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5/6/2007 – The Draft (cont’d)

 

Now most of the moves made by Mr. Polian and Company I understand, and approve of, not that they need my approval. And, I am more than willing to admit after last year’s new contract for Reggie Wayne and our resulting decision to let Edgerrin James go, that I don’t understand Bill Polian’s thought processes. I mean they work, but following them leads to headaches!

 

I understand that Anthony Gonzalez is a great route runner, and has a great RAC average, even though I didn’t do a pre-draft take on Gonzalez, because I really didn’t expect us to snag a wide-out in the first round. I know he’s good. But, why take a wide-out this high? I know we lost Stokely, but I ask you, did Peyton Manning lack targets? Weren’t we able to trade-off between stretching the field and attacking over the middle all season long? Anybody remember a guy named Dallas Clark? What does a third receiver bring to the Colts that Dallas didn’t give us? Or, maybe the question makes more sense asked the other way, what did we miss at TE, because Dallas was playing as slot receiver?

 

I called in to “Moving the Chains” on Sirius NFL Radio on the Monday after the draft. Pat Kirwan (NFL draft analyst), said the question should really be, who else were you going to pick at 32nd who was worth more than this key-position player, who fills a spot we have open? And, my thought was, well my favorite LB, Paul Posluszny from Penn State.

 

Players selected before Anthony Gonzalez:

1.       JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU)

17.    Jarvis Moss (DE, Florida)

2.       Calvin Johnson (WR, Georgia Tech)

18.    Leon Hall (CB, Michigan)

3.       Joe Thomas (OT, Wisconsin)

19.    Michael Griffin (FS, Texas)

4.       Gaines Adams (DE, Clemson)

20.    Aaron Ross (CB, Texas)

5.       Levi Brown (OT, Penn State)

21.    Reggie Nelson (FS, Florida)

6.       LaRon Landry (FS, LSU)

22.    Brady Quinn (QB, Notre Dame)

7.       Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)

23.    Dwayne Bowe (WR, LSU)

8.       Jamaal Anderson (DE, Arkansas)

24.    Brandon Meriweather (FS, Miami)

9.       Ted Ginn, Jr. (WR, OSU)

25.    Jon Beason (OLB , Miami)

10.    Amobi Okoye (DT, Louisville)

26.    Anthony Spencer (DE, Purdue)

11.    Patrick Willis (ILB, Mississippi)

27.    Robert Meachem (WR, Tennessee)

12.    Marshawn Lynch (RB, California)

28.    Joe Staley (OT, Central Michigan)

13.    Adam Carriker (DE, Nebraska)

29.    Ben Grubbs (G, Auburn)

14.    Derrelle Revis (DB, Pitt)

30.    Craig Davis (WR, LSU)

15.    Lawrence Timmons (OLB, FSU)

31.    Greg Olsen (TE, Miami)

16.    Justin Harrell (DT, Tennesse)

32.    Anthony Gonzalez (WR, OSU)

 

We were ranked 21 in overall defense, and something like 29th or 30th against the run - even though the defense played very well in the post-season. We lost a linebacker, two cornerbacks and a defensive tackle to free agency. Conversely, our offense was ranked third overall. My natural assumption is that we would be seeking skilled player who could provide immediate impact against the run. So, if we didn’t take that kind of player, then Polian and Dungy are both saying that people like Alan Branch (DT, Michigan), Paul Posloszny (OLB, Penn State), Chris Houston (CB, Arkansas – and ironically the guy who beat out Michael Coe for the starting position in Coe’s junior year), and Justin Durant (ILB, Hampton) would not have had as positive an impact on the Colts’ ability to win games in 2007 as Anthony Gonzalez.

 

We always pick up a bunch of defensive players in the later rounds and in collegiate free agency. And, I know that when you pick low in the first round, like the Colts have the last five years or so, it is hard to choose between someone who is considered first round quality and one who is second round. Maybe the differences between first and second round type guys on defense drops off faster than on offense. What can I say? I trust “The Polian.”

 

NOTE: In the post-draft press conference Tony Dungy said that he and Mr. Polian “almost had their first fist fight” over Dungy’s desire to select an offensive guy along about the 5th round or 6th round. Yeah right, like Tony Dungy would ever be involved in anything as unseemly as a “bout of fisticuffs!” But, I wonder who it was . . .

 

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4/29/2007 – The Colts Off-season Transactions & the Draft

 

Phew, a lot has happened since last I updated this blog. I’m not going to go into that here. If you have visited the rest of the site you know, and if you haven’t you probably don’t care anyway.

