Colts Injuries: Yep, Melvin Bullitt's Injury Is To His Shoulder

by Brad Wells on Sep 22, 2011 12:05 PM EDT in 2011 Colts News

Yesterday, during his Wednesday press conference, Colts head coach Jim Caldwell once again looked like a stooge when, after he was asked about the health of Colts safety Melvin Bullitt, he answered:

"To be honest with you, Melvin has a bit of an issue that he’s dealing with that we’re just not quite certain where he is at this point."

Caldwell went on to say that Bullitt's 'issue' was the reason the team had signed former Columbus, Indiana high school star Stevie Brown to the active roster. Brown was drafted by the Raiders in 2010.

Caldwell chose not to elaborate on what the 'issue' was, though, in a follow-up question, he did confirm it was an injury, which makes you wonder why he didn't call it that in the first place. It didn't take much to guess what the issue-injury-whatever was. In fact, I was willing to bet money on the subject, but none of our writers took me up on it. Good thing they didn't, because roughly six hours after Caldwell chose not to elaborate on Bullitt's injury, Jim Irsay tweeted this [emphasis mine]:

Injury Report: OUT- Manning, E.Sims (knee) DNP- G.Brackett (shoulder), M.Bullitt (shoulder), D.Clark (foot), E.Foster (ham.)...(cont.)

Yes, his shoulder. Likely the same shoulder that has plagued Bullitt for years, and that he had a metal pin inserted into this past offseason.

As we have noted repeatedly, it made little sense for the Colts to re-sign Bullitt and make him the starting strong safety if there were serious concerns about his durability, which there were. Safeties with screws in their shoulders do not command confidence in their ability to stay on the field.

But, yeah, the front office thought it best to re-sign him rather than, say, go after Quintin Mikell or up the ante to reel in Eric Weddle.

And please, don't read into Caldwell's 'we’re just not quite certain where he is at this point.' They knew his shoulder was bothering him. They knew. They just didn't want to have to answer questions about it because, you know, it kind of makes the front office look incompetent when they re-sign a safety with chronic shoulder issues and that safety goes down two weeks into the season.

As Phil Wilson of the Indianapolis Star has stated numerous times, the lack of even the most basic, fothcoming information is likely not Caldwell's fault. Phil agrees (or, at the very least, he has said this in radio interviews) that Caldwell is a puppet of the Polians, and nothing gets told to the media unless Chris and Bill 'OK' it.

So ridiculously frustrating.

Here's to hoping rookie Joe Lefeged is not this year's Aaron Francisco at strong safety.

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Comments

Seems like it would be DAC or Brown

Not Lefeged. DAC went in for 1 play last week. We’ll see…

YIPPEE! More effing injuries. Story of our lives, huh?

by GoHorse88 on Sep 22, 2011 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

Weddle and Mikell?

But, yeah, the front office thought it best to re-sign him rather than, say, go after Quintin Mikell or up the ante to reel in Eric Weddle.

BBS how was this going to happen when every year we are up against the cap? This is nice to say we should of signed this guy or the next guy. But there is a hard cap that has to be factored in. Nice to also know about Clark’s injury it saves me time how I was going to post how I think that the Colts should of attacked Blitzburgs defense.

by dave1251 on Sep 22, 2011 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Exactly

the sing whomever comes off the top of my mind stuff is grade school.

Its like those who say, draft Luck and have him sit for 4 years under Manning..That WILL NEVER HAPPEN folks!
First, Luck will want to play, the transistion didnt work that hot for Farve-Rodgers, and lastly, there is NO MONEY to pay two QB’s approx 30-35 mill a year in cap space that will be ATE up by ONE roster spot!

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Sep 22, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Where are you getting your dollar figures?

Cam Newton is a rookie #1 QB and is making $6 million a year.

by FatDT on Sep 22, 2011 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I read a lot of positive stuff on Joe Lefeged in preseason

It may not be so bad. Well, compared to other issues.

by Rossaa on Sep 22, 2011 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

There are a lot of injuries, Bullitt's isn't one I worry about

by Ty46 on Sep 22, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

LOL. Yeah

I read up on the amount of injuries the Giants have had, and the key injuries to star players that KC has had…and then I stop, and remember there is NO team hurting as bad as we are due to injuries, and that is due to losind only ONE player

Go Blue!

Revenue - Expenses = Profit

by dezznutz1001 on Sep 22, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Our D backfield has to do too much run support so they incur more injuries.

"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 Sep 22, 2011 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Collin's shoulder is hurt now too

Surprised there’s no SB post about it.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20110922/SPORTS03/109220409/Collins-shoulder-injury-limiting-practice-time

by FatDT on Sep 22, 2011 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

He's still 'trending' in the direction of playing,

according to Caldwell. In the bigger picture, he’s only played two games and is already hurt. This doesn’t look good for his ability to last the whole season. Realistically, I give him about 2 or 3 more games and then we will be seeing what Painter can do with the first string.

by Ayrshire on Sep 22, 2011 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree

I doubt he lasts a couple more games.

