Posts tagged Coltzilla
NFL Rookie Defensive Tackles: What to Really Expect
Jun 1st
Each off-season, fans gets excited about the opportunity for their teams to restock and retool talent at positions of need. For as long as most Colts fans can remember, one of those positions is defensive tackle. As a result, when the draft and free agency opportunities come and go, fans clamor for their favorite players and hope that tremendous improvement will be made in whichever area they identify as needing the biggest upgrade.
Over the last four off-seasons, the Colts have added four defensive tackles via the draft, one undrafted free agent, and have three players on the roster signed from waivers or free agency. This means no defensive tackle on the team has more than three full years of experience with the Colts, which partially explains the reason fans will continue to clamor for more options — none of the defensive tackles on the team have really proved themselves to be stalwarts on the defensive line.
How should fans change their lens in reviewing and evaluating the play of defensive tackles entering the league or spending their first seasons with the Colts? What should they really expect? More >
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“Coltzilla Dead” Pronouncements Premature
May 30th
It has come to our attention that one of our colleagues in the Colts blogosphere has taken shots at Coltzilla regarding a lack of steady content recently. In fact, in the latest comment, it was suggested that Coltzilla is “dead.” As the site’s founder and editor I think it is worthwhile to address any of our readers’ concerns about the current and future health of Coltzilla.
Our readers should know that Coltzilla upholds a standard of reporting and analysis that we hope best serves Colts fans. We do not engage in long-winded or repetitive rants regarding rather mundane occurrences in the Colts front office, draft strategies, private practices, or minor surgeries to players. 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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Indianapolis Colts Priority Undrafted Free Agents
May 1st
Although the NFL lockout will keep teams from pursuing undrafted free agents following the 2011 NFL Draft, one can be sure that teams are hard at work coming up with a list of players they want to call when the lockout if lifted. For the Indianapolis Colts, there are a few positions they probably would like to grab a few players to compete during summer activities and training camp — assuming either actually happen. This list will be comprised of players Coltzilla feels are in the highest need areas on the team, players the team met prior to the draft — who have historically been free agent signings — and players who are the most talented signing possibilities. Check out the list after the jump. More >
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With the 188th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts select…
Apr 30th
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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.
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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 Colts “Mock” Draft FINAL
Apr 28th
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The 2011 NFL Draft has finally arrived. After months have gone by without Colts football, it is time for Bill Polian, Chris Polian, Tom Telesco, and the remainder of Indy’s scouting and personnel team to do their work. It has been both tedious and educational to dedicate a great deal of time to researching the many talented players hoping to embark on their NFL careers. After taking a close look at as many players as possible, at each position, and after considering each of the team’s needs, it has come time for the final Coltzilla mock draft. We hope that you have enjoyed all of our pre-draft coverage this year and we welcome any feedback our readers have on where and how we can improve.
We invite you to visit our Draft page to find links to the resources we have compiled for the draft this year. A special thank you to Coltzilla writer Jacob Crocker who has put tireless effort into researching the offensive linemen. Now for the Coltzilla Colts “Mock” Draft. More >
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Colts are Interested: List of Players Entering 2011 NFL Draft
Apr 28th
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Each year leading up to the draft NFL teams have a spree of interviews, workouts, and visits with prospects. While most teams end up drafting players who they never have a reported interest or official contact with at any time, there are usually a handful of players that each team meets with who are either drafted or signed as priority free agents. In the 2010 NFL Draft, the Colts selected Jerry Hughes and Ray Fisher, both who visited with the team prior to the draft. Undrafted rookies Jeff Linkenbach, Vuna Tuihalamaka, and Mike Newton also were confirmed visitors.
With this in mind, after the jump you will find as many players at each position as Coltzilla could confirm having contact with the Colts prior to the start of the 2011 NFL Draft. Expect to see a few of these players at training camp this fall. More >
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