SB Nation User Blog: Navin R. Johnson

Spring Practice

Navin R. Johnson — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 06:49:36 -0000

If you are like me, not being able to go to open practices that reveal little if anything about the future of our beloved football team is brutal. I know that it's Basketball/Basebal season but I, like many, live and die with Football. Luckily, I was able to attend the first of these affairs and here is what I gathered with emphasis on the more unknown players:

-As biased as I am towards big, #4 wearing recievers, Buckner didn't look ready. Seems like his athleticism is still trying to catch up to his frame.

-Chiles' passing looked improved from what I saw last year, especially at the beginning of practice. He seemed to get worse as the practice went on. Struggles mightily on out routes.

-Ditto Sherrod on the out routes. Very little seperation if any in the passing game between these two, still. If anything Harris' release takes longer than Chiles'.

-Kinne struggled mightily with everything.

-Does anyone else get the impression that whenever Quan gets the ball someone is controlling him with a playstation controller?

-Playstation controller or not I don't feel as if he has the speed to be an elite return man. Quan, Earl Thomas and Brock Fitzhenry fielded kickoffs. Beasley, Chykie and Kirkendoll fielded punts.

-Thomas and Ben Wells "started" at safety. Both looked fast, athletic and lost. Even though Ishie and C. Scott are out and its only spring, safety depth has to be a concern when Blake Gideon and Martin Egwuagu are second on the depth chart.

-Why did Montre Webber wear a protective boot on his right foot and a cleat on his left?

-Fozzy looks fast. He's really, really fast. He can really run.

-Colt hearts Shipley.

-Collins was very impressive. Extraordinarily quick. Good practices for both Payne and Malcolm Williams. Both look like they can contribute.

-Palmer has come a very, very long way. Except for a stop and go by Quan he was outstanding.

-Beasley makes some awesome plays, and then falls asleep. Maybe he is guessing the routes? A little consistency and DA might have his next award winner. Also, working as the edge rusher to block kicks, and showing promise.

-Maddog wears a gold chain that says..... MADDOG.

-Quite a few blitzes in the schrimage type setting they did at the end of practice. Bobino didn't vaporize into the offensive line for once. Rashad was practicing with Muck and K. Robinson(for Kindle). Don't think Norton was hurt but Bobino looked pretty good today. They also blitzed Wells from the safety spot effectively a couple of times.

-Boom is fun to watch. Full of intensity.

-Offense practiced the 'I formation with WR end around option' (not sure of a better way to describe it). I think this could be a productive play with all of the speedy WRs on the roster.

More to come tomorrow. Questions? Did anyone else go that had other impressions?

Vince Young

Navin R. Johnson — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:14:27 -0000

Let me get my allegiances out of the way. I am a Colts fan. I am also a fan of the University of Texas and, thus, Vince Young. As far as this particular incident goes, I have mixed emotions. He stuck up for his receiver after a dirty hit. He is also the quarterback and leader of the team and is expected to stay cool in situations like this. What I find astonishing is that there have now been three separate mentions of what happened in Titans' camp. I don't think this event warrants VY being labeled as a "very dumb man" or a "silly little over-rated dumbass" or for his class to be questioned. I honestly feel like there has been more coverage of this little skirmish than there has been of the training camp of the Colts. This is not a big deal.

I understand that many of you feel that Vince Young is not that great or overrated or (insert accuracy statistic here). And that's fine. I've been there, saying the exact same things when this same guy couldn't complete a pass. I vividly remember calling for his benching in favor of a guy named Chance Mock. Ever heard of him? There's a reason for that. But at the time he was better than Vince Young.

VY will never be the passer Peyton is. There's a very good chance he will never be the quarterback Peyton is because, well Peyton is damn good. Personally, I believe he has a chance to revolutionize not only the position, but the game. His rookie year only scratched the surface of what he is capable of.

My opinions aside, it seems that many on this site seem to have a personal vendetta against him. Why is this? I fail to see what Vince Young has done to personally injure the Indianapolis fan base. You think he's overrated? Fine, make your point and move on. Honestly, what makes you hate him so much that?

Ricky and Recruiting

Navin R. Johnson — Sun, 13 May 2007 22:39:29 -0000

There has been a fair amount of chatter about the recruiting of high-character but potentially less talented players like Fitzhenry, Gideon and Dodge. Given the situations surrounding Romance and T. Brown over the last couple of years this seems to be a wise move.

This week brought us news of Ricky Williams' fifth failed drug test and the possible end of his football career. I think most would agree that it is naive to think that Ricky took his first puff after being drafted. Assuming that he began using marijuana in high school and it was common knowledge to recruiters, would Mack pursue a 17 or 18 year old Ricky Williams today? Would he pass up Heisman Trophy talent because of his character issues? Or is there a level of talent where he will take the risk that he can keep the problem out of the public eye?