First Depth Chart Released: Here's Some Analysis

by Colts Homer on Aug 10, 2009 8:43 PM EDT Comment 17 comments

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning makes a throw during the NFL team's football training camp in Terre Haute, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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3 months ago: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning makes a throw during the NFL team's football training camp in Terre Haute, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Tip to Aerostar and his hilarious avatar for first posting this.

The first depth chart of the year is released. Yes, we all know about Charlie Johnson being the starting left tackle over Ugoh, but I found other tidbits just as astounding and surprising. I need to remember that this isn't the final roster, but it does show Caldwell's impressions. We have been looking at tweets and reports and even first-hand accounts, but Caldwell is the man who makes the final decisions, and this gives us a peek into his thought process. This is also very telling of who will be cut and who will make the roster. Note that the PUP list players are listed at the bottom, so like Aerostar said, don't grab your pitchforks and torches and head out for Caldwell when you see Sanders listed as the #3 strong safety.

My position-by-position analysis is after the jump.

Quarterbacks
Peyton Manning
Jim Sorgi
Curtis Painter
Chris Crane

No surprises there.

Running Back
Joseph Addai
Donald Brown
Mike Hart
Chad Simpson
Lance Ball

Coming into training camp, people would have said you were crazy if you had Chad Simpson, who was just plain bad last year over the promising Lance Ball, but now Simpson is above Ball. Everything I've heard out of training camp has Simpson being a phenomenal player. Ball does have practice squad eligibility left, so there is that. Last year Lance Ball dominated in preseason for the Rams much like Mike Hart did for the Colts and ended up not making the roster, so it is hard to say that if Ball has a great preseason he will make the roster.

H-Back
Gijon Robinson
Jacob Tamme

Again, we are seeing Tamme listed as an H-back while his skill sets fit more of the tight end/slot receiver role that Dallas Clark plays. That confused me.

Wide Receiver
Reggie Wayne
Pierre Garcon
Roy Hall
Austin Collie
John Matthews

Anthony Gonzalez
Brett McDermott
Taj Smith
Sam Giguere

A lot of things to note here. First, Austin Collie behind Pierre Garcon and Roy Hall? That surprised me. Collie has been practicing as the slot receiver while Garcon has been the fourth and Hall hasn't really been heard from. Second, who's this Brett McDermott? Taj Smith has supposedly been very impressive, but he is listed behind McDermott. That shocked me. Giguere is obviously listed last because he is on the PUP list.

Tight End
Dallas Clark
Gijon Robinson
Jacob Tamme
Tom Santi
Jamie Petrowski

So Santi is fourth. That disappoints me since I am such a Santi fan. Gijon Robinson holds onto the second receiver job for now. This could seriously change this preseason. Santi was out for training camp and preseason last year and has battled injuries for his career, so he could surprise the coaches who have seen very little from him so far.

Left Tackle
Charlie Johnson
Tony Ugoh
Michael Toudouze

These are some names that have been around for a while, but usually Ugoh would be above Johnson. That continues to shock me. The Colts gave up a first round pick for Ugoh in the most deep running back class I can remember. Some players that were left when the Niner picked were receivers Donny Avery and Eddie Royal, tight ends Dustin Keller and John Carlson, and running backs Matt Forte, Ray Rice and Kevin Smith. Keep that in mind when deciding whether Ugoh was a bust or not.

Left Guard
Ryan Lilja
Jamey Richard
Jaimie Thomas

It's nice to see Lilja in a depth chart again. That is the biggest addition of the offseason. They are getting back an outstanding offensive guard that will have a chip on his shoulder. I expect left guard to be the strongest position on the line other than center with Jamey Richard being the backup. Richard is going to be one of Polian's diamonds in the rough picks. It isn't looking great for Thomas to make the roster right now, but training camp could change that.

Center
Jeff Saturday
Steve Justice
Kyle DeVan

No surprise with Saturday at the top. Justice really needs to step it up because he was awful last season in both the preseason and regular season. The DeVan signing keeps looking weirder now that he isn't making any impact.

Right Guard
Mike Pollak
Dan Federkeil
Brandon Barnes

Pollak is another young offensive lineman who needs to step it up. This really is a huge question mark. Pollak was not good last year, but at least he will have a training camp to get ready for the season. Federkeil, straight outta Medicine Hat, has been a long time Colt and has played well when given the opportunity. Barnes was another weird signing who hasn't panned out.

Right Tackle
Ryan Diem
Corey Hilliard
Tom Pestock

Diem was the only healthy lineman last year, but he wasn't great. I would not be surprised to see Ugoh starting on the right side one day. Hilliard played well at the training camp I went to and he could make the roster. Pestock is in the same boat as Barnes and DeVan. All three will be in the UFL soon enough.

Left Defensive End
Robert Mathis
Keyunta Dawson
Marcus Howard

This surprised me a lot. Not only is Robert Mathis starting, but Raheem Brock isn't even listed as a left defensive end. Dawson's move to defensive end must be going well now that he is listed above Howard, someone who I think could make a huge impact. I do not want to see Mathis starting. He isn't great against the run, and he is much more effective as a pass rush specialist.

