SB Nation User Blog: coltsfanawalt

With the first pick of the 2009 draft...

coltsfanawalt — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:16:32 -0000

The Detroit Lions select.....

Well, let me explain my decision first. The possible choices are QB Matt Stafford, OT Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe, LB Aaron Curry, or DT BJ Raji. There are other scenarios that are worth consideration, like trading out of the number one pick. A strong possibility is a three way trade with Cleveland and Denver that will send Quinn and the number five pick to Denver, the number one pick to Cleveland, and Cutler and the number twelve pick to Detroit. Or some variation that gets Cutler to Detroit and sends away the number one pick.

Anyhow, I believe there is a very likely scenario that Detroit will not pick first. They are doing very interesting things publicly that make me suspect they are trying to spook someone below them to trade up and secure their guy. That may or may not work, but I still suspect that somehow Detroit will not pick first in actuality.

There are drawbacks to every possible first choice. Matt Stafford is the top choice in the weakest class of QBs in a while. They drafted Drew Stanton 43rd overall in '07, and I think they would be better off building other areas this season while trying out 2nd rounder Stanton, then drafting QB next year if he doesn't work out.

Next, OT is a big need and a good possibility. However, the Lions pick again at #20, and this is a deep class at this position. There is much debate over who is the top player at this position. Rather than gambling on that choice, the wise thing would be to draft the top guy later in the opening round. There will be a good option there.

Now to Curry. He is the best defensive player in the draft, and he is the most popular choice of the Lions fanbase. That should make him a slam dunk, but I only hesitate because they traded for Julian Peterson already. Along with Sims, this would give them three outstanding LBs, and there are other needs.

Raji. This seems like a slight reach. However, the struggling defense could use a great DT. Additionally, the Lions traded away Cory Redding in the trade for Peterson, so there is a great need there. But is Raji a number one overall?

Crabtree will never happen on the heels of the Millen era. This brings me to the conclusion that the Lions desperately need out of this slot. I believe that a Cutler deal is an excellent scenario for them.

So what do I choose? Well if I am forced to choose at number one, I am going with my favorite player at the top of the draft.......

AARON CURRY

The fans who follow them closely want this as well, and some draft experts agree. I just think that Stafford is too expensive for the risk. Give Stanton a whirl for a year. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

Mike Hart

coltsfanawalt — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:56:06 -0000

Big Ten Network has a new show that made its debut on March 13 and will continue on Mondays from March 23rd and on. It's called The Big Ten Quad and I saw a portion of it. One of the guests was Mike Hart. It was interesting to hear Eddie George, who hosts the show, comment on how smart of a person Mike Hart is, as well as how well Hart would make cuts on a sloppy field and such.

Anyhow, as they talked (there were four former Big Ten players including George in the discussion) about various things, Hart spoke about attitude in the locker room. He said that on every team you have your complainers, guys who think that they should play more, or guys who disagree with the coaches. He said that there were guys like that in Michigan and on the Colts, as well as every team in sports.

Hart went on to say that he watches those guys and clusters of guys who complain, as he was a team captain in Michigan and a rookie last year in the NFL. He said that he always looks at how those types of guys work on the practice field. I am summarizing all of this, as it has been three days since I watched it, but Hart made it clear that he learned a lot about attitude from noticing the players who complain in the locker room but don't study extra film or practice extra hard to get better. His point seemed to be that a player ought to quit being negative and work harder at proving he is worth more by improving through extra preparation.

This just reinforces what I have said about Mike Hart all along. This is a tremendous person who slid in the draft because of speed, and he has the heart and head to be a great contributor to this team. I love how he runs. He had the greatest two yard gain I have ever seen last season. Most of you remember that big third down conversion. Even the play that he was seriously injured on was great. Preseason and regular season, every time he touched the ball was special. He was great for the Wolverines (whom I hate) and I believe he will be big for the Colts in the years to come. Next season he might be the buzz around these parts. We will see.

You can see parts of the show at their web site, which I already linked. Go Colts!

Dallas Clark's Contract

coltsfanawalt — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:41:30 -0000

Does anybody on here know why Clark is so expensive this year? According to ColtsCap, he is a 13.9 million hit this season. From 3 mil last year to 6+ mil in years to come, that nearly 14 mil this year is glaring.

This has probably been explained before, and I probably read and forgot it, but I do not recall why it is so high this one year. Or is that site wrong? Or am I the only person even concerned about it? Or have I already exceeded my 75 minimum words?

Congratulations On A Great Season

coltsfanawalt — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:14:57 -0000

I wanted to wait a few days to post this. As a Colts fan I know all too well about that feeling after playoff disappointment. This season our hopes were tempered, but the Colts have let a top seed season end too early. It takes awhile, likely longer than this, to move forward. I am not sure I am over the '05 Pittsburgh loss entirely still, tbh.

Anyway, I want to congratulate Titans land on a great year. You won the AFC South. You had an early season QB transition, yet didn't miss a beat. Your team plays great defense. You even outplayed the Ravens in almost every way in the playoff game. There is so much parity in the NFL today that the goal is to just get in the playoffs and anything can happen.

I am not one of these that subscribes to the school of thought that there is only one successful team each year. While the ultimate goal and prize is the Lombardi, to say that thirty-one of thirty-two teams had unsuccessful seasons is ludicrous. I know that thirty-one teams end the season feeling disappointed, but that does not mean their team was not a successful team in a tough league.

I say there are twelve successful teams each year. They are called playoff contenders. Above that, the divisional championship is a higher standard of success and a greater achievement in a successful season. Congratulaions to the Tennessee Titans for not only reaching the playoffs, but for winning their division and for having the best record in the AFC Conference.

