sideline, and down went Takeo Spikes. Spikes complained of "cramps." He was helped off the field by training staff after a significant delay. A few plays later, Spikes was back out on the field, making tackles and seemingly a-okay.

Despite the cheating, the Colts drove the length of the field, converted a fourth and inches deep in 49ers territory, and ran out the clock. Ball game. Colts win.

When the chips are down, when things look bleak, when the game is getting out of hand, some teams and their head coaches respond with guts, determination, and courage. When the game was getting out of hand for Mike Singletary, he opted to cheat. Tells you something about the man.

For all of Singletary's bravado, all his speeches and all his pants dropping antics to motivate grown men who make millions of dollars playing a game, Singletary is nothing more than a coward. When you have to resort to cheap tactics in order to win, you are not "tough." You are not a "winner." You are a "cheater." And for all of Singletary's shenanigans, for all his last minute defensive adjustments, for all of his tricks... his team surrendered 410 yards of offense and lost the game. They are now 3-4 and have lost three in a row. Nice work, Mike. Keep it up, ya bum!

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. The Colts defeated the 49ers 18-14. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Switching gears from the fake head coach to the real won, for the first time since the NFL merger, a rookie head coach has started 7-0. That coach is Jim Caldwell. And unlike Singletary, Caldwell did not have to resort to cheating in order to extend Indy's regular season winning streak to 16 games. He didn't even need a TD pass from Peyton Manning. What he needed was some outstanding defense, some excellent special teams play, and a little flare from Tom Moore, who made a brilliant play call on the Addai to Wayne TDs. Here are some more observations:

Once again, the Colts struggled to run the ball consistently against a tough run defense. However, when the Colts needed some tough, short yards, Joseph Addai came through. He carried for 21 of Indy's 22 carries. The only other carry not made by Addai was done by Chad Simpson, who lost a yard on the carry.
Where was Mike Hart? I saw him on some passing downs, but he did not carry the ball at all Sunday.
The Colts held the 49ers to 5.1 yards a pass.
With the Broncos losing to the Ravens 30-7, the Colts are the lone undefeated team in the AFC. They also will likely have the #1 scoring defense after 8 weeks.
Matt Stover was 4-4 on FGs, and Pat McAfee was outstanding using his big leg to reverse field position. In the past, former-Colts punter Hunter Smith would not be able to make the kinds of kicks McAfee is making.
Peyton is the fastest player ever to 4,000 career completions.
Reggie Wayne tied a career high with 12 catches. He also gained 147 yards and 1 TD. He did it all on a gimpy leg. Reggie Wayne is the best WR in football. Period.
Dwight Freeney recorded a sack, which is now at least one sack in 8 straight games. The sack came when the 49ers were driving to re-take the lead. It came on third down. It knocked them out of FG range. It was a big time, clutch sack.
Bob Sanders got an INT. Welcome back Bob.
Mike Pollak was replaced in the second half by Kyle DeVan. I think the Colts have given up on Pollak.
After the game, Bill Polian praised Jamie Silva for "hanging in there" as a kick returner, which is "not his strong suit," according to Polian. Silva was excellent on kick coverages, registering 4 tackles.

Many thanks to Fooch and the 49ers fans at Niners Nation. While I'm sure some of them will not take kindly to me calling their coach a bum, I'll just say that Singletary is not good enough for the storied franchise that is the 49ers or their great fans. They deserve a classy coach. Not a cheating punk.

Back to the game, for me personally, I think these kinds of games are important. The 49ers are not a bad football team. Even though their coach is a laughable faker, they have a good defense and some solid pieces to build on with their offense. So, for the Colts to overcome their offense's problems and win the game shows me something. It should also show YOU something, and to the people complaining at halftime that the Colts "should be winning," shame on you. This is the NFL. Nothing is guaranteed. Anyone can beat anyone, any given Sunday. One week you're great. The next, you suck. The key is not getting caught up in the hype or the hate.

This is an excellent Colts team, and if you are too spoiled to enjoy wins like this, then watch something else. I LOVE wins like this. I LOVE watching our defense eek out a gutty win. I LOVE watching two, key late game drives to ice a game. I love it. I Love it. I LOVE IT!

