Colts Round Out Their 2010 Practice Squad
by Brad Wells on Sep 6, 2010 1:49 PM EDT
in 2010 Colts News
Email
PrintPhil Wilson, who really did the yeoman's work this weekend updating the roster cuts and other signings, updates us via Twitter as to the Colts final three additions to their practice squad:
Email arrived about 15 minutes ago. #Colts have added WR Alric Arnett, DB Cornelius Brown and OT Xavier Fulton to fill out practice squad.
These three finish out the eight needed for the squad, which also includes players like Blair White, Tom Brandstater, and Brandon James. Unfortunately, players like Javarris James and Ray Fisher weren't retained, but on a team that features three pretty damn good backs along with several veterans in the secondary, that was hard to do.
After the jump, Phil Wilson gives us some interesting insight into Brandstater landing on the PS, and what this might mean for (yes, I'm saying his name) Curtis Painter.
Wilson via his Indy Star article:
I'm guessing if Brandstater improves and gets more of a mastery of the Colts' playbook, it's going to be more difficult for the team to justify keeping Curtis Painter as backup. Maybe they stick with Painter this season, but if the differences are obvious in practice for an entire season, well, you have to think they would give Brandstater his just due. I've heard a lot from fans who question this decision, justifiably so, based on the preseason numbers. But it's not like we're going to talk much more about it as the season gets rolling because Peyton Manning doesn't get hurt. And presuming Manning stays healthy, the backup isn't an issue. In this context, with 18 getting it done, backup QB is the most meaningless roster spot on this team.
Again, it was obvious Curtis Painter did not deserve the back-up quarterback spot. So, when you hear the Colts talking about players 'earning' their spot, please note that such statements are a load of bull. However, as Wilson states, this is all a moot point because 'Manning never gets hurt.' The back-up QB spot is a pretty useless position on this team, unless you value clipboard holding and grabbing Peyton some Gatorade as 'valuable.'
I guess if I could articulate what fans fear it is this silly concept that if Peyton goes down, the season is over. Um, no. It isn't. If Colts management truly has that mindset, Colts management should be replaced. Yes, I said it, and I think you agree.
Players like Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Bob Sanders, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Adam Vinatieri, Gary Brackett, and Kelvin Hayden were not given big money, tops-in-their-position contracts the last five years because they are dog meat. They are some of the best players in the entire league. Because of this, the team is most certainly not built around a 'Peyton or bust' mentality. If it is, then we have serious problems.
If Manning were to be lost for a significant chunk of time, it is unacceptable to simply 'concede' a season because he is not under center. This is the NFL, not the NBA or the MLB. Nothing is conceded here. Nothing. With the talent here in Indy, this group is absolutely a playoff team. Are they championship caliber without Manning? Hell no! But can they win the AFC South without him? Yes, especially if the back-up QB is not a complete waste.
Unfortunately, Curtis Painter is such a waste, which is why fans 'justifiably' have their fear. Personally, I do not believe the Colts brain trust has the 'Manning or bust' mentality. I have more faith in them than that. Too much money, and too much talent, is invested in other areas to suggest they even remotely dabble in such a mentality. The Colts are built around Manning, but that does not necessarily mean they cannot win without him. Other people might disagree, and that's fine.
They're wrong, but that's still fine none the less. Nobody's perfect.
In the end, if Painter has to come into a key game and help the Colts win, like all of you I'll be cheering him on and hoping for the best. However, I do have my practical side,and that side does not have a lot of faith in the Purdue alum.
OK, I'm done talking about Curtis Painter and practice squad players. The roster is set for Week One against the Texans. Time to get ready for some real football.
34 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Manning or bust is overly simplistic.
I don’t think that’s the mentality, but neither Painter nor Brandstater are winning the division unless Manning goes down late. I don’t care how good the other players are you are not going to win if you cannot score. If Manning goes down and we stick with Painter we’re dead. I don’t think the FO does that, though. Like most here, I think we’d grab a vet if it happened. Garcia is available and has shown he doesn’t mind coming in to help. Warner is too. Would he come out of retirement? Maybe, it would be a shot at the SB again.
So I’m not sure they feel Manning or bust, but it seems like it right now. However, there’s no way to tell until the unthinkable happens.
