tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9413041662451200292024-02-20T17:19:35.393-05:00Blue Sunday<b>Blue Sunday Colts blog - Observations and thoughts about the Indianapolis Colts and the NFL in general - with a focus on the details.</b>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-15721248543288036562018-09-03T12:39:00.000-04:002018-09-03T12:39:23.636-04:00A short note explaining why John Simon and Ryan Delaire were cut, and why Margus Hunt was kept.<b>I have studied the preseason tape closely and the John Simon and Ryan Delaire cuts were really about speed - just like Ballard said. </b><br />
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And before I go on, <b>Ballard made it perfectly clear that he is the one that kept Simon here in the first place so he could compete at DE - leaving unsaid that our current DC Matt Eberflus did *not* want to give him that shot. </b><a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2018/05/another-way-that-josh-mcdaniels.html" target="_blank">This is the only reason that John Simon did not get cut on the same day as Hankins.</a><br />
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But didn't both Simon and Delaire make some nice plays rushing the passer? Yes, especially Simon - and his were against the starters. <br />
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<b>So, what gives? </b><br />
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Well, only <b>one</b> of the jobs at DE in this scheme is rushing the passer. It is important, but other aspects are important too. <b>Those other aspects are what Tarell Basham and Kemoko Turay bring: Pursuit.</b> <br />
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<b>PURSUIT! </b><br />
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For this defense to be <b>great</b>, it has to feature fast, relentless, and violent pursuit of the QB (especially once he leaves the pocket), running backs, and wide receivers on short to medium routes. <br />
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The Colt's defenses under Tony Dungy were never great other than a few spurts, and I think it is because of compromises. <b>They never really went all in on speed.</b> Maybe it was due to Bill Polian's influence, maybe it was due to putting most resources into supporting and protecting Manning.<br />
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I think what we are seeing here, is that our new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, is not interested in compromise - and in that he is being fully supported by Ballard and Irsay. <br />
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Anyways, say John Simon is rushing the passer from Left DE (LDE) and pressure from the inside tackles causes the quarterback to roll out to his left - away from Simon. <br />
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So, John Simon takes his rush wide and turns the corner, now seeing that the QB has rolled away from him, so he busts his ass chasing him down towards the sideline while the QB looks downfield to make a throw. <br />
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<b>In this specific scenario, Basham and Turay would get to the QB about a half to a full second faster than Simon.</b> <br />
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In this example with Simon, the chances of him sacking the QB on that play would be low. So, the QB might run, throw a pass for a big play - who knows? <br />
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But getting to him that half second fater? That could easily be a strip sack for a TD. <br />
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So. Many. Fumbles. are created in the Tampa-2 defense from pursuit. <b>Pursuit from behind, where the runner is looking ahead to make a play and someone who he had no reason to expect to be there is suddenly punching the ball out from behind. </b><br />
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So many fumbles were created in this exact way during the Dungy years. <br />
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<b>So, from Eberflus's point of view, every play that a player like Simon or Delaire is on the field, represents a lost opportunity for this sort of turnover.</b><br />
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And a side-note here: Kemoko Turay is like a physical clone of Robert Mathis. The bend is there, along with the explosive burst - something very rare. Is the intelligence and drive there too? Time will tell on that.<br />
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<b>So, what about Margus Hunt?</b><br />
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Well, he's no speed demon at defensive end, but he will only be playing DE on running downs.<br />
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No, the reason Hunt is on this team is that he provides excellent inside rush when playing DT with Ridgeway on passing downs. <br />
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I believe that we will have a good pass rush this year if we stay somewhat healthy. The Dungy era defenses here never had <b>two</b> good inside rush tackles for passing downs. Never.<br />
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Sacks by our tackles back then were generally garbage sacks after Freeney or Mathis flattened the sides of the pocket. <br />
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<b>Cutting John Simon is an investment in what "could be" in terms of direct pass rush: maybe it will pay off, maybe not. But we are already more than making it up in pursuit opportunities - and the turnovers and hesitancy that causes in the opponent.</b><br />
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<br />Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-38999309922591885502018-05-04T08:39:00.002-04:002020-04-28T10:25:52.966-04:00More (and lasting) Damage from the Josh McDaniels Fiasco<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIMHcBFeWqw/WusXruyeIFI/AAAAAAACJv4/_w8hLv48TiI1SikATxzzZ12mtTUIpWy3wCLcBGAs/s1600/91866_h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="459" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIMHcBFeWqw/WusXruyeIFI/AAAAAAACJv4/_w8hLv48TiI1SikATxzzZ12mtTUIpWy3wCLcBGAs/s200/91866_h.jpg" width="191" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A lot of fans were upset and confused when the <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/colts-surprisingly-cut-johnathan-hankins-one-year-after-giving-him-27-million-deal/" target="_blank">Colts cut NT Johnathan Hankins</a></b> a couple of weeks ago. <a href="https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2018/03/17/indianapolis-colts-release-johnathan-hankins-defensive-scheme-switch-driving-force/" target="_blank">The reason given by General Manager Chris Ballard was that Hankins was not a fit for the 4-3 defensive scheme they're moving to.</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fans with good memories were confused by this as we know that Hankins played in both the 3-4 and the 4-3 while with the NY Giants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This article addresses that question and a few more that I have not seen asked elsewhere.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HIa_kv2eZg/Wusody_0mqI/AAAAAAACJwI/-v8WWE4SvU8IoNLlXcTVwy0IhrZA3KCqwCLcBGAs/s1600/ae17763ae21eedf8d1aa3eca131fb3ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="410" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_HIa_kv2eZg/Wusody_0mqI/AAAAAAACJwI/-v8WWE4SvU8IoNLlXcTVwy0IhrZA3KCqwCLcBGAs/s200/ae17763ae21eedf8d1aa3eca131fb3ca.jpg" width="187" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Everyone knows the story by now</b>: <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/No-winners-in-strange-Josh-McDaniels-saga-12559862.php" target="_blank">Josh McDaniels interviewed with the Colts during the playoffs, got the job, the announcement was delayed by league rules until after the Super Bowl, then he changed his mind and the Colts moved on.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those of you that have followed fairly closely probably know that before the McDaniels flip flop, that the <a href="https://coltswire.usatoday.com/2018/02/06/indianapolis-colts-news-contracts-in-place-3-assistant-coaches-matt-eberflus-mike-phair-dave-deguglielmo/" target="_blank">Colts even went out and hired some of his preferred assistant coaches.</a> </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the Colts, class organization that they are, honored those contracts. </span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And this is where the whole thing goes off the rails.</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To fully explain, we'll have to go back and look at what Chris Ballard did the previous season. For the purposes of this article, we'll be focusing solely on the defensive moves.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These are the veterans on defense that Ballard brought in previous to last season: </span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>DE/DT Margus Hunt</b>: Hunt is a excellent athlete with limited experience, basically a project player. All of his previous experience was in the 4-3. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>NT Johnathan Hankins</b>: Hankins had played in both the 3-4 and the 4-3 with the Giants.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>DE/OLB Jabaal Sheard</b>: Sheard came from New England where he played defensive end. He was brought in to play OLB for the Colts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>DE/OLB John Simon</b>: Simon came from the Texans and has only played in the 3-4.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were a couple of other signings (Spence, Bostic) but they are not important within the scope of this article.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Defensive rookies drafted:</span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>S Malik Hooker</b>: Ball-hawking safety in the mold of Ed Reed. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>CB Quincy Wilson</b>: Good sized CB with primarily bump and run man to man cover skills. Seen as weak in off coverage. Primary fit would be a bump and run pressure defense, similar to what Seattle and Baltimore (and Pagano) run.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Again for the purposes of this article, we'll just focus on these players and not the ones drafted in later rounds. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now, some of you more advanced fans out there probably looked at these moves before last season and wondered if these guys were a fit for Pagano's attacking style 3-4 defense. Hunt, Sheard, and Basham sure didn't seem to fit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most of us believed that Pagano was a lame duck who would be replaced after the season, and some of us concluded that Ballard was getting a head start on the 2018 season by acquiring players who would fit into the scheme he actually preferred and planned to move to: The 4-3 front with cover 3 on the back end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In his first few months on the job, I heard Ballard mention this scheme a few times in passing, which immediately got my attention. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, what does this mean? Well, the following players that the Colts acquired prior to the 2017 season are a <u>perfect</u> fit for the exact scheme that Seattle runs: Johnathan Hankins, Al Woods, Jabaal Sheard, John Simon, Malik Hooker, Quincy Wilson, and Tarell Basham. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It seems to me to very clear that Ballard was fully committed to moving the Colts to a 4-3 cover-3 scheme in the style of the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>But Ballard has now stated that we'll be running a 4-3 Tampa-2 style defense for this season and into the future.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what changed? </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Josh McDaniels, that's what. </i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Colts signed Matt Eberflus away from Dallas to be their defensive coordinator, <i>because that's who McDaniels wanted. (Note 6/5/2019): Ballard has since said some things that infer Eberflus was HIS guy) </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And Matt Eberflus is a Tampa-2 coordinator. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now don't get me wrong, Eberflus <b>is</b> considered to be a very sharp and up and coming defensive coach - <a href="http://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4749589/cowboys-name-matt-eberflus-pass-game-coordinator-for-defense" target="_blank">Dallas had gone out of their way to incentivise</a> him to stay <a href="https://247sports.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/Bolt/Report-Dallas-Cowboys-offered-Matt-Eberflus-promotion-to-defensive-coordinator-113800426" target="_blank">as the possible heir apparent to Rod Marinelli. </a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, now that the Colts have switched to a different scheme than originally planned - they have a few players that were acquired that fit, and several that don't have a precise fit in this defense. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Apparently Ballard wanted McDaniels so badly that he was willing to discard all of his plans for the defense that he presumably had been thinking about for years in preparation for his first GM job.</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Players acquired last year who are scheme fits for the Tampa-2:</span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Margus Hunt</b>: Perfect penetrating DT</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Jabaal Sheard</b>: Near perfect fit for the LDE</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Tarell Basham</b>: Good fit for LDE</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Players acquired last year who are b</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ad scheme fits for the Tampa-2:</span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Johnathan Hankins</b>: (who has been cut)</span></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Malik Hooker</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quincy Wilson</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Al Woods</span></b></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>John Simon:</b> (his best fit is for weakside OLB in the Seahawks scheme)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This is where we discuss </b><b>Johnathan </b><b>Hankins</b>, who played in both the 3-4 and 4-3 with the NY Giants. He was their #1 free agent signing in 2017 and he really played up to his contract, providing stout run defense and adequate pass rush.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The reason that the Giants didn't resign him was that he was not a great fit for the type of 4-3 scheme that their current defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo favors. So Hankins's tape seemed to show a decline in his play, whereas it was really a scheme fit issue. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hankins was originally drafted to play in former Giants Defensive coordinator </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Perry Fewell's "break but don't bend" 4-3 scheme, and he excelled until the Giants fired Fewell and replaced him with </span><span style="color: #222222;">Spagnuolo</span><span style="color: #222222;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, the reason that Hankins was signed was that he <i>was</i> a scheme fit for Pagano's 3-4 and was a projected fit for a DT in a Seattle style defense. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">In this example, Hankins would have been the 2-GAP DT </span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>And how was Hankins a scheme fit for the defense that Seattle runs?</b> <a href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/2011/6/2/2194859/the-4-3-under-defense-part-ii-the-seahawks-hybrid" target="_blank">In Pete Carroll's cover-3 scheme, the most of the defensive line plays one gap</a>, with one defensive tackle playing two gap. That two gap position was to be filled by Hankins, with Al Woods being the backup.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Now let's talk about </span>Malik Hooker.</b> <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2017/4/27/15277976/malik-hooker-colts-nfl-draft-2017" target="_blank">Hooker was seen as a generational talent as a free safety in the Ed Reed / Earl Thomas mold.</a> He was seen as a perfect fit for defenses that required the FS to be the primary cover deep guy who either supported corners locked in bump and run man coverage (Pagano's scheme) or corners in bump short zone coverage. In both schemes, his primary responsibilities are coverage, with the SS on the other side playing closer to the line. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>This is in contrast to the free safety's role in the tampa-2.</b> In this scheme, both the FS and the SS drop straight back near the hashmarks and their responsibility is mainly the outside thirds of the downfield passing area:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The middle linebacker is responsible for the middle of the field. Both the FS and the SS are primary parts of the run defense and have very specific gap responsibility.</span></div>
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<a href="http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/quartersGAPS_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://mgoblog.com/sites/mgoblog.com/files/quartersGAPS_0.jpg" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="800" height="213" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, in a tampa-2, both safeties need to be rugged tacklers, while they have a lesser range requirement as each only covers a third of the field, whereas in the cover-3 they often are asked to cover 3/4 or even the entire deep passing area. Also safeties in the tampa-2 require less instincts as their decision making process is pretty rigidly dictated by what the offense does. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Everything I just said makes Hooker a complete non-fit for the cover-2</b>, and really, a great waste of talent. <b>This would be like having Aaron Rodgers running the Tim Tebow offense.</b> Sure Aaron could do it, but do you really want him taking all those hits and not using his supreme arm talent? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>On top of that, the increased responsibilities in the run game may take a toll on him physically.</b> <b><a href="http://www.espn.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/32939/bob-sanders-body-betrays-him-again" target="_blank">Basically he is playing role that Bob Sanders played.</a></b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of Hooker's issues coming out of college was his poor routes to tackle runners, but I didn't see any issues with this during his rookie year, so that improved with coaching.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>And how about CB Quincy Wilson?</b> Wilson was a polarizing player around the NFL as he was seen to only be a good fit for teams that ran bump man coverage. Didn't play much zone in college. Basically he was a good fit for either Pagano's defense or Seattle's. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a cover-2 corner, he is a little taller than you normally see. He also is not "squat" like you see in most cover-2 corners. In the cover-2 (reference the above diagram), the cornerbacks are primarily responsible for tackling outside runners and for the short passing zones on the outside third of the field. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/quincy-wilson?id=2557961" target="_blank">Looking at Quincy Wilson's pre-draft scouting reports, his two main weaknesses were lack of physicality in the run game and off coverage.</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some of you may remember when the <a href="http://www.buccaneers.com/news/article-1/Tampa-Bay-Lands-Star-CB-Darrelle-Revis-in-Dramatic-Trade/59f545a8-2b36-47ee-bc46-83ae7485b016" target="_blank">Tampa Bucs acquired CB Darrelle Revis</a>. Revis was a top echelon downfield coverage guy and Tampa was running a tampa-2. <a href="https://www.bucsnation.com/2013/9/19/4748418/the-buccaneers-are-wasting-darrelle-revis-talents-all-22-breakdown" target="_blank">It was a disaster.</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now I'm not saying that Wilson will be a disaster as a cover-2 corner, as he is younger and presumably more coachable that Revis was. But his physical skills and body type are not the ideal fits you would expect from a high draft choice. This tells me that in this scheme his ceiling may be sharply limited.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The conclusion from all this is that due to the chain of events from the attempt to hire Josh McDaniels, the Colts put themselves in the position to where they will likely never get full value from their 1st and 2nd 2017 draft picks. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To me it is clear that Ballard never considered the possibility that he would hire anyone other than a cover-3 guy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Everyone (including the Colts organization) is saying the Colts dodged a bullet when McDaniels jilted them, but it is more like they were hit but the bullet went through and through and they'll just have a limp for a while. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The costs to all of this:</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Potential loss of value their 1st and 2nd round picks on the 2017 draft</b> (almost certainly the Colts would have picked different players had they known they were moving to the tampa-2)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Damaged the career prospects of Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson</b> by forcing them into roles they are not suited for</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Wasted the money signing Hankins</b> (did the Colts <i>really</i> need him to win four games?)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Colts are stuck with a defensive scheme</b> that is not the one favored and planned for by team management</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Colts rebuild and the progress of the defense will be held back </b>as they almost have to play these guys based on what they have invested.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I feel that there is little chance of Malik Hooker and Quincy Wilson signing a 2nd contract with the Colts, and honestly I think they both should be traded at this point - while they still have value. After a couple of years playing in a scheme that does not fit them they will look like busts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>I feel that the events described in this article represent a black eye for Chris Ballard</b> and it all should have been handled much differently. <b>I still love the guy</b> and I think he is very good at his job - but this all was handled very poorly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>How they got stuck on McDaniels enough to upset their careful planning is a mystery for the ages.</b></span></div>