And you should too. Go Colts!

Final Colts-Phins Injury Report

shake n bake — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 00:02:37 -0000

Unfortunately it was bad news hitting me as soon as I was back from Iowa's 27-17 victory over Arizona. Jerraud Powers and Gijon Robinson missed today's practice putting the status of two starting spots up in the air. Jamie Silva and Charlie Johnson practiced a second day this week after returning yesterday while Anthony Gonzalez, Bob Sanders and Tom Santi remained out of practice and have been ruled out for Monday Night. Jamey Richard sat out again after limited participation Thursday and sitting out yesterday, he is listed as questionable. Days off for Marlin Jackson and Tony Ugoh.

OUT: Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Bob Sanders (knee), Tom Santi (ankle)

Questionable: Charlie Johnson (back), Jerraud Powers (groin), Gijon Robinson (back), Jamey Richard (shoulder), Jamie Silva (abdomen).

Colts.com link

Oesher says Marlin Jackson will return to the outside if Powers is unable to play.

Week 2: Friday Injury Report

shake n bake — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:03:41 -0000

Day 2 of this weeks injury/practice participation report. Bob Sanders, Anthony Gonzalez and Tom Santi sat out a second day in a row. Jamey Richard went from limited to no participation, but Charlie Johnson and Jamie Silva were back on the practice field today. Tim Jennings got the day off.

Colts.com link

Colts News: Oesher reports that Charlie Johnson is likely to be able to play Monday and relays praise from coach Caldwell about Tony Ugoh.

Week 2: Thursday Injury Report

shake n bake — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:12:26 -0000

Schedule is pushed back a day due to the game being Monday Night Football, so it's day one of the injury report. Bob Sanders(knee), Jamie Silva (abdomen) and Tom Santi (ankle) are still sitting out from practice, joined by the obvious in Anthony Gonzalez (knee) and the unexpected addition of Charlie Johnson (back). Jamey Richard had limited participation. Fili Moala returned to practice after missing Thursday, Friday and Sunday's game.

colts.com link

Colts News: Oesher reports that Fili Moala is expected to play this week, Pat McAfee will handle kickoff duties now that Andrus is gone, waived LB Cody Glenn was signed to the practice squad replacing TE Jason Pocisak, has comments from Peyton on Baskett, Garcon and Collie and Ed Johnson speaks about his suspension and return to the lineup.

Phil B comments on another example of the Colts comically tight lipped stance making info about the team public.

Awesome totally off topic non-Colts link.

Week 1: Friday Injury Report, News

shake n bake — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 20:39:39 -0000

Not surprises on the Colts side today. Sanders (knee), Silva (abdomen) and Santi (ankle) missed practice again are have been ruled out for Sunday. Fili Moala sat out a second day of practice with a knee issue. He is listed as questionable. Jennings was back after being rested Thursday, while Marlin Jackson got today off for rest.

Out: Bob Sanders, Jamie Silva, Tom Santi

Questionable: Fili Moala (missed Thursday and Friday practice)

Colts.com link

On the Jags side Thomas (back) and Landri (knee) were limited in practice. Both are listed as probable. Zach Miller (the lesser) missed a 3rd practice this week and has been ruled out due to a knee injury.

Out: Zach Miller

Probable: Tra Thomas, Derek Landri

Jaguars.com link

Phil B expects Fili Moala to sit, but doubts he'll see significant time even if he suits up.

John Oesher reports that Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir and Eric Foster is the Colts likely defensive tackle rotation for Sunday, according to Coach Caldwell.

Week 1: Thursday Injury Report, News

shake n bake — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:11:32 -0000

Two new names on the injury report today. Fili Moala sat out today after practicing fully yesterday (knee) and Tim Jennings continues to get a day off to rest each week. Bob Sanders (knee), Jamie Silva (abdomen) and Tom Santi (ankle) sat out a second day of practice.

Colts.com link

Over on the Jags side. Backup tackle Tra Thomas returned to practice, TE Zach Miller (the lesser) sat out again and 2nd string (backup to rookie starter Terrance Knighton) DT Derek Landri was added to the report after being limited by a knee injury.

