My Mock Roster Pre-Final Cuts

by bamock on Sep 4, 2009 2:39 AM EDT Comment 23 comments

This includes the 53 man roster and 8 practice squad positions. As I have no idea who will be getting cut from the other rosters, I can't foresee what will be available at which position that might prompt these choices to change. When I feel it is appropriate I will explain my choices and indicate who may be dropped early in the season, or when someone else on the roster gets healthy.

Quarterback:
Peyton Manning
Curtis Painter

If I were the GM for the Colts, I would keep Painter because we can't afford to lose him by cutting him and we can't afford three roster spots for the back-up to one of the most reliable quarterbacks in the league. I would make a proposal to Jim Sorgi. Sorgi clearly will not be playing regular snaps for any team in the NFL at any point in his career. While he would probably be snatched up by someone who wished to pick his brain for information about the Colts offense, he provides no team with a back-up QB option worthy of retaining long-term. Accordingly, Sorgi stands to lose A LOT if he is cut outright and it would behoove him to consider his long-term future. The front office should offer Sorgi a contract on the team as an Assistant QB Coach, keeping him in the NFL, giving him the opportunity to make a long career at what he does best (clip-board holding, game analyzing, the cerebral aspects of the game). It may be in his best interest to retire before taking on this role, allowing him to come out of retirement, should something terrible happen. Out of the ordinary? You bet. Best option? In my humble opinion, it is.

Running Back:
Joseph Addai
Donald Brown
Mike Hart

Lance Ball is still practice squad eligible, should clear waivers, and provides plenty of protection for our RBs in that role. He MAY be retained for a week or two while Hart fully recovers from his ankle injury. However, I got the feeling that Hart could have played against the Bengals but the front office held him out in order to give him extra time to heal, which would make such a move unnecessary. Management will look closely at the status of his injury this weekend before making a final call but this is the move I'd make. Even if it was a risk to start the season.

Wide Receiver:
Reggie Wayne
Anthony Gonzalez
Austin Collie
Pierre Garcon

I believe Taj Smith will be on the roster but I don't think it will be until Tom Santi gets healthy or is moved to the IR. As soon as Santi returns, Robinson is released and Smith is activated from the practice squad. If Santi moves to the IR, same thing. Otherwise, he waits.

Tight End:
Dallas Clark
Jacob Tamme
Tom Santi
Gijon Robinson*

Let's face it, Robinson is a great guy and works hard but does not have the tools to be what we're looking for in a TE. Santi is the superior player in all aspects of the game and simply needs to get and stay healthy to give us the ultimate TE rotation available. Santi will likely be out to start the season, however, and while Robinson has not been impressive blocking in games this preseason, he is clearly superior to Tamme at this point (in that role). I would retain him, predict he will be retained, until Santi returns.

Offensive Line:
Tony Ugoh
Charlie Johnson
Ryan Lilja
Jamey Richard
Kyle DeVan
Jeff Saturday
Mike Pollak
Daniel Federkeil
Ryan Diem

This roster would provide you with the ultimate depth and talent based on preseason play. All four of the back-ups can play on the inside of the line. Ugoh can back-up LT. Federkeil and Ugoh can back up RT. In terms of efficiency at the position, and retaining only the best players available from preseason play, this is as good as it gets. The offensive line is ripe for potential movement via the waiver wire. Richard and Federkeil would be the first two in line to be released should the Colts acquire someone new.

Safety:
Bob Sanders
Antoine Bethea
Melvin Bullitt
Jamie Silva
Matt Giordano

Matt Giordano's spot on the roster could be in jeopardy upon the healthy return of the Predator. I could even see him not making the roster, but it would seem that a fairly decent argument could be made that he is needed because Sanders' health is so tenuous and he is a solid special teams contributor. Keep in mind, however, that Marlin Jackson is capable of moving over to the S position if needed in an emergency.

Cornerback:
Kelvin Hayden
Marlin Jackson
Tim Jennings
Jerraud Powers
Jacob Lacey

I am sorry folks but Jacob Lacey has played his way onto the roster in my eyes. Coyer requires more man-to-man coverage assignments than the Colts used under Dungy/Meeks. The best man-to-man coverage defensive back so far has been Jacob Lacey. Jerraud Powers would likely be second in that department. Two young CBs, one a surprising undrafted free agent, doesn't seem like too much of a reach to me.

