Colts take steps to improve o-line, sign former-Chiefs guard Andy Alleman
by BigBlueShoe on Mar 6, 2010 10:48 AM EST
in Colts News
35 comments
Bill Polian made it clear after Super Bowl 44 that the Colts offensive line was a big reason why the club does not have two Lombardi trophies in their glass case at West 56th Street. Veteran center Jeff Saturday kindly told Bill Polian he was wrong. Today, the Colts personnel staff took steps to fix an offensive line that is both good and terrible, depending upon who you talk to.
From our friends at Arrowhead Pride, the Colts have signed former Chiefs guard and center Andy Alleman.
Alleman is 6'4, 304 pounds and was drafted three years ago in the seventh third round by the Saints. He signed a three year contract with the Saints in 2007, but was cut during training camp in 2008. He was claimed off waivers by the Dolphins and then eventually traded to the Chiefs for an undisclosed draft pick in 2010. Alleman was a restricted free agent this off-season and the Chiefs did not tender him. Thus, the Colts could sign him.
Alleman is someone the Colts have had their eye on. They tried to claim him in late-August of last year, but were unsuccessful. When he was drafted, both he and the Saints were very hopeful he would work out. Obviously, it didn't. Here's a few paragraphs from a Times-Picayune article about the Saints drafting Alleman:
Alleman, who described himself as the "most athletic lineman in the country," was brimming with excitement and personality after a long wait on Saturday.
"I'm ready to go guys. Let's go. Whoo!" a fired-up Alleman said during a conference call from his home in Greentown. "Deuce McAllister, Reggie Bush. Let's go!"
"Andy Alleman's a player we had in two weeks ago," Saints Coach Sean Payton said. "He's a guy we feel is big and strong and powerful. A tough, smart guy. He's got good feet, he's athletic, he's physical. We think he can come in and compete. We feel real good about that."
Scouting reports say Alleman needs to develop more as a run-blocker. But he improved his stock at the NFL Combine in February, when he ran the 40-yard dash in an impressive 5.07 seconds. He also posted a 40-inch vertical leap and did 27 reps of 225 pounds.
The Colts are Alleman's fourth team in four seasons. He seems to have all the physical tools, and he fits what the Colts look for in an o-linemen (fast, athletic, not fat, quick feet, etc.).This kid will be new o-line coach Pete Metzelaars' first "project player." It will be interesting to see if "Metz" can develop this guy and turn him into a good player.
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Interesting
Doesn’t look good for Pollak.
"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."
-Mark Twain
Or Ugoh?
man, am really pulling for Tony to succeed.
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
They may still move Pollak to backup center.
I believe that is his original position.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In an exothermic reaction, heat is a product.
Thank you, Chem 116, for teaching me stuff I already learned in high school chemistry. I always enjoy having my time wasted.
Please do!
"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 Mar 6, 2010 11:09 AM EST up reply actions
That would make me really happy.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In an exothermic reaction, heat is a product.
Thank you, Chem 116, for teaching me stuff I already learned in high school chemistry. I always enjoy having my time wasted.
That would be AWESOME!
The Colts Offensive used to be all about Peyton and the offensive line; it’s time to bring the offensive line back to it’s 2006 form.
Teneo Haud Fines Finium (Know No Limits)
"Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure...Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." http://monkeybiziu.deviantart.com/art/A-Decade-of-Excellence-145239193-Helen Keller
by TheAlphaColt on Mar 7, 2010 12:47 AM EST up reply actions
So why was he available?
Being cut from a talent-laden squad like the Saints I can excuse, albeit reluctantly; maybe they were just stocked there already. Being traded by the ‘Phins I can understand because they have specific line requirements, and already have a stud lineman and some good supporting cast… plus I can see Parcells just not wanting an otherwise good player. But not being tendered by Kansas City?? I’m sorry, that alone, by itself is ringing alarm bells. Let alone in conjunction with the other two teams not wanting him.
Maybe ths is just an odd situation, and he’s a genuinely good lineman who’s just had lousy circumstances. But man… if the Chiefs – a team with clear interior offensive line needs – aren’t chasing you, then I’m sorry, there’s reason to be apprehensive.
------
"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."
He wasn't tendered,
so he’s cheap. And the Colts have been clearly courting him for a while. I doubt it will turn into anything, but this team at times has been held together by other people’s trash.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In an exothermic reaction, heat is a product.
Thank you, Chem 116, for teaching me stuff I already learned in high school chemistry. I always enjoy having my time wasted.
Not that there's anything wrong with that
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
I have no problem in signing cheap people
We can always cut him later.
He doesn’t make the team worse, while it doesn’t take much to be an improvement – at least improved depth.
"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
Yeah, you and Cass have good points
Regardless of the risk, you all are right: It’s not a lot of money lost if Indy had to part ways with him. So in a way, it’s worth the investment, simply because of the price. I can dig that.
I wonder if he’s got it in him to play special teams. It’d be nice to have just one adequate blocker. Then again, how fast could a 6’4", 305lb player be?
------
"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."
5.07 40 yard dash
It says in the post. I dunno.
"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
On not being retained by the Chiefs...
This is the same organization that cut Bernard Pollard, giftwrapping him for the Texans. The same organization that thinks Matt Cassle is worth $60 million. Not to say that I’m particularly high on Alleman, but I wouldn’t take decisions made by the Chiefs as the gold standard for wise football choices.
This probably is just to add depth
4 teams in 4 years? Not saying the guy can’t play, and seems to have a great motor, but I don’t know if this signing is going to, or is meant to, have Pollak, Ugoh, Devan, and Diem shaking in their cleats. Don’t see anything that suggests he is better than any one of them. Maybe he is, though, and this is definitely low risk, high reward type signing. Like the Chiefs fan said, maybe lightning strikes twice and this turns out to be Ryan Lilja part 2.
Yet, doubt this guy was signed to be the answer to our o-line woes. Still think we should go with C Brown (or someone similar) in Round 1 or give it up for Jared Gaither (unlikely) and then move CJ to right guard.
"A lot of times, Kenny, we have no idea what we're doing. But the DEFENSE doesn't know that we don't know what we're doing.....and that's next level." -Peyton Manning
Hmmmm
Interesting pickup for the Colts. It is no secret there they are looking to make changes on the O-line to improve the running game. I agree this move is probably only to add depth, but getting a former 3rd round pick is still a nice move. Plus, one more draft pick saved for another position!!!!!
I also want to remind everyone Kyle Devan was pretty much a rookie last year. This guy can still learn more about run blocking and solidify his starting position. I know Polian trashed the O-line after the Super Bowl, but they still did a fantastic job for most of the season. I would not be completely shocked if we see the same starting lineup as the Super Bowl for week 1.
LT – CJ
LG – Lilja
C – Saturday
RG – Devan
RT – Diem
La la, la la laaaaa
i can’t hear you!
/continues to imagine a completely revamped line that… you know… can move the ball
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
Diem
I would like to see them go after a LT in the draft if possible and move CJ to RT and get Diem the hell out of there.
I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
OR
Maybe Ugoh can step it up and take the LT job back so they can still move CJ to the right side and get Diem the hell out of there.
I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Diem might be able to move to RG.
Didn’t he used to be there?
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In an exothermic reaction, heat is a product.
Thank you, Chem 116, for teaching me stuff I already learned in high school chemistry. I always enjoy having my time wasted.
NOOOOO
I would rather Diem “make like a tree and get out of here” (Back to the Future)…
I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Diem sucks
"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
Does Polian Have a Weakness?
I usually have faith in BP. His picks for the offensive line have sometimes not worked out. I just hope that Alleman proves to be one that will genuinely adds some depth to the offense and improves the run game.
I'd say so (Polian Weakness)
Five O Linemen drafted in the last three year, two pretty high picks. No starters. Yeah, I’d say that’s a weakness.
Too stubborn
Need to make some changes in the return game too but for some reason they stood behind Simpson all year.
I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves, the Colts are just taking a flier and seeing if there might be something there
Similar deal with Cadogan. Maybe he sticks long enough to compete in camp.
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