Archive for May, 2010
Sunday, May 30th, 2010
In part three of our discussion about the 2010-2011 schedule, we will take a look at weeks ten through thirteen for the Colts. In the first two segments of the series, weeks one through nine were broken down, and the Colts finished the first half of the season with a record of 7-1. However, with the next four games for the Colts all being against playoff teams in the past season, this appears to be the make or break section in the Colts season.
Week 10: Cincinnati Bengals: The Cincinnati Bengals were able to shock the entire league last season by winning the AFC North and clinching the fourth seed in the playoffs. However, their run into the playoffs was short lived, as they were knocked out in the first week by the New York Jets. The Bengals will be looking to build off of their surprising 2009-10 season, but this time they will not be able to catch teams off guard. The additions of tight end, Jermaine Gresham, and wide receiver, Antonio Bryant, will give Carson Palmer even more weapons to work with, and take some of the pressure off of Chad Ochocinco. However, the Colts have just as much firepower as any team in the league, and if it turns into a shootout I expect the Colts to come out on top. Even if it is a slow methodical defensive game, I still think the Colts have the upper-hand. WIN
Week 11: @ New England Patriots: Over the past few seasons, the only game to match the anticipation of Colts vs Patriots has been Packers vs Vikings. The Colts and Patriots have had some epic battles over the years, and last season’s matchup may have been one of the best of all time between the two. However, this season the game does not hold as much luster as it once did. With the New York Jets grabbing much of the attention from the east coast, the Patriots are a bit of an after thought coming into this season. While fans will still be pumped to watch this game, I think the bigger matchup would be Colts vs Jets. Unlike the Jets, who seem to be on the upswing, the Patriots seem to be on a bit of a downswing, and the age of the team seemed to creep in towards the end of last season. Although the made the playoffs as a three seed, they were not able to make much noise, and were pummeled by the Ravens 33-14. The Patriots are still a very good team with Tom Brady at the helm, and traveling to Foxborough will only add to the difficulty for the Colts. However, I think that the Colts are the better team and will find a way to win this game. WIN
Week 12: San Diego: It is no secret that the San Diego Chargers have absolutely dominated the Colts in the regular season. From Antonio Cromartie to Darren Sproles this team has had big performances whether it is in San Diego or Indianapolis. However, the Chargers are now without Cromartie and Ladanian Tomlinson, both now with the Jets, and Antonio Gates is having already having trouble staying on the field. That being said, the Chargers still have a plethora of weapons on offense, and a very disruptive defense. Even without Cromartie and Tomlinson, this team is once again poised to make a deep run into the playoffs. With Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, and Gates, this game may come down to how healthy the Colts secondary is this late in the season. This will be a tough game, and even though the Colts have home field advantage, I believe they will lose this one in a shootout. LOSS
Week 13: Dallas Cowboys: I believe this may turn out to be the most talked about game of the entire season for the Colts, and rightfully so. This game will feature two of the premier teams from the AFC and NFC, possibly forecasting a matchup that some experts will predict as an early Super Bowl. The Cowboys have just about as many, if not more, weapons than the Colts do, and a defense that showcases one of the most destructive forces in football. Tony Romo leads an offense that is littered with talented players, such as, Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Roy Williams, Patrick Crayton, Dez Bryant, Felix Jones, Marion Barber, and Tashard Choice. Although Romo has been put under the microscope as an NFL quarterback, he proved himself more than capable of leading this team last season. Couple the offense with a defense led by the likes of DeMarcus ware, Anthony Spencer, and Mike Jenkins, and you have one of the better teams in the NFL. The Colts will have the advantage of playing at home, but this game might be their most difficult of the year. If the Colts are able to stay healthy this season, then I give them the edge over both Dallas and San Diego. However, history has taught us never to expect the Colts to be at full strength during the regular season. The Colts will need to be at full strength to win this one, and I just don’t see that happening. LOSS
After the third part of the NFL season I have the Colts at 9-3, and still in the lead for the division. This is certainly the toughest stretch of the Colts schedule, and although they must still face the Titans twice, they will also have the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders down the stretch. Although 9-3 is rather pedestrian for the Colts, considering the difficulty of their schedule, it is still a pretty darn good record.
