2010 Colts Training Camp: How important was the Blue v. White scrimmage?

by Brad Wells on Aug 8, 2010 11:23 AM EDT in 2010 Colts Training Camp

Mock game situations events like the annual Blue v. White scrimmage can often be the difference between one player earning a roster spot and another cleaning out his dorm room. Don't take my word on that (because I'm not there). Instead, take Jim Caldwell's. When discussing one of his keys for the scrimmage and for this weekend, Caldwell said:

We’re always looking in evaluating. There’s some guys at some key positions, some young guys, that got to come along. They’ve got to start to play better. And so we’ll be doing a real, hard, cold assessment of a number of guys this weekend.

What this means is while players have today off (many of whom went back to Indianapolis to hang out), the Colts coaches are in the film room looking over tape of the scrimmage and other practices. After the jump, we talk about the players who should be sweating.

Obviously, since we haven't seen any Colts pre-season games yet, it's hard to really know who will make the final 53 and who will get cut. But, right now, we've got a decent idea as to who falls into the category of "young guys that got to come along." Unless these players do something, anything, in practices or pre-season, they will not make the final 53 man roster.

Ray Fisher, CB

Where is this guy? Since camp opened, I've read more reports listing him as sitting out from practices than anyone else other than Clint Session. Is he hurt? If he is, it's not on the injury sheet. Even when he does practice, I'm not seeing anything that makes him stand out. Also, almost every single special teams report I've gotten I have not seen Fisher listed as a consistent returner on punts and kicks. Hell, I think I've seen Anthony Gonzalez's name more in that area than Fisher's, and returning punts and kicks is THE reason fisher was drafted. With Deshea Townsend now in the fold, Fisher better start making something happen as a DB. Otherwise, there will be no reason to keep him on the roster come September.

Vuna Tuihalamaka, LB

The kid we nick-named "The Flying Death Squirrel" before he chopped off all his hair has not turned heads at camp. Haven't heard anyone mention his name in any camp report. He's working with the third string defense, which means he will get cut in September unless he impresses someone. Right now, Ramon Humber is the back-up SAM linebacker. If Vuna wants to make the team, he needs to supplant Humber. That won't be easy. Humber is a good special teams player.

Andy Alleman, OG

My opinion of Alleman has not changed since he tweaked his back during Friday's practice. Injured or not, the guy is done. The Colts were using him as the third string center on Thursday night, and he was dreadful. The only way this guy can possibly keep a job here is if Charlie Johnson's sprained foot is worse than we currently know. Right now, the guards for this club are Tony Ugoh, Kyle DeVan, Mike Pollak, and Jamey Richard. Jacques McClendon has been moved from guard to center. If Charlie is out for a while, then maybe the Colts will keep Alleman due to the need to slide Ugoh back over to left tackle. But, right now, that's doubtful. Alleman might be one of the very first cuts this the team needs to make. Also in the same boat with Alleman is Jaimie Thomas. Like Alleman, Thomas is a guard. Also like Alleman, he hasn't done anything in camp so far to warrant further employment with the Colts.

Javarris James, RB

Edgerrin James' baby cousin hasn't looked "bad" in camp, but on a team with three firmly entrenched running backs in Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, and Mike Hart (along with special teams skat back Brandon James), not looking "bad" is not enough to warrant a roster spot. Javarris offers little as a return man, which means he needs to prove his mettle as a short yardage back. So far, other than getting lit up by Bob Sanders in the Thursday night practice, Javarris hasn't done enough to make Mike Hart start looking over his shoulder. Javarris seems more like a practice squad type of player. If he wants to make the final 53, he needs to start proving he has a nose for the end zone.

Tweet Comment 18 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Interesting to see Fisher fade

I went to an OTA practice earlier in the year and he stood out to me then. I hope Fisher comes around. We need guys at the CB position. I think Townsend was a smart pickup… but he’s SLOW. At least that’s what I’m led to believe by everyones training camp tweets. Maybe his “wiley-veteran” skills will make up the difference…

I was never that high on Vuna. I always thought that was Humber’s job to lose

"We ARE going to our own private island, Chris: it's called the State Fucking Fair!"

by naptown_ninja on Aug 8, 2010 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

Townsend

I will take slow but with a nose for the ball, in the correct position on the field, playmaking ability and not losing his shoes on a rookies pump fake any day of the week.

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Aug 8, 2010 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

especially in a scheme that'll have safety help over the top most of the time

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

"People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do." -Isaac Asimov

by shake n bake on Aug 8, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't Brandon James playing like a WR?

and he’s sucking at it…

GO COLTS!

by fpacheco on Aug 8, 2010 12:01 PM EDT reply actions

Heard nothing of the sort...

Don’t know what player you’re watching, but from everything that’s been reported, he is a lock to make the team as the return specialist and will get plenty of snaps with the first team, at least in preseason. He has had some rookie anxiety, particularly when playing with the first team, but his speed and agility are turning heads, and the team sees him as a real asset.

"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

by npb1985 on Aug 8, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't know why people are necessarily disagreeing with you...

I think it’s a good sign for B. James that he’s getting first team snaps. I don’t think it’s a definitive sign, though, and he HAS to catch the ball consistently to contribute on offense (camp reports would seem to suggest he is not doing well in this area.) The Colts don’t usually like employing a guy who solely acts as a returner.

Even as a returner, I’ve yet to see anything conclusive. If he’s really a lock, why is everyone and their mum returning kicks/punts? This is far more inconclusive than people think, and probably will be determined through preseason games.

by Collin McCollough on Aug 8, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

What about the new OT, Chris Marinelli (sp?)? Has anyone heard

how he’s looking in the practices?

by coltsfoot85 on Aug 8, 2010 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

I would suspect that he's learning the playbook

And getting very few snaps at the moment

by hoosierstudent on Aug 8, 2010 12:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

He's from Stanford

so it might take him a while

/Cal grad (and just kidding)

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Aug 8, 2010 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha

Ya also, Stanford has a terrible coach, who wasn’t a good quarterback, and didn’t play for a good team…. I suspect his learning curve will be a little slowed.

by hoosierstudent on Aug 9, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

There aren't enough people to tweet, write their observations.

With this coverage, it’s no wonder we don’t hear anything about Fisher, Tuihalamaka (and Thad Turner, David Caldwell, Brandon King, Lambert, Hemby…) What did we hear about the LBers anyway? Brackett has an INT, Glenn a PBU, Humber sniffed out a screen pass. That’s it. Where they are, we will only see in the preseason games.

Alleman should be cut. Javarris could be #3, because Hart has no special teams value.

by Ty46 on Aug 8, 2010 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed until...

“Hart has no special teams value.”

Are you kidding? I’m not a Hart homer like some fans, but he was a tremendous upback/blocker on special teams last year and has been improving in that area this offseason. No special teams value? That’s just an erroneous statement.

by Collin McCollough on Aug 8, 2010 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Thomas???????

I agree w HH. I had thomas penciled in as the backup to ugoh at lg. But just watchin the fan video on here I think he looks suspect. Will not make final 53. Did anyone else notice #64- tycantblokforshit. Omg. The left side of our line is hurtin if cj needs time. The college profile on most of our lineman says right side. If u can’t play LT. at cincy or fordham, How can u line up at LT for a yearly superbowl contender……Can u tell I’m worried abot CJ’s foot injury?

by tenaytiousd32 on Aug 8, 2010 3:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I agree

I was thinking about the hot seat over the past week. The cream is rising and the have nots are starting to get exposed. We are talking about a very talented and deep team in Indy this year. The Colts brass is especially looking at our OL and STs. Two areas that Mr. Polian clearly said would be addressed in the offseason and changes would be made.

I honestly didn’t expect much from Alleman, Vuna or James. I believe these guys were part of that group which is brought in to “push” other guys. However, I really think Ray Fisher can be a player if he can get his game together. I would not like to see him get cut.

I am very disappointed in Jamie Thomas’ lack of progress as well. I still think Ugoh and DeVan are lining up next to Saturday for week 1 in Houston.

by davis3217 on Aug 8, 2010 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

Decent list, but...

It’s way too early to make any definitive statements on anyone, looking at these comments. There is no way that any of you can know if Jaime Thomas sucks, etc.

Some of them are common sense. Vuna was always going to have a tough time beating out established special teams guys like Ramon Humber and Cody Glenn who also have decent upside at the LB position (Humber in particular, coaches have gushed over him.) Alleman was always going to be part of a crowded OL situation, James a crowded RB situation, etc.

One guy that, to me, really needs to start looking over his shoulder is Mike Pollak. It’s getting to that point where he’s going to have to show something to keep his roster spot. And every time you hear his name, it’s because someone else passed him on the depth chart. Pollak needs to show something, because coaches are going to start getting impatient with his lack of progress and it’s getting harder to justify a roster spot for a guy who continually gets passed up by underdog talent.

by Collin McCollough on Aug 8, 2010 4:57 PM EDT reply actions