You earned the top conference spot by beating very good playoff teams. You beat the Colts, Steelers and Ravens in the AFC alone to get that top spot. Your team is extremely well coached and will be a force to be reckoned with as long as Jeff Fisher is leading the charge.

I realize that for many this is little consolation at this time, but it will be. I believe that before long, and even now for some, you will look back and appreciate the great success that your team experienced during a year in which it was extra exciting to be Tennessee Titans fan.

Enjoy the offseason, and I look forward to a great rivalry next year again!

Season Perspective

coltsfanawalt — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 05:18:15 -0000

I'm sure my thoughts are sentiments that have already been echoed, but I wanted to post them.

I think it is a tragedy to finish the season 11-5 and not make the playoffs. As a Colts fan I feel the same way about traveling to the West Coast as a 12-4 team to play an 8-8 team. But missing the postseason at 11-5 just seems wrong.

I think your team has had an amazing season. Coach Belichick gained some respect in my eyes as a coach this season. He is easy to hate as a rival team, but I have always considered him the most important individual on the team. This year concreted that in my mind. What he accomplished despite the injuries is remarkable, and it may have been his greatest coaching performance ever this season.

This season the Pats reminded me of the year Brady first started. Truthfully, had you made the playoffs, a super bowl run would seem like a strong possibility. I would not want the Colts to have to march into Foxboro and play the Patriots!

Anyhow, it has been an admirable season, and I am truly sorry about the postseason. It doesn't seem right.

Attention, Men! (Not football related. Well, maybe)

coltsfanawalt — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 23:20:39 -0000

As Christmas quickly approaches, I hope that this will help you stay out of the doghouse this year.

Oh, and you're welcome!

(I tried to make this a fanshot with video, but I am still figuring these things out.)

Go Colts! Go Colts!Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts!Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts!Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts!Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts! Go Colts!

Since We're Giving Out Fantasy Advice

coltsfanawalt — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:10:02 -0000

I am in the championship in two different leagues. Both are ten team leagues, and I have had the highest points so far in both leagues. Some of my players have tough matchups this week. We play 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs/TEs, 1 DF, 1 K. Here's my roster.

QB - Aaron Rodgers, Jason Campbell

RB - Adrian Peterson, Thomas Jones, DeAngelo Williams, Chester Taylor

WR/TE - Andre Johnson, Steve Smith (CAR), Roddy White, Marvin Harrison, Devin Hester

Team DF - Bears, Panthers

K - Joe Nedney, Jason Hanson

My biggest concern is Tomas Jones or DeAngelo Williams (as I'm going to start Peterson). I am also a little uncertain about the Bears over the Panthers. Any advice?

Congratulations, Titans Fans!

coltsfanawalt — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:09:17 -0000

I meant to get over here sooner this week, but you know how that goes...

Congratulations on clinching the South. Your team is very solid this season. Fisher is one of the greatest coaches in the NFL. The Titans earned it big time.

It has been a long time since we (Colts fans) haven't claimed that prize, and everyone in the media thought that the Jags would be the ones to wrest it from us. Congratulations again.

I don't know where our respective teams will be in record when we meet on week 17, but here's to healthy rosters (for the sake of the playoffs) and some great football that week and through the playoffs!

Random Observations

coltsfanawalt — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:25:40 -0000

I have been off the site for a week or so, and thought I'd post some thoughts in one spot here.

1. The Colts need Bob Sanders down the stretch. I think our regression in run defense this week proved that. It is reminiscent of '06, in that the Zombie is proving to be the man in his abscence as well as in his presence. Bullitt, whom I like a lot, is showing a knack for the big play that everyone will see on sportscenter wih his picks. However, watching the game a second time left me believing he misses the routine assignments enough to counter the enthusiasm. He is a very good player, and one that I hope we will keep around for quality depth. But he isn't Bob.

2. I heard the debate last week on tv about who is better, Sanders or Polamalu. I would go with Polamalu for this season. He came on strong a couple of years back, but injuries have hampered his playing time and effectiveness the past couple seasons. Meanwhile the Brains Eater had one of his healthiest seasons last year and rightfully earned DPOY. This year, durability has been more on Polamalu's side than Bob's, and Troy is playing like a beast. In every facet. I think health will always be a key factor in their year by year comparisons.

3. Fun thought. Having Sanders and Polamalu both playing safety for the Colts.

4. I see we have some new posters around here while I have been out. That is normal, as this blog is a growing success story with excellent leadership. I must say, though, that we keep getting that occasional newbie that seems suspiciously like a troll in sheep's clothing....

5. Peytonsthebest, I forgot not to wear my #18 jersey the past couple of games (I did take it off late in the Steelers game though, but I wore it the entire Texans game). And we won still, so I guess our experiment (and my failure to properly execute) proves that I am not the x-factor. My wardrobe does not have the power of luck after all, I guess. This means that it is entirely on you to keep the vibes going right. The team is counting on you, now that we know where the secret lies. Please don't let us down. If we win the super bowl, everyone at Stampede Blue will have to pitch together to get you a certificate to the restaurant of your choice. I'm certain that I speak for everyone here when I say that. The question is, where is the place to go there in California?

6. Thanksgiving Day. Potentially a game between a team without a loss versus a team without a win. Very boring.

7. The primetime games have been very good contests the past few weeks, with the exception of the presidential bowl on November 3rd. Even SF and ARI was a thriller. I wonder if this Thursday we will see the trend continue...

Gbaja-Biamila

coltsfanawalt — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 18:17:45 -0000

He was released by the Packers this weekend. I was wondering if anyone thought that he might be a good veteran player for Indy. Or are we so deep that there is no one worth dropping for him? He was solid for the Pack for a long time, but lost his job to Cullen Jenkins. My understanding is that he is a pass rusher type DE. Just curious if he intrigued anyone here or not.