Neither of them are probably winning a game
If Manning goes down, never mind the division.
I suspect Brandstater needs a season to learn the complexities of the Colts system. I think he was brought in as essentially a warm body, but his play compared to Painter has given the Colts pause. If he can learn the system and outgun Painter again next pre-season, those fans who want Painter taken out the back and shot might finally get their wish.
by eltharion_doa on Sep 6, 2010 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe Peyton has a history of not getting hurt,
but anything is possible in the NFL. And, if Peyton misses a few games due to a minor injury, it would be nice to know that there is a shot a winning the Manning-less games with the back-up quarterback. I don’t see a shot at winning a game with Painter. Besides, the Colts, at some point, need to start thinking about who is going to replace Manning. I’d like Manning’s eventual replacement to be a solid back-up like Brandstater (someone smart with natural ability) who would have the benefit of learning from the best….so, in essense, our next QB would be Peyton-like. I’m a couple years premature here. Obviously, I never want Manning to retire.
Im curious why we picked up another wideout?
With the 4 best wideouts in football, and the practice squad additions of Brandon James and Blair White, WR seems like the last position to fill a PS spot. What does this kid bring to the table that we don’t already have? It’s a great position to be in when the biggest complaint you have is your back up QB, PR/KR and who is on the practice squad. Thank you Jim Irsay, Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
by whardiek on Sep 6, 2010 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I'd assume for ST reasons.
53% of statistics are made up on the spot.
well, Arnett's tall. 6'2" just like Blair White
"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.
BS
I hope you really don’t believe that BS you just wrote.
I don't think it's BS
It is unfortunate we didn’t retain J. James.
Context matters.
Xavier Fulton
I find it interesting that Ron Tuner, the current colts WR’s coach, recruited Fulton to play for his Fighting Illini team. Most interesting was that Fulton was a stud defensive prospect and recruited to play D-line when Turner was the coach and after an injury Fulton was switched to O-line. Being that Polian is looking to beef up the O-line, is a 6’5 300 pound Fulton slated to practice and develop as an OT, shift to OG or does Turner convince the Colts that he can be a stout DT. I doubt anybody has insight into this but the Colts need to have quality OT’s for the remainder of Peyton’s career and aside from Linkenbach and Ugoh, I want to know where the future of our tackle position stands.. Thanks for the PS updates BBS and team!
The future of the OT positions stands in next year's draft.
Ugoh and Charlie will be UFAs and Diem will cost too much for his declining play..
Agreed
It’s quite frustrating. You have the best QB in the history of the NFL and you surround him with fantastic skill position players but miss on seemingly every offensive line pick/pickup. I know this was kicked around before training camp and was shut down by almost everybody on this sight but I kind of wish the Colts would look into the Marcus McNeill situation in San Diego. A.J. Smith is royally screwing up with Vincent Jackson and his name is all over the media with trade talks. Maybe Polian can pull a quick one and trade a lower protected draft pick and shore up the LT position until Peyton retires. Only wishful thinking though.
I'm with you on that
From what I understand, McNeill wouldn’t break the bank. Kinda think the Chargers wouldn’t want him to be a Colt though.
I would love this as well
but think of the other side – if you were A.J. Smith, friendship with Polian aside, would you want to trade your franchise left tackle to a conference opponent? especially one who you will face later that same year? I certainly wouldn’t.
I’ve resigned myself to believing the Colts have no shot at either McNeill or Mankins.
How can you not love a team that does this?
I just don't understand why haven't they signed him.
Give him 5 year 50 million. Is it too much? Yes, but every team has overpaid players.
I think McNeill wants something like $7-8M this season
not sure what his long time contract would be. It’s all about up front money in contract deals. If that number is true, he’s really not that expensive.
LovinBlue is probably right, the last the the Chargers want is to make the Colts better. Maybe we could trade them Ugoh straight up (lol). Throw in Painter too.
Curious Selections for the PS
Okay, I know I’m prejudice but I really wish the Colts could bring in Troy Smith. He’s not that expensive, vet min, and we’d have a chance to win a game at the end of the season with him.
Let’s face it, neither Painter nor Brandy will be around by the time PM decides to hang it up, so this ‘grooming’ is a bunch of bull. Why not carry a vet who has proven he can play?
