Indianapolis Colts Football

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS FOR THE COLTS POSED BY SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

There will be a lot of introductions going around NFL locker rooms on Monday morning as teams incorporate their rookie classes with OTAs continuing through the rest of the month.

Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke posed a couple of question surrounding the Colts with rosters growing to 90 on the practice field this week.

Below are his two questions on the Colts and both Burke and I offer our analysis on the proposed issues.

Will any of the running backs step up?

• Burke’s Analysis: This sure feels like Vick Ballard’s job to lose after he led the team in rushing last season. Nobody on the depth chart appears on the cusp of stardom, though, from Ballard to Donald Brown to seventh-rounder Kerwynn Williams. Ballard’s 814-yard rookie year at least gives Indianapolis something on which to build.

• Bowen’s Analysis: I would have to agree with Burke’s notion that the running back job is Vick Ballard’s to lose. Ballard was productive in his rookie season and that was running behind an offensive line that has improved in the offseason and an offense that appears to be utilizing more of a fullback than last year. I could very well see Ballard being a consistent 1,000+-yard rusher for years to come. Donald Brown (speed) and Delone Carter (power) both fit a role at the running back position but it’s hard to imagine either of them supplanting Ballard as the starter. Kerwynn Williams’ first crack at making a contribution should be on special teams but the return threat also showed at rookie minicamp this past weekend that he can catch the ball out of the backfield and has a chance to find a role as a third down back.

Position Battles: Erik Walden vs. Bjoern Werner, OLB, Colts:

• Burke’s Analysis: This ought to be an interesting one with Walden, arguably overpaid in free agency at four years and $16 million, taking on Werner, whom many thought should play DE in the pros. The winner gets to start opposite Robert Mathis at OLB in the Colts’ 3-4 scheme. Walden was underwhelming as a Packer, which is why Green Bay let him walk without any semblance of a fight this offseason. He could hold down the fort, at least early as Werner learns the ins and outs of playing linebacker.

• Bowen’s Analysis: First off, let’s make this clear that this is a great problem to have at the outside linebacker position. Pro Bowler Robert Mathis is the obvious starter at one side of the linebacker corps but the other side has two quality candidates. Walden has been raved about for his ability to set the edge and he was one of the bigger splashes the Colts made in free agency. Werner will get his first taste of veterans in the NFL this week during OTAs, after the Colts first round draft pick had a very solid start to his professional career at rookie minicamp. Colts defensive coordinator Greg Manusky made it clear that there will be times this year where all three will be on the field together and expect this specific battle to last well into August with two dynamic edge players, both of which will play a good portion of defensive snaps come the regular season.

ANDREW LUCK JOINS NFL NETWORK CREW FOR INTERVIEW ON OTA’s

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was a guest on NFL Network’s Total Access on Wednesday evening for an interview with Scott Hanson.

This time last season Luck was balancing finishing up courses at Stanford while trying to find time for his first round of OTAs at the NFL level.

In 2013, it’s all football this time of year for Luck and Hanson covered that topic and a few others with the Colts signal caller.

Below is the full Luck interview and some of his quotes are under the video link.

Andrew Luck’s NFL Total Access Interview

On the Colts’ improvement last season and what that means for this season:

“Great for last year, glad we did some positive things. What we did last year doesn’t have any bearing – the good things, the bad things – on what is going on this year. It is nice, personally, to have a year under the belt and a little experience, but we know the road gets that much harder and we are trying to improve.”

On feeling more comfortable being in the NFL heading into his second season compared to last year:

“I am 100% more comfortable. On this day last year, I was probably sitting in class ready to get out of there and go to a rookie minicamp.  It is nice to be able to have the full offseason with the team. We have changed [offensive] coordinators, but I have had a great relationship with Pep Hamilton from before. To be around him and talk his style of offense has been great. It is just nice to be around the guys.”

On the hiring of new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton:

“I do remember someone asking my opinion of Coach Hamilton way early on, right after Coach Bruce Arians left.  I gave him 100% endorsement. I am really glad he is here and really happy for Coach Arians down in Arizona as well.  What a wonderful opportunity for him. I don’t think anybody else deserves to be a head coach in this league more than he does.  But I am glad Pep is coming in, I’m glad I don’t have to learn a completely new playbook. I think he is going to do great with us here.”

On if the Colts offense will be different under Hamilton:

“His offense is different; like B.A.’s, every coordinators offense has its own intricacies. It is too early to say [the biggest difference.] I think we will start to have a feel for that during OTAs when we can go against a defense. There will be different plays, but in the end, it is still football. You still have to go out there and make the plays.”

