Sending some love to Charlie Johnson

injury? I hope he can play this Sunday!

Along with Lori, I give you kudos for admitting this.

I think I wrote earlier before that competition (as you pointed out) is why Nick Harper had left for Tennessee and you took him to task for that.

This was no differnet. CJ has earned the starting spot for sure. I just hope Ugoh can regain his pride before it’s too late.

I applaud you for admitting your error. I thought you harshly judged Johnson, am suprised you forgot the super bowl, he appeared a step up from Diem (who is Colts highest paid offensive lineman). I think he has always been a better run blocker than Ugoh or Diem,,but I admit, I was very concerned about his pass blocking on regular basis.
I am retired now,so have lot of time reading blogs on Colts and other teams. I have respected your writing, one of the few regulars here who is more realistic. If the players were as good as some of the bloggers portrayed, the Colts would never lose a game. One area still in disagreement is Gonzo,,still believe he is no better than a third round pick, which does NOT mean I think he is substandard, rather somewhere in middle of pack,,a good #3 receiver. If Gaucon continues to impress, I highly doubt he will start in his place, perhaps in slot. I think there is miles more upside with Gaucon, especially for the big game breaking play, also in blocking.
Anyone disagree with me here: Peytons never looked better, and despite what Colts say, he was never 100% last yr. Other teams know this, now they are scared to death of the big throw, hence the short ones are wide open now. Last year there seemed to be a defender glued to every receiver in the short zone.

Keiaho ought to get some too. Dude has done a great job while playing out of position. This guy has been basically assasinated since he came back after release. Give the man his due.

ditto above statments on admitting when you’re wrong. Even if Ugoh is a bust look at it this way, he was a late 1st rounder and therefore not very expensive and he’s replaced with a guy that’s even cheaper who was also drafted by the team. This is where the Colts have a great advantage in consistently drafting at the end of the 1st round. On the rare occasion that one of Polian’s picks doesn’t merit the slot the dollars they’ve risked on him are dramatically lower and Polian’s hit rate on late rounders is so good the Colts didn’t have to give away too much in a trade or overspend in free agency to compensate.

As much as I appreciate the “mea culpa,” let’s not forget that it really was justified . . . at the time. Johnson struggled when he was in, in place of Ugoh. And, I also agree with the original premise, that Johnson didn’t WIN the starting LT job – Ugoh LOST it, fair and square.

BUT, Johnson really reminds me of Jeff Saturday. Not in position (obviously), but in “can do” or maybe “will do” attitude. Jeff was an undrafted free agent, and was cut by the Ravens shortly after he was signed. I think it was 2 weeks. Then, we picked him up. What Saturday lacked in size, thoroughbred pedigree, etc. he has always made for in attitude (no one gets to MY QB), hard work (blood, sweat and tears), film work (like he’d last in front of Manning if he skipped this step) and technique (who can deny the skill?).

Johnson has the attitude in spades. Yeah, he struggled, and yeah, I lambasted him when he did. But, the protection on the left has increased to the point that the right side is now considered the “weak” side. Now, I look at Johnson and I see someone who has got the right ‘tude and works very hard, can’t prove film work, but I don’t see how the technique could have gotten better without it. I think if this continues (and barring injury I’m sure it will), Ugoh (with his air of entitlement) will NEVER get the LT job back.