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Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-29582488102427379982015-09-18T11:28:00.001-04:002015-09-18T14:28:33.299-04:00The real reason Peyton Manning is struggling this season<span style="font-size: large;">The sports media is having a collective fit over how Manning looks this year.</span><br />
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It's hard to blame them; they do have a lot of empty air to fill and he <i>has</i> looked very old. And it's hard for them not to connect how he played at the end of last season (when his legs were injured) with what they see now.<br />
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So what happened? Has he fallen off the shelf?<br />
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"<i>Falling off the shelf</i>" is an old way that scouts and coaches would describe a sudden decline in play from one season to the next; usually with the inference that age is the culprit, and that the reduced level of play is both untenable and unlikely to improve.<br />
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<b>Has Peyton Fallen off the shelf? No. No he hasn't. </b><br />
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<a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/11/what-peyton-manning-is-doing-and-how-to.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Peyton Manning has been the subject of study for me since he came into the league; and I think I know him as well as possible for a non-football insider.</span></b></a><br />
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So why is he looking so old compared to how he looked pre-injury last year? I'll tell you: for the same reason an old computer seems slow - it's being asked to do things it is not capable of.<br />
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So, what is it that Peyton is being asked to do that he wasn't last year? <br />
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<b>Footwork my friend; footwork. </b><br />
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Basically now that Manning has had Kubiak's version of Bill Walsh's offense (referred to by heretics as the "West Coast Offense") foisted upon him, the entire way that Manning takes the snap, sets up in the pocket, and throws on time has been fundamentally altered. <br />
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Kubiak's offense (which is very faithful to how Bill Walsh designed it) is heavily dependent on precise and quick footwork. There are other fundamental changes that Manning has had to adjust to: such as pre-determined throws based on coverages, routes that change dynamically based on the coverage, the lesser need for audibles at the line, and short precise throws on time to specific points. <br />
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But these are all things that Manning has no problem with. <br />
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The footwork though - that <i>is</i> a problem. <br />
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Bill Walsh always said he could tell if a college QB would fit his system by watching only his feet. When he drafted Joe Montana in the 3rd round; <a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/12/sexy-rex-ryan-and-wife-in-news.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">it was his feet that he coveted</span></a>. <br />
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Simply put, in the Walsh offense, a Qb takes the snap and drops back in either a three or five step drop. At the point where the back foot hits, the QB should be on balance and already in position to <i>immediately</i> throw to his first receiver at a specific point on the field. This puts a premium on quick and precise footwork, along with the balance to be in a stable throwing position <i>immediately</i> upon the end of the drop. This puts a lot of pressure on that back leg; and a lack of spring in that leg will cause poor balance, a inconsistant throwing position, and release point.<br />
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This is critical. <b>And it is exceptionally critical when the QB does not have a power arm.</b> Brett Favre and John Elway excelled in this system despite having shoddy footwork (at least compared to a Montana) due to their ability to put a lot of power on the throw from awkward and fundamentally unsound positions. <br />
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<b>Watching Manning this year, it is painfully obvious to me that his legs are dead.</b> Dan Marino had the same issue in his final couple of seasons.<br />
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Now, there have been times this year that Manning has looked more like himself. Usually when they need to throw every down due to playing catch-up. So, why?<br />
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Well, most of those snaps are taken from the shotgun where the footwork is less of an issue. Manning takes the shotgun snap and can settle a bit while the receivers (who are running longer routes) try to get open.<br />
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Basically Manning is struggling for the same reasons that many college spread offense QBs struggle when they come to the NFL. Poor footwork. <br />
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Will practice improve the situation? Almost certainly it will. But how much? <br />
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I predict that either the Broncos will start working a lot more out of the shotgun, or that Manning will continue to struggle in the base offense.Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-41643973131295026522015-01-22T11:40:00.001-05:002015-01-22T11:40:27.233-05:00Deflategate and all that<div style="background-color: #f0f3fc; color: #222222; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Why would he do this, or allow it? Because he has no scruples whatsoever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What is more likely, that he has been caught for the only two times where there was trying to gain an unfair advantage?</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">OR</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That every part of the organization where he is involved there is a concerted effort to gain an unfair advantage; and that spygate and deflategate are just the two times that he has been <strong>publically</strong> caught?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I say "publically" because if this story hadn't been reported by the media, it would have been resolved behind the scenes by the NFL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Other than Bill Walsh or a young Paul Brown; no modern coach has ever had as much direct control over all aspects of the organization.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can believe that Belichick would not be the one personally directing the deflation of footballs; but this could only happen in an atmosphere of competition where cheating in sly ways is institutionally encouraged and rewarded.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">The biggest argument the the Belichick supporters have is that it would not have affected the outcome of this particular game whatsoever.</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I don't think anyone is suggesting that it did. So, who are you arguing with?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The week before, the Patriots barely beat a scrappy Ravens team in freezing weather.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are there any Belichick supporters that can honestly say that they don't think that the Patriot's balls in <em>that</em> game weren't intentionally deflated?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What do I think should be done? I'm torn on that. For the act itself, considering the advantage that was gained, I'd say the same penalty as spygate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This seems to be a much lesser advantage than what was gained during spygate, but this is a second offense.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The only way to stop this sort of skullduggery is to hurt the Patriots competitively. A fine isn't going to do anything whatsoever.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">And for those of you out there who thought the spygate penalty was too harsh? Well, since that penalty did not stop the Patriots from cheating, I'd say that the Patriots themselves are telling us the penalty was not severe enough - because they keep doing it.</span></strong></div>
Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-62618775228514256052014-05-11T20:28:00.000-04:002014-05-11T20:28:09.211-04:00The Colts pick up the exciting but raw Donte Moncrief with their 3rd round pick.I really do like this pick. I don't think the Colts plan on him being a large part of the offense this year, but I'm thinking the idea was to give them options for 2015 when the contracts of both Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks expire. <br />
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<b>The Good:</b> Better than average size and strength (6-2⅜, 221 lbs). Very good change of direction and body control combined with a 4.34 40 yard dash. He has the measurables as well as some intangibles for the position. He tracks the ball well in the air and has the athletic ability and size to outjump defenders for the ball. Looks like he will develop into a really good route runner.<br />
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He played in a pro style offense, so he is experienced in the entire route tree. He also shows a good willingness to block (which IMHO is a great test of character at the WR position). He has a nice frame and could put on some more weight.<br />
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<b>The Bad:</b> Lacks true burner speed. In not a natural at catching the ball; uses his body not his hands. While he rarely drops an uncontested pass, he has difficulty cleanly catching in traffic.<br />
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<b>Summary:</b> I project him to be the opening day starter at the outside WR position in 2015 - he will replace either Wayne or Nicks. Because of his size and ability to separate, I'd say barring injury he should be a productive player for a good while.<br />
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<b>Who he reminds me of:</b> Josh GordonScott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-38193263718898818882014-05-11T20:10:00.001-04:002014-05-11T20:28:38.091-04:00The Colts draft Jack Mewhort with their 2nd round pickYeah, I'm not liking this too much. This guy has journeyman written all over him.<br />
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<b>The good:</b> Smart and tough. Very mobile. Played LT at Ohio State, but Grigson has said they see him as a guard. His arms are considered too short for a tackle in this league.<br />
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He will be one of those guys who can fill in at every line spot.<br />
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<b>The Bad:</b> At 6-6, 309 lbs, he is a little tall and thin for a guard. Looking at his frame, I don't see him getting much bigger. He also plays really high and does not play with power. Not a natural strength guy. He also has no natural position; his short arms and lack of bulk will hurt him at LT. His poor drive blocking (as well as the short arms) make him a bad fit for RT and guard. He does not play with leverage due to his build, making it very tough for him to run block at the guard position. He is also too tall and thin to be an ideal center.<br />
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<b>Summary:</b> I'm guessing that this pick had a lot to do with what was left at the end of the 2nd round. I don't think Mewhort will ever be "the guy" at any particular position on the line. I see him having a long career as a quality reserve.<br />
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I really don't understand this pick.<br />
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<b>Who he reminds me of:</b> Jeff LinkenbachScott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-56643543685708904642013-09-30T13:01:00.000-04:002013-09-30T13:01:31.771-04:00Building the Monster - The Race Against the Salary Cap in Today's NFL<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1J_VPsowkt0/Ukml5J8Vm2I/AAAAAAAAAwA/3_4ydM-XSTQ/s1600/grigson-ryan-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1J_VPsowkt0/Ukml5J8Vm2I/AAAAAAAAAwA/3_4ydM-XSTQ/s200/grigson-ryan-02.jpg" width="166" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">I have to admit that I've been a little puzzled</span></b> by some of the moves made by <b>Jim Irsay </b>and </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ryan Grigson</b> since the latter came in as GM prior to last season. But recently I think I figured it all out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This a long article which requires some reading, but there is a big payoff for the patient - we're pulling the cover off of the internal workings and plans of Colts management.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many moves have been made in the last two years by the new regime, but these are the ones I found curious:</span><br />
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<li><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reggie Wayne, Projected starting WR, re-signed 2/14/2012 for $17.5 million over three years</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vontae Davis, Projected starting CB, acquired 8/26/2012 for our 2013 2nd round pick</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gosder Cherilus, Projected starting RT, signed 3/13/2013 as Free Agent for <span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">$34 million over five years</span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">LaRon Landry, <span style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Projected starting </span>SS, signed 3/13/2013 as Free Agent for</span><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> $24 million over four years</span></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Erik Walden, <span style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Projected starting </span>SSOLB, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">signed 3/13/2013 as Free Agent for</span><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> $16 million over four years</span></span></span></b></li>
