John Oesher gets some good info from Bill Polian after the Bengals pre-season game
by Brad Wells on Sep 4, 2009 12:54 PM EDT
in Colts Analysis
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PrintIn his recent Coffee With the Colts article for examiner.com, John Oehser provides us with some very interesting quotes from the big redhead himself, Colts President Bill Polian. Polian's words provide lots of insight and intrigue into how the final roster will shake out on Saturday as the Colts cut down to 53 active players.
First and foremost, if you think the Colts don't care about pre-season overall, then know that they care even less about the final pre-season. Indeed, when you read Polian's quotes about the fourth pre-season game, it's clear that they could care less about the outcome of the fourth game:
"I have never taken any stock in the fourth preseason game other than to try to judge players, and to put players in positions where they absolutely have to perform against a team like the Bengals, who played their people two series and their seconds virtually the whole ballgame. You're looking for standard of performance and if you get it, great. If you don't, then move on."
...
"The fans should not be down about tonight's performance. Frankly, we expected it."
Evaluating players, in particular young players, is essential before finally making the key decisions that eventually shape the final roster. With that final roster, Polian made a strong suggestion that we might see some Colts drafted in past years get cut:
"We're not going to keep anybody because they were a draft choice," he said. "We're going to keep the guys who we think can win in the National Football League. That's the sole criteria. If you can't, then we'll figure out what to do from there. . . .
For me, that's a not-so-subtle suggestion that players like Dante Hughes, Steve Justice, and Freddy Keiaho might soon be unemployed. When you factor in Polian and Caldwell's recent comments complimenting players like Jacob Lacey and Kyle DeVan, it tends to suggest that players who were drafted in years past might not make the final roster. Also, a player like Jaimie Thomas might get cut as well, but eventually scooped up onto the practice squad.
The main point from Oehser's article and Polian's quotes is that the team president seems happy with the choices he has to make. This is a far cry from the volcanic Bill Polian we saw last year prior to cutdown day. We also know that the Colts will likely keep eight offensive linemen, eight defensive linemen, and five corners. Other highlights:
- Polian thinks the team is solid at corner
- There are some tough decisions regarding who will play safety
- Bob Sanders' health is a big question mark
- Polian loves Jim Sorgi and Curtis Painter
- Funny quote from Polian about John Matthews:
(Rookie WR John Matthews) has not yet learned he's not playing at the Division III level. He's not playing Azula Pacific, so the ball gets knocked out and things like that happen. But there are some positive things, too, there. He gets open and catches the ball. He never has played against anybody ay good as (Bengals CB) Morgan Trent and he got open.That's a plus.
- Colts will keep three running backs
- Polian gives Lance Ball high praise
- The Colts are watching the waiver wire closely Sunday, as all teams will do. Indy is way down on the waiver claim list. So, getting someone they might want to claim will be difficult. We may see a trade.
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I know you can never trust everything said in public
But based on Polian’s comments, I assume we’ll see Addai, Brown and Ball as the three RBs.
I also assume we’ll stick with just 2 QBs… just a hunch.
Also – just a small correction – it’s Azusa Pacific, not Azula Pacific (Oehser had it wrong). I grew up near the school.
How can you not love a team that does this?
Derrick Brooks
should still not be out of the question. He would be a HUGE upgrade over whoever is the WILL backup. Question is, would he sign as a backup??
Answer: Probably not.
"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"
Backup MIKE
is my biggest concern by far. We will see who is available from other teams once cuts are made, but Tauiliili needs more experience and I think Keiaho is a gonner.
However, I would be okay with Keiaho as backup WILL as I think he is the lesser of two evils when compared to Senn, who also is unable to wrap up and tackle.
Do the Colts employ a “tackling coach?” They should go ahead and hire someone. Average to below average tackling has been something I have rolled my eyes over for several years now.
"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"
Tackling
I started speculating last year, if LBs’ lack of tackling ability’s was a coaching problem. I wonder if they are taught to go for the big hit (with the chance of hitting nothing but a hole in the air) over simply wrapping up. It seems to be a general trend and LBs seem to forgot how to tackle when they come to this team.
LBs is always a big concern for me. This year joined with OL as biggest worry.
"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
Wrapping up
I agree with your comment about the big hit….it is the same thing I see out of the Safeties too. Sanders is a good tackler, but mostly when he goes for the knees and legs. I wish Bethea and Marlin were better wrap up tacklers but they generally go for the big hit too. Marlin is better than Bethea in my opinion but both could use some work.
