Stampede Blue

Colts Cut Brody Eldridge, Sign Another Quarterback

2012-05-17T19:39:17Z

You all might remember this little write-up after Ryan Grigson met with the media following the Colts Day Two selections of Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen. During that Day Two presser, he made this statement:

Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson: "It's nice to have two legit NFL tight ends on the roster now."

The interesting part of that is 2010 5th round pick Brody Eldridge, TE from Oklahoma, was on the roster. Grigson's statement implied that Eldridge was not a "legit" TE.

Whether intentional or not, that comment was a shot at Eldridge.

Grigson was immediately asked a follow-up question after, and that question was whether Eldridge still had a place on this Colts team. Grigson responded:

Definitely.

Nearly three weeks to the day that Grigson said this, the Colts announced that they have cut Brody Eldridge.

His place on the roster will be filled by QB David Legree. With the injury to rookie QB Chandler Harnish, and Andrew Luck not being able to to participate in OTAs because of graduation requirements at Stanford, the Colts simply needed another warm body at QB. Enter Legree.

Back to Eldridge, this move is yet player from the Polian regime sent packing. Ryan Grigson also cut Joseph Addai, Gary Brackett, Melvin Bullitt, and Dallas Clark this offseason. Eldridge was intended to be a blocking TE or fullback. With the team drafting Fleener and Allen, along with their commitment to FB Chris Gronkowski and their need for another QB, it seemed pointless to keep Eldridge.

It also suggests that Grigson was completely full of it when he said Eldridge "definitely" had a place on this team three weeks ago.

It Is Apparently 'Killing' Andrew Luck That He Cannot Attend OTAs

2012-05-17T15:25:49Z

Yes, yes, yes. We all know that Andrew Luck cannot attend OTAs until he fully and completely graduates from Stanford. While some might dismiss his absence as just another useless story no one cares about, the reality is the time lost will hurt Luck's development. It might not be noticeable, but it will hurt. Luck knows this. Head coach Chuck Pagano knows it as well:

We're talking back and forth. [Luck] was able to take some stuff with him [to Stanford]. Besides school, he's spending time with Griff [Whalen] out there and a couple of his other teammates. He does football in the morning. Goes out, throws, works out. He's staying on top of everything. He's on point. I spoke to him, as a matter of fact, last night. He called me. It's killing him not to be here. He's just dying, dying to get out here.

The more I look at the way the offseason is shaking out, the more it seems as if the Colts signed Whalen just so he can work with Luck during this odd period when neither can attend team OTAs in Indianapolis. This way, Luck can continue to build chemistry with, at least, one Colts player who is likely to suit up in preseason.

Luck's other former-Stanford-but-now-current-Colts-teammate Coby Fleener is apparently in Los Angeles at a NFLPA event with follow TE Dwayne Allen. One Interesting (and encouraging) note is that Fleener and Allen have seemingly been inseparable during OTAs and minicamps.

At some point, Fleener will likely head back to Palo Alto to work with Luck. Luck reportedly has plans to meet up with Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie as well. In the end, no one seems to question Luck's willingness to do extra work to catch-up and be ready for training camp. The question is how much will that extra time limit his ability to build chemistry and timing with his receivers.

2012 Colts OTAs: Team Signs Four Drafted Players, Harnish Hurt

2012-05-17T14:16:42Z

Yesterday evening (while I was out celebrating my wife's birthday) the Colts and Jim Irsay decided to announce that they had signed four of the ten players they selected in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Running back Vick Ballard of Mississippi State, wide receiver LaVon Brazill of Ohio University, outside linebacker Tim Fugger of Vanderbilt, and quarterback Chandler Harnish of Northern Illinois all agreed to terms with the Colts.

All four players were drafted in the third day.

The other news to come out of OTAs is that Harnish (who was the "Mr. Irrelevant" pick in the draft) is hurt. He was seen on the sidelines of practice yesterday nursing a sore knee, his leg wrapped. The timetable for his return is estimated at 2-3 weeks. Drew Stanton and Trevor Vittatoe handled all the QB duties.

It's likely the injury to Harnish happened during this most recent series of OTAs. He had no such visible knee problems at the rookie camp two weeks ago.

Now, while not catastrophic, it is worth noting that with Harnish hurt, this means both rookie QBs for the Colts were, essentially, MIA for the first install camp of the offseason. OTAs are when offensive coaches install their systems, and it is an absolutely critical time for young players to learn those systems. Andrew Luck, also known as "the other rookie QB," will miss all of Indy's OTAs this month. He is still finishing up his school requirements at Stanford. Griff Whalen is also there doing the same.

