Posts tagged Tennessee Titans
Colts Fans Discuss Steroid Use in the NFL: Part I
Feb 15th
Shawne Merriman works out before a game with the Chicago Bears in 2010. (Stephen Dunn | Getty Images)
One of the most prevalent issues for the Indianapolis Colts in 2010 was the unprecedented number of injuries the team’s players incurred at almost every position on the team. The Colts were not alone — the World Champion Green Bay Packers were the second most injured team in the league. The frequency and severity of injuries has become one of the most discussed topics in all of football for players, owners, the NFL Competition Committee, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
In 2005, Major League Baseball had to address an unrelated matter that could have some correlation with the number of injuries some NFL teams have experienced over the last few years. Players like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jose Conseco, Alex Rodriguez and others were all either questioned or openly discussed the use of performance enhancing drugs like steroids. The issue was so important that Congress saw fit to have hearings regarding the use of illegal performance enhancers in professional sports.
Shortly after Congress expressed open concerns with the use of steroids in professional sports, the NFL instituted a crack down of its own, increasing the penalties for use and the frequency of tests to catch violators of their substance abuse policies. As with any change in policy, words on paper or an agreement reached between players and the NFL are meaningless unless those words and the agreement is enforced. It took the league approximately one year to start getting some results by instituting penalties, suspensions, and making good on their word to be diligent with the use of steroids. More >
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Forecasting the Colts 2011 Defensive Tackles
Feb 1st
Antonio "Mookie" Johnson tackles Titans running back Chris Johnson. (Andy Lyons | Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts have historically had difficulty putting together a group of defensive tackles that are capable of fulfilling their responsibilities in the Tampa-2 defensive scheme. In this scheme, the nose tackle — 1-technique tackle — is asked to be a space-filling, line holding run stuffer. The under tackle — 3-technique tackle — is asked to penetrate the offensive line to disrupt running lanes on the way to the quarterback. For many years the biggest weakness amongst Indy’s interior defensive linemen has been a lack of size. This resulted in opponents running the ball relentlessly off of their centers and guards, right through the middle of the Colts defensive line.
A lot has changed. Now Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir, and Fili Moala all surpass the 300-pound mark. Only Johnson is well-suited to play nose tackle, while Muir and Moala are reasonably sized 3-technique tackles in a 4-3 defensive front — Muir had great success in 2009 and Moala showed marked improvement in 2010. Ricardo Mathews and Eric Foster are used situationally on passing downs and are better suited for the under tackle role. Foster moves outside to defensive end in run packages — Mathews may do the same in 2011. More >
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Foreshadowing the Colts 2011 Linebacker Corps
Jan 30th
Kavell Conner tackles Steve Smith in an early season meeting with the Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2010. (AJ Mast | AP Photo)
Linebacker has been a position of weakness for the Colts for many years. Other than Gary Brackett, the last time the Colts had a linebacker worthy of NFL recognition was when former 2002 fourth round draft pick David Thornton left the team following the 2005 season — he signed a lucrative five-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.
In many ways, the fact that the linebackers have not been a major strength is expected with the Colts’ history of refusing to pay veterans at the position after their rookie contracts expire — they did the same with Marcus Washington following the 2003 season, who went on to a Pro Bowl in 2004 and two alternate bids in 2005 and 2006. With a speed-focused defensive philosophy, however, it is reasonable to keep costs low because Colts linebackers are typically not high-profile players to other teams — they are generally too short and too light for other defensive schemes.
These facts and this history makes the Colts current depth chart at linebacker an albatross. While only Gary Brackett has a resume deserving of Pro Bowl consideration over the last three years, the young talent, potential, and depth at each of the linebacker positions is unfamiliar. More >
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Indy Sports Coverage – Week 17
Jan 2nd
Each week, Coltzilla brings you highlights from local sports coverage of the Colts with an emphasis on player interviews. Pre-game interviews go up throughout the week. Post-game interviews are posted shortly after the game. Hope you enjoy!
It’s Week 17 of the 2010 season, and the 9-6 Colts finish the regular season with a visit from the Tennessee Titans. Win, and the Colts win the AFC South.
UPDATED: Local Post-Game Coverage, Inside The Huddle – Tuesday morning
UPDATED: Sportslocker, Sports Jam, Indy Sports Nation – Monday evening
UPDATED: Colts Pre-Game Show – Sunday evening
UPDATED: Bill Polian Show – Saturday evening
Inside The Huddle:
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Quick Reaction: Colts 23, Titans 20
Jan 2nd
INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts runs for a touchdown during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
My thoughts on today’s game:
- On a day when (I thought) the Colts needed to make a statement, they whimpered. They won, but it took a mistake on a snap exchange and some solid defense to do it. I hate to say this when Peyton Manning is involved, but the Colts’ offense sputtered.
- The defense continues to play well, and Justin Tryon was a great pickup by Polian.
