Some notes from an average fan:

via hosted2.ap.org

[These are some notes that I took down after getting home from the game.  I know there will be some repeats of other observation posts, please forgive.]

Anyone notice that...

1. Jerry Hughes seemed to be on a 2 second delay after the ball was snapped before he reacted?

2.  Donald Brown didn't have a single hole to hit. Not for lack of trying,

3.  The O-Line finally made some running lanes but it wasn't until Devin Moore, and Javarris James got the call.

4.  The first string O-Line held a pocket for Peyton long enough to be effective, but didn't seem to help Addai.  

5.  Joe Addai didn't need any running lanes to score.

5  Taj Smith seemed to still believe it was Friday the 13th.

More after the break.....

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via www.colts.com

So it's the end of day two. Polian and crew pass up several highly rated Offensive Tackles to address other needs.

"the board spoke to them" and said... You need a 3rd fast/ undersized DE, a backup linebacker, and a sleeper Corner from a big school."The colts still have 5 more late round picks plus all the free agents they can sign to address our biggest need.  Offensive Tackle.   But who do they take?  

When projecting Offensive Tackles in the NFL you have Right Tackles and Left Tackles (obviously),But how do you know how a prospect is going to pan out left or right?  Rarely do you have a guy who is successful at both.

In this guy's opinion, one measurable to look at is Arm Length and the other is footwork.  A left tackle in the colt's scheme must be athletic latterly also known as having good feet. The Right Tackle must be athletic too but not to the same extent.

You will also notice that short armed guys seem to project out Right Tackles. This is because having long arms can help negate a speed rush and help a tackle play bigger than they are. Allowing the tackle to weigh less and have better feet.

Now I don't claim that this works all the time. It is just a tool for measuring the remaining prospects for Left Tackle in the draft. Take this article for what it's worth. Arm Length  

But if it is possible that this is a priority that the colts look at in a LT. Then who would be available/ desirable in the remaining rounds?

Lets take a look at the top 8 remaining Tackles by arm length and footwork.

Elite Arm Length

Bruce Campbell

via static.nfl.com

• Height: 6'6"  (good length)
• Weight: 314 lbs.  (good size)
• Arm Length: 36 1/4 in. (elite length)
• College: Maryland

Obviously Bruce Campbell who is a physical beast. Boiling over on all measurables known to man.

But why is he still available?  The obvious one is that he lacks experience and production.  Two traits that the colts seem to covet in my experience.  The other which is kind of a wild card, is health.  Bruce has struggled with durability including some kind of a brain issue. (I'm not a Dr.) The last is he has been described as a bit lazy with his techniques possibly from being so physically gifted with is a fairly common problem with highly bustable prospects in my opinion. 

You might say, Yeah he had too many unknowns to be drafted highly.. but man what a late round flier he would be.

And you could be right.

Tony Washington

via static.nfl.com

Tony Washington OT From Abilene Christian.

Height:  6'6"   (nice length)

Weight:  311  (heavy but not RT heavy)

Arm Length: 35 1/2 in.  (that is elite size)

Tony is another developmental Tackle that has a high ceiling and he could be available for us. 

He has the physical tools but needs to sharpen his techniques  and he doesn't have the injury history to worry about.

Played at the Division II level and did not consistently line up against formidable competition. Must improve his lower body strength and overall balance. He is still new to the game and struggles run blocking in the second level and on screen passes.

The Rest:

Continue reading this post »

Daniel Te'o-Nesheim

via static.nfl.com

• Height: 6'3"
• Weight: 263 lbs.
• Arm Length: 33 3/4 in.
• Hand Size: 10 1/2 in.
• College: Washington
• Conference: Pac 10

Combine

Is it just me or does this guy sound like a Colt?

Classic Overachiever, Projected late round pick. Undersized Defensive End, Solid College production, High Motor, Great Combine workout, Solid Intangibles, Not expected to produce in the pros.

I’m not saying he’s a first round pick, but
Look this guy up.

Te’o-Nesheim performed 29 bench-press repetitions at 225 pounds, and he was timed as fast as 4.73 seconds in the 40-yard dash, though his official time was not among the top 10. Well, he was timed running the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds at Washington’s pro day on Wednesday, according to his agent. The scouts in attendance all had him in the 4.6s.

Intangibles: Highly respected by fans, teammates and the coaching staff. Was a consistent recipient of hustle awards throughout his career – earning the Mark Drennan Defensive Scout Squad Player of the Year when redshirting in 2005 to earning the John P. Angel Defensive Lineman of the Year from 2007-09. Recognized as the Defensive MVP following the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Voted team captain in 2008 and 2009. Participated on the UW track and field team, throwing the shot put and discus and finishing 14th and 16th, respectively, at the 2006 Pac-10 Championships.

His 37’ Vertical is a half of inch shorter than Dwight Freeney and he weighs 8 pounds more. (Freeney weighed 255 in college)
That’s explosion.

In private workouts he’s clocked around 4.67 in the 40, which isn’t lightning quick but it’s fast for a DE, and he moves well with the third best 20 yard shuffle in the combine.

A classic overachiever, Te’o-Nesheim doe not fit the mold of a star NFL defensive end, but he started all 49 games in which he played with the Huskies and proved to be one of the Pac-10’s most consistent defenders over the past three seasons.

The two-time second-team all-Pac-10 honoree leaves with eye-popping numbers: 194 tackles, 47 tackles for loss and as the school’s all-time leader with 30 career sacks. He showed a penchant for coming up with big plays when the Dawgs needed them and was one of few standouts on an otherwise weak unit throughout much of his career.

Links

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1273147

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/daniel-te’o-nesheim?id=496863#tabs:tab-overview

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=75619&draftyear=2010&genpos=de

Freeney
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_Freeney

In Paul Kuharsky's AFC South Blog recently posted an analysis of each AFC South's Team weakness:

For the Colts, Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. wrote that the colt's biggest weakness is Defensive Tackle.  

I disagree, and posted this in response.

"Maybe I'm nuts here, but I'm still worried about the Offensive Line.

#1. Last year the O-Line couldn't do squat in the run game. (even though pass protection was adequate.)

#2. The probable retiring of Howard Mudd. (Just a side note: Mudd had knee surgery in the off season last year and his eventual replacement Pete Metzelaars was in charge for most of the off season and if the play of the O-Line is any representation of his skills vs Mudd I'm worried.)

#3. Injury... Lilja may never return to the starting line up, leaving Saturday who is entering the back half of his career and three 2nd year players who seemed to have a problem staying healthy last year. (Granted that the biggest jump a player makes is from his first to second year, and it's not like the rookies didn't get playing time last year.)

#4 Left Tackle... Ugoh was seemingly benched for inconstant play last year and while he flashes greatness he seems to get hurt a lot and may lack toughness. and finally,

#5. Depth... What happens if Charley Johnson, Michael Touduze and the two new rookie linemen are thrust into start positions because of injury? another year at the bottom of the league in rushing. (even with Downtown Donald Brown, who had a great line in college and ran a power running game.)"

Please someone tell me I'm wrong and next year we will return to the O-Line that we all know and have loved for the entire Mud Era.

Thanks,

Believe in Blue

btw... This is my first FanPost.  I am a long time fan of this blog but just signed up today.