SB Nation User Blog: ColtsFanNChiTown

A Very Insightful Article on the Colts from ... ESPN?

ColtsFanNChiTown — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:01:07 -0000

A Very Insightful Article on the Colts from ... ESPN?

Len Pasquarelli from ESPN discusses the "next man up" the Colts have displayed over the years at the LB position and the success that has come with it.

Brady healthier to start '09 than Manning in '08?

ColtsFanNChiTown — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 01:37:07 -0000

You know it's been a long offseason when I'm writing about Tom Brady, but his injury status has me thinking a bit. I may be way off on this, but wouldn't it be irrelevant to compare Bradys recovering time + perfomance for the start of the '09 season to Palmer's recoving time + performance during the start of his '06 season? I could be wrong, but it seems like I've been hearing the comparisons of, "oh look how Palmer performed, it took him 8-10 weeks to start playing good the following year after he got injured so it will be the same with Brady". Ok not quite like that but you get my point. Even though Palmer injured his knee the last game of the season for his team, he started the first game the following year with a difference of a about 8 months in between. Palmer did not start playing like his usual self until say week 10 of that same year which is an additional 2 months for a total 10 months all together since his knee incident. Palmer threw for 10 tds with only 2 ints between weeks 10-13 and threw for an average of 306 yds per game during that same span in '06 the year after his serious injury. It would be well over 10 months for Brady when he makes his first start back ( about 1 year for all you geniuses) including training camp reps. Granted every player heals differently especially with this type of injury, it's not out of the question for Brady to produce at a very efficient level still. I'm really not looking for Brady to stuggle as much as say Peyton did last year to start the season. Even though Brady's injury was more serious, the timing for Manning's injury was worse when comparing the start of Manning's season last year to the start of Brady's season this year. With that said, to say Brady will compete for his '07 passing records like some "experts" have mentioned is crazy and shows how these "experts" have short memories. Manning wasn't even close to his 49 TD record the following year just because NFL teams adjust, plain and simple. I really have no conclusion so Go Colts!

Poll

Will Tom Brady be more game ready to start the season this year than Peyton Manning was in '08?

Yes

33 votes

About the Same

20 votes

No

22 votes

75 votes | Poll has closed

Bills looking to trade Roscoe Parrish - Colts?

ColtsFanNChiTown — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 03:06:13 -0000

With Owens, Lee Evans, James Hardy, and Josh Reed, the Bills are looking to trade Roscoe Parrish according to John Clayton. Here's the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4057069

Parrish, 26, was drafted in the 2nd round back in '05 and is going into his fifth year. He's not the biggest, 5'9 171 pounds, but he could be that slot wr/return specialist the Colts could possibly need. He's more affective returning punts than kickoffs, in which he has returned one punt for a touchdown the past 3 years and is one of the best in the league in that category. I'm not sure what the Bills are asking, but I wouldn't go lower than a 5th for him (if the Colts even have Cap Room to get him). He's been arrested before back in '08 when charged for DUI, so that should possibly slim the chances. Even though he's an explosive player, I do not see the Colts making this type of move. What do you guys think?

Another Colts Mock Draft - Through 4 rounds

ColtsFanNChiTown — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:40:00 -0000

Here is my mock that consists of players who I think may be on the board by the time the Colts pick and then who I think the Colts could/should/hope select:

1st Round:
DT: Peria Jerry, Evander Hood, Ron Brace (early second), Jarron Gilbert (early second)
LB: Clay Matthews, James Laurinaitis
OT: Andre Smith (very unlikely…but still has time to make his stock fall), Jamon Meredith, Phil Loadholt
WR: Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Kenny Britts
CB: Darius Butler, D.J. Moore, Alphonso Smith

Colts Pick: Polian and the Colts have been known to hold off on the DT position until the mid rounds, and them doing it once again this year would not be really surprising. Polian has mentioned that usually dominating DT’s go within the first 15 picks, so maybe holding off and getting a quality DT in the mid rounds will not be all that bad. The tandem of Ugoh and Diem for at least one more year season while having C. Johnson as the back up for either side may not be bad, but is something I could see the Colts adjust to within the next couple of seasons. The Colts have more than likely lost two LBs due to free agency in that of Keiaho and Hagler, however, the addition of Seward will not only help the depth but will also help the ST unit. It has been said by Caldwell already that Seward will be the backup MLB. I can see Polian and the Colts taking a LB with any of their first 3 picks though, who has taken a LB with the first pick before with Rob Morris. With the loss of Marvin Harrison along with the Colts draft history with receiving threats, many “experts” believe that Polian will draft a WR. If a WR is the BPA at a positional need (WR is debatable whether it is a need or not), then Polian will not hesitate to take one. A CB is a possibility with questions marks on Jacksons recovery and him maybe leaving due to Free Agency in '10 along with Jennings being an upcoming FA in '10. If Vontae Davis and Malcolm Jenkins are gone, I do not think there will be a CB that will have the size and physicality that the Colts look for in a CB with their first pick. I really hope this year is an exception when it comes down to the draft and their first round pick. The DTs above that could be on the board are all very intriguing, and possibly dominating. My prediction with the Colts first pick on behalf of my hope and opinion is: DT EVANDER "ZIGGY" HOOD (Missouri)- Ran under the 5.00 mark in the 40 (4.91), very strong (35 reps at 225 pounds), good size (6-3, 300 pounds), and effective at stopping the run and pressuring the QB.

2nd Round:
DT: Sen’Derrick Marks, Fili Moala, Chris Baker
LB: Clint Sintim, Gerald McRath, Jason Phillips
WR: Brian Robiskie, Juaquin Iglesias, Louis Murphy
CB: Victor Harris, Jairus Byrd, Mike Mickens

The Colts could go Defense heavy early and often in this upcoming draft, or at least I hope. The passing game will still be very effective with the loss of Harrison (just look at the stats when he didn’t play) and the running game should hopefully get better with a more healthier line next year, so I do not anticpate any offense early with the exception of maybe an OT. The prospect that I like in the second round is Gerald McRath at the WLB IF he's there. He's quick (4.61 in the 40 yard dash), decent size for Colts standard (6’2, 231), and could possibly take over the MLB position when Brackett eventually leaves. But if he is off the board, then the Colts could select: CB VICTOR HARRIS (Virginia Tech) - This may not be a sexy choice and could be a reach at that, but until the Colts show me that they are willing to move Bethea as the starter at the CB position (there were 2 or 3 games where he could have started with Hayden and Jackson both out and Sanders and Bullitt both playing, but instead the Colts used Ratliff and Jennings as the starters), the Colts may need an additional player for depth and a possible future starter next to Hayden. Harris had a poor 40 time at the combine, but followed that up with a surprising and fast 40 time of 4.46 at his pro day. He was a great playmaker at Virginia Tech, producing 6 Ints returning 2 of them for TDs in '08. During his time at VT, he had a total of 15 Ints while returning 4 of them for TDs. He best fits in a Cover 2 system, but is not bad in man to man coverage. He has the physical presence that the Colts look for at around 6'0 and 195 pounds, and also has the ability to stop the run.

3rd Round:
DT: Alex Magee, Dorrell Scott, Sammie Lee Hill, Vance Walker, Terrance Taylor
LB: Jason Williams, Tyrone McKenzie, Marcus Freeman, Zack Follett, Darry Beckwith, Dannell Ellerbe
WR: Derrick Williams, Brandon Gibson, Kevin Ogletree
CB: Mark Parson, Captain Munnerlyn, Asher Allen, Keenan Lewis, Morgan Trent

Colts Pick: I would not mind at all if the Colts select 2 DTs to compete with the current ones the Colts already have, even though I think Antonio Johnson is a capable starter. There are 3 solid DTs the Colts could chose from if available with their 3rd pick in my opinion: Magee, Scott, and Walker. Dorrell Scott is the biggest at 6’3 and 312, and also ran the fastest during the combine clocking under the 5.00 mark with a time of 4.92. Statistically though, Magee and Walker put up better numbers than Scott. Walker intrigues me because he can get to the QB with his size along with stuffing the run. Even though his sack total was down in ‘08, he registered 8.5 sacks the year before. He’s 6’2 and around 300 pounds, similar size to what the Colts look at. I think the Colts could select: DT Vance Walker (Georgia Tech) – size, can stuff the run game (8.5 TFL), and can get to the QB (8.5 sacks in ’07).