Jaguars.com link

In the news, Oesher reports that Coach Caldwell called Jerraud Powers starting Sunday's at CB opposite Kelvin Hayden "likely". Marlin Jackson will play the nickel with Tim Jennings likely relegated to the dime package.

Bill Polian on NFL Network (via 18to88) says that Sanders has been cleared by Dr. James Andrews, but must reach conditioning and practice time benchmarks before he will be allowed to play on the surgically repaired knee. Polian calls Sanders' progress "rapid".

Finally, in case you didn't see the announcement at the top right of every SB Nation blog, the network has launched a new mainpage with news, scores and analysis from bloggers within and (formerly) outside of SB Nation with sub-pages with all the previously mentioned features for each major sport. Looks very cool.

[Update] Phil B (via commenter Cass) relays the clearest injury status answer ever given by the Colts. Jamie Silva will not play Sunday. Leaving only the newly signed (and widely panned for poor cover skills by Cards fans) Aaron Francisco backing up Antoine Bethea and Melvin Bullitt.

2009 Pre-Season for the Colts is finito

BigBlueShoe — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:23:12 -0000

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

3 months ago: Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco (85) meets with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) after their preaseason NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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Well, unlike last pre-season, where we all collectively held our breath on the injury status of Peyton Manning, Jeff Saturday, and several other key players, the Colts managed to get through this pre-season without sustaining any serious injuries that might affect the outcome of games that mean something. For first year coach Jim Caldwell, that is a triumph worth acknowledging.

The number one job of any coach in pre-season is to get his squad through it as healthy as possible. The games mean nothing, and unless you are rebuilding and re-evaluating everyone on the roster, pre-season is simply a gauntlet that teams try to fight through without getting too beat up. Case in point, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their best player, Maurice Jones-Drew, injured his leg last night in his team's fourth and final pre-season game. The injury maybe be "serious," and his status for Week One is in doubt.

With pre-season done, we're now getting thoughts and final evaluations from bloggers and fans alike. We've even got a few mock 53-man rosters. Keep'm coming.

This pre-season, during both training camp and pre-season, we've been fortunate enough to have a very dedicated and diverse group of Colts bloggers offering different (and, at times, contradictory) opinions on games, players, and coaches. It has made this pre-season one of the richest, content-wise, since I started blogging three years ago. From media pros like John Oehser to training camp Twitter demigods like Eric Hartz to unapologetic, rabid fans like Deshawn Zombie, we've had a wide range of news and opinions since the chaps wearing blue and white with the horseshoe helmets rolled into Rose Hulman over a month ago.

Now, we get their opinions (with a sprinkling of my own) on the state of this team heading into 2009.

Before diving in, please note that I personally don't put much stock in the fourth pre-season game. Most of the guys who play in the fourth game do not make the final roster. Only two starters on defense played (Ed Johnson and Philip Wheeler), and they did not play for very long. This was a game to evaluate young players like Jacob Lacey and veterans playing in new positions (like Freddy Keiaho playing MIKE). It's also yet another pre-season game where the Bengals blow out the Colts. I think that statement alone should help define the overall importance of pre-season to the bottom line in this league (winning and losing).

John Oehser gives us his impressions of the club:

As I wrote on Examiner, if you’re a Colts fan, don’t worry about this game [against the Bengals]. It’s preseason and although the Colts say the right things about wanting to win, they want to be healthy and get a read on young players. They did that, and there are more positives than negatives out of this preseason. A lot more.

Our co-writer, Colts Homer, offered his opinions on some of those young players:

For the corners, Jacob Lacey played well except on the first drive. He is practice squad bound, but he looks like a future Colt. He's great in man coverage.
Jamie Silva played great. He led the team in tackles and had a sack. He was a stud today and I think he locked up a roster spot.

Evaluating young players and gauging the overall talent of the team is something new coach Jim Caldwell has been focused on all pre-season. He seems to know who he wants to start and who he wants playing in various rotations on the defense. Overall, Caldwell has impressed people with how he's run the team, including the Indy Star's PhilB. PhilB hasn't locked up his opinion on Caldwell completely, but his comments about the new coach suggest he is the right man for the job:

Still forming an opinion of Caldwell, but I think he's a solid football guy. He's paid his dues, is getting his shot. We'll see. He's stepping into a pretty nice situation. Some franchises can't win forever. This guy just took over a team that's won 12 in a row six straight years. Then again, Super Bowl or bust isn't exactly easy. Anything less is a failure, with this team's talent.

