Training Camp, Pre-preseason Roster Prediction

by Colts Homer on Aug 4, 2009 10:05 PM EDT in Colts Analysis

These have been tough to do for a while, but I don't think it has been any tougher than right now. This team is ridiculously deep. There is talent at every position and for most of them the backup has been a starter recently or could be a starter on a lot of teams. This will be great for special teams with the talented backups like Melvin Bullitt, Freddie Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler. I think that this could be a very special team.

The predictions for the 53 man roster and practice squad are after the jump. Like always, it is in a depth chart order.

QB
18 Peyton Manning
12 Jim Sorgi

RB
29 Joseph Addai
31 Donald Brown
32 Mike Hart
27 Lance Ball

H-B
86 Tom Santi
47 Gijon Robinson

WR
87 Reggie Wayne
11 Anthony Gonzalez
85 Pierre Garcon
17 Austin Collie

TE
44 Dallas Clark
84 Jacob Tamme

LT
67 Tony Ugoh
74 Charlie Johnson

LG
65 Ryan Lilja
61 Jamey Richard

C
63 Jeff Saturday
53 Steve Justice

RG
78 Mike Pollak
76 Dan Federkeil

RT
71 Ryan Diem

LE
79 Raheem Brock
98 Robert Mathis
92 Marcus Howard

UT
95 Fili Moala
68 Eric Foster
64 Adrian Grady

NT
91 Ed Johnson
99 Antonio Johnson
62 Terrance Taylor

RE
93 Dwight Freeney
96 Keyunta Dawson

SAM
50 Philip Wheeler
56 Tyjuan Hagler

MIKE
58 Gary Brackett
52 Adam Seward

WILL
55 Clint Session
54 Freddy Keiaho

CB
26 Kelvin Hayden
28 Marlin Jackson
34 T.J. Rushing
23 Tim Jennings
49 Jerraud Powers
20 Dante Hughes

FS
41 Antoine Bethea
33 Melvin Bullitt

SS
21 Bob Sanders
43 Matt Giordano

K
4 Adam Vinatieri

P
1 Pat McAfee

LS
48 Justin Snow

Practice Squad
QB Curtis Painter
WR Sam Giguere
WR Taj Smith
OL Jaimie Thomas
OL Brandon Barnes
LB Mike Tauiliili
LB Ramon Humber
DB Travis Key

UFL-Bound
DT Daniel Muir
S Jamie Silva
WR Roy Hall
DE Curtis Johnson
RB Chad Simpson
CB Michael Coe

Thoughts: The defensive tackle position was the hardest. I was debating between Daniel Muir and Antonio Johnson with AJ barely necking it out. If Muir continues to make progress, he will have a chance. Jamie Silva was also very close to making the roster but he could very easily be a midseason signing because of injury. The same goes with Muir. Curtis Johnson could make a huge impact on this league, but Marcus Howard is the faster version of him from a bigger program (Georgia>Clark Atlanta). This was hard to make. I am excited for the regular season.

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Comments

Changes I have

- Roy Hall, Corey Hillard, Curtis Johnson, and Silva all made it.
- Adrian Grady, Keyunta Dawson, Steve Justice, and Dan Federkiel did not.

I believe Johnson, Hall and Silva provide a lot to special teams, and in the end, I believe the coaches will side with that over some of the bubble players you kept on.

by Aerostar193 on Aug 4, 2009 10:19 PM EDT reply actions

Nice list

overall i really dont have any problems with that roster..goodjob!

by Shakesta12 on Aug 4, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions

tough

Man it is gonna be painful to get to 53. If Curtis Johnson has a camp and preseason like last year he has to make the team. I like silva a lot as well but I don’t know who I’d switch. Good thing these decisions do not need to be made yet, injury obviously will factor as well. b

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Aug 4, 2009 10:37 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

lance ball

ill exchange him for Curtis Johnson

by metal_militia on Aug 4, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions

Good job..

gotta give it to for making this early but yet bold prediction. I was going to change some players when comparing to your list but kept adding deleting adding deleting and so on. So here’s what I think. I think Silva and Hall will make the team once again with their STs play. I believe last year the Colts carried 5 Wrs and I can see it again this year. They only carried 3 RBs most of the year I believe so I can see Ball getting cut and going back to the practice squad if elligible. For some reason, I think Foster will have a rough time making the team. I can see Mola and Brock (who can rotate from DE to DT) at the DT position during passing situations along with Grady. If injuries come into play with the UT position, Dawson can come in and fill that role. However, I think it would be more wise in my opinin to put Grady on the practice squad and keep Foster just in case so both players can be kept. I think Painter wouldn’t have been picked if he wasn’t going to be that 3rd QB. If Rushing is showing any flaws coming back from his injury, then I think he could be cut. I don’t think he’s higher on the depth chart than Jennings even if he’s healthy. All this I have to say isn’t necessarily second guessing your post (I agree with most of what you have), but rather the tough decisions the Colts have to make and the many options they have. There will be some cuts that will turns heads, but in the end, the best 53 man squad in the mind of the Colts will make the team. I still would like C. Johnson and Muir to make the team too, but so many players and so little spots.

by ColtsFanNChiTown on Aug 4, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

I dunno

You really think that Manning guy will stick?

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

by Bobman on Aug 4, 2009 10:57 PM EDT reply actions

He might make the team

but I wouldn’t be surprise if he didn’t.

"Peyton Manning flow, I just go no huddle."
- Lil' Wayne, Put Some Keys on That

by KMR24 on Aug 4, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions

It would be taking a risk.

You know that he’s a big-time injury risk.

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: I will be at training camp this Saturday (the 8th) to get lots of autographs. Let me know if you're going Saturday (in comments or E-Mail address in my profile), and you may be able to actually meet me in person. I'm sure you're all excited.

by Cassieper on Aug 5, 2009 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions

this is taking a risk

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on Aug 5, 2009 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions

How 'bout return guys?

I’m thinking…

KR: TJ Rushing, Jerraud Powers, Taj Smith (Saw him return in college…dude’s fast)
PR: Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon, Jerraud Powers.

These are just ballpark guesses, as I have yet to go to camp. If anyone has been that could correct me or offer a counteropinion, shout it out.

by npb1985 on Aug 4, 2009 11:14 PM EDT reply actions

Collie at punt returner? What makes you think this (all I know is he’s supposed to be a Stokley clone, which doesn’t indicate punt returning ability)

by Indemnitor on Aug 5, 2009 1:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Just a relay of what I've heard

This is just the word around camp according to second and third hand reports. He was reportedly out there shagging punts. I’m not sure how effective he’d be back there, but I know he returned at BYU. His forty time may seem slow on paper, but so did Wes Welker’s.

I do find it fairly reasonable that whoever doesn’t win the third receiver spot will return punts, seeing as both are too effective to be kept off the field completely.

by npb1985 on Aug 5, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Muir

I think he makes the team based on these first couple of practices. Only time will tell i guess.

Please, please draft a big Defensive Tackle. Please?

Enter Fili Moala. Thank you Polian

by skywalker on Aug 5, 2009 1:10 AM EDT reply actions

thats not shallow at all ;)

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on Aug 5, 2009 7:29 AM EDT up reply actions

4 WRs?

That can’t be right, Peyton wouldn’t stand for it… or is Clark now officially a WR?

by Indemnitor on Aug 5, 2009 1:11 AM EDT reply actions

Clark has never been officially anything

he can play the slot or TE depending on the coverage the defense is in. Tamme and Santi bring a whole new look in what the Colts can do with Clark.

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on Aug 5, 2009 7:27 AM EDT up reply actions

I've got a small issue with your list.

I believe that Bullitt should be listed under strong safety, and Giordano should be listed under free safety. That’s how they were subbing them last year.

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 5, 2009 1:50 AM EDT reply actions

I went with the way they were listed on Wikipedia

"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 5, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Painter beats out Sorgi in the long run.................this is not Tony Dungy's team anymore

Sorgi is going to have to work his ass off to stay on the team………like any other player. I think the only advantage Sorgi has over Painter is knowing the system. But in a years time Painter will be ready.

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on Aug 5, 2009 7:24 AM EDT reply actions

Totally agree here...

I think Painter will stick and eventually (read next season) Sorgi will be gone. I like the guy, just don’t think he is anything as a QB. I can’t get the image of him being choked in that college game out of my mind…not pretty.

Anyway, any ideas on Seward? I look for him to make a push as well…I think he is going to really show well and push for a starting spot. At least I hope so.

by TRDean on Aug 5, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions

i have never seen Seward in a game

but if he makes it into the starting rotation, good for him. The 14th cant come fast enough!