Whenever you get stressed, always remember: RDWHAHB

by danorocks17 on Sep 22, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Who cares, the only thing I look forward to is the awful Steelers OL vs Freeney and Mathis.

by Ty46 on Sep 22, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I care

because at least with Collins in the offense has the chance to work on running the ball. With Painter it will be 3 and out every possession.

by FatDT on Sep 23, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions

He is faking it

He is faking it so that he gets ruled out of Sunday’s game so that he does not have to line up behind that right side of the line :-).

by chad72 on Sep 23, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

this season is turning into a disaster

will be pain all season,, for gain next year and in the future,,hope Bullitt does not turn into Bob Sanders, Colts will be lucky to win 3 games

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Sep 22, 2011 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

He probably hurt it.

When he dove into the legs of the Browns left tackle that Freeney was battling.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/cleveland-browns/09000d5d82259f19/RB-Hillis-24-yd-run-TD

Healthy shoulder or not, this is a terrible football play and was the back breaker for the loss.

What an idiot. Anyone can jump into the legs of a player. He wasn’t even getting blocked? Terrible…

by BlueLagoon_18 on Sep 22, 2011 4:47 PM EDT reply actions

Man BBS you piss and moan so much it’s unreal. I would love to see you manage a cap…really it would be hilarious. Sign Weddle to be the highest paid safety in the league…I also remember you saying letting CJ walk was a mistake…3 years 11 million for him was a joke.

We all can see your hatred for “not being in the loop” with the COLTS as far as them giving you info. You make a valid point about Melvins shoulder injury and his durablilty and then lose all credibility by AGAIN showing your obvious issues with the COLTS as far as you getting onfo.

What the hell do you expect them to do…tell you ya Melvin has a sore shoulder, then he plays and where do you think opponents will target. See Halls comments on Romo.

Your not a doctor or a cap expert…you only play one on the internet. And not very well I might add.

by Ralla32 on Sep 22, 2011 4:47 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Watch it.

Or you will be banned like the folks yesterday. It is OK for BBS’s personal attacks against Polian but it not OK for you to call out BBS. There should be a disclaimer for this.

by dave1251 on Sep 22, 2011 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

What about Gonzo?

I believe he is ready to go Sunday night. If he ain’t ready, cut his ass.

by chihoosierguy on Sep 22, 2011 6:50 PM EDT reply actions

There is zero reason to cut him. If he stays healthy and contributes, great. If he has to go on IR, his cheap rookie contract is up at the end of the season. There is really no one else worth giving his roster spot to anyway.

by TrueBlue87 on Sep 22, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Gonzo

and you made an excellent point about his contract.

by chihoosierguy on Sep 23, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Lefegede

should get the start and I don’t think anyone can be any worse than Francisco. That dude was horrific!!!!! Lefegede is a thumper and he has some speed…

by Dito29 on Sep 22, 2011 7:29 PM EDT reply actions

well, do you remember the interception from francisco in the hail mary from mcnab(redskins)

the wr was almost free and francisco jump and catch the bal like a pro bowl wr

by Amilcar on Sep 23, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

nope

caldwell should get the start

by omahacolt on Sep 24, 2011 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Bob Sanders is still healthy

Maybe we should offer a trade..haha

by ushoe on Sep 23, 2011 7:11 AM EDT reply actions

Nope

He’s doubtful for this week. Finally glad to see this happening to another team.

"It's about the journey--mine and yours--and the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better."
— Tony Dungy

by Mark Olson on Sep 23, 2011 9:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Bullitt is not that good, folks, may be a blessing in disguise

Read this:

http://18to88.com/2011-archives/september/tape-study-getting-off-the-field-means-biting-the-bullitt.html

I for one think Bullitt played in a more acceptable fashion in 2009 vs 2010 & 2011 so far. He had more pass break ups in 2009, from what I remember. He did break one up in the SB vs Colston too, if I remember right. Maybe he played better because he had to prove he was capable as a back up. Once 2009 happened, maybe he felt people were giving him more recognition (whether it is attributed to JMV radio shows he was on constantly or newspaper clippings). He started taking terrible angles in 2010 before he went on IR. Kyle Orton would pass to his WRs in game 3 and Bullitt would take a bad angle (remember the ungodly amount of yards Orton put up in that game???) and the WR would gain more yards. The Colts would have good containment and Garrard runs outside the pocket and Bullitt takes a bad angle and loses containment, and Garrard scores TD in game 4. Then Bullitt goes on IR. Of course, who can forget the Arian Foster stiff arm with Bullitt playing trailing position in game 1 vs Texans . Then, this year in pre-season, the bad angle on the Tim Hightower run. It keeps piling the last 2 years.

The only difference in 2010 was we did not have capable replacements and had to go after Aaron Francisco to be a starter. Now, at least we have David Caldwell who has looked good and Joe Lefeged who seems promising. I feel we are better prepared on the safety situation this year.

by chad72 on Sep 23, 2011 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

Sounds like Bob Sanders is out this week as well...

"It's about the journey--mine and yours--and the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better."
— Tony Dungy

by Mark Olson on Sep 23, 2011 9:55 PM EDT reply actions