I personally get a little sick of the "Super Bowl or bust" rhetoric that often gets thrown around. Indeed, the Colts have the talent, right now, to win a Super Bowl. But as we have seen for the last two years, talent right now means nothing. It's how much of your talent is healthy in January. If guys like Dwight Freeney, Joseph Addai, Ryan Lilja, Robert Mathis, Gary Brackett, Bob Sanders, and Ed Johnson are either severely hurt, on IR, or kicked off the team for smoking weed by January, then it is kind of hard to take the "Super Bowl or bust" rhetoric seriously.

In the NFL, it's all about staying healthy, and playing healthy, at the right time.

The number one goal for the Colts right now is to win the AFC South. Getting in the playoffs is hard enough, but Super bowl talk is worthless unless the team wins the division. Once in, anything can happen. The playoffs are a crap shoot. Teams can change on a dime when January rolls around, like the Cardinals last year (2008), the Giants the year before (2007), and our Colts the year before that (2006). So, talking Super Bowl right now is just silliness. Win the division first. Stay healthy. Beat the teams you are supposed to beat. The rest will take care of itself.

Finally, Deshawn Zombie offers us his opinion on one possible weakness for the Colts this year:

The offensive line will be a problem all year.

Charlie Johnson is the left tackle. I'm still not ok with that sentence. The line gave up 5 sacks of Manning in barely one full game of work. Tony Ugoh could have won the starting job back, but he was terrible. His play last night was rough to say the least, although there were problems all over the line, to be fair. This was the biggest offseason issue for the Colts this year. Lilja is back and apparently healthy, so that's a plus. Still, there is some question as to whether this is a Super Bowl quality O line.

Last night, the Colts gave up six sacks. I believe that is 14 sacks in four pre-season games. That's simply not going to cut it. Howard Mudd's got a lot of work to do.

The main thing we learned from this pre-season is players practice and play hard for Jim Caldwell. Whenever there is a coaching transition, that is what you are looking for when evaluating the new coach. Will Wolford made the observation last night while calling the game with Bob Lamey: The transition from Tony Dungy to Jim Caldwell has seemed seamless. People who know and follow this team are excited about what it can do. That was sorely lacking last season, as this team seemed to limp in and out of games on a regular basis, sapping hope from fans with each update of the injury list.

The cutdown to 53 is tomorrow. Here is my updated mock 53-man roster page. We'll discuss this in more detail later today. In the meantime, offer up your opinions, queries, concerns, and excitement for the 2009 Colts as the regular season opener gets closer.

Go Colts!

BigBlueShoe's mock 53-man roster page

Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts roster

Colts v. Bengals Preseason Review: It's Over!

Colts Homer — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:54:51 -0000

More photos » by Ed Reinke - AP

3 months ago: Indianapolis Colts receiver Taj Smith celebrates after scoring against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)

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Finally! The long preseason is over. Very soon we will see who gets cut and who makes the roster. If anyone watched the embarrassment of this game, they know how hard it is to try and find something good from this game. Obviously it needs to be said that almost all of the players that played today are in no way expected to contribute this season, but it was still ugly. It gave us a grim glimpse of life without Manning (and Addai, Brown, Wayne, Saturday, Freeney, Mathis, etc...). Now we know how Lions fans feel in the regular season. Here is a position-by-position rundown of today's "game".

QBs

~I thought both of them played well. Sorgi played the first half and Painter played the second. Both showed good accuracy and didn't make any big mistakes passing. A Sorgi interception got called back but that was mostly Tamme's fault for dropping the pass. Sorgi did lose a fumble. This game didn't show us anything knew. Sorgi is the second best QB on the roster and Painter is the future Sorgi.