Nose Tackle
Anthony Johnson
Daniel Muir
Terrance Taylor
Adrian Grady

This shocked me to be honest. I thought Mookie was in trouble with his injury, but now he is a starter. He earned it after last season, but with the way Muir has been playing and the drafting of Taylor I thought he may have been the odd man out. Besides AJ, nothing surprises me. Muir has almost guaranteed himself a roster spot now, and things aren't looking good for Grady.

Under Tackle
Ed Johnson
Fili Moala
Eric Foster

I don't know how Ed Johnson is an under tackle. He's a huge man. This doesn't seem right. I think the defense will be a little different next year, which is a good thing. There will be better run defense and hopefully the Johnsons could even get pressure on the QB. Fili Moala isn't starting, but he isn't a wasted pick. Let's see how he does with the preseason. Foster better make the roster.

Right Defensive End
Dwight Freeney
Raheem Brock
Curtis Johnson

Things aren't looking good for Johnson. He could very easily not make the roster after minimal playing time last year. He is a good pass rusher, but there are much better lineman, and I think he is the odd man out. Nothing surprising at RDE.

SAM
Philip Wheeler
Tyjuan Hagler

No surprises here.

MIKE
Gary Brackett
Adam Seward
Freddy Keiaho
Mike Tauiliili

This shocked me. Keiaho is listed as a middle linebacker, and he's third on the depth chart? He may not even make the roster. Special teams may save him. Besides that, no surprises.

WILL
Clint Session
Jordan Senn

Senn is the backup WILL right now. He was a special teams stud, so maybe he will make the roster. The 2008 UDFAs were a very special group. Maybe he will continue to be a part of it.

CB
Kelvin Hayden
Dante Hughes
TJ Rushing
Jacob Lacey

Marlin Jackson
Tim Jennings
Jerraud Powers
Michael Coe
Nick Graham

To me, this looks like Hughes may be winning the nickelback job, something that would please me. Hughes was built for the Tampa-2, and if he can stay healthy, he can be a very good player. He was another third round pick that was starting to look like a bust, but maybe he can end up breaking the curse. Rushing and Coe may be the odd men out when it comes to making the roster. Losing Rushing would disappoint me, and Coe could have been a great special teams player, but when a team has great depth, good players end up getting cut.

SS
Melvin Bullitt
Jamie Silva
Bob Sanders

This may be the most talented group on the team. Bullitt was an absolute stud filling in for Sanders last year, and Silva is a great special teams player. Sanders is obviously an amazing player, but he has to stay healthy. I'm not sure if I can take more of his injuries.

FS
Antoine Bethea
Matt Giordano
Travis Key

Bethea is in his contract year, so I expect him to really step it up. Giordano is a great gunner who has found his place on the roster. Key is a training camp player and nothing more. No surprises here.

P
Pat McAfee

Obviously.

K
Shane Andrus
Adam Vinatieri

PUP players are listed last, so that's why Andrus is the team's kicker. Vinatieri should be healthy by the Jaguars game, so this is what I expected. Keep Vinatieri off the field and let him rehab.

Holder
Pat McAfee
Jim Sorgi

How can you hold the ball AND the clipboard at the same time? Obviously Sorgi isn't going to win this job.

PR
TJ Rushing
Pierre Garcon
Jerraud Powers

This may be the way Rushing makes the roster. He is a great punt returner. I did not know that Powers was a returner, so that surprised me. Garcon is not a good returner so hopefully Rushing makes the roster or Powers beats him out for the job.

KR
Chad Simpson
TJ Rushing
Austin Collie

Simpson being named the starter shows how bad the kick return game is. Hopefully they draft someone like Perrish Cox next year so this isn't a problem anymore.

Long Snapper
Justin Snow
Jacob Tamme

Good old Justin Snow. He's been around forever, and I couldn't be happier. He has a great job.

I do not expect all of these to stand. Obviously Ed Johnson isn't starting Week One because of suspension, but there is no way AJ is going to be a regular starter. I also expect Ugoh to start Week One as well. Overall, this was a shocking depth chart. I can't wait to see these guys play on Friday.

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Return Game

I really hope we draft Perish Cox. I go to Oklahoma State and get to see him play every home game. He may not be the best corner but he sure can return the ball. He’s also a great person so that’s a plus.

by Sanders_fan89 on Aug 10, 2009 9:29 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

To be honest...

I think you spent more time analyzing the depth chart than the coaches did putting it out. Nice read though!

by smonroe on Aug 10, 2009 10:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Funny

Aerostar, that Riversface is awesome. And scare. And funny. Kind of like Ghostbusters. And like Ghostbusters, it’s destined to end with tons of marshmallow fluff spewing all over the place, once Freeney decides it’s time to wipe the smug smile off that face.

