Posts tagged Gary Brackett
Foreshadowing the Colts 2011 Linebacker Corps
Jan 30th
Kavell Conner tackles Steve Smith in an early season meeting with the Giants at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2010. (AJ Mast | AP Photo)
Linebacker has been a position of weakness for the Colts for many years. Other than Gary Brackett, the last time the Colts had a linebacker worthy of NFL recognition was when former 2002 fourth round draft pick David Thornton left the team following the 2005 season — he signed a lucrative five-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.
In many ways, the fact that the linebackers have not been a major strength is expected with the Colts’ history of refusing to pay veterans at the position after their rookie contracts expire — they did the same with Marcus Washington following the 2003 season, who went on to a Pro Bowl in 2004 and two alternate bids in 2005 and 2006. With a speed-focused defensive philosophy, however, it is reasonable to keep costs low because Colts linebackers are typically not high-profile players to other teams — they are generally too short and too light for other defensive schemes.
These facts and this history makes the Colts current depth chart at linebacker an albatross. While only Gary Brackett has a resume deserving of Pro Bowl consideration over the last three years, the young talent, potential, and depth at each of the linebacker positions is unfamiliar. More >
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Did Injuries Affect the 2010 Colts?
Jan 19th
Colts fans are stuck in limbo. The Super Bowl is still two weeks away, so talking about the off-season seems premature. Before fans get to that point, it is worthwhile to take a look back at 2010 to gauge where the Colts franchise will be when the draft and summer activities roll around.
One of the biggest impacts on Indianapolis in 2010 was the unprecedented number of injuries the team had to play through. The Colts placed 18 players on Injured Reserve, and two others on the injured/waived list — including Taj Smith, who rejoined the Colts. This number does not include injured players who missed multiple games throughout the year, but still managed to hold onto a roster spot.
Below are three ways to examine Indy’s injuries in 2010.
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Jets v. Colts: After Review (Wild Card Weekend)
Jan 10th
Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri celebrates after he hits a would-be game winning 50-yard field goal. (Andy Lyons | Getty Images)
After a painful sixteen game regular season — rife with injuries, frustrating slumps, and a lack of identity — the Colts 2010 effort officially ended Saturday night after a last minute drive that was capped by a Jets field goal. What makes the loss difficult to take — even though most fans realized the team’s playoff berth was an admirable accomplishment in its own right — is that the Colts should have won.
The initial fan reaction to the game has been all over the board, with fingers pointing in different directions. Some argue that the defense is responsible for the loss because they allowed the Jets to keep the ball for a vast majority of the second half, and yielded over 150 yards on the ground.
Others blame the Indianapolis special teams units for making costly mistakes and allowing long returns, specifically Antonio Cromartie’s long return on the final drive of the game that allowed the Jets to have a short field for a field goal try.
Still others insist that Coach Caldwell is primarily responsible for calling an ill-advised timeout with less than 30 seconds to go, which allowed the Jets offense to get their heads together for a back-breaking first down play that made shaky place kicker Nick Folk’s job much easier.
The reality is, all of these fans are right to a degree, but none of them — even taken together — completely explain how the Colts managed to let this game slip away. More >
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Indy Sports Coverage – Wildcard Weekend
Jan 8th
Each week, Coltzilla brings you highlights from local sports coverage of the Colts with an emphasis on player interviews. Pre-game interviews go up throughout the week. Post-game interviews are posted shortly after the game. Hope you enjoy!
It’s Wildcard weekend of the 2010 season, and the 10-6 Indianapolis Colts welcome the 11-5 New York Jets to Lucas Oil Stadium. The winner moves on, the loser goes home.