When the June OTAs roll around, it seems Whalen, Harnish, and Luck will have a lot of catching up to do.

Colts Center Samson Satele Reportedly Leaves OTAs

2012-05-16T15:18:51Z

Colts center Samson Satele reportedly tweeted this earlier today:

On my way to Hawaii....RIP Papa....ILY... #THEMAN
— Samson Satele (@satele66) May 16, 2012

Though this twitter account is not "official," it seems legit considering the owner has chatted with other Colts offensive linemen who do have official accounts on Twitter. These players include A.Q. Shipley and Anthony Castonzo.

Based on the tweet, it seems Satele has had some sort of loss in the family. He is from Hawaii (Kailua, Honolulu County). Condolences if this story is as it appears.

Indianapolis is currently in Day Two of their first series of OTAs. Today's practice is open to the media.

Satele was signed by the Colts in March 21st, and he seems the most likely player to replace longtime veteran Jeff Saturday. Saturday left the Colts via free agency, and has since signed with the Packers. Satele spent three seasons with the Oakland Raiders before signing with the Colts as a free agent. Prior to that, he spent two years in Miami, the team that drafted him in the second round in 2007.

Grading The 2012 Indianapolis Colts Offseason: Rookie Free Agents

2012-05-16T14:40:02Z

With the draft finished, the NFL offseason (frequently defined by teams releasing and acquiring players, coaches, front offices people, etc.) comes to an end. For the most part, the players the Colts hold the rights to now are the ones who will show up and play in the first preseason game in August. Thus, we take this time to evaluate and examine the moves made by Jim Irsay and his first year general manager, Ryan Grigson. This series will breakdown the player loses, the free agent signings, the draft, and the undrafted rookie signings.

We started out with who the Colts lost. We also talked free agents and the 2012 NFL Draft. Now, we grade rookie free agents... or, at least, we attempt to...

Rookie Free Agents

Grading or evaluating rookie free agents at this stage of the game is virtually impossible. In fact, it's just plain dumb to do it. Thus, for this recap-evaluation-summary-whatever, it's more about grading the front office and how they used the rookie free agent market to fill needs that they did not address during veteran free agency and the NFL Draft.

It's important to note that I'm not at these camps and OTAs. I'm not seeing these kids run, and even if I was there, it wouldn't be fair or accurate to evaluate their skills at this time. One evaluation that is fair is that these guys are rookie free agents because they weren't good enough to get drafted. So, already, they are inferior prospects to guys who were drafted, or the veteran free agents signed pre-draft. Anyone who tells you that drafted players and undrafted players are on even footing is lying to your face. If an undrafted player beats out a drafted guy for a roster spot, it makes the G.M. look moronic for burning a pick on the guy who lost out.

So, right off the bat, players like WR Griff Whalen, WR Jabin Sambrano, and RB Matt Merlettim are long shots to make the 53-man roster. However, guys like Buddy Jackson, Cameron Chism, and Antonio Fenelus are almost guaranteed to make the team for no reason other than the Colts did virtually nothing this offseason to address the team's near total lack of talent at the cornerback position.

The list of undrafted free agents signed is as follows:

Micah Pellerin CB, Hampton
Jabin Sambrano, WR, Montana
Jason Foster, OG, Rhode Island
Steven Baker, OT, East Carolina
Cameron Chism, CB, Maryland
Chris Galippo, LB, USC
Hayworth Hick, OG, Iowa
Griff Whalen, WR, Stanford
Kevin Eagan, DE, Endicott
Buddy Jackson, DB, Pittsburgh
Antonio Fenelus, CB, Wisconsin
Matt Merlettim, RB, Ignatious
Brian Stahovich, P, San Diego State
James Aiono, DT-DE, Utah
Chigbo Anunoby, NT, Morehouse College

Of the fifteen signed, four were corners (the position most heavily represented in the rookie FA crop). This gives us a strong indication that the Colts front office viewed the corner position needed help. They failed twice during the draft to grab a starting-caliber corner, and by the time the third day rolled around, there weren't many quality players left at that position. Overall, it was a thin draft at corner, a position that has renewed emphasis now that safeties can no longer bash and spear receivers over the middle. Teams must cover, and this means teams need three or four quality corners to compete.

The Colts have zero.

