Strange reversal: Colts are signing Titans players, not vice versa

by BigBlueShoe on Nov 19, 2008 7:59 AM EST in Analysis Comment 38 comments

I guess we Colts fans can take a certain measure of pride in Tennessee's 10-0 start. I mean, Tennessee has spent the last few years plucking free agents from the Colts in an effort to build up their team. Many of the players they poached were on the teams that started 13-0, 9-0, and 7-0 the last three years. Their defense's veteran foundation is built around LB David Thornton and CB Nick Harper. Their offensive line, one of the best in football, was strengthened this past off-season with the signing of OG Jake Scott. Last year, the Titans also signed DT Corey Simon and TE Ben Hartstock. Both are no longer with the Titans. All these players mentioned were Colts players prior to signing with the Titans. Needless to say, the Titans have long been admirers of Bill Polian's drafting genius probably because the Titans are so bad at drafting themselves (Vince Young).

This season, however, it has been the Colts that have been signing players from the Titans. A few weeks ago, Indy plucked DT Antonio "Mookie" Johnson from Tennessee's practice squad. Johnson's play against the Steelers was a big key in the Colts' win in Pittsburgh. And as recently as yesterday, the Colts signed TE Jamie Petrowski from Tennessee's practice squad (tip to GoHorse88). This move likely means that rookie TE Tom Santi is headed to IR.

Petrowski played his college ball at Indiana State, and is a Vigo County (aka Terre Haute) boy. This opportunity allows him to actually play (rather than sit on a team's practice squad) for his home state team.

Is it still possible to catch Tennessee and win the division? Yes, but unlikely. What I know now is with the signing of Mookie and the return of Joseph Addai, the Colts are now rounding into shape. Getting Bob Sanders back 100% is the next big key. Remember, in that close game earlier in Tennessee, the Colts did not have Bob Sanders, Joseph Addai, Antonio Johnson, or a healthy o-line. And yet, despite missing all those key players, the Colts held the Titans running game in check and had a chance.

But, to be honest, Tennessee is a team that we should really put out of our minds. If they lose a few in a row (which is possible), then we can start talking taking the division. But Tennessee is not this week's opponent. San Diego is, and the team is represented here by a great new blog: Bolts From The Blue. Look for some cross-blogging between our two blogs the rest of this week.

0 recs | Comment 38 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Two sides of the coin...

I keep seeing if the Titans loose a few we can think about taking them for the division crown…how about that the Colts really can’t loose anymore? To me that is just as important. BBS- did Santi produce anything for us this year? Curious.

by TRDean on Nov 19, 2008 9:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

he had a pretty nice TD catch in the first Texans game

but he didn’t see a ton of time. 10 for 64 and a TD for his rookie season.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Nov 19, 2008 10:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Shake

by TRDean on Nov 19, 2008 11:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

only difference

is the titans snatch quality starters out of free agency, while the colts dumpster dive on our practice squad.

by hal41605 on Nov 19, 2008 11:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

yes quality

like Corey Simon, Gilbert Gardner and Ben Hartstock

Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Nov 19, 2008 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Nov 19, 2008 12:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

fine, guys who have actually made an nfl roster

by hal41605 on Nov 20, 2008 10:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You’re still a dumbass.

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Nov 20, 2008 10:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hartstock got 9 mill from the Flacons

so apparently a few teams in this league think he’s a little better than trash.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Nov 20, 2008 11:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And DeAngelo Hall make 20 times that, what’s your point?

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Nov 20, 2008 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

made that is

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Nov 20, 2008 11:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and if the guys the Titans are drafting and signing as undrafteds

are crap out of a dumpster that doesn’t say much about the Titans front office’s abilities.

Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Nov 19, 2008 11:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

hey remember that time

the rams beat the titans in the super bowl… that was cool

by zkmavz on Nov 19, 2008 12:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol dumbass

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Nov 19, 2008 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

"Their defense's veteran foundation is built around LB David Thornton and CB Nick Harper. "

Albert Haynesworth, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Keith Bulluck and Chris Hope would like to have a word with you about that…

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Nov 19, 2008 2:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hey BIGBLUESHOO

You say the Titans

are so bad at drafting themselves (Vince Young).

Griffin, Haynesworth, Roos, Stewart, Johnson, Bulluck, whatever. Another pathetic dig at VY. You’re so small. You’re welcome to our entire practice squad if you like, there’s a reason we don’t start them.

Remember, in that close game earlier in Tennessee, the Colts did not have Bob Sanders, Joseph Addai, Antonio Johnson, or a healthy o-line

CLOSE GAME? Whatever. Last I looked we won by 10, and held your 25 million dollar quarterback to 223 yards passing, a 73.5 passer rating, and two picks. Get a clue, and look up some numbers before you spread lies, stud.

by BeansCarter on Nov 19, 2008 9:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Do you really think

that was the same Colts team as today? The Colt’s QB had two surgeries prior to pre-season, and as a result, missed the whole pre-season and had a patchwork offensive line early in the season. Those are the facts. Things are progressively getting back to normal. Get ready for a serious beatdown the next matchup.

by Ayrshire on Nov 20, 2008 7:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And incidentally,

it WAS a close game, even with the ‘recovering’ weakened version of the Colts you played. The Titans were behind for much of that game. The funny thing is I can just see this Titans’ fan waiting years to be able to write a comment like this. After being thrashed by the Colts for the better part of a decade, he was probably foaming at the mouth to strike back. At least the Colts’ ‘25 million dollar quarterback’ (as you describe him), is not a bipolar nutjob like the Titan’s franchise quarterback. I give Collins credit, he’s doing a good job. The Titan’s ownership finally pulled their head out of their ass and realized that VY is a joke, and now are getting better results. But, it took an injury-recovering Colts QB, depleted O-line, no pre-season practice together to finally beat us……that’s nothing to boast about.

by Ayrshire on Nov 20, 2008 8:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

It was close for part of the game, but it did not end that way. To describe it any other way is dishonest.