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Sunday, May 30th, 2010
The Colts have several player’s contracts that are suddenly in the limelight of public opinion, and these are not contracts of simple role players, these are contracts of key pieces to the puzzle. Peyton Manning is in line to get the largest contract in NFL history, Robert Mathis is complaining about his $2.31 million salary for this season, and Antoine Bethea is simply getting thrown under the bus by the Colts. Of the three with contract discussions on the horizon, Bethea has, by far, the most room to complain. Although Manning has proven his elite status and time again, he is still getting paid a boat-load of money without his soon to be enormous contract extension. Manning knows that he will get paid, so for him an extension is inevitable. Mathis is currently on the back end of his front-loaded deal, and is know unhappy with the way he structured his deal. Although $2.31 million is a fairly low salary for a player of his caliber, Mathis has no one to blame but himself for signing his 6 year $30 million contract. He knew exactly what he would be making, and if he didn’t want to make $2.31 million in a season he shouldn’t have signed it. However, unlike Mathis and Manning, Bethea has never had the big contract to cash-in on, and the measly $2.61 million contract for one season that the Colts want him to sign is laughable. Although the Colts do not usually deal with contract disputes openly, the Bethea deal may turn into a public nightmare for the team.
When Bob Sanders is healthy, there is no question that he is one of the best defensive players in the NFL. With that being said, Sanders is not usually healthy, and his time with the team may be dependent on his availability for this season. The Colts dished out a massive five year $37.5 million contract to retain Sanders’ services, and now the thinking behind that contract is being questioned. There is no doubt that the Sanders contract is weighing on the minds of the front office in their negotiations with Bethea, and that in itself is unfair. Unlike Sanders, Bethea has been a steadfast part of this defense for several years now. Bethea has played at a Pro Bowl level year in and year out, while also avoiding injury at the most hard-hitting position in the NFL. Safeties are becoming more and more important with each year in the “pass happy” NFL, and contracts for safeties are getting larger as well. However, looking around the NFL at the top safeties, such as, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu, and Bob Sanders, it becomes apparent that while safety is important, most great safeties are injury prone. Thus, the importance of signing a durable Bethea is even more important.
Although Bethea is not a household name throughout the country, his importance to this Colts team is unquestioned. The Colts do not want to make the same mistake with Bethea as they did with Sanders, but the two are almost polar opposites in terms of health. Offering a $2.61 million contract for one year is a slap in the face to Bethea, and while most of us would be happy to rake in that kind of dough, it is hard to blame Bethea for gasping at that offer. If Bethea were to go down this season with a season ending injury, his market value would sink faster than an anchor. Bethea should be paid to his value for this team, and the Colts should not lowball one of the best and most durable defenders on this team.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2010
The dynamic duo of Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney has plagued opposing quarterbacks at the highest level for several years now. However, Robert Mathis appears to be feeling like he is worth more to this team than his $2.31 million dollar salary would suggest. Mathis is slated to receive $2.31 million this season and $2.4 million next season, fairly low numbers for one of the better pass rushers in the NFL. However, with the Colts currently trying to make Peyton Manning the highest paid player in the NFL, and with Antoine Bethea’s contract also weighing heavily on the mind’s of the front office, Mathis’ plea for more money may fall on deaf ears.
Robert Mathis is currently sitting out from organized team activities, and although it is still early, it is a bit worrying to see someone as dedicated as Mathis skipping out on team activities. The combined $4.71 million that Mathis is set to make over the next two seasons is quite low, but keep in mind that he had a heavily front-loaded $30 million contract that he signed in 2006. NFL players will often front-load their contract to ensure that they will still be in their prime in the “big dollar” years, and thus they will not be cut and left with money still sitting on their contracts. Although Mathis is still playing at a high level, it should not mean that he gets a pay raise after he already cashed in with the Colts.
Although Mathis is certainly a key part of this team, he should not be asking for additional money. The purpose of front-loading a contract is not so that you can cash in early in the contract, and then demand to be paid a large amount again after you were already overpaid for in the first years of the contract. The addition of Jerry Hughes may also be weighing heavily on the mind of Mathis, and because of this he may want to receive an extension or a salary raise to ensure that he will be safe even if the rookie proves to be starting worthy. In the end, Mathis should drop this and get into team activities. With Bethea and Manning already on the mind of the Colts, Mathis is not the main concern. If he wants to renegotiate his contract, then he should wait until next season when he is in his final year of his contract. That certainly makes more sense for both sides.
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Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
The early reports about Colts players, Bob Sanders and Anthony Gonzalez, were that the safety and receiver would not be able to practice until at least training camp. However, the two injury prone starters have overcome their injuries, and managed to find their way to the practice field. The Colts have begun their OTAs for the summer, and Sanders and Gonzalez were both able to participate. This is great news for Colts fans, but lets not be so fast to clear these guys of all injury concerns.
Although it is nice to see both of these players on the field participating with the team, they must show that they can hold there own in full contact situations. Both Gonzalez and Sanders are coming off of season ending injuries, so they should not be rushed back to the practice field. However, by participating in non-contact drills, the two will be able to build-up the strength that they have lost and restore muscle memory that they haven’t used in quite some time. Sanders, more than Gonzalez, has a longstanding history of injuries, so it is especially important that he is not rushed back and that he is fully up to speed and recovered. However, the Colts training staff knows what they are doing, and they will not jeopardize Sanders’ season if they do not believe he is fully able to participate in drills.
Many fans believe that Sanders’ and Gonzalez’s time with the Colts has all but run its course. With the solid play of Melvin Bullitt, Pierre Garcon, and Austin Collie, the need for Sanders and Gonzalez on this football team has been tremendously reduced. However, as well as Bullitt played last season, there is absolutely no way that he can bring the same energy, fire, and talent, that a fully healthy Sanders brings to the table. In regards to Gonzalez, NFL teams are developing more and more explosive offensive schemes that rely on multiple weapons at several positions. Gonzalez would only add more depth and talent to an already loaded receiving core, but I’m sure if you asked Peyton Manning he will not complain about having to many good receivers. The additions of Sanders and Gonzalez will be huge for this team, and are essentially the equivalent to two additional draft picks. However, unlike rookies, the Colts know what they will be getting with these two players, the only question is whether or not they can stay healthy.
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Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
After a solid rookie season, Tony Ugoh has done just about all he can to fall out of favor with the Colts organization and fans. From a lack of on-the-field talent to a reported lack of work ethic, Ugoh has been a shell of his former self when he first entered the league. However, the former offensive tackle has now been moved from left tackle to left guard in the Colts OTA’s. The move is somewhat surprising, and most believed that Ugoh would be given one more season to prove himself at tackle, but the Colts seem to have let that ship sail. Charlie Johnson will now be a heavy favorite to secure the left tackle position once again, and may just be playing alongside the former player he was competing with.
Ugoh’s move to left guard stems from the recent departure of former Colts guard, Ryan Lilja. Ugoh is much bigger than Lilja, and on paper certainly fits with the Colts desire to “bulk-up” along the offensive line. However, the adjustment will be a learning experience for the former starter, and Ugoh discussed this with the Indy Star:
“This is my first go at guard,” he said. “But it’s just one step over (from tackle). I’ll be all right.”
The move from tackle to guard might turn out to be exactly what an underperforming player, such as, Ugoh, needs to turn his game around. After being selected in the second round and starting 23 games in his first two seasons, the Colts were expecting big things out of Ugoh. However, he was never able to develop and grow at the tackle position, and now he will have one more chance to prove his worth in the NFL.
“I told ‘em wherever they needed me,” Ugoh said. “My big thing this year is I want to play. I don’t care where it’s at.”
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Saturday, May 22nd, 2010
In part two of our discussion about the 2010-2011 schedule, we will take a look at weeks four through nine for the Colts. In part one of the series, weeks one though four were broken down, and the Colts started off the season with a 4-0 record. However, with several non-conference foes in this section of the schedule, the Colts may encounter their first loss of the season.
Week 5: Kansas City Chiefs: The Indianapolis Colts will being their second section of the season against an unproven Kansas City Chiefs team. However, the Chiefs will be coming off of their bye week, and will have ample time to prepare for Peyton Manning and this explosive offense. Rookie safety, Eric Berry, is a great prospect that is a true ball-hawk, and the matchup between him and Manning could prove to be a very good one. The Chiefs still have questions on both sides of the football, and unless Matt Cassel, Dwayne Bowe, Jamaal Charles, and Thomas Jones can step-up on a consistent basis, then the Chiefs will struggle to hang with high-powered teams like the Colts. I expect the Chiefs to put up more of a fight then people expect, but the Colts should still handle this game with a fair amount of ease. WIN
Week 6:@ Washington Redskins: If you would have asked me before the offseason how the Colts would fair against the Washington Redskins, I would have emphatically said “an easy win.” However, with the additions of Mike Shanahan, Donovan McNabb, Joey Galloway, and Trent Williams, the Redskins have plugged holes in several areas of need. A stout defense headlined with the likes of London Fletcher, Brian Orakpo, LaRon Landry, Carlos Rogers, and Albert Haynesworth (pending his ability to get his act together), the Redskins have the makings of a defense that could prove problematic for the Colts. The addition of McNabb and Shanahan will instantly bolster what was an average offense, and even though the Redskins don’t have any big-time receivers, McNabb has proven that he can have success with just about anyone. This might just be the most difficult game for the Colts through the first six weeks of the season, but when all is said and done, I expect the Colts to improve to 6-0. WIN
Week 7: Bye Week: Fairly good timing for a bye week, just about half-way through the season. The Colts will be able to get a week of rest for the final stretch of the season.
