Big Happy and Big Worry for the Indianapolis Colts... so far
by BigBlueShoe on Aug 27, 2009 9:39 AM EDT
in Analysis
42 comments
I made it a personal point this pre-season to look around other blogs and websites to get a taste of what fans for other teams go through during this time. I also lurk around these places so I can see how other teams cope with the oftentimes torturous rigors of pre-season, especially when injuries and other side-winders (like Michael Vick, Plaxico Burress, Brett Favre, Tom Cable, etc.) throw monkey wrenches into a team's preparation for the season.
Last year, I felt I watched both the pre-season and the regular season with blinders on. I didn't care what Team X was going through, or that Player Y was out for the year with an ACL. My own team had their best player with a gimpy knee, a pot-smoking DT who liked to drag race against cop cars at 4 in the morning, and a star WR fighting off the jackals at ESPN for his non-involvement in a shooting in Philadelphia which saw a convicted liar and ex-felon get shot in the hand.
For me, 2008 was working past disaster, after disaster, after disaster. Yet, the team still won 12 games. I'm still amazed by that. Remember, there was a new stadium opening (sans gawdy and game-altering scoreboard), a slew of injuries, and a team trying to re-capture the magic that helped them win a Super Bowl.
This year, you could argue that the off-season news has been even louder, and filled with even more distractions. Tony Dungy is gone. Ron Meeks is gone. Marvin Harrison is gone. Dominic Rhodes is gone... again. Hunter Smith is gone. Bob Sanders is still hurt. So is Adam Vinatieri. Tony Ugoh is benched. And so on...
Yet, despite all this news, I personally do not feel that this off-season, and pre-season, has been near the disaster that last season was. Of course, anything can happen, and we hope (knock on wood) that nothing bad does. But it just seems this team is not distracted by any of the changes. That's a credit to Jim Caldwell, his staff, and the veteran players on this team.
So, unlike last year, where each week (even in pre-season) felt like it was just another game to "ride out" in the hope that soon something good will happen, this year I approach the games with a greater sense of hope. This team, even with all the departures, is a damn good team. But, even with all the changes and added (and in some cases improved) players that make me grin ear-to-ear, there are also some worries. Mind you, compared to other teams, they are minor worries, but to us they are major.
Big Happy: The defensive line
I'm pretty damn giddy about this group, especially when I read more articles about players like this. The defensive tackle position has looked very strong in camp and in pre-season. Bringing back Ed Johnson was a major coup that few people will talk about, but his presence will have a major impact on the AFC. Teaming him on the line with Antonio Johnson, who is much better than I ever gave him credit for, should drastically improve Indy's run defense.
And if you haven't watched the second string defensive ends, you haven't seen Marcus Howard absolutely torturing people like Tarvaris Jackson and A.J. Feely. We know Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are the best pass rushing duo in football, but backing thme up are some pretty scary-good rushers in Howard and a bulked up Curtis Johnson. Also, once Raheem Brock's hand heals, his insertion back into the rotation will help both the DE and DT positions.
Big Worry: The offensive line
A big question mark this off-season was the health of Ryan Lilja, and thankfully that question has been answered. He is indeed healthy, and has looked good in pre-season. Jeff Saturday is back, and second year guard Mike Pollak is improved. Behind them all are solid depth with guard Jamey Richard and guard-center Kyle DeVan.
It's the tackles I'm worried about.
Ryan Diem is a great guy, and has been one helluva RT for years in Indy. But, for the last three years, Diem has been injury prone. Last year was the first time in a while he played, and started, all sixteen regular season games. I don't hold out hope that he will repeat that in 2009. But as dicey as the RT position seems, it is nothing to what we have at left tackle. All-Pro talent Tony Ugoh has been benched in favor of all-world back-up Charlie Johnson. CJ has played, and started, at four of Indy's five offensive line positions. He's a high quality player who gives maximum effort on every single down.
Sadly, he does not have the talent to play LT. Tony Ugoh does.
Ugoh's problem is his effort and his toughness. He has all the physical tools, all the skill to dominant this league at LT. But, for some reason, he can't beat out a utility player like CJ. This poses major problems because even on mediocre pass rushers, Indy cannot leave CJ to single block the rusher. He simply cannot do it. This means keeping a TE in to double, or using more chip blocks from the backs. Thus, it limits the offense. This does not even take into account what they will need to do against the premiere rushers of this league. Mario Williams plays in this division, and the Colts will face the Patriots and the Ravens this season.