Alternative Pick: If DT is not wanted in the 3rd because the Colts would have already drafted Hood in the 1st round: WLB Jason Williams (Western Illinois) (stock is rising though) - another LB that I really like who has a lot of good characteristics that should fit the mold of a Colts LB. He's 6'1 at 241 and ran a freakin 40 in the time of 4.49 at his pro day, benched 225 pounds 26 times (more than Laurinaitis and Maualuga, and put up 8 sacks and 16.5 TFL at Western Illinois.

4th round: WR Mike Wallace (OleMiss) - 4.33 40 time, potential return man and deep threat, scored a TD in about every 5 receptions his last two years at OleMiss

4th round: RB Glen Coffey (Alabama) - slow 40 at the combine, but showed in college that he can breakout long runs (87, 78, and 51 yard runs his last year), averaged 5.9 yard/carry, needs to work on his hands in order to be a receiving threat, part of a winning team at Alabama while rushing for 112 yds on 21 carries and a TD against Florida in the SEC Title Game.

Recap: I know this is an unconventional Mock, but the players that I mentioned for the Colts are players that I could see them selecting in the given rounds, but also wouldn't mind.

1st: Hood

2nd: Harris *Maybe McRath

3rd: Walker *If Hood is taken in round 1 and a LB is not taken in the first two rounds, then I wouldn't mind Jason Williams from Western Illinois if available.

4th rounds: Wallace and Coffey

Poll

What are your thoughts if these players were selected by the Colts in the predicted rounds?

Great Draft all around

4 votes

Great Draft, but some players may get selected earlier than the predicted round

9 votes

Some good picks, but a couple of reaches

15 votes

Not a good Draft, do not see this coming to fruition

11 votes

39 votes | Poll has closed

Positive move for the Defense

ColtsFanNChiTown — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:59:50 -0000

I'm not the one who's going to question the moves made by the best GM in the league in that of Polian. We can question whether Hayden was overpaid while still being unproven, but the fact is that Polian is showing comittment to the Defense and avoiding yet another good player walk in free agency. I look at Hayden's signing more as a positive than a negative, and should now secure the Colts as one of the best secondaries in the league. At age 26, he still has room to become even better while still having the experience that he has gained thus far. We don't know whether the Hayden signing is a good-bye to Harrison, Saturday, etc.., but yet can only speculate. I'm more on the let's wait and see rather than the thinking of damn, the Colts are going to lose Harrison, Saturday, and Keiaho. With that said, the D in my opinion will be better next year than the '05 and '07 defenses not only because of this signing, but because of having pretty much everyone back and plus some. Adding a DT or two in the draft should solidify that position along with A. Johnson, Foster, Dawson, and Brock (on passing downs). Hopefully now with some Polian magic, the Colts will be able to retain Saturday and Harrison...and with a little bit more of a dose, lets add a "Edge" to it.

Pre-Draft Rankings Per Position...Detailed

ColtsFanNChiTown — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 01:01:00 -0000

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-draftposranks021009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

I was impressed with this on how they break down players...3rd down back, slot reciver, DE for the 3-4, DE for the 4-3, etc...