NFL.com's Gil Brandt really likes Steven Baker, OT out of East Carolina and Hayworth Hicks, OG, Iowa State. Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson described this draft as being deep for offensive line talent, and it seems Brandt agrees:

Baker lacks extensive game experience, but his length at 6-8 makes him a very enticing tackle prospect. In fact, Baker was an extremely hot commodity right after the draft, receiving one of the largest undrafted rookie signing bonuses at $15,000. He reminds me a little of Jason Peters, who went undrafted out of Arkansas in 2004. There are probably 100 more proven line prospects coming out of college than Baker, but you don't find too many bodies like this.

Again, much of the RFA evaluation is based on need positions, and right now o-line isn't one. The Colts have Anthony Castonzo, Ben Ijalana, and Winston Justice on the roster. All are under the age of 28, and all are costly prospects. The team also burned a pick on OT Justin Anderson. With so much invested in those four players, how can Baker or Hicks hope to contribute or develop? Castonzo and Ijalana have to become starters (if not, the Colts are in deep dung along the o-line), and the team didn't trade with Philly just to have Justice play as a back-up.

However, based on the amount of money the Colts invested in Baker, it's clear they wanted him. It's also clear (at least, to me) that the team doesn't have much faith in Ijalana developing into the starting right tackle. He might be better suited for guard.

Chigbo Anunoby, NT out of Morehouse College, is very intriguing to me. Between him, Josh Chapman, and Brandon McKinney, the Colts might have a strong group of nose tackle to anchor their new 3-4 defense.

It's worth noting that, at the rookie mincamp immediately following the NFL Draft, WRs Griff Whalen and Jabin Sambrano opened some eyes as they displayed a special knack for catching virtually everything thrown to them. Unless there are injuries, they stand no chance to make the 53-man roster (unless Ryan Grigson wants to walk into Jim Irsay's office and explain why two free agent rookies managed to win roster spots over players who were drafted), but they have shown ability. Ideal practice squad players, if they are available.

GRADE:A

Brad's final take:

The Colts needed corners, and corners they got. In the end, that's all anyone can really demand out of rookie free agents. I like the idea of getting more quality depth on the o-line, but I just don't see how players like Baker and Hicks can develop unless some pretty important prospects bust up or go down with injuries. Of all of them, Chigbo Anunoby interests me the most. This team can't have enough depth along the defensive line or the secondary. One area that didn't get enough attention was linebacker, but it's unrealistic to expect every roster position to get addressed. Overall, this is a solid group of rookies that address needs and have shown early promise.

Colts claim TE Andre Smith off waivers from the Bears

2012-05-15T21:19:39Z

Colts claim TE Andre Smith off waivers from the Bears

Smith will help Bruce Arians run his new 5-TE offense this year. Team also waived CB Mike Holmes.

Jim Irsay Thinks Colts Roster 'Taking Shape,' Front Seven Should 'Impress'

2012-05-15T21:09:46Z

Jim Irsay. Evaluating his Colts team. On Twitter. This should be interesting.

Franchise is taking shape..3rd Receiver and 2nd Corner must emerge..much progress in Free Agency n Draft...Def Front 7 could impress new 3-4
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) May 15, 2012

The Indianapolis Star's Mike Chappell has already opined on Mr. Irsay's latest non-insane Tweet, breaking down the owner's roster priorities, at (what I assume is) his blog over at IndyStar.com called The Dean.

My thoughts:

The Colts need a 1st corner to emerge, as well as a 2nd and 3rd. I like Jerraud Powers, but he isn't reliable. He's only played in the league for three years, and already he's missed 14 games. He has yet to play an entire 16-game season. Brittle player. Can't stay healthy.
If T.Y. Hilton doesn't emerge as the 3rd receiver, Ryan Grigson will look a bit foolish trading up to get him in the 3rd round, especially considering they had so many needs on defense. Irsay is already on record as saying Hilton is a slot receiver (aka, 3rd receiver).
Maybe I'm just a defeatist, but Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner don't exactly WOW me as inside, 3-4 linebackers. I don't think Conner has ever played on the inside, and both he and Angerer have issues in coverage. Both are also on the small side (Conner is 6'0, 242 lbs while Anger is 6'0, 235 lbs). Compare this with Pagano's inside linebackers last year in Baltimore. Jameel McClain is 6'1, 245 lbs while Ray Lewis is 6'1, 250 lbs. Short, speedy backers work for a Tampa-2. They don't work in this defense.
Irsay's tweet should finally shut-up the morons who keep insisting the Colts aren't switching to a base 3-4 scheme on defense. "It's a hybrid defense! Not a 3-4!" Note: "Hybrid" is a euphemism for "We aren't good enough to play the defense I want. Ergo, we'll do something in between."
If the front seven does not "impress" in 2012, who is to blame? Chuck Pagano? Ryan Grigson? Greg Manusky? See now why I keep talking about Manusky being upset over the lack of defensive players selected in the draft? When the team's owner is tweeting out stuff like that, the notion that it's OK for the defense to stink this season should be laughed at.