<li><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Greg Toler, <span style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Projected starting </span>CB, signed 3/13/2014 as Free Agent for $14 million over three years</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Ricky Jean-Francois, <span style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Projected starting </span>DE, signed 3/14/2013 as Free Agent for $24 million over four years</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Aubrayo Franklin, <span style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Projected starting </span>NT, signed 3/20/2013 as Free Agent for $1.1 million for one year</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Ahmad Bradshaw, <span style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Possibly projected starting </span>RB, signed 6/11/2013 as Free Agent for $1.1 million for one year</b></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Trent Richardson, <span style="color: black; line-height: normal;">Projected starting </span>RB, acquired 9/18/2013 for our 2014 first round pick</b></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Now there have been a lot of other transactions,</span></b> which is to be expected when you are bringing in a new GM and coaching staff - especially with the radical change in philosophy on both sides of the ball. <b>So why do I single these transactions out?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Basically, for the last twenty years or so, <b>there has been a consistent template that teams with new management have followed when taking over a bad team</b>: clean house, trade valuable players for picks, drop salary, acquire lots of draft picks to acquire young players with upside who fit your new system, and acquire an inexpensive veteran or two to provide leadership and mentoring to all these young players.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">This is the template the Colts followed in 1998, as have many other teams between now and then. So, why aren't we doing that now?</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">The answer is that <b><i>Colts Management feels that </i></b><i><b>if we don't win a championship with Andrew Luck in the next three years, we won't win one at all. </b></i>That is a pretty strong statement to say the least, but I think I can back it up.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">I'll explain why each acquisition was curious to me at the time it was made - at least when compared to the normal rebuilding template:</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reggie Wayne, Projected starting WR, re-signed 2/14/2012 for $17.5 million over three years</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Virtually everyone who follows football expected Wayne to move on to greener pastures after the terrible 2011 season. He was linked to New England, as well as other winning franchises with established quarterbacks. When we re-signed him to a three year contract (<a href="http://helmet2helmet.com/2012/03/13/reggie-wayne-returns-to-colts-on-three-year-deal/" target="_blank">with</a> the <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1103701-reggie-wayne-re-signs-with-indianapolis-colts-deal-analysis-grade-and-reaction" target="_blank">accompanying</a> <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1103729-reggie-wayne-re-signs-with-colts-deal-analysis-grade-and-twitter-reaction" target="_blank">criticism</a>), it was widely assumed that the intention was to mentor both Andrew Luck and the young wide receivers we were to acquire in the 2012 draft. This, while surprising, was not <i>that</i> curious - other than at the same time we were aggressively cutting salary by releasing other veteran players.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 3 out of 10</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vontae Davis, Projected starting CB, acquired 8/26/2012 for our 2013 2nd round pick</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgHzK90dxJ0/UkmcL124X0I/AAAAAAAAAuY/BWvT4-_jRM4/s1600/davis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgHzK90dxJ0/UkmcL124X0I/AAAAAAAAAuY/BWvT4-_jRM4/s200/davis.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one surprised everyone, and it was the first indication to me that something strange was going on. <b>Acquiring Davis via trade for our 2nd round pick flew in the face of any traditional rebuilding strategy.</b> The first issue was giving up a 2nd, the next was the idea of bringing a potentially disgruntled player into a young and impressionable locker room. Rebuilding teams just don't make these kinds of trades. This was the sort of thing that good teams do to plug a hole. The assumption being that you are bringing in a player who is talented, but has had troubles, into a solid locker room where he can learn how to conduct himself by the examples of the veteran leaders. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The only way this trade made sense at the time was that Grigson was convinced that the Colts could very quickly become a playoff team. That's the only reason you give up a high draft pick to plug a hole.</i></b></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 8 out of 10</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gosder Cherilus, Projected starting RT, signed 3/13/2013 as Free Agent for <span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">$34 million over five years</span></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-adxFEC80d4I/Ukmck5HnI4I/AAAAAAAAAug/chYzFlMOsVM/s1600/Gosder+Cherilus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-adxFEC80d4I/Ukmck5HnI4I/AAAAAAAAAug/chYzFlMOsVM/s200/Gosder+Cherilus.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Another strange decision for a rebuilding team. Ok, we went to the playoffs in 2012, so maybe we weren't rebuilding. Still, it's rare for a team with a new regime to be signing veterans with no upside to plug holes. And clearly Grigson had Cherilus targeted, signing Cherilus on the first day of free agency for a bit more money than the NFL <i>media</i> expected.</span></span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 6 out of 10</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">LaRon Landry, </span>Projected starting <span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">SS, signed 3/13/2013 as Free Agent for</span><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> $24 million over four years</span></span></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_oM4ae2b4Ag/UkmdAnEB0nI/AAAAAAAAAus/gVXprc6ABO4/s1600/landry-laron-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_oM4ae2b4Ag/UkmdAnEB0nI/AAAAAAAAAus/gVXprc6ABO4/s1600/landry-laron-02.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #292929; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Again, a strange decision for a young team. Landry went to the Pro Bowl for the lowly Jets in 2012. The Colts already had Pro Bowler Antoine Bethea at one </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">safety</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> spot, and I think most people would have expected them to draft a young player to groom for the other safety spot. I mean with Davis, Bethea, Butler, and some other holdovers, the Colts looked to have a pretty good secondary. <b>It seemed like a natural that they would build through the draft. Instead they conclusively plugged a hole with a Pro Bowler.</b></span></span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 7 out of 10</span></b></u></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Erik Walden, </span></span>Projected starting <span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">SSOLB, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">signed 3/13/2013 as Free Agent for</span><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> $16 million over four years</span></span></span></b></u></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoYXPWcEoec/UkmdiIn4f-I/AAAAAAAAAu0/godD02v8Hgs/s1600/colts-eric-walden-versus-raiders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XoYXPWcEoec/UkmdiIn4f-I/AAAAAAAAAu0/godD02v8Hgs/s200/colts-eric-walden-versus-raiders.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">This is the one that the NFL media (you know, those "experts" who can't get a job actually contributing in the NFL) and Colts fans point to as a Ryan Grigson "mistake." Well, from my POV, Walden has been very good at what he was brought in to do: Be a rugged edge setter at strong outside linebacker. <b><i>Setting the edge</i></b> - you heard that mentioned by multiple members of the Colts coaches and management on the day of the signing. I think every time they said that, <b><i>they were firing a shot at the departed Jerry Hughes</i></b>, our strong outside linebacker from 2012. Now for a young team, this is not <i>that</i> surprising a move. But this is the sort of signing that you make after the big money has been spent in free agency. Clearly Grigson and his staff were convinced that Walden was exactly what they needed, and they took no chances that they'd lose him by targeting him for immediate signing on the first day of free agency. From what I have seen from him so far (aside from a mental error here and there), he has been exactly what we wanted. But the timing and the amount of the signing were most unusual.</span></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 9 out of 10</span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Greg Toler, </span>Projected starting <span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">CB, signed 3/13/2014 as Free Agent for $14 million over three years</span></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRC305Wo8Xs/Ukmd50NSYoI/AAAAAAAAAu8/L43U7Sl0-qs/s1600/Greg+Toler+Oakland+Raiders+v+Indianapolis+s5xP0M-He3Sl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cRC305Wo8Xs/Ukmd50NSYoI/AAAAAAAAAu8/L43U7Sl0-qs/s200/Greg+Toler+Oakland+Raiders+v+Indianapolis+s5xP0M-He3Sl.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Another strange pickup. Toler was known in league circles as a top-flight talent at CB, but he had been constantly injured and had not really shown anything thus far in his career. So, what was this about? Another move that only makes sense if you are a contending team and just need to plug a hole. Toler was a gamble, but when healthy, he gives us a 2nd physical specimen at CB, when paired with Vontae Davis. His play this year has been a little uneven, but he has made some really nice plays against both the run and the pass.<b> If he gets a little more consistent we'll have two pro bowl talents at CB, combined with two former pro bowlers at safety.</b> Clearly we were shooting for the moon with this signing. At minimum this gives defensive coordinator Greg Manusky the ability to blitz; knowing that he has two physical bump and run cornerbacks and a quality nickle CB (Darius Butler) to harass receivers.</span></span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 7 out of 10</span></b></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Ricky Jean-Francois, </span>Projected starting <span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">DE, signed 3/14/2013 as Free Agent for $24 million over four years</span></span></u></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGl0gC_KavA/UkmeRamkwvI/AAAAAAAAAvE/QpnE-HSnvJU/s1600/Ricky+Jean+Francois+Oakland+Raiders+v+Indianapolis+5yjP8WJeuRZl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HGl0gC_KavA/UkmeRamkwvI/AAAAAAAAAvE/QpnE-HSnvJU/s200/Ricky+Jean+Francois+Oakland+Raiders+v+Indianapolis+5yjP8WJeuRZl.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another quick fix. <span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Jean-Francois was a quality backup for the Super Bowl San Francisco 49ers, and he was signed to start opposite Cory Redding at defensive end. This guy was more of a normal signing: a 26 year old quality backup on a powerhouse team. He really was only a curious signing in that this was still not building through the draft - where you <i>may</i> be able to get the same production out of a cheaper player. The point is <i>may</i>. Clearly the Colts weren't interested in taking that gamble. This signing was also curious when considering that they also ended up signing </span><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Aubrayo Franklin six days later (more on him next).</span></span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 3 out of 10</span></b></u></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Aubrayo Franklin, </span>Projected starting <span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">NT, signed 3/20/2013 as Free Agent for $1.1 million for one year</span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Considering they had just signed Jean-Francois, signing a 33 year old cast off from San Diego seemed a little strange - especially as this was still during the big money period of free agency. A slightly undersized nose tackle at 6'1", 317 lbs, he is clearly a stop-gap veteran plug in. Sound familiar?</span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 5 out of 10</span></b></u></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Ahmad Bradshaw, Possible p</span>rojected starting <span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">RB, signed 6/11/2013 as Free Agent for $1.1 million for one year</span></span></b></u></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fb-QGGaDaE/Ukmf4ESDKPI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4tIxX9C0KTk/s1600/bradshaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6fb-QGGaDaE/Ukmf4ESDKPI/AAAAAAAAAvY/4tIxX9C0KTk/s200/bradshaw.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another move that does not fit the typical young team template. The Colts signed Bradshaw late in the pre-season, perhaps delayed due to the health and healing of his foot injury, and perhaps due to the players in camp not being what Grigson and Pagano wanted. Either way, <b>young teams building through the draft do not bring in 27 year old running backs with an injury history.</b> And there is still the question of whether he was brought in to start or not. We'll never know now with Vick Ballard going down for the season before Bradshaw was totally up to speed. Again, whether he was intended to be the eventual starter or just a high-quality backup, this is a move normally made by a championship contender to decisively plug a hole.</span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 8 out of 10</span></b></u></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Trent Richardson, </span>Projected starting <span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">RB, acquired 9/18/2013 for our 2014 first round pick</span></span></b></u></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsqP2wuINZU/UkmgTza3xmI/AAAAAAAAAvo/TsuVDWdzVfY/s1600/richardson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsqP2wuINZU/UkmgTza3xmI/AAAAAAAAAvo/TsuVDWdzVfY/s200/richardson.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Boom, take that.</b> By trading our 2014 first rounder to Cleveland, this was our announcement to the rest of the league that patience was not our watch-word. This is a <i><b>building the monster right now</b></i> type move. In Trent Richardson, we now have a large, bruising running back that is the ideal fit for Pagano's vision and Pep Hamilton's offense. Cleveland Browns GM Michael Lombardi (no relation to Mark Lombardi, abstract painter known for his network diagrams of crime and conspiracy), has been on record numerous times (during his time as a paid pundit for NFL Network and The National Football Post) as minimizing the importance of the running back in today's NFL; actually poking fun at teams like the 49ers for building a team around a strong running game. And lookie what he was handed upon taking the job with the Browns: a high priced running back. Anyone who knows Lombardi would not surprised that he would trade away a young talented back like Richardson. And anyone who knows Lombardi would not be surprised at his willingness to make an extremely unpopular move . . . cough cough Kosar cough cough . . . Sorry, having a Breaking Bad moment, but without the mad cash. Anyways, that a team like the Colts being the trade partner - and during the season no less! Shocking. This was a move that says: We are winning this year or next. Period. <b>A trade like this <i>during the season</i> only makes sense if you are unwilling to compromise your year</b> after an injury like the one that ended Vick Ballard's season. Rumblings are that Cleveland initiated the talks, but even then - this was a big deal.</span></div>
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<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curiosity score: 10 out of 10</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Now these ratings are based on the template</span></b> that other young, rebuilding teams have followed. But when you view each move as part of a win now approach, each makes <i>perfect</i> sense and is not curious at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I mean<b><i> you have either 11 out of 11 or 10 out of 11 acquisitions for players projected to start for your team in a two year period</i></b> - when you are supposed to be rebuilding. Unheard of.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, why the hurry anyways? If Luck plays fifteen years, surely there is <i>plenty</i> of time - Right?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wrong: </b><i><b>The Colts have a three year window to win the Super Bowl with Luck.</b></i> </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKyYLTLOoqk/UkmhwY12mBI/AAAAAAAAAv0/D0bLgkgsGVo/s1600/luck+draft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HKyYLTLOoqk/UkmhwY12mBI/AAAAAAAAAv0/D0bLgkgsGVo/s320/luck+draft.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because that's when <i>his economical rookie contract ends after the 2015 season.</i> That is when resigning him will necessitate (due to the salary cap) changing the entire structure of the team, just like what the Colts did to good (but not great) success after Manning's rookie contract expired. <b>This is where the Giants, Patriots, Ravens, Packers, and Saints are right now.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you have a massive contract for your QB which might easily take upwards of <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1593808-the-impact-quarterback-inflation-has-on-the-nfl-salary-cap" target="_blank">20% or more of your entire salary cap</a>, you can no longer expect to be able to afford a veteran heavy team with pro-bowlers all over the place. Irsay had a front row seat to a string of Colts teams that got weaker each successive year. Manning covered up a LOT of holes, thus hiding the decline of our overall talent, evidenced by our complete collapse in 2011 when he was injured. Irsay knows that everything is setting up that same situation starting in 2016 - which will be the first year of Luck's next contract. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsFN8vjytCc/UkmYMgIzUzI/AAAAAAAAAuM/F9jNvy4lpeU/s200/irsay+-+shush.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="189" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #5f5f5f; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, san-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: start;"> That was a pre-emptive "sh!" Now, I have a<br />whole bag of "sh!" with your name on it.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qsFN8vjytCc/UkmYMgIzUzI/AAAAAAAAAuM/F9jNvy4lpeU/s1600/irsay+-+shush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Anyone who follows the NFL closely at all, understands that the stated length of player contract and the total amount is really meaningless.</b> The things that insiders want to know is: How much guaranteed money (the money the player will get even if he later gets cut), and how long until an escalator clause makes it likely the team will be forced to re-sign the player or cut him. So, lets again list these new acquisitions, this time highlighting their contracts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Reggie Wayne</b>, WR, re-signed 2/14/2012 for $17.5 million over three years</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Real contract: $17.5 million over three years, no huge cut-inducing ballon payments. Clearly this is a contract the Colts intended to be completed. <b>Contract ends after the 2014 season.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Vontae Davis</b>, CB, acquired 8/26/2012 for our 2013 2nd round pick</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Real contract: Reasonable rookie contract, ends after the 2014 season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gosder Cherilus</b>, RT, signed 3/13/2013 as Free Agent for <span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">$34 million over five years</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Real contract: With a the first balloon payment coming before the 2015 season, <b>probably ends after the 2014 season.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;"><b>LaRon Landry</b>, SS, signed 3/13/2013 as Free Agent for</span><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> $24 million over four years</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Real contract: No balloon payments, <b>ends after the 2016 season.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><b>Erik Walden</b>, SSOLB, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">signed 3/13/2013 as Free Agent for</span><span style="color: #292929;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> $16 million over four years</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Real contract: </span><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">No balloon payments, <b>ends after the 2016 season.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Greg Toler</b>, CB, signed 3/13/2014 as Free Agent for $14 million over three years</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Real contract: </span><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">No balloon payments, <b>ends after the 2016 season.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Ricky Jean-Francois</b>, DE, signed 3/14/2013 as Free Agent for $24 million over four years</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Real contract: </span><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">A couple of high payments that may result in him being cut, but not too high. Contact <b>ends after the 2016 season.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Aubrayo Franklin</b>, NT, signed 3/20/2013 as Free Agent for $1.1 million for one year</span><br />