I wouldn’t describe VY as the face of our franchise right now. Incidentally, the Titans are able to win without their so-called franchise quarterback, I don’t think the Colts could win without Manning, do you? If you want to expend energy bashing Vince, be my guest. Unlike typical Colts fans, Titans fans recognize that there is more to a football team than the Quarterback position.

As for “finally beating you”, the Titans have won 3 of the last 5 meetings between the two teams. Beating the Colts head-to-head is not our biggest challenge.

by BeansCarter on Nov 20, 2008 8:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It was close enough

that if Manning & Co. had been healthy, there’s no way you would have won. Be honest, look deep down – you know its true.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Nov 20, 2008 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol

that’s crazy talk.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Nov 20, 2008 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you know...

there’s a reason football teams have 53-man rosters. The idea in building a “team” is to plan for situations where your players may get injured. Injuries are part of the game, and they are frequent especially if you play with reckless abandon such as Bob Sanders.

Perhaps Bill Polian, in all his drafting genius should have provided the Colts with the depth to beat us lowly Titans. Looking deep down, and being honest with myself I can only conclude that we’re undefeated, and you’re fighting for a wildcard berth. Good luck with that.

by BeansCarter on Nov 20, 2008 12:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Again

I’m sure you’ve been waiting for ten years to be able to make that reply. Well, congrats. The cards finally lined up for you and because of your QB’s mental illness and key Colt injuries, it finally happened. But, the season’s not over.

by Ayrshire on Nov 20, 2008 12:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually 5 years.

5 seasons have gone by since the Titans have won the division, and the Colts have not.

It’s actually quite impressive. 5 years of winning the division. I’m just glad the run is over.

by BeansCarter on Nov 20, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

wtf have you been watching for the last 10 years?

1999: 13-3, Super Bowl run

2000: 13-3, won divison but lost to the SB Champion Ravens

2002: 11-5, made it to the AFC Chapionship

2003: 12-4 lost AFC Divisional to SB champion Pats

2006: 8-8 with a rookie QB who took over when we were 0-3 and one of the leagues worst defenses, eliminated form playoff contention
on the last game of the season by the Pats

2007: 10-6, lost in the playoffs to the same Chargers team that smoked you guys

2008: looking pretty damned good so far

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Nov 20, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Chargers

smoked us, really?

Regular season: Chargers 23, Colts 21
Playoffs: Chargers 28, Colts 24.

That hardly constitutes a smoking.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Nov 20, 2008 12:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OK, beat > smoked

beat you with a game winning 78 yard drive from Billy ‘effin Volek might I add, but you’re right the score was closer than I thought.

Glad you paid attention to the rest of it though.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Nov 20, 2008 12:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Trust me

I wanted to suit up to join the defense…they were pathetic. My voice is still hoarse from yelling at the t.v. so much then.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Nov 20, 2008 4:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And that Charger's 'smoking' during the regular season

was after the Colts took a skeletal crew of about 30 players consisting of Peyton and mostly back-up players to San Diego, and still only lost due to a miss chip shot field goal.

by Ayrshire on Nov 20, 2008 1:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

anything to avoid the topic at hand, eh?

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Nov 20, 2008 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He's a 99 million dollar QB.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Nov 20, 2008 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

On top of that

The winning of 3 of the last 5 included a throwaway game at the end of last season where Peyton and the starters only played one series……and very efficiently I might add. So, playing for your lives against our second and third team is not a legitimate victory…..wouldn’t you agree? So, things aren’t always what they seem. I will admit though, in the interest of fairness, the Titans have given us some thrilling close games over the last couple of years. And, this year, they’re doing great, so I tip my hat to them. But, overall, this past decade, the Colts have owned the AFC South……so let’s keep it real. And one final thought, we all know the Colts defense is very suspect at best, but they’re a completely different animal with Sanders healthy and playing. Hopefully, he will be playing for the next match up with the surging Titans.

by Ayrshire on Nov 20, 2008 11:06 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And winning the first game of our series last year

Simply because Brandon Jones dropped the game-winning pass that hit him in the hands is a legitimate win? Give me a break. The Colts former “dominance” has nothing to do with head-to-head matchups against the Titans in the last 3 years. Congratulations on 6 straight wins while we going through a shell-shocked salary purge in 03-05. That was a great run. It was also a long time ago.

I hope every single player on your team is healthy when we meet up week 17. We don’t wanna beat up on a wounded butterfly and have you make excuses for your loss. We’ll take your best game, and we’ll expose you.

by BeansCarter on Nov 20, 2008 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No he's not your franchise QB now,

but VY was the face of your franchise for the past few years, and it took a mental breakdown for him to lose his job…..and turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to your team. And, no the Colts wouldn’t win without a healthy Manning most likely. But, we’ll never know for sure, because he’s started every game in his career. For all I know, if Colts back-ups had any significant playing time, they would shine too. After all, Collins was never anything special until this year. And, whether you admit it or not, beating the Colts is definitely your biggest challenge, because who won the AFC south the last several years? Need I say more? Talk about being dishonest.

by Ayrshire on Nov 20, 2008 8:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs