Posts tagged Super Bowl
Colts Fans Discuss Steroid Use in the NFL: Part II
Feb 23rd
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In Part I of the Colts fans’ discussion on steroid use in the NFL, I took a look at players who have either tested positive for steroid use (Shawne Merriman), have tested positive for substances banned under the NFL’s steroid policy, or are suspected of potentially using performance enhancing substances by fans around the league (Bob Sanders). Unfortunately, Part I by itself does not do a complete job of getting to what should be most important to football fans.
The most important part of this discussion is not the he said, she said situation surrounding all those suspected of using steroids, nor about placing blame, fault, or making accusations. What is important is that football fans take some real time to figure out how they really feel about the use of performance enhancers, specifically those banned substances like steroids, by the players who provide the entertainment and on-field product that make the NFL the most competitive, exciting, and watched sport in America. More >
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Colts Fans Discuss Steroid Use in the NFL: Part I
Feb 15th
Shawne Merriman works out before a game with the Chicago Bears in 2010. (Stephen Dunn | Getty Images)
One of the most prevalent issues for the Indianapolis Colts in 2010 was the unprecedented number of injuries the team’s players incurred at almost every position on the team. The Colts were not alone — the World Champion Green Bay Packers were the second most injured team in the league. The frequency and severity of injuries has become one of the most discussed topics in all of football for players, owners, the NFL Competition Committee, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
In 2005, Major League Baseball had to address an unrelated matter that could have some correlation with the number of injuries some NFL teams have experienced over the last few years. Players like Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Jose Conseco, Alex Rodriguez and others were all either questioned or openly discussed the use of performance enhancing drugs like steroids. The issue was so important that Congress saw fit to have hearings regarding the use of illegal performance enhancers in professional sports.
Shortly after Congress expressed open concerns with the use of steroids in professional sports, the NFL instituted a crack down of its own, increasing the penalties for use and the frequency of tests to catch violators of their substance abuse policies. As with any change in policy, words on paper or an agreement reached between players and the NFL are meaningless unless those words and the agreement is enforced. It took the league approximately one year to start getting some results by instituting penalties, suspensions, and making good on their word to be diligent with the use of steroids. More >
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Colts Off-Season: A Time for Change and Hope
Feb 9th
Will the Colts make a move for free agent running back DeAngelo Williams? (Chris Keane | Reuters)
The Indianapolis Colts are known for their ability to put together teams that are young and competitive on the field with a chance to win the Super Bowl every year. The team has accomplished this by finding jewels in the draft that other teams simply overlook. As a Colts fan I have nothing but respect and admiration for the front office of the Colts and thank them for the product they consistently put on the field for Colts fans to cheer. It’s time for the next step, and at this point in Peyton Manning’s career it’s now or never for the Indy. Unlike many of the experts out there, I do not believe that Peyton is anywhere close to the end of his career. I do believe that he is at the point where the team can’t just wait for young talent to develop around him.
Starting with the offensive line, Ryan Diem has been rode hard this year for the false starts and his mental mistakes, but I’m one who believes that a lot of his issues were because of having to play through injuries all year long with a lack of depth behind him. The same could be said for left tackle Charlie Johnson. The hope in the franchise should be that Ryan Diem will work with the front office on restructuring his $5.4 million deal that would allow the team to pay him on incentives as opposed to cutting him as cap casualty.
Regardless what happens with Diem, the best answer for the Colts is to not miss out on a chance to get an anchor left tackle early in the draft such as Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, Nate Solder, Colorado, Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin, or Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State. There is also the option of landing a couple solid free agents with both Tyson Clabo of Atlanta and Matt Light being available, Clabo being ideal because of his youth. At guard the best answer without question is to find a way to sign Logan Mankins out of New England. Adding an all pro will allow you to let Jamey Richard and Mike Pollak fight for the starting spot next to Mankins with the loser backing up both the center and guard spots.