<span style="color: #292929; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Real contract: One year, stop-gap contract. <b>Ends after 2013 season.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Ahmad Bradshaw</b>, RB, signed 6/11/2013 as Free Agent for $1.1 million for one year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Real contract: </span><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">One year, stop-gap contract. Ends <b>after 2013 season.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #292929; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>Trent Richardson</b>, RB, acquired 9/18/2013 for our 2014 first round pick</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #292929; line-height: 24px;">Real contract: </span>Reasonable rookie contract, <b>ends after the 2016 season.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>So, basically, every player that the Colts have acquired has a contract that will effectively end after the 2016 season</b></span> - right when they will need to shovel cash into Andrew Luck's deserving pockets.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1J_VPsowkt0/Ukml5J8Vm2I/AAAAAAAAAwA/3_4ydM-XSTQ/s1600/grigson-ryan-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who wants to bet me that any free agents they may sign <i>next</i> year will have contracts that effectively expire after the 2016 season? Anyone?</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaHyde_eCYE/UkmVWp3U0TI/AAAAAAAAAuE/QyWubeYbEZ4/s1600/scales.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaHyde_eCYE/UkmVWp3U0TI/AAAAAAAAAuE/QyWubeYbEZ4/s200/scales.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I see this as a pretty big deal. <b><i>Basically the Colts seem to think that they must win before the 2016 season ends;</i></b> despite the fact that Luck will then presumably be entering the prime of his career. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is a pretty damming statement on the current way the NFL is structured financially.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Is it possible to win the Super Bowl nowadays while carrying a high-dollar Quarterback? Sound off in the comments . . .</i></b></span></div>
Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-23108370636739854592013-08-26T17:56:00.001-04:002013-08-26T19:15:53.162-04:002013 Preseason notes: Road-Grading the Offensive Lineman<b>The 2012 Indianapolis Colts offensive line was a mixed bag</b>, caught in the transition from the small, intelligent, and mobile blockers favored by former offensive line coach Howard Mudd, to the larger power-type blocker preferred by Head Coach Chuck Pagano. A factor speeding the transition was that the players left over from the 2011 team and prior were not particularly talented, young, or healthy. <b>The Offensive Line issues previously covered up by <a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/11/what-peyton-manning-is-doing-and-how-to.html" target="_blank">Peyton Manning</a> became fully exposed.</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCTzIxUg1N8/UhuKMXCaSeI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/GH1qk1yOOko/s1600/bottom+of+barrel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MCTzIxUg1N8/UhuKMXCaSeI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/GH1qk1yOOko/s200/bottom+of+barrel.jpg" width="158" /></a></div>
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Ryan Grigson used an extra-long scoop to fully explore the bottle of the barrel, bringing in stop-gap players such as Mike McGlynn and Samson Satele. The 2012 Colts offensive line was indeed a larger, more powerful group. In the end, it really just meant that they stunk it up in a different manner than the 2011 offensive line.<br />
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Lets review the visual evidence:<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;"> Ow! Group Hug! Watch it! This chair is rock-hard No riders! Really? </span><br />
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<b><i>Wow. And that was before the game even started.</i></b><br />
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So, are things better now? What has changed?<br />
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<b>Gone:</b><br />
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<li>A.Q. Shipley</li>
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<b>New Players Acquired:</b><br />
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<li>Gosder Cherilus, Right Tackle, Free Agent from Detroit</li>
<li>Donald Thomas, Guard, Free Agent from New England</li>
<li>Hugh Thornton, Guard, Rookie, drafted 3rd round</li>
</ul>
<div>
Instead of speaking generally about the above names, I'll just go into my grading for each player on the offensive line. Bear in mind that a "A" grade represents a player in the top tier at his position, and who is a good fit for the Colt's scheme.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Starters (current):</u></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Left Tackle: Anthony Castonzo, Grade C+</u></b></div>
<div>
Castonzo was the last 1st round pick from the<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2011/05/death-of-reason-bill-polian-hands-reins.html" target="_blank">horribly failed Chris Polian era (2004-2011)</a>,</span> and like most Chris Polian picks, this was a pick for need. <a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2011/04/colts-draft-anthony-costanzo-from-bc.html" target="_blank">Unfortunately, Castonzo was more of the kind of LT that we looked for back then</a>, <b>not so much what we are looking for now</b>.<br />
<br />
Basically, Castonzo is a average LT in the league today, but is undersized for what Pagano wants on offense. He is a better than average drive blocker, but can be overwhelmed when matched up with a huge defensive end. He is a better than average pass blocker, relying more on quick feet and technique, than size and power. Again, he can be overwhelmed in pass protection by a larger defender.<br />
<br />
Is the C+ grade harsh? No. While he is better than average at both run and pass blocking, he simply does not fit our scheme. <b>He is signed through next year, and I can guarantee you he will not be re-signed.</b> It's even possible that he will be cut this upcoming off-season. You heard it here first people.<br />
<br />
<b>Anthony Castonzo Breakdown:</b><br />
Technique / discipline: B<br />
Size / strength: C<br />
Overall talent level: C+<br />
Scheme fit: D<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Left Guard: Donald Thomas, Grade C+</u></b><br />
We signed Donald Thomas away from the New England Patriots, where he was a bench player pressed into a fair amount of action. While he acquitted himself well, the Pats had no intention of letting him compete for a starting job in 2013. It's probably silly, but I always have a little bit of paranoia in grabbing a player that the Patriots allow to get away. <b>Like any team they try to retain their best players, but when they give huge contract extensions to trigger-happy gang-bangers, what is Donald Thomas - a serial killer perhaps?</b> Don't say you haven't wondered the same thing. One thing is that they seem to like larger guards, as do we. He is slightly undersized for what we want to do going forward, so I'd be surprised if he is a long-term solution for us.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VjUMEWyfCig/Uhu1j91OBaI/AAAAAAAAAtg/y4UvsLZAqQA/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VjUMEWyfCig/Uhu1j91OBaI/AAAAAAAAAtg/y4UvsLZAqQA/s200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dammit Donald, you let someone get within 15 yards <br />
of me. Now I have to go and change my armour.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So, how does Stabby McStabstab grade out on the field so far? Pretty good I'd say. <b>I haven't seen him make a single truly excellent play,</b> but I have seen him make the expected play most times. I've also watched him make some pretty serious mental errors though, and I'm trying to attribute them to the new environment instead of something worse. And there's also been a couple of times when his hustle level did not seem to match those around him. <b>Maybe he's just confused by playing with a QB that doesn't wet 'em when he gets pressure around his feet.</b><br />
<br />
I do expect him to improve, so I'll keep an eye on him.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Donald Thomas Breakdown:</b><br />
Technique / discipline: C+<br />
Size / strength: B-<br />
Overall talent level: B-<br />
Scheme fit: C+<br />
<br />
<b><u>Center: Samson Satele, Grade C+</u></b><br />
Setele was one of Ryan Grigson's free agent pick-ups from 2012, and was expected to provide a steady, yet unspectacular presence at center. This he did; until he got hurt. He was in good company though, as the line was riddled with injuries and players were shifting positions faster than your local politician.<br />
<br />
Satele is a smart player, which is how he makes up for his physical shortcomings. A bit undersized and underpowered for what the Colts ideally want, Samson is still a key part of the team. <b>That said, with a large cap number for 2014, I expect him to be cut after the season.</b> This is the same situation as Castonzo and Thomas; they are not the ideal physical type that Grigson is looking for. Satele and Thomas were signed because they were the closest fit that met the price we could pay. <b>It's going to be a pretty deep draft for offensive linemen next year, so expect a few changes.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Samson Satele Breakdown:</b><br />
Technique / discipline: B+<br />
Size / strength: C<br />
Overall talent level: C+<br />
Scheme fit: C-<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Right Guard, Mike McGlynn, Grade D</u></b><br />
I want to start this off by saying I don't know Mr. McGlynn personally, and I am <i>very</i> aware that he could totally kick my ass. But from what I saw from him last year, and from what I've seen so far this year; my grade on him might be a little high.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kectwnt6h0/Uhu-EcQnn4I/AAAAAAAAAtw/PsadUgN5lB4/s1600/howard-muddjpg-c509af387c2cc8ef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kectwnt6h0/Uhu-EcQnn4I/AAAAAAAAAtw/PsadUgN5lB4/s200/howard-muddjpg-c509af387c2cc8ef.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McGlynn getting overpowered by <br />
elderly gentleman. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unlike the first three players I reviewed, McGlynn fits the size parameters that Pagano is looking for. At 6'4", 325 lbs, he looks the part. <b>The only problem is that his size and his strength simply do not match up.</b> Just this year, I have seen him get completely run over while both pass blocking and run blocking. He has good mobility for his size, <b>but he lacks explosive strength, and plays like a much smaller player.</b><br />
<br />
He does play with good technique, but when he has a large and powerful player across from him, he (and those who depend on him) are in for a long day. He is a better physical fit at center.<br />
<br />
<b>I do not expect him to be the starter in the 2013 season opener.</b> Who will replace him? Let's not get ahead of ourselves, more on that later in the article.<br />
<br />
<b>Mike McGlynn Breakdown:</b><br />
Technique / discipline: B+<br />
Size / strength: D-<br />
Overall talent level: C-<br />
Scheme fit: D<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Right Tackle, Gosder Cherilus, Grade C+</u></b><br />
Cherilus was clearly high on Grigson's list as he wasted no time in signing the former Detroit tackle on the first day of free agency. There was some grumbling about the large contract in league circles, but if he's your guy, you do what it takes - so, that did not bother me. What did bother me a little was that Detroit did not seem to feel it was very important to retain him. Of course Detroit has some pretty bad command and control issues, so maybe I shouldn't put too much stock into what they do or don't want.<br />
<br />
I was not familiar with Cherilus from his time in Detroit. I don't really watch Detroit games, and since he does not play for a New York team or the Cowboys, there's no reason for anyone to have ever heard of him. Based on what I've seen from him so far this preseason, <b>he looks like Ryan Diem in his prime: basically a pretty good right tackle.</b> And he fits what Grigson is looking for in the size/strength ratio.<br />
<br />
Of course that should rate a better grade than C+, right? Except for a few blown assignments in pass protection, he would have rated a B; but those blown assignments were pretty scary. <b>So far this year, I have seen him beat inside and outside by rushers.</b> And when he gets beat, he gets beat clean - for a big shot on the QB. This is bad.<br />
<br />
Now because I am not too familiar with his early albums, I really don't know if this is a case of a veteran not caring about pre-season too much, or maybe he's dealing with some minor injuries. Either way, he needs to be more consistent in his pass blocking.<br />
<br />
His run blocking has ranged from good to great. He does not seem to have the raw brute strength of a pure road grater, but he's strong enough and persistent. He has very good balance and he moves his feet well. Unless he has an inconvenient injury, we should expect him to be our starting right tackle through next season, but with a large cap number in 2015, he will probably be cut after next season. Like I said earlier, the 2014 draft class looks to be deep in offensive linemen. Cherilus's replacement will be drafted next season.<br />
<br />
<b>Gosder Cherilus</b><b> Breakdown:</b><br />
Technique / discipline: C+<br />
Size / strength: B+<br />
Overall talent level: B<br />
Scheme fit: B+<br />
<br />
<br />
Basically it looks like I have the Colts offensive line averaged out to a C+ grade. Is this average for the league? Probably.<br />
<br />
What about the reserves? Well, I'm not going to go into depth on each of them. Jeff Linkenbach is a adequate spot replacement for either tackle position, and a stop-gap at either guard slot. I expect him to make the team this year. I imagine that rookie Khaled Holmes will make it. Joe Reitz is not a scheme fit (too small and weak), but he might make this year's squad based on him knowing where to line-up.<br />
<br />
But the guy I <i>really</i> want to talk about is the guy who will soon be the starting right guard for your Indianapolis Colts: 2013 3rd round pick, Hugh Thornton:<br />
<br />
<b><u>Right Guard, Hugh Thornton, Grade B+</u></b><br />
I can't even say how impressed I am with this guy. At 6'3" and 330 lbs, he is an ideal fit for the body type that Grigson wants in our offensive line. <b>And unlike some of our other players, he plays <i>stronger</i> than his size would suggest.</b> In just two of his series against the Browns starters,<b> I watched him violently pancake two different very large players on run plays</b>. Also in one of these two series, I watched him take a blitzing LB (who had timed the snap <i>perfectly</i>) and pick him up and rag doll him. <b>Slammed him to the freaking ground</b>. I have not seen a player at guard in the NFL with this sort of strength since Larry Allen of the Cowboys.<br />
<br />
In extended playing time with the starters, he only had two plays where it could be said that he should have performed better. One was a blitzer who timed the snap perfectly and caused a hurried pass from Luck, and the other was a DL on a slanted rush who surprise him to the inside. His man didn't make the tackle, but the play was disrupted.<br />
<br />
That's it. Other than that,<b> it was ass-kicking power and head on a swivel awareness.</b> He was ridiculous. I imagine that McGlynn has been allowed to occupy the right guard position out of veteran respect, but unless there is something behind the scenes that I can't see, Thornton is a massive upgrade over anyone we could possibly put into the right guard position. He's that good.<br />
<br />
You want to know why we all the sudden started moving the ball on the ground in the third series against the Browns? Whoever we had playing RG got hurt and Thornton came in for him. It was <i>that</i> much of a difference.<br />
<br />
<b>Hugh Thornton</b><b> Breakdown:</b><br />
Technique / discipline: C<br />
Size / strength: A+<br />
Overall talent level: A<br />
Scheme fit: A+<br />
<br />
So, expect to see Thornton starting, sooner than later.<br />
<br />
Where does this leave us? <b>Can we compete for the Super Bowl with this offensive line?</b> Yes we can. Line play has become somewhat depreciated by recent rule changes favoring the passing game. In the last few years, we have seen a team with the worst offensive line in the league win the Super Bowl (Pittsburgh), and last year Green Bay's horrific line did not stop Aaron Rodgers from looking like superman.<br />
<br />
And we have our own superman, in the person of Andrew Luck. With this year's new emphasis on the short passing game, I can't imagine that Luck will see anything close to the level of pressure he got in Arian's downfield passing offense. <b>That and with better talent and experience at WR, I think we are looking at a very nice year on offense.</b>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-10916183778953738942013-08-25T21:15:00.001-04:002013-08-26T11:27:03.859-04:002013 Preseason notes: Lets talk about this whole "Gap" situation . . .The 2012 Colts defense was a work in progress. Newly hired defensive coordinator Greg Manusky was charged with building a stout 3-4 defense, with players drafted and trained in the speed-kills Dungy 4-3 defense. The results were mostly encouraging.<br />
<br />
The 2012 Colts stayed mostly vanilla in their schemes, which makes sense given that the players had a lot of technique-based things to learn, and forcing a complex scheme on them at the same time could have been disastrous. I'm looking at <i>you</i> 2012 Philadelphia Eagles.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
There is also the fact (and I've not seen this mentioned elsewhere) that the style of defense that the Colts played prior to 2012 did not require players who were intelligent enough to execute complex coverages and subtle line play. I'm not saying they <i>couldn't</i> have handled it . . . well, ok - there were some who couldn't handle it. But those guys are gone now, and hopefully things are simpler in Buffalo.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_N4mX0gmtj0/UhqjnBotyvI/AAAAAAAAAro/VW8MFmMA6YQ/s1600/Tim-Tebow-Running-Back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_N4mX0gmtj0/UhqjnBotyvI/AAAAAAAAAro/VW8MFmMA6YQ/s320/Tim-Tebow-Running-Back.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry Hughes to Tim Tebow: "How many fingers am<br />
I holding up? Let me know when I get to three."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Tony Dungy always said, "If you can count to <i>three</i>, you can play in my defense." </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Well, in a mature 3-4 defense, you need to be able to <i>count backwards from ten and do some light division.</i></b><br />
<br />
So, what can the 2013 <strike>Exhibition</strike> Pre-season tell us about what we'll see in the regular season? The answer is: a lot.<br />
<br />
First things first, it's clear from watching the Giants and Browns games that Greg Manusky spent a lot of time watching film of the 2012 Houston Texans. Who knows, maybe he did some light housework and ran some errands for Wade Phillips. Why do I say this? Because in the course of a mere two seasons, the Colts have gone from playing one of the simplest defensive schemes in the last 40 years of the NFL - to one of the most complex.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAnY20EWTkU/UhqmHMHsaSI/AAAAAAAAAr0/PIxaehTJhqQ/s1600/fat-football-player-running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAnY20EWTkU/UhqmHMHsaSI/AAAAAAAAAr0/PIxaehTJhqQ/s200/fat-football-player-running.jpg" width="142" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I'm <i>four-gapping</i> this biatch!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Last season the Colts defensive line exclusively played two-gap technique, even in clear passing <br />
situations. Basically instead of trying to get around a blocker any way they could as in the Dungy defense, two-gap technique has a large defensive player trying to control both sides of a blocker - preventing that blocker from controlling him, while also trying to just be in the way. In this sort of scheme, the defensive linemen get very few sacks and tackles - and hence little glory or attention. Their job is to control the offensive line, and keep the linebackers "clean" so they can roam sideline to sideline and make plays.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnKQnnxN6mo/Uhqfk5GyBoI/AAAAAAAAArc/4omjaQx4N8g/s1600/jj_watt--300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PnKQnnxN6mo/Uhqfk5GyBoI/AAAAAAAAArc/4omjaQx4N8g/s200/jj_watt--300x300.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Texans J.J. Watt racked up 20.5 <br />
sacks, despite playing without a helmet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Wait," you say, your hand waving plaintively in the air, "What about Watt?" You adopt the smug self-satisfied smile of a person who gets all of his football opinions from the behind-the-scenes producers at ESPN. "What about Watt?" I say, readying myself for some parrot barf.<br />
