Posts tagged Anthony Castonzo
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.
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Roster Casualties
May 21st
Despite knowing that the lockout will remain in place, fans are left wondering if some of the old rules that governed the ins and outs of the NFL offseason will stand. One thing in particular, the player total on the offseason roster, should stay the same though. At least that’s what we’ll assume for the time being. Based on the previous CBA, teams were allowed 80 players on an offseason roster, and while that number could change, the fact that the NFL isn’t adding any more games, and the NFLPA doesn’t want to split their pie between any more people, it is reasonable to assume that the figure is likely to stay the same. As it stands right now though, the Colts have 83 players on their roster, but due to the lockout no personnel decisions can be made except for adding the 2011 draft picks to the lists. As such, with the lockout technically still in place and no end to it all readily in sight we are simply left with speculation on what is likely to be a tumultuous beginning to the NFL pre-season. More >
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Reaction to Bill Polian Interview with “1070 The Fan”
May 10th
Last week, Colts GM Bill Polian had a phone in conversation with Grady and Big Joe at 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis. I wanted to highlight a few interesting points that have gone largely unmentioned thus far. After the jump we’ll take a look at a few of these quotes and why they stood out. If you’d like to read the full interview, head over to SportsRadioInterview.com to read the transcript. More >
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2011 Roster Projections – OT Anthony Castonzo
May 7th
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The draft is over, and with the lockout back in place the only thing to do is study draft picks. This is one of the few drafts where almost every pick gives the Colts a player who looks like he could see significant time in the coming year — sans injuries. From Anthony Castonzo to Delone Carter, each of the Colts top four selections shows something that either has been missing from the team, or a new wrinkle that could have a significant impact on how the team operates in 2011. First, let’s take a look at the Colts first round selection, offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo out of Boston College. More >
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2011 Colts NFL Draft Reaction
May 4th
The 2011 NFL Draft has come and gone, and while it is ridiculous to hand out letter grades on players that have yet to take a snap in the NFL, let alone reached their prime, it is reasonable to assess what the Colts draft may mean for the long and short term of the franchise. We will try to keep the cheerleading to a minimum.
The first thing that stands out about the Colts draft is that, while the Indianapolis only had five picks to work with, they seemed to make every one of them count. Each of the Colts five draftees is a skilled, talented player that fits their on-field philosophies. In fact, the biggest question marks seem to revolve around the off-field issues of their sixth round pick, Chris Rucker (DB – Michigan State).
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In the Second Round, the Indianapolis Colts Select…
Apr 29th
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OT – Ben Ijalana
The Colts traded the 53rd and 152nd picks to the Washington Redskins in order to move up and draft Villanova left tackle Ben Ijalana. With this selection the Colts have infused a lot of talent along the offensive line and have some flexibility on how they will use that talent. Ijalana may play guard as a rookie before he moves outside, as he has the ability to be an exceptional guard as a rookie. He could also take over at right tackle, or even challenge Castonzo for reponsibilities at left tackle.
Consider the new Colts offensive line, thus far. For the sake of conversation, three different potential starting rotations will be included for discussion.
LT Anthony Castonzo LG Charlie Johnson C Jeff Saturday RG Mike Pollak RT Ben Ijalana
LT Anthony Castonzo LG Charlie Johnson C Jeff Saturday RG Kyle DeVan RT Ben Ijalana
LT Anthony Castonzo LG Charlie Johnson C Jeff Saturday RG Ben Ijalana RT Jeff Linkenbach
Of course, it is quite possible that Ryan Diem will remain the starter at right tackle but with this group of players, the Colts offensive line should improve considerably.
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With the 22nd pick in the NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select…
Apr 28th
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Anthony Castonzo
Things were dicey for a while, but the Colts were able to get their offensive tackle. Despite the major need for a RT, the Colts have found a replacement for LT Charlie Johnson. While Carimi would have probably been the safer pick to solidify the running game and stabilize the very lackluster right side, the Colts went with the more prototypical Colts tackle. Still, with the left side allowing rushes at a rate of over 5 YPC, drafting Castonzo may allow Johnson to move back to his natural guard position finally replacing Mike Pollak, or even shift to RT to help bolster a running game that was anemic on the right side. More to come on this pick later as the implications sink in, but for now welcome to the newest member of the Colts Franchise, Anthony Castonzo!
Editor’s Note: With Round 1 in the books, Colts fans should be really happy. Castonzo projects to be a starter right away, should have a solid career, and his selection gives the Colts a lot more breathing room with their remaining picks. I would still like to see another offensive lineman or two in the draft, though I do not think that is necessarily likely. If a player like Joseph Barksdale is around in the third round, after a safety in the second, it would be a dream draft. Tomorrow night will be very interesting. The first three rounds will determine what could be an extremely strong Colts draft.
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Coltzilla’s Ultimate Colts Mock Draft
Apr 28th
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As NFL Draft crazed football fans already know, one of the biggest problems with mock drafts is that they are extremely unlikely to be accurate. Knowing how each team will pick, let alone the teams writers are most familiar with, is a shot in the dark scenario. Accordingly, Coltzilla has put together the “Ultimate Colts Mock Draft” which will list those players who may be available when the Colts make each of their six selections.
The Ultimate Colts Mock Draft will include prospects from nearly all positions in each round, and will attempt to rate the players in order in each round based upon our assessment of the raw best player available standard. Each of the players listed should be in contention for the most valuable player on the draft board specifically for the Colts, so this delineation hopes be useful following the draft to subjectively determine how team needs may affect Indy’s draft room. More >
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Examining the Top 5 OTs in the 2011 NFL Draft: A Colts Perspective
Apr 11th
For most avid Colts fans, it is a no-brainer that the team will try to pick up a franchise left tackle in the first round of the NFL draft. There is no other position in such need of new blood to warrant a first round pick — outside of a one-tech defensive tackle (i.e. Stephen Paea). As it stands, there are between three and six offensive tackles who could be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. This story will provide a brief overview of the top five guys and how they stack up in terms of potential, current draft stock, and how they fit with the scheme.
Coltzilla will have a short series coming out in the next few days breaking down the game film available for these players as well — a number of the things discussed in this post are the result of some preliminary looks into the game film. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments. More >
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