Posts tagged Mike Newton
Wednesday Injury Report: Jets v. Colts
Jan 5th
Today’s injury report is a bit discouraging – although Coach Caldwell denied reports that Clint Session suffered any setbacks, the fact that he was full two days last week, then went limited last Friday and a no-show today indicates that he is unlikely to play on Saturday. Kelvin Hayden’s non-participation is also a bad sign. It is good, however, to get Al Afalava back – if nothing more than for depth.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
OT Ryan Diem (Back)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
DE Robert Mathis (Rest)
S Mike Newton (Hamstring)
RB Dominic Rhodes (Hip)
OG Jamey Richard (Concussion)
LB Clint Session (Elbow)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Antonio Johnson (Chest)
FULL PARTICIPATION
DB Al Afalava (Ankle)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
OG Jaimie Thomas (Ankle)
Quick Reaction: Colts 23, Titans 20
Jan 2nd
My thoughts on today’s game:
- On a day when (I thought) the Colts needed to make a statement, they whimpered. They won, but it took a mistake on a snap exchange and some solid defense to do it. I hate to say this when Peyton Manning is involved, but the Colts’ offense sputtered.
- The defense continues to play well, and Justin Tryon was a great pickup by Polian.
- Vinny is 23 for 25 on field goals this year, and yet I still clench my jaw every time he lines up. Tonight he showed why he continues to be money, clutch, or whatever other purse-related metaphor you care to use.
- Dominic Rhodes has been incredible for this team, but you cannot fumble the ball on the potential game-winning drive.
- After having a string of great games, Pierre Garcon once again contracted a case of the dropsies. He absolutely needs to shake it off during the playoffs or the Colts have little chance.
- S Mike Newton, who has been solid on special teams, left with an injury and did not return. We’ll see this week if the injury is long-term.
Game Stats: Chargers v. Colts
Dec 4th
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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 >
Colts Roster Moves Week 10-11
Nov 18th
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Earlier this week the Colts released wide receiver Chris Brooks from the active roster and re-signed safety Chip Vaughn. The move increases the likelihood that wide receiver Austin Collie will return for the match-up against New England Sunday afternoon. It also suggests that the Colts saw enough in Chip Vaughn during his recent stint with the team to bring him back to the active roster and take a closer look.
I was a little disappointed when I learned that the Colts released Vaughn as he was a pre-2009 NFL Draft favorite of mine. Hopefully he will stick around long enough to have a chance to learn the system and compete with Mike Newton and Aaron Francisco for a long-term spot on the roster and chance to compete the 2011 off-season. More >
The Role of Safeties in the Colts Defense Part 2
Oct 9th
At no time could it be more relevant to write a story about the role of safeties in the Colts defense than during a year which has seen five, FIVE!, strong safeties go out for the year or for a significant portion of the season. This rash of injuries puts the Colts in a position to put a player into a starting role for the first time in a meaningful regular season game not named Bullitt, Bethea, or Sanders for quite a few years. Don’t get me wrong, there have been occasional one game fill-ins in the past, but never a player who was expected to play somewhere between one-quarter, one-half of the season, or longer.
Undrafted rookies Mike Newton and Brandon King will be competing against journeyman veterans DaJuan Morgan and Aaron Francicso for the responsibility. This story will discuss what these players will be asked to do, the role safeties play in the Colts defense, and how it is possible that so many players could get injured at one position in one season. More >
Wednesday Injury Report: Chiefs v. Colts
Oct 6th
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DID NOT PARTICIPATE
S Antoine Bethea – Hamstring
RB Donald Brown – Hamstring
WR Austin Collie – Foot
LB Kavell Conner – Foot
DE Dwight Freeney – Rest
WR Anthony Gonzalez – Ankle
CB Jacob Lacey – Foot
S Bob Sanders – Bicep
WR Reggie Wayne – Knee More >
Colts Make More Roster Moves
Oct 5th
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Aaron Wilson of the reported that not only was Melvin Bullitt placed on injured reserve, but backup running back and kick return specialist Devin Moore has joined him. Bullitt is expected to undergo surgery on the shoulder he injured in the game at Jacksonville.
Moore is suffering from a Brachial Plexus injury, which involves damage to the network of nerves that send signals from your spine to your shoulders, arms, and hands. The injury most commonly occurs when the nerves are stretched or, in the worst cases, torn. Moore’s injury occurred after he took a hard shot returning a kick along the sidelines.
The Colts cut defensive tackle Mitch King and wide receiver Alric Arnett from the active roster and practice squad, respectively. To fill the roster openings, the team activated undrafted rookie safety Mike Newton from the practice squad and signed free agent safety and special teams ace Aaron Francisco. Francisco played in 10 games for the Colts in 2009.
The team also signed wide receiver Kenneth Moore, who has served primarily in a special teams role in the NFL. Moore may be used to replace starting cornerback Jerraud Powers on punt returns, as that is where Moore has the most return experience.
Roster Watch: Doomsday COMPLETE
Sep 4th
So today is the day — it is Armageddon for a number of young players. While many probably already know their fate, it has not been announced yet. To keep track of who has been retained, and who is getting waived, a list of all the players on the team is available after the jump. As the day goes on and more is announced, their status will be updated to reflect their position on the team. If visitors learn news about a player and it has not already been updated, please share the news in a comment. Swarms of people are watching with bated breath, and with numerous sources like player twitter accounts and official sources like Adam Schefter and Phil B., it should be easy for the fans to keep this list up-to-date throughout the day. More >
In-Depth Final Preseason Roster Prediction: Defense
Sep 3rd
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The Indianapolis Colts used the final preseason game to allow future backups on the regular season roster, and future practice squad players, to identify themselves through their performances. Each of the new, young players stepped onto the field at Lucas Oil Stadium Thursday night with all of the training and development the Colts coaching staff could impart over the course of three long summer months.
It is reasonable to believe that there were players who had previously been unable to showcase their abilities, and who had yet to have their “lights come on,” who had their chances to show the Colts and the rest of the NFL that they deserve a professional football career. Some tough decisions will have to be made, and in honor of the players who are on the wrong side of those decisions, this final roster prediction will provide an explanation behind the final depth chart at each position.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Indianapolis Colts: Last Chance for Rookies and Free Agents
Sep 2nd
Tonight’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts will have the look and feel of what preseason games represent for most fans — glorified scrimmages. Few first string players will take the field, the second team will become the first team, and all players who are competing for a final roster spot or a home on the practice squad will have their last opportunity to distinguish themselves.
These players will fit in two different categories, and should be scrutinized accordingly. Some of the players, many of them playing with the first groups to take the field tonight, are competing for a chance to not only make the roster, but to prove that they are capable of contributing to the Colts immediately. They will seek to inspire confidence in coaches — and by association fans — that they are capable of filling the “next man up” role without significantly hampering the team’s ability to succeed.
The other players will be playing for an opportunity to contribute on special teams, will unlikely see the field in another capacity, or hope to prove they are worthy of continued development on the practice squad. The obvious job hanging in the balance tonight is who will fill the punt and kick returning roles this season.