NFL Roster Cuts, Colts Cut Tommie Harris [UPDATE] Dan Orlovsky And Taj Smith Cut

by Brad Wells on Sep 3, 2011 2:01 PM EDT in 2011 Colts News

According to PFT, the Colts have cut defensive tackle Tommie Harris.

Harris had played well in preseason, providing a strong inside pass rush that the Colts haven't had. Needless to say, this is a pretty stupid roster move. But, whatever. If the Colts are in the bottom half of the league again in sacks and struggle to stop the run, it's moves like this we can all trace back to.

Also in the news, via Colts blog Coltsider.com, it sounds like Ollie Ogbu will be cut. However, he seems to have been told the team wants to sign him to the practice squad. Adam Caplan is also reporting, via a source, that defensive end John Chick was informed he was waived.

At 6:00 p.m. Eastern, all NFL teams are required to trim their rosters from an 80-man roster limit to 53. Teams will also set their practice squads today. Eight players can be signed to a practice squad, which is normally compromised of rookies and second-year players who have not seen much NFL regular season action.

[UPDATE]: PFT is also reporting that Javarris James has been released.

[UPDATE 2]: Rotoworld confirms that Ricardo Mathews was waived.

[UPDATE 3]: Confirmed cuts per this update:

DE John Chick

Unconfirmed cuts involve Ollie Ogbu, rookie DT from Penn State. Via Colts blog Coltsider.com, Ogbu recent tweets suggest he will join the practice squad if cut.

[UPDATE 4]: Add Taj Smith and Dan Orlovsky to the list, per the Indianapolis Star. This likely means Curtis Painter is sticking around.

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I wonder if he had an injury in practice or something

because after his great game against GB in Week 3 of pre-season, he seemed like a sure bet to make the roster.

by Coltsfan1345 on Sep 3, 2011 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

That's about the only reason...

…that would make this decision make sense.

If at first you don't succeed, quit and watch TV.
In the name of the Colts, the Hoosiers, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Amen.

by The Learned Hand on Sep 3, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

On the twitter side bar thing

pwilson24 profile

pwilson24 I had heard #Colts didn’t care for DT Tommie Harris missing time with injury, like they thought he should play.

by C.Settles on Sep 3, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Good move. Can't have a guy that plays in games but misses practice time.

Gotta make room for Gonzo to not play in any games.

by ActionOxford on Sep 3, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

lol

by Ayrshire on Sep 3, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Hate to be negative, but a head scratcher.

I can only assume mgt doesn’t think he can stay healthy this year.

by strandedincarolina on Sep 3, 2011 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

wtf?

it makes no sense

by jerrybear on Sep 3, 2011 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

Early cuts indicate

the Colts roster will have 10 WRs and 7 RBs but only 4 D linemen.

by ActionOxford on Sep 3, 2011 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

I think the Colts have somebody on their radar to pick up.

I just don’t see players on our roster dictating these cuts.

by strandedincarolina on Sep 3, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

How about Tommie Harris?

He had a pretty good preseason and he’s probably cheap.

I kid, I kid. The roster moves aren’t that unusual. We carried a lot of D linemen we’ll have to cut some of ’em.

by ActionOxford on Sep 3, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

igor olshanksy sp?

by 5.56 InYoFace on Sep 3, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

This is assanine. Why would the Colts cut the only defensive tackle outside of Nevis to record a sack and cut Chick who IMO outplayed outplayed both Hughes and Brayton. WTF is goin on? @ Action my sentiments exactly. Stockpile the roster with a bunch of mediocre WR and leave the cupboard of defensive lineman bare.

by lakecountycolt on Sep 3, 2011 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe all the onside kicks have gotten to Caldwell.

We’re going to have no D at all and just onside kick all the time, and if we have to punt the WRs will go iron man. It will be 10 WRs and Dwight Freeney all alone out there. Games will be 77 – 63.

by ActionOxford on Sep 3, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

wow, this is dissapointing, he played solid in preseason and what other d-tackles do we have? Fili? Mookie? very surprising, even though harris may have lost a step in the past few years, he was still a veteran player who played smart, really curious as to why he was released.

by Brandon Ishii on Sep 3, 2011 1:17 PM EDT reply actions

What are the dumbasses on West 56th doing now. When the defense that looked so dominant against GB yields ungodly yardage during the regular season blame management. Donald Brown and Jerry Hughes have no business being on the roster

by lakecountycolt on Sep 3, 2011 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

unbelieveable

I am very disappointed in this. Looks like our d line will suck again….

by parcel621 on Sep 3, 2011 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah.

