Posts tagged Offense
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.
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...
Why It’s Easy to be an Indianapolis Colts Fan: Professionalism and Community Service
Jun 22nd
No comments
For a lot of people in the Midwest, particularly in Indiana, it is just as important that professional athletes positively reflect the city, state, and community off of the field as it is that they achieve on-field success. Hoosiers will not tolerate a professional team that includes players who are continually public nuisances, break the law, and generate press that negatively reflects on and negatively impacts the community. Players like Pacman Jones, Vince Young, Albert Haynesworth, Cedric Benson, and Brandon Marshall are not the kind of players off-field that the Colts will typically target in free agency.
Consider how positively most Colts players display community service, professionalism on and off of the field, intelligence, and a hard work ethic. While no team is perfect, as players are human beings and make mistakes too, very rarely will any kind of repeat offenses be tolerated. Key defensive tackle Ed Johnson, who was arguably the most talented nose tackle in Indianapolis after Booger McFarland’s career ended, was charged with speeding and marijuana possession and was cut less than 24 hours later. The team took a chance with Johnson from the get-go, as he had a history of drug related problems in college and informed him that he was on a one-strike and your out policy. Head Coach Jim Caldwell was willing to give him a second chance a year later but he was cut after only a brief stay. More >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell’s Stamp on Coaching Staff Complete?
May 11th
No comments
With the news that former Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore has left the team, it occurred to me that a great deal of turnover has taken place since Head Coach Jim Caldwell took over for Tony Dungy in 2009. Many considered the initial changes minor, as Caldwell has consistently stated his opinion that he was taking over a team and staff that was not broken, and a team philosophy that he promised to uphold, but the gradual transition from the Dungy coaching staff to the Caldwell coaching staff has been significant — and could be complete after Caldwell’s third off-season behind the wheel.
Since Caldwell took over the team he has:
Replaced former Special Teams Coordinator Russ Purnell with Ray Rychleski
Replaced former Defensive Coordinator Ron Meeks with Larry Coyer
Replaced former Offensive Line Coach Howard Mudd with Pete Metzelaars
Replaced former Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore with Clyde Christensen
Replaced former Running Backs Coach Gene Huey with David Walker
Added Ron Turner as Quarterbacks Coach
Moved former Quarterbacks Coach Frank Reich to Wide Receivers Coach More >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Colts Part Ways with Legendary Offensive Coordinator Tom Moore
May 10th
No comments
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.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
With the 188th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select…
Apr 30th
No comments
Chris Rucker deflects a pass. (Mike Ehrmann | Getty Images)
CB – Chris Rucker
Michigan State cornerback Chris Rucker had success in college and earned a reputation as a physical corner who could shut down opponents. He used his size to jam receivers off of the line often and had enough speed and hip fluidity to keep up with his man. In the NFL he may need to develop fluidity in his hips for NFL caliber receiver if he plans to stay on the outside.
At 6-foot 2-inches tall and 200 pounds, Rucker may remind a lot of fans of former Colts defensive back Marlin Jackson. His 4.55 40-yard dash is not great for a cover corner but his play style is perfect for a zone system. One has to wonder if the Colts might ask Rucker to put on 10 pounds or so and step into the S rotation.
Rucker had some character concerns, including a DUI that was reduced to a reckless driving offense, which caused him to slip from what could have been a third or fourth round grade to a fifth or sixth round value.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Flying Under the Radar: Brody Eldridge
Apr 12th
Brody Eldridge at Training Camp 2010 | Robert Scheer/The Star
Eldridge was the Colts 2010 fifth round draft pick. It is doubtful any offensive player taken in the fifth round by the Colts has ever carried the kind of expectations Eldridge absorbed, though. Not only was Eldridge the second-half of an extremely potent tight end combination in college, he also was a pure blocking tight end that had experience as an offensive lineman.
That alone was not what sparked expectations for him, though. It was the understanding that some of the most dominant offensive seasons during the Peyton Manning-era came out of a strong two tight end formation with competent blocking tight ends. While no one was going to usurp Dallas Clark, Eldridge took over the starting spot formerly held by the perennially “just good enough and healthy enough to stay on the roster” Gijon Robinson.
Needless to say, expectations for Eldridge were pretty high to start off the year. With the return of Anthony Gonzalez to the field, visions of an unstoppable offense able to react and adapt to any defensive scheme imaginable ran wild. While there isn’t a major cry that he was “bad” or a “bust,” there really isn’t any affirmation for him out there either, and that’s where I step in. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Offensive Tackle
Apr 9th
2 comments
No position has been more heavily discussed, debated, and recruited by the Colts organization — or its fan base — during the 2011 off-season. The benefit of adding a legitimate, starting-caliber, left or right tackle early in the 2011 NFL Draft could drastically affect Indy’s offensive effectiveness and production, particularly running the football. To get an idea where the team stands, it is appropriate to look at the tackle depth already on the Colts roster.
First, assuming the new CBA does not make it impossible to keep key free agents, left tackle Charlie Johnson is the best offensive tackle on the current roster. The problem with this statement is that Johnson is much better suited to play guard in the NFL, or at most right tackle. This means that stalwart right tackle Ryan Diem’s value and production has dropped significantly in the last two or three seasons, increasing the need to replace him with younger talent. Diem had by far the worst year of any of the Colts offensive linemen in 2010 and is getting a salary that his play no longer justifies. More >
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Tight End UPDATED
Apr 8th
No comments
Indianapolis has put together a solid group of tight ends whose depth is dependent upon players getting and staying healthy, a recurring theme. Coltzilla’s Laura Calaway informed readers in February that Pro Bowl tight end Dallas Clark is out of his cast and is working on getting his range of motion back. At this point, Clark does not foresee that he will have to miss any time during training camp, assuming all of the NFL’s negotiations are worked out in time.
Fourth-year player Jacob Tamme played a major role in the Colts offense after Clark went down in 2010. The potential use of both Tamme and Clark in some dual-tight end sets is a scary prospect for opposing defenses and could be a powerful weapon for Indianapolis’ offense. Second-year blocking tight end Brody Eldridge should have an opportunity to take some positive steps in his development. While he was unable to get comfortable catching the football as a rookie, he did improve the offensive line when he was on the field.
*Updated: Cobb78 sent Coltzilla an insightful email following this story. Arkansas tight end — and Mackey Award winner — D.J. Williams has been added in the fifth round. Thanks to Cobb78 for the discussion and contribution.
More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Wide Receiver
Apr 7th
When healthy, the Colts sport one of the NFL’s top groups of wide receivers. Reggie Wayne is an elite number one receiver who tops 1,000 yards and approaches 10 touchdowns regularly. Pierre Garcon has not established himself as one of the league’s top receivers but, with consistent hands, offers Indianapolis a legitimate deep threat across from Wayne. Austin Collie was on pace to put up absurd numbers in 2010 if he did not suffer multiple concussions that would keep him out of numerous games and end his season prematurely. If Collie played a full season in the slot he would have pushed Wes Welker for the best slot receiver in the NFL.
Anthony Gonzalez has been unable to stay healthy for two straight seasons, although he was ready to return in 2010 had the Colts coaching staff not felt compelled to move him to injured reserve. While he has yet to have his “break out” season, all signs indicated that 2009 would be his first year with better than 1,000 yards receiving in place of Marvin Harrison. Gonzalez and Collie are both able to play inside or outside. Even undrafted rookie Blair White stepped in and showed a great deal of potential when Gonzalez and Collie missed significant time. Once he gets his timing down with Manning, he could likewise offer a legitimate receiving threat who has already shown a propensity for being a big end zone target. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...