Week 8: Houston Texans: After defeating the Texans in week one, the Colts will now have the honor of hosting the Texans for a week eight showdown. With Brian Cushing gone from the first game, the Colts had a large edge, but Cushing’s return will certainly be a boost this time around for the Texans. The Colts have dominated the Texans over the years, but this season they may have to settle for .500 against them. As long as Andre Johnson does not miss to much time because of his contract dispute, the Texans should once again have a potent passing attack. I believe that if the Texans are fully healthy they have a solid chance to beat the reigning AFC South champs. However, the fact that the Colts are coming off of a bye week will give Manning an extra week to prepare for a Texans team that is primed to once again pose a serious threat. The Colts will be pushed to their limits, and maybe a bit to far. LOSS
Week 9: @ Philadelphia Eagles: The biggest question surrounding the Philadelphia Eagles coming into this season will be at the most crucial part of a football team, the quarterback. The loss of Donovan McNabb will hit the Eagles hard this season, and I believe his loss will be more strongly felt than people realize. Desean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, LeSean McCoy, and Brent Celek provide Kevin Kolb with one of the best young group of skill players in the NFL. However, Kolb is still unproven and unless he can lead this team of skilled players, they will struggle mightily. The Eagles will once again be in the hunt for an NFC East title, however, their hopes will rise and fall on the arm of Kolb. This will be a difficult game for the Colts, not only because it is against the Eagles, but because it is in Philly. However, Manning has played in harsh environments before, so this should be nothing new. It will certainly be a highly discussed game, and rightfully so. This will be a tough contest for the Colts, but I will take Manning over Kolb. WIN
After the second part of the NFL season I have the Colts at 7-1, and in prime position to win the division. This segment of the schedule may prove to be a bit tougher than the first four games, but it will be good to see the Colts tested against other playoff contenders.
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Sunday, May 16th, 2010
Pierre Garcon established himself as a young, up and coming receiver more than capable of filling a need at the receiver position. Peyton Manning has the ability to turn good to average receivers into great and exceptional receivers. Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne flourished with Manning at the helm, and two receivers who may have have been nothing more than “good” with one team have turned into “exceptional” receivers with the Colts. Now two young receivers, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, have the opportunity to become the next duo of great Colts receivers.
Garcon showed that he has the ability to stretch the field, and his speed and toughness are great assets for any receivers. Steve Smith, Chad Ochocinco, and Joey Galloway, to name a few, are receivers who have utilized speed and toughness for success in the NFL. At 6-0 and 210 pounds Garcon is certainly not a “big” receiver, but neither was Marvin Harrison. Last season Garcon tallied 47 catches for 765 yards and 4 touchdowns, solid numbers for a “raw but talented” receiver.
As raw as Garcon may still be, there is no doubt that Peyton Manning is the right man for the job. His attention to detail and desire to perfect the game of football will do wonders for Garcon. However, he cannot become complacent and be satisfied with earning a spot as a second or third receiver. Garcon has just as much talent as Harrison did, and has the ability to learn from Reggie Wayne and Manning. As well as Collie performed this past season, Garcon has shown the talent and ability to one day thrust himself into the number one receiver role.
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Sunday, May 16th, 2010
With free agency at a standstill and the NFL draft well and gone, the NFL is in a bit of an offseason. So now our attention must turn to the upcoming season. Although it is very early early and preliminary to predict what may happen, in the 2010-2011 season, I gave it a shot anyway.
