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Training Camp 2008: Terre Haute News preview

The Terre Haute's Tribune Star has their training camp preview up, and (shockingly) it is far more detailed, thoughtful, and interesting than any preview I've ever read at the Indianapolis Star. And unlike the horrid NFL.com camp preview we trashed last week, the TH preview seems to know what its talking about and validates many of off-season themes we've discussed since March.

Good God. Was March really just  months ago?

The preview's author, Tom James, starts off (after going through the usual who's hurt and why stuff) by naming the Players to Watch: Roy Hall, Mike Pollak, and Philip Wheeler. All three were impressive during the two minicamps and the off0season programs. We've written often about Pollak and Hall, so I found this nugget about Wheeler intriguing:

Slated to be the top reserve behind starter Gary Brackett at middle linebacker as a rookie, he may get a chance to prove what he can do as the team’s strong side linebacker.

Hagler’s pectoral injury could force a move to the outside for the hard-hitting linebacker from Georgia Tech. Wheeler might be in the mix as a replacement when the team reports for training camp. His ability to quickly diagnose a play, combined with his speed and quickness, should serve him well if given the opportunity.

Tyjuan Hagler better heal up quick, because I'm starting to think that Wheeler will win his job as strongside LBer when the pre-season closes.

Some other interesting notes are the possibility of second year player Clifton Dawson transitioning to a lead blocker on short yardage. This is the first I've heard of this, and definitely something I will look at when I get to camp. Other sleepers they mentioned for camp were WR Devin Aromashodu, WR Courtney Roby, WR Pierre Garcon, WR Sam Giguere, WR Charles Dillon, WR Rudy Burgess, TE Gijon Robinson, RB Chad Simpson, DE Ben Ishola, DE Curtis Johnson, DT Colin Ferrell, DT Eric Foster DT Joe Bradley, LB Jordan Senn, LB Kyle Shotwell, CB Brandon Foster, CB Antonio Smith, and SS Jamie Silva. James also says the free agent rookie Sam Giguere is a "Wes Welker clone."

77221519_medium

Is Clifton Dawson Indy's new fullback?

via cache.viewimages.com

Tom James put emphasis on players like Eric Foster and Devin Aromashodu:

Aromashodu got the attention of his teammates last year as he filled in on a limited basis for Harrison.

...

Foster is a definitely possibility to earn a spot on the team at the end of training camp.

The article also suggests that kick returning duties will get shared between Dom Rhodes, Dillon, Burgess, Mike Hart, and Simpson. James does not mention TJ Rushing returning kicks, which is interesting to say the least. He did say this about Rushing:

Rushing was drafted to be the team’s kick and punt returner but has proved to be a pretty good cornerback when given the chance to play.

Perhaps Rushing's ability to play CB made him too much of a commodity to just throw out there as a returner. Again, we will pay close attention to see if Rushing is still returning kicks and punts in camp.

Finally, James names his up-and-coming players that could come out of camp and pre-season ready to make an immediate positive impact on the team during the regular season:

In addition to Hall, Pollak and Wheeler, other key players figure to be tight ends Jacob Tamme and Tom Santi; defensive end Marcus Howard; outside linebackers Clint Session and Ramon Guzman; cornerbacks Dante Hughes, Micheal Coe, and Tim Jennings; safeties Melvin Bullitt and Brannon Condren.

Indianapolis’ break out performers could very well be Tamme, Howard, Session, Hughes, Jennings and Bullitt.

This is what football previews are supposed to give you, boys and girls. This article has me fired up big time for training camp, which starts in just four days!

0 recs  |  Comment 13 comments

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can we plz

get some of these playmakes signed!!!!

by coltsfan21 on Jul 21, 2008 10:46 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Jennings

You know the Colts CB position is stacked with Jackson, Hayden, Hughes and Rushing. I think Jennings might get cut because he is currently No. 5 on my depth chart.

And for the record I have been saying for over a year now that Rushing is a very good CB that can flat out tackle people hard. This kid might have a long future with this team.

by MasterRWayne on Jul 21, 2008 11:10 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I like Tom James a lot. He’s a good writer, and he knows a lot about this team. More than we could ever hope to.

Garcon may not make the roster unless the team has a change of heart and tries him out at returner, which I think will be open.

If Jennings is cut, that will make him Polian’s biggest bust IMO. Michael Coe also is a better corner than him, and Coe’s a very strong gunner and special teamer all around (as we saw against Baltimore).

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Jul 21, 2008 11:50 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Also

I’m pretty sure I’ll make the drive to Terre Haute on Friday, so I’ll report back on that day. I’m so damn excited. I haven’t been to a two-a-day in a very long time. David Thorton was still on the team and Jake Scott was unknown.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Jul 21, 2008 11:51 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Looking forward

To reading your posts. Should we also look for extra stuff at Naptown’s?

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 Jul 21, 2008 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not Sure But Probably

I’ll wait to see what I have. I might do a recap here and an hour-by-hour blog on Naptown’s.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Jul 21, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

Coe is better than Jennings.

Its not that Jennings is terrible by any means, but its just the Colts are just totally talented at the CB position.

by MasterRWayne on Jul 21, 2008 11:54 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe the props shouldn't go to TribStar

Most of this content was posted last week on USA Today. It’s still more then we are getting from the IndyStar (which is weird since the IndyStar share parent company with the USA Today)...

by Rob-Westside on Jul 21, 2008 12:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Courtney Roby

Really hope he does well. I went to IU and he was always great to watch even though pretty much everybody else sucked.

by beckmania on Jul 21, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Garcon

Will make the team.

by flipstone55 on Jul 21, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He needs to get a shot a returning kicks

Rushing was sub-par and Dom was very bad for the Raiders.

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by shake n bake on Jul 21, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Welker comparison is interesting

I have only seen brief highlights on Giguere, but I could definitely see him playing in the same mold as Welker just by looking at his physique. Not only is Welker an excellent dump-off slot receiver and a first down machine, but he is probably one of the best blocking receivers in the game. I remember watching a few Pats games last year, and he stoned many LB’s, allowing a 5-yard run by Maroney to extend into a 15 or 20 yard run. Giguere has the build to do the same thing. Now, I’m not saying that Giguere has anywhere close to the amount of talent as Welker, but the concept is indeed intriging.

by Aerostar193 on Jul 21, 2008 5:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Depth Chart

I’d like to see your version of an unofficial depth chart. I think the Colts have about 84 listed on the roster as of today. They can only take 80 to camp, and at least 4 won’t participate.

A cool training camp blog would be your daily depth chart rankings.

by smonroe on Jul 21, 2008 5:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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