<br />
"Well, <i>he</i> plays in a 3-4, I saw it on ESPN! And he had <i>like</i> 40 sacks!"<br />
"Actually it was more like 20 1/2."<br />
"A half a sack?" you snort, "Now you're just making bleep up."<br />
"The half sack was for tackling Tim Tebow, he only counts as a half a QB."<br />
<br />
Well, ok, here's the when, why, and the how on Watt:<br />
<br />
The Texans <i>do</i> play a 3-4 alignment, but that is about the end of the similarities between what the Texans do under Wade Phillips, and what other 3-4 teams in the league do. The Texans do a lot of funky stuff, and one of those things is that they constantly shift between having their defensive linemen player two-gap and one-gap. This causes a lot of turmoil with the opposing offense's linemen - not knowing if the 320 lbs beast across from you is going to try to stand his ground and grab you, or explode into a gap on either side of you.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYamb-G5-Qk/UhqoZ4lTCKI/AAAAAAAAAsA/iKXlzCwQw1k/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jYamb-G5-Qk/UhqoZ4lTCKI/AAAAAAAAAsA/iKXlzCwQw1k/s320/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After discovering that all NFL Quarterbacks like Matzah Ball Soup,<br />
and Offensive Linemen are all Crepe Eaters; the game of football<br />
becomes easy for young Bjorn Von Werner-Kempler.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is what I have seen from the 2013 Colts. They are switching between two-gap and one gap every couple of plays. In many cases, only one or two of the three lineman have played one-gap. This is something I've only seen from a Wade Phillips defense.<br />
<br />
Against the Giants, the Colts played one-gap on most 1st and 10's in normal situations. On 2nd down passing situations, they randomly played a mix of the two. Midway through the first quarter after the Giants got into our red zone after that pass interference call, on 1st and goal, the Colts went one gap and blew up a pass play. On 2nd down they played two-gap. On 3rd and 1, they went one-gap and blew up a run. 4th down - GTFOTF!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glZq3f0LQBU/UhqeUv5k_zI/AAAAAAAAArQ/stOkaZEs8gk/s1600/bobbyknight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glZq3f0LQBU/UhqeUv5k_zI/AAAAAAAAArQ/stOkaZEs8gk/s320/bobbyknight.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I learned my tolerance from the Master: "Playoffs?!? Playoffs?!? Allow me <br />
to answer that question with a murder-spree at your next family reunion."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"Well, I didn't hear any of this on ESPN," you say, trying to reconcile this into your media-created reality bubble, "In fact, according to ESPN, the only players on the Colts roster are Andrew Luck and Darrius Heyward Bey, and they never said they were playing <i>any</i> sort of gap."<br />
<br />
This sort of attitude is why if I ever somehow became an NFL Head Coach, my era would be known for being the most hilarious, as well as the shortest. Suffering fools gladly is the #1 quality required to be a coach nowadays. And it is a talent not very many people have.<br />
<br />
Anywho, oh yeah, we were talking about football.<br />
<br />
Now I know that switching gap technique on the defensive line does not seem <i>too</i> terribly complicated. Well, it's not. But what is complicated is that each lineman needs to know what the others are doing, so they can compensate. If your left defensive end is going to charge on on that 3rd and 1 play, the other linemen need to be aware of that so that a massive hole is not left where the linemen vacated.<br />
<br />
Plus the linebackers play a different technique in that situation. If one or more of the defensive linemen are charging into their one gap, there's going to be more blockers to deal with for you. Trust me, there's a lot to keep track of.<br />
<br />
I'll be writing more about the Colts defensive scheme; but I'll tell you right now - we goin' BEAST mode this year. Yah boiz.Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-86525411428133318132013-01-07T08:52:00.001-05:002013-01-07T08:52:33.352-05:00Kickoffs proposal<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This weekend I was thinking about the current movement to get rid of the kickoff in the NFL. I'm not really in favor of that, but I did think about a way to do it that would be interesting:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Move extra point to the 40 yard line – the team scoring the touchdown has choice to
kick it from there, or forego the extra point and have the opposing team be
given the ball on their own 20. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If they decide to go for the extra point and
miss, then the opposing team gets the ball at the spot of the kick. The option to go for 2 points would also look a lot more attractive. This would make the game more exciting and add more strategy to what now is a perfunctory act.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But what about the kickoff after a team makes a field goal? The opposing team should get the ball at the spot of the kick whether the FG is made or not. This would discourage long field goals and encourage team to go for it on 4th down more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For field goal attempts inside the 20 yard line; you could either go with keeping the rule I describe above the same, or if you wanted to not overly award teams choosing to kick field goals, you could say that a close in kick will result in the opposition getting the ball on their own 20 yard line.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another suggestion that I think will improve the game:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Make <b><u>all</u></b> FG attempts from the 40 yard line - no matter how close the offense is to the goal line. This would also encourage teams to go for it on 4th down, as well as making a team think twice about running the clock down at the end of the game when they are driving for a game tying FG.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-3237219474211341072012-08-05T23:14:00.003-04:002012-08-07T09:46:04.627-04:00What can Broncos fans expect from Manning and their team?<i><u><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <span style="color: blue;">linked</span> <span style="color: blue;">words</span> are an important part of this article, please remember to take a look at them . . .</span></u></i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>Saith the outgoing Denver QB: <br />
How come you two aren't sinking?</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm taking a break from my <strike>non</strike>-stop Colts coverage to put in my final word on Peyton Manning and what Broncos fans can expect to see this season . . . and beyond. Any question? Feel free to contact me at </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="gc-cs-link" id="gc-number-0" title="Call with Google Voice">(508) 543-8200</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.wavlist.com/movies/020/tsam-frankor.wav" target="_blank">So, what are we looking at here?</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In my opinion, Manning will have a dominant year and the Broncos <a href="http://meme.zenfs.com/u/35f2e970cd077bacf3f4efebed7f70550b0602d9.gifa" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">are my favorite</span></a> to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this upcoming season. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">First of all, this Broncos team is more talented top to bottom than the two Colts teams that Manning took to the Super Bowl. Yes, I mean that.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Edgerrin James, right before <br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Secondly, this will be the first time Manning has had a running game to work with since 2005. That was Edgerrin James's last season in Indy and at that time the offensive line was already starting to fade. As soon as defenses <a href="http://i.qkme.me/35tqq9.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">figured out</span></a> that the Colts did not have a viable run threat, they started ignoring run fakes. If you look at <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MannPe00.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Manning's yard per attempt by year</span></a>, you'll see what I mean.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>Chris Polian: Quinn Pitcock? Oh yeah, <br />
he's got the best thumbs I've ever seen!</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Peyton spent the final years of his Colt's career saddled by <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/12/should-peyton-manning-re-sign-with.html" target="_blank">one bad</a> <a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2011/05/death-of-reason-bill-polian-hands-reins.html" target="_blank">Chris Polian</a></span> <a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2011/11/yes-chris-polian-is-that-bad.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">pick after another</span></a> - colossal busts <a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/373/081/51336260_display_image.jpg?1283371546" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Joseph Addai</span></a> and <a href="http://www.raidersgab.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Robert-Gallery1.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Tony Ugoh</span></a> being the foremost in my mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I appreciate that Bill Polian wanted to cement his various offspring into cushy positions, but that fatherly instinct destroyed the Colts dynasty.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>No caption could make <br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Owner Jim Irsay waited too long to pull the plug on the rampant ne<i>polian</i>tism going on in the organization. This was a smell that even <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemon_Incest" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Lemon Zest</span></a> couldn't cover up.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atFjPsw_6U4/UBzLVDk-5LI/AAAAAAAAAhA/T9pL9EHrnwo/s1600/monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-atFjPsw_6U4/UBzLVDk-5LI/AAAAAAAAAhA/T9pL9EHrnwo/s320/monkey.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mike Florio (right) passes his wisdom </span><span style="font-size: small;">on </span><span style="font-size: small;">to his new </span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The current "topic" of conversation amongst the <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/07/30/peyton-still-not-dialing-it-up-deep/" target="_blank">talent-less</a> <a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/11/mike-florio-and-pft-nfls-check-and.html" target="_blank">dregs</a></span> that make up those who are paid to cover the NFL, is that Manning has not been throwing deep in Broncos Training Camp so far. From this they conclude that Manning's arm has not recovered enough to throw deep yet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is complete and utter BS. Seeing as how it takes far more arm strength to throw intermediate passes over the deep middle and middle outside of the field; what could possibly make someone think there is something wrong with his arm - based on the fact that he is not throwing long? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The answer is idiocy. Sometimes these guys <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/01/11/dungy-decision-coming-in-24-hours/" target="_blank">run out of</a> <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/05/05/dungy-visits-vick/" target="_blank">bad things to</a> </span>say<span style="color: blue;"> <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/04/30/dungy-confirms-hell-be-visiting-vick/" target="_blank">about their co-workers</a></span> and start blindly lashing out at others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the things that you Denver Fans are about to find out: Peyton Manning is possible the most misunderstood player in NFL history - by the mainstream NFL media that is.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That is why the vast majority of "analysis" you hear or read about him is sadly wrong. This Manning does not play in New York or New England. That means that most of the people "analyzing" Manning are doing so from highlights from the red zone channel. These knucleheads could never be bothered to actually watch a non-big market game all the way through. Anything west of Buffalo is just "fly-over territory" to these people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/11/what-peyton-manning-is-doing-and-how-to.html" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">This is why the article I wrote breaking down what was actually going on with Manning was such a hit.</span></a> It was the first time that fans read something that actually jibed with what they saw with their own eyes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEWn26_881o/UBy8bboxgxI/AAAAAAAAAfw/u3eDu2bTVvo/s1600/boomer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KEWn26_881o/UBy8bboxgxI/AAAAAAAAAfw/u3eDu2bTVvo/s320/boomer.jpg" width="254" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>Phil, your skin looks FANTASTIC! </i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">About the only two analysts that seem to understand what Manning does is Phil Simms and Troy Aikman. Those are the only guys I can think of that don't spew incorrect information non-stop during a game.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is why you should watch NFL games with the sound off. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Someday, m</span><span style="font-size: large;">aybe the NFL will let you switch the audio track to what the announcers are spoon-fed in their earphones. That would be better.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HesgT-Ks-UQ/UBy3qs0fV1I/AAAAAAAAAfY/Ya_1dQLR2yY/s1600/Clowns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HesgT-Ks-UQ/UBy3qs0fV1I/AAAAAAAAAfY/Ya_1dQLR2yY/s320/Clowns.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>John Madden to Jon Gruden: "Football isn't </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you enjoy a game done by </span><span style="font-size: large;">clowns</span><span style="font-size: large;"> like </span><span style="font-size: large;">John Madden or Jon Gruden, then this article, blog, comments section, sport, etc, is not for you. Please leave now. This blog is about football. Not </span><a href="http://www.tbd.com/blogs/tbd-arts/2010/08/a-brief-history-of-clowns-friendly-550.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">clowning</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What you are about to see in Denver is the rebirth of the best run faker in </span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_LeBaron" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">recent</span></a></i><span style="font-size: large;"> history. When Manning had his best statistical years with the Colts, they had Edgerrin James running that ball. James (after he blew out his knee) was amazing at getting four or five yards out of a running play that was blocked well enough for one. By running him on first downs, they Colts were constantly in 2nd and five type situations that really stressed the defense.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YS03Z4TfSK0/UBzhXMXxVZI/AAAAAAAAAhw/v2FmmXJgMVk/s1600/TimTebowWRBlockDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YS03Z4TfSK0/UBzhXMXxVZI/AAAAAAAAAhw/v2FmmXJgMVk/s200/TimTebowWRBlockDP.jpg" width="187" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><i>Even with losing their most powerful <br />
blocker, Denver still has a great line.</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is what I see happening again with the Broncos. They excelled at run blocking last year - only partly because they had to.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BXZp2vC4zg/UBzk0rk0IoI/AAAAAAAAAiM/i6fMaxzE4WA/s1600/mrglass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="254" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BXZp2vC4zg/UBzk0rk0IoI/AAAAAAAAAiM/i6fMaxzE4WA/s320/mrglass.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><i>Brandon Stokley's biggest fan <br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With Demaryius Thomas and Brandon Stokley, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Manning will have two serious threats to throw to on play action passes. During his record-breaking year in 2004, </span><span style="font-size: large;">Manning used play fakes to constantly get Stokley open over the deep middle. He will do the same in Denver - at least until Stokley gets hurt. Basically, expect Eric Decker to take over the slot role for good after about two games.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The one weapon that Manning will really miss is Dallas Clark. Yes, I understand that Jacob Tamme, his former understudy, is on the team. He can look good <a href="http://ww4.hdnux.com/photos/06/64/02/1786047/9/628x471.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">in certain circumstances</span></a>. Unfortunately for Tamme, </span><span style="font-size: large;">the Broncos</span><span style="font-size: large;"> don't play in the CFL.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whenever a NFL defense decided to take Tamme out of the game, all they had to do was put someone strong and powerful on him and he was done. Don't believe me? Just go dig up the tape on the Colts 2010 playoff loss to the Jets. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZiji_y5dlw&feature=player_detailpage" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">The plastic bag in <i>American Beauty</i></span></a> has more power to stand it's ground than this guy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is clear to me that John Elway is doing a great job with the Broncos. He did not give Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, or Reggie Wayne a sniff. Why? Because they are old and done. Who wants a team that loses half their team to injuries every year - like the Colts did in recent times.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I trust Elway to put a viable team around Manning; the guy has been golden so far. And with a good defense, there will be no stopping Peyton. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9x0MoPjTPCM/UBzvu48rPmI/AAAAAAAAAi0/PsaWfhMdJJE/s1600/0618-roger-clemens-article-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9x0MoPjTPCM/UBzvu48rPmI/AAAAAAAAAi0/PsaWfhMdJJE/s200/0618-roger-clemens-article-2.jpg" width="165" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b style="font-size: medium;"><i>Mmmm... tastes like... Victory!</i></b> </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He'd have six rings right now if he'd been lucky enough to be a unheralded 6th rounder whose </span><a href="http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/anyone-got-tom-bradys-pre-draft-scouting-report.77495994/" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">arm strength</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> took a </span><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.terumotmp.com/imgs/photos/1113.jpg" target="_blank">mysterious</a> <a href="http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/exhibitionist/TOM-BRADY-PIC-1.jpg" target="_blank">quantum leap</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> after college.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Other relevant links:</span><br />
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<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 22px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
<a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/11/what-peyton-manning-is-doing-and-how-to.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What Peyton Manning is doing (and how to beat him)</span></a></h3>
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<a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2011/08/hidden-story-of-rookie-salaries.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hidden story of NFL rookie salaries</span></a></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.rantsandpranks.com/2012/01/should-crazy-people-be-allowed-on.html" target="_blank">Should crazy people be allowed on the internet?</a></span></h3>
