Five Things I Think I Know: Pre Season Game 1 Edition

by metal_militia on Aug 15, 2009 2:49 PM EDT

I was meaning to get to this last night but I had to get my nerves under control after that disaster

1.) I think the offense is a lot better than they displayed last night. The mix up with Ugoh, Johnson not playing, and the disaster that was Corey Hilliard created the protection problems the O-Line had. This disrupted continuity and rythm, which is crucial in pass protection. On the bright side, the line appeared capable of creating holes for the running game.

2.) I think the defense should improve as well. Again, several starters were missing, particularly in the secondary. On top of that, several players along the defensive line that played, will likely not start. Big Ed looks a bit rusty, but should some of the ability that made this defense great in 2007. If the Colts can get the tackling cleaned up, the problems should clear up.

3.) I think what I said earlier about Donald Brown will hold true. We saw the explosion in the running game that we haven't seen since Edgerrin James before his knee injury. That explosion will add a new dimension to our offense and a new threat to opposing defenses.

4.) I think there is still quite a bit of work cut out for Rychleskie. So far, none of the kick returners have shown anything special. Im not sure if its an issue of blocking or the returners. If I had to guess right now, I say its the returners.

5.) I think Ugoh will reclaim his job at LT. I though the pressure was coming from his side at first since I thought he was playing RT, but after I watched the first couple of series, he did a pretty good job of protecting Manning. When he was put in at RG, he played pretty good as well. My guess is that if Ugoh can play well at different positions, the Colts will figure he is worth keeping since he showed versatility, a staple of all Colt linemen.

Thats my five. Fire away with yours

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.

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

My 5

1. It’s worth repeating: Ugoh will take back the starting LT job. He did fine in pass protection considering he was going up against Jared Allen, and made some nice blocks in the running game. As soon as he proves to the coaches that he can be more consistent, he must be put back in.

2. Philip Wheeler is going to add a new dimension to this defense. His combination of speed, strength, and tackling ability is something we haven’t seen in a Colts LB since Marcus Washington. He made some rookie mistakes, which is to be expected, but I think that he’ll start making a great impression once he gets fully acclimated to his starting role.

3. Mike Pollak is improving. He showed some good push on the inside last nice and even had the key block on Addai’s 14-yard scamper. Jamie Richard looked great as well. While the first drive was definitely disappointing for the offense, I thought a lot of positives could be taken away from the way the offensive line played last night.

4. Eric Hartz surprised me earlier this week when he listed Matt Giordano as one of his bubble cuts. Sorry, it ain’t happening. Gio is a great veteran presence on special teams, knows what he’s doing on defense, and might be one of the surest tacklers on the team. He’s not going anywhere.

5. The coaches are going to have a tough time cutting Adrian Grady. Outside of Ed Johnson, he seemed to get better penetration than the other DT’s, espeically Muir. I’d like to see more of him earlier in the games.

by Aerostar193 on Aug 15, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Since I only listened, I have more questions than thoughts:

While I know our starting DBs were not in the game, I still wonder: how big were the cushions they were playing? That’s one of my pet peeves.

My audio was so bad that I didn’t even know that CJ wasn’t playing and Ugoh was. And who the hell is Hilliard?

All I can say is that from this point forward, I’m sending Ugoh some positive “vibes” (yes, I’m a Californian-but it works) and I believe the more of us who do so, the better.

Also, those trillion sacks Peyton took – how bad were they?

Thanks goodness this is preseason. I don’t understand why some of you would want the season to start now – we need all the practice we can get from what I understand.

GO HORSE!

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

by peytonsthebest on Aug 15, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions

Since I was at the game, I have more answers for your questions:

There were practically no cushions given to the wide receivers. They were up close following the routes and swatting at the ball. The only discernable cushions were given on screen plays, where our speed catches up to them anyway.

CJ wasn’t playing because he was only a week removed from PUP and they wanted to take it slow. I knew that he wasn’t playing because they announced Corey Hillard when they were introducing the starting offense. What was odd was that they announced Hillard as the LT and Ugoh as the RT, but they played in the opposite spots. Hillard has been with us for camp. It’s safe to say he won’t be here long. (Michael Toudouze played better than Hillard)

Can’t hurt. Ugoh played decently in the game, which is what we’ve come to expect from him.