QUARTERBACKS
1. Mark Sanchez, USC (6-3, 225)
2. Matthew Stafford, Georgia (6-3, 236)
3. Josh Freeman, Kansas State (6-6, 248)
4. Nate Davis, Ball State (6-2, 218)
5. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech (6-2, 205)
6. Rhett Bomar, Sam Houston State (6-2, 216)
7. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M (6-3, 216)
8. Pat White, West Virginia (6-0, 192)
9. Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas (6-1, 214)
10. Rudy Carpenter, Arizona State (6-2, 222)

RUNNING BACKS
1. Knowshon Moreno, Georgia (5-11, 208)
2. Chris Wells, Ohio State (6-1, 237)
3. LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh (5-11, 210)
4. Shonn Greene, Iowa (5-11, 235)
5. Donald Brown, Connecticut (5-10, 210)
6. Javon Ringer, Michigan State (5-9, 205)
7. Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon (5-9, 208)
8. Andre Brown, N.C. State (6-0 224)
9. Rashad Jennings, Liberty (6-1, 232)
10. James Davis, Clemson (5-11, 207

THIRD-DOWN BACKS
1. Devin Moore, Wyoming (5-9, 191)
2. Mike Goodson, Texas A&M (6-0, 198)
3. Tyrell Sutton, Northwestern (5-8, 210)
4. Kory Sheets, Purdue (5-11, 203)
5. Marcus Thigpen, Indiana (5-8, 198)

FULLBACKS
1. Quinn Johnson, LSU (6-1, 260)
2. Conredge Collins, Pittsburgh (5-11, 232)
3. Tony Fiammetta, Syracuse (6-0, 238)
4. Travis McCall, Alabama (6-2, 276)
5. Brannan Southerland, Georgia (6-0, 245)
6. Eric Kettani, Navy (6-0, 242)
7. Mark Hafner, Houston (6-2, 235)
8. Marquez Branson, Central Arkansas (6-2, 248)
9. David Johnson, Arkansas State (6-2, 250)
10. Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M (6-0, 278)

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech (6-3. 214)
2. Jeremy Maclin, Missouri (6-1, 200)
3. Percy Harvin, Florida (5-11,195)
4. Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina (6-1, 210)
5. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland (6-2, 206)
6. Kenny Britt, Rutgers (6-4, 215)
7. Derrick Williams, Penn State (6-0, 200)
8. Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma (6-0 204)
9. Brian Robiskie, Ohio State (6-2, 200)
10. Louis Murphy, Florida (6-2, 205)

SLOT RECEIVERS
1. Mike Thomas, Arizona (5-8 187)
2. Quan Cosby, Texas (5-9, 191)
3. Deon Butler, Penn State (5-11, 168)
4. Sammie Stroughter, Oregon State (6-0, 189)
5. Jordan Norwood, Penn State (5-10, 174)

POSSESSION RECEIVERS
1. Patrick Turner, USC (6-5, 221)
2. Ramses Barden, Cal Poly (6-6, 227)
3. Jamarko Simmons, Western Michigan (6-2, 241)
4. Aaron Kelly, Clemson (6-5, 193)
5. Greg Orton, Purdue (6-3, 210)

TIGHT ENDS
1. Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma State (6-6, 260)
2. Shawn Nelson, Southern Mississippi (6-5, 242)
3. Chase Coffman, Missouri (6-6, 252)
4. James Casey, Rice (6-4, 235)
5. Jared Cook, South Carolina (6-5, 242)
6. Travis Beckum, Wisconsin (6-3, 237)
7. Cornelius Ingram, Florida (6-4, 245)
8. Brian Mandeville, Northeastern (6-6, 255)
9. Davon Drew, East Carolina (6-4, 258)
10. Ryan Purvis, Boston College (6-4, 255)

OFFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Eugene Monroe, Virginia (6-5, 315)
2. Andre Smith, Alabama (6-4, 340)
3. Jason Smith, Baylor (6-5, 300)
4. Michael Oher, Mississippi (6-5, 320)
5. Eben Britton, Arizona (6-6, 310)
6. William Beatty, Connecticut (6-6, 310)
7. Jamon Meredith, South Carolina (6-5, 289)
8. Fenuki Tupou, Oregon (6-5, 332)
9. Troy Kropog, Tulane (6-6, 316)
10. Augustus Parrish, Kent State (6-5, 300)