Colts Copying The Patriots With Two-TE Offense

2012-05-15T15:36:12Z

There is a common statement going around the league that teams like the Colts (who just drafted two high quality TEs) are copying the offensive success of the 2011 AFC Champion Patriots. Part of the reason it's common is because the Colts leadership has consistently cited the Patriots as a source of inspiration.

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano on 5/5/2012, answering a question about why the Colts are using a two-TE offense:

It's a match-up nightmare. Coming off the AFC Championship Game, nobody knew that better than the Ravens going into that game with the two guys [the Patriots] have. It's across the league. You can see it more and more every year.

Now, for someone like Pagano (who has spent the last four years in Baltimore before landing the Colts head coaching job), installing this new system is indeed copying the Patriots. Pagano was Baltimore's defensive coordinator last season, and it was his job to stop New England's two TEs (Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez) in that AFC Championship Game. To put it mildly, he didn't succeed. Gronkowski and Hernandez combined for 12 receptions for 153 yards. On the drive that would eventually give the Patriots the lead, Tom Brady hit Gronkowski for a 23-yard gain on first-and-ten from the Pats 37 yard line.

From my vantage, Pagano is frustrated by how those two TEs helped defeat his defense in the AFCCG, and that is one of the reasons why he hired Bruce Arians as his offensive coordinator in Indianapolis. Arians, a friend and disciple of Tom Moore, is a flexible coach who maximizes the talent available to him. Just as the Colts utilized two TEs back in 1998 (when Marcus Pollard and Ken Dilger were still in the league), so too will the 2012 Colts.

Bucky Brooks at NFL.com recently wrote an interesting article about the Colts "new" offense, which really isn't all that new for those of us who have followed the team for decades.

For all of the conversation about the Colts copying the New England Patriots' offensive approach with multiple tight ends, the team is actually returning to the original blueprint used to help Manning during his formative years.

During the late 1990s, the Colts befuddled opponents utilizing a two-tight end set that featured Ken Dilger and Marcus Pollard. These two were interchangeable as playmakers in the Colts' "12" personnel package, and their ability to make plays over the middle of the field put defensive coordinators in a quandary. If opponents stayed with their base personnel, the Colts would displace one of the tight ends to take advantage of a favorable matchup against a linebacker in space. If the defense trotted out a nickel package, the Colts would routinely align in an ace formation and run the ball off tackle on a stretch play or post up one of the tight ends against a smaller defender in the passing game. The defense rarely came up with effective answers, and the success of the offense fueled the Colts' ascension in the AFC.

From roughly 1998 to 2005, the Colts deployed a base two-TE offense. When Ken Dilger was unceremoniously dumped by Bill Polian following the 2001 season (Dilger was informed of his termination via a FedEx package delivered to his house), the Colts still used a first round pick in 2003 on a tight end named Dallas Clark. Clark and Pollard continued to work in the offense for two seasons. Over the years, as Peyton Manning got more comfortable throwing out of a three-WR set (and less mobile due to knee and neck ailments, preventing the Colts from running the stretch run play), the two-TE offense was phased out despite having Clark and (later) Jacob Tamme on the roster from 2008-2011.

So, it could be argued that the Colts are returning to their roots, so to speak, with their new two-TE offense. It could also be said that they are copying the Patriots, which is pretty much what Chuck Pagano has been admitting to since draft day.

In the end, it doesn't matter. When the Patriots couldn't stop Brandon Stokley tearing up their defenses in the mid-2000s, they copied the Colts by trading for Wes Welker. When Dallas Clark destroyed them in the 2006 AFCCG, they eventually found their own "Clark" in Gronkowski. When Peyton Manning shredded them in '05 and '06, the Patriots shifted their offense from a short passing attack with virtually no audibles by Tom Brady to a no-huddle aerial assault complete with QB calls at the line of scrimmage.

It's a copycat league. Innovation is rarely rewarded. The only thing that matters in the NFL is winning.