We're just that good.
Derek
This user hasn't shared any biographical information
Posts by Derek
Ch-Ch-Changes
Mar 20th
The Colts have officially announced their long-anticipated coaching staff changes.
Clyde Christensen (pictured) finally gets his shot at offensive coordinator, replacing Tom Moore. Christensen has been on the Colts staff since Tony Dungy was hired in 2002, mostly as receivers coach, and was the assistant head coach this past season. His last gig as OC came under Dungy in Tampa Bay in 2001.
Continuing the trend of promoting from within, Pete Metzelaars will take over the offensive line for the retired Howard Mudd. The Wabash grad played under current Ball State head coach Stan Parrish, and spent 16 seasons in the league as a player before joining the Colts staff full-time in 2004.
If you’re a college football fan, two familiar names will fill the vacancies left by Christensen and Metzelaars. Ron Turner, who spent eight seasons as head coach at Illinois, will be the Colts’ new receivers coach. Turner seems to be a bit overqualified for the job, considering that he spent two stints as offensive coordinator of the Bears (1993-96, 2005-09). Another successful college coach, Ron Prince, will be the new assistant offensive line coach. Prince has no NFL experience but spent time at Kansas State (head coach 2006-08), and Virginia (offensive coordinator 2001-05) in the college ranks. Before being bumped to OC with the Cavaliers, Turner spent the previous eight seasons as offensive line coach at Alabama A&M, South Carolina State, James Madison, and Cornell.
All of this news pales in comparison to the promotion of Jim Bob Cooter (giggle) to offensive assistant. Cooter was a backup quarterback at Tennessee during his college days before joining the Colts’ staff last season (why didn’t anyone tell me that Jim Bob Cooter was with the team?) As Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk said earlier today, Cooter has a bit of a checkered past. At UT, he was arrested for a DUI in 2006. Also, he was facing aggravated burglary charges after climbing into a window and jumping into bed with a woman last summer.
Everyone deserves a second chance, but maybe Cooter’s promotion will make Colts’ fans cool it with the whole “classier than thou” attitude. With huge rosters and coaching staffs, you’re bound to find coaches/players that have had legal trouble at some point on every single NFL team. Let’s hope Cooter’s past transgressions are behind him.
But, getting back to the point, the most interesting news comes from Phil Richards of the Star. He is reporting that Tom Moore will be retained as senior offensive assistant. I’m assuming this may be more of an “advisor” role than a day-to-day task. It’s smart for the Colts to keep Moore in the family to help with the development of Christensen.
Getting to Know You
Mar 16th
In what is usually a very quiet time around Indianapolis, the Colts have Bill Polian has been quite busy on the free agent market. To get you caught up, we’ll try to help you get to know the most recent Colts’ additions:
OT Adam Terry
Measurements: 6’8, 335 pounds
Dropping knowledge: The behemoth tackle spent the last four seasons in Baltimore, but missed the entire 2009 campaign due to a knee injury that he suffered during training camp. During his career, Terry has started in 18 of the 48 games he’s appeared in. Terry was widely criticized for his lackadaisical attitude, and some point to that as the reason why the Ravens decided to let him walk. However, his size certainly makes him an intriguing addition.
Projection: The average at-best play of Ryan Diem, and the uncertainty as to whether Charlie Johnson will return to the left tackle spot, means that Terry will get a shot to start. This seems like a low-risk move for the Colts – if Terry slacks-off, he won’t see the field.
DE J.D. Skolnitsky
Measurements: 6’4, 255 pounds
Dropping knowledge: I’d be lying to you if I had told you that I had ever heard of J.D. Skolnitsky before about a week ago. However, as you see from the measurements, Skolnitsky fits the usual Colts prototype for the defensive end spot. He was given a contract by Washington last season after being undrafted out of James Madison. Further information on Skolnitsky is hard to find (this guy has to be the only player in the NFL without a Wikipedia page).
Projection: At 23, Skolnitsky is a cheaper/younger alternative to Raheem Brock, and could fit into Indy’s defensive line rotation. From the positive things that coaches and teammates have had to say about him in his short career, he seems worth taking a flier on. Also, his name is fun to say.
OG Andy Alleman
Measurements: 6’4, 304 pounds
Dropping knowledge: This will be Alleman’s fourth team in four years, but he could find a long-term home in Indianapolis. The Colts tried to claim Alleman last year before he was scooped up by Kansas City. Coming out of Akron, scouts were wowed by his physical abilities, but he has yet to get a chance to put everything together.
Projection: With the bustilicous Mike Pollak perhaps being a Camp-casualty, and Ryan Lilja’s release, Alleman could be the Colts’ new starting right guard in 2010. It sounds like a reach, but at the very least, Alleman provides some much-needed depth.
This trio isn’t exactly Julius Peppers, Brandon Manumaleuna, and Chester Taylor, but they’re ample replacements for the players (Lilja, Brock) that the Colts have decided to let go.
I still think that the offensive line will be addressed via the Draft, and the tackle and guard spots will be the two most interesting position battles in Terre Haute this summer.
Colts, Brackett Come to Terms
Mar 5th
In a move that surprised no one, Gary Brackett will remain an Indianapolis Colt. Despite passing this morning’s 12:01 deadline, the unrestricted free agent agreed to a five-year deal. The contract will pay Brackett $33 million, including a signing bonus of $12 million. The deal makes Brackett one of the highest paid players at his position in the NFL.
The signing bucks a long-time trend by the Colts’ front office to let talented linebackers walk. In the past, players such as Cato June, Mike Peterson, and David Thornton have all been allowed to pursue free agency. However, while talented, those players never held the distinction of being defensive captain – a title that Brackett has held since the 2007 season.
Staying up-to-date with the latest, the Colts now have just one unrestricted free agent in K Matt Stover, who is expected to retire. Of their restricted free agents, safeties Melvin Bullitt and Antonie Bethea, along with LT Charlie Johnson, DT Antonio “Mookie” Johnson, and DT Daniel Muir have all been tendered. CB Marlin Jackson, PR T.J. Rushing, and the remaining restricted free agents were not given offers by the Colts and will become unrestricted free agents.
Don’t worry, there’s plenty more blame where that came from
Feb 13th
Ugh. Here we go again…
Colts President Bill Polian pointed the finger at two units – the offensive line and Special Teams – and bemoaned the lack of execution in Indianapolis’ Super Bowl XLIV loss to New Orleans.
Looking for a Label
Feb 9th
Nearly 24 hours after the completion of Super Bowl XLIV, I still can’t fully define the legacy of the 2009 Colts. For a third straight year, and for the fifth time in six years, I’m left searching for an explanation.
For much of Sunday’s loss, it was the Saints that played the brand of football that we had seen from the Colts for over five months. They played clean, they played smart, and most importantly of all, they played aggressive.
I thought that because New Orleans relied so much on their opponents making mistakes, that the Colts – a team that rarely shoots themselves in the foot – would prevail. They didn’t, and the Saints were praised for a huge “upset” victory.
But, was New Orleans’ win really an upset?
Loading ...
Recent Comments