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on Aug 5, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorgi beats them all out again, then does it again

I am not saying Sorgi is the best back up QB in the league, but he is very important to Manning (thus, very important to the Colts). Coach Manning gave Jim some duties after Jim got the offense down (something Painter will NEVER be able to accomplish even though he has more physical ability). Sorgi, being trained by the best (Manning), is very busy during games. Manning has him break down opposing teams defenses during the game and then he reports back to Manning. It is part of the reason we are so good. Manning and Sorgi work together after drives to break down the looks and Sorgi reports on the things he saw.

It takes WRs at least a complete season, if not 2, to get our offense down and know all the plays. Manning still gets the question, “So what do I do?” after some huddles. Thus, being the QB would take a couple years of study. Painter just doesn’t have the brain, and even if he did, Polian probably won’t give him 3 whole years.

ONE EXCEPTION!: God did actually forbid this from happening so I don’t have to say, “GOD FORBID.” But if Peyton were to go down early/mid season, I don’t know they they would give Sorgi the team for the last 10 games or so…which opens up a spot for Painter, who they would try out to see if he can run a game better than Sorgi (who isn’t completely awful). I think they would also look into other QBs who are decent and not on teams, or are 2nd on other teams depth charts.

Lucas Berridge

by Firebird on Aug 5, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions

uhhh the Colts hired new coaches this off season to do the

same job Sorgi can do. Sorgi is on the hot seat.

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on Aug 6, 2009 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions

why

is robert mathis second in the RE i see it evry where isnt he better than raheem or wut

"You only get intercepted when you don't know what your doing, I knew what I was Doing".
Johnny Unitas

by 805 on Aug 5, 2009 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Brock

is usually starting on the outside and shifting inside on passing downs.

In other words. Brock is the starter, Mathis is the pass rush specialist.

"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi

by gizzardfanny on Aug 5, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

they went back to that arrangement last year

they also used it for Mathis’ first few years in the league.

Mathis as an every down DE, with Brock a full time DT wears both down and it’s good for run D.

You think you notice most everything around you, but in reality you're nearly blind to everything outside of your current focus. Hilarious example.
Another

by shake n bake on Aug 5, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

ugh

isn’t good for run D.

You think you notice most everything around you, but in reality you're nearly blind to everything outside of your current focus. Hilarious example.
Another

by shake n bake on Aug 5, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

ohhhhh

so das why mathis is always second arit i get it thanks

"You only get intercepted when you don't know what your doing, I knew what I was Doing".
Johnny Unitas

by 805 on Aug 5, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Probowl Mathis

I know it is just a technicality that Mathis isn’t a starter (they really split time). But I love that he made pro bowl last year and isn’t the starte (technically).

Lucas Berridge

by Firebird on Aug 5, 2009 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Roy Hall

Just curious, I noticed Roy Hall misses being on the practice squad.
Are Giguere and Smith that much better than Hall?
I know next to nothing about player status in the UFL.
If the Colts assign or send players to the UFL, are they still under the Colts rights to recall them or can other NFL teams sign them?
I’m assuming the Colts still have rights to them.

by centauri on Aug 5, 2009 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

Hall isn't eligible for the practice squad

if a player has a year or more of NFL experience (6+ games on active roster/PUP/IR in a past season) or was on the active roster/PUP/IR for 9+ games he can’t be on a practice squad.

Players are also only allowed to serve 3 seasons on practice squads.

So if a player has been on the active roster/PUP/IR for 9 games in that season, 6 games in any previous season, or has spent at least 3 games on a PS in 3 different years, they can’t be placed on the PS.

You think you notice most everything around you, but in reality you're nearly blind to everything outside of your current focus. Hilarious example.
Another

by shake n bake on Aug 6, 2009 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions

That seems very complicated and random.

Where do the owners come up with this stuff?

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 6, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions

so much so I messed it up a little

If a player has 2 or more years of NFL experience (6+ games on active roster/PUP/IR counts as a season), was on the active roster/PUP/IR for 9+ games their only NFL season or has been on a PS 3 years already, they can’t be on a PS.

So all 3rd year (on the roster) players are ineligible, as well as any 2nd year player that was on the roster 9+ games their rookie year.

You think you notice most everything around you, but in reality you're nearly blind to everything outside of your current focus. Hilarious example.
Another

by shake n bake on Aug 6, 2009 6:32 AM EDT up reply actions