- Vinny is 23 for 25 on field goals this year, and yet I still clench my jaw every time he lines up. Tonight he showed why he continues to be money, clutch, or whatever other purse-related metaphor you care to use.
- Dominic Rhodes has been incredible for this team, but you cannot fumble the ball on the potential game-winning drive.
- After having a string of great games, Pierre Garcon once again contracted a case of the dropsies. He absolutely needs to shake it off during the playoffs or the Colts have little chance.
- S Mike Newton, who has been solid on special teams, left with an injury and did not return. We’ll see this week if the injury is long-term.
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Indy Sports Coverage – Week 14
Dec 13th
Each week, Coltzilla brings you highlights from local sports coverage of the Colts with an emphasis on player interviews. Pre-game interviews go up throughout the week. Post-game interviews are posted shortly after the game. Hope you enjoy!
It’s Week 14 of the 2010 season, and the 6-6 Colts travel to Nashville to take on the 5-7 Tennessee Titans.
UPDATED: Local TV Coverage – Mon morning
UPDATED: Bill Polian Show – Sun morning
UPDATED: Inside The Huddle – Sat morning
UPDATED: Post-Game Coverage – Fri afternoon
UPDATED: Pre-Game Show – Fri afternoon
Post-Game Coverage:
The Colts offense founds its legs and the Colts outlasted the Tennessee Titans 30-28 on Thursday night. In pre-game interviews, the Colts listed containing the run, eliminating turnovers, and running the ball as keys to beating the Titans. How’d they do? More >
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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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Week 9 Q&A: Eagles Blogger Jason Brewer
Nov 7th
Wade Payne | AP Photo
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie (17) catches a 6-yard-touchdown pass ahead of Tennessee Titans defenders Michael Griffin (33) and Stephen Tulloch (55) in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009.
Each week Coltzilla will preview the upcoming game by speaking with fellow bloggers who write about the week’s opponent. This week Coltzilla speaks with Jason Brewer from Bleeding Green Nation to get an Eagles perspective on our upcoming match-up.
CZ: With your number one cornerback Ellis Hobbs (Eagles fan told me that) out for this game I assume your number two cornerback Dimitri Patterson will cover Wayne. Who do you see covering Garçon and Collie, and are you worried about the match-ups?
JB: Well our #1 corner is Asante Samuel who will be playing. Dimitri Patterson will be starting on the opposite side of the field. The Eagles really don’t play match-ups with their corners, they give them a side of the field, so basically the Colts can get whatever match-up they like. Frankly, the individual match-ups don’t worry me as much just Manning does. Obviously he makes for a tough match-up regardless of the WRs and secondary.
CZ: Jason Peters is just coming off an injury — I believe to his knee? How do you see him holding up against the pass rush of Dwight Freeney? Who is matched up with Robert Mathis and what do you expect?
JB: I’d much prefer to see Peters in there against Freeney than his backup, King Dunlap. Peters can be a hit or miss proposition, generally he can dominate in the run game but occasionally struggle in pass protection. The good thing about this game is that Michael Vick is a lefty so Freeney doesn’t get to rush the blind side like usual. Winston Justice starts on the other side and I’d say has been our most solid and consistent offensive lineman. He’ll be watching Vick’s back and I feel ok with his match-up against Mathis. He’s not a dominant type OT, but he’s solid. More >
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AFC South: Regular and Postseason Predictions
Sep 12th
3 comments
The season is here, so naturally it is time to look ahead to the playoffs. No? This eight-part series takes a look at each division and discusses the outlook for every team in the NFL — in both the regular season and playoffs.
Johnny Hanson Chronicle
AFC SOUTH
TEAM: Indianapolis Colts
RECORD: 15-1 | Win Division
REASON: The Indianapolis Colts have only gotten better since last season when they went to the Super Bowl so why not 15-1? Some will bring up that Bill Polian will rest players the last two games, but he may not be to. There will be division games at the end of the season, which could mean that no matter their record is they will have to play there starters, or at least most of them. There are two big additions that can really help the Colts this season. The first is safety Bob Sanders; if he stays healthy it will be a huge boost to the defense. On offense the Colts obviously have Manning, but he has outstanding targets in Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Pierre Garçon, and returning former first round pick Anthony Gonzalez. The team’s weakness is the offensive line, it will be the dominant area of concern for the team and fans throughout the season. More >
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Raheem Brock Released By Titans UPDATED
Sep 7th
8 comments
Although he is no longer a part of the Colts roster, Andy Simms on Twitter announced that veteran defensive end Raheem Brock was released by the Tennessee Titans. It is unfortunate to see Brock struggle to make the roster and achieve his goal of having a chance to earn a Pro Bowl berth. Fans should keep an eye on Brock now that he has spent a few weeks getting healthy and in shape for another season.
Update:CW15.com announced that Brock already has a new team, the Seattle Seahawks. This should come as no surprise, considering the Seahawks have become the NFC version of the Tennessee Titans, scooping up former Colts regularly.
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