RBs

~Simpson and Ball both played well to be honest for their situations. The guards didn't play very well today, but Ball was able to get 3.4 yards per carry (which would have been average on the team last year) and Simpson had 16 yards on 4 carries. Walter Mendenhall had one big run but did nothing to show he deserves to be close to a roster spot. This will be one of the most highly anticipated cuts. Will Hart or Ball make it? Will both of them be on the 53 man roster? I would guess when cut day comes that will be headline here at Stampede Blue.

WRs/TEs

~Taj Smith was pretty awesome today. His touchdown catch was a thing of beauty when he got the ball in tight coverage. He had 5 catches for 59 yards and was targeted an amazing 11 times. Jacob Tamme also got a lot of looks and did decent. His dropped pass which resulted in an interception was ugly though. John Matthews still sucks.

~Kyle DeVan and Tony Ugoh were good. Jaimie Thomas and Jamey Richard were bad. Ugoh was playing great at left tackle and had to compensate for the surprisingly awful performance by Richard. Richard looked like he didn't care and was very slow. Another reason why preseason is too damn long. DeVan should have clinched a roster spot tonight but Steve Justice could somehow keep a roster spot.

DL

~The way they handle the D-line shows that the Colts couldn't care less about the preseason. Honestly, the only way they could show how little they cared to an even further extent would be to not show up at all. They play 4 DTs and no defensive ends because the defensive end position is locked up. Adrian Grady proved to be a complete monster and I don't think he will get cut. I have a gut feeling that Daniel Muir could be on his way out. It depends on how the team would feel about cutting someone who was looking like he could be starting in Week One.

~This is the most confusing unit on the team. One week Mike Tauiliili looks like a star and the next he is a non-factor. Jordan Senn didn't play all that well tonight and Freddy Keiaho showed his uselessness with missing easy tackles. I think that Ramon Humber has to make the roster. I mean, there is no way they can keep someone like Keiaho over him, can they?

~For the corners, Jacob Lacey played well except on the first drive. He is practice squad bound, but he looks like a future Colt. He's great in man coverage.

~Jamie Silva played great. He led the team in tackles and had a sack. He was a stud today and I think he locked up a roster spot.

Special Teams

~Adam Vinatieri missed a field goal and Pat McAfee had a punt blocked and may or may not have been injured. Someone would need to clarify that for me. From a kicking standpoint, it was an ugly game.

~Jamie Silva is not a punt returner unless 5 yards a return sounds acceptable to you. Simpson wasn't as bad as usual at returning kicks, but he isn't making the roster because of it. That's for sure.

Roster prediction after the jump.

QB
Peyton Manning
Jim Sorgi
Curtis Painter

RB
Joseph Addai
Donald Brown
Mike Hart
Lance Ball

H-B
Gijon Robinson
Tom Santi

WR
Reggie Wayne
Anthony Gonzalez
Austin Collie
Pierre Garcon

TE
Dallas Clark
Jacob Tamme

LT
Charlie Johnson
Tony Ugoh

LG
Ryan Lilja
Jamey Richard

C
Jeff Saturday
Kyle DeVan

RG
Mike Pollak
Dan Federkeil

RT
Ryan Diem

LE
Robert Mathis
Keyunta Dawson
Marcus Howard

UT
Ed Johnson
Fili Moala
Eric Foster

NT
Antonio Johnson
Terrance Taylor
Adrian Grady

RE
Dwight Freeney
Raheem Brock

WILL
Clint Session
Ramon Humber

MIKE
Gary Brackett
Jordan Senn

SAM
Philip Wheeler
Tyjuan Hagler

CB
Kelvin Hayden
Marlin Jackson
Jerraud Powers
TJ Rushing

FS
Antoine Bethea
Matt Giordano
Jamie Silva

SS
Bob Sanders
Melvin Bullitt

K
Adam Vinatieri

P
Pat McAfee

LS
Justin Snow

Practice Squad
RB Walter Mendenhall
WR Taj Smith
OL Jaimie Thomas
OL Tom Pestock
DL John Gill
LB Mike Tauiliili
DB Jacob Lacey

I like this roster and I really don't have very many problems with it. Usually I will be apprehensive about publishing a roster prediction because I just don't agree with all of it, but I like this one. Muir being booted is obviously the most controversial along with Jennings leaving, but if this team wants the 53 best players, this is probably the way to go.