OFFENSIVE GUARDS
1. Duke Robinson, Oklahoma (6-5, 335)
2. Herman Johnson, LSU (6-7, 335)
3. Tyronne Green, Auburn (6-2, 309)
4. Andy Levitre, Oregon State (6-2, 318)
5. Trevor Canfield, Cincinnati (6-5, 305)
6. Seth Olsen, Iowa (6-5, 304)
7. T.J. Lang, Eastern Michigan (6-4, 312)
8. Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin (6-6, 323)
9. Cornelius Lewis, Tennessee State (6-4, 324)
10. Jaimie Thomas, Maryland (6-4, 331)

CENTERS
1. Alex Mack, California (6-4, 314)
2. Max Unger, Oregon (6-5, 305)
3. Eric Wood, Louisville (6-5, 308)
4. Antoine Caldwell, Alabama (6-5, 305)
5. Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas (6-5, 314)
6. Cecil Newton, Tennessee State (6-2, 295)
7. A.Q. Shipley, Penn State (6-1, 297)
8. Alex Fletcher, Stanford (6-3, 302)
9. Brett Helms, LSU (6-2, 282)
10. Jon Cooper, Oklahoma (6-2, 292)

4-3 DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Brian Orakpo, Texas (6-4, 260)
2. Robert Ayers, Tennessee (6-3, 273)
3. Michael Johnson, Georgia Tech (6-7, 260)
4. Paul Kruger, Utah (6-5, 265)
5. Connor Barwin, Cincinnati (6-4, 255)
6. David Veikune, Hawaii (6-2, 255)
7. Phillip Hunt, Houston (6-1, 261)
8. Michael Bennett, Texas A&M (6-4, 271)
9. Brandon Williams, Texas Tech (6-5, 252)
10. Lawrence Sidbury Jr., Richmond (6-3, 267)

3-4 DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Jarron Gilbert, San Jose State (6-5, 287)
2. Tyson Jackson, LSU (6-4, 295)
3. Everette Pedescleaux, Northern Iowa (6-6, 305)
4. Ra’Shon Harris, Oregon (6-4, 300)
5. Kyle Moore, USC (6-5, 273)
6. Zach Potter, Nebraska (6-7, 277)
7. Pannel Egboh, Stanford (6-6, 272)
8. Khalif Mitchell, East Carolina (6-5, 317)
9. Jeremy Navarre, Maryland (6-3, 285)
10. Bobby Greenwood, Alabama (6-5, 280)

NOSE TACKLES
1. B.J. Raji, Boston College (6-1, 325)
2. Ron Brace, Boston College (6-3, 326)
3. Fili Moala, USC (6-5, 305)
4. Dorell Scott, Clemson (6-3, 310)
5. Terrance Taylor, Michigan (6-1, 314)
6. Sammie Lee Hill, Stillman (6-4, 331)
7. Terrance Knighton, Temple (6-3, 324)
8. Myron Pryor, Kentucky (6-0 310)
9. Marlon Favorite, LSU (6-1, 208)
10. Louis Ellis, Shaw (6-2, 315)

THREE-TECHNIQUE TACKLES
1. Peria Jerry, Mississippi (6-3, 295)
2. Sen’Derrick Marks, Auburn (6-1, 295)
3. Evander Hood, Missouri (6-3, 295)
4. Ricky Jean-Francois, LSU (6-3, 290)
5. Mitch King, Iowa (6-2, 275)
6. Corvey Irvin, Georgia (6-3, 289)
7. Alex Magee, Purdue (6-3, 295)
8. Vance Walker, Georgia Tech (6-2, 295)
9. Chris Baker, Hampton (6-2, 308)
10. Clinton McDonald, Memphis (6-2, 289)

4-3 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Aaron Curry, Wake Forest (6-2, 246)
2. Brian Cushing, USC (6-4, 243)
3. Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida (6-2, 235)
4. Marcus Freeman, Ohio State (6-1, 238)
5. Zack Follett, California (6-2, 238)
6. Mortty Ivy, West Virginia (6-1, 236)
7. Nic Harris, Oklahoma (6-3, 233)
8. Lee Robinson, Alcorn State (6-2, 249)
9. Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin (6-1, 226)
10. Brian Toal, Boston College (6-1, 238)

3-4 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Everette Brown, Florida State (6-4, 252)
2. Aaron Maybin, Penn State (6-4, 238)
3. Clay Matthews, USC (6-3, 246)
4. Larry English, Northern Illinois (6-2, 254)
5. Clint Sintim, Virginia (6-3, 249)
6. Cody Brown, Connecticut (6-2, 242)
7. Orion Martin, Virginia Tech (6-2, 248)
8. Victor Butler, Oregon State (6-2 241)
9. Moise Fokou, Maryland (6-2, 233)
10. Matt Shaughnessy, Wisconsin (6-5, 253)

INSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Rey Maualuga, USC (6-2, 260)
2. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State (6-2, 240)
3. Darry Beckwith, LSU (6-1, 235)
4. Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh (6-1, 240)
5. Frantz Joseph, Florida Atlantic (6-2, 243)
6. Worrell Williams, California (6-0, 250)
7. Gerald McRath, Southern Miss (6-3, 220)
8. Dannell Ellerbe, Georgia (6-1, 236)
9. Jason Phillips, TCU (6-1, 235)
10. Jasper Brinkley, South Carolina (6-2, 265)

CORNERBACKS
1. Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State (6-0, 200)
2. D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt (5-10, 184)
3. Sean Smith, Utah (6-3, 215)
4. Vontae Davis, Illinois (6-0, 205)
5. Alphonso Smith, Wake Forest (5-9. 190)
6. Coye Francies, San Jose State (6-0 179)
7. Asher Allen, Georgia (5-10, 198)
8. Jairus Byrd, Oregon (6-0 200)
9. Darius Butler, Connecticut (5-11, 187)
10. Victor Harris, Virginia Tech (5-11, 195)

FREE SAFETIES
1. Louis Delmas, Western Michigan (6-0, 196)
2. William Moore, Missouri (6-1, 226)
3. Rashad Johnson, Alabama (6-0, 190)
4. Derek Pegues, Mississippi State (5-10, 195)
5. Sherrod Martin, Troy (6-1, 193)
6. Brandon Underwood, Cincinnati (6-1, 192)
7. David Bruton, Notre Dame (6-2, 210)
8. Darcel McBath, Texas Tech (6-1, 198)
9. Troy Nolan, Arizona State (6-1, 207)
10. Curtis Taylor, LSU (6-2, 208)

STRONG SAFETIES
1. Patrick Chung, Oregon (5-11, 210)
2. Chip Vaughn, Wake Forest (6-2, 214)
3. Kevin Ellison, USC (6-1, 228)
4. Emanuel Cook, South Carolina (5-10, 205)
5. Michael Hamlin, Clemson (6-3, 206)
6. Stephen Hodge, TCU (6-0 214)
7. Trimane Goddard, North Carolina (5-11, 195)
8. Otis Wiley, Michigan State (6-2, 210)
9. Courtney Greene, Rutgers, (6-1, 211)
10. Kevin Akins, Boston College (6-2, 224)

SPECIALISTS
1. K/P Louie Sakoda, Utah (5-9, 171)
2. K/P Graham Gano, Florida State (6-1, 192)
3. LS Jake Ingram, Hawaii (6-3 235)
4. K Jose Martinez, UTEP (5-9, 200)
5. P Thomas Morstead, Southern Methodist (6-4, 228)
6. P Kevin Huber, Cincinnati (6-1, 224)
7. K Pat McAfee, West Virginia (6-0 228)
8. K Ryan Succop, South Carolina (6-2, 224)
9. K Sam Swank, Wake Forest (6-0 202)
10. LS Mark Estermyer, Pittsburgh (6-1, 247)

Polian on Hayden - Free Agency

ColtsFanNChiTown — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:01:23 -0000

This quote was made by Polian during his weekly show and the transcipt can be found on Colts.com. I thought this was interesting yet refreshing on the free agency of Kelvin Hayden:

"Secondly, players who are entering new contracts may not receive anything but a 30 percent increase year to year. In (cornerback) Kelvin Hayden’s case he’s a free agent who we will very likely re-sign. He can receive no more than a 30 percent increase over his first year for every succeeding year of his contract, which means obviously that his first year will have to be very, very cash heavy and very cap heavy."

Right away, my eyes just keyed on the part of "we will very likely re-sign him." I really haven't heard Polian in the past come out and say that regarding one of his own free agent players. If Hayden will indeed be locked up by the Colts this offseason, then I would think the secondary would have to be one of the best in the league...most likely THE best. However, after reading what else he had to say about this offseason and the issue regarding the cap, I am not so confident that Saturday will be re-signed. I hope I am wrong, but I'm thinking that they will try to use Lilja as the number one option at center while Johnson, Pollak, and Richard fight for the guard positions.

Heres the link on what else he had to say:

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=ebaa563c-f80b-48eb-b515-50abd4eddcb1

Chargers V. Jackson = Retarded = DUI

ColtsFanNChiTown — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:47:40 -0000

Say what you want (everyone already has I believe), but the "case" involving Harrison has been dropped by the DA and so he wasn't charged, arrested, nothing but some bad publicity by ESPN who has a bunch of sources named Bob, Joe, and Dick. In other news today, Vincent Jackson of the San Diego Chargers was arrested today. He decided the best way to get prepared for the Steelers in the Divisional Playoff Game this weekend was to get wasted and then drive off somewhere at 2 o'clock in the morning. Im not the one who likes to bash other teams players (espcially from a team who just knocked out the Colts), but how stupid can a player get. I just thought I would give an example on the differerce between a player getting arrested and not getting arrested. Its a coincidence but yet funny that these two stories were reported today...please express your comments.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3814251

Bullitt - Potential Star?

ColtsFanNChiTown — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:01:14 -0000

For those who needs to be cheered up just a bit, here's an article from ESPN that predicts emerging stars from each division in the NFL...our own Melvin Bullitt represents the AFC South:

Melvin Bullitt spent his second year in the NFL relying upon things out of his control. To see regular playing time, he needed Bob Sanders or Antoine Bethea on the sideline.

And he certainly wasn't rooting against Sanders, the NFL's defending defensive player of the year, or Bethea, a 2007 Pro Bowler. But a knee issue for Sanders opened the door for Bullitt, who started eight games in his place and a ninth as the Colts' fifth defensive back.

Bullitt might not be most naturally a nickel or dime, but he played awfully well in his chances, grabbing four interceptions while playing soundly in the Colts' scheme and spending time in those roles when the safety positions were otherwise occupied.

Where is there room for him going forward? It's hard to say. But as Colts president Bill Polian, coach Tony Dungy and the staff plan for 2009, they're going to be looking for ways to allow Bullitt to contribute.

Paul Kuharsky, AFC South blogger

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?page=predictions09/nfl

I thought Bullitt took advantage of his opportunity in the NFL and now has his name known...plus as a safety, the name Bullitt just has a good ring to it. I think his ability will let Sanders become even more of a playmaker (given that Sanders is on the field) and will give the D in general more options to play with. Any thoughts on his role next year and how he affects the defense?

Ongoing Situation (not problem)...Resting Players This Week

ColtsFanNChiTown — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:20:46 -0000

Im not saying I'm "pro" resting the starters, but you can't compare this year to the years of 2005 and 2007. I would say its more like 2004 when the Colts rested players that last game (Manning could have thrown more than 49 TDs that year if it wasn't for that last games rest)...that year they killed the Broncos 49-24 in the first round, but lost to a better team in the Patriots the following week. So the beat down on the Broncos showed that they can come off and beat their opponent that first playoff game on the scenario of resting players the last game of the regular season. In 2005, the Colts rested players weeks 16, 17, and then their playoff bye (so essentially 3-4 weeks). Last year they rested players week 17 and then their playoff bye, however this year, they do not have a playoff bye and so the layoff period is shorter (essentially just a bye week). Again, I rather see the starters play the whole game, but it is not essential to see Bob Sanders or our RBs play the entire game and risk injury. I say rest the players who need the rest, but at the same time play most of the starters the entire game. It is important to keep that rythm going on offense, but also lets keep