The roster/ after I slept on it/ the duality of depth
by naptown_ninja on Sep 5, 2010 9:28 AM EDT
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You can look at depth as insurance against injuries, or as investment in the future of the team. Of course, those are two sides of the same coin, but it can appear to be one more than the other sometimes. Our cup runneth over with defensive linemen and Linebackers right now. This is serious depth. Polian and Co. went where the draft took them: they didn't reach for O linemen who didn't fit their scheme. Instead they loaded up on young defensive talent, because it was there in abundance (except for safety-men, I guess).
The upgrades to the O line appear minimal, but are probably more substantial than we give the front office credit for. Linkenbach, McClendon, Thomas, Richard, and Eldridge could potentially develop (over the next couple of years or sooner) beyond the guys they are presently backing up. This season the Colts will basically ride an O line identical to the one that took them to the superbowl (minus Lilja who had a less-than-stellar post season last year) last year. Can they get R done again in 2010? Why not? The running game (YPC-wise over 4, I think) didn't look so bad in the preseason and could indicate a regular season improvement. I fervently hope, though, that next year's draft will yield some decent OTs.
I was bummed to see Blair White and Brandon James not make the team after the game they had against Cincy. The only way I can interpret that is that the Colts are happy with the offensive weapons they have. Can that be? Eldridge and Moore are the only ball catcher/ runners that made the team. This is the head-scratcher of the year for me. All in all I like the roster. I think I will like it better when some of the guys I was rooting for get signed to the practice squad. GO COLTS!
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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Eldridge and Moore are the only *NEW* ball-catcher/runners that made the team
I wasn’t looking for a whole passel of new ball-carriers, just one return specialist. Like you, I’m trying to be sanguine about the Oline (rhyme unintended). I think they can improve internally with the right coaching, and McClendon missed half or more of camp due to injury, so time will tell. They kept 10, more than last year, so they must think they’re worth the spot.
I’d be shocked if one or more of the last three slots on the PS isn’t filled by Olinemen.
"To be a great football coach, you have to be smart enough to do it well, and dumb enough to think it's important." -- Can't remember whom I am paraphrasing.
The cut down
made me realize all at once how few jobs were actually open on this team. I wasn’t looking for new receivers and RBs either. I guess I was surprised at how little turnover there has been this off season. With regards to the O line: Last year I think the Colts expected their draft picks to find another gear. This year they hoped to find a few more guys who HAD another gear at all.
…Oh well. It’s been a helluva an offseason. Less than a week to go! It’s safe to say I will have a hard time focusing this week. It’ll be nice to start talking about matchups and games and records. Our stats nerds will have something meaningful to analyze for the first time in a while. Football season is my favorite season
"We ARE going to our own private island, Chris: it's called the State Fucking Fair!"
by naptown_ninja on Sep 6, 2010 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions
Wait! This stat nerd isn't done analyzing the roster yet!
by my count 12/53 spots went to guys not with the colts last year — that 22..64% turnover. The previous year there were 16 new peeps, for 30.19% turnover.
So it was a relatively conservative offseason for the Colts, but still, more than one out of five guys is new! New blood includes 8 rookies, including 6/7 draft pics and 2 undrafted rooks, and two 1st year players resurrecting their careers with the Colts after being cast off elsewhere (Devin Moore & Mitch King). Overall the colts roster has 34 of our own draft picks and 11 that were our original undrafted rookies. There’s only 1 unrestricted FA (Vinatieri), 1 waiver wire pick up (Muir), and 1 trade acq (Tryon). The rest were street FAs. Pretty shrewd, pretty darn shrewd.
oh, and the practice squad got another WR in Alric Arnett and just 1 OL, Xavier Fulton, but at least he’s a Tackle.
"To be a great football coach, you have to be smart enough to do it well, and dumb enough to think it's important." -- Can't remember whom I am paraphrasing.
I like the Fulton pickup... and the stats nerds
I’m just glad someone else crunches the #s and interperets the piecharts. Shrewd says it all. Polian makes sure Irsay gets his money’s worth. Curious: how does that 22.64% turnover rate compare with other NFL teams?
"We ARE going to our own private island, Chris: it's called the State Fucking Fair!"
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