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</div>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-8392840595745911302012-01-26T20:54:00.000-05:002012-01-26T20:54:46.066-05:00Interesting letter written by *someone* to those who run colts.com<span style="font-size: large;">This is a fascinating read - clearly written by one of the great thinkers of our time. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy: </span><a href="http://www.rantsandpranks.com/2012/01/my-open-letter-to-indianapolis-colts.html" style="font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">My open letter to Colts.com</a>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-30153618387653818092011-12-02T16:42:00.000-05:002011-12-02T16:54:00.667-05:00If Manning can play, the Colts should pass on Marty Domres / Andrew Luck<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYLfzc1Bt3I/TtlG_5S1-rI/AAAAAAAAAYM/RSbzmsDZ-_Y/s1600/andrew-luck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYLfzc1Bt3I/TtlG_5S1-rI/AAAAAAAAAYM/RSbzmsDZ-_Y/s200/andrew-luck.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Andrew Luck</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recently <b><a href="http://www.indystar.com/section/SPORTS15?odyssey=nav|s|bobkravitz" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Bob Kravitz</span></a></b> of the Indianapolis Star has written <a href="http://www.indystar.com/article/20111118/SPORTS15/111180325/Kravitz-Colts-best-options-don-t-include-Manning" target="_blank">two</a> <a href="http://www.indystar.com/article/20111202/SPORTS03/112020320/Kravitz-QB-combo-cannot-work-here-Colts-must-look-future?odyssey=mod|mostview" target="_blank">separate</a> columns <b>where he argues that regardless of Manning's health, the Colts should cut ties with him</b> and move forward with drafting <b>Andrew Luck</b>. It is hard to know whether Bob believes this or not - after all, his job <b>is</b> to stir the pot a bit. Either way, I couldn't disagree more.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">His argument (bloodless as it is) hinges on the idea that drafting a future star quarterback and having him there to hold down the position for the next fifteen years is better than an uncertain two or three years with a presumably declining Manning. He sites some teams that have failed to replace star quarterbacks for some decades after losing them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, thats all fine and good.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I see several flaws in his arguments: </span><br />
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<ul>
<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">On Andrew Luck being a star quarterback at the professional level</span></i></b></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is far from certain. The guy is having a terrific college career, but everyone knows that guarantees nothing at the NFL level. Everything I hear about him is great. But when I watch him I see a average NFL arm. <b>He looks like a more mobile version of Matt Ryan to me</b>. Is Matt Ryan worth the first pick in the draft? I don't know. But what if the guy is a bust? It happens every year.</span></div>
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<li><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">On Manning only having a few years left</span></i></b></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Peyton Manning is thirty-five years old. That is a average retirement age for a starting quarterback in the NFL. However, Manning is not exactly average. We have seen no drop off in his level of play. If he is healthy I fully expect him to play for more than a couple of years. I see no reason (health allowing) that he can't play through his early 40's. <b>Would you want to bet against him?</b> So, assuming Manning will be done at age 42 - <b>would you want to trade seven years of Manning for a completely unknown quantity in Andrew Luck? I wouldn't.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I do agree with Kravitz in that having Manning and Andrew Luck at the same time in untenable. <b>I want there to be no chance whatsoever of having the Aaron Rodgers / Brett Farve situation</b> from Green Bay happening here. Farve only retired the first time because he was getting pressure from management - they wanted to play with their new toy and Farve was in their way. <b>That would be heartbreaking if it happened here.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd like to think that Jim Irsay would not let it get to that. This is not New England or Philadelphia where a bloodless intellect is bent on cutting bait when the actuarial tables say it's time. <b>We have more class than that.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Kravitz was not happy that the Colts passed up a chance for an undefeated season a couple of years ago. Partly this was because (to him) the rare chance at a historical feat was worth the risk of losing a important player to injury. To him, it was worth the risk for the historical significance of it.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmqWCJhh07U/TtlFcJxh5oI/AAAAAAAAAYA/TkderjoPDSk/s1600/unitas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zmqWCJhh07U/TtlFcJxh5oI/AAAAAAAAAYA/TkderjoPDSk/s320/unitas.jpg" width="243" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">The saddest chapter in Colts history</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">How is this different than Manning's situation? <b>This franchise already has dirty hands</b> from the trading of forty year old John Unitas to the San Diego Chargers in 1973 in order to make room for the "can't miss" <a href="http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DomrMa00.htm" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Marty Domres</span></b></a> (who?). That left a lingering bad taste in mouths of Colts fans for years; repeating that mistake with a younger and more viable Manning is just ridiculous.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxk0byB6z2k/TtlFBtMnI9I/AAAAAAAAAX4/v4a0aGM7jZo/s1600/249_Marty_Domres_football_card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yxk0byB6z2k/TtlFBtMnI9I/AAAAAAAAAX4/v4a0aGM7jZo/s200/249_Marty_Domres_football_card.jpg" width="145" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">History repeats itself?</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This franchise will be wounded for YEARS if Manning is jettisoned in a cowardly attempt to take the "safe bet".</b> It would be a crime committed against the NFL and fans everywhere.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You might also want to check out <a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/11/what-peyton-manning-is-doing-and-how-to.html"><span style="color: blue;"><b>What Peyton Manning is doing (and how to beat him)</b></span></a></span></div>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-35059316875098621042011-11-07T18:17:00.000-05:002011-11-07T18:28:04.234-05:00Yes, Chris Polian is *that* Bad<span style="font-size: large;">The blogosphere (wow, that really is a word) went nuts over <a href="http://www.indystar.com/article/20111106/SPORTS15/111060364/Kravitz-Who-s-blame-0-8-Colts-Chris-Polian-one?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com" target="_blank">Bob "Krabby" Kravitz's article questioning Chris Polian's credentials</a> and his contribution to the team since he arrived in 2005. He is a little late to the party since his article was pretty much a rehash of two articles I wrote on the same subject <b>last year</b>:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/12/should-peyton-manning-re-sign-with.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Should Peyton Manning re-sign with the Colts?</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">and</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2011/05/death-of-reason-bill-polian-hands-reins.html" target="_blank">The Death of Reason: Bill Polian hands reins over to Chris Polian</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This caused <a href="http://www.stampedeblue.com/2011/11/6/2541839/bob-kravitz-chris-polian-is-a-big-reason-why-the-colts-suck-now" target="_blank">stampedeblue.com</a> to sound off, causing <a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/06/chris-polian-catching-more-blame-for-the-state-of-the-colts/" target="_blank">profootballtalk.com</a> to link to it, causing <a href="http://www.coltzilla.com/2011-regular-season/is-colts-general-manager-chris-polian-a-toxic-byproduct-of-nepotism/" target="_blank">coltzilla.com</a> and <a href="http://18to88.com/2011-archives/november/toxic-shock.html" target="_blank">18to88.com</a> to refute it. What a hullabaloo!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now even though I have never met Chris Polian, it is difficult not to notice a steep decline in the drafting success for the Colts since his arrival and ascendancy in the organization.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My main interest in this story is that it looks to me that Peyton Manning's career is going to be tarnished by playing on talent-poor teams his last few years. <b>This pisses me off.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the arguments that has been put forth is that since the Colts are drafting at the <b>end of the 1st round</b>, that there are slim pickings to be found there. And that is the reason for the lesser success in recent years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sorry, but this does not wash at all.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lets talk draft position. Lets compare the players the Colts got in the <b>2nd round from 1999-2004</b> to who they got in the <b>1st round from 2005-2010.</b> Didn't see that one coming, didja guys?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">1999: 36th pick overall, 5th pick in the second round: Mike Peterson </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">vs </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">2005: 29th pick in the first round: Marlin Jackson</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Winner: Mike Peterson / pre-Chris Polian</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't get me wrong, I liked the Marlin Jackson pick. But Peterson has had the better NFL career.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2000: 59th pick overall, 28th pick in the second round: Marcus Washington</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">vs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">2006: 30th pick in the first round: Joseph Addai</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Winner: Marcus Washington</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"> / pre-Chris Polian</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Washington left Indy with a lucrative free agent contract and played until 2009. Addai has produced like a 4th round pick.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2001: 37th pick overall, 6th pick in the second round: Idrees Bashir</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">vs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">2007: 32nd pick in the first round: Anthony Gonzalez</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Winner: Tie</b></span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Both overall were wasted picks. Bashir was not a fit for the cover-two and Gozalez has been on the outs with Manning when he has not been injured.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2002: 42nd pick overall, 10th pick in the second round: Larry Tripplett</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">vs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">2008: 29th pick in the first round: Tony Ugoh</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Winner: Larry Tripplett</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"> / pre-Chris Polian</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tripplett was a consistent starter for both the Colts and the Buffalo Bills over six seasons. Ugoh was a nonathletic LT who looked like a mechanical man - stiff and no heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">2003: 58th pick overall, 26th pick in the second round: Mike Doss</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">vs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">2009: 27th pick in the first round: Donald Brown</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Winner: Mike Doss</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"> / pre-Chris Polian</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mike started 42 games for the Colts over four season, and was a workmanlike if not spectacular player. He went on to play for the Vikings and Bengals. Brown has been tentative and injured to the rage of Colts fans.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2004: 44th pick overall, 12th pick in the second round: Bob Sanders</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">vs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;">2010: 31st pick in the first round: Jerry Hughes</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Winner: Bob Sanders</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: large;"> / pre-Chris Polian</span></b><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Sanders was a wonderful shooting star that flamed after several all-pro seasons. Hughes has done nothing at all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So, in comparing six years on pre-Chris Polian 2nd round picks to six years of Chris Polian-influenced 1st round picks; pre-Chris Polian wins 5-0-1. That is a landslide.</span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So as I have conclusively demonstrated, draft position is not to blame in any way for our bad draft picks since Chris Polian arrived.</span><br />
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</span>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-29168583705422470992011-08-24T16:20:00.002-04:002011-08-24T19:20:08.235-04:00Save the Quarterbacks! The travesty of wasted QB talent<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The Carson Palmer situation in Cincinnati made me decide to write up an article that has been in the back of my head since the 2004 season. I'll explain what happened back then a little later.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">In the years I have been following the NFL I have heard many statements concerning the value of Quarterbacks. There have been many rule changes in the last twenty years that have been made simply to increase scoring and better protect the QB. <i>This is not out of any humanitarian trait of the NFL hierarchy, but a simple business decision</i>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Better QB play equals more scoring. More scoring equals more fan interest. And that means more money for everyone to play with. <b>That's good for everybody.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">So, we have all these rules now about QBs. You can't smash them in the head; <i>fine</i>. Helmet to the knee is a no no; <i>seems reasonable</i>. They now can throw the ball away with impunity; <i>getting a little wimpy, but I get it</i>. You get your starter hurt and your season could be over. Sucks for you.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>You see that unintended consequence of the increasing dominance of the passing game in the last thirty years is that the owners have put a lot of eggs in the QB basket.</b> The QB was not <i>near</i> as important before all these rule changes (this is going back a ways): </span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">In 1965 <i><b>running back</b></i> <b>Tom Matte</b> filled in at quarterback and nearly led the Baltimore Colts to a NFL championship.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The 1968 Baltimore Colts won the NFL championship with <b>Earl Morrall</b> at QB for an injured John Unitas. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The 1972 Dolphins navigated a season undefeated after losing Bob Greise early in the year. <b>Morrall</b> happened to be involved here also.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">From 1971 through 1974 the Dallas Cowboys were championship contenders while flip-flopping between <b>Craig Morton and Roger Staubach</b>.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The 1979 Rams made the Super bowl with journeyman <b>Vince Ferragamo</b> after losing starter Pat Haden during the regular season.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The 1987 Washington Redskins (who have a fine tradition of shared QB play) won the Super Bowl with afterthought <b>Doug Williams</b> after starter Jay Schroeder was deemed too inconsistent.</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">That most recent example is the weakest, after taking a 10-0 lead in that game it looked like the Broncos went to sleep.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">So you have these examples (<i>and I'm sure I missed a bunch more from earlier days</i>) where teams continued on championship courses despite what would now be considered a season-ending problem. <b>This was possible because the running game was so much more of the offense prior to the QB-friendly rule changes of recent times.</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">During the 1972 Dolphins perfect regular season, Bob Greise and Earl Morrall combined for <i>only 247 pass attempts</i> (note that this was in a 14 game season). <b>In 2010</b> the team with the most rushing yards was <b>Buffalo</b> (Buffalo? Really?), and their Quarterbacks <b>attempted 493 passes in sixteen games</b>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>This is how much the NFL has changed over the years</b>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Here are some recent examples of more recent teams who lost their starting quarterback during the season:</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">In 1991 the Dallas Cowboys lost <b>Troy Aikman</b> near the end of the season and ended up losing in the playoffs to the Lions. Virtually the same team in 1992 dominates for the full season and wins the Super Bowl with a healthy Aikman.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Also in 1991 the Philadelphia Eagles lost <b>Randall Cunningham</b> in the first game of a season that many thought would be their year to win it. They stuggled to a 10-6 season with a creaky Jim MacMahon at the helm, but despite a dominating defense they failed to reach the playoffs.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The 1992 Miami Dolphins streaked to a 9-2 start before losing <b>Dan Marino</b> for the season. They missed the playoffs.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Michael Vick</b> is injured in the 2003 preseason and is out for most of the year. The team struggled to a 5-11 record.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Need I even mention the 2008 Patriots?</span></li>
