In the Training Room Injury Update: Joseph Addai and Devin Moore
Jul 19th
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One of the most unusual, and yet perhaps not uncommon, injuries that befell the Colts in 2010 was the brachial plexus injury. Both RB Devin Moore and RB Joseph Addai, suffered this injury either as a result of awkward hits that turned their head away from the shoulder being hit, or direct, hard contact to their collarbone. The injury typically results in weakness or numbness in the affected arm, accompanied by a burning sensation.
Recovery varies based on severity, with 20-30 minutes being a typical recovery period, up to several hours, days or weeks. In the most severe cases, the hit severs nerves in the brachial plexus and surgery is required. Football teams tend to list the injury as a shoulder injury. More >
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Impact of 2011 Kickoff Rule Changes Could Surprise Colts Fans and NFL Analysts
Jul 18th
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In March, the NFL owners voted 26-6 to move kickoffs from the 30-yard line back to its original position, on the 35-yard line. The decision prompted many analysts to lament that there would be “more touchbacks, less electricity,” and that it would be “less exciting.” The assumption is that some significant percentage of kickoffs would now sail into (or beyond) the end zone, and fans will see more touchbacks than electrifying returns by players like Chicago’s Devin Hester or Oakland’s Jacoby Ford.
But there’s another possibility… that kickers may actually go for height instead of distance on kickoffs in an attempt to pin returners deep. The opportunity is rich – defenders are now spotted an extra 5 yards to catch up to the returner, return teams can no longer employ the dangerous wedge block, and the kicker can convert the power he once used to kick the ball deep, and instead boot it high. Now that ill-fated kickoff against the Jets in last year’s Wild Card game looks much different… either McAfee boots it too deep for Cromartie to field, or he boots it higher, giving Hughes and others time to tackle Cromartie deep in Jets’ territory. More >
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Football or Die: Colts Freeney in Field of Dreams 2 Video on NFL Lockout
Jul 6th
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The Colts Mold: Free Agent Guard Market
Jul 6th
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Improving the offensive line has been an apparent theme for the Indianapolis Colts off-season. In the first and second rounds of the 2011 NFL Draft the Colts selected Anthony Castonzo and Benjamin Ijalana, respectively, in order to address the need at offensive tackle.
Charlie Johnson is a spectacularly dynamic offensive lineman who is capable of playing four positions on the line, but would be much better inside or at right tackle. Veteran right tackle Ryan Diem’s production has noticeably declined over the last two seasons and he is commanding a $5.4 million contract in 2011. This leaves players like Ijalana, Johnson, and second-year player Jeff Linkenbach as front-runners for right tackle.
If Ijalana or Johnson move to right tackle, the guard spots will still be filled by a combination of Mike Pollak, Kyle DeVan, or first year starters Jacques McClendon and/or Jaimie Thomas. Linkenbach showed in 2010 that he is not ready to play inside in the NFL. McClendon and Thomas would be unknowns. Pollak has been inconsistent and has lost his starting job numerous times over the last two seasons.
It is for this reason that Chris Polian and the Indy front office could be interested in signing a veteran guard in place of letting Diem’s high contract go. In fact, if Indianapolis signed one of the following three veteran guards the offensive line could be one of the strongest units on the team when January rolls around — assuming the rookies develop as projected. More >
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A Look Back at 2010: Week 1 – Colts at Texans
Jul 5th
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As we continue to wait for the NFL and NFLPA to resolve their differences, Coltzilla will be spending the next few weeks looking back at 2010. This will allow fans to relive the season — and think about what could have happened — and gives me the opportunity to complete another revision of ‘Game Stats.’ This will allow me to include information like air yards, yards after the catch, broken tackles by offensive players, yards after first hit, opposing defensive formations, running back blocking statistics, time the QB held the ball, number of blitzers, etc.
This revision of Game Stats has produced some very interesting results that I didn’t notice the first time through. To get access these new observations, though, you’ll have to read on past the jump. Unlike my game stat reviews of the games, the game results statistics will be left for the statistics page.
Without further ado, let’s go back to opening day at Reliant Stadium in Houston. More >
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The Colts Mold: Free Agent Cornerback Market Values
Jul 1st
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Any defense that runs a base Cover-2 scheme requires a strong secondary to succeed. The Indianapolis Colts strategy has always been to over-power opponents with a dynamic passing game, while the defense stifles the opponent’s passing game by refusing to give up big plays.
When Tony Dungy and Ron Meeks oversaw Indy’s defense the players needed were — in many ways — interchangeable because cover corners were not necessary. A strict zone discipline was instilled and the scheme itself “did the work.” Under defensive coordinator Larry Coyer that is starting to change, and a greater emphasis on man coverage has developed to support a more aggressive defensive style that includes blitz packages.
With players like Jerraud Powers and Justin Tryon already showing real potential, things could be coming together in Indianapolis. Heading into 2011 there are two primary questions. The first is, should the Colts retain Kelvin Hayden at his $9 million salary cap level? The second is how talented is Indy going to be behind these players? More >
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The Colts Mold: Free Agent Defensive End Market Values
Jun 30th
No team places more emphasis on the pass rush than the Indianapolis Colts and their defensive line coach John Teerlinck. With dual-Pro Bowl defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis leading the way, Indy arguably has the most powerful pass rushing tandem in the NFL.
The issue is that Mathis is entering the last year of his contract and may not be re-signed. Freeney is one of the league’s most diligent off-season physical trainers but he is 31 years old — and everyone’s production has to start declining at some point. While he could maintain a very high level of play for three or four more years, there are no guarantees and injuries to Freeney have devastated Indianapolis at the wrong time more than once.
With Keyunta Dawson unlikely to remain in Indianapolis, former first round pick Jerry Hughes unproven, and former Canadian Football League standout John Chick as the only remaining in-house options, it is plausible that the Colts will consider adding proven depth if the price is right. There are three outside free agents who are worthy of a look for different reasons. More >
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The Colts Mold: Free Agent Defensive Tackle Market Values
Jun 29th
One of most actively evolving positions for the Indianapolis Colts is defensive tackle. While major trade or free agent acquisitions are atypical for the Colts front office, two of the team’s biggest acquisitions in last six years were defensive tackles.
In 2005, Indianapolis signed Corey Simon, formerly with the Philadelphia Eagles. Simon’s contract was for $30 million over five years. Unfortunately, Simon would never fulfill the terms of the contract on the field as he developed polyarthritis, which forced him into an early retirement.
Mid-season 2006, the Colts traded a second round pick to acquire Booger McFarland from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McFarland’s contract included a $6.6 million salary cap hit. Like Simon before him, McFarland’s career would end prematurely — this time due to a catastrophic knee injury.
Since that time, Indianapolis has been attempting to put together a group of defensive tackles primarily through rookie free agency, second round draft picks, late round picks, and by acquiring players from other teams early in the year. When three of those players enter free agency at one time, the likelihood that new acquisitions occur increases significantly. More >
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The Colts Mold: Free Agent Safety Market Values
Jun 28th
Yesterday, we discussed the proposed salary cap increase and how it will affect the Indianapolis Colts as they enter the free agent signing frenzy that will likely begin in early July. Although official salary numbers are hard to determine, we loosely projected that the Colts should be able to retain most of their own priority free agents — even if Peyton Manning plays at the $23 million franchise tag level in 2011.
With so many players set to enter unrestricted free agency though, there is a possibility that teams like the Colts will sign an uncharacteristically high number of outsiders. The best way to determine who Indianapolis is likely to take a close look at is to determine which players fit the team’s greatest areas of need, which players are most likely to fit in the Colts scheme, and which players are within the team’s budget. More >
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