Though A Bust, It's Hard Not To Root For Quinn Pitcock

by Brad Wells on Apr 19, 2011 1:20 PM EDT in 2011 Colts News

Former OSU defensive tackle and 2007 third round pick Quinn Pitcock was a costly bust for the Indianapolis Colts. There really is no denying that. The team saw him as a defensive cornerstone at the DT spot, an area that has been a weakness for this team since former Colts personnel head Bill Tobin told Tony Siragusa to take a hike back in 1996.

When Pitcock chose to 'retire' the day he was to report to training camp in 2008, it set the franchise back. The Colts surrendered 1,966 rushing yards that season (4.2 a carry) due, in large part, to not having a reliable tackle rotation. For this reason, we ranked Pitcock as the No. 7 draft bust all-time for the Indianapolis Colts.

Still, even though Pitcock was a big disappointment as a player, that doesn't mean writers and fans like me don't feel sympathy for the circumstances that surrounded his 'retirement.' Heck, I'm rooting for the guy to get back in the league. So far, it seems he's on the right track:

He appears finally to have control of his life. The Colts' 2007 third-round draft pick is in the midst of a comeback after seeing his career derailed after one season by bouts of depression and an addiction to video games.

"I'm blessed I am where I am now," Pitcock said. "I still have a full life ahead of me. There is even more of a desire (to play in the NFL)."

It wasn't that long ago that Pitcock, 27, an All-American defensive tackle at Ohio State, was seen by the Colts as a future defensive cornerstone. They made him the 98th overall selection in '07. After a slow start to his rookie season, he compiled 30 tackles and 11/2 sacks in nine games.

However, Pitcock's transition to the NFL was anything but smooth. An introvert by nature, in a new environment and reluctant to ask for help, he gradually withdrew from most contact with teammates away from the Colts' complex.

Pitcock's withdrawal from the team was likely a symptom of depression, as was his 'addiction' to video games.

However, despite his problems, Pitcock seems to be rebounding. He was diagnosed with mild depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), both a curable with medication. He's also working out with the help of some former Colts teammates and conditioning coach Kevin Hallabaugh.

Here's to hoping Quinn can find a way back to the NFL. Hey, with as bad as our DTs played last year, it probably wouldn't hurt to give the kid another shot.

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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder – this sounds like a made-up disease. But anyway, wish him the best.

Strange though, he is on his comeback for a year now, and still weighs well over 320 pounds. Where was he, 400?

by Ty46 on Apr 19, 2011 2:02 PM EDT reply actions

agree it sounds made-up

what was his Madden record vs teammates during his one year stint with the Colts? 231-0? 400-0?

by Rocky Top Manning on Apr 19, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah

He would have lost to Peyton.

The Indianapolis Colts are going to be the 1st team to win a super bowl in their own stadium. 'nuff said.

by It'sAlways18 on Apr 19, 2011 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I beat him 3-2

I was hammered during the game and let him get a safety at the end of the gamejust to make it interesting. I think he fell asleep in the 2nd Quarter.

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

by AceOfSpades on Apr 19, 2011 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

It would sound "made up" to someone ignorant to mental health.

by Dr. Brain on Apr 19, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Not ignorant

Actually, I just did a test, which gave me a score of 16, and said, it’s highly likely, that I have ADHD.

by Ty46 on Apr 19, 2011 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

It's real

~~and it’s spectacular~~ and it can be managed with medication, not cured.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Apr 19, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

from someone with adult a.d.d it is a struggle.

I choose not to medicate, I can’t think and I’m all kinds of foggy when I do. It makes focusing really, really hard to do.

Anywho, I would give Pitcock another shot on the Colts. I was all kinds of excited about him when he was here.

a friend of mine started a Colts blog, you should probably check out donthatethebigginger.blogspot.com

by cspeed32 on Apr 19, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

You've never heard of ADHD?

Do you live under a rock haha?

by RamblinWreck7 on Apr 19, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree with giving Quinn another shot

What the heck, we gave Ed Johnson a second shot. Ed’s affliction was recreational and by choice. Quinn needed time to figure out the problem and get help for it. My hat’s off to Quinn for trying to turn things around and taking responsiblity for his actions. I very much like that some former teammates of his (Colts) are working out with him. If certain key Colts were polled by management , I would wager he’d get a thumbs up for an invite to training camp (assuming there is one). A really nice and heart warming story which is welcome with all the negative vibes permeating everything else these days.

by oldecoltsfan on Apr 19, 2011 3:02 PM EDT reply actions

We must. We must. We must take care of our busts….The bigger the better….(I am too mature to complete the saying, too immature not to start it)

by moocow on Apr 19, 2011 5:34 PM EDT reply actions

Fools

Why would it make any sense to give him another shot? He’s been out of the league for 3 years now and only has 1 year of experience (2007). There is zero upside here….

I would rather take my chances on another 4th round pick that is eager to prove his desire to succeed over a guy who helped ruin the Colts chances of a deep playoff run in 2008.

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

by AceOfSpades on Apr 19, 2011 10:31 PM EDT reply actions

Football's not what he needs...

in fact, I’d wager the recently diagnosed depression and ADHD he’s got is either a direct result of the head trauma he’s received from a lifetime of playing football, or the ailments were augmented by it.

I’ve done a fair amount of research on the subject of concussions in football, and Quinn’s symptoms are huge red flags to me. Drugs can mask the symptoms, but it’s a recipe for disaster if it results in him getting more brain damage by keeping him out on the field when his brain’s had enough.

by Scallywag on Apr 20, 2011 1:39 AM EDT reply actions

Defensive Tackles don't get concussions.

by RamblinWreck7 on Apr 20, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

it's the thousands of repetitive, sub-concussive hits...

over the course of a lifetime that do it. To use a boxing analogy, sometimes eating a thousand 1-2’s is worse than taking a one-punch KO. They’re finding CTE in players with no history of concussions now, and that’s what scared the league in to wanting to suppress the findings- until Congress bullied them into taking the more proactive stance they do now.

by Scallywag on Apr 20, 2011 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I'll agree with that.

Good point.

by RamblinWreck7 on Apr 22, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions

from someone who played on the line

I would have to disagree. And I only played in high school. When the game was over, my head felt like mush, and I usually had a headache for a couple days after. It’s not normal. It may not have been a traditional “concussion” But it was a constant beating.

a friend of mine started a Colts blog, you should probably check out donthatethebigginger.blogspot.com

by cspeed32 on Apr 21, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Didn't he spend time with the Seahawks?

I appluad the fact he chose to share with people what he was dealing with and bring light to a serious problem. Its illegal for his doctors to share this info. The only reason we are able to speculate on his condition is because he chose to confront the issue and not further burden himself with the problems alone. If you think that’s easy, you probably don’t have the same problem.

by GoColtsin2010! on Apr 20, 2011 11:42 AM EDT reply actions