The off-season moves continue for the Colts. They keep very subtly adding and waiving players without much fanfare. Waiving TE Brody Eldridge made indystar.com and was in ESPN's NFL Transactions. They also signed another QB, David Legree. Also, reported in both the Star and ESPN. I'm assuming Legree will get some reps while Luck is finishing up at Stanford. Maybe also to provide some competition at the #2 or #3 spot. Legree is a rookie and is 6-4, 225 pounds. The Star reported that he began his collegiate career at Syracuse then
transferred to Hampton University after the 2008 season. So, he's a pretty old for a rookie.
The Colts also quietly swapped Offensive Lineman. Waiving rookie Matt Murphy and signing rookie Zane Taylor. This was reported on ESPN, but not the Star. The roster at Colts.com has also been updated to reflect these moves.
The Colts also now have signed five of their draft choices. That leaves Luck, Hilton, Allen, Fleener and Chapman. So, four offensive and one defensive players still to sign.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Colts pick up FA Rookie Safety
Thomas,
Latarrius, S, 6-1, 210, R, Eastern Michigan
http://blogs.indystar.com/sportspulse/2012/05/03/colts-agree-to-terms-with-free-agent-safety-latarrius-thomas/
He has not yet been added to the colts.com roster, but neither have any of the draft picks including Luck.
http://blogs.indystar.com/sportspulse/2012/05/03/colts-agree-to-terms-with-free-agent-safety-latarrius-thomas/
He has not yet been added to the colts.com roster, but neither have any of the draft picks including Luck.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Colts Post Draft Roster and Needs
Now with the draft behind us, I'm reviewing the Colts roster again. Several areas were addressed either before the draft or with it.
Offense: QB was, of course, priority #1. I think we can say we have a starter in Andrew Luck and now competition for the backups. On offense, the line was indeed an issue and with a new rookie QB, this was an area of great concern as well. The Colts did work there pre-draft. Picking up vets, Winston Justice, Samson Satele and Mike McGlynn who look more than just serviceable. Add Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana from last year's draft class and the line is looking better. Also, add the fact that several others on the roster got a lot of work last year while subbing due to all the injuries. So, that means though they may not be great starters they are very serviceable backups with experience. Next need was definitely TE. By drafting two, Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen and another undrafted free agent, there are now five TEs. I'm comfortable "enough" with that considering there really aren't any free agent vet TEs available. Next need, definitely in my mind was RB. I do not feel comfortable at all with our RB options and picking up Vick Ballard in the draft and Deji Karim in free agency doesn't make me feel any better. Unless Carter or Evans have greatly improved since last season, I'd still like to see the Colts pick up a quality vet RB in free agency and there are several I think might fit. Still available are Justin Forsett, Ryan Grant, Jerious Norwood, Tim Hightower, Ryan Torain and even older guys like Ronnie Brown and Cedric Benson would seem to be an upgrade. Oh, yea, some guy named Addai is still available too. That leaves WR. I think with Wayne and the pick up of Avery with Collie playing the slot, the need was really at quality backups. The draft provided TY Hilton and I've read good things about him and the fact he could also help the return game (and we need that desparately) only gives him upside. They also picked up LaVon Brazil via the draft then Griff Whalen via undrafted free agents. I don't know much about Brazil nor have I read much, but Whalen played with Luck and Fleener at Stanford, so being familiar with the QB could be a plus. The rest of the WRs, Fayson, Cosby, and Ross, I don't know much about, but I think they will mostly be pre-season roster fillers or backups. That leaves me looing at available FAs and there are a few I think would be good pick ups. Jacoby Jones (could also return kicks/punts), Jabar Gaffney (contract might not work, but would push Avery for starting position and he/Wayne would make it hard to on defenses to cover both), and any of these wouldn't be bad considerations: Greg Camarillo, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Mark Clayton, Michael Clayton, Malcolm Kelly, Roy Williams...and what about Blair White, did he get injured or tick off one of the new coaches.
Defense: I think the biggest need was quality DBs. They picked up SS Zbikowski from the Ravens. Not sure if he's a true starter, but looking at the roster, he's got as good a chance as any. The other starters look like they'll be Kevin Thomas, Antoine Bethea and Jerraud Powers. After that the talent trails off quickly. Like the O-linemen of last year, several DBs did get good quality playing time due to injuries. That may play to their and our team's favor. I'm just as sorry the Colts didn't have the opportunity to pick up a good DB in the draft as the Colts are and I think this will be the D's sore spot this year. Looking at available FAs, there's slim pickings available. Lito Sheppard, Will Blackmon, Phillip Buchanon, and ex-Colt Donald Strickland. All have seen their best years, but an old vet might help the young group we have on the current roster. The LB position comes in a close 2nd, but I think might solve itself by going to a 4-3 which would shift some of our smaller D-linemen to play LB-like. Even so, we are thin at quality LBs. We've got stud Pat Angerer. After that, my confidence is pretty low. Kavell Conner is really the only other one with quality experience. That leaves guys like Mario Harvey, Scott Lutrus, Jerrell Freeman and new additions Chris Galippo and Tim Fugger who was drafted this year. I've seen some good reports on Fugger, but he's yet to play a game. Only FA LB that looked not too old and might be worth a look is Nate Triplett. Here's hoping with the 4-3 and our already small D-linemen, we will not need to rely in LBs. The D-line was solidified by re-signing Mathis, keeping Freeney (at least so far) and picking up Cory Redding and Brandon McKinney. Still on the roster are players with quite a bit of experience, Fili Moala, Antonio Johnson, Ricardo Matthews, Jerry Hughes (still TBD, but I think the 4-3 might help him and Drake Nevis who showed some flashes last year to make you think he was moving in the right direction. Back up competition looks pretty good to with Mario Addison, Justin Hickman, Ollie Ogbu, Brandon Peguese and new pick ups James Aiono, Kevin Eagon and Chigbo Anunoby who I've read in a few places might be a steal as an undrafted FA. Still wondering why Eric Foster hasn't gotten some love at resigning. Thought the guy played pretty well and would've pushed several guys on the roster for a roster spot.
Special Teams: We good at Kicker with Vinatieri. Next year might be the time to look for a younger, less expensive kicker. We've got too many other holes. We are good at Punter with McAfee. They signed P Brian Stahovich as a future prospect, but think it might also be just to give some preseason reps to vs using McAfee. Long Snapper Justin Snow got some competition when the Colts added Matt Overton, but I'm not sure how serious a look he'll get. My only thought was maybe the Colts looked at the roster and thought this would be one more spot to get younger. Snow has been solid though and knows and has quality time with both K & P. Now, the really sore spot for years...KR and PR. Joe Lefeged is really the only one on the roster who got enough time last year and was under average, but consistent and didn't fumble. I'd like to see TY Hilton, Deji Karim and possiblly Vick Ballard to compete as returners. This will definitely be a position that could earn a guy a spot on the roster since backup WR and DB is wide open.
So, now with the draft and signing undrafted FAs being over, I think the Colts would be wise to really look at the FAs available with a focus on RB and DB. And since there are several quality players available, also take a look at the WRs available. I still think LB is an area that could be improved, but there aren't many quality FAs available and as I mentioned using a 4-3 could change the need at the LB position enough that some of our smaller D-linemen might fill the need and work itself out.
Offense: QB was, of course, priority #1. I think we can say we have a starter in Andrew Luck and now competition for the backups. On offense, the line was indeed an issue and with a new rookie QB, this was an area of great concern as well. The Colts did work there pre-draft. Picking up vets, Winston Justice, Samson Satele and Mike McGlynn who look more than just serviceable. Add Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana from last year's draft class and the line is looking better. Also, add the fact that several others on the roster got a lot of work last year while subbing due to all the injuries. So, that means though they may not be great starters they are very serviceable backups with experience. Next need was definitely TE. By drafting two, Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen and another undrafted free agent, there are now five TEs. I'm comfortable "enough" with that considering there really aren't any free agent vet TEs available. Next need, definitely in my mind was RB. I do not feel comfortable at all with our RB options and picking up Vick Ballard in the draft and Deji Karim in free agency doesn't make me feel any better. Unless Carter or Evans have greatly improved since last season, I'd still like to see the Colts pick up a quality vet RB in free agency and there are several I think might fit. Still available are Justin Forsett, Ryan Grant, Jerious Norwood, Tim Hightower, Ryan Torain and even older guys like Ronnie Brown and Cedric Benson would seem to be an upgrade. Oh, yea, some guy named Addai is still available too. That leaves WR. I think with Wayne and the pick up of Avery with Collie playing the slot, the need was really at quality backups. The draft provided TY Hilton and I've read good things about him and the fact he could also help the return game (and we need that desparately) only gives him upside. They also picked up LaVon Brazil via the draft then Griff Whalen via undrafted free agents. I don't know much about Brazil nor have I read much, but Whalen played with Luck and Fleener at Stanford, so being familiar with the QB could be a plus. The rest of the WRs, Fayson, Cosby, and Ross, I don't know much about, but I think they will mostly be pre-season roster fillers or backups. That leaves me looing at available FAs and there are a few I think would be good pick ups. Jacoby Jones (could also return kicks/punts), Jabar Gaffney (contract might not work, but would push Avery for starting position and he/Wayne would make it hard to on defenses to cover both), and any of these wouldn't be bad considerations: Greg Camarillo, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Mark Clayton, Michael Clayton, Malcolm Kelly, Roy Williams...and what about Blair White, did he get injured or tick off one of the new coaches.
Defense: I think the biggest need was quality DBs. They picked up SS Zbikowski from the Ravens. Not sure if he's a true starter, but looking at the roster, he's got as good a chance as any. The other starters look like they'll be Kevin Thomas, Antoine Bethea and Jerraud Powers. After that the talent trails off quickly. Like the O-linemen of last year, several DBs did get good quality playing time due to injuries. That may play to their and our team's favor. I'm just as sorry the Colts didn't have the opportunity to pick up a good DB in the draft as the Colts are and I think this will be the D's sore spot this year. Looking at available FAs, there's slim pickings available. Lito Sheppard, Will Blackmon, Phillip Buchanon, and ex-Colt Donald Strickland. All have seen their best years, but an old vet might help the young group we have on the current roster. The LB position comes in a close 2nd, but I think might solve itself by going to a 4-3 which would shift some of our smaller D-linemen to play LB-like. Even so, we are thin at quality LBs. We've got stud Pat Angerer. After that, my confidence is pretty low. Kavell Conner is really the only other one with quality experience. That leaves guys like Mario Harvey, Scott Lutrus, Jerrell Freeman and new additions Chris Galippo and Tim Fugger who was drafted this year. I've seen some good reports on Fugger, but he's yet to play a game. Only FA LB that looked not too old and might be worth a look is Nate Triplett. Here's hoping with the 4-3 and our already small D-linemen, we will not need to rely in LBs. The D-line was solidified by re-signing Mathis, keeping Freeney (at least so far) and picking up Cory Redding and Brandon McKinney. Still on the roster are players with quite a bit of experience, Fili Moala, Antonio Johnson, Ricardo Matthews, Jerry Hughes (still TBD, but I think the 4-3 might help him and Drake Nevis who showed some flashes last year to make you think he was moving in the right direction. Back up competition looks pretty good to with Mario Addison, Justin Hickman, Ollie Ogbu, Brandon Peguese and new pick ups James Aiono, Kevin Eagon and Chigbo Anunoby who I've read in a few places might be a steal as an undrafted FA. Still wondering why Eric Foster hasn't gotten some love at resigning. Thought the guy played pretty well and would've pushed several guys on the roster for a roster spot.
Special Teams: We good at Kicker with Vinatieri. Next year might be the time to look for a younger, less expensive kicker. We've got too many other holes. We are good at Punter with McAfee. They signed P Brian Stahovich as a future prospect, but think it might also be just to give some preseason reps to vs using McAfee. Long Snapper Justin Snow got some competition when the Colts added Matt Overton, but I'm not sure how serious a look he'll get. My only thought was maybe the Colts looked at the roster and thought this would be one more spot to get younger. Snow has been solid though and knows and has quality time with both K & P. Now, the really sore spot for years...KR and PR. Joe Lefeged is really the only one on the roster who got enough time last year and was under average, but consistent and didn't fumble. I'd like to see TY Hilton, Deji Karim and possiblly Vick Ballard to compete as returners. This will definitely be a position that could earn a guy a spot on the roster since backup WR and DB is wide open.
So, now with the draft and signing undrafted FAs being over, I think the Colts would be wise to really look at the FAs available with a focus on RB and DB. And since there are several quality players available, also take a look at the WRs available. I still think LB is an area that could be improved, but there aren't many quality FAs available and as I mentioned using a 4-3 could change the need at the LB position enough that some of our smaller D-linemen might fill the need and work itself out.
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