It’s controversial, but in my opinion there may be a little too much emphasis placed on speed with this team and not enough emphasis on being smart football players or players will less speed but can make tackles in the open field without 2-3 other guys helping out.
"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"
The thing with Bob
He doesn’t miss the hit. That is why he is Bob Sanders.
I sometimes wonder if our LBs think they are Bob Sanders. They are not. It sometimes seems that they go for the hit that will get them in the highlight reel instead of just tackling. Can you tell, I don’t like our LB.
@speed over tackling. I think that might be the consequence of us insisting on drafting LBs no earlier than the 3rd round. That late, the speedy good tacklers are gone, since that is what every team want. The LB quality naturally falls throughout the rounds.
Size is not that important to me. I just want LBs who can cover AND tackle. That is lacking on our team. I had hoped Seward would be someone who could, that was what people said he could.
"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
Touche
Bob is Bob. He makes plays, that’s what we love about him. I will take Bullitt as his backup any day, too.
If we keep Freddy, I hope it is as backup WILL. He plays better in that spot. He is not a MIKE and never will be. IF they keep him, that leaves 1 possible spot open for Tauiliili or Humber. I actually like both of those guys more than Keiaho. I wish Humber got more action last game because I think he can be really good. He could even be a long term SS project because he has good ball skills.
"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"
+1,000,000
Do the Colts employ a "tackling coach?" They should go ahead and hire someone. Average to below average tackling has been something I have rolled my eyes over for several years now.
Taking Polian's words with a grain of salt
1) He has to say that will keep the best players, draft pick or not. That doesn’t mean he’ll cut draft picks. Historically he keeps his draft picks. I put more value in that.
2) If we keep only 2 QBs, Sorgi will get the spot based on things said in this article.
3) 3 RBs.
4) Santi is still a question mark. Sadly. I like him.
5) Okay we’re not carrying 10 OLs. I will cut one or two from my roster prediction.
6) He’s also playing with the thought of keeping as few as 8 DLs. Holy crap, that will mean a lot of good players cut.
7) Kyle De Van shows some leadership talents. He is definitely a keeper, possibly Saturday’s replacement.
8) Even at a point where his career is in question, Simpson has a sense of humor.
"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
8 DLs is a big risk
We have traditionally had around 10 DLs, 5 DEs and 5 DTs.
The least I can see us carrying is 9 DLs. I also disagree with those who think Foster does not bring to the table more than Dawson. IMO, he does. Dawson struggles with run containment as a DE and no way he makes the roster as a DT, his only chance is as a DE. Foster gives us more versatility as a more athletic FB than Darrell Reid plus can provide size and run containment at the DE position. Plus, he has played UT on passing downs just like Brock. If Brock’s contract becomes an issue down the road, Foster is the best replacement on hand that would cost lesser.
Dawson does not cut it as a DE or DT in this squad and with a run happy division like ours.
So I see 4 DEs – Freeney, Mathis, Brock and Howard and a minimum of 5 DTs – AJ, EJ, Taylor, Moala, Foster
Either Grady makes the squad or he makes the PS. I do not see anything lesser than 9 DLs, gives us enough fresh bodies plus enough bulk with Foster if anything were to happen to EJ or Moala.
Good comments
I agree with you about Foster. I think he would make it if it was between he and Dawson. However, I think Grady has played himself onto the team and I would like to keep him also, even if it meant reducing the roster in another area (3rd QB or 4th RB). DT is a position that gets a lot of work. If one of the starters was injured, we need someone to step in and take over and we finally have that this year. If Peyton goes down, having Sorgi AND Painter isn’t going to do us any good.
And RBs are a dime a dozen. We could find someone in the market if absolutely needed. I think 3 is enough.
"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"
I bet there'll be more linemen.
Look at the way those quotes are phrased.
“I’m sure we have eight O Linemen” – with Bill, that means there are 8 guys who are for sure on the squad right now. Same with DL and RB and everywhere else. This is very different from “we will only keep 8 O Linemen.”
They’ve got 8 of each for sure, and then how they fill slots 48-53 will depend on a whole lot of discussion. The coaches are very important here. Polian puts the players in camp, but the coaches decide who they want.
Can I say one thing real quick? Yes? Ok.
I hope, no pray, that this Danny Woodhead kid gets cut from the Jets and somehow we can pick him up. 5’6", 190 white RB from a Div II school(Chadron State?) who destroyed basically every relevant rushing record in the NCAA, besides Brian Westbrook’s all-purpose-yards record. Here’s his stat line from last night
18 Carries, 158 Yards, 8.8 YPC, 2 TDs.
1 Rec., 10 yards
This kid seems to be what we would want from a RB. And he is a big time underdog behind Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and 2nd round pick and Shake favorite Shonn Greene. I like it.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
+1 on the Danny Woodhead thing
He went to school not far from where I live, and I watched that Jets game last night. That kid is a football player I dont care if he is 5’-6"!
Dun nuh nuh nuhhhh!!!! Super Mathis
by hoosier in sodak on Sep 4, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Great find!
Didn’t know anything about this kid until I saw this comment. Excellent find!
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could he be a KR?
I always wanted a smallish, speedy guy with a chip on his shoulder to be a KR for this team. It has worked in the past….ex: Terrance Wilkins and the clone of Terrance Wilkins who I can’t remember his name.
"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"
Brad Pryatt?
It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.
Good Returners
Wow it has been awhile since the we have had a GOOD return man. We need someone like Hester or Sproles or Hall (a few years ago). Just please GOD someone that has a chance of takin it to the hole.
by TouchdownColts on Sep 4, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s why we all debated whether to take a guy like Harvin with that first pick. Was he still available for us? I don’t remember.
Anyways, we don’t HAVE to get 1st round talent to be a solid KR, but it would be nice for someone to step up. I thought Taj looked decent in his attempt against the Bengals. At least he attempted to make a play instead of running to the 15 or 16 and stuttering, then getting wiped out.
"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"
I thought...
Taj fumble a return attempt, but correct me if I’m wrong. I just do not feel comfortable with him as a return guy either. Maybe Powers? I don’t know.. And Harvin went 22nd to the Vikes, so he was gone but I felt we could of got someone in the later rounds or free agency or maybe waivers.
by TouchdownColts on Sep 4, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t remember if he did or not, but the bottom line is we don’t really have a guy that is solidly in as a kick returner. They kept trying different guys out and no one really stepped up. It’s sad really. I don’t mind the punt return situation for some reason, but kickoffs are going to be tough if we don’t find someone through waivers somehow.
"Put him on the board. Houshmazilli....got it. CHAMPIONSHIP!"
RBs
BP talking up Ball to me means nothing. Three years ago it was DeDe Dorsey. I happen to believe that Joe, Don, and Mike will be the three rbs kept and the practice squadder may come from elsewhere. A guy like Ian Johnson is not going to make it Minnesota’s crowd and he is a zone type runner with the type of intangibles that the Colts look for.
good memory
on Dorsey. And I like Johnson too. But I don’t think the team has any pressing need to get more RBs. It sucks enough that they might have to cut one of the ones they’ve got. Plus if the Vikes cut Johnson I bet someone else will take him first. The same is probably true of Woodhead, btw, especially with that stat line. Even with the guys they’ve got, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Jets keep him around anyway. Sometimes great talent dictates a roster shuffle to keep an extra player at one spot.
Don't know
Woodhead, would definitely be a popular jersey choice!
Too bad
He wears Alan Ameche’s number. Maybe he can take 20 after Hughes gets shown the door. I think that’s a nice RB number.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
KR/PR
Agreed. There has to be someone out there who is better than what is on the roster. Don’t know if Dexter Jackson has been claimed, but he returned a couple of punts for TD last year. If we are talking about Taj Smith possibly making the roster, I’d rather have the fifth WR be a dangerous returner. Its a luxry item, but sometimes every yard can be important.
What happened to Jeremy Gilchrist from Hampton...
He is a 5’9 guy with speed to burn…here is his analysis from NFL.com…Anyone know if he is on anyone’s roster, I think he was undrafted.
NFL.com says…
Analysis
Positives: Excellent straight-line speed and short-area quickness. Reaches top speed quickly when free off the line. Lines up in the slot, in motion and outside, but will likely be a slot receiver in the NFL. Makes difficult catches look easy, snatching the ball from the air. Has relatively long arms for his size. Very elusive after the catch, using fluid hips and quick steps to elude defenders. Should contribute as a punt returner because of his hands, quickness and an ability to make the first man miss.
Negatives: Short with a small build. Will struggle to fend off press coverage on the line. Will be tried on kickoff returns, but may lack the size teams prefer in that area. Loses concentration occasionally, hearing footsteps or trying to make a move before the catch. Not always crisp in his routes, and will round them off or look a bit lackadaisical if not the play’s first option. Generates a lot of his receiving yards after a short pass, utilizing his skills against a lower level of competition. Not much of a factor as a blocker mainly due from his lack of girth, not effort.
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