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Of course there have been a few exceptions, Trent Dilfer won a Superbowl after being a backup behind one of the most fearsome defenses ever. There's Tom Brady, but he is clearly better than the guy he replaced. The same with Kurt Warner in St. Louis (and Arizona). These last two will be in the Hall of Fame, not exactly a "next man up" situation.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I think everyone is in agreement on the fact that QBs are important. Fans say so, teams say so, the <i>league</i> says so</b>. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">But I feel that the league is falling well short of its responsibilities when it comes to <i>doing something about it</i>:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Why is <b>Carson Palmer</b> sitting at home playing tiddlywinks while the 49ers are playing the bum of the week at QB and trolling the waiver wire?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Why is <b>Tim Tebow</b> stuck with an organization that no longer wants him, playing a system that does not fit his unique talents when he could be in <b>Buffalo</b> playing for the kind of coach in Chan Gailey who would love to have him?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Why is it that Green Bay's <b>Matt Flynn</b> is not the starter in <b>Washington</b> or with the <b>NY Jets</b> where he would be a perfect fit?</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Why is <b>Mark Sanchez</b> trapped in NY where they run a downfield passing offense instead of the Bill Walsh type system he needs to be in?</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">These are just current examples. I said before that I have had this idea since 2004. That would be <b>the Jeff Garcia travesty</b>. Garcia was the prized free agent signing of the Cleveland Browns in 2004. Garcia had been a regular pro-bowler with San Francisco, so why not by the dirty lake?</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I'll tell you why. Jeff Garcia was a system QB. The Bill Walsh system to be exact. He was a short, <b>weak armed quarterback</b> who excelled at only two things: Throwing the ball to short distance targets with precise timing and scrambling for his life. With Cleveland only the latter skill was employed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>You see, Cleveland ran a downfield passing offense</b>. The whole passing offense was predicated on the threat to the deep outside and deep middle. Bruce Arians was the offensive coordinator there at the time (he is now the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh) and he brought the Indianapolis Colts offense with him (where he was Manning's first QB coach). In the prior year under Arians, Kelly Holcomb (who was a former backup to Peyton Manning) started multiple games and had credible (but not fantastic stats) with virtually the same team.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>When I heard about Cleveland signing Jeff Garcia I was dumbfounded</b>. I told multiple people that it was going to be a disaster. But no one in the media ever mentioned that there might be a mismatch between the system and talent. I'm sure there were some eyebrows raised among league insiders, but I never heard a discouraging word at the time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Well, anyone who remembers that season knows that it was a <b>total train wreck</b>. The Browns actually cut the face of their franchise loose before the season had ended. It does not get much worse than that.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Garcia went on to play for a horrific Detroit team, but his fortunes followed the team and he was cut loose again. He was eventually signed by the Eagles and went on to play remarkably well backing up McNabb and then again played well as the starter for Tampa Bay. Both of these teams ran variations of Bill Walsh's offense.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The best current example of this kind of situation</b> is with the <b>NY Jets</b> where they have <b>Mark Sanchez</b> mismatched with <b>Brian Schottenheimer's</b> complex downfield passing offense. While Sanchez is certainly doing better in Schottenheimer's offense than Garcia was with Arians, I feel he will only be able to reach his potential in a Bill Walsh style short passing offense. <b>I feel the Jets and Sanchez will struggle until the player and coordinator are separated</b>. Don't get me wrong, I think Schottenheimer is a good coordinator, maybe one of the best. <b>This is just not a good match</b>. You put Matt Flynn with the Jets and you would see that offense take off.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">If the quality quarterback is to be considered a vital resource, then the league should be taking a more active role in ensuring that their resources are allocated in a reasonable manner. Even if it has to be behind the scenes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">This is not unprecedented. <b><a href="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/18/vick-says-it-was-his-own-decision-to-go-to-philly/">Rumors</a></b> surfaced recently that the league was involved with <b>Michael Vick choosing Philadelphia over Buffalo and Cincinnati</b>. I also believe the league encouraged the Packers to trade Brett Farve to the Jets after they showed no sign of blinking during that stand-off.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">In Cincinnati, the only thing that Bengals owner <b>Mike Brown</b> understands is <b>money</b>. I think that the NFL should fine him some massive amount and/or take away some draft picks for <b>the damage he is doing to both Carson Palmer's career</b> and indirectly to the league in denying his services to another team that would like to have him. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I believe that Palmer would be on a direct track for the Hall of Fame had he not had the misfortune of getting drafted by the Bengals.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Additionally, <b>Tim Tebow</b> should be liberated from a <b>sour situation</b> in <b>Denver</b> and be allowed to go to a team that is willing to reconfigure their offense to fit his skill set. How many more tickets would they sell in Buffalo with Tebow starting there? They have the perfect head coach in Chan Gailey to work with him.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">The NFL owners and Commissioner Roger Goodell need to get behind the idea of <b>moving their employees out of bad situations</b> and <b>putting them where they may be best used</b>. Maybe there would be a fewer 1-15 and 2-14 records; and less of the half-empty stadiums that come with them.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Just sayin'</span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">You might also want to check out: </span><br />
<a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/11/what-peyton-manning-is-doing-and-how-to.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">What Peyton Manning is doing (and how to beat him)</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2011/08/hidden-story-of-rookie-salaries.html">The hidden story of rookie salaries</a> (why they got so crazy)</span><br />
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Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-19096155376719938882011-08-22T11:25:00.000-04:002011-08-22T11:25:26.454-04:00The Colts already know that Manning will be ready for the regular season.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A lot of Colts fans out their are wringing their hands about the idea of Peyton Manning not being ready for the first game of the season.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Colts are doing everything they can to reassure you</b> without actually saying the words, all you have to do is look at what they are doing on offense.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The "first team" offense has only scored one field goal in two games. Some of this lack of scoring is due to mistakes, but only some. <b>Does it look to anybody that the Colts are really trying to score points?</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In past preseasons for whatever reason the offensive line has been a shamble when Manning leaves the game. No run push at all and allowing free rushers to the QB on most pass plays. You could not blame them for not having an aggressive downfield offense - you don't want to get you QB killed after all.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This preseason has been completely different. <b>The offensive line has been the best unit on the team</b>, both 1st and 2nd strings. While not every pocket is a totally clean pocket, there has been plenty of time to pass the ball downfield.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So why are they choosing not to?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This last game I think<b> I counted eight of the first nine passing plays were either a screen, swing pass or dump off</b>. And most of them looked like that was the called play - not that every downfield reciever was covered. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are several reasons this might be going on. It could be because of the revolving door at WR. It could be simple incompetence by the non-Manning QBs in the game. It could be that they are just trying to stay as vanilla as possible.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Or it could be that they know that Manning will be in there week one and they are not even practicing a non-Manning offense in camp. </b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is what I think is going on. Painter comes to the line and he is not even calling any audibles. They are about 95% running the play that is called in the huddle. Huddle. That's right, they are huddling on every play.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Say what you will, but if the Colts truly thought that there was a chance that Manning was not going to be ready week one, they would be putting a hell of a lot more effort into running a viable NFL offense.</span>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-15291333357116796612011-08-21T23:33:00.003-04:002011-08-22T10:58:25.224-04:00Redskins at Colts Preseason: 2nd Look<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" style="position: relative; width: 660px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">I was a bit surprised that the offense looked as bad as it did Friday night. You never expect things to go well when Manning is not in there, but they really took a step back from the Rams game. In past preseasons it was easy to point towards horrid offensive line play, but this year the offensive line (both the starters and the subs) look great.</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="position: relative; width: 660px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="position: relative; width: 660px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">The passing game was clearly affected by the absence of Wayne.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">We had pretty much all of the likely starters on defense in there early in the game, but their performance was spotty. They gave up a long run to pedestrian running back Tim Hightower on the 2nd play from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">scrimmage</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> (Gary Brackett took the wrong gap) which looked worse than it was. Bethea pulled his hamstring running him down. Expect a few long runs given up in our first couple of regular season games as the guys get organized.</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; position: relative; width: 660px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"><br />
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</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Firstly lets focus on the performance of the draft picks:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Anthony Castanzo</b> (LT):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">Castanzo started and played really well both in the run and pass game. He may turn out to be a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">serviceable</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> run blocker, but he will never be a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">road grater</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;"> type like you see with the Ravens or Jets. Brian Orakbo got by him to the inside a couple of times to pressure the QB, but that is no sin.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Ben Ijalana</b> (RT):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;">Ben came in midway through the 3rd quarter at right tackle. His destiny is to play right tackle for us, the only question is when. No one got by him that I could see. He is quite large and it is a long trip around him.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Drake Nevis</b> (DT):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Nevis did not start but he played a lot and he played well. He was not quite as active as he was against the Rams. He got a lot of penetration. I would not be surprised if he passed Molala in the DT rotation.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Delone Carter </b>(RB):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;">With the Colts behind the whole game, Delone did not get too many run opportunities. I did see him make a couple of nice pass blocks - and you know that the eye in the sky will not miss that. He had one nice run on a draw that he broke outside. People need to understand that this guy is not a power back, despite his size. He has quick feet and does not run to contact like a power back would.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Chris Rucker</b> (DB):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;">The stats say he had two tackles, but I can't</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"> say I noticed him.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;">Notes on other offensive lineman of note:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Jeff Linkenbach</b> (LT):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;">Linkenbach replaced Diem at right tackle on the third series. Last week it was Ijalana and Jeff was at left tackle. Jeff did slide over to left tackle midway through the 3rd quarter. He is really not large enough to be a good all around tackle on the right size as that is where you want your best run blocker. But since he is a better than average pass protector and the Colts are a passing team - we can get by with him there if he has to play for Diem. Of course if we look to have sufficient tackle depth, I would not be surprised if Diem got cut.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Joe Reitz</b> (LG):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;">Joe started tonight and looked solid but not spectacular.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mike Pollak</b> (RG & C):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Pollak was not challenged much at right guard (where he started and played the first two series). He then moved to center to replace Saturday. Right now they are grooming him to replace Saturday, which is good for him as his lack of raw strength is a lot less of a problem there.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Jacques McClendon</b> (LG): </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">McClendon came in at left guard midway through the 3rd quarter to replace Reitz. He looked fine and I did not see him miss any obvious </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">assignments</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.4;">. He had some nice run blocks.</span></span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Other players:</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="position: relative; width: 660px;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Jerry Hughes</b> looked lost tonight. I did not see any of his speed and athleticism, because his lack of awareness is crippling. You can't teach athleticism, but you can train the mind. Lets hope this happens. He lost contain on the long run the Redskins had starting the second quarter and I saw him fall for run fakes all night and recover slowly. At times he did not seem to compete. Not good.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 1.4;"><br />
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</span></span></div>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-1479074078050337312011-08-19T22:33:00.000-04:002011-08-19T22:33:20.585-04:00Redskins at Colts Preseason: First Thoughts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;">Notes and observations from the first viewing of the game. Later in the week I will will post more detailed stuff after I get a chance to go through the tape a few times.</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Joe Lefeged came in for Bethea at safety and played well. He looks like a good bet to make the team as a reserve.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Jacob Lacey and Jerraud Powers look to be in mid season form already. I think we will be set at corner if everyone stays healthy.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Eric Foster looks even smaller this year when you see the big new guys at DT. He might be a long-shot to make the team this year.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Drake Nevis continues to get a lot of playing time with the starters. It doesn't look like he will need a few years to develop like some other DTs we have had lately.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">We look to have some DTs who can actually get some push up the middle. As amazing as Freeney has looked in his career, he has done it all without help from the inside guys. It would be nice if there wasn't always somewhere for the opposing QBs to step up to avoid Freeney's speed rush.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">The starting offense was ridiculous. They looked like they came in with a gameplan where the main goal was to just go through the motions. Lots of swing passes, screens, and dump offs. It did not look like Painter's fault; he was just executing what was called.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Someone might be asking Pat McAfee to pee in a cup. He has seriously transformed his body this year.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">The run defense looked pretty bad, but that was just because of all the players being moved around. The first game of the season we will be vulnerable also. I always see lots of run fit errors in the first couple of games of the year. </span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 25px;">Curtis Painter stands in the pocket well even though he is only 6'2" or so.</span></span></li>