On the improvement of the Colts this season due to himself, T.Y Hilton, Vick Ballard, among others, gaining more experience and building off last season’s success:

“Hopefully we can build off the experience us young guys and the old guys – and continue to get better. I think we are very fortunate to have to great veteran leadership – Robert Mathis, Reggie Wayne, Cory Redding, Antoine Bethea – that really have set the standard here and know how to win. We just try to follow their lead but hopefully us second and third year guys improve and help the team out.”

DAILY CLIPS: MAY 4TH

COLTS NEWS (LOCAL AND NATIONAL)
Jim Irsay throws lifeline to Colts-themed restaurant
Indianapolis Colts’ best undrafted free agents: No. 1, tight end Marcus Pollard
Colts working to help re-open Blue Crew Sports Grill
Indianapolis Colts’ best undrafted free agents: No. 2, linebacker Gary Brackett
Colts’ rookie contracts? Should look a lot like 2012
Indianapolis Colts’ best undrafted free agents: No. 3, DT Tony Siragusa
Colts-themed restaurant could reopen with Irsay’s aid
Sports broadcast veteran takes helm at 1070 The Fan

COLTS.COM
Mathis, Werner QB Haters
Week Three of OTA’s in the Books

AFC SOUTH BLOG
Eight in the Box: Next order of business

NFL NEWS
Houston’s bid to host Super Bowl in 2017 helped by Florida inaction
Ed Reed will miss OTAs, minicamp after having hip surgery
Offseason moves give Titans new look; here are top acquisitions
Denard Robinson eager to please at Jaguars rookie minicamp
Schiano, other Bucs coaches visiting Belichick to talk techniques
Cardinals’ Daryl Washington arrested, accused of assault
Ravens hire Steve Spagnuolo
Andy Reid says Branden Albert will play left tackle for Chiefs

AFC TEAM NEWS
Real hard to grasp
Patriots rookies are ‘just happy for the opportunity’
Rex Ryan, who says he wants to coach NY Jets for another 20 years, is ‘excited’ for this year’s team
Solving the Chargers problem at LT

NFC TEAM NEWS
Webb battling to remain sober as well as for a job
Bears lose pro scouting director to Chiefs

WEEK THREE OF OTA’S IN THE BOOKS

It seemed fitting that after a less than pleasant start to the spring season, the sun was shining brightly down on the Colts practice field this week.

The third week of OTAs allows for players to get onto the field with coaches and take the installation process to another level.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF ON THE FIELD WORK

While the on the field work is critical this time of year, Colts veterans see the value away from the gridiron as well.

“It builds team’s chemistry,” outside linebacker Robert Mathis said of OTAs. “Also, it’s very important getting to know the type of team you have. We have the majority of the guys here and it’s beneficial to our success.”

Mathis is joined in the front seven of the defense by another 11-year veteran in Cory Redding.

This is Redding’s second season in a Colts uniform and while camaraderie is a vital aspect of OTAs, getting on the field allows for players to get acclimated into life in the fray.

“Guys are getting out there communicating, how to talk to one another, getting a feel for how a play is going to go when you’re out in the fire,” Redding said.

“You can talk one way in the classroom, but you’ve got to get guys in situations where they have to communicate, outside of what the coaches told them. Those are the things that are not taught in the classroom, they have to come with experience and the players out there getting a feel for one another.”

While the defensive side of the football is in year two with the same scheme, the other side of the football is busy learning a new offensive system for a second straight season.

The lone veteran returnee on the offense with more than seven years of NFL experience is Reggie Wayne.

With new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton (38 years old) implementing a new offense, Wayne (34 years old) joked that the two aren’t very far separated in age.

The relationship between offensive coordinator and Pro Bowl receiver is still in the early stages but Wayne believes that this year’s learning curve isn’t as steep as last year’s offense.

“I’ve heard some pretty good things about (Hamilton) and he definitely wants us to succeed, be positive and do great things because he’s out there in the classroom teaching, telling us to ask questions,” Wayne said.

DAILY CLIPS: APRIL 27TH

COLTS NEWS (LOCAL AND NATIONAL)
Indianapolis Colts: From Madden Mathis to the real thing, Bjoern Werner’s unexpected journey
Madden, Mathis among Werner’s influences
Colts question for the day: How’s Bjoern Werner’s motor running?
NFL Draft 2013: Colts select Illinois offensive lineman Hugh Thornton in 3rd round
Colts’ plan will demand earning positions
Thornton the next piece in Pagano’s vision
Colts add some “nasty” to the offensive line
Bjoern Werner’s international success story is truly one of a kind
Local prospect Hugh Thornton awaits new home in NFL Draft
Is Thornton another OL starter for Colts?
Warmack salutes Colts’ Drake Nevis

