Posts tagged Eric Foster
Looking Forward at the 2011 Colts Defensive Ends
Feb 2nd
Robert Mathis looks on against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC wild card playoff game. (Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images)
Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis continued to be the NFL’s most dominant defensive end tandem in 2010. Their propensity for pressuring, hitting, sacking, and stripping the quarterback of the football will go down in league history as one of the most intimidating pass rushing units out of the 4-3 defense.
Many hoped that 2010 first round pick Jerry Hughes would immediately step in to bolster Indy’s pass rush, including Colts President Bill Polian, but Hughes did not become a meaningful part of the defense as a rookie. What his future holds is uncertain. While some might believe that Polian’s admission that he should have selected offensive tackle Rodger Saffold in the draft is an indictment of Hughes, coaches and members of the front office have all suggested that slow learning curves are not uncommon for defensive ends transitioning to the NFL. More >
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
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 >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
A Fan Salute to the 2010 Indianapolis Colts
Jan 5th
A true Colts fan salute. (Andy Lyons | Getty Images)
With a win against the Titans, the Colts managed to overcome unprecedented team injuries and their worst five game series since 2002 for a NFL record (tie) ninth consecutive playoff berth, and their seventh AFC South Championship in the last eight years. Peyton Manning was able to get through his toughest stretch of games since his rookie year and somehow Indy has managed to enter January with the three seed in the AFC.
It is extremely important for Colts fans to step back and think about the gravity of this accomplishment. Frankly, this team had no business overcoming all of the adversity it has faced in a sixteen game season. More >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Thursday Injury Report: Titans v. Colts
Dec 30th
No comments
Today’s injury report is encouraging for Mike Hart and Clint Session, but not for Kelvin Hayden. Despite Irsay’s tweet yesterday to not read too much into the injury report, the fact that Hayden hasn’t even practiced in a limited capacity this week speaks to his likely status (of OUT) for Sunday’s game.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
DB Al Alfalava (Ankle)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
DE Robert Mathis (Rest)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
OG Jamie Thomas (Ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION
DT Eric Foster (Upper Arm)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
LT Charlie Johnson (Groin)
LB Clint Session (Forearm)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Wednesday Injury Report: Titans v. Colts
Dec 29th
No comments
Today’s injury report is not nearly as long as other weeks’ reports… in part due to the fact that most guys who aren’t available are already on IR. The other factor, of course, is that the Colts are now at the point of win-or-go-home. Players are going to be practicing if they can.
The best news on this report is that Clint Session is back full today. In an earlier press conference, he indicated that he had made a big jump in terms of his health.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
DB Al Alfalava (Ankle)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
LT Charlie Johnson (Groin)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Eric Foster (Upper Arm)
FULL PARTICIPATION
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
LB Clint Session (Forearm)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Game Stats: Cowboys v. Colts
Dec 9th
After the debacle against the Chargers, and the heart breaker against the Patriots, the Colts dropped another game. They gave the Cowboys 17 points to start the contest, and had the chance to pull out a last minute victory on three occasions. Unlike previous weeks, no single unit can carry all of the blame.
The Colts had multiple series where one good play after another would get completely erased by a horrible play or decision. Manning threw interceptions on the heels of key defensive stands, Eric Foster jumped on top of an opponent to negate an amazing goal line stand, and Wayne tallied his only drop to erase a chance for the offense to win after taking the kickoff in overtime. In the end the Colts fell to 6-6, one game behind Jacksonville, and head into a short week — at least three players left the game with injuries.
It makes more difficult to know that some guys had great games. Antoine Bethea was absolutely everywhere and tallied 15 tackles, Pierre Garcon caught EVERY SINGLE throw his way, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis both had a sack, Jeff Saturday returned to form, and even Manning was not terrible statistically.
On to the stats.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
After Review: Cowboys v. Colts
Dec 6th
Orlando Scandrick picks off Peyton Manning. (AJ Mast | AP Photo)
At this point, Peyton Manning has to be wondering if he has entered some kind of twilight zone. His records in the NFL are breathtaking and he was recently listed as eighth in the NFL Network’s list of the top 100 players of all time. That designation is not helping him. Right now, Manning is doing something he hasn’t regularly done since his rookie season – costing his team football games.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Colts have lost four of their last five games as a team. Better efforts on the part of the defense during periods of the game, better blocking by the offensive line, and more offensive balance could all play roles in helping the Colts overcome the worst five game series the franchise has had in a decade. Still, it is no secret that Manning is the man, the one people expect the most from, and rather than winning games for Indianapolis, the team has had to try to win games in spite of him. More >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Cowboys 38 Colts 35 – Quick Reaction
Dec 5th
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning reacts after throwing an interception against the Dallas Cowboys in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
At the beginning of the season, many of us looked at the schedule and knew that weeks 11-13 would be tough. To go to Foxborough for the annual meeting against the Pats, followed by hosting games against the Chargers and Cowboys was going to be a rough stretch and many thought the Colts would drop 1, maybe 2.
Nobody anticipated, though, that the Colts would lose all three of those games, and would lose the way they did. Eleven interceptions by Peyton Manning, four of which were returned for TDs, tell the singular story of that stretch. Against both the Pats and the Cowboys, the Colts were still in it in the end, but in both cases an interception ended the Colts’ potential game-winning drive.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Game Stats: Chargers v. Colts
Dec 4th
4 comments
Blair White catches his breathafter scoring against the Chargers(Don Larson | Colts.com)
The Colts offensive struggles have doomed the team the past two weeks — as poor decisions and poor timing stifled a last minute come from behind victory against New England, and handed the Chargers 20 points. While the team won’t make excuses, fans should realize that Manning’s limited options at wide receiver, running back, and tight end have ruined Indy’s offensive cohesion. Add poor performances from both offensive tackles, and the situation gets even worse.
While there were numerous things for fans to complain about, there were also enough positive signs to make one hopeful. The biggest was the fact that despite common perception, Jeff Linkenbach has actually been an improvement over Mike Pollak at right guard (albeit a modest one). Receivers Blair White and Jacob Tamme are becoming very stable for Manning, showing both good timing and hands. The Colts also found a use for Donald Brown. He may not function as a pass blocker, or have the vision to effectively run through a gap, but he showed an edge on quick slant routes that gives him a tangible positive.
Let’s move on to the stats. More >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Why the Colts Future is not in Doubt
Dec 2nd
15 comments
Peyton Manning speaking gealic to his offense in Super Bowl XLI. (Jed Jacobsohn | Getty Images)
With Indianapolis struggling recently, a lot of fans are questioning the team’s future. Many complain about recent drafts and believe the young talent will be incapable of replacing the perennial Pro Bowl and future Hall of Fame talent that is starting to age.
This negative perspective is premature. As long as Peyton Manning is healthy and playing at a very high level in the NFL, the Colts future is safe. With that in mind, it makes sense to focus on the players who represent the team’s future, consider their talent level, and where that talent can take the Colts moving forward. More >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...