SB Nation User Blog: BetterD

Freeny give Garrard worst/best hit

BetterD — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:43:29 -0000

Freeny give Garrard worst/best hit

Trying to get this right but I am not having much luck

Freeny give Garrard worst hit

BetterD — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:39:27 -0000

Freeny give Garrard worst hit

Thought you might like this article.

Vanderjagt as an emergency option if Vinatieri can't goe.

BetterD — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:02:33 -0000

That is pretty much the theme of an article written at BR, it is also a reoccurring nightmare for me. There are a few things that I don't ever want to see happen, at the top would be Peyton Manning dawning another teams jersey. the pats or the Steelers winning another super bowl and of course; Mike (I'm a giant deuchbag) Vanderjagt ever attempting another field goal in a colts uniform, would have to be right up there.

The fact is Adam Vinatieri had hip surgurry in the offseason, that is serious, but I can't believe Vanderjagt, would be a viable option. He may have been the most accurate kicker in NFL history, but his reputation as a choker in playoff games is what I remember most about him. Against Miami and Pittsburg he had a chance to win those games or get them into overrtime and he failed. He has embarrised him self and the colts with his comments and his actions. I wold think Bill P. would rather have John Daily attempting field goals instead of Mike Vanderjagt, at least Daily is likeable.

I'll look at the article some more after the jump.

The reality of the situation is that it is very likely that Adam Vinatieri could return from hip surgery, have a long rehabilitation process, suffer complications and setbacks, and then re-injure or aggravate the injury during the course of the season, leaving the team and its fans without a proven kicker on their roster.

I think it’s time for the Colts to consider a backup plan and his name should be Mike Vanderjagt.

The colts did draft a kicker Pat McAffey and signed a free agent or two; so there is some concern, but, if these young guys don't work out, Polian will sign some body but it won't be Vanderjagt. Mike, like him or not, is 39 and his last year in the CFL he made around 75% of his FG attempts, not close to his NFL record life time average of 86.5% and not good enough by NFL standards. He's not getting any younger and not any more accurate.

Adam Vinatieri is 36 years old, which is not terribly old for a kicker, but he's certainly nearing the end of his career. Since joining the Colts in 2006, his field goal percentage has dropped dramatically from 89.3 percent in 2006 to 79.3 percent in 2007 to 80.0 percent in 2008.

He doesn't ever say Vanderjagt's field goal percent last year in the CFL, so I looked it up, he hit right at 75%. Vinatieri out preformed him last year, with a bad hip. There is no reason to think this guy has anything left not to mention he suffers from the "million dollar leg, and the five cent brain" syndrome. If a playoff game is on the line, I would rather have Vinatieri hobble out there with a "walker" then put VanderChoke back out there.

Vanderjagt can still come in and perform at a high level, and it is not really a matter of money since Vanderjagt has been playing for the Canadian Football League, which generally pays significantly less than the National Football League.

He hasn't preformed at a hight level since 2005, why is he going to start now. His last memorable kick as a Colt was on the Letterman show. I'm sure Bill P. loved that episode. Add to that the off field stuff and there is no way Bill P. signs this guy, He'll sign King R. before he signs Vanderdeuch.

The offseason is really dragging on, people are getting board and conjuring up articles, no way Bill P. would ever consider signing him again. I trust that Bill P. can find a better option then the return Vanderpuke.

Poll

Is Mike Vanderjagt worth the trouble to bring back if Adam Vinatieri isn't ready to go in August.

yes

17 votes

no

135 votes

152 votes | Poll has closed

Sproting News Gives Colts draft a D

BetterD — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:07:10 -0000

via fun.platinum.linux.pl

Not sure who Clifton Brown is, but, he can't be too bright, he is grading the colts draft a as a D, what a dumbass.

Every once in a while you see a 'taliking head' criticize the Bill for some of his draft selections; it doesn't much any more because the BP will make you look like a Dumbass. I'm sure you remember reading the Marlin Jackson selection,' was a reach, not a true 1st rounder, not an NFL corner will have to convert to saftey'; oops he seems to be doing fine. BP has had great success with most of his 1st rounders and considered one of the great NFL personal men.

This guy gave them a D but didn't really justify it, what a dumbass.

Indianapolis Colts: D

Running bck Donald Brown is a complete player, and backs have a history of doing well in Indy. Bill Polian has a great track record with late-round picks. Defensive tackle Fila Moala better be an overachiever because the Colts need help stopping the run.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=542934

Tip of the Hat to ROTB

BetterD — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:43:31 -0000

I wanted to take a second and thank you guys for your help on my Cards picks, for stampedeblues mock draft. I spent quite a bit of time on your site looking over your articles.

I chose Donald Brown in the 1st, Wells was already snatched up by Philly and Brown looked like a good fit, if Wells had been there I would have grabbed him. In the second round I chose Cody Brown, which was right on the money. That 2nd pick was all you guys, the first was easy, but, getting the second round right was all you.

You guys definitely know your team.

Thanks again for making me look good.

