New Colts Offensive Lineman Joe Reitz Proves White Men Cannot Jump
by Brad Wells on Sep 9, 2010 12:40 PM EDT
in 2010 Colts Analysis
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PrintIt's interesting that the Colts now have two undrafted players on their team who are from the (relative) Indianapolis area. Devin Moore, the team's new kick returner, went to Cardinal Ritter High School while newly acquired offensive lineman Joe Reitz grew up in Fishers, IN.
The 6'7, 320 pound Reitz played basketball and football at Western Michigan University. Naturally, at 6'7, you'd think the Indiana native would be able to dunk a basketball, let alone dunk a football over a goal post after a touchdown, right?
Wrong.
In Joe's defense, it's kind of hard for a lineman to dunk with all that padding on.
Having someone like Reitz on the active roster is a nice local-boy-makes-good story. Clearly, he's excited about returning home and playing for his favorite team. Naturally, we're rooting for him.
[UPDATE]: Reitz did not play football at Western Michigan. Get ready for the return of the 'Did you know he did not play football in college' comments from TV announcers that were common back when Marcus Pollard played for the Colts. Like Reitz, Pollard was a basketball player at college.
Oh, and tip to GoHorse88.
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He didn't play football in college
At WMU, he was a freakishly big basketball player, but did not play football. Because of his size, he was recruited to play football after college.
No shoutout on the FanPost with the same article linked at the bottom, huh?
Ouch…
Let’s see if I get any Kudos with this one:
http://www.1070thefan.com/jmv/podcast.aspx?pn=3
Joe Reitz’ interview with JMV from 8/18/10. Talked about his missed dunk in the preseason game.
Ooops
Sorry, didn’t see it. I’ll correct it.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
Normally
A guy who just got put on the roster wouldn’t even be active for the game. But since we only have 2 healthy OT’s, he may even get in the game.
Good thing we’re playing a team with no pass rushers…
by smonroe on Sep 9, 2010 1:30 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
*Cough*MarioWilliams*Cough*
------
"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."
Offensive Line
If Johnson starts and Saturday as well the o-line is intact but as i see it the move to get back ups is still a work in progress. Reitz has the size and should have the agility to develope. See him as practice squad player and if not then Polians scout team has droped the ball, i still think we will see a better line w/o the injury factor either way there are some young back ups who in the preseason got a lot of chances to prove themselfs on the practice squad.
In his defense
he has put a lot of weight on for football since his basketball days (if the media is to be believed he’s up to 320?!?!) Which would certainly impact his leaping ability (plus pads).. And I’ll bet the miss was unusual, he probably wouldn’t have even attempted it if he hadn’t been regularly doing it during practice(notice how they gave him the ball).
In any case, it was still an impressive jump for a 300lb man.
I don't see this guy as a PS player
I think the Colts are going to develop him on the roster, as his size and athleticism are good qualities for where the Colts want to go. On top of that, the guy was never let go because of talent, simply depth at those positions by 2 of the deepest OL teams in the NFL….
Even if the Colts make a trade for a quality LT, I could see this kid being groomed to replace Diem on the other end…
We will find out, this is a guy I wanted
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Gardner_(American_football)
Andrew Gardner of Georgia Tech, a sixth round draft pick, draft stock dropped due to injury concerns, made Dolphins roster last year, was cut this year, signed to Ravens practice squad (http://gridironfans.com/forums/latest-nfl-headlines/139418-ravens-sign-ot-andrew-gardner-waive-qb.html). He was all the talk last year in TC with Miami, and is a good OT prospect, actually would feel better getting him to our 53-man roster than Joe Reitz since he has played LT enough in his career.
Let us hope the local boy Joe Reitz is as good as they think he is.
I can tell you this much, the Ravens and the Dolphins, their O-lines are normally stacked with talent. Joe Reitz did not fit in that run first O-line of the Ravens plus it is like the Colts cutting Blair White and putting him on the PS because they are stacked in talent and don’t need to waste roster spots. Just change the position from WR to OL for both the Ravens and Dolphins.
Joe Reitz vs Andrew Gardner
Joe Reitz cut by Ravens, picked up by Dolphins for PS
Andrew Gardner cut by Dolphins, picked up by Ravens for PS
Only thing now is Dolphins are hurting for backup OT depth (not OT depth) now that Joe Reitz is on our roster :-).
This signing is so exciting for me and my family. I’ve known Joe my entire life and is best friends with my older brother. We were so happy for him when he was on the practice squad for the ravens, now he’s a colt! He’s so exciting to be coming back to indy and playin for his local team. I’m so proud of him (Yes, i’m a girl)
PS: He had put on like 100lbs to play OL, he was originally brought in to play TE but they converted him. So i really dont blame him for missing the dunk. We all got a good laugh at it though ;)
so did Joe play football at Hamlton SE? What position?
Do you know if he went to Western Michigan on a basketball scholarship?
"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.
Yeah he played TE through HS and before. He went to WMU on a basketball scholarship as he was a better basketball player than he was a TE if I remember correctly.
Jason Heyward wins at baseball.
by bbxxj on Sep 9, 2010 10:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I live in Fishers In.!!!!!!!!!!
I’m so excited to see a local boy make it to the Colts roster! 320 lbs? I love it!
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
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