Austin Collie To IR, Colts To Sign Veteran Safety Tweets Jim Irsay

by Collin McCollough on Dec 21, 2010 11:05 PM EST in 2010 Colts News

There are a couple details emerging tonight that shouldn't surprise anyone who has read Stampede Blue over the past few days.

Austin Collie will likely be placed on season-ending injured reserve, and the Colts will use that roster spot to sign a veteran safety. This according to Jim Irsay himself:

Austin doing well,needs long rest;signing veteran safety;roster moves and updates coming soon...raaaaaaiders week might involve monsoons!

And re-affirmed by Colts Insider Dan Graham:

Austin to IR, vet safety signed details coming..

Don't be surprised if the Colts actually sign a few players. Reports peg injured safety Al Aflava with a high ankle sprain and I doubt the Colts keep his roster spot occupied for three or four weeks if he cannot contribute. We have not yet heard the extent of Mike Newton's neck injury, but again, the possibility of signing multiple players certainly exists. Irsay's specification of "veteran safety" narrows the list a bit, too. DaJuan Morgan?

The conversation over the next few days will undoubtedly steer toward "Life After Collie" and it's certainly a topic ripe for discussion. Personally, I think the Colts should look to re-establish the run game in his absence. The Colts are getting healthier at RB, with Joseph Addai and Mike Hart allegedly set to return by the end of the season, and eventually they could establish some nice depth at the position. They may be ranked dead last in rushing yards per game, but most folks tend to forget that, when Addai and Hart were healthy, the Colts were a respectable running team. Addai was actually enjoying one of his better seasons.

Of course, the Colts were also running against nickel packages, and with Collie out, defenses will be less afraid to show standard formations and put that third linebacker on the field, a la the second half of last Sunday's game. Still, the run game theoretically should improve as the Colts continue forward, and I see the Colts' best chance of establishing any kind of offensive presence during this home stretch and hopefully progressing from there is by getting back to the run game.

The Colts will miss Collie, as will the fans. But I think we can agree this is in the best interest of Collie's long-term health. Indianapolis will need to get creative in his absence and find ways to make up for the loss of any true slot receiver (all due respect to Blair White, who is playing well for an UDFA WR but still, understandably, nowhere near Collie's level) to work the middle of the field and keep defenses in DB-heavy packages.

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Good to see that they did it.

I know winning this season is very, very important. But there is no destroying a important part of the team to do it

by colt29 on Dec 21, 2010 11:14 PM EST reply actions

This hurts not because the Colts need him but because we love to watch him play. Can't wait to see you next year Austin!

by nickfromnaptown on Dec 22, 2010 1:25 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

well said

by DevilsReject on Dec 22, 2010 1:51 AM EST up reply actions

Here, here

by Yougotme on Dec 22, 2010 2:23 AM EST up reply actions

I'm glad the put him on IR

No players life is worth winning football games. I would rather deal with an 0-16 Season than have somebodies life dramatically change for the worse because he played when he shouldn’t of.

Get well soon Collie! Can’t wait til next year to see you play!

by parcel621 on Dec 22, 2010 2:14 AM EST reply actions

Damn

Collie really was the difference between night and day to the Colts offense.

In his absence, the Colts O is just NOT dynamic. It trudges along, trips over itself and underwhelms.

Let’s be honest, the running game will not step up throughout the entirety of the playoffs. Not with this offensive line and not against the better defenses of the AFCs elite teams.

Throw in the injuries to the other positions on the field and you have a team that will LIKELY fight, scrap, and claw its way into the playoffs against two mediocre/sub-excellent teams, and could even take a win in the wildcard round in a hard fought grind of a game at home against a low seed.

But lets not kid ourselves, with the offense as we know it without Collie and with this years atrocious defense and complete lack of run game against playoff caliber teams, the Colts will get waxed in the divisional round by whoever we play. Peyton MIGHT shoulder the team and keep it close in a heroic battle but he can’t do it by himself. With all that’s happened this year, it just isn’t in the cards. Let’s hope to a solid, entertaining end to the season and a long, restful offseason to get guys healthy and maybe JUST maybe get Polian to do his fucking job and solidify the necessary positions for next years roster.

Still love the Colts, they’re a scrappy bunch, but they’ve have had A TON of things go against them this year. You can only do so much with the kind of luck this team has had recently. No worries though I think they will bounce back strong next year and reclaim their dominance in the AFC WHOOP!

by ColtsAllTheWay on Dec 22, 2010 2:24 AM EST reply actions

I was hoping against hope

That I would not see this headline on Sb but here it is. Hope he gets better and more importantly decide that he still wants to continue playing football. And the Colts better spring for that anti-concussion helmet.

"Lomu's the Brent Spar with attitude. A figure who inspires hero worship among even those who think a fly-half is a glass of beer consumed when 'er indoors is looking the other way." - Robert Philip Daily

by rangerover76 on Dec 22, 2010 2:42 AM EST reply actions

Collie is important

To the long term success of our team. I love Pierre Garcon, but something about the way he celebrates a good catch makes me think he’s full of himself and will test free agency when it comes time to resign him. Colts WRs benefit from our pass first system, so I’m sure other teams would see his stats and be more willing to pay him big money.

Collie seems like more of a Marvin Harrison kind of guy. I’m curious as to how much more likely he is to get concussions now that he’s had 2 (and a half?) In such a short time. But as curious as I am, I don’t want to do the research on my cell phone. Where’s LovinBlue when you need her?

I still have faith. Blair White can get the job done. He just needs more time with the first team offense…and now that Collie is done for the year, Peyton will surely give him extra attention.

Go Colts!

by AbroadColtsFan on Dec 22, 2010 3:02 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I see the Colts signing a vet receiver soon

Taj Smith is still very raw and a bit of a one trick pony (go route). Insurance is needed since WR depth is very thin now

by metal_militia on Dec 22, 2010 3:44 AM EST reply actions

Blame Manning

In a way I have to blame Manning and the overall offense for the design of this route. Collie run full speed up the field while he is looking back at Manning waiting for him to throw a kill ball over the middle. I think that route is the most dangerous route that is run in the Colts offense and Manning called for Collie to run it and should have know better. I put 90% of this on Manning.

by BLEED_BLUE on Dec 22, 2010 6:17 AM EST reply actions

Give me a break!

Its part of the offense…putting it on Manning is rediculous. What you are saying is that now Manning not only has to run the offense, but decide which players are healthy enough to run certain plays…jeez

"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 Dec 22, 2010 6:22 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Still putting the blame on 18

The thing is I see Peyton more and more leaving his WR’s defenseless and get killed and I watch Brady throw to 150lb short guys low injury risk passes and never get killed like Collie has been.

What is with the constant misspelling of ridiculous on this website??

by BLEED_BLUE on Dec 22, 2010 8:28 AM EST up reply actions

The spelling of ridiculous...

is no more rediculous than your comments putting the blame on Manning…just sayin….grammer nazi.

by TRDean on Dec 22, 2010 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

Blame the O Line for the difference in plays

between Brady and Peyton…

Peyton has absolutely NO TIME. Brady could blow-dry his hair before throwing the ball with the O Line he has.

And I agree with TRDean…if a player can’t run every route and is not capable (because of injury) to make every play he shouldn’t be out there to begin with.

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

by peytonsthebest on Dec 22, 2010 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

disagree

Peyton can’t be held liable. This route gets ran and thrown to at least 5 times a game. Your allegation is proposterous.

by AbroadColtsFan on Dec 22, 2010 8:27 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

SO.....

The route gets run correct…BUT it is the QB’s job not to leave the WR out to dry…Maybe I am just mad at all the injuries this year and just in a overall bad mood because I put atleast 2 losses on 18.

BTW I think the Raiders are going to be a lot tougher than the Jags

by BLEED_BLUE on Dec 22, 2010 8:46 AM EST up reply actions

Rediculous

cannot blame Peyton for trying to make a play if he had to worry about how the reciever was going to be hit he would not be able to make any plays just some bad luck,, would like to see Garcon in teh slot get him the ball and let him run and Blair White getting beter each game and he has great hands!!!!

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 22, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions

How are the Raiders going to be tougher than the Jags?

Top divisional opponent > 7-7 AFC West bottom feeder
Garrard > Campbell
MJD > McFadden
Playing for a division championship > playing for a slim chance to maybe get a spot as a wild card

The toughest part of this game is traveling out to the West Coast to play in an opened air stadium where it has been raining for 7 days straight and looks like it will continue to rain for the next 4-5.

by jegcelticfc on Dec 22, 2010 4:17 PM EST up reply actions

Go get someone to hug you, man...

…Injuries are injuries, and negativity does not help. Clearly, injuries are not good, but lesser teams hit with the same degree of the injury-bug as the Colts would have folded by now. Notwithstanding all the personnel losses, Indy STILL controls its own destiny.

Even if we do not win the South, there remains much to be proud of with this team.

If at first you don't succeed, quit and watch TV.
In the name of the Colts, the Hoosiers, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Amen.

by The Learned Hand on Dec 22, 2010 8:54 AM EST up reply actions

agree, 100%

if you don’t think manning is part of the reason for collie’s injury you do not understand football!!

there was no reason to try to squeeze that pass in between 3 defenders over the middle, no reason at all. we were controlling the game, could have easily ran the ball down the field, or picked the helpless jags defense apart by throwing 5-yard outs and dump passes to tamme. why not limit collie to quick slants, fades and v-outs? try to keep the guy healthy for god’s sake.

i guarantee manning feels that this is his fault, and he should because it is.
go colts, go blair white and lets just hope Garcon can catch the ball over the middle.

W. Morton

by wmorton2 on Dec 22, 2010 10:44 AM EST up reply actions

you guys are wrong

he amde the catch a great throw , we have all seen a similar play and the defenders miss the receiver just too bad the guy didn’t break his arm on Collie’s helmit

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 22, 2010 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

you can blame collie in some sense

prior to that play he dropped an easy pass that would have made it third and short thus averting that third and long. It was just an unfortunate play

by metal_militia on Dec 22, 2010 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry to hear this, seriously

As a football fan, Collie is a pleasure to watch… as long as he’s not carving up my team’s D, that is. I’m glad to see the Colts’ organization taking this issue seriously. Concussions are nothing to take lightly.

Reality is a matter of opinion.

by MaPatsFan on Dec 22, 2010 9:18 AM EST reply actions

Plaxico?

I was going over the list of Free Agents that are unsigned at WR and one name stood out….Plaxico Burress. I know the guy is a head case and doesn’t have much concept of “team” but I bet he would play his ass off and we could insert him in just some basic packages and let him run simple routes. I know the Colts aren’t big on FA WR’s but he would be a hell of a target in the endzone!
What do you all think?

by LickerdKickr on Dec 22, 2010 9:19 AM EST reply actions

Upon further review....

Disproved my own statement when I found out that he was still in jail. Nevermind.

by LickerdKickr on Dec 22, 2010 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

In jail

on a BS crime on top of that!

by ColtsAllTheWay on Dec 22, 2010 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

Free agents?

I’m still interested to see how James Hardy is doing. The Bills dropped him after he struggled with injuries. Supposedly, he’s 100% now and still isn’t playing. To see a 2nd round pick (who was picked a few spots over Desean Jackson) with his size would be a nice difference opposite Reggie Wayne. I’m sure Manning would love his size when we get in the red zone too.

Just a thought..

by MReprogle on Dec 22, 2010 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

Taj at WR, Garcon in the slot?

Like Metal said, Taj is a bit of a one trick pony. But if that trick stretches the D and puts the nickle CB on Garcon, it would be pretty good.

Tamme in the slot is a waste, they cover him with any LB and double our wides.

by smonroe on Dec 22, 2010 9:45 AM EST reply actions

as long as Taj can hang on to the ball

he is fast and deserves a shot cause of his great special teams play but he needs to stay on special teams no matter what else happens,, he is on a special teams roll!!!!!

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 22, 2010 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

Does this mean

that there will be nine million posts about how we have absolutely no chance to make the playoffs. And if we do (which we won’t, because there is no chance) make the playoffs, that we can’t win because there is no chance? Just asking.

by tim55 on Dec 22, 2010 11:14 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

We always have a chance.

The chances just went down substantially, that’s all. Look at the difference against J-ville with Collie in the game, versus him out? They can still do it though, especially, if defense pulls its weight.

by Ayrshire on Dec 22, 2010 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Yes, but keep in mind that he was thrown to 10 times while he was in. It’s obvious that our gameplan was revolved around Collie, so once he got hurt, we were forced to go to plan B,.

by MReprogle on Dec 22, 2010 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

We are going to miss Collie, but this is the right thing to do.

Thank you Austin for a good year, get the rest and we look forward to you being in the Pro-Bowl next year.

Back when I was picking beans in Guatemala, we used to make fresh coffee, right off the trees I mean. That was good. This is shit but, hey, I'm in a police station.

by TouchdownColts on Dec 22, 2010 11:27 AM EST reply actions

Ken Hamlin

Ken Hamlin, veteran safety, was signed by the Colts

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=d683acfe-72ef-424a-95a7-2452d7e99bfe

by chad72 on Dec 22, 2010 11:46 AM EST reply actions

Correct move to IR Collie

I just hope he completely recovers & can play again. He has a family to take care of and it’s not worth the risk if doctors predict he has good chance of having more concussions.
Merril Hoge said for 2 years after his career was over, that his wife could drop him off 2 blocks from his house & he couldn’t find his way home. 2 full years until he fully recovered…Food for thought.

by Rick Z on Dec 22, 2010 1:35 PM EST reply actions