So, what are the things you are both excited and worried about?
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I'm excited about the new weapons.
After adding Brown and Collie to the arsenal and throwing a healthy Joseph Addai in, I’m hopeful for big things this year from the offense.
Most worrisome to me, I think, is our run defense. To me, it feels like for years and years we’ve been run over on the ground (even the year we won the Super Bowl, really). I’m tired of worrying every time we face a quality RB, and I’m really tired of watching subpar RBs have career days against us. I understand your reasons for optimism here, BBS, but it’s been enough of an ongoing problem for us that I can’t share the optimism until I see it start working in games that matter, until we don’t give up 5 yds a carry to Steve Slaton and Darren Sproles and Maurice Jones-Drew and anyone else who happens to get multiple carries against us.
by LTTelamon on Aug 27, 2009 10:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I share the exact same worries and happies you do
See I dont remember who made the comment, but somebody on a fan post said that we have to choose the lesser of the two evils when it comes to the LT position. KR then replied saying that it is a weak argument, but we dont really have any other options. To me, the reason why Ugoh is the lesser of the two is because of this: Ugoh is inconsisten, but Johnson is consistently bad at LT. I would rather have a tackle who will get beat every now and then rather than have a tackle who will lose on every play.
by metal_militia on Aug 27, 2009 10:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well the option is
send CJ out with Gijon Robinson affixed to his hip, which really limits your flexibility in the passing game, but is unlikely to get Peyton hit
send Ugoh out alone, you get lots a flexibility, but when Ugoh’s brain goes on a vacation Peyton is in danger
It's shocking what you can miss sometimes. The amazing color changing card trick.
by shake n bake on Aug 27, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Until Gijon forgets the snap count
He’s gonna have to have a hell of a season to be forgiven for that one.
by slash196 on Aug 27, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it is a weak argument because so far the LT competition consists of two guys and that’s it. There’s more than just to lineman on the roster. I think other players should be tested out at LT to see if they could handle it. It’s called utilizing your resources, something the Colts often enough or well enough.
by KingRichard on Aug 27, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok let me try that again...
I think it is a weak argument because so far the LT competition consists of two guys and that’s it. Charlie Johnson lacks the physical requirements to excel at this position, and evidentally Ugoh lacks the mental fortitude to want to excel. My point is, there are more than just to lineman on the roster and I think other players should be tested out at LT to see if they could handle it. It’s called utilizing your resources, which is something the Colts don’t do often enough or well enough.
by KingRichard on Aug 27, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or...
maybe they already know by seeing them in practice. Its been mentioned numerous of times that the players on the line play not for a certain position like center, guard, or tackle but rather they play on the offensive line. Diem started at guard and eventually moved to tackle in his career. Clark is all over the field playing on the line and then moving to the slot. Wayne plays outside and in the slot as well as Gonzo. Addai lines up wide at times and so did Rhodes last year. Jackson went for CB to Safety and then back to CB in ‘06. Brock moves from DE to DT. J. Richard has played Center and Guard. I think the Colts utilize their players very effectively. Your looking at one position in general from the eyes of preseason, but really its be said the players on the line practice at each position on the line at one point or another. Utilizing Hilliard didn’t quit work out at LT that first preseason game. I don’t think right now the LT position has a lot of resources where another player on the line could play better than CJ or Ugoh or be more effective, thus not able to compete with them.
by ColtsFanNChiTown on Aug 27, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree here...
I actually think the Colts utilize their players pretty well. New England gets all the credit for this sort of thing…the Colts just do it and move on!! Keep on keepin on!!
More happens in practice than we know.
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
by TRDean on Aug 27, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think right now the LT position has a lot of resources where another player on the line could play better than CJ or Ugoh or be more effective, thus not able to compete with them.
And you know this how? I haven’t seen, let alone heard, of any player aside from the three aformentioned players to test the LT position.
Clearly everyone here is turning the LT position into something that only one person is ever allowed to fully grasp and handle. To know that someone is good enough to play that position you would actually have to see them play at that position. If the Colts haven’t tried other people out at the LT position, then how are they going to know for sure that said player can or cannot handle it? You can’t just claim that someone isn’t fit for a position by watching them practice at another position. That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
My guess is that all of those players who “switched” positions were tested and trained before the actual move. If the Colts aren’t doing that to other lineman right now to solve this LT situation then they clearly aren’t utilizing their talent.
by KingRichard on Aug 27, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My guess is if the Colts had other resources at LT then we have seen more of it this year. If Hilliard was the next best thing other than CJ and Ugoh, what’s the point on tyring other players below Hilliard and risking Manning to injury once again. There’s no argument that the LT or the Tackle position in general does not have much depth. I was just also pointing out that the Colts do utilize their players effectively, unlike what you mentioned earlier.
by ColtsFanNChiTown on Aug 27, 2009 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Excited by,
Brown and Collie. Peyton being in top form. Bigger guys on D. TJ Rushing being healthy. Worries? MY philosophy is don’t worry, be happy. IT’S FOOTBALL SEASON!
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Aug 27, 2009 10:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
+1
and rec’d!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Aug 27, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Im excited
by the start of a new season, with an elite offense and the best player in this league being healthy.
Im obviously worried about the O-Line. At tackles, there hasnt been much improvement from last season and the Ugoh/Johnson issue is a big issue. Many defend Tony considering him a good tackle. Maybe he is. The question is: after one season and this years pre-season, when will he show us (if ever) that he was indeed a good pick?
"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady
by Piojocuau on Aug 27, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Now THAT is an interesting perspective
… that the OT situation is not much different from last year. Last year it was pretty bad, and combined with about 20 games missed by starters elsewhere on the OL PLUS 18’s knee, pretty much crippled the O. But theyatill won 12 games.
So, keep the status the same at OT as we had in 2008, improve C/G health and maturity, add a better RB and QB health, and an improved DL…..
Things are not great, but 12-13 wins are certainly possible. Then let’s see where things fall out for the playoffs around week 16. Recall three years ago when the D pretty much sucked and the O was good but not epic, yet things fell together for a nice little SB run. A lot of it is timing and luck. We have to get to the postseason first, and it looks like we can do that. Once there, well, we’ll see.
I like the view that the OT situation is about the same as last year, but most everything else has improved.
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
by Bobman on Aug 27, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well put.
This time last year I was freaking out. There are alot of pluses so far going into this season.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Aug 27, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, how many wins they got last season?
12? And with the pluses we are having 12-13…not a lot of improvement. But dont get me wrong, having 12 wins its a big deal in this league. I guess that the difference between last years 12 W and this years possible 12 W, is the way they are getting them. We wont see anymore miracles like the one vs Houston last year. I believe wins are gonna be by scoring more points and allowing less.
Things are not great indeed. There are still concerns about the “new” WRs and the new running game cause, lets face it, pre-season doesnt really tells us much. However, there is a clear improvement in other areas but NOT at OT
"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady
by Piojocuau on Aug 27, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well perhaps the improvement will come in the post season.
12-13 wins in the regular season and TOTAL DOMINATION in the playoffs.
I’ll take it.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Aug 27, 2009 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
Me too. I think they will be a more dominant team in the regular season and hopefully, if they reach the playoffs, they will be at their full potential. Dont forget, ONE GAME AT A TIME.
"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady
by Piojocuau on Aug 28, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
CJ is not that bad as everyone makes him seem
Is CJ an elite LT? No. Is he a hard worker? Yes. Is he consistent and not take plays off like Ugoh? Yes. Has he held up in the past against mediocre pass rushers at LT? Yes. Does he play with a low center of gravity? Yes. Does he have good balance? Yes.
It has been since October 2008 since CJ has played LT, to be honest. BP was on the 1070 AM The Fan on the Dan Dakich show the other day. He did stress that CJ looked a little rusty because he was coming off a pectoral muscle tear. It showed in the Eagles game, his rust, but no way was he as bad considering his few days of practice and missing training camp. BP also said that when you deal with pass rushers like Freeney, Mario Williams, Shawn Merriman etc., it is par for the course to provide an RB or TE to chip them in help for the LT. So, if it is an elite pass rusher, no doubt that there will be help provided.
I remember Michael Toudouze doing so well against Merriman in 2007 when he came in. I know they have been grooming Dan Federkeil who I did like when he played at RT in the absence of Diem, he is going to be a solid backup now. I do think BP made a mistake by piling up just guards and centers in the UDFA class and not getting a tackle. Tackles like Ramon Foster (Tennessee) and Ryan Stanchek (West Virginia) went undrafted and teams like the Steelers and Falcons picked them up. Now, Ramon Foster is outshining Kraig Urbik (Steelers’ 2nd round pick) in camp and Ryan Stanchek is pancaking the much touted Lawrence Sidbury in camp.
Having said that, any good OT UDFAs we may have gotten would still be as good as the ones we have and would have just provided depth. An elite one, you get only via the draft.
CJ looked better against the Eagles first string D than Ugoh did against the second and third string D of the Eagles. So, no, it was not a motivational step to bench him, it was merit based, I saw that in the Eagles game. You have to be a Ugoh homer to not see things objectively. I still believe CJ will improve and prove dependable and consistent in the long run than Ugoh unless Ugoh does a 180 and probably will be Polian’s biggest draft bust to date.
by chad72 on Aug 27, 2009 10:55 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I think he might be as bad as we think
But I rec’d your post because it’s the first reasoned take I’ve heard advocating that CJ could still shine at the position. I will note that In your last paragraph, you compare CJ vs. 1s to TU vs. 2s & 3s, but actually the Eagles kept their first unit out there for much of the first half allowing us an apples to apples comparison. I’m not sure CJ did look better, but it’s safe to say that neither looked good and you are at least right to say that CJ has an injury excuse and could improve.
by B.P. Glass on Aug 27, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i get worried
when anything about the team is referred to as scary good.
i think i heard that about the defense last year…….the same one little Darren Sproles played hopscotch through in the playoffs.
im also worred about the OT’s lets hope the team can make it work.
im pretty excited about
Donald Brown
Austin Collie
Larry Coyer’s defense
Adam Schein saying the Colts will have a drop off this season. He’s usually wrong about the Colts for some reason………last year he said we would stomp the Bears in the opening game even with Sorgi at the helm should Manning not be ready. I think we all remember how that turned out.
i cant wait for week 1!
by MARVININDY on Aug 27, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The buzz on the Colts D
was pre-meltdown. Pre-Marlin-Jackson-ACL-Bob-Sanders-Shoulder-Ed-Johnson-Bong.
by slash196 on Aug 27, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
right
and right now its pre-season……….
ill wait until the regular season before getting too excited. or ill try at least.
by MARVININDY on Aug 27, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Our biggest worries should be run O and field position with returning
Larry Coyer’s teams have traditionally played the run better than the pass. But then in Denver, he never had the pass rushers with the caliber of Freeney and Mathis. So, I like our D’s chances. I still think the running game on offense and the 2nd TE production on offense will be the key to play elite Ds. Till you get to December, you can win a lot of games just passing. But unless you play indoors or in warm weather, you need to run the ball in stadiums like those of the Pats, Ravens, Steelers etc. to go anywhere in the playoffs. I think Jacob Tamme will cause matchup nightmares by allowing us to play 2 receiving TEs on the field along with Clark. He can stretch the field and reduce double teams by forcing safety help away from Wayne or Gonzo. That is how Wayne got so open in that Cover 2 assignment where the safety was leaning towards Tamme in the Eagles pre-season game.
I feel our run D will be the middle of the pack, if not top 10 with Johnson & Johnson in the middle and enough bulk backing them up. Our pass D will remain top 10. Our run offense, and kick returning duties are my primary concerns. The LT situation will end up being solid, if not stellar. If we can run the ball well enough, I think we can reduce the number of times a pass rusher will blindly play just the pass plus the obvious one, opening up our passing game. That helps our left tackle too with just that extra bit of time.
The field position determines a lot of play calling as well. We can’t have a Mike Scifres pin us inside the 5 all the time, have to get it at least to the 15 yard line, if not the 20 yard line. Then, I can trust Manning to do the rest. Our returning duties hopefully improve with better blocking down the field. Even if it is Hester, if you can’t block down the field well enough, it does not matter. I saw the blocking slightly improve in the Eagles pre-season game, hope it continues.
by chad72 on Aug 27, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not so fast on Lilja:
Indyfootballreport is reporting that he is out AGAIN with a shoulder injury this time:
by the_iowa_hawkeye on Aug 27, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Offensive line
Good blog, updating now just read where Lilja has shoulder injury. I have to disagree with you on Pollack,,I think he is a bust, and one of worst draft picks considering his position in draft. If his problem was penalties, wrong assignments, I would be less concerned, however too many times he was pushed yards in the backfield, you cant teach to overcome that. I am surprised Richard who at least has aggressive streak cant beat him out.
I dread the inevitable,,Manning getting hit by blind side, full force, a complete missed block. 26 years ago, I had dinner with Johnny Unitas,,asking him if he thought his records will ever be broken. He said he was very fortunite to play with such a great offensive line so many years (thought it strange he didnt mention Berry, Moore, Mackey all hall of famers in skill positions). It seems the brain trust of Colts now feels skill positions are more important then the trenches. I like Brown (he is from my area),,,but if I was GM, I would have resigned Rhodes, drafted an OT on #1, and RB on #3 (could have gotten Eagles McCoy
by oldnjcoltsfan on Aug 27, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
could have gotten Eagles McCoy
I, for one, am very happy that we didn’t. He is another Addai in the making.
by the_iowa_hawkeye on Aug 27, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't mind another running back with 2 1000 yard seasons in his first two years
"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg
by Colts Homer on Aug 27, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm interested in a RB with more than a two year lifespan
by the_iowa_hawkeye on Aug 27, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't mind if everyone at Stampede Blue didn't give up a player so quickly
Especially one that had an epic Super Bowl performance, a Pro Bowl appearance and the obvious skillsets to be a star.
"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg
by Colts Homer on Aug 27, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Homer, who you talking about?
My first thought was Addai… then Sanders… then, I dunno, who else is on the Internet chopping block these days? Manning? Wayne?
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
by Bobman on Aug 27, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds to me like he's addressing Addai.
And if so, I agree with him. A lot of folks, Colt fans and otherwise, seem to be down on Addai. He’s young enough, though, that I don’t understand the reasoning behind that position.
by LTTelamon on Aug 27, 2009 7:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A year and a half is long enough
Apparently Polian thought so to as shown by drafting Addai’s replacement.
by the_iowa_hawkeye on Aug 27, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, I think the Addai supporters (including me)
are tired of this argument. I think I’m just going to ignore this. Consider the argument put on intermission. We can return to it next offseason.
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: Whenever I think of Tom Brady, my thoughts immediately turn to this.
by Cassieper on Aug 28, 2009 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that supposed to be an insult?
Because I don’t consider it one.
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: Whenever I think of Tom Brady, my thoughts immediately turn to this.
by Cassieper on Aug 27, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The D must get off the field on 3rd down
I believe we will be a lot better in this area, but it’s still my #1 concern.
We cannot let teams dink and dunk , and drain the clock on us, as was the case last season.
by payne on Aug 27, 2009 5:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Left Tackle
Not to be too pithy here, but it’s highly likely that Ugoh or Johnson is going to be our starting LT. If it’s Ugoh, I hope it’s because he’s fulfilling his potential and not because he’s the lesser of two evils. If it’s Johnson, we’re probably fucked. Not Rams-fucked or Raiders-fucked, but fucked. More limited offensive looks, more Peyton on his back, etc.
So we got 3 possibilities:
1) Ugoh wins starting job due to outstanding performance
2) Ugoh wins job due to sucking less than Johnson
3) Johnson wins job
Let’s all pray for option #1
by ctnyc on Aug 28, 2009 1:00 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Ugoh
What a talent. But, I saw all I needed to see from him in one of the preseason games…his girlie-beaded locks were hanging out from the back of his helmet . He needs to man up instead of trying to make a fashion statement.
by abnpao on Aug 28, 2009 9:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hey colts fans
hello colts fans lets give credit where credit is do our colts played well in week one i fel there gonna be supper bowl bound again this year
by dwspinner on Sep 15, 2009 9:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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