Colts Camp Battles: What positions will have the fiercest competition?
by BigBlueShoe on Jun 9, 2009 11:05 AM EDT
in Analysis
18 comments
With mini-camp done, we now have more key information so that we may begin assessing the key training camp battles as we gear up for August. Camp is 8 weeks away, and while we are fast approaching the "official" beginning of summer, 8 weeks is not a long time away. This gives us to time to dig deep into this new roster, to evaluate these new coaches, and assess just what kind of team we should expect to see in 2009.
Recognizes key camp battles is important to this process.
As we have always stressed here, competition is good. Players who do not want to work for their job are bums. No one, not even Peyton Manning, is entitled to a roster spot. You must earn it, each and every year. There is a reason Peyton is the #1 QB in football: He comes into camp and works harder than any rookie free agent trying to win a roster spot. The Colts have never been known to be a "lazy" team in the 12 years Bill Polian has run the front office. Coaches Mora and Dungy instilled strong work ethics in the rosters they coached, and now coach Caldwell seems to be doing the same. 99.9% of the roster is participating in OTAs in Indianapolis. Effort in mini-camp was very high. People practice hard, learn quick, and seem focused on one goal: Winning another ring.
The key now is finding the best people who fit the system and have them play as often as possible. In 2006, we saw a rookie 7th rounder (Antoine Bethea) beat out an established veteran (Mike Doss) for the starting safety spot. The result was a dramatic improvement in Indy's safety play. In 2007, we saw an undrafted rookie (Ed Johnson) beat out several established veterans for the starting NT spot. In 2008, we saw a 7th round lineman (Jamey Richard) beat out other linemen drafted higher than him in 2008 to start several games at center and guard.
What will we see this year?
From my vantage, six key areas will have stiff competition:
- Third wide receiver: Who will play the slot, or the right side, when the Colts go three-wide?
- The starting defensive tackles: Lots of new talent, only four spots
- Third running back position: Third down specialist
- Punter and FG holder: Hunter is gone, who fills his shoes?
- Kick and punt returner: Does T.J. Rushing regain his old job, or wil someone else step up?
- Starting guards on offensive line: Will Mike Pollak earn the right ot start, or will a new player emerge?
If you have other camp battles you think are important to watch, let us know.
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How about guard?
Lilja, Diem, Pollack, Johnson, Richard…?
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Jun 9, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well duh.
As usual I skimmed right past that. My bad.
Then, offensive tackle? Doe Ugoh keep his spot at LT?
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Jun 9, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't wonder that
just because I don’t see anyone that could take it from him in camp with Indy.
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 9, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a frightening thought...
Mainly because he needs to work for it and the recent quotes from Irsay basically call him out.
Then there’s the question of depth, and by depth I mean our buddy Charlie.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Jun 9, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nickelback
I am really interested to see who will play as the nickelback. Tim Jennings played really well at CB after Marlin went down last year, and we will probably want to get him on the field. At the same time, we drafted Dante Hughes and this will be his third season with us, so we are going to be looking for him to really step up his game. Of course the drafting of Jerraud Powers could signal the end of the line for Dante Hughes.
Or will someone else step up and beat them all out?
Former New Orleans Saints RB George Rogers
"I want to rush for 1,000 or 1,500 yards, whichever comes first"
by stuart0908 on Jun 9, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Tim Jennings
Has improved. But he can’t stop the big guys, like Moss, he’s just too small.
"I throw, you catch, it's not that hard."
by Indy Lori on Jun 10, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tight End
Does Gijon “Mustard” Robinson still have a lock on the 2nd string TE, or are Tamme and Santi in the mix? I’d like to see someone in there who could…you know….block.
by hoosierdore on Jun 9, 2009 1:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OLB's
Can Keiaho and Hagler re-take their spots or will Wheeler and Sessions prove to be too talented? How will Seward look in training camp and what will role will he play?
by ColtsFanNChiTown on Jun 9, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
good post
definitely some interesting battles coming up. I’ll go ahead and add two more to the list:
offensive coordinator – will it be Christenson or Moore?
O-Line coach – Metzelaars or Mudd?
okay I’m just kidding. sounded funny to me
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
by psvirsky on Jun 9, 2009 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Is there such a thing as..
Co-coordinator?
"I throw, you catch, it's not that hard."
by Indy Lori on Jun 10, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
RB3
I just don’t see this team using a third down specialist. Since Manning’s first year, and probably back to Faulk’s rookie year, the guy in the backfield has had to do it all—catch, run, blitz pickup (not sure about Faulk and blitz pickup, but Edge was good at it). The ability to change on a dime and run no-huddle is what the O is all about. If you have one guy who has “limited” skills… you are limiitng the O. It messes with the no-huddle, and tips the D with some clues.
And the past few years seems to support this—Dom and Joe and whoever didn’t change from down to down—they changed from series to series and played all downs.
I don’t see that changing.
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
by Bobman on Jun 9, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The reason I could see it happening
is that Donald Brown wasn’t a particularly special blocker. Addai is an excellent pass blocker, Dom was a good one, Brown we’ll have to see. If he struggles picking up blitzes they might break away from their normal pattern and get Addai in a 3rd and longs, even when it’s Donald’s drive.
I think he’ll be good enough for them to just do it by drives, but I don’t think Addai taking more than his share of 3rd and longs is out of the question.
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 9, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Off the top of my head
I’m pretty sure Bethea was a 6th rounder. Your point still stands though.
by slash196 on Jun 9, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
6th round compesary pick
7th round started after the next pick.
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 9, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Slot WR
I sure hope the Colts wise up and get Austin Collie into that 3rd WR spot as soon as possible. Peyton needs a big bodied WR with the intelligence to find soft spots in the zone. Collie has a good head on his shoulders and great hands, he should be a good target for years to come.
by hairy knuckles on Jun 9, 2009 8:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
third down running back?
i’ve been hearing this term a lot lately on stampede blue. what does a team look for in a third down running back? what makes a third down running back different any other running back?
by FreeneyWillEatYourBaby on Jun 9, 2009 10:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"3rd and Long" or "Passing Situation" runningback would be a more complete name
basically it’s the stuff that everyone agrees Addai is good at. Blocking, route running, catching.
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 9, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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