Colts Training Camp 2008: Brock happy at DE, and updates from this week
The Colts have taken it easy this week, with only a light 30 minute workout on Tuesday morning and special teams practice in the afternoon. Yesterday, they got back to their normal camp routine, but are still running around in shorts. While at camp last week, I asked a few people "in the know" as to why the Colts were not practicing in pads. On person responded with this interesting nugget (paraphrased): Look what happened to Washington. They started their camp in full pads and lost 4 guys for the season. Both Washington and Indy play 5 pre-season games. At this point, you are just trying to keep people healthy, not get them killed in meaningless games.
Looking at it that way, Indy's approach makes sense. I say this knocking on just about anything made of wood, but Indy has not really had any major injuries in camp. Now, morons like Chris Mortenson will still go on ESPN and spew that he's spoken with "people" who think the Colts will not be as good this year. Per usual, Mortenson is clueless when it comes to analyzing rosters, and since he hasn't actually been to camp (or spoken to his colleagues like Cris Carter, you raved about the Colts), it's fair to say Mort is not clued in.
One person who is clued in is Phil B, who has slowly but surely brought the Indy Star's sports coverage back to relevance. His camp blogging is a welcome treat from the Indy Star. You'd think Mike Chappell might get the hint and start realizing the beat writer is pretty much irrelevant now. Chappell is a fine writer and knows football, but why read his stuff a day late when I can read Phil's blog (or this blog) same day? Anyway, some observations from camp via Phil B:
* Defensive end/tackle Raheem Brock was in the backfield so fast on one play, he leaped and came within finger tips of an interception on a screen pass to Joseph Addai. And, yes, for anyone wondering about Addai after Sunday's smack in the head, the running back looks just fine.
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* Rookie Eric Foster practically swallowed Dominic Rhodes on another screen that didn't materialize too effectively.
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* Colts coach Tony Dungy didn't like what he saw and blew his whistle four times before snaps. That's obviously sloppy. I don't remember hearing him blow the whistle that many times in any of his previous camp practices.
Practices have been a but sloppy of late, but that's a result of Manning not being there and several young (or new) players getting used to things. Despite some sloppiness, Phil is starting to see (and recognize) what many of us have talked about since camp opened.
This team is good. Maybe scary good.
I know it's early yet. I know some of these guys may not make the team. But one game in, if I'm the Colts, I like what I see. Each year, teams change. And with the Colts, typically one of the younger teams, the question is always the same: Can any of the new guys make a difference or contribute? I get the sense this time, more than in past years, the Colts will get more production from this rookie class. I'm taking an early guess that this class could be special. I'm not predicting Hall of Fame inductions and Pro Bowls because that doesn't make sense at such an early juncture, but the Colts, president Bill Polian and his staff, have added some interesting pieces to the mix.
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I like Brock moving back to DE
I was a little befuddled the first time I herd he will be moving to DT the fist time. I always felt keeping him at DE would be a better benefit to the D-Line rotation helping keep Mathis fresh.
by metal_militia on
Aug 7, 2008 11:52 AM EDT
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I have to agree, DE is where I believe we get the most out of Brock. If I remember correctly he didn’t really get injured until he moved inside, so from a durability standpoint it’s probably a better position for him and the team as well.
IN POLIAN I TRUST
by colt44 on
Aug 7, 2008 12:44 PM EDT
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He was just starting to really disrupt the middle
when he got hurt last year. Ideally Marcus Howard and Curtis Johnson would be ready to give Mathis the rest he needs, so they could keep a real good pass rusher at the undertackle spot. Maybe Dawson will be up the the task this year.
"To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead." - Thomas Paine
(Yes, that is a non-Lil Wayne lyric sig).
by shake n bake on
Aug 7, 2008 12:55 PM EDT
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I was thinking
more along the lines of rest for freeney when it came to Howard and Johnson.
by metal_militia on
Aug 7, 2008 1:04 PM EDT
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Defensive Line
Right now, I consider defensive end the deepest position on the defense.
Raheem Brock
Dwight Freeney
Robert Mathis
Josh Thomas
Jeff Charleston
Marcus Howard
Curtis Johnson
Howard and Johnson both could end up getting around 13 or 14 sacks combined next year. Freeney will have 10 or more sacks this year. I think teams might not double team him early at the beginning of next year because of the injury, and the Bears and Jags don’t have great offensive lines. I could see him getting 5 in the first 3 games.
Mathis could also get double digit sacks now that he is back to the position I prefer him at: pass rush specialist. I was hoping we would do enough at defensive tackle to make it possible to move Brock back to DE, and we did that. He looked good against the pass in the HoF Game, so I think this team will end up being top 5 in sacks.
http://naptownsfinest.com
by Colts Homer on
Aug 7, 2008 1:29 PM EDT
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I don't really get moving Brock
to a deep position from a thin one. They have four DEs that can rush the passer, plus two run stopping guys.
DTs on the roster (minus Brock)
Ed Johnson
Keyunta Dawson
Darrell Reid
Eric Foster
Colin Ferrell
Joe Bradley
That’s one solid starter, a project/rotational guy, a special teamer, two rookies and a camp body. I know the move isn’t full time, but the upgrade from using Brock over Thomas/Charlston won’t be that big when you take into account the drop off from Brock to Dawson/Foster/Reid at undertackle. If Pitcock was still there and they were sure about Foster being a impact rusher it would make more sense.
"To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead." - Thomas Paine
(Yes, that is a non-Lil Wayne lyric sig).
by shake n bake on
Aug 7, 2008 1:41 PM EDT
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It's to keep Brock fresh
Starting at DT, and playing DT for 16+ regular season games, is wearing him down physically.
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by BigBlueShoe on
Aug 7, 2008 3:19 PM EDT
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So we better hope
Dawson takes a big step forward and Foster is the real deal or they’ll have to wear him down (or accept poor play on the interior)
"To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead." - Thomas Paine
(Yes, that is a non-Lil Wayne lyric sig).
by shake n bake on
Aug 7, 2008 3:59 PM EDT
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Remembert
There’s an old DT who doesn’t have a job that could be signed if things start to look bad.
http://naptownsfinest.com
by Colts Homer on
Aug 7, 2008 9:05 PM EDT
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The Plan with Brock
I heard in an article that they will be using Brock at DE during running plays and then moving him inside to DT during nickel and dime packages. He brings so much versatility to the D-line its crazy. I would look at him in both positions this year.
by ColtsFanNChiTown on
Aug 7, 2008 6:03 PM EDT
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Not bad
For a 7th rounder who didn’t even get signed by the iggles
by furrycolt on
Aug 7, 2008 6:49 PM EDT
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Ive wanted Brock back at DE for some time now
As youve mentioned, on running downs we can keep him at end and we can have a sort of power D-Line. Then on passing we will have a speed line.
by metal_militia on
Aug 7, 2008 7:22 PM EDT
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