 

OK, here is how the Colts’ off-season has broken down so far:

 

Players Lost:

Jason David (CB, New Orleans)

Nick Harper (CB, Tennessee)

Cato June (OLB, Tampa Bay)

Montae Reagor (DT, Philadelphia)

Dominic Rhodes (RB, Oakland)

Brandon Stokley (WR, Denver)

 

Players or free agents signed/re-signed:

Rocky Boiman LB (Colts)

Rick DeMulling OG (FA - Lions)

Gilbert Gardner LB (Colts)

Dan Klecko DT (Colts)

Mike Labinjo LB (FA - Dolphins)

Rob Morris LB (Colts)

John Navarre QB (FA)

Jake Scott G (Colts)

Jim Sorgi QB (Colts)

 

We made Dwight Freeney DE, our franchise player, surprising no one, but giving us breathing room to sign him to a log-term deal (I hope).

 

Players Drafted:

1) Anthony Gonzalez [Rd. 1 #32 - WR, Ohio State] Philosophy Major, Rhodes Scholar candidate, works with charities, Dungy: He’s going to fit right in for us. He can catch the ball and block. He’s used to playing the 3rd/slot receiver position, he’s fast, good hands, might have had higher production if he had not been playing on the same team as Ted Ginn, Jr.

 

2) Tony Ugoh [Rd. 2 #42 - OT, Arkansas] Polian: capacity to play LT long-term, very hard to fill this position, so you have to draft when you find them. tall (6’5”) more than enough girth to play this position at 301 pounds, long-armed, light on his feet, had to play left tackle, missing spring practice for last several years. went to Arkansas to play shot-put and discus + football [sounds like Polian thinks the kid is not playing at his potential because he has missed out on the developmental part of spring training.] “We thought the investment of a 1st round pick for a LT was prudent for us to make at this time.” Speaking on trade of 2008 1st round pick for Ugoh.

 

3) Daymeion Hughes [Rd. 3 #95 - CB, California] Polian: Both of us really like Hughes, thought he was tailor-made for Colts’ defense, reminds us of Kelvin Hayden, good hitter, good ball skills

 

4) Quinn Pitcock [Rd. 3 #98 - DT, Ohio State] Polian: up front it is more difficult to find good players, this is why we invested pick 98 in him and why we drafted Keyunta Dawson, he’s a big guy, John Teerlinck described him as “big ol’ ax-handle guy” A terrific run player, high-motor guy. Not a great pass rusher, but good, big presense inside against the run. Can stand in and slug it out with you, but is still athletic. MTC says he is a project.

 

5) Brannon Condren [Rd. 4 #131 – S, Troy State] Polian: he’s a box safety, plays well at line of scrimmage, good hitter, sub- 4.5 guy. Chance to make team as special teams player or maybe 4th safety. Fits perfectly with what we want to do.

 

6) Clint Sessions [Rd. 4 #136 – OLB, Pitt] Polian: sub 4.6 guy – very good speed for a linebacker, 6’, 235 lb guy, very productive, very tough, had eyes on right him from start, excels on special team, think Freddy Keiaho, think he has a chance to come in here and make our team as one of three young LB’s. Dungy: like Mathis, forced 7 fumbles, played in similar D,

 

7) Roy Hall [Rd. 5 #169 – WR, Ohio State] Polian: 6’3”, 240 lb guy, 4.4 guy, faster version of Aaron Moorehead, might play TE, Dungy: [was asked are you sold on him as a receiver?] we will play him at receiver although he has a big body, and when he lines up in the middle he can be like a TE, great speed, like his skills, Dungy seems to think Hall was undervalued in draft as he was behind three other receivers at OSU

 

8) Michael Coe [Rd. 5 #173, CB – Alabama State] Polian: played in the East/West and Senior Bowl, good cover guy, very aggressive, good tackler, similar type of player as Daymeion Hughes picked earlier in draft. Dungy: Can play corner or safety, good Cover-2 corner, got ball skills [very good hands, can catch and return], toughness, all the things we look for, a very smart player, expect him to fit in like Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden, or Donald Strickland

 

9) Keyunta Dawson [Rd. 7 #242 – DE, Texas Tech] Polian: 6’2”, 254 lb, 4.7 guy, very good pass rusher – his forte, not sure he has tackling ability, time will tell. Time potential to be athletic tackle in rush situations. Good as two-way go [outside and inside rusher],

 

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3/10/2007 - “They Say A Lot”

 

They said, "The Colts can't stop the run."
We said, "Hello Larry Johnson, meet Bob Sanders."

They said, "The Colts can't play outside in the cold."
We said, "Fine, we'll go to Baltimore, in January. Outside, in the cold- and beat the number 1 ranked defense in the AFC."

They said, "The defense is small. It's undersized. They can't stand up to those really big o linemen."
We said, "Since we can't grow bigger, we'll just play bigger in the playoffs."

They said, "The Colts can't beat New England twice in one season."
We said, "Bring it on Belichick! We'll come to New England. And when you come to our house, we'll even spot you 18 points."

They said, "The Colts can't win, not outside in the rain. Not against a team used to playing outdoors in Chicago!"
We said, "Is 29-17 good enough? Outside in the rain? Against the number one defense in the NFC?"

They said, "Sure those stats are pretty, but Manning can't win the big one."
We said, "How about Super Bowl MVP?"

They say a lot. I wonder what they'll say next?

 

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3/10/2007 – The D the Injury Bug, and Free Agency

 

I have never tried to play the injury card when it comes to explaining losses. Because, it’s lame. Sure injuries happen, but in the end, it doesn’t matter. I mean you win or lose based on who you place on the field for any given game. And, the same goes for free agency. Besides, without free agency, how likely would it be that the Colts would have made it to SB XLI? But, now that the season is over, and more importantly, now that we’ve taken it all the way and the Super Bowl with the hand we were dealt, I can discuss the defense and the holes caused by free agency and more importantly injuries that contributed to some of our issues, without sounding like I’m whining.

 

 

 

 

§        David Thornton, our OLB who was cut at the end of last season and went to the Titans. Don’t get me wrong, I like Gary Brackett, but he’s not Thornton. And, don’t get me started about Gardner.

 

§        Mike Doss, another defensive back. He was placed on IR during 2006. He made it through 5 games, before rupturing his ACL in the week 6 game against the Redskins. He may not have been the most inspiring player, but he’s a good solid player. And, again a veteran player was missing from the defense.

 

We picked up Booger McFarland from Tampa Bay in October to take the place of Simon. Over the season, he appeared to drop about 15 pounds or maybe just converted it to muscle. The physical transformation mirrored his improvement on the field, as he slotted into the middle of the field to clog the running lanes. Rob Morris began starting as OLB. Bringing discipline and missing skill to that position, plus Morris is an excellent play caller.

 

And, Polian, Irsay, and Dungy draft well, so we had young skilled players who stepped up. But, it was tough. For every Antoine Bethea you have a Gilbert Gardner. Not only were new people moving into position, but players were shifting position as well. Having to step into a position for which they might be skilled but also for which they might not have much experience. Like Marlin Jackson moving from corner to safety when Sanders went down. This new mish-mash of defensive players took most of the 2nd half of the season to shake down into anything resembling consistent.

 

And, the team struggled because of it. Sometimes we played solidly, even brilliantly – like the game against New England. And other times, well, we frankly sucked – like the game against Jacksonville. Fortunately, the defense found its feet and consistency in the post-season.

 

 

[Top of Page] 2/14/2007 – The Colts’ 2006 Season In Review

 

Finally, after 36 years, the Colts make it back to the Super Bowl, and win it all! Phew, during December, I was getting seriously worried. After an NFL record consecutive season starting at 9-0 (including road games against the Giants, Jets, Broncos, and Patriots), the Colts lost every remaining road game, to finish the season 12-4.

 

It didn’t start out too badly, we went to Dallas and lost to the Cowboys 21-14. But, we were in the game the whole time and played pretty consistently. Then, we return home and beat the Eagles. OK, the future looks brighter here, and now the undefeated talk goes away. Then, we hit the road again – like a load of bricks in Tennessee, where initially we seemed to be winning despite the low score. Until they kicked a last-second 60-yard to win it 20-17. Then, we journey to Jacksonville, where we get our heads handed to us by the running game of the Jags. Fred Taylor and the rookie Maurice Jones-Drew lit us up for 375 yards rushing. Yeah, you read that right, almost 400 yards rushing to one team in a humiliating 44-17 loss. OUCH!

 

We return home, and kick the Bengals ass 34-16. Then, we go to Houston and give the Texans their first victory over the Colts – ever, losing 27-24, again by a last second-field goal. Then, back home for one more game (this time against Miami), and the chance to finish as the 2nd seed and obtain a first-round bye. Unfortunately, when you’re reduced to relying on luck to get you something in the NFL you are usually going to be disappointed. As happened when the Ravens defeated the Bills, and so finished their season 13-3 and snagged the 2nd seed. We finished 3rd, with the Patriots in 4th.

 

In the process, the defense which finished 2005 ranked about 16th against the run and about 11th overall, plummeted to 21st overall, and 32nd against the run. So, despite our 12-4 record (in which we only lost to one team with a record below .500), we seemed to limp into the playoffs without any real momentum.

 

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11/13/2006 – The Near Miss That Made Me Smile (Colts over Bills 17-16)

 

OK, bear with me. I’m not nuts, but I am happier today after the near miss to the Bills, than I was on Saturday. “Why?” you ask. Because I’m confident in our ability to play flexible football. By flexible, I mean that in years past, we have played a particular style of football, and this year we are doing different things to win. Instead of only relying on our ability to put points on the board repeatedly, we’re playing more patiently. We’ll take more time to figure out what the opposing team is doing before we commit to a plan to defeat them.

 

Many say, “Well, the Colts may be X-0, but they’re only eking out the victories.” And, for these last 9 weeks, I was feeling that way as well. I mean, I can list the flaws I saw, and still see: 1) we are last in stopping the run, not only in the ACF, but in the entire NFL, 2) we still have shaky kick return coverage, 3) defense sometimes plays very “flat,” 4) a couple dropped passes, a couple missed field goals, a couple interceptions. But we’re winning. And, winning in a way that is much more convincing than just “eking it out.”

 

Take last night for example. We ran 6:22 off the clock to win the game. Say it to yourself, I’m serious, say it out loud, “The Colts ran 6 minutes and 22 seconds off the clock on their final possession to win the game 17-16.” Sure, the Bills’ kicker (Lindell) missed the field goal, but do you honestly think that Peyton Manning can’t take the Colts downfield with that much time on the clock and score at least a field goal to get the go-ahead? When just the week prior he marched them into the end zone with 1:59 on the clock in the game against the Pats in Foxboro? Instead of trying to force a score in order to open the distance, we played to score first downs and eat the clock.

 

It takes confidence to have a gameplan which calls for controlling the field through a running attack when you have more than six minutes of game play left, and patience to stick to that gameplan, when the clock looms ahead of you, constantly reminding you that if the Bills get the ball back, they might well score and keep you from doing the same. How many teams have you seen play with that level of patience and confidence in 2006?

 

This type of strategic gameplay is what I got a whiff of in the playoff game against the Steelers. Yeah, that game. The one where we got run over by the Steelers for 2.5 quarters, before finally getting our shit together and making a great rally. Sure there was a blown kick, but the rally is what is important. Peyton and Tom Moore got the O running straight ahead, and the Steelers running scared. And, Dungy orchestrated the D to force the fumble. Peyton waving the kicking team back off-field. It was beautiful. That was the beginning, even though it ended in sorrow. And now, this year, after 9 games, I’m a believer. I still can’t speak the unmentionable. Still can’t say the S-word. But I can say this – GO COLTS!

 

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11/6/2006 - Oh Geez! Here we go again! The “Undefeated Season” Crap (Colts over Pats 27-20)

 

If it hadn’t been New England, if it hadn’t been Sunday night, if it wasn’t for my competitive nature, I might have wished the Colts had lost that game. Of course none of those things applied, so I can’t say, “Gee I wish we had thrown the game.” But now, here it comes. The dreaded talk of the perfect season. AARRGGGHHHHH! Mutter, mutter, mutter . . . stupid Bears!

 

Last year, it was crazy. Every time you turned on a sports talk show or read an article, everyone was yammering about the perfect season. And, look don’t get me wrong, I loved watching us go on that run last year. I mean we looked great, the defense was clicking, the offense was blowing teams away. Cool! But the longer the season went on, the less I wanted to hear about the perfect season. And the more I started worrying about a jinx.

 

I mean, the goal is the Super Bowl. Otherwise, why play? I loved watching them play like that. Nothing more fun to watch on a Sunday afternoon. But I want that final piece. Screw the perfect season crap. I want that trophy. And, a really, really big, really, really gaudy, diamond-encrusted ring on Peyton’s finger.

 

Will I give up watching if we don’t make it to the playoffs? Nope. Will I quit watching if we wash out of the playoffs. Nope. Will I quit watching if we wash out of the Super Bowl? Nope. I’m in for the long haul. But, it would really, really suck - bad. Again.

 

So, don’t wish me a perfect season, wish me a Super Bowl.