Week 1: @ Houston Texans: The Texans will be without Brian Cushing, but it will still be a tough game for the Colts just as any game is on the opening week of the season. The Colts have been trying to hold off the Texans for the past couple of seasons now, and with every year the Texans become that much closer to overtaking the Manning and company. However, the Colts will continue their dominance over the Texans, and win a close battle to move to 1-0. WIN
Week 2: New York Giants: The media will boast this as the battle of the Mannings, as they rightfully should. The Giants bolstered their defense by drafting a defensive end in the first round, and they should be improved from last year. But once again I believe the Colts will get the best of their opponent, this week winning a shootout amongst amongst Mannings. WIN
Week 3: @ Denver Broncos: With the selection of Tim Tebow, the Broncos now have a log jam of mediocre talent at the quarterback position. The still do not have a stellar offense, and outside of Dumervil they do not have much of a pass rush. I see the Colts winning this one, especially since they traditionally do well against the Broncos. WIN
Week 4: @ Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars are still quite a ways off from being able to contend for the AFC South crown, but with Maurice Jones-Drew in the backfield there is always hope. However, being their third away game in their first four games, I believe this might just be the most difficult of all four of the Colts first four games of the season. The Jaguars are also a division foe and as we have come to see in the past, the Colts will get the Jaguars very best. Although it will be close, I believe the Colts will start the season off without a blemish. WIN
I will be doing four segments previewing four games at a time on next season’s schedule. Although it is to early to be certain, from where I stand now I believe the Colts will start off the season at 4-0.
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Saturday, May 15th, 2010
Although Bob Sanders and Anthony Gonzalez are reportedly on schedule with their injury rehabilitation, neither are expected to be ready for training camp or the preseason. According to The Indianapolis Star, there is a good chance that neither player will be able cleared medically to participate in when camp rolls around. It appears that each may aim for the first week of the regular season to make their return to a Colts’ uniform, and for each it will be a long awaited return.
Last season the Colts received great play from young receivers, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon. Going into the season the Colts did not know how much depth they truly had at the receiver position, however, when Gonzalez went down with an injury the Colts found out just how much talent they had on their roster. With the depth and talent at receiver, the loss of Gonzalez was easily overcome by the Colts, but the loss of Sanders has been a recurring theme that has plagued the Colts over the past several seasons. In order to compensate for the loss of Sanders, the Colts have called upon Melvin Bullitt time and time again, and Bullitt has stepped-up. Paired with Antoine Bethea, Bullitt has been apart of a very formidable safety tandem. Although the tandem of Bethea and Bullitt is solid and dependable, it lacks the elite status that a tandem of Bethea and Sanders would form.
Excellent depth through the draft has given the Colts with the ability to plug-in players at crucial positions, and not miss a beat. Having a great quarterback like Peyton Manning also helps cover-up a teams flaws, but even Manning needs a strong supporting cast. For Sanders and Gonzalez time may be running out for the two to prove their worth, and another season plagued with injuries may spell doom for the both of them. Sanders especially, who is currently sitting on a very large contract and earning paychecks for being one of the most consistently injured players in the NFL. Although the Colts did not make many moves in free agency, the re-addition of Sanders and Gonzalez, paired with the new rookies, may just put the Colts over the top on their quest for a Super Bowl.
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Sunday, May 9th, 2010
Indianapolis Colts third round draft pick, Kevin Thomas, suffered a knee injury in last week’s rookie camp that could cause him to miss the entire 2010 season. The cornerback out of USC was a second-team All Pac 10 selection, and started 13 games as a senior. Coming out of college Thomas had an extensive list of injuries, and durability was certainly a concern. However, the Colts elected to take a risk on Thomas in the third round, but at least for this season, that pick looks to have been a waste. It is unclear whether or not Thomas will miss the entire season, but there is a very good chance he will miss most of it. The lack of durability in the Colts secondary is becoming more of a concern with each passing season, and the early injury to Thomas does not bode well for the rest of the secondary.
With Thomas out, the depth at cornerback for the Colts just took a big hit. Although they return three capable corners in Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers, and Jacob Lacey, the depth and quality behind those three is very questionable. Thomas was projected to compete for playing time in nickel and dime situations, and with the loss the Colts will need someone to step-up.
In all honesty the Colts might just have the worse luck in the NFL in terms of secondary health. From Bob Sanders and Marlin Jackson to the recent downfall of Thomas, the Colts have been plagued with the injury bug early and often. Although I wish nothing but the best for Thomas and I hope that he fully recovers from this injury, Colts fans must once again question the inability of the Colts front office to select quality and durable cornerbacks.
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