Posts tagged Mike Chappell
Colts Claim Second-Year Running Back Andre Brown Off Waivers
Oct 18th
1 comment
Mike Chappell of the Indy Star is reporting that the Colts have signed second-year running back Andre Brown off of waivers from the Denver Broncos. Brown entered the league as a fourth round draft pick in 2009 (New York Giants), and received attention from a lot of Colts fans who considered him a solid option as a bruising change-of-pace to Joseph Addai. Unfortunately, his rookie season ended when he tore his Achilles tendon, and that he has not been able to stick in a Broncos backfield that has struggled to get anything going this season is not a shining endorsement.
Still, as he entered the 2009 draft I compiled a full scouting report on Brown, comparing him to fellow 2009 rookie Rashad Jennings who is now the primary backup to Maurice Jones-Drew for the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars. To this point, who will be released to make room for Brown is unknown. His signing is not good news for Joseph Addai’s injury. Read more about Andre Brown after the break.
*NOTE – Brown does have some NFL return experience, which makes it possible that his signing has less to do with Addai and more to do with Colts returner Kenny Moore. More >
Colts Wide Receiver Anthony Gonzalez Upset
Sep 7th
8 comments
Indy Star writer Mike Chappell interviewed Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez following the release of the Colts official 2010 depth chart. From the interview, it is clear that Gonzalez is disappointed that he was unable to win his starting role back from Pierre Garçon, who replaced him after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the first quarter of the home opener a season ago.
“All I wanted was an opportunity to compete. That’s it. That’s what I was promised. I’m probably not the person to ask, really. Whether a job is open or competition takes place, is something that is determined by coaches, not players.”
Who would not be upset with the outcome? It is clear that NFL players work very hard to make a living and even clearer that players working hard to return from season-ending injuries have job security and their NFL futures riding on the line. It only makes sense that Gonzalez would want to come out of camp as the starter and to feel like the time he had to prove himself was shorter than he would have liked.
More >NFL Umpire Placement Rule Continues to Evolve
Sep 7th
2 comments
At the outset of the preseason, the NFL put a new rule in place to improve the safety of its officials, which required their umpires to move from the defensive side of the ball, just behind the linebackers, to the offensive side of the ball, 15 yards from the line of scrimmage. One byproduct of the change is that it fundamentally alters the pace of spotting the football, and getting set for the snap. Peyton Manning and the Colts offense pushed the limits of the rule in the team’s third preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, resulting in two penalties against the Colts offense for “playing too fast.”
The team was not playing too fast for NFL football, or too fast for the Packers to be on their side of the ball. The Colts were too fast for the umpire and the head official to move back into position behind all offensive players. The penalties led to the league holding major discussions about ways to modify umpire positioning to retain safety, while reducing the impact on the pace of NFL offenses. More >
Colts Cut Defensive Tackle Marlon Favorite
Sep 3rd
2 comments
Mike Chappell of the Indy Star also reports that the Colts have waived defensive tackle Marlon Favorite. Favorite made a solid play late in the Bengals game but it was too little too late. Coltzilla wishes Favorite the best of luck moving forward.
Colts Planning on Bringing in a Veteran Cornerback?
Jul 31st
10 comments
On Friday, Mike Chappell responded to questions from Colts fans in his “ask the expert” series. In his piece, he mentioned that the team recently brought in veteran cornerbacks Frank Walker and Deshea Townsend for visits.
In Chappell’s opinion, the Colts are actively pursuing potential veteran support at cornerback. This would be a logical move for the team, given that third round pick Kevin Thomas suffered a knee injury during rookie camp and will likely miss the rest of the season.
The obvious question that need to be answered is — if the Colts actually do plan on signing a veteran corner, who will it be?
More >
Manning Working Tirelessly to Improve
Jun 7th
2 comments
The Indy Star’s Mike Chappell reviews the painstaking review process Manning undergoes before the start of each new season. It is clear that Peyton sets the bar for NFL players who want to know what it takes to be the best. It’s no wonder, given the incredible regimen Manning walks through each year that he gives opponents fits year-after-year.
Always Work To Be Done – Mike Chappell | Indy Star
Fili Moala Determined to Contribute
Jun 6th
6 comments
In an interview with Mike Chappell of the Indy Star, Fili Moala expressed dissatisfaction with sitting on the sidelines in 2009 and sounds determined to change that in the coming season.
“I’ve never sat on the bench in my life. I don’t like being a spectator. I can’t speak for anyone else, but that does not sit well with me. I’ve never been that kind of guy. I’ve always felt like I had to carry my weight. I felt like a bum sitting on the sideline. It was not playing as well and kind of doubting yourself in terms of looking yourself in the mirror and thinking, ‘Man, this is not me.’”
More >
More Trouble for Colts Future?
May 26th
Mike Chappell of the Indy Star reported this morning that Robert Mathis is choosing to not participate in the team’s organized team activities because he is unhappy with his contract. Adding a player to the mix of players who will need to negotiate new contracts at the end of the 2010 season, which I discussed in this article is certainly not good news.
Mathis has been selected to the Pro Bowl each of the last two seasons and is second only to Dwight Freeney in career sacks in franchise history (63). Despite this production, Mathis is set to make $2.3 million and $2.4 million in salary over the final two years of this contract, or $5.8 million and $4.4 million including bonuses. By comparison, Freeney will make $8.6 million and $11.1 million in salary over the same two seasons, or $13.6 million and $16.1 million including bonuses.