Colts Training Camp 2009: Battles

by BigBlueShoe on Jun 29, 2009 1:08 PM EDT in Training Camp Comment 26 comments

Training Camp opens for the Colts in 33 days. Between now and then, we will need to identify the training camp battles that could define this team heading into the 2009 season. As many of you know, I'm a big proponent of camp competition. Regardless of a player's salary, reputation, or name, he must always earn his job in camp. Example: Peyton Manning, the best QB of his generation, approaches every training camp as if he were fighting for his job. If he is doing that, everyone should.

That said, it's time we start isolating the key camp battles. Obviously, these battles can change due to injuries, new player signings, and other variables. But, for now, these are the ones I see:

Third wide receiver in the "kings" WR set. This is either slot receiver, or a receiver who will lineup right while Anthony Gonzalez shifts to the slot when Indy goes 3 wide. Players: Pierre Garcon, Roy Hall, Austin Collie, Sam Giguere
Starting nose tackle. Players: Ed Johnson, Antonio Johnson, Terrance Taylor, Daniel Muir
Starting three technique DT. Players: Fili Moala, Ed Johnson, Adian Grady, Eric Foster
Starting guards on the offensive line*. Players: Mike Pollak, Jamey Richard, Jaimie Thomas, Brandon Barnes
SAM linebacker. Players: Philip Wheeler, Adam Seward, Tyjuan Hagler
Second tight end. Players: Gijon Robinson, Tom Santi, Jacob Tamme
Special teams returner. Players: T.J. Rushing, Austin Collie, Chad Simpson, Pierre Garcon, Michael Coe
Nickel corner. Players: Tim Jennings, Jerraud Powers, Dante Hughes, Michael Coe, T.J. Rushing
Third running back: Players: Mike Hart, Lance Ball, Chad Simpson

If there are other camp battles you think are vital, kindly list them.

* As someone in the comments noticed, I left Ryan Lilja off the guards spot because I am not 100% certain what his injury status is.

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Garcon,
game 1 Antonio Johnson, after Ed’s 1 game suspension Ed Johnson,
Foster
Pollak
Wheeler
Santi
Rushing (PR) Collie (KR)
Jennings
Hart

Change these hundreds for me cashier, Cuz I ain't made it yet, but I'm better off than last year
And what it look like hun', I ain't never made it rain but it look like fun
-Drake, Still Drake

by shake n bake on Jun 29, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Moala wins the spot.

Notice: I said think.

by tim55 on Jun 29, 2009 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Santi? Pollak? Jennings?

You are crazy if you think those guys have a “leg up” in those training camp battles. Everyone of those guys is the under-dog to start.

by MasterRWayne on Jun 29, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I can see that for Santi

but how are Pollak and Jennings. Pollak is an incumbent and Jennings has been the nickelback for the last two years?

Change these hundreds for me cashier, Cuz I ain't made it yet, but I'm better off than last year
And what it look like hun', I ain't never made it rain but it look like fun
-Drake, Still Drake

by shake n bake on Jun 29, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta agree with shake here

The one i’ll disagree on is Santi. I think Gijon has the job. Santi and Tamme have to look like Antonio Gates Jr. to supplant Gijon. Jennings is the nickel corner, but he will get pushed by the other guys. It is a situation not unlike Mike Doss in 2006. Pollak, as we all know, has a lot to prove.

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by BigBlueShoe on Jun 29, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This despite the fact...

That you said Richards was going to start at guard. Weird.

Richards and Lilja start at guard. Gijon at TE and Nickel CB is wide open. Anyone could win that job.

by MasterRWayne on Jun 29, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

could you point to where that was

All I found were posts saying Richard would push Pollak or than Pollak would be playing for this job in TC.

Change these hundreds for me cashier, Cuz I ain't made it yet, but I'm better off than last year
And what it look like hun', I ain't never made it rain but it look like fun
-Drake, Still Drake

by shake n bake on Jun 29, 2009 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just an FYI.

His name is Jamie Richard, not Jamie Richards. The fact that you spelled it wrong consistantly in your recent O-line article and in this comment tells me that it is not a typo, but that you have his name wrong. It’s a pet peeve of mine along with people saying Clint Sessions instead of Clint Session.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: This is the hottest commercial on TV right now. And don't forget the sequel.

by Cassieper on Jun 29, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

AGREED

Clint and Jamey get disrespected all the time with people adding extra letter to their names.

by GoHorse88 on Jun 29, 2009 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

Disrespected???

It’s hardly a yo’ momma joke, is it?

by eltharion_doa on Jun 30, 2009 4:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

And Jennings has just been amazing at Nickel hasn’t he? That CB spot is wide open. I could even see Coe winning it.

by MasterRWayne on Jun 29, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

if it's wide open how is Jennings an underdog to start?

if it’s Jennings vs the field then the field might have the better odds, but which single CB has a better chance at the nickel job than Jennings?

Change these hundreds for me cashier, Cuz I ain't made it yet, but I'm better off than last year
And what it look like hun', I ain't never made it rain but it look like fun
-Drake, Still Drake

by shake n bake on Jun 29, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A couple of issues...

1. How could you leave Ryan Lilja out of the starting guards spot? I know that he is an injury risk and might not ever play again with the horrible luck he’s had with them, but you have to include him in the training camp battles.

2. For the starting SAM ’backer, I would replace Seward with Freddy Keiaho. Seward seems signed mostly to back up Brackett in the MIKE while Freddy can play both strongside and weakside.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: This is the hottest commercial on TV right now. And don't forget the sequel.

by Cassieper on Jun 29, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

#1 on both one and two

I think Keiaho was released to free agent market due to cap concerns. The guy has done virtually everything asked of him, including all three LB positions. They got him back, and now he has something to prove. Would’nt surprise me to see him break back into the starting lineup, though it looks to be a longshot.

by tim55 on Jun 29, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

I have to disagree 100% about Kieaho. He should be a backup WILL and ST player. They can do better and I think Wheeler, Hagler and Seward are all more viable SAM starters and backups than Kieaho is.

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

by AceOfSpades on Jun 29, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read it as one spot was being locked down

by Lilja/Charlie Johnson

and the list was the competition for the other spot.

Change these hundreds for me cashier, Cuz I ain't made it yet, but I'm better off than last year
And what it look like hun', I ain't never made it rain but it look like fun
-Drake, Still Drake

by shake n bake on Jun 29, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still have a hunch. . . .

. . .that undrafted free agent Cornelius Lewis will open some eyes when the pads go on in camp. Maybe he doesn’t do better than make the practice squad, but he’s a big time talent from a small school. And I believe he belongs in the mix at the guard position.
Before he got into one too many scraps at Florida U., he was a starter as a freshman.
Strong at the point of attack with some nasty about him. Likes to (and can) dominate people.
He’ll remain my darkhorse to make some noise this summer.

by oldecoltsfan on Jun 29, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good call

At camp, we’ll keep an eye on Lewis. Thanks.

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by BigBlueShoe on Jun 29, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

other undrafted rookies

Do any of the other undrafted rookies figure to have a chance? The colts have a lot of success with this group.. You’ve pointed out Lewis, but what about the others?

An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing...

by bluegirl on Jun 29, 2009 6:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about starting positions

But I could see Adrian Grady and Mike Tauiliili being long-time contributers on this team as undrafted free agents. Both have serious talent, Grady had injury issues in college and Tauiliili played for a small-time football program at Duke (nice Unis though) and had a few run-ins with the law. Grady is an immediate upgrade from Keyunta Dawson as far as physical presence, but brings a similar skill set, just not NFL experience. Bold prediction: Tauiliili could be the MIKE of the future and follow in Brackett’s footsteps, unless Seward really impresses.

by GoHorse88 on Jun 29, 2009 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

with Tauililii I thought it was just one big crazy run in with the law

driving while impaired, failing to stop after an accident, assault by pointing a gun (an air pistol), carrying a concealed weapon (a knife) and simple assault.

Change these hundreds for me cashier, Cuz I ain't made it yet, but I'm better off than last year
And what it look like hun', I ain't never made it rain but it look like fun
-Drake, Still Drake

by shake n bake on Jun 29, 2009 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops

You’re right. I guess I remembered reading that and chalking it up to multiple run-ins. In reality, just looks like one crazy drunken night or something. Thanks!

by GoHorse88 on Jun 29, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That sounds like one bad night, full of worse decisions.

Change these hundreds for me cashier, Cuz I ain't made it yet, but I'm better off than last year
And what it look like hun', I ain't never made it rain but it look like fun
-Drake, Still Drake

by shake n bake on Jun 29, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorgi has 2nd string nailed down...............some how

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on Jun 29, 2009 6:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the thought alone of peyton manning and the “knee”, for peyton to be healthy, this camp is as refreshing as any I can remember in a long time. after last year and the whole will he or wont he play…OMG ordeal…what is the truth and what isnt….Im just going to enjoy this like I really havent in the last few years. its been one castrophe after another and this camp seems like …the skys the limit this year

thats all I need to say about colts camp in 33 days. get it on!

by kinnickcolt on Jun 29, 2009 6:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs