Posts tagged Lockout
“Coltzilla Dead” Pronouncements Premature
May 30th
It has come to our attention that one of our colleagues in the Colts blogosphere has taken shots at Coltzilla regarding a lack of steady content recently. In fact, in the latest comment, it was suggested that Coltzilla is “dead.” As the site’s founder and editor I think it is worthwhile to address any of our readers’ concerns about the current and future health of Coltzilla.
Our readers should know that Coltzilla upholds a standard of reporting and analysis that we hope best serves Colts fans. We do not engage in long-winded or repetitive rants regarding rather mundane occurrences in the Colts front office, draft strategies, private practices, or minor surgeries to players. More >
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Indianapolis Colts Priority Undrafted Free Agents
May 1st
Although the NFL lockout will keep teams from pursuing undrafted free agents following the 2011 NFL Draft, one can be sure that teams are hard at work coming up with a list of players they want to call when the lockout if lifted. For the Indianapolis Colts, there are a few positions they probably would like to grab a few players to compete during summer activities and training camp — assuming either actually happen. This list will be comprised of players Coltzilla feels are in the highest need areas on the team, players the team met prior to the draft — who have historically been free agent signings — and players who are the most talented signing possibilities. Check out the list after the jump. More >
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Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Defensive Tackle
Apr 27th
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For the first time in many years, the Indianapolis Colts have reason to be excited about their defensive tackle rotation. No, the group is certainly not one of the highest rated units in the league, but it is filled with players who more adequately play the role Indy’s defensive scheme requires than any group since the team had Anthony “Booger” McFarland in 2006. Gone are the days of sub-300 pound players trying to stop the run. The unit is bigger and many of its members are improving.
Consider that 2009 second round draft pick Fili Moala started every game in 2010. More importantly, he improved significantly from a disappointing rookie campaign. Veteran Eric Foster has moved into a situational pass rushing role and that he has improved each year he has been with the team. Even rookie Ricardo Mathews showed signs of real potential in limited action.
The only real doubt for Indianapolis as they head into 2011 is who will play the one-technique — nose tackle — role. The team has historically struggled against the run, and those struggles continued in 2010 when Daniel Muir was forced to start in place of Antonio “Mookie” Johnson — who missed significant time due to nagging injuries. When Johnson returned late in the season, the run defense improved significantly. Whether the team will be able to re-sign Johnson, once a new CBA is instituted and the lockout is lifted for good, is an unknown and could have a significant impact on how tempted the team will be to invest an early pick on the interior of the defensive line. More >
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Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Linebacker
Apr 25th
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Things started to come together for the Colts linebacker position in 2010. While starting weak side linebacker Clint Session missed much of the year with a fractured forearm and dislocated shoulder, a seventh round rookie replacement — Kavell Conner — did an excellent job in his place. When defensive captain Gary Brackett missed some time, second round rookie Pat Angerer filled in — he performed well enough to remain a starter on the strong side in place of Philip Wheeler. Former starter Tyjuan Hagler signed and played an important role in the rotation and on special teams.
Between Session, Brackett, Angerer, Conner, Hagler, and Wheeler the Colts have two players at each position who have shown enough skill to start. At least four of those players are proven difference makers. The only other linebacker on the Colts roster — Cody Glenn — was one of the Colts best special teams players when he was healthy. If he returns to the field, the Colts have seven players at linebacker, and all but one of those players has meaningful starts on their resumes. More >
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Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Safety
Apr 20th
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The Colts are in a state of transition at the safety position. 2007 Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders will not return to Indianapolis and has signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Chargers. While this arguably “weakens” the position, what offsets the blow is that Sanders has not been a meaningful part of the rotation for three years. Losing Sanders, in some regards, is like losing something that was not really there.
What the Colts can be sure of is that safety Antoine Bethea is with the team long-term and is playing at a very high level. He is one of the league’s top safeties and is also one of the most reliable.
The uncertainty surrounds what will happen with strong safety Melvin Bullitt when the collective bargaining agreement negotiations are ironed out in court. If the Colts are able to honor the offer they made to Bullitt prior to the lockout, the team has a starter who is durable enough and strong enough in the Colts system to be a part of a very strong secondary. If, on the other hand, Bullitt’s restricted status is nullified from the court’s ruling, Indianapolis will be faced with players who have either never started in the NFL, who have not spent meaningful time in the Colts system, or who are coming off of relatively major injuries. Assuming they do not work out a long-term weal with Bullitt. More >
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Rumor Circulating that Colts will Sign Former Bears DT Tommie Harris
Apr 14th
, Bears beat writer for the Chicago Tribune, tweeted the following:
Don’t be surprised if Tommie Harris signs with the Colts once the lockout ends.
Although this statements is certainly far short of an assurance that a contract is a foregone conclusion, especially given that teams cannot negotiate with free agents during a lockout, McClure broke a one week Twitter silence to share the rumor. It seems unlikely, since April Fool’s Day has long since past, that McClure is floating this rumor without some trustworthy source giving him a tip he trusts. Coltzilla will follow the rumor as it develops.
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The Colts May Soon Need Dungy to Play a Role
Apr 6th
Today is a big day for the owners, players and fans of the NFL – the lawsuit levied by the NFL players to remove the lockout order will begin to be heard by U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson. No matter the immediate outcome, most everyone is hopeful that today’s ruling (should it actually come out today) and any subsequent rulings will eventually lead to the owners and players returning to the bargaining table and hammering out some sort of agreement. (I won’t call it a CBA because as of now, there is no “collective” with which to bargain!) People are still hopeful that the season is not in jeopardy, neither in full nor even partially.
For now though, the owners and players remain cool at best, and angry/hurt at worst. It was inevitable that this fight got personal – football is the lifeblood for the owners and players, and for many, has been an integral part of their lives since their Pop Warner days. And it got personal torward the end of negotiations – players’ wives had labor induced early so as to ensure medical coverage, Carolina Panthers’ owner Jerry Richardson openly and derisively questioned QB Peyton Manning’s ability to understand a simple profit and loss statement, and there was the to formal negotiations that precipitated the union decertification and owner lockout. More >
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Coltzilla Colts “Mock” Draft
Mar 22nd
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In following with the observations made in the 2011 Draft Class Could Benefit the Colts story, this mock draft will consider what players the Colts could select that should substantially bolster the team’s primary weaknesses and provide security at a couple of positions that have legitimate question-marks behind starters.
I did my best to not reach for any players and to be realistic about players who would be available when the Colts go on the board for each of their six picks. I also did not consider trades, although there is a good chance Polian would entertain a trade down if a partner with desirable compensation was interested. A later mock draft will consider those options. Opinions, observations, and suggestions are welcome. More >
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Combination of Lockout and 2011 Draft Class Could Benefit Colts
Mar 22nd
2011 is one of the busiest and potentially difficult off-seasons for the Indianapolis Colts in Peyton Manning’s career. To this point, the team has had to part ways with veteran safety Bob Sanders, has been unable to nail down a deal with franchise quarterback Peyton Manning, and has numerous questions regarding the future contracts of many steady contributors over the last two seasons.
Some of the questions may be answered — assuming a new CBA gets worked out that does not nullify the moves the franchise has already made — as the Colts have issued tenders to players like starting running back Joseph Addai, veteran linebacker Clint Session, defensive tackles Eric Foster and Daniel Muir, and assumed starting strong safety Melvin Bullitt. This still leaves the team’s sole nose tackle, Antonio Johnson in limbo, and kicker Adam Vinatieri floating around with an uncertain future. More >
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