Linebacker:
Clint Session
Gary Brackett
Philip Wheeler
Tyjuan Hagler
Jordan Senn
Ramon Humber

Mike Tauiliili has shown flashes of greatness over the preseason. It's very difficult for me to clearly differentiate between Humber and Tauiliili after four games. That said, when it mattered most (last look), it seemed like Humber came to play and he might win the spot. Either way, I hope that the Colts front office agrees with what the rest of us saw so clearly, both of these players are better than Keiaho right now. In fact, Tauiliili could surprise by taking a spot from Senn or Hagler. I keep only one of the two, retaining a bit more experience in the system than two of three rookie back-ups would offer. I wish I had Seward here, as I think he would be the best back-up Mike of the LBs in preseason.

Defensive End:
Dwight Freeney
Robert Mathis
Marcus Howard
Raheem Brock

I would keep the pure DEs to just four. Brock and Freeney start, per last year, Mathis coming in on passing downs. Howard as the back-up pass-rush specialist. I really wish I could have CuJo here, as he would have had a spot on my roster. Alas, he is not so we will just have to move on. Brock and Foster are your two flex options DE/DT.

Defensive Tackle:
Ed Johnson
Adrian Grady
Daniel Muir
Antonio Johnson
Eric Foster
Fili Moala
Terrance Taylor

Terrance Taylor is on this roster only because I think we have the room, while covering all of our other needs. It seems within reason that when Ed Johnson returns, one of our DTs would be in-line for a potential release. The front-runner tentatively would be Daniel Muir. Which means, all of those people who were shocked that I would suggest putting Taylor on the PS have nothing to fear. Still, I would not hesitate to put Taylor on the PS if we wanted to add someone from waivers who could help us out elsewhere. He'd be in the top 3 on my list of players who I would waive and attempt to PS in order to clear roster space for a player on waivers.

Special Teams:
T.J. Rushing
Justin Snow
Pat McAfee
Adam Vinatieri

Practice Squad:
Taj Smith
Mike Tauiliili
Tom Pestock
Jaime Thomas
Steve Justice
Lance Ball
Travis Key
Sam Giguere

I could see Pestock, Key, and Giguere being immediately vulnerable for removal from this list due to waiver acquisitions, replaced by players who are listed in the roster above. Smith, Tauiliili, and Ball top my list of players who could be brought up from the practice squad the quickest to spell replace players who are currently only on the roster due to an injury concern at one of the positions.

I would like to see the Colts address OT through waivers, moving Richard to the PS. I would also like to see the Colts address QB, CB, and LB after players clear waivers to put on the practice squad.

This is my dream world. Thoughts?

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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can richards even be put on the PS? i thought he started some games last year

by 18to87 on Sep 4, 2009 6:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No, he can’t. He played in 15 games last year – started all of them BTW.

"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 Sep 4, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with most of your analysis except these points:

1. I totally disagree with your Hart-Ball analysis. I don’t see the logic behind keeping a guy on the active roster who just isn’t healthy. And the thing that bothers me the most is that Colts fans are clamoring over this guy because of 2 nice runs he had against the Ravens last season, that’s a huge stretch. Ball has shown he’s fairly talented and clearly not injury prone. I think he would suffice as the #3 running back much more than Hart at this point. Put Hart on the PS and let him get healthy I say.

2. Whether Santi is the “superior player” or not, Robinson shows up to play week in and out and isn’t hindered week in and out by injuries. My argument here follows along with my previous points made about the Hart-Ball situation. If the guy can’t stay healthy then he needs to go and get healthy…somewhere else. Besides, I think carrying 4 active TEs is a bit much anyways.

by KingRichard on Sep 4, 2009 7:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But why clamor over Ball

because of one meaningless, glorified preseason game at the end of last season? I understand your point on health, but discrediting Hart’s playing time versus Ball’s seems off. In preseason work, Hart looked better last year than Ball did ever. If Hart comes back healthy, he will be a solid contributor. If not healthy, he will ultimately be a waste.

Whatever the management deems best is fine with me, but I’d be for keeping Hart around a little longer. The kid is special.

by coltsfanawalt on Sep 4, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have two questions.

1) Where and how did I glorify Lance Ball?

2) What makes Mike Hart so special?

by KingRichard on Sep 4, 2009 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where did I say you glorified Ball?

I do recall you expressing this sentiment before this post, but I could be wrong. However, you say here that you prefer Ball. I see nothing he’s done more special. Hart has looked better in meaningless games, and he’s had at least two meaningful plays, which both looked good. It’s opinion, but yours is harsh on the people who like Hart.

I used the word clamor, because you did first. I am not a Wolverines fan, but my family is. Even I admit that Hart was a special player and person for their team. While that won’t necessarily translate to the NFL, Hart showed flashes of that preseason, then on those two plays. He was exciting like many guys are to all of us based on their preseason showings and potential.

I believe Hart came to the NFL with more perceived upside than Ball, and that’s with the concern that he’d be too small for the NFL. I do think that Hart’s smaller size will cause his ability and heart to be overlooked. Good for us, now we have him. Yes, he’s special. I don’t want to forget that in one year.

Again, if Colts management doesn’t think so, I’ll roll with their expertise. But I think he should and will be kept over Ball if it comes down to it.

by coltsfanawalt on Sep 4, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You didn’t specifically say that I was glorifying Ball, but you implied that I was somehow hyping him up because of that Titans game, which you mentioned, not me. I’m not claiming that Ball is better than Hart, in fact I think Hart is a better player.

I find it funny that anytime you and I have a disagreement you seem to always know I said something in the past but don’t necessarily believe it with enough conviction why is why you always say “but I could be wrong.” In this instance, you are absolutely wrong.

The only reason I prefer ball right now is because he’s healthy, and Hart isn’t. Hart is just like Addai in that they are both injury prone. Despite his awesomeness on the field, constantly being injured doesn’t help the Colts out at all. I would rather have someone on my roster who is able and willing to play as opposed to some guy who has a lot of promise but can never make it onto the field.

You are correct on one point, Ball hasn’t done anything “special” except show up and play when asked, but at the same time neither has Hart. Ball hasn’t been able to play with the first team offense because there’s two #1 draft picks taking up the top two roster spots. I don’t see how you can justify using that against him as to why he shouldn’t make the roster and Hart should. So your claim that Hart is somehow special because you said so doesn’t make sense to me.

by KingRichard on Sep 4, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Hart

but agree with the comments about keeping Ball over Hart if it comes down to 2 players and only 1 position because Hart can’t stay healthy.

Everyone always used to gush over Roy Hall because he had size and allegedly had skills to be a great “big” threat for the offense. Most people shrugged off his injuries because they were “freak accidents” and his potential upside far outweighed the costs of keeping him. The Colts finally wised up to it and determined that all of his potential and stats meant nothing since he was always getting injured in one way or the other.

Same goes for Hart. I loved it when we drafted him. I thought he would play so hard and is exactly the type of back we needed. Unfortunately he was injured in one of, if not his first game and then he continued to get injured in several different ways this preseason. I have learned the lesson of Roy Hall and sitting starters in week 17. I say Ball should stay.

"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"

by AceOfSpades on Sep 4, 2009 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's why I usually don't respond to you.

A waste of breath. Look, you jumped on this whole thing first by disagreeing with bamock. I disagreed with you. You exaggerate my disagreement and make this into this waste. As I said before, I’m pretty sure you have said this before now on Ball. I know I could look everything up, I’ve done it before. But it just ain’t that important to me. If you insist that you haven’t, I’m fine with that assertion.

Point at hand, you expressed a dissenting viewpoint here to the fanpost, and I did so to yours. Big deal. You say I’m trying to use some weak and inconsistent logic that Hart deserves it but Ball doesn’t, but the opposite is true. That’s what YOU did, my friend. I pointed out that Ball has done nothing more meaningful than Hart on the field, so your logic was wack. How you turn that on me is either ignorance or an attempt at crafty debate technique. Either way, both of us are now making the point that neither has done great things in meaningful games yet to make our case. Thus this is all our opinion.

The assertion that Hart has proven to be an injury disaster for the Colts is premature. He had one injury, and that’s what we’re still dealing with. Don’t forget (anybody rational reading this) that we were way more buzzed about what Hart showed us in meaningless games than we’ve been about Ball. Even the two regular season touches by Hart were exciting, but the unfortunate injury was a year long one. Still shaking that off, don’t know how that makes him injury prone. Did you see the play? Just bad fortune for an exciting guy. And more bad fortune that all his former fans forget him so soon because of that one tough injury. This isn’t Roy Hall yet, with various injuries over three different years with us. It’s one Colts injury, and he’s recovering. And he looked great.

If he proves to be injury prone, I’m for cutting him. I just don’t see that yet, and I think he’s looked good when healthy. Again, for the third time I will try to make this palatable by saying I support the team if they feel he’s not the answer. Their opinion means more to me than mine. But just go ahead and keep this going. We disagree on something. Big deal. Nothing new.

Here’s the nutshell. Bamock says Hart over Ball. You express disagreement and give your reasons. I express disagreement with you back and give my reasons. You make it personal and inflammatory. Same story. It’s why I thought about it before even responding to you at all in the beginning. I should have listened to myself, it’s the usual waste of time . I will remember better next time. Good day.

by coltsfanawalt on Sep 4, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One thing about Hart.

If Hart is finished, it would be because the injury he experienced is never fully recovered from. Sometimes a player never comes back to where they were, but often they do. Time will tell, but I hope Hart comes back from it completely. I love what he could bring to this team in his constant ability to pick up the extra couple of tough yards. It’s smash mouth nd fun to watch.

by coltsfanawalt on Sep 4, 2009 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have to agree with KR on this one.

I’d rather have a 3rd RB who will be able to play than have one that is sitting out because of one injury or another. Its better to have someone who will be available just in case.

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

by peytonsthebest on Sep 4, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree to Disagree

by coltsfanawalt on Sep 4, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

for not throwing a wall of text at me. =-)

Look, I like Hart, I really do. And I hope I’m wrong. However, so far, he hasn’t been able to play. If we’re oly going to carry 3RBs, I’d rather have one that doesn’t have a history of injury. One that has a higher of probabilty of actually being available if needed. I hope Hart’s injury is something he can shake off. But the odds are that Joe, or even Donald for that matter, are going to miss a game or two during the season. What good does it do to cut Ball when he’s shown he’s decent and healthy when Hart has shown he’s really good but may not be healthy?

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

by peytonsthebest on Sep 4, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Hart on the injured list right now?

My impression is he’s back. He’s off the PUP, and he will start the season immediately (on the bench, of course). So if that’s the case, it just comes down to who is better as a backup. I say Hart, hands down.

Again, we’ll see. I will trust Polian either way.

by coltsfanawalt on Sep 4, 2009 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt Hart is the better player, but if he is not healthy right now the decision is going to be hard unless they plan on keeping 4 RBs. I would rather keep Hart if they were both healthy, but if he can’t stay healthy that changes things.

"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"

by AceOfSpades on Sep 5, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have to agree with KR on this one.

I’d rather have a 3rd RB who will be able to play than have one that is sitting out because of one injury or another. Its better to have someone who will be available just in case.

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

by peytonsthebest on Sep 4, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree to Disagree

by coltsfanawalt on Sep 4, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I pretty much agree with your picks

Colts/Pacers/Irish/Hoosiers/Whitesox/Blackhawks/MMA thats it!!!!!

by irishjosh on Sep 4, 2009 11:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Perfect

The front office should offer Sorgi a contract on the team as an Assistant QB Coach, keeping him in the NFL, giving him the opportunity to make a long career at what he does best (clip-board holding, game analyzing, the cerebral aspects of the game). It may be in his best interest to retire before taking on this role, allowing him to come out of retirement, should something terrible happen. Out of the ordinary? You bet. Best option? In my humble opinion, it is.

I don’t remember who said this first, but from the moment I read it for the first time I was on board. Sorgi’s impact on this team if he was needed would only marginally be better than Painter, and Painter is a rookie. Sorgi should be kept in house, but has very little usefullness on this team. I would keep Painter over Sorgi also, but don’t want anyone signing Sorgi just to try to get info about the offense.

"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"

by AceOfSpades on Sep 4, 2009 2:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sorgi's knowledge

If someone wanted info on the Colts offense all they would need to do is sneak a camera to the sidelines and …

I believe that Sorgi spilling the beans on the offense is overrated. There are years of video for teams to look at in that regard and other former QBs to accomplish this. Josh Betts, for instance, was on the practice squad for two years, what would keep someone from hiring him as a consultant to divulge what he knows. I understand what you guys are getting at, but I just think teams already have those avenues to explore and probably have. So to me its a talent decision, not a fear decision.

by GonzoBlue on Sep 4, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If it came down to talent and potential only

I would rather keep Painter than Sorgi.

"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"

by AceOfSpades on Sep 5, 2009 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tauilili won’t clear waivers, colts got him over several others who made offers; i think this is the biggest reason he will get the final spot over humber.

don’t think it will matter though since i think we will likely pick up a MLB on waivers.

by SpammyM on Sep 5, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You were awfully close there.

Good job!

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: This is how I fell in love with Family Guy. Only 1 question: Where did he get the flamethrower?

by Cassieper on Sep 6, 2009 12:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs