Ugoh on the Move

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.”