Posts tagged AFC South
Colts Running Game on Verge of Breakthrough?
Jun 23rd
Paul Kuharsky of ESPN’s AFC South Blog reported on a story by KC Joyner discussing the state of the Indianapolis Colts ground game. Joyner noted that the difference between a respectable running game and the bottom of the league is relatively small.
The separation between the 15th ranked running game and the 29th ranked running game is only a few percentage points of yards per rushing attempt behind good blocking. Joyner believes the additions of rookie tackle Anthony Castonzo and guard Benjamin Ijalana are likely to make up that ground.
If he is right, Indianapolis’s offense should be as potent as ever. Consider how much more dangerous Indy would be with the option to run on short-yardage, save Manning’s arm, and command more balanced defensive attention that allows receivers time to get into their routes. It could be an interesting year.
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Colts Part Ways with Legendary Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore
May 10th
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Although no official word from the Colts franchise has confirmed it, Paul Kuharsky of ESPN’s AFC South blog has done some digging and found that legendary offensive coordinator Tom Moore has slipped out the back door. This is disheartening news for any long-time Colts fan as Moore had the great honor to introduce Peyton Manning to the NFL and collaborate with him to operate one of the greatest offenses in league history. Moore’s exit coincides with the off-season decision handed down by Jim Caldwell and the Colts front office to part ways with legendary running back coach Gene Huey. Farewell Tom and thank you for all of your contributions to the greatest run of success in Indianapolis Colts team history.
The bad news about Moore’s departure is — as Kuharsky’s story points out — that Tennessee Titans Head Coach Mike Munchak nearly lured Moore away from the Colts to take over there as offensive coordinator (imagine him running the offense for a team in the AFC South) and that Moore met with the New York Jets to discuss red-zone scoring. This is certainly not good news for Colts fans, and while it hurts to know that both within the conference and division, Moore may be meeting with opponents who seek knowledge they would have previously not been able glean — as Moore has been the Colts Offensive Coordinator (or special assistant) since Manning entered the league in 1998.
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Colts Vice Chairman Polian Says Good Draft Hit Rates are Lower than Many Expect
Apr 8th
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Our friend Paul Kuharsky of ESPN’s AFC South Blog, discussed what a good draft batting average is between Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian and Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt. Below are a couple of interesting quotes from Polian but the full story the read at ESPN.com.
I think you have to divide it into top 12 and bottom 20. If you’re in the top 12, it ought to be in the .640 range. That’s about 4.5 guys on average per year out of the seven. You measure that at the end of three years and what you are measuring is whether or not those guys become winning players, guys that contribute to wins. Bottom 20 is .571, that’s four out of seven… You either make it or you don’t. We’ve been above the .570 mark when you count collegiate free agents like Melvin Bullitt who come in and play, and they count. So we’ve been above the .570 mark. This past year we could get close to the .640 mark drafting 31st but it’s early.
Do you judge yourself harshly? The answer is yes. The guy either is a winning player or he’s not.
See a chart illustrating Polian’s break down between top 12 picks and bottom 20 picks at the link to the full story above. With all of the discussion in recent years regarding the Colts draft success in the early rounds and whether a draft is a hit or a miss, the discussions and different perspectives from two men who head their teams draft day operations are rather insightful.
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Colts Power Rankings – Week 17
Jan 7th
Each week, we’ll be scouring the net for team rankings from football experts, covering the previous week, and discussing them here. Let’s see what they have to say this week.
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A Fan Salute to the 2010 Indianapolis Colts
Jan 5th
A true Colts fan salute. (Andy Lyons | Getty Images)
With a win against the Titans, the Colts managed to overcome unprecedented team injuries and their worst five game series since 2002 for a NFL record (tie) ninth consecutive playoff berth, and their seventh AFC South Championship in the last eight years. Peyton Manning was able to get through his toughest stretch of games since his rookie year and somehow Indy has managed to enter January with the three seed in the AFC.
It is extremely important for Colts fans to step back and think about the gravity of this accomplishment. Frankly, this team had no business overcoming all of the adversity it has faced in a sixteen game season. More >
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Colts Power Rankings – Week 16
Dec 31st
Each week, we’ll be scouring the net for team rankings from football experts, covering the previous week, and discussing them here. Let’s see what they have to say this week.
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Quick Reaction: Colts 34, Jags 24
Dec 19th
Donald Brown breaks an attempted glove tackle to rumble for a 49-yard gain
Highlights:
- The refs played a larger part in this game than anyone would appreciate… on both sides of the ball.
- RB Donald Brown showed what he can do when he has good blocking in front of him (14 carries for 129 yards and 1 touchdown)
- I am heartbroken for WR Austin Collie, who after returning in a big way at the beginning of the game (8 catches for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns), suffered yet another game-ending concussion. Inexplicably, the team allowed him to return to the sidelines late in the game where he moped in his street clothes.
- The Colts once again won the turnover battle, giving up zero, while the Jags committed two – a Garrard interception by Antoine Bethea, and a blocking-into-the-receiver penalty with the bounce-off-the-receiver-into-the-Colts-hands turnover on a punt.
- As usual, the game came down to some nail-biting moments when the Jags scored a touchdown with 1:59 left to close the gap to 3. Coach Caldwell made a great call taking a time out just before Scobee squibbed the kick straight ahead on what appeared to be an attempt to catch the Colts’ line off guard.
- On the ensuing attempt, on-again off-again Colts’ LB Tyjuan Hagler grabbed the short squib kick by Scobee and ran it 41 yards for a touchdown to ice the game.
- The Colts are now first in the AFC South (on tie-breakers) and continue their playoff hunt next week in Oaktown (where I will be reporting live!)
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Colts Power Rankings – Week 14
Dec 16th
Each week, we’ll be scouring the net for team rankings from football experts, covering the previous week, and discussing them here. Let’s see what they have to say this week.
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Colts v. Titans Game Day Thread
Dec 9th
There is no more room for error. The Colts head into tonight’s game against the AFC South rival Tennessee Titans needing to win the remainder of their games to secure a playoff spot. That job did not get easier following the Cowboys game Sunday, as Bob Sanders and Jerraud Powers were both placed on the injured reserve.
The Titans are facing a great deal of adversity as well, with Kerry Collins now starting at quarterback. The games against the Titans are arguably the easiest games on the schedule. This win on the road makes or breaks the season. Believe in Blue! Go Colts!
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