The first sack (on the first offensive play of the game) happened about 1/2 a second after the snap. It looked like 15 purple jerseys flew through the line into the backfield. Peyton immediately went down on his own into a pose reminescent of the fetal position. On the second sack, Peyton had some time to throw, couldn’t find anybody, and then stepped up into the pocket and an LB rushed in there and got him. Just a normal tackle, no hard hits there or anything. The third sack was the most scary. About a second after the snap, the DE went around the RT (Hillard) and ran for Peyton. Peyton scrambled to the left behind Ugoh, and Jered Allen pushed Ugoh into Peyton high, while the other DE hit Peyton a little lower. Peyton’s knees buckled in a way similar to the infamous Brady sack. While I was looking for the nearest defibrillator, Peyton got up and looked fine.

Hope that this answers your questions ;-)

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 15, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks, Cass.

Its so hard not being able to watch these games. Yet another reason why SB and everyone here are lifesavers!

That 3rd sack sounds ugly – perhaps I should be grateful not to have seen it!

And, what is wrong with you? You got autographs from practically ALL of our draftees? Lets hope for your sake the curse is broken! lol

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

by peytonsthebest on Aug 15, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, the autograph tent had "rookie day" last Saturday.

Just to warn you how powerful my autograph curse is, when I was at training camp last year, the autograph tent had “running backs day.” That included Joseph Addai, Dominic Rhodes, Mike Hart, and DeDe Dorsey. And you already saw what I did to Gilbert Gardner and Mike ~~Vandershank~~ ~~Vanderjerk~~ Vanderjagt.

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

Man, I need a life...

by Cassieper on Aug 15, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

From now on, you're banned from getting autographs.

Take one for the team, man. Take one for the team. ;-)

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

by peytonsthebest on Aug 16, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Corey Hilliard is a 3rd year player out of Oklahoma State.

He was with the Colts last year. And I’ll bet he’s feeling Peyton’s wrath. After last night, I’m glad it’s only August.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Aug 15, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, it sounds like barring a miracle, Hilliard will be gone.

How was the Luke with the roof open? Get any noise going at all?

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

by peytonsthebest on Aug 15, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions

It's preseason, so no.

Nobody really cared. I made noise though.

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

Man, I need a life...

by Cassieper on Aug 15, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions

You could definitely hear the crowd

when Donald Brown ripped off his runs

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Aug 16, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

My 5

1: The Colts will have a vastly improved running game this year. Even with the line as shoddy as it was, Addai and Brown were able to rip off phenominal runs.

2: Nobody, and I mean nobody, is as good at picking undrafted players as Polian. Silva played well in his second year. Grady was a beast of a presence on the inside. And Mike Tauiliili showed that he could be a major find. The guy had 3 monster hits and ran will at full power the entire time he was in.

3: I am just about sold on Pat McAfee. He’s got a cannon of a leg, all I need to see are some difficult holds put down and his ability of coffin corner.

4: Collie had the most impressive outing of the contenders for that 3rd WR slot. I was impressed by his skill catching and willingness to go across the middle.

5: The defense needs to remember the basics: tackle low. I saw too many guys trying to bring down the ball carrier up high. There was nice penetration from the front 4 and the linebackers. If they remember to wrap up, we are going to have a beast of a D

by 2ndBlueGeneration on Aug 15, 2009 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

Five things I think I know:

1. I think Pat McAfee is a true steal in the early 7th round. From my vantage point in the stands, he was booting those early punts 70 yards through the air (from where the ball leaves his foot to where the returner catches it) with pretty good hang time. He tired out near the end the game, but what do you expect when you ask him to punt 7 times? Also, he was excellent as a holder for Shane Andrus. I was specifically watching the holds (with my binoculars) for both of those field goals, and they were perfect.

2. I think Chris Crane looked awful. I thought that Painter was bad, but then Crane shows up in the 4th quarter and makes Sorgi look like Peyton. Crane wouldn’t qualify as the 1st backup quarterback for any NFL team.

3. I think that Matt Giordano is a beast. For the first drive of the game, he made every tackle but 1 or 2. Near the end of the drive they showed him on the Luke TV screens and he was already panting. He even made a 1-on-1 solo tackle on Peterson after Peterson caught a screen pass with at least a 5 yard cushion. He then continued his playmaking well into the second half. Dude was a one man show out there.

4. I think that Peyton still has it. To get sacked 3 times on the first drive, be pressured on all of the other downs, and still make a first down (after 2nd and 20) seems like a success to me. For Peyton at least. Not the O-line.

5. I think I love hearing Mike Tauliliili’s name pronounced. Call me bored in the 4th quarter, but it was humorous listening to the Luke’s PA guy sound like he’s stuttering as he’s pronouncing Mike’s name. It sure cracked me up.

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

Man, I need a life...

by Cassieper on Aug 15, 2009 7:42 PM EDT reply actions