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Aug 10, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're taking this a little too seriously

Keiahou was listed as a middle linebacker, probably because it’s his natural position. Remember two years ago when we were going into the season with three middle linebackers starting (Keiahou, Morris and Brackett)? I’m sure that, just because he’s listed at MLB here, the coaches would be happy to play him wherever he’s needed and is comfortable playing, and that his roster spot is not in danger.

I also see a trend of Caldwell “giving” roster spots to guys who started most of the games last year, despite their injury status (Charlie Johnson comes to mind). It’s like they earned their roster spot last year by putting in lots of starts, and now they’ve kept them, warranted or not. Mookie Johnson is another example.

Speaking of DTs, I hate to bring this up again because there are so many people on this blog who will say I’m an idiot (cough, Monstersbox, cough), but…it doesn’t say “under tackle” and “nose tackle” on the depth chart. If the coaching staff thinks that both Johnson’s should start, that’s what they’ll do, regardless of how people here think the d-line should look in a 4-3. Remember, this is a team that has historically used a lot of in-game subs. That’s why I’ve always taken exception to you guys clinging to that UT vs. NT distinction like it’s Biblical or something. I bet that on some series they’ll have a fast under tackle with a big nose tackle, some series they’ll have two beefy nose tackles, some series they’ll have two undersized, fast under tackles. It will depend on the situation, just like always.

I agree that Grady could be the odd-man out, but they should at least stick him on the practice squad and hope he doesn’t get snagged by another team. Since Jaime Thomas played some OT in college, I’d like to see him get a shot, at least on the practice squad.

Lance Ball’s nice and all, but we only really saw him play extensively in one game, and it was a throw-away.

I remarked on Collie’s not-so-sure status earlier this week. He’s been getting lots of reps so the coaches can take a closer look at him, but remember, he’s a rook, and they’re deep enough at WR to not have to rely on him, so they’ll probably let him grow. Plus, Garcon’s been Polian’s guy since day one, and if Hall’s healthy there’s no denying he’s the most athletic of the bunch.

All in all, I was surprised by some of this too…but I don’t take it too seriously. There’s a lot of practice and exhibition to be played between now and the season, and there’s no rule that says Caldwell can’t lie all he wants on early depth charts.

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

by LukeNukem on Aug 10, 2009 11:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree

Nice depth chart breakdown. I still think it’s early and things will change but we did learn some things. I’m interested to see what happens with Keiaho.

I agree with Luke here on the UT v. NT thing. I think it gets way overblown on the site. The analysis is good and they are two different positions but I don’t think the colts always subscribe to the theory of the having to be separate positions. Based on the situation the team will play the best mix of DTs, regardless if they “should” be a UT or NT. Sometimes I think it’s brought up here just so folks think they sound smart.

I also think Mookie Johnson has been undersold by a lot of people all offseason. Not everyone, but most people. I think he was the colts best interior DL in the second half last year and it wasn’t even close. Even folks in Nashville were praising his play and condemning the Titans for letting him go. He did a lot more than Muir to prove himself last year and he’s more talented than Foster I have no problem with him starting and getting a lot of playing time.

Keep in mind, “starting” can be pretty arbitrary on the DL. Many guys will play and the best will get the most snaps depending on the situation. With such a rotation and scenario-driven position, it really may not matter who the “official” starters are.

Nice post Luke.

by jumunjis on Aug 11, 2009 12:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome

I was a little worried when I opened the site this morning and read all this non-sense about Charlie Johnson starting at LT. I like the spin you put on things as I was thinking to myself the same concept of, “I wonder if they put this depth chart out because they have to put one out.”

Also – I don’t know what the big deal about all the UT vs NT stuff is about – I’ll read it and it’s interesting when it comes to football talk, but I’ll concur with you two fellas in that I think the best linemen are going to make the team – no matter what position they play.

by Colts Syndrome on Aug 11, 2009 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also

To head off any arguing, I DO know the difference between the one and three gaps, I just don’t think that the same DTs will always line up over them for entire games, or even large majorities of games. Just putting that out there before I get condescended on by some asshat who doesn’t read anything but his own posts (and sadly, this happens here every now and then).

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

by LukeNukem on Aug 11, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

early

I wonder if the coaching staff wants to release one bc its time for one. I don’t see a ton of meaning here yet. Also, I really see them keeping the best players, not necessarily position based. Ex: keeping the best DT’s and DE’s, as a whole group. This may make the depth chart have more UT’s or NT’s, or DE’s, who knows…yet. Either way, I am satisfied with our depth and it will be interesting come cut time. With our win percentage this decade I feel confident that little will change for this season as far as wins and key players…and hopefully we see some new/newer guys really kill out there.

Lucas Berridge

by Firebird on Aug 10, 2009 11:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

To answer your first question

The league mandates a depth chart be released at this point in the season, so the Colts issued one. Except for LT, its significance is exactly jack.

by slash196 on Aug 11, 2009 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Aerostar's avatar

is awesome.

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: Cursed players this year (via my autograph curse): Donald Brown, Fili Moala, Jerraud Powers, Austin Collie, Terrence Taylor, and Curtis Painter.

by Cassieper on Aug 11, 2009 2:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs