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2011 NFL Preseason: Rams 33 - Colts 10

Yeah, preseason is rough if you're a Colts fan, especially in recent years. The Colts clearly do not care about early preseason games, and it shows. We'll do a full recap tomorrow morning. For now, the 'good' and the 'bad.' We offer no 'ugly' because the whole games was ugly.

Good: Drake Nevis, Donald Brown, Anthony Castonzo, and Taj Smith.

Bad: Curtis Painter, Dan Orlovsky, Mike Pollak, and Jerry Hughes.

Hughes was the worst of them all tonight. He played most of the game, and it didn't matter if he was going up against Rodger Saffold or Joe Blow, he was getting dominated. He finished the night with one tackle. One. Hardly ever saw him pressure the QB. Just an awful night. Hughes really looks like a major bust.

On a much more serious note, thoughts are with friends and family of those injured in the stage accident at the Indiana Fairgrounds.

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Um yah

It’s preseason. I’ll give Hughes a few live games with all the top starters before I label him a bust. Its either gonna click for him this yr or it wont. I’ve seen freeney get blanked two games in a row so I’ll wait for a larger sample size with Hughes in.

I'd donate a kidney in exchange for Pdiddy and my colts to get 2 more Super Bowl rings...That's LUV

by Bama Blue on Aug 13, 2011 11:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

I thought the first line D looked pretty good. Take back those bad turnovers (I blame curtis) and it would have been a good game

Looking at the first couple of lines, of course. Some of this is concerning— it’s never good to be blown out of the water. But I think we will be ok. Except for Jerry Hughes. Screw him.

by icedude on Aug 13, 2011 11:16 PM EDT reply actions  

Things that stood out, other than this coaching staff is a joke.

Jerry Hughes….No variety of moves. Not a first day draft pick, not to mention a first rounder.
Drake Nevis….really poor against the run, ok with a good motor against the pass.
Delone Carter….shows a attitude that Brown will never have. He’s our short yardage back.
Kevin Thomas and Brandon King both got abused tonight
Reitz and McClendon looked ok….Reitz looked better
Moton stood out a little….I’d find a way to keep him.
QBs….nobody could even say they were not worse than the other guys
DeVree and McNeill showed a little something, but we need blockers more than receivers
ST….please please please tell PRs it’s ok to fair catch. It might even win you the job to do it at the right times.

by strandedincarolina on Aug 13, 2011 11:17 PM EDT reply actions  

Ijalana and Castanzo...

Neither is going to start for awhile. Ijalana looked better at times. Castanzo looked really lost at times. I’d suggest that we get another blocking TE besides Eldridge and keep one in almost all the time this year.

by strandedincarolina on Aug 13, 2011 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

^this (bama blue)

I’m gonna be slightly optimistic and hope for the best (with Hughes); from what limited things I saw the ENTIRE defense sucked. Shot for the stars and hope we hit the moon.

by MrN1519 on Aug 13, 2011 11:17 PM EDT reply actions  

First team D

They forced a 3 and out in the only “real” series they played. The first series doesn’t count because the Rams got the ball back at the 20 or so after the INT.

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

by AceOfSpades on Aug 14, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

I saw the last part of the second half on

that’s why i said what limited things I saw

by MrN1519 on Aug 14, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Surprised to hear myself say this but...

Wheeler looked decent out there, maybe even somewhat good.

NeXt Man Up

by Dann Giszewski on Aug 14, 2011 1:03 AM EDT reply actions  

He did

But is it cuz the other 10 on D are so bad? Hughes is an utter disapointment

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Aug 14, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

Weak.

Painter looked awful as usual, minus the throw that PG made him look good on. What a catch… I didn’t get to see much of the game, but after our starters, the quality of play looks to be rather horrid… I hope this is just the pre-season garbage play that we are all so used to. I was not impressed with much of anyone.

My blood-type is Colts and FORD blue.

by Stew Blake on Aug 14, 2011 1:08 AM EDT reply actions  

Just remember to make a fare evaluation in your review

What I mean by that is, Painter is our backup. We essentially started the game with the 2nd string and went down from there. Yes, I realize the Colts still look like shit in preseason no matter what. So, my point being… This team had a limited time to work together, save complete overviews until playtime is over.

NeXt Man Up

by Dann Giszewski on Aug 14, 2011 1:16 AM EDT reply actions  

*fair, not fare

NeXt Man Up

by Dann Giszewski on Aug 14, 2011 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions  

I want to agree...

…but who is the starting O-line? Neither the first or second group looked very good.

by Purds on Aug 14, 2011 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions  

The FO always said, when putting together a O-line you throw them all in a blender and see what comes out. I doubt the guys who started the game all remain starters, there will be some tweaking done.

NeXt Man Up

by Dann Giszewski on Aug 14, 2011 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

Agree with what you are saying about the FO approach to the O line

But I disagree with the approach. I think the best way to get consistent O line play is to play the starters together as a complete unit whenever possible. I don’t like how the Colts always through different lineups out there and wait for something to mesh out of nowhere. I want to see cohesion on the O line. I want to see guys comfortable with each other’s tendencies, or at least guys that understand how the man next to them is going to respond to certain situations so they don’t look lost.

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

by AceOfSpades on Aug 14, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

True

I think it says a lot about the coaching staff that they basically set this team up to fail in preseason. They are saying, let see what you can do as an unproven player, with nothing but unproven players around you. I fail to see how that “develops” players. It creates the mentality of oh well, that’s just Colts football. Other than just getting reps, little is gained in preseason.

by strandedincarolina on Aug 14, 2011 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions  

Idk

I know what you’re saying, but the logic is you’re surrounded by duds make yourself stand out. It makes it easier to evaluate players that way. I like it and it has produced some studs in the past. Also, if you look at the teams who win in the preseason and the teams who lose in the preseason its pretty obvious that the preseason really doesn’t matter at all for a football team as a whole but rather players individually. One last thing, the Colts pulled most of their starters after the first drive on defense, and second for offense… the Rams played both sides of the ball well into the 2nd quarter…

"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.

by Jfoley17 on Aug 14, 2011 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

My POV

It is really hard for me to disagree about Hughes. Plain and simple, he is bust. We have to put Hughes in the same category as Ugoh. As we all know, at his best Jerry Hughes is an average LB in a 3-4 set. Too small and too weak to play in our style of defense. And if Jerry reads this blog, I intentionally left the word “weak” in for him. Harsh, yes. True, yes. Prove us wrong Hughes. Of course we said the same about Ugoh and have been saying the same about Pollak.

On a more positive note, I thought McClendon played OK. I point this out, because we really need this guy to step up and play this season and it was encouraging to see him making some nice blocks.

by davis3217 on Aug 14, 2011 1:21 AM EDT reply actions  

I wonder if ex-Hoosier Saffold was smiling after the game

knowing the Colts passed on him for Hughes.

"By the way, my name is Bruce Dickinson. Yes, the Bruce Dickinson!"

by PV Mike on Aug 14, 2011 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

That was awful
Caldwell talking. Saying the ‘key’ is to be better next week against Redskins.

Well, of course the key is to do better. That’s pretty fucking obvious, Jim.

Whatever.

by Ram27 on Aug 14, 2011 2:36 AM EDT reply actions  

TFLs: Tuihalamaka 1, Conner 1
QHurry: Gill 1, Nevis 1, Harris 1
Pass Defensed: Rucker 1, Powers 1

Colts coaches suck at getting the DBs to make plays on the ball.

by Ty46 on Aug 14, 2011 3:54 AM EDT reply actions   2 recs

+1

Thomas was brought in as a cover corner, but he is coached to play off the ball and give too much cushion? I will never understand this approach from the coaching staff. Tim Effing Jennings looks like a solid NFL cornerback in Chicago because he is taught the correct way to defend the pass and he stays within an acceptable distance of the WR to force a better throw from the QB. The Colts are taught to play well off the ball and basically let the other team play pitch and catch. Powers is the only guy that has enough instincts to make a break to the pass and break up the play.

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

by AceOfSpades on Aug 14, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

i hate to b the one that say this

but when should we start to worry about P the D has to b better the O might start kinda slow

by silverback85 on Aug 14, 2011 6:13 AM EDT via mobile reply actions  

by "P" I assume you're talking about Peyton?

I’m not going to worry about him until week 17 ends and he’s still not playing.
It’s not worth worrying about.

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 Aug 14, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

Neal (LB)

He had 7 tackles to lead the team last night, who is he?

by Naptown808 on Aug 14, 2011 7:07 AM EDT reply actions  

I'm already sick of the preseason

I can’t wait to see the day Mike Pollak is cut. He spend more time watching his man make tackles in the backfield than blocking. LOVED NEVIS!!! He’s going to be good. Costanzo and Ijilana looked good. Looks like we have a good draft class.

by Can't Wait!! on Aug 14, 2011 8:44 AM EDT reply actions   2 recs

TV coverage

Does anybody else agree with me that the coverage of our preseason games is horrible? Bad commentary, bad production, bad replays. They didn’t even mention when Castonzo had checked in the game.

by Can't Wait!! on Aug 14, 2011 9:01 AM EDT reply actions  

Has been that way for years

I stopped even caring about it.

