The more important issue in Peter King's Article

by Rob-Westside on Aug 13, 2009 1:07 PM EDT

To me the most important nugget in Peter King's otherwise boring piece was this:

"Everyone said all the right things about Ugoh, but the fact is this is a stunning demotion. Johnson's a hold-the-fort guy, and I'm told the decision was made because Ugoh might play 50 snaps a game fine and get beat on five others, or lose focus or make an assignment error. That's four too many for a team that can't afford to get Manning hurt."

More and more, I think the move of Ugoh to RT is a permanent change. The Colts likely agree with most of us, that Ugoh is more talented that CJ. BUT when you feel that your LT takes 5-6 plays off a game you can't afford to put that on your QB's blindside. At least when Ugoh takes a play off at RT Peyton should see it coming. CJ may not be as good, but Colt's probably know what they've got, and they can scheme for his overall level of strength/weakness. Whereas with Ugoh you never know when he might take the play off, so do you constantly scheme to that with assistance from TE's and RB's? Which you may not need on 90% of the plays?

I also think the Colt's know that Diem is near the end of his career, and he will likely not make it through the whole season healthy. They think Ugoh is talented enough to excel at Tackle in the NFL but is a liability 4-6 plays a game and figure they are better off moving that liability from the blindside to the right side. I'm convinced more than ever this is NOT a Ploy, and short of CJ getting hurt Ugoh will stay at RT or as the backup. What will be really telling is if CJ would get hurt, do they move Ugoh or bring in one of the other subs to play LT and leave Ugoh at RT? That move would clearly end all speculation in my opinion.

The bigger question then is why if the Colts "knew" this already why didn't they address it in the Draft? I'm no draft Junkie but were there no decent LT options on the board better than Charlie Johnon when the Colts drafted in Rounds 1 and 2 maybe even 3?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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The Draft...

I was watching players like Jamon Meredith (5th round) and Alex Boone (undrafted) slide down the draft board… and I couldn’t help but wonder what the hell Polian was thinking, that we apparently did not need any more help at tackle, even when certain people around here (myself included) thought that it was entirely possible that we’d use our 1st on a T if a worthwhile one were available.

I chalked it up to “Polian knows better”, but now, I don’t know.

by hahasound on Aug 13, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions

I was with you

I thought going into the draft that DT and LT/RT were the top priorities in terms of draft need. Obviously we addressed the DT issue, and though I love the Donald Brown pick I still think we needed help at Tackle. Now that seems even more clear. Even if this move of Ugoh to RT and CJ to LT works out we have ZERO depth, assuming that Diem is probably in his last year (as he’s clearly not worth the cap hit playing at the level he played at in 2008).

by Rob-Westside on Aug 13, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

Problem is

that at the end of the first round all the elite tackles had been taken, Michael Oher included—as well, the really effective, interesting DTs had gone (never thought Hood warranted a first round pick). So to get a DT they liked, it had to be in the second round, and then we’re looking at a 3rd round OT lining up to fill Peyton Manning’s blind slide. I don’t know a thing about Charlie Johnson, so the question is whether Charlie Johnson is an improvement over a third-round round rookie there. Obviously there’s a reasonable question as to what Polian’s thinking about for the future if Ugoh’s not the answer, in any case…

by CooperManningsNotTrying on Aug 13, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Rob -

Great analysis! That makes complete and total sense. Its easier to scheme for a guy who’s consistently not great as opposed to a guy who most of the time is really good and then blows his assignment all of a sudden.

Wow. I feel better. Thank you for improving my emotional well being! =-)

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

by peytonsthebest on Aug 13, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

Listen Rob

I am starting to accept Ugoh being a RT simply because I he wont be a total bust if he starts at that position. However, I still do not agree with the assesment that the Colts know what they have with CJ over at LT. Do they really want to start an incompetent LT to protect the crown jewel that makes this team go? Simply because you know this CJ wont give up, doesnt mean he will be effective. When he took over for ugoh in 2007 and later in that vikings game last year, Manning was getting killed from that side. Its a risk I wouldn’t be willing to take.

by metal_militia on Aug 13, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

Bad decision, right move

I hate the decision by the Colts to move Ugoh, but ultimately, it’s the right call. Ugoh has been taking the best players on almost every game since he came into the league, and he’s continued to be beat up and miss games. I think that by moving him into the interior of the O-line, the Colts put a better player in more of a natural position.

CJ is a decent player, and what he did a few years ago isn’t what he is doing right now. Remember, time can change any player.

I still feel that the Colts are making a rush to judgement here. Again, it could all be a ploy to motivate Ugoh, which is great, but I think this is just a bad call ultimately. They could simply line a TE on the same side as Ugoh and help out a bit more, as the right side of the line would still be pretty solid as well.

Our issue isnt depth, our issues is really a lack of a true LT. The Colts have sufficient depth at virtually the entire line. However, the one position we do not is LT. This has bit us in the rear the last 2 years with Ugoh being hurt and missing games.

by DevilsReject on Aug 13, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions