SB Nation Blog: Bullard47

Kravitz on Dom's Return

Bullard47 — Fri, 09 May 2008 05:50:29 -0000

Everyone, please read this.

I don't even have the energy to comment on this right now, but someone has to put this out there. Hopefully BBS grabs a hold of it and smashes it.

But of course, all of your FanPosts must be 75 words long. Does "a" count? Well then, a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a.

That should do it.

My depth chart for 2008 v1.0

Bullard47 — Fri, 09 May 2008 01:29:54 -0000

Below I am going to list what I see as the depth chart for the 53-man roster this upcoming season. This is based on my initial impressions, and partly my bias against certain players(Charlie Johnson). I'll provide analysis of each change from last year as requested.

QB1 (#18)Peyton Manning
QB2 (#12)Jim Sorgi

WR1 (#88)Marvin Harrison
WR2 (#87)Reggie Wayne
WR3 (#11)Anthony Gonzalez
WR4 (#83)Roy Hall
WR5 (#85)Pierre Garcon
WR6 (#14)Samuel Giguere

RB1 (#29)Joseph Addai
RB2 (#33)Dominic Rhodes
RB3 (#32)Mike Hart

TE1 (#44)Dallas Clark
TE2 (#86)Tom Santi
TE3 (#84)Jacob Tamme
TE4 (#47)Gijon Robinson

OT1 (#67)Tony Ugoh
OT2 (#71)Ryan Diem
OT3 (#76)Daniel Federkeil

OG1 (#65)Ryan Lilja
OG2 (#78)Mike Pollak
OG3 (#61)Jamey Richard
OG4 (#62)Mike Elgin

OC1 (#63)Jeff Saturday
OC2 (#53)Steve Justice

DE1 (#93)Dwight Freeney
DE2 (#98)Robert Mathis
DE3 (#92)Marcus Howard
DE4 (#60)Curtis Johnson

DT1 (#79)Raheem Brock
DT2 (#99)Ed Johnson
DT3 (#97)Quinn Pitcock
DT4 (#96)Keyunta Dawson
DT5 (#95)Darrell Reid

LB1 (#58)Gary Brackett
LB2 (#54)Freddy Keiaho
LB3 (#55)Clint Sessions
LB4 (#56)Tyjuan Hagler
LB5 (#50)Phillip Wheeler

SS1 (#21)Bob Sanders
SS2 (#31)Jamie Silve

FS1 (#41)Antoine Bethea
FS2 (#43)Matt Giordano

CB1 (#28)Marlin Jackson
CB2 (#26)Kelvin Hayden
CB3 (#20)Dante Hughes
CB4 (#25)Michael Coe
CB5 (#38)Brandon Foster
CB6 (#34)TJ Rushing

K (#4)Adam Vinatieri
P (#13)Hunter Smith
LS (#48)Justin Snow
KR (#3)Rudy Burgess

Let me know what you think.

What I can find about Giguere

Bullard47 — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:50:55 -0000

I am not the biggest fan of Canada. Especially French Canada. So, naturally, when the Colts picked up Sherbrooke University's Samuel Giguere, I was a little disappointed. But when I saw a photo of the kid, I thought: "Good god, is he going to be a defensive end? Or the guy to carry the offense onto the field on his back?" This guy is stacked. I don't mean receiver stacked, I mean Vernon Ghoulston(sp?) stacked. A writer for Yahoo! Sports called him the Canadian Hulk. But it doesn't stop there. I did some research on his workouts and this is what I found:

via www.usherbrooke.ca

40 Time: A career best of 4.35, and recorded worst of 4.49.
Vertical Jump: Best, 42", Worst 40"(He's already around 6'0" to 6'1"
Bench Press: reps in the mid 20s(225 lbs)
Shuttle: 4.10 Seconds

I couldn't find other scores like 3 and 5 cone, but these numbers by themselves are impressive. To add to it, he was second in CIS(Canadian NCAA) in receiving with 45 catches for 876 yards and 7 touchdowns. And I have every indication that this is a run-first team in a run-first league. He also returned kicks and played special teams. I look for this guy to make a splash at the rookie mini-camp this weekend, and hopefully carve niche for himself. The only question I have is how is his route running. American football university games don't seem to draw many fans, and there is no videos of him anywhere on the internet.

I just hope his English is good, because I don't even think Pierre Garcon can parlais Francais. I know I can't.

#32 in the Colts backfield again

Bullard47 — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:57:17 -0000

Be on the look out, you'll be seeing #32 in Colts blue and white coming out of the backfield in Lucas Oil Stadium this year. One problem, he'll be 5'8" and around 200 pounds, and the nameplate will say "Hart". Sorry if I got anyone worked up. But I saw this on the Colts new roster and I had to mess with everyone's mind a little bit. The only other mentionable item from the new roster is that Tom Santi got Ben Utecht's #86, which is funny because he was brought in to replace Ben Utecht's role.

Garcon One Handed Catch WOW

Bullard47 — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 06:24:57 -0000

The Czar gives us a 'C'...again

Bullard47 — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:48:44 -0000

So FoxSports Football "Czar" John Czarnecki gives us the obvious grade in this year's draft, a 'C'. It is well documented that Bill Polian could give a flip about our grade from the media pundits as long as we keep making the playoffs. But this what I thought was interesting. Look at the Colts write up:

The Colts didn't have a first-round pick, but still landed Arizona State's Mike Pollack, an athletic offensive lineman who may replace center Jeff Saturday one day. He could help at guard this season. Georgia OLB Marcus Howard has speed off the edge and played very well against the best opponents — he fits Tony Dungy's system. Ditto for Georgia Tech OLB Philip Wheeler, who had 16 sacks. Kentucky TE Jacob Tamme was excellent value in the fourth round and Bill Polian is hoping he's found another Dallas Clark.
Grade: C

Notice how everything on there is very nice, as he mentions we got a few value picks and a lot of guys who fit our system. He mentions we didn't have a first-rounder, but forgets to mention who we got with that pick last year. But then look at the Patriots write up, where he gives New England a 'B' grade:

Coach Bill Belichick has never drafted a linebacker with the Patriots in the first five rounds, but he needs Tennessee linebacker Jerod Mayo, who was the fastest moving player on most team's draft boards. Mayo is a sure tackler and will give the Patriots some youth with so many older linebackers in Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel and Junior Seau. Give Belichick credit for a "vision pick" in the third round, when he chose San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell, who has pro size and a great touch throwing the ball. This could be Matt Cassell's last season in New England. Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley has had fusion surgery on his right wrist, which sounds risky but he played two seasons with it. Both he and Auburn CB Jonathan Wilhite are 5-foot-10 — never a good size in the NFL. Michigan OLB Shawn Crable doesn't cover well, but he can rush the passer. Crable needs to get stronger.
Grade: B

Notice the tongue-in-cheek manner in which he uses a lot of words to say that there were flaws(or at least concerns) with several of their picks. Notice how he mentions that Jerod Mayo may have been a reach. Seems a bit fishy to me, since when I look at the write-ups, and not the grade, I would assume the Colts would grade higher. What are your thoughts?

Fox Sport's Peter Schrager 7 Rd Mock(puke)

Bullard47 — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:22:03 -0000

So here is what the genius over at Fox Sport has the Colts taking tomorrow. There are a couple of good picks(from a scheme standpoint, not really value), but the majority of it makes me look for a trash can or something.

2. Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State

3. Tashard Choice, RB, Georgia Tech

4. Marcus Griffin, S, Texas

5. Larry Grant. LB, Ohio State

6. Jacob Tamme, TE, Kentucky

6a. Jo-Lonn Dunbar, LB, Boston College

6b. Owen Schmitt, RB, West Virginia

6c. Joe Clermond, DE, Pittsburgh

7. Dorien Bryant, WR, Purdue

He also has Chris Johnson and Marcus Howard going to the Cardinals in rounds 2 and 3 respectively. I'll let you speak your thoughts.Drawtfts

An eye on small schools

Bullard47 — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 19:34:14 -0000

Bill Polian is on the hunt again. Here's what he told the Star.

"If you can play,'' Polian said, sounding a lot like Allen Ervin's father, "we'll find you. It doesn't matter where you play.''

And he backed it up by working out several players from small schools like Clark Atlanta University, Lambuth University, and Winton-Salem State. The player from the NAIA's Lambuth University, RB Allen Ervin, lead his league in all-purpose yards. He looks to be hoping to get drafted. Should be interesting come Sunday.

The Colts also worked out Curtis Johnson(DE, Clark Atlanta) and William Hayes(DE/OLB, Winston-Salem State). I can't find much info on Hayes, but Curtis Johnson led Div II with 13 1/2 sacks and 27 tackles for a loss. This could help us if we miss out on some of our targeted pass rushers(who will mostly get relegated to OLB depth)

So, look forward to Bill Polian and the Colts scouting team to pull enough another "C" grade draft that will be "A" grade quality in three years. I love this team.

Polian re-signed

Bullard47 — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:53:58 -0000

It looks like Bill Polian will be here to at least around 2011. Jim Irsay gave him a new contract that will last three or four years. This will be great for ensuring continuity in the front office, and I hope that his son Chris will be willing and ready to take the reigns when his father decides to hang it up. That would be quite the boon for the franchise. Especially if we can keep promoting coaches from within our system like we have been. Read the article on the IndyStar's website with the link below:

Irsay rewards Polian with contract extension

Thomas Returns

Bullard47 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:05:09 -0000

The Indy Star is reporting that DE Josh Thomas was signed a one-year deal in order to return to the Colts. Apparently, he came in for cheap and the Colts like him in on running downs. Reading the article tells me something that scares me: He was a former Colt that visited the Titans and got turned away. Maybe Jeff Fisher just wanted to say "See, I don't sign every throw-a-way Colt."