Draft prospects that fit the 3-4 defense

BetterD — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:27:41 -0000

Yes I know the colts don't run a 3-4 defense, just bare with me.

I came accross this link looking at a fan post at revengeofthebirds.com, I was there doing research for the Stapede Blue mock draft. Here is the Link

It's a list of players that would fit well into a 3-4 defense. What I noticed with the first group the 3-4DE's, is how tall they are, except for Magee. A few have been mentioned as possible colts targets like: Gilbert, Jackson, Moala, and Magee. I kind of expected Ziggy Hood to be on this list, I thought his athletism matched up well with any of these DE's. I think it goes back to hieght. He and Perry just don't project to the outside on a 3-4 defense, this is good really good for Colts fans.

Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State (6-5, 288)
Tyson Jackson, LSU (6-4, 296)
Alex Magee, Purdue (6-3, 298)
Fili Moala, USC (6-4, 305)
Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa (6-6, 305)
Zach Potter, Nebraska (6-7, 279)
Khalif Mitchell, East Carolina (6-5, 318)
Kyle Moore, USC (6-5, 272)
Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin (6-5, 266)
Pannel Egboh, Stanford (6-6, 276)

There are so many teams that run a 3-4 style defense that you could just imagine a run on theses players somewhere in the middle of the fist to the end of the second round. I'm guessing MontersBox is not happy seeing his Man crush Jarron Gilbert so high on this list, but , it may allow some other prospects to fall. At some point as these guys start to disappear it will send 3-4 teams in to a frenzy casuing some to reach and allowing good players to slip.

The next group I looked at were the nose tackles - the big uglies - I was sad to see the Ron Brace near the top of this list, but the dude is an athletic 330 pounder, that screams nose tackle. Others on the list that have been mentioned as colts prospect are Martin Pryor and Taylor.

B.J. Raji, Boston College (6-2, 337)
Ron Brace, Boston College (6-3, 330)
Dorell Scott, Clemson (6-3, 312)
Chris Baker, Hampton (6-2, 326)
Roy Miller, Texas (6-1, 310)
Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman (6-4, 329)
Vaughn Martin, Western Ontario (6-3, 331)
Myron Pryor, Kentucky (6-0, 319)
Terrance Taylor, Michigan (6-0, 306)
Antonio Dixon, Miami (6-3, 324)

Of all the OUtside and Inside LB's that they listed none of them were on any of the colts porspects lists that I have seen. I thought Laurinaitis may have been a possible inside LB, he was just big enough and seem more then athelic enough to make the change to a 3-4 defense, but he does not appear to be thought of as a 3-4LB, this is also good.

there seems to be a lot more teams running the 3-4 defense then there are prospects that can play those 3-4 specific positions. I'm hoping all the competition for these 3-4 players will create the perfect storm, that would alow a stud OT to fall to the Colts in the first round, a run on all the 3-4DE's allows Hood to fall to the colts in the second and another run on inside and outside LB's let Laurinaitis fall to the third round.

yeah I know pipe dreaming

Big and Slow vs. Small and Fast

BetterD — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:25:20 -0000

It has been brought up that the colts may be changing their philosophy, moving away form "smaller faster" LB's and replacing them with "larger slower" LB's. The addition of, FA Adam Seward and the drafting of Phillip Wheeler, two players that are at least 10lbs. heavier then the other LB's on the roster; have lit a spark, amongst the passionate colts fans that has them thinking the BP will be looking for "big slow" guys opposed to "fast small" guys in the up coming draft.

One of the suggested reasons to go big is that the coaches will be blitzing the LB’s more this year. Larry Coyer has blitz the LB's in the past, but, I think that was only way he could get pressure on the QB. With the DE's he has he won't have to blitz the LB's to get pressure on the Passer. In college both Seward and Wheeler have shown the ability to get to the QB. I do think the LB’s will blitz a little more this year, but they will not be known as blitzing LBers. Their main job on passing downs, is going to be dropping back into zone coverage just like they always have.

In years past a coaches or GM have to chosen between ’big and slow’ or ‘small and fast’. On most skill levels college, high school, this trade off is true. In the NFL you have arguably some of the best athletes in the world, you can have big and fast. That’s the direction that a couple of the LB spots are heading. The Colts have added some size with out sacrificing any speed. The change in hilosophy isn’t going away from speed it’s actually adding size to that speed. The new philosophy is speed is good, but speed and size are better. I like it.

The links below are a look at some of the numbers of the LB’s on the current roster and on last years roster. Of the 4 LB’s added since last year, only two are noticeably larger then the other LB’s on the list. The other guys added alexzander and Okwo fall right in line with the size of LB’s the Colts have had for a number of years.

Clint Session 6’0” 235lbs. 4.57 40 time

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=9345&draftyear=2007&genpos=OLB

Philip Wheeler 6’2” 240lbs. 4.67 40 time

http://warroomreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=58&Itemid=1

Jorden Seen, 5’11” 224lbs. Couldn’t find much info on Seen, Walter had him listed as a safety with a projected 4.52, 40 time.

http://walterfootball.com/draft2008S.php

Adam Seward 6’3” 250lbs. 4.60

http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/lookback2005combine.htm

Gary Brackett 5’11” 235lbs, NA an undrafted free agent from 7 yrs ago, just not much info on him.