Brass has to know...
Colts brass has to know what they really have with Curtis Painter and what they don’t have. Keeping three QB’s a year ago was such a waste. So, they’re down to two on the active roster, which is the right move. They also have to know that if Peyton were to get hurt, CP realistically only finishes out the game until they can bring in someone to close the deal on another 12-win season. At best CP plays one game and they move Brandstater in as the back-up. Meanwhile, they go looking for a veteran. The best someone out there is Kurt Warner. Kurt has a lightning fast release and wouldn’t know what to do with all the time a Colts line would give him.
You have seen the Colts line, right?
… and I doubt if Mr. Warner will be dancing with us…
I believe him when he says he's retired
I doubt he’d pull a Favre. You can bet that AZ was on the phone with him before they let Leinart go, with a lot more $$$ than the Colts would offer anyone.
that hurts
but honestly I wasn’t all that impressed with him
/ducks
How can you not love a team that does this?
finally pats steal a colts player
wohooo
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
Hang on sloopy, sloopy hang on.. O H I O
All I can say is..........
I hope to gosh everybody who made the statement: “Peyton never gets hurt” imediately went and started beating the shat out of every piece of wood they could find. Knock, knock, knock, infinity knock.
Eh, if peyton gets hurt week one ala Brady, we are screwed and we aren’t making the playoffs.
Our defense isn’t that good. And we can’t play the ball control power running game with a great defense because our line isn’t too hot and will look even worse when people stack 10 in the box and force Painter/Whoever to throw the ball.
If peyton goes down early, kiss the season good bye. If ANY good team built around throwing the ball loses an MVP caliber QB then their season is pointless and over.
And quit comparing to other sports, especially here because you are wrong, but nobody is perfect. No matter the sport… if you lose an MVP caliber player your team is built around you are fucked.
I remember the one time Manning got hurt
(knock knock!) When he hit his thumb on Jeff Saturday’s (was it?) helmet, and the camera got a shot of him on the sideline saying to Jim Sorgi “get ready”. I was thinking “oh holy hell” but thankfully Manning came in the next series and all was well for a while.
I agree with you guys that if Manning goes down, it’s going to be tough going. But, you never know. Am I wrong that none of our backups played with 1st string offense in there? I think I’m not (correct me) and I’d say while the timing may be off, picking from 5 of the best WR’s out there has gotta give you a boost in productivity.
And, you also gotta believe if that unthinkable happens (ain’t gonna say it again), we would reach out and find us a veteran QB pretty quick.
Honestly, I’m just appalled at the anger in some of the posts. F-this and f-that and such. Seriously? I think commenting a good retort to BBS (or whomever) when you disagree is productive, but just ranting or just slamming with no coherent position is not very helpful.
Anger & frustration
Call it ’Blogger’s Frustration’. All obvious experts but still the Colts don’t ask any of us to sit in on the conference-call strategy sessions. Bummer. Or it can be ‘Lack of Meaningful Football Frustration’…too much hypothetical stuff like roster moves, training camp, and exhibition games. Thankfully real games are just around the corner and we can all start hating on an opponent rather than each other.
On the bright side, it IS entertaining, in a ‘Jersey Shore’ kinda way.
Go Colts!
"My goal is to be the person my dog seems to think I am."
Agreed -
I was at the beach today and there was an older woman on her beach chair near her car, which had a Patriots flag on it. I was packing my stuff up and didn’t say anything to her. Then another guy walked past her and said “Go Jets!” I noticed he had a Jets cap on. I, of course, have my Colts sticker and said (very unimaginatively) “No no, Go Colts!” and the Jets guy replied “Ya, Colts are good, dude! Plus, go Raiders!” The Patriots woman just had a puss on her face.
Football: brings us all together!
Back up QB?
The real issue here is the O-line as good as we want to believe, its not been a strengh of the Colts and still needs some tweeking. The lack of the O-line not being able free up holes in the middle to run at crucial times in many games of importance like playoff games has frustrated many fans. Myself included! So to judge a Qb that is learning a offense that uses a quick release an read offensive attack, are far and few between. I do hope that the coaches have a emergency plan in place and feel that as of know Painter has the skill set for that plan. Given time a better fit might come along. As all Colt fans i hope not too soon!!!!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