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

by AceOfSpades on Aug 14, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ugly

Only word to describe a poor attempt at a football game. I want to see what the coaches do as far as a lineup and then adjustments in the Washington game. I didn’t like their effort in this one. It looks like they have no clue if something doesn’t work. Lets hope for better in game 2. That was a scary preview of what it means not to have Peyton !

by MrBoJangles46 on Aug 14, 2011 9:16 AM EDT reply actions  

Preseason is a scrimmage

Preseason is a scrimmage disguised as a game. You watched practice for a group of players that will be selling insurance soon. The object is not to win, The object is to assess players. It makes sense to me that the Colts already know who they think the 1st and 2nd string is. The stategery is to find the 3rd stringers in this first game, to find those that they will feature in the second half of the rest of the preseason games. Sorry fanatics I approve of this strategy,

Expect to see much more Painter Friday night. Probably a series or two into the 2nd Q.

@IndyVerm

by VermVerm on Aug 14, 2011 11:25 AM EDT reply actions   1 recs

That being said

Jerry Hughes is a bust and we should cut our losses.

@IndyVerm

by VermVerm on Aug 14, 2011 11:26 AM EDT reply actions  

Hughes looks

like he weighs about 190 or 200 pounds. He just looks small! I know he’s listed at 255, but he hides it well.

by Ayrshire on Aug 14, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions  

Give Painter a Chance

Perspective is called for with Painter. Remember the the questions about Mannings fundamental athletic talent compared to Ryan Leaf? Remember the arguments that Manning was out-performing his raw ability and and had no upside? Was his success more about the program at Tennessee? I recall a number of folks questioning his arm and therefore he would only be an adequate, smart QB, but not deserving of the #1 pick. Again, no upside.

In Peyton Manning’s 1998 rookie year, he started the season with the following stats in the first three games (with Marshall Faulk in the backfield). Game one = 21 of 37 for 302 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT, 56% completion, and a QB rating of 58. Game two = 21 of 33 for 188 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT, 63% completion, an a QB rating of 51. With some real game experience he proceeded to post game three stats of 20 of 44 for 193 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT, completion, and a QB rating of 39. He went on to a 3-13 record and post the Colts all time season record for interceptions.

Orlovsky and Davis are basically cast offs after they were given the amount of real game experience to prove themselves and they were cut by other teams. I doubt we will find a proven vet worth signing off the scrap pile. Considering the cost, finding valid talent, and finding someone satisfied with the back up role, we are stuck with trying to develop a talent.

I watched almost the whole Seahawks game and their 3rd QB Portis looked awful in his first possession. He looked like someone failing at the Ray’s Trash throwing contest at a Colts game. In his second possession he looked like Michael Vick. Painter didn’t perform like that but he did improve.

I subscribe to the theory that over the past twenty years, many pro-bowl caliber players who might be household names never see more than a few minutes of the regular season or none at all for a variety of reasons, from incorrect scouting reports, rosters crowded with veterans, etc. He is not Manning circa 1998, and maybe not a future Pro-bowler (maybe he is), but we need to give Painter some serious minutes with the first team to let them prove themselves or wash out.

"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"

by indylator on Aug 14, 2011 11:56 AM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Can you also sing the Purdue fight song?

"By the way, my name is Bruce Dickinson. Yes, the Bruce Dickinson!"

by PV Mike on Aug 14, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

But

Painters not a rookie nor is he a fairly new player hes played at least 3 regular season games plus who knows how many preseason games by now he should be able to sustain at least a drive. Your argument only works if painter was not a seasoned back up

by C.Settles on Aug 14, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Painter is more of rookie

than Peyton was in his third game of 1998. There is no comparison to a season game start to finish with the first string team on the field.

"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"

by indylator on Aug 14, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

doesnt negate the fact

that Painters had all the time in the world to practice and this isnt the first training camp hes worked with the starting line up.
He couldve put down the clipboard and tried to get better while Mannings lighting up the field but he chose to stay awful knowing he gets paid millions to do next to nothing.
The point is he should look and play better than QBs that were brought to the team 2 weeks ago there is no excuse not to he knows the plays hes seen them done right he knows the players at this point in his career he should be far enough ahead to be noticeably better than other back ups they bring in

by C.Settles on Aug 14, 2011 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

Post 1980 Football is a scam....

…. and you don’t want to hear my take on 98% of higher ed academics. Barking up the wrong tree. I just think that we’ve already invest time and energy into Painter and should see it through not to waste the effort.

"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"

by indylator on Aug 14, 2011 2:24 PM EDT reply actions  

Should have read - Post 1980 COLLEGE Football is a scam

"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"

by indylator on Aug 14, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Huh, WTH?

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Aug 14, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

yeah - it's a shade more about

Revenue – Expenses = Profit than ever before – I picked 1980 arbitrarily

"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"

by indylator on Aug 14, 2011 4:53 PM EDT reply actions  

But it's not difficult to tell a good college QB from a bad college QB

and Painter was never a good college QB. A good or even average college qb will take time to transition to the NFL. A player who is below average will never make that move. Painter in my opinion is below average.

by coltsfoot85 on Aug 14, 2011 5:45 PM EDT reply actions  

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