Rufus Alexzander 6’1” 232lbs, 4.69 – 4.79 40 time

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=8545&draftyear=2007&genpos=OLB

Michael Okwo 6’0” 225lbs. 4.65 – 4.75 40 time

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=15508&draftyear=2007&genpos=ILB

Some of last years LB's that are no longer with the team.

TYJUAN HAGLER 6’0” 236lbs. ran between 4.56 and 4.63 in the 40, while leading his group in the bench press with 35 reps of 225 pounds.

http://www.neworleansprofootball.com/030305nextlevel.html

Freddy Keiaho 5’11” 226lbs. 4.65 40 time

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=14599&draftyear=2006&genpos=ILB

Buster Davis, 5’9” 239lbs, 4.64 40 time

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=8270&draftyear=2007&genpos=ILB

Next years starting LB line up looks like it will be bigger and more physical then in past years, and still be solid in coverage. Session is 10lbs. heavier then Keiaho and faster then Keiaho, I expect him to be a major up grade over Freddy. Brackett is still solid at the MIKE. Wheeler should be fine at the SAM, if he cracks the starting line up. He is a little heavier, and not as fast as Session, but, that isn’t as important at the SAM. That is a big reason Session is moving from SAM because the cover-2 demands that your most athletic LB play at the WILL and that is, with out a doubt, Sessions. Wheeler will provide sure tackling, an occasional blitz to keep the O line honest and should be fine in coverage on the SAM side.

If the BP and the coaches are able to sure up the middle of the D-line, it should be a good year for the LB’s and the D as a whole.

Mock Draft at Stampedeblue

BetterD — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:48:16 -0000

Hey Bird watchers I'm am drafting for the Cardinals at stampedeblue's mocking the draft. I have been looking over your website and several others trying to get a grip on the Cards needs and players they are interested in.

From what I've seen on the net, most "experts" think the Cards go RB, C and OLB. In about that order as far as needs go. I personally think they go BPA, that fits their system. I was wondering if you guys had any insight on who the cards might go after in the 1st and 2nd rounds.

Thanks for your help

DT''s in the cover-2

BetterD — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:08:16 -0000

I've been critical of the smurf D-line since I noticed 265lbs baby smurf E. Foster was starting at NT, not only way to small, but, a rookie at that. I was already concerned about big brother smurf 255lbs Dawson starting next to him.

Now I have read numerous reasons why this happens ranging from: the cover-2 requires smaller tackles that can penetrate, a rash of injuries, unexpected retirement, people getting kicked off the team; but, this is a "next man up team." The problem being that the next man up was 265lbs and not ready.

Well these two guys must have been sack artist, because they sure weren't stopping the run. I'll get to the sacks, but, first lets look at the smallish tackle issue.

I checked out the rosters of the some of the other cover-2 teams in the league, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions. Not one team had a DT listed under 275lbs. The Bears had one D-tackle at 275lbs, the rest of their D-tackles were close to 300lbs or over. Two other teams had one tackle listed around 285. Most of the D-tackles on these teams were all around 300lbs. None of these guys are close to the size of a 3-4 NT, but, they are all much heavier then Clots D-tackles

The Colts went with penetration and speed at the starting tackle, so they must have had at least 10 sacks from those two starters, well no, Dawson 0 sacks, Foster 0 sacks. Brock had 3.5 and Reid had 2 and those guys weren't even full time tackles.

So both of the starting tackles can't stop the run and haven't gotten to the QB all year, I can sure see why they were left in there all year. It's amazing the colts won that many games and made the playoffs.

I'm hoping Coyer will get some real tackles and stop going after cast offs, left overs and smurfs.

R the Colts actually interested in the FA market this year

BetterD — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:01:02 -0000

As I was paging through the net, I came across a website where the guy was pretty convinced that the COLTS would be active in the FA market this year. Specifically looking for a WR. He never listed sources, but, acted pretty confident that Colts would address the WR position in FA market opposed to the draft. He never said who they were interested in, but, did indicate that the Colts were interested in either Boldin or Johnson

It's hard to believe, with the colts history of skipping FA and building through the draft, that this is anything more then a rumor; but this is a different type of year for the Colts.

Besides this guys site, I have found nothing to support it. So I just figured I would dismiss it as baseless internet rumor.

Then I remembered a quote from Bill Polion, "how do you replace a HOF WR?"

It would be hard to do that through the draft with an uproven rookie. Not many rooky WR's have put up + 1000 yard numbers their first year, and the Colts certainly need that from Marvins replacement.

This is still just a full on rumor but, it got me thinking.

Here's the link, love to here if anyone can substanciate this rumor.

http://www.arinitout.com/2009/01/looking_ahead_colts_2009_nfl_d.php