UPDATED – Inside The Huddle, More Local Coverage – Tuesday morning
UPDATED – Sports Jam, SportsLocker – Monday afternoon
UPDATED – Local Post-Game Coverage – Sunday evening
UPDATED – Colts Pre-Game Show – Saturday evening
UPDATED – Peyton Manning Interview – Saturday evening
UPDATED – Bill Polian Show – Saturday evening
UPDATED – Local Pre-Game Coverage – Saturday afternoon
UPDATED – Replacement Huddle Up Indy – Saturday morning
Inside The Huddle:
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Why the Colts have Struggled in 2010
Dec 12th
Peyton Manning looks ahead during the Colts Thursday night game in Tennesee. (AJ Mast | AP Photo)
Colts fans have watched in horror as a team that entered the season as one of the most talented groups Indianapolis has put together in quarterback Peyton Manning’s career has fallen into mediocrity and failed to continue an NFL record streak of consecutive 12-win seasons. Many expected the stretch of games against the Eagles, Patriots, Chargers, and Cowboys would be difficult, but dropping all four games is not something Colts teams have done in the past.
This uncharacteristic run of losses has understandably caused Colts fans to panic. The blame game is in full force, and fans are scrambling to find answers to resolve the issues in Indianapolis before the 2011 season begins. More >
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Quick Posts: Colts Inactives – IND @ TEN
Dec 9th
The following players have had a determination made concerning their availability for today’s matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
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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.
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Wednesday Injury Report & Game Status: Colts v. Titans
Dec 8th
| Player | Injury | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Status |
| J.Addai | Neck | LIMITED | LIMITED | LIMITED | OUT |
| G.Brackett | Toe | DNP | LIMITED | FULL | QUESTIONABLE |
| D.Brown | Ankle | DNP | FULL | FULL | QUESTIONABLE |
| A.Collie | Concussion | LIMITED | LIMITED | LIMITED | OUT |
| B.Eldridge | Rib | LIMITED | FULL | FULL | QUESTIONABLE |
| D.Freeney | Rest | DNP | DNP | FULL | WILL START |
| M.Hart | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| K.Hayden | Neck | DNP | FULL | DNP | OUT |
| C.Johnson | Back | LIMITED | FULL | FULL | QUESTIONABLE |
| R.Mathews | Back | FULL |
FULL | FULL | QUESTIONABLE |
| R.Mathis | Rest | DNP | FULL | FULL | WILL START |
| B.Sanders | Biceps | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| C.Session | Elbow | DNP | DNP | DNP | OUT |
| T.Smith | Hamstring | FULL | FULL | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
| J.Tamme | Knee | DNP | DNP | LIMITED | QUESTIONABLE |
| R.Wayne | Knee | DNP | FULL | FULL | QUESTIONABLE |
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Tuesday Injury Report: Colts v. Titans UPDATE
Dec 7th
Jim Irsay announces numerous players who are out for Thursday’s game against the Titans.
A.Col.,C.Ses.,J.Ad.,B.Sand.,j.Pow.,M.Hart…but next man up will fight and compete thur.night!
No Collie, Session, Addai, Sanders, Powers, or Hart. This helps explain the Dominic Rhodes signing.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
Dwight Freeney – RESTED
Mike Hart – ANKLE (Re-injured ankle during Cowboys game)
Jerraud Powers – FOREARM (Broke right forearm during Cowboys game, and has been put on Injured Reserve)
Bob Sanders – BICEPS (Not yet ruled out)
Clint Session – ELBOW/FOREARM
Jacob Tamme – HAMSTRING
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Monday Injury Report: Colts v. Titans
Dec 6th
Despite not having practice today, the league mandates that teams release an injury report for Thursday games even if they are merely speculative. The Colts list is below. Everyone did rest today, but will practice Tuesday and Wednesday.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
Gary Brackett – TOE
Donald Brown – ANKLE (Injured ankle during the Cowboys game)
Dwight Freeney – RESTED
Mike Hart – ANKLE (Re-injured ankle during Cowboys game)
Kelvin Hayden – NECK
Robert Mathis – RESTED
Jerraud Powers – FOREARM (Broke right forearm during Cowboys game)
Bob Sanders – BICEPS
Clint Session – ELBOW/FOREARM
Jacob Tamme – HAMSTRING
Reggie Wayne – KNEE
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