</ul>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-20971128627465944332011-08-14T23:13:00.000-04:002011-08-14T23:13:16.580-04:00Colts at Rams preseason: 2nd look<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Saturdays game had a pretty predictable outcome; basically when Peyton Manning is not playing the offense struggles to move the ball consistently. That said, some aspects of the offense looked better than it has in the past in that situation. <b>You could tell that Painter had been getting a lot more snaps</b> and the offense more closely resembled a run of the mill offense in the NFL <b>instead of looking like a chimp trying to land a airplane in a blizzard</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The defense looked bad, but there were a few nice plays from the young guys.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Firstly lets focus on the performance of the draft picks:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Anthony Costanzo</b> (LT):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Costanzo did not come in until the 2nd quarter (but who knows, he looks a bit like Linkenbach). He showed good mobility, but then that was what he was known for in college.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Ben Ijalana</b> (RT):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>This is a big dude</b>. I expected him to be a guard for the Colts, but it looks like they are grooming him for the RT position. He showed good power and movement in the run game and seemed to do fine in pass protection. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Drake Nevis</b> (DT):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This guy is <b>really active for big guy</b>. He started and from the first snap he was getting penetration (of course he was blindsided by a trap on that play). He chased down plays away from him from sideline to sideline. Of course it is early and it is only preseason, but <b>Nevis is the guy to watch from this draft class so far</b>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Delone Carter </b>(RB):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Carter did not get any real opportunities to shine. He will continue to get chances with the second unit throughout the preseason.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Chris Rucker</b> (DB):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The stats say he had two tackles, but I can't</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> say I noticed him.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Colts starting offensive line featured three regulars from last season, Jeff Saturday, Mike Pollak, and Ryan Diem. We know a lot about Saturday and Diem; how did the young guys do?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Jeff Linkenbach</b> (LT):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While last year he proved that he cannot play guard, Linkenbach always surprises when he comes in at either tackle spot with his solid play. He never seems to outright screw up and he is where he is supposed to be at all times. This helps offset the fact that by any measure he has marginal at best athleticism. He remains a valuable backup at tackle. He made some nice blocks on both the run and pass.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Joe Reitz</b> (LG):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He looks a lot like Mike Pollak out there on the field, but he looks stronger and faster.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Mike Pollak</b> (RG & C):</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pollak continues to <b>look weak and undersized</b> whenever he is in the game. He started at RG for the first series but then moved to center to relieve Saturday for the second series. He also does not play with the kind of quickness that might compensate for his lack of physicality. When he was in at center and DeVan was playing right guard, the interior of the line was extremely weak and allowed penetration on multiple occasions.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Jacques McClendon</b> (LG): </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">McClendon does not really fit the profile of the standard Colts lineman - and that's a good thing. He has a <b>powerful squat body</b> and is a power player. He was not </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">on very many team's radar when the Colts drafted him. He had some solid run blocks and looked fine in pass protection. I'm hoping he starts this season.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On to the Colts fans whipping boy:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Curtis Painter</b> started the game and threw a pick on the third play of the game. He moved up in the pocket and tried a little too hard to make something happen, attempting to throw a touch pass while he was running forward. These things happen with inexperienced players and i</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">t did not bother me too much. After that, he was decisive and accurate - leading the Colts on a long second drive for a field goal. He seems to know what he is doing out there.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Jerry Hughes</b> would be the second choice for Colts fan whipping boy. He started tonight at Dwight Freeney's right defensive end spot. This could have been called the "<b>Irony Bowl</b>" since he was matched up against IU product <b>Roger Saffold</b> who was starting at right tackle for the Rams. The Colts chose not to draft Saffold despite need at tackle and instead picked Hughes. While it is still early in both players career, Saffold has stepped right in and contributed whereas Hughes is behind Freeney and Mathis on the depth chart. Saturday night he held up well against the run but I don't think he had any particularly good rushes as the Rams QBs were not holding the ball for very long.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Random notes</b>:</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Donald Brown</b> looked really good, showing some nice burst and shiftiness when he received blocking.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Rams ran some rather advanced and ingenious blitzes</b> - interesting that they got that in with the limited practice time.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Watching the Rams offense in the first half I found myself thinking that <b>they looked a bit like the Patriots</b> - then I remembered that they had hired former Pats coordinator <b>Josh McDaniels</b> in the offseason. So there you go.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Tommie Harris</b> (10 year vet with the Bears) looked good in limited time. We have a lot of bodies in that DT rotation.</span></li>
</ul><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-41767927264103082112011-08-14T12:05:00.000-04:002011-08-14T12:05:54.389-04:00Colts at Rams preseason: First thoughts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Notes and observations from the first viewing of the game. Later in the week I will will post more detailed stuff after I get a chance to go through the tape a few times.</span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3rd round pick Drake Nevis looked to be really active and mobile. He is *really* wide.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Curtis Painter looked good to me on his 2nd drive. With Manning hurt they are treating him like the starter - only playing to series.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dan Orlovsky looked like a guy that has about two weeks of practice. He yelled at Taj Smith for pulling up on a route - I like that.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I noticed Ollie Ogbu making a few nice plays at DT in the 2nd half.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First round pick Anthony Costanzo came in later in the first half and looked OK. The line play will be what I'm focused on when I review the tape later.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Second round pick Ben Ijalana also came in later and looked OK.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Chad Spann looks to have some nice burst out of the backfield. </span></li>
</ul>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-23839147292770782312011-08-01T13:25:00.008-04:002011-08-02T12:46:22.115-04:00The hidden story of rookie salaries<div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The reason NFL rookies got the money they did prior to the previous labor deal (1970-2008) was to discourage the formation of a competing league, and the obligatory anti-trust lawsuits that would follow.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Each time in pro football history when NFL rookie's pay went below a certain tipping point, the NFL became vulnerable to a new league and one would pop up and start competing for players. This happened with the AAFC in the 1940’s, the AFL in the 1960’s, the World Football League in the 1970’s, and of course the USFL in the 1980’s.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The result of each competitive league has been the overall increase of player salaries, especially that of rookies.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The NFL has had many opportunities to push for a rookie pay scale in the last forty years and has declined to do so. It is only with the recent rise of ridiculous rookie contracts in the last few years that they felt they had to do something.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But it is a balance – the lower the pay for 1st round picks (these are the most sought after players by a newly established league wanting to make a splash) the more likely that there are rich people out there who see creating a new league to be financially viable. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">See the history of players such as Joe Namath, Billy Cannon, and Ron Mix. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Past history shows that most times the owners of teams in a rival league are guys that have been shut out of the process of being NFL owners for whatever reason and often their real goal is to force the NFL into a merger or settlement of some kind.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This happened with the AAFC and the AFL.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The point of all this is that I believe that the current deal with it's rookie pay scale will invite the formation of a competing league. A league that will be able to easily outbid the NFL for 1st round draft picks since they will not be bound by a agreed upon scale.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i>You might also want to check out:</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span></span><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font: normal normal normal 22px/normal Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/11/what-peyton-manning-is-doing-and-how-to.html"><i>What Peyton Manning is doing (and how to beat him)</i></a></span></h3></div>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-61046088207342321492011-05-24T11:02:00.001-04:002011-11-07T18:21:31.844-05:00The Death of Reason: Bill Polian hands reins over to Chris Polian<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The day I have always dreaded has arrived. <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/#!/nfl/story/15087650/fatherson-front-office-gives-same-old-colts-new-outlook"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Bill Polian has officially handed control of the Colts to Chris Polian</span></a>. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I detailed in the article <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"<a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2010/12/should-peyton-manning-re-sign-with.html">Should Peyton Manning re-sign with the Colts?</a>"</span>, I feel that the Colts lack of production in recent drafts may be due to Chris Polian's increasing role in the decision making process.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Chris Polian was elevated to Assistant General Manager in 2004</b>, and in the drafts <b>from 2005 - 2010 I count only two solid players picked in the first three rounds</b> (Kelvin Hayden 2005 & Jerraud Powers 2009). These two are not stars - just solid players. <b>The first three rounds is where you draft your stars.</b> </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Thats three out of eighteen picks</b> that the Colts have hit on in a five year period. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The breakdown:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2005</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 (29) Marlin Jackson (CB) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-INJURY BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 (60) Kelvin Hayden (CB) -SOLID PLAYER</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 (92) Vincent Burns (DE) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Marlin was solid before he blew up his knee - you could argue that this was an additional successful pick.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2006</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 (30) Joseph Addai (RB) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 (62) Tim Jennings (CB) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> -BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 (94) Freddie Keiaho (OLB) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Addai is a total bust. Fans like to point out his blocking and such - but you don't need to burn a 1st rounder on a RB whose best quality is pass blocking. Jennings was simply not a fit for a cover-two defense because of his size.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2007</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 (32) Anthony Gonzalez (WR) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 (42) Tony Ugoh (LT) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 (95) Daymeion Hughes (CB) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 (98) Quinn Pitcock (DT) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gonzalez has not shown the ability to stay healthy, and he has also not shown a real connection to Manning. They will cut him if he cannot produce this year. The Ugoh trade was reportedly something that Chris Polian fought for - complete bust on lack of heart.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2008</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 (59) Mike Pollak (C) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">-BUST</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 (93) Phillip Wheeler (OLB) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pollak lacks the basic talent to compete at this level. Simply not strong enough. Wheeler showed something last year and may end up a solid player.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2009</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 (27) Donald Brown (RB) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 (56) Fili Moala (DT)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 (92) Jerraud Powers (CB)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To me, the jury is still out on Donald Brown. He has been hurt a bit, but has shown some flashes when blocked for. Moala started to show something last year and may yet end up as a solid player. This could actually become a good draft - it is a little early to tell.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2010</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1 (31) Jerry Hughes (DE)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2 (63) Pat Angerer (MLB)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3 (94) Kevin Thomas (CB)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Angerer looked OK at times last year, the other two got very little playing time.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What about the prior years? Here are our first picks of each draft from 1998-2004. See if you notice a different trend:</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>1998 Peyton Manning</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>1999 Edgerrin James</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2000 Rob Morris</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2001 Reggie Wayne</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2002 Dwight Freeney</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2003 Dallas Clark</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>2004 Bob Sanders</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I sense a trend - don't you? With the exception of Rob Morris, <b>every one of these players is a star and one of the top ten at their position in the NFL</b>.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Since 2005 we have not drafted a single player who could be called a "star"</b> with a straight face. Even if you don't agree with me calling Addai or Gonzalez a bust - you would not say they were a star - right?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So where is all this headed? <b>The Colts will get weaker and weaker over the next few years</b>. Manning will cover up a lot of issues, but one year he will be either injured or just overcome with the lack of talent and we will fall hard.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The kind of trend I am seeing is Matt Millen-ish and it makes me very worried about the future.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Here is a follow-up article: </b></span><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.75em; position: relative;">
<a href="http://www.bluesundaycolts.com/2011/11/yes-chris-polian-is-that-bad.html" target="_blank">Yes, Chris Polian is *that* Bad</a></h3>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-67550607844177238672011-04-30T18:51:00.000-04:002011-04-30T18:51:15.909-04:00Chris Rucker (CB) joins Colts in the 6th round<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In Chris Rucker the Colts take their first gamble of the the draft. Rucker carries character issues into the draft as well as uneven performances. At one time he was projected to go in the first two rounds - an uneven senior season and suspension (2 separate arrests) hurt his draft stock.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rucker is big for a Colts corner (6'1", 195) but <b>he projects well in our cover two defense</b> where our corners are not asked to match up man on man as much as other teams.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Good:</b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good size</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Solid Tackler</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Plays CB or SS</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Bad:</b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Poor ball skills</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not a pure cover guy</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lacks intangibles</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is not much to really like or dislike about this pick. Polian does his homework on guys like this and he is probably worth the risk. It's the sixth round, Rucker won't have to do much to justify the pick.</span></div></div>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-82105060215704216642011-04-30T18:38:00.000-04:002011-04-30T18:38:48.826-04:00Delone Carter (RB) is the Colts pick in the 4th round<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In an interesting move, the Colts picked up a running back in the 4th round in the person of Delone Carter out of Syracuse. <b>It's no surprise to me, but to the many Colts fans who think Joseph Addai is a good running back - it is a shock.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I saw where one blog said it meant the end for Donald Brown - but this makes no sense. Carter is a 1st and 2nd down back. Brown is a 3rd down / scatback type. Clearly Carter is not being brought in to replace your 2009 1st round pick - right?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All that said - <b>I don't like this pick at all. Based on the tape I watched, he looks decidedly average.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When evaluating running backs, I do not look at their long runs and say wow. <b>I look at how well the running play was blocked and I see if the running back gains more yards than what was blocked for.</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Pros:</b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Better than average balance</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good vision</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seems intelligent and thoughtful (based on interviews I watched)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nice, compact solid body</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Quick feet</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Bad:</b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Despite his size, is most often brought down by first tackler. </b> <b>Does not run with power</b></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Prone to breaking runs to the outside, whether it is a good idea or not.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not a receiver</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not much of a blocker</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Does not possess a "4th gear"</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would not be surprised if he does not make the team; I certainly do not see much production from him. I think they got him to push Addai and Carter's future depends on how Addai reacts.</span></div></div>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-941304166245120029.post-38533503834242225632011-04-30T01:07:00.000-04:002011-04-30T01:07:42.376-04:00Colts snag LSU DT Drake Nevis in 3rd round<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Wow, I'm glad that <b>Drake Nevis</b> was there for the Colts in the 3rd round. <b>Nevis is a pure Tampa-Two defensive tackle</b> with no natural position in the 3-4 - which only a few teams still use.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He is a stout body type with good burst and change of direction. Lacks top end speed, but makes up for it with hustle and feistiness. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Good:</b></span><br />
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<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gets off the line very nicely and into the blocker</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Manages traffic well and will be very helpful on stunts</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Very strong for his size</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Always hustling</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Bad:</b></span></div><div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Short for a DT at 6'1"</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A little light for a DT (played at 286 lbs)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lack of top end speed for chasing down plays</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Plays high and thus wastes his leverage advantage</span></li>
</ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>This guy had COLTS stamped all over him</b> - I'm glad he dropped to us.</span></div></div>Scott Bolanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035980544052464181noreply@blogger.com0