Posts tagged coverage
“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 >
(4 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 ...
Coltzilla Colts “Mock” Draft FINAL
Apr 28th
No comments
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 >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Coltzilla’s Ultimate Colts Mock Draft
Apr 28th
No comments
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 >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Linebacker
Apr 25th
No comments
Things started to come together for the Colts linebacker position in 2010. While starting weak side linebacker Clint Session missed much of the year with a fractured forearm and dislocated shoulder, a seventh round rookie replacement — Kavell Conner — did an excellent job in his place. When defensive captain Gary Brackett missed some time, second round rookie Pat Angerer filled in — he performed well enough to remain a starter on the strong side in place of Philip Wheeler. Former starter Tyjuan Hagler signed and played an important role in the rotation and on special teams.
Between Session, Brackett, Angerer, Conner, Hagler, and Wheeler the Colts have two players at each position who have shown enough skill to start. At least four of those players are proven difference makers. The only other linebacker on the Colts roster — Cody Glenn — was one of the Colts best special teams players when he was healthy. If he returns to the field, the Colts have seven players at linebacker, and all but one of those players has meaningful starts on their resumes. More >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Cornerback
Apr 21st
No comments
Earlier in the off-season, Coltzilla wrote about how well Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian has handled turnover at the cornerback position. Exiting training camp, the 2010 team had only Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers, and Jacob Lacey with experience in the Colts defense on the roster. The position was widely considered one of the team’s weakest and most susceptible to injuries.
Entering the draft this year, the situation has changed drastically. While it is widely accepted that Hayden is not playing up to his contract and has annual struggles to stay healthy, he is a legitimate NFL cornerback and would likely start for a lot of teams. The question is – will he start for the Colts in 2011? Polian traded a seventh round pick to the Washington Redskins for Justin Tryon before Week 1. Tryon had a considerable impact on defense and improved in the Colts system throughout the year. He may be good enough to push Hayden for his starting spot across from Powers. More >
(1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Safety
Apr 20th
No comments
The Colts are in a state of transition at the safety position. 2007 Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders will not return to Indianapolis and has signed a one-year contract with the San Diego Chargers. While this arguably “weakens” the position, what offsets the blow is that Sanders has not been a meaningful part of the rotation for three years. Losing Sanders, in some regards, is like losing something that was not really there.
What the Colts can be sure of is that safety Antoine Bethea is with the team long-term and is playing at a very high level. He is one of the league’s top safeties and is also one of the most reliable.
The uncertainty surrounds what will happen with strong safety Melvin Bullitt when the collective bargaining agreement negotiations are ironed out in court. If the Colts are able to honor the offer they made to Bullitt prior to the lockout, the team has a starter who is durable enough and strong enough in the Colts system to be a part of a very strong secondary. If, on the other hand, Bullitt’s restricted status is nullified from the court’s ruling, Indianapolis will be faced with players who have either never started in the NFL, who have not spent meaningful time in the Colts system, or who are coming off of relatively major injuries. Assuming they do not work out a long-term weal with Bullitt. More >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 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 ...