Ideal line: LT-Tyson Clabo, LG- Logan Mankins, C- Jeff Saturday, RG- Mike Pollak, and RT- Gabe Carimi. More >
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Colts Flying Under the Radar: Introduction
Feb 7th
With the Super Bowl over, fans will turn to the off-season. To relieve Colts withdraw, writers at Coltzilla, will bring you content on issues ranging from current personnel, draft prospects, roster additions, and the progression of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
I would like to introduce “Flying Under the Radar,” which will be my attempt to utilize my experiences from watching the game film in great detail for the statistics collected in “Game Stats,” to highlight a number of players who were not as hyped as their performance warrants. Players like Jacob Tamme, Pat Angerer, and Jerraud Powers have received considerable, and well deserved praise. This series will turn the spotlight on players who have either shown great promise, or who have been marginalized or looked down upon for one reason or another.
In some cases, such as with Jerry Hughes, the player simply did not receive considerable playing time. In others, such as with Philip Wheeler, roster decisions help cover up what had been an impressive and consistent year. Even others, like Blair White, played most of the year and had a strong season, but were replacing stellar performers like Austin Collie and could not hope to step out of that shadow.
Keep an eye out for this series during the off season.
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One Colts Fan Wants to Thank the Green Bay Packers For Beating the Steelers
Feb 7th
All week I have been praying that, against all odds, Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy, and the Green Bay Packers would find a way to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
Before you ask yourself, “This is a Colts site, were not in the Super Bowl, I don’t want to hear about the Packers beating the Steelers, why is he writing this article?” think about this:
Had Roethlisberger and the Steelers won, then they would have been put up in the rarefied air of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. All Colts fans would have had to listen to was how Big Ben is a better quarterback than Manning, because he has two more Championships than Manning. It’s the same old argument I’ve heard for years, but at least when they make it regarding Brady, I can understand why. I’m always quick to retort that It doesn’t matter to those people that both Brady and Roethlisberger play for better “teams”; the argument still always comes down to the number of rings each one has. More >
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In the Training Room: Colts’ TE Dallas Clark on the Mend
Feb 5th
Despite the Colts not being participants in this year’s Super Bowl, the players are out and about being interviewed by the media. Dallas Clark responded to questions yesterday morning, including those about his rehabilitation from a displaced tendon injury in his right wrist.
Clark injured the wrist when he landed awkwardly toward the end of the October 17 game against the Redskins, and recently revealed that he had been in a cast for 3 months following surgery. More >
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Former Colts Offensive Line Coach Howard Mudd Joins Eagles
Feb 2nd
Howard Mudd overlooks the Saints offense with head coach Sean Payton. (Bill Haber | AP Photo)
After long-time offensive line coach Howard Mudd chose to retire following the 2009 season, Indianapolis went into a state of transition. There is little argument amongst those in the know around the NFL that Mudd is one of the greatest offensive line coaches in the history of the NFL. With the Colts he oversaw offensive lines that made a yearly tradition of having the least sacked quarterback in the league. While those numbers were certainly aided by having the most pocket-aware quarterback the NFL has ever seen, Mudd did the most with very little during his career in Indy.
The first shocking piece of news after Mudd left the team was his brief stint in New Orleans as a special assistant, helping the team that just defeated the Colts in the Super Bowl get their offensive line squared away. There is no doubt that a sting went through the Colts fan base with this news.
Now, after spending the year off of NFL coaching staffs, that Howard Mudd will replace recently promoted Juan Castillo as the Eagles offensive line coach. More >
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Colts Coyer Trying to Make the Meal With the Wrong Ingredients
Jan 31st
The Colts starting defensive line waiting for the Denver offense to get set. (Doug Pensinger | Getty Images)
When Bill Parcells became head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, one of his first moves was to do nothing. What he didn’t do was rush in and change the defense from a base 4-3 to the “Parcells” 3-4 defense that helped him win two Super Bowls with the Giants. When Pat Kirwan asked him why, Parcells explained that he didn’t have the right ingredients for the 3-4. He knew it was going to take about two to three seasons before he could acquire the right personnel to run the 3-4, and be successful. So, he patiently ran the 4-3 until 2005 when he acquired the talent necessary for the switch.
Larry Coyer would be wise to sit down with Parcells, because what he is trying to do defensively in Indy isn’t working. The issues on defense go way beyond injuries — at the root of the problem is the fact that the players and the scheme don’t match up. 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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