Thursday, July 18, 2013

Trouble looming???!!???

Given recent player news -- suspensions of Lavon Brazil and Wesley Saunders and possible charges against Joe Lefeged it seems the Dungy era of discipline may be a thing of the past. Maybe it's just isolated incidents.  I sure hope so. However it doesn't bode we'll to be in the 2nd year into new management and coaching  staff and have roster affecting incidents like these. Brazil's is concerning due to the four game suspension means it was not a first offense as is Saunders of eight games. This is exactly the kind of behavior that can kill progress of a young team and disrupt a roster building process. I have faith in what has been done so far but we also can't be blind that what is occurring. Do three events equal a problem or pattern? Maybe not but one is too many. Hopefully this is the last of it. I sure hope so because the next one might not be a guy who is already on the bubble to make the roster or be a 2nd or 3rd string player. Lets get this together and quickly. 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Updated 2013 Indianapolis Colts roster after signing RB Bradshaw

On June 6th, I ended my blog with the following:

"Given the current roster, I still have concerns at Running Back (RB), depth at Safety (SS/FS) and Cornerback (CB), depth at Defensive Tackle (DT) and Defensive End (DE) and the Kick Return (KR) position, specifically the Kickoff Returner.  That’s pretty good considering the needs at the end of last season.  The roster “Monster” is slowly coming together."

Less than a week later, they sign RB Ahmad Bradshaw.  So, guess one of my concerns were addressed.  Now we're down to depth at safety, cornerback, defensive tackle, defensive end and need to solidify the Kick Returners, though Bradshaw was a Returner when he played for the NY Giants, so if nothing else, we'll have depth there now.

Updated with the singing of RB Ahmad Bradshaw and release of RB Denodus O'Bryant




POSITION
STARTER
2nd
3rd
4th
QB
Luck, Andrew
Hasselbeck, Matt
Harnish, Chandler

WR
Wayne, Reggie
Hilton, T.Y.
Kelley, Jeremy
Sambrano,Jabin Sampson, Lanear
LT
Linkenbach, Jeff
Sowell, Bradley
Cleary, Emmett
LG
Thomas, Donald
Reitz, Joe

C
Holmes, Khaled
Schmeig,Rick

RG
Thornton, Hugh
Griffin, Robert

RT
Cherilus, Gosder
Anderson, Justin
Ziemba, Lee

TE
Fleener, Coby
Saunders, Weslye

WR
Heyward-Bey, Darrius
Brazil, LaVon
Palmer, Nathan   Rumble, Rodrick
TE/WR3
Allen, Dwayne
Cunningham, Justice
FB
Havili, Stanley



RB
Ballard, Vick  
Bradshaw, Ahmad
Brown, Donald

Carter, Delone    
Williams, Kerwynn
Megget, Davin; Moore, Dan
Base 3-4 D
POSITION
STARTER
2nd
3rd
4th
DE
Redding, Cory
Mathews, Ricardo
Guy, Lawrence

NT
Chapman, Josh
Franklin, Aubrayo
DT
Jean-Francois, Ricky
Hughes, Montori
Heard, Kellen Nevis, Drake





LOLB/SLB
Mathis, Robert
Werner, Bjoern
Simmons, Monte
Spears, Quinton
RILB
Freeman, Jerrell
Conner, Kavell
Prime, C.O.
LILB
Sheppard, Kelvin
Harvey, Mario
Lutrus, Scott
ROLB/WLB
Walden, Erik
Sidbury, Lawrence
Rayford, Caesar McNary, Josh
LCB
Davis, Vontae
Vaughn, Cassius
Green, Marshay
Williams, Teddy Price, Sheldon
SS
Landry, LaRon
Howell, Delano
 Asante, Larry
Boyett, John
FS
Bethea, Antoine
Swanson, Daxton
RCB
Toler, Greg
Butler, Darrius
Gordy, Josh
Chapman, Allen
Special Teams
POSITION
STARTER
2nd
3rd
4th
PK
McManus,  Brandon
Josifovski, Michael
P
McManus,  Brandon
Josifovski, Michael

H



LS



KR
Hilton, T.Y
Brazil, LaVon
Williams, Kerwynn

PR
Hilton, T.Y.
Brazil, LaVon









Thursday, June 6, 2013

2013 Indianapolis Colts Roster Status for June



Now that the free agency period, the draft, and undrafted free agents have been signed, I’m taking another look at the roster and potential depth chart for our 2013 Indianapolis Colts.
Before I go into the specific positions, just looking at the roster as it stands it looks like there will be quite a bit of competition in several key areas that were weaknesses last season.  This should lead to not only improving the starting units, but also provide much needed depth that was lacking last season and became apparent over the course of the season as guys got nicked up and missed playing time.
In a previous blog http://naptownrich.blogspot.com/2013/01/building-colts-2013-14-roster-monster.html I had ranked offensive line as the priority number one, specifically at Right Tackle (RT) and Left Guard (LG) and depth across the line.  The Colts definitely addressed all three.  Donald Thomas was signed as a free agent pickup previously from the New England Patriots and Gosder Cherilus was signed as a free agent pickup previously from the Detroit Lions.  The Colts didn’t stop there.  They added G Hugh Thornton and C/G Khaled Holmes via the draft and Emmett Cleary as an unsigned free agent.  The Colts also traded A.Q. Shipley to Baltimore for a future draft pick.  So the starting line-up is starting to look set with Castonzo and Cherilus at the Tackle positions, Thomas and McGlynn at the Guard positions and Satele at Center.  Satele and McGlynn could both be pushed for the starting position.  Returning from last year are Linkenbach, Reitz, Sowell, Griffin and Ziemba and returning from injury are Ijalana and Anderson.  Both the starting line-up and the reserves seem to be much improved over last season’s group.
LT
Linkenbach, Jeff
Sowell, Bradley
Cleary, Emmett
LG
Thomas, Donald
Reitz, Joe

C
Holmes, Khaled
Schmeig,Rick

RG
Thornton, Hugh
Griffin, Robert

RT
Cherilus, Gosder
Anderson, Justin
Ziemba, Lee







I had ranked the Safety position as the second priority, both starting and depth.  As I predicted and hoped, Zbikowski was replaced.  In fact, he was waived completely.  The Colts picked up free agent LaRon Landry previously with the NY Jets.  So the starters are set with Landry and Bethea.   That alone should be a big improvement.  I’m still concerned with the depth as the Colts only added John Boyett via the draft and Daxton Swanson via undrafted free agency.  Returning are Howell, Lefeged, Asante and Brown.  Landry has an injury history already, so depth could become an issue here.  If Landry and Bethea are on the field though, I like our safety unit.
SS
Landry, LaRon
Howell, Delano
 Asante, Larry
Boyett, John
FS
Bethea, Antoine
Swanson, Daxton


The next priority I had was at Outside Linebacker (OLB), primarily because I knew Freeney was going to be let go and he was.  Big cleats to fill.  The Colts went both free agency and the draft to fill the Outside Linebacker need.  First, in free agency, the Colts signed Erik Walden and Lawrence Sidbury then drafted Bjoern Werner with their #1 draft pick.  The Colts traded Jerry Hughes for ILB Kelvin Sheppard, eliminating any questions about how much of a leash Hughes had used up or had left with the Colts staff.  Losing Freeney is big, but losing Freeney of 2011-12/2012-13, not as big.  Not only did the Colts need a starter, but also depth.  I’m not sure about Walden or Sidbury replacing the ‘Freeney’ at his prime, but probably are no worse then Freeney of last year and likely better suited for the 3-4 defense.  With Sidbury and Werner and the return of Hickman off injured reserve, depth seems to have been addressed as well.  Also returning are Simmons.  New free agents are Spears, Rayford and McNary who will be coming off Military Reserve this summer.
LOLB/SLB
Mathis, Robert
Werner, Bjoern
Simmons, Monte
Spears, Quinton
ROLB/WLB
Walden, Erik
Sidbury, Lawrence
Rayford, Caesar McNary, Josh


The number four priority I had for the Colts was on the Defensive Line, DL and DE, both starters and depth.  The Colts seemed to add a ton of guys to compete here.  Returning are Redding, Moala (from IR) and Guy at DE, McKinney (from IR), Chapman (from IR), Tevaseu at NT and Mathews, Heard and Nevis (from IR) at DT.  Added were free agents NT Franklin, DT Jean-Francois and from the draft DT Montori Hughes.  I like this group of guys to compete for the starting positions and for depth.  The depth here allowed the Colts to trade Geathers to Philadelphia for FB Havili.  A low risk move since Geathers was brought in last year to fill in for roster players who went on IR late in the season.  Only small surprise was Antonio Johnson not returning.
DE
Redding, Cory
Mathews, Ricardo
Guy, Lawrence

NT
Chapman, Josh
Franklin, Aubrayo
DT
Jean-Francois, Ricky
Hughes, Montori
Heard, Kellen Nevis, Drake


The position I ranked as the next highest need was at Cornerback especially if starting RCB Powers was not re-signed.  He wasn’t and was replaced with free agent Greg Toler.  Though Powers was (or at least seemed) like a great locker room and interview guy, his numbers compare pretty evenly to Toler.  Interesting to note that Powers went to the Arizona Cardinals, along with former Colts interim head coach and Offensive Coordinator, and Toler went from the Cardinals to the Colts.  Basically, the teams swapped corners.  Returning are Vaughn, Butler, Gordy, Green and Williams.  The only other new additions were free agents Sheldon Price and Allen Chapman.  All in all, the cornerback position only improved as much as each of the players who were on last year’s roster improved.  With the addition of Landry at Safety and potentially more of a rush from the defensive linemen, it may not matter as much that this position didn’t improve all that much.  With other needs and cap space, I don’t mind the Colts strategy.  Keep in mind, the major improvement at corner happened last year when they traded for Davis, who will have a year under his belt wearing the horseshoe and a full training camp and preseason with the team this year.     
LCB
Davis, Vontae
Vaughn, Cassius
Green, Marshay
Williams, Teddy Price, Sheldon
RCB
Toler, Greg
Butler, Darrius
Gordy, Josh
Chapman, Allen


At the number six priority I had Running Back, particularly at the number 2 spot and depth.  The Colts must have confidence in Ballard, Brown and Carter as they were all kept and very little was added.  Davin Megget was signed, Alvestor Alexander was waived and Karim and Moore were also not resigned.  The only pickups were Kerwynn Williams via a late draft pick and Dan Moore and Denodus O’Bryant as undrafted free agents.  They also traded for FB Stanley Havili and let FB Robert Hughes go.  Looks like the Colts were sold that the offensive line was more to do with the lack of a good running game versus talent at the running back position.  Though I’m not 100% confident in this group, I still like the way the Colts are building the roster.  Improve the line and let’s see what these backs can do while making improvements in other much more needed areas.  My bet is if none of the backs work out this year, we’ll see more transactions and draft picks spent in this area next season.
FB
Havili, Stanley




RB
Ballard, Vick  
Brown, Donald
Carter, Delone    
Megget, Davin   Williams, Kerwynn
Moore, Dan O’Bryant, Denodus






At the seventh priority spot, I had Inside Linebacker depth.  The Colts are pretty set with Angerer, Freeman and Conner, but Angerer battled injuries all season and lack of depth showed.  The Colts took a major step here by trading Jerry Hughes for Kelvin Sheppard a former starter for the Buffalo Bills.  Also kept from last season were Mario Harvey and Scott Lutrus.  The only new addition was undrafted free agent CO Prime.  I like this group going into the summer.
RILB
Freeman, Jerrell
Conner, Kavell
Prime, C.O.

LILB
Sheppard, Kelvin
Harvey, Mario
Lutrus, Scott


At priority number eight, I had Wide Receiver, both a starter if Avery wasn’t resigned (and he wasn’t) and depth.  The Colts addressed the Avery replacement by signing free agent Darrius Heyward-Bey.  I’m hoping the change of scenery and much better quarterback play will make Heyward-Bey better and be the WR all expected him to become before falling into the Raiders system.  Returning are Wayne, Hilton, Brazil, Palmer and Whalen who will be coming off IR so really entering his first season.  Sambrano is also returning from the practice squad.  Three other new additions include Jeremy Kelley and two undrafted free agents Lanear Sampson and Rodrick Rumble.  The only “proven” receivers are now Wayne, Hilton and Brazil.  Whalen went to Stanford with Luck, so hopefully can get back in tandem with him quickly.  Palmer has yet to get much playing time to display his “Na-palm” speed.  Kelley is a big prospect at 6’6 and 230 lbs.  The competition should be fun to watch through camp and pre-season.
WR
Wayne, Reggie
Hilton, T.Y.
Kelley, Jeremy
Sambrano,Jabin Sampson, Lanear

WR
Heyward-Bey, Darrius
Brazil, LaVon
Palmer, Nathan   Rumble, Rodrick




At the number 9 priority, I ranked the Kick Returners, particularly kickoff returner (KR).  Hilton became the punt returner, but no one emerged as the primary kickoff returner last season.  Late in the season, Karim became that guy, but wasn’t resigned.  I expect Hilton to be more involved in the offense so that may limit his punt returning duties.  I think Brazil will be given another opportunity as well as several new additions to the roster, but Kerwynn Williams was the only one that seemed to have a lot of experience in this area.  Without a clear favorite, these positions could be up for grab again.
KR
Hilton, T.Y
Brazil, LaVon
Williams, Kerwynn
PR
Hilton, T.Y.
Brazil, LaVon


I ranked the Kicker/Punter as priority number 10 and only if either were not resigned or were let go.  McAfee was resigned, so the punter position is solidified.  And I’m very glad the Colts resigned him.  Not only is he a great punter/kickoff guy, he’s just a great guy and interesting dude to have on the team.  I heard him on a local radio show this Spring that he’d like to have Fall Out Boys song “My songs know what you did in the dark (Light ‘em up)” as the kickoff song this upcoming season.  I say make it so.  I would love to see the crowd pumping up to this song right before he sails one out of the end zone.  Vinatieri would have to have an injury or major competition in camp/pre-season to be uprooted.  Though, I wouldn’t be totally shocked to see the Colts let him go for a younger, “almost as good as” kicker just to relieve the cap number.  If there was a major injury to a starter and cap space was needed, I could see it happening.  Otherwise, I think these positions are set.
PK
McManus,  Brandon
Josifovski, Michael
P
McManus,  Brandon
Josifovski, Michael



I had backup Quarterback as the number eleven priority.  I honestly expected the Colts to promote Harnish after Stanton was signed by the Arizona Cardinals.  Well, after the Tennessee Titans let Hasselbeck go, the Colts quickly signed him.  Hasselbeck is definitely an upgrade over Stanton and has a ton of experience.  Though this may be a setback for Harnish, I think the Colts upgraded here.
QB
Luck, Andrew
Hasselbeck, Matt
Harnish, Chandler
     


At the last priority spot, I had Tight End, primarily because the Colts rookies, Allen and Fleener, were just that good.  The Colts drafted Justice Cunningham as the only new Tight End addition to the roster as the draft’s Mr. Irrelevant.  If he’s as lucky as the Colts’ last draft pick and Mr. Irrelevant, he could land a roster or practice squad spot.  I think the bigger question here will be how many TE’s do the Colts keep on the active roster.
TE
Fleener, Coby
Saunders, Weslye
TE/WR3
Allen, Dwayne
Cunningham, Justice



I didn’t mention the Long Snapper (LS) position as a need, because it wasn’t.  Matt Overton came in as a rookie last year and took over after long tenured Justin Snow and that part of the Colts game never missed a beat. 
LS


Given the current roster, I still have concerns at Running Back (RB), depth at Safety (SS/FS) and Cornerback (CB), depth at Defensive Tackle (DT) and Defensive End (DE) and the Kick Return (KR) position, specifically the Kickoff Returner.  That’s pretty good considering the needs at the end of last season.  The roster “Monster” is slowly coming together.

 How the Roster is shaping up.
POSITION
STARTER
2nd
3rd
4th

QB
Luck, Andrew
Hasselbeck, Matt
Harnish, Chandler


WR
Wayne, Reggie
Hilton, T.Y.
Kelley, Jeremy
Sambrano,Jabin Sampson, Lanear

LT
Linkenbach, Jeff
Sowell, Bradley
Cleary, Emmett

LG
Thomas, Donald
Reitz, Joe


C
Holmes, Khaled
Schmeig,Rick


RG
Thornton, Hugh
Griffin, Robert


RT
Cherilus, Gosder
Anderson, Justin
Ziemba, Lee


TE
Fleener, Coby
Saunders, Weslye


WR
Heyward-Bey, Darrius
Brazil, LaVon
Palmer, Nathan   Rumble, Rodrick

TE/WR3
Allen, Dwayne
Cunningham, Justice



FB
Havili, Stanley




RB
Ballard, Vick  
Brown, Donald
Carter, Delone    
Megget, Davin   Williams, Kerwynn
Moore, Dan O’Bryant, Denodus

Base 3-4 D
POSITION
STARTER
2nd
3rd
4th
DE
Redding, Cory
Mathews, Ricardo
Guy, Lawrence

NT
Chapman, Josh
Franklin, Aubrayo
DT
Jean-Francois, Ricky
Hughes, Montori
Heard, Kellen Nevis, Drake





LOLB/SLB
Mathis, Robert
Werner, Bjoern
Simmons, Monte
Spears, Quinton
RILB
Freeman, Jerrell
Conner, Kavell
Prime, C.O.

LILB
Sheppard, Kelvin
Harvey, Mario
Lutrus, Scott
ROLB/WLB
Walden, Erik
Sidbury, Lawrence
Rayford, Caesar McNary, Josh
LCB
Davis, Vontae
Vaughn, Cassius
Green, Marshay
Williams, Teddy Price, Sheldon
SS
Landry, LaRon
Howell, Delano
 Asante, Larry
Boyett, John
FS
Bethea, Antoine
Swanson, Daxton
RCB
Toler, Greg
Butler, Darrius
Gordy, Josh
Chapman, Allen
Special Teams
POSITION
STARTER
2nd
3rd
4th
PK
McManus,  Brandon
Josifovski, Michael
P
McManus,  Brandon
Josifovski, Michael

H



LS



KR
Hilton, T.Y
Brazil, LaVon
Williams, Kerwynn

PR
Hilton, T.Y.
Brazil, LaVon