Past News: Ed Johnson suspended for season opener

The league announced in April, before his re-signing with the Colts that Ed Johnson would be suspended one game for his violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

over 2 years ago shake n bake 21 comments 0 recs |

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Wonder

This all depends on what the team looks like injury-wise, but I wonder who wil start at NT while he is suspended for Week One. Daniel Muir? Mookie? Foster again? Or, the rookie Taylor?

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by Brad Wells on Jun 15, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

I'd guess Mookie

I doubt they want to put Foster there against the Jags.

The lightest lineup I could see them using is Foster-Moala.

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by shake n bake on Jun 15, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Mookie too unless Taylor dominates training camp and preseason.

"The painting was a gift, Todd. I'm taking it with me."

by AceOfSpades on Jun 15, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Me too

Barring injury I see the starting DT’s against the Jags being Moala and Mookie. As Ace suggested unless someone steps up big time Mookie is the NT until Big Ed is back.

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Jun 15, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

BUT

I really like Taylor and always have. I think he will be a starter either by the end of this season or for the next several seasons and will be very effective.

"The painting was a gift, Todd. I'm taking it with me."

by AceOfSpades on Jun 16, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m dying to be able to say we finally have a good rotation of DT’s and Taylor is a huge ( no pun intended) part of getting there. You just have to have more than one good player in that position so we can withstand the inevitable injuries and we’ve never really had that.

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Jun 16, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Really?

Why is everyone already anointing Ed Johnson starter? The man missed almost a full season of play, has gained weight, and has actual competition not named Quitcock for the spot. I hope he’s ready to go and is starter worthy in this group of players but naming him starter after only a few weeks of being back on the roster is premature, in my opinion. I guess we’ll see. I’m just not ready to hand him anything yet.

by bamock on Jun 16, 2009 6:55 AM EDT up reply actions

yay someone finally agrees with me

Yeah, so I sold out, do something about it! Like read my site Colts Chatter.

by KingRichard on Jun 16, 2009 7:47 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure he makes the roster.

I agree with you. The guy has been out of football for a year and this is the deepest the Colts have ever been at DT. I like the guy and hope he becomes a dominant player, but I want him to get through training camp and make the roster before we say he is the obvious starter.

Also, can we stop using NT and UT as if they were real positions here? Even in the base tampa-2 these were largely conceptual ideas and not written in stone positions. Since then everyone has tinkered with the system so much that the terms have nearly lost all meaning.

I expect, like in the past, you will see the Colts line up many different defensive fronts. Some times there will be 2 big guys, some times they will go all speed. To talk about UT and NT as if they are different positions makes people sound like they are trying to impress us with their knowledge, and failing.

by kasey_junk on Jun 16, 2009 8:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Respectfully...

I disagree with your comments regarding NT and UT. I don’t throw those letters around in an effort to impress. I don’t know if others do or not. However, there is a clear difference in the positions in our system, and there always has been. If there is not or was not, Polian wouldn’t have spoken directly of Terrance Taylor as a “true nose tackle.” Now, that said, this team (like many who run similar defenses) can swap players in and out depending on down and distance and alter the role the NT or UT plays. IE – sometimes we have two players in at DT who are to play a “three-technique” style where penetration and pressure on the QB is their primary purpose. Other times we have players like Mookie and T2 who will NEVER be called on to serve the role of a UT in OUR defense. We do have hybrids, of course, but the two positions and requirements of those positions are real, always have been, and unless something drastic changes in our defense in the near future, will be in the foreseeable future.

by bamock on Jun 16, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

While I see your point, I think with a full offseason he should be able to regain his starting spot. I’ll point to the fact that he has the size and most importantly he has done the job before. I also believe that unless one of the other players completely owns the position in training camp Ed and Mookie have the inside track. But it’s my opinion and everyone’s got one

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Jun 16, 2009 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he could regain his starting position as well. Of the DTs on the roster he’s showed the most to this point. That’s not necessarily saying a WHOLE LOT though considering our history at the position and that so few of the players filling out the roster at DT have a wealth of experience.

I’m simply saying that Ed Johnson played on a Colts team devoid of any talent at DT. Quinn Pitcock and Raheem Brock were primary facets in the rotation after the loss of Brock. Now Brock will move out to DE full-time, his natural position. Pitcock is out of football. AND the Colts have another Johnson, Foster, Moala, Taylor, Grady, and Kuntz who all seem to be far superior alternatives than we’ve had in recent history.

He has to get back into playing shape before he can be effective. He has the experience advantage but he’ll be at a disadvantage when it comes to conditioning and even at learning some of the “new” facets of the Coyer defense. Most of the DTs can focus primarily on learning the new nuances of the defense. Ed Johnson has to focus on getting in shape.

I guess what I’m saying is, a starting spot is NOT Ed Johnson’s spot to LOSE. It was last year, it’s not this year. He is not and will not be given anything. He has to start over and to suggest or to think that he’s a shoe-in as a starter this year is a bit premature. That’s all.

Here’s to his good luck and quick return to playing shape!

by bamock on Jun 16, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I will..

agree that we definitely have more quality depth than last year without a doubt. As well, Ed’s definitely going to have conditioning issues not playing for most of last year but that’s what this offseason is for. It’s also not like he wasn’t working out at all during his time away from the team, he was and said as much along with coaching basketball. Again not the same as being with the team and in game shape but he wasn’t sitting on the couch and eating cheetos either.

I’d like to also reiterate that if one of the new players is lights out in training camp at the NT spot I’m all for it, the best player should get the starting nod I just think Ed or Mookie have the inside track right now.

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Jun 16, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

I just think Ed or Mookie have the inside track right now.

I wouldn’t argue with that.

by bamock on Jun 16, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not into nicknames...who is "Mookie"?

by the_iowa_hawkeye on Jun 15, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions

Antonio Johnson

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

by peytonsthebest on Jun 15, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks

by the_iowa_hawkeye on Jun 15, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions

Ed not a NT?

I may be misjudging Ed’s skillset, but I kinda think he might be more productive as the UT, backed up by Moala and Foster.
Let “Mookie” and Taylor handle the nose tackle responsibilities, which I think they’re best suited for.
Ed’s too good of an athlete and can make too many plays to be occupying two blockers all the time in order to free up somebody else.
Just a thought, anyway.

by oldecoltsfan on Jun 15, 2009 6:47 PM EDT reply actions

Ed

I like Ed in the NT spot he has been very effective there for us in the past. He will most likely play some of the UT though because I think the Colts will feature a 3 man unit of DT with Mookie, Ed, and Fili. He is very athletic and is most systems would be the UT guy, but we have a plethora of athletic DT’s who all look to find ways into the backfield. Here’s to hoping Taylor will develop and be a beast for the NT spot.

by bleedinblueandgold on Jun 15, 2009 11:12 PM EDT reply actions

I'll annoint Ed Johnson the starter

He was the best defensive tackle in 2008 and could easily have been as good as Booger. His main competition is a player who was cut from a PS and a rookie.

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by Colts Homer on Jun 16, 2009 8:12 PM EDT reply actions

And he's a NT

300+, strong, big body. Perfect for occupying the line. Even if he is a good athlete he is built for the NT position. I’ll take Fili or Foster to penetrate the line and use their speed. I love our defensive line. It is perfect for a Cover-2.

by Colts Homer on Jun 16, 2009 8:17 PM EDT up reply actions