We were dangerously close to being moderately capable. Time to panic and fire everyone that made good plays.

by ActionOxford on Sep 3, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that it's a little early to predict gloom and doom.

Harris had to be an injury or a concern about his ability to stay healthy. Chick getting cut means they will stick with Hughes and Anderson.

by strandedincarolina on Sep 3, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

tommie harris

wouldn’t have changed things much anyway. i mean let’s be real, he stunk the last few years in chicago and now he gets cut by the colts….

by BLOODontheTRACKS on Sep 3, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Before having a knee-jerk reaction to this,

I want to wait and hear if Harris got injured. And, if he did, maybe we can pick someone else up who can do what Harris did.

by Ayrshire on Sep 3, 2011 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

Foster safe I would think

by MrBoJangles46 on Sep 3, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

or...

they cut him and bring him back with no guaranteed money. That a way…he plays, he gets paid, he gets hurt, they can cut him loose and not have to keep payin him.

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by coltsfan723 on Sep 3, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Javaris James

gone too

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by coltsfan723 on Sep 3, 2011 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

Just like an offensive line it takes a d line to gel and work together. We had an opportuniy to add a veteran. So keep Mookie Johnson and Eric Foster but cut Tommie Harris??? This is a Bill Polian move. How does Chick get cut in favor of Hughes? Next we’ll cut Mathis for Hughes.

by lakecountycolt on Sep 3, 2011 1:26 PM EDT reply actions

This is stupid Harris and James gone. James is one thing, I can get over, Harris move is really dumb unless he is injured.

by Indyrampage on Sep 3, 2011 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Delone = James

Don’t need 2 goal line backs, plus he just plain better. This means brown is safe and they keep either spann or Evans whomadd more than James could.

by PurdueBoiler1995 on Sep 3, 2011 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

Did anyone really

expect Brown or Hughes to get cut. They’re first round draft picks by Polian. Therefore, they must be worthy of making the team.

by Ayrshire on Sep 3, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. People who know least speak most

by PurdueBoiler1995 on Sep 3, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Youre’ right. We should keep Jerry Hughes, and Donald Brown even though they were first round selections who were beaten out by undrafted free agents. I’m gonna co sign on the Donald Brown over Rey Mauluga selection by Polian who sooo much smarter than myself because intellect is the name of the game when it comes to football. Thats why Maualuga is one of the feared linebackers in football and Donald Brown is marginal at best.

by lakecountycolt on Sep 3, 2011 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

You were probably that guy

Who hated Addai and wanted the brown selection. I don,t think we needed help at LB at the time or ever for that matter. The mid to late round LB’s the colts draft have never been the problem.

by PurdueBoiler1995 on Sep 3, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

addai hate was with good reason

he has picked up a step it seems now so I now support him as our best back.

we always need help on defense what are you smoking?

by 5.56 InYoFace on Sep 3, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

That year

The line was the problem. Not Addai. Everyone knows this.

by FatDT on Sep 3, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

yea the line sucked

addai sucked along with them. everyone knows this. lol

by 5.56 InYoFace on Sep 3, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

polians problem

was taking running backs in the first round period…they just aren’t worth it.

by BLOODontheTRACKS on Sep 3, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting cuts

"Cat in the wall, eh? Ok, now you're talking my language. I know this game."
-Charlie

by Addai Another Aday on Sep 3, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions

harris

while i dont think he should have been cut, his play this preseason was way overblown. the guy just wasnt that good

by omahacolt on Sep 3, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

thank you

he had a couple nice plays and that was about it. but i guess when you are used to dan muir…..

by BLOODontheTRACKS on Sep 3, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

run the ball

This is the year the Colts run the ball. I don’t know about playing defense, but we’re definitely gonna run the ball.

by GrizzColt on Sep 3, 2011 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

lol

i doubt that

our line still isnt very good

by omahacolt on Sep 3, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Attempt to yes

Successful, unknown. History says we won,t be able to

by PurdueBoiler1995 on Sep 3, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

taj smith

cut

by omahacolt on Sep 3, 2011 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

Orlovsky cut. Who didn't see that one coming?

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by coltsfan723 on Sep 3, 2011 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

Orlovsky and Smith

got cut because, together, they gutted out a win in preseason the other day. Winning in preseason isn’t the Colts way. lol

by Ayrshire on Sep 3, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Add Jaques McClendon gone

add him to my WTF?!? list of cuts.

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by coltsfan723 on Sep 3, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

Just saw his thank u

On twitter thinking the same thing. Sounds
Like he’s in really good spirit

by ColtKing on Sep 3, 2011 2:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

It isn't surprising, but it's the wrong move

Look like Pollack will be safe now

by Coltsfan1345 on Sep 3, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Pollak

Eventual successor to Saturday at center – print the headlines

by ColtKing on Sep 3, 2011 2:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

That sure would suck

by Coltsfan1345 on Sep 3, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

problem is

pollak sucks at center as welll

by omahacolt on Sep 3, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

who are you guys following in twitter to get the cuts info?

"We just sucked." - Tom Brady 9/19/2010

by thebossuzzi on Sep 3, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

go to my Twitter link

and check out who I’m following, They are coming from everywhere

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by coltsfan723 on Sep 3, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

so long as we keep evans, anderson, and sims ill be happy

bummed about harris. maybe nevis is just that good. and igor olshansky is unrestricted

by 5.56 InYoFace on Sep 3, 2011 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Don't know enough about Oshansky

But noticed he got
Cut from big D

by ColtKing on Sep 3, 2011 2:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

if he took the needle out of his arm

he may not be very good anymore but he is a mean sob. would love to see him in blue.

by 5.56 InYoFace on Sep 3, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Shocked......,

Doesn’t come close to describing the news of Harris’ release, nor Smith’s. Orlovsky, like last year’s prospect, Brandstater, outplayed Painter, but we all anticipated that the team would keep Curtis. It would take an earthquake on the Eastern seaboard to move the Colts…to …..er um, scratch that….It would have to take an 8th wonder of the modern world for the Colts to follow conventional wisdom and keep the players that stand to make significant contributions while discarding dead wood….And speaking of dead wood, congratualtions goes to Curtis Painter for fooling everyone in the front office again. You must have one serious dosier on someone in the organization to keep your position on the team! I guess it IS true that you can fool some of the people all of the time

Now all they have to do to complete this lunacy is release Collins and announce Painter as starting QB against Houston. That would just about seal the deal for me…..

by KappakidToo on Sep 3, 2011 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

Colts keeping Spann on 53 man roster

but plan on making a trade so they can add to the roster and move Spann to the PS

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by coltsfan723 on Sep 3, 2011 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

sure

i will believe that when i see it

by omahacolt on Sep 3, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup

Dmv from 1070 fan tweeted that. Things
R getting interesting

by ColtKing on Sep 3, 2011 2:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

i am hearing

donald brown and jerry hughes to dallas

for a ham sandwich and a bad of cool ranch doritos

by omahacolt on Sep 3, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

^This

Made me laff. You get a kiss.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.

by Brad Wells on Sep 3, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

OMG, that's funny!

by Ayrshire on Sep 3, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Lol

Don’t be so down man. Us armchair
Gms can get frustrated.
But we aren’t privy to the whole picture. All is well in Colts nation. Have some faith

by ColtKing on Sep 3, 2011 2:42 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

i declare dallas the winner of that trade.........

by BLOODontheTRACKS on Sep 3, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Now I'm reallly PO'd..

Why didn’t they throw Painter in the deal and get a soft drink as well?!!

by KappakidToo on Sep 3, 2011 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Somebody is making some really dumb cut decisions today

Why are Harris, Mathews, McClendon, James all looking for new jobs while losers like Brown, Pollak, Richard, and Gill are not cut?

by FatDT on Sep 3, 2011 2:31 PM EDT reply actions

Because one set of those guys is good, and the other set is dead weight.

by ActionOxford on Sep 3, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

no sense

Again the Colts are making strange moves I think….Harris…Mathews and Chick should be on this team…or at least Harris and Chick…they out played others for sure….James….I thought he would make it too….never know..hopefully some of these guys get on thew practice squad.

by Colts53 on Sep 3, 2011 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

Looks like Devan is getting it too

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by coltsfan723 on Sep 3, 2011 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

Per twitter of JMV1070

Apparently kyle DeVan cut

by ColtKing on Sep 3, 2011 2:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

With respect to McClendon i think the colts value Mike Tepper and i actually like this guys play. I was hoping Spann would stick with the team. With Rico and Tommie gone I suspect they have high expectations of Fili. I personally was impressed with MOALA and think he’s due for a breakout year. They still need to add a DT to this roster though

by lakecountycolt on Sep 3, 2011 2:47 PM EDT reply actions

They’ll prolly rotate Eric Foster and this is where i disagree. I think thats where Tommie would have helped.

by lakecountycolt on Sep 3, 2011 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Really needed Harris, and I can only assume he got hurt again cause he played pretty well. Our LBs suck (especially against the run) and our secondary needs help too. I was really counting on a solid D-Line this year. sigh I have a feeling we’ll need to score 25+ in order to win most games this year.

And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT

by Sparhawk on Sep 3, 2011 3:30 PM EDT reply actions