COLTS.COM
Unglaublich
Greetings
Off the radar on the roster

AFC SOUTH BLOG
Montgomery could be handful for Texans
Is Zaviar Gooden too similar to Brown?
Brennan Williams to compete with Newton
Can Wreh-Wilson help get Verner inside?
Dwayne Gratz helps Jaguars restock at CB
Swearinger can cover TEs for Texans
In Hunter, another piece for Locker
Cyprien should start ASAP for Jaguars
What the four first-rounders are saying
Second-round options for AFC South
Report: Jaguars target CB with No. 33
Nuggets on new guys in the AFC South
Bruce Matthews on Luke Joeckel

NFL NEWS
Second-round pick eases safety concerns
Titans should look to defensive line today
NFL Draft: Jaguars select Johnathan Cyprien, Dwayne Gratz on Day 2
Packers extend QB Aaron Rodgers
Te’o time in San Diego; Geno Smith goes to Jets

AFC TEAM NEWS
Bill drafts for need
With NY Jets picking QB Geno Smith, the Mark Sanchez Era is over

NFC TEAM NEWS
NY Giants strengthen defensive line, add Ohio State’s Johnathan Hankins and Texans A&M’s Demontre Moore
Bears take LB Bostic in 2nd round

QBS LEAD WAY

The draft is on April 25-27, starting nine days from now.

PHOTO GALLERY: BEST DRAFT PICKS

To help get fans fired up as the 2013 team takes further shape, we have posted pictures of 60 draft picks during the Indianapolis era and have asked fans to vote for the best all-time choice during our local era.

This is a contest where you can vote, and vote.

In a week’s worth of tabulation, the top 10 reads like this:

1268, Peyton Manning (D1-98)

814, Andrew Luck (D1-12)

757, Reggie Wayne (D1-01)

660, Marvin Harrison (D1-96)

497, Dwight Freeney (D1-02)

497, Edgerrin James (D1-99)

439, Robert Mathis (D5-03)

398, Dallas Clark (D1-03)

389, Marshall Faulk (D1-94)

280, Antoine Bethea (D6-06)

Six days ago, we posted the early leaders, and there has been no change in the order.  Edgerrin James has caught Dwight Freeney, and Marshall Faulk has sneaked up on Dallas Clark.

Faulk (1994) and Marvin Harrison (1996) are the two draft-oldest players in the voting.

Peyton Manning (1998) is the third-oldest in draft chronology, and he leads runner-up Andrew Luck, the youngest player in the top 10, by a wide margin.

The Manning-Luck 1-2 punch could underscore the value of their position while highlighting the talent each brings to it.  It is a quarterback-driven league.

Numbers three (Reggie Wayne) and four (Marvin Harrison) are and were (respectively) frequent targets in the club’s potent passing offense.

Both Harrison (12,766) and Wayne (10,602) went past 10,000 yards in completions from Manning, while Wayne snared 106 passes for 1,355 yards from Luck in 2013.

The bulk of the players in the top 10 were a part of the 2000-09 decade when the Colts won 115 regular-season games, six division titles, two AFC crowns and Super Bowl XLI.  Manning (141), Wayne (127), Harrison (118), Freeney (112) and Mathis (105) are five of the 14 Colts players who participated in more than 100 regular-season wins.

Faulk’s 1999 departure opened the door for James and from 1994-2005, the Colts had some of the most productive rushing offenses in the NFL.

As the voting continues, feel free to vote your convictions, but there are a number of players on the list who had very noteworthy careers beyond the opening rounds.

Mathis (fifth-round) and Antoine Bethea (sixth-round) are the two lowest round players in the top 10.  There are some on the list of 60 who had great careers, too.

Thank you again for voting.  We love the support you have for the Colts.

We know you are looking forward to next week’s draft.

DAILY CLIPS: APRIL 16TH

COLTS NEWS (LOCAL AND NATIONAL)
CB Josh Gordy returns to Colts
Indianapolis Colts’ best draft picks: No. 5, defensive end Robert Mathis
Four areas of interest as Indianapolis Colts begin their nine-week offseason workout program
Sizing up the Colts’ pre-NFL draft roster: running backs
CB Josh Gordy signs Colts tender
2013 Colts NFL draft guide
A peek at Insiders’ draft guide for Colts
Talking Colts, Texans and WRs with McShay

COLTS.COM
Feeling fine
2013 NFL Draft Preview: Quarterback
Colts top draft pick: wide receiver
Round two, day one

AFC SOUTH BLOG
A peek at Insiders draft guide for Texans
A peek at Insiders’ draft guide for Titans
A peek at Insiders’ draft guide for Jaguars

NFL NEWS
Monday Morning QB
Reliant Stadium video board upgrades on track
New Tennessee Titan Bernard Pollard wants to leave past behind
Jaguars Notebook: Players to get taste of tempo at Gus Bradley’s first mini-camp
Joe Andruzzi helps at marathon
FBI agents at HQ of Browns owner’s family business
Four added to competition committee

AFC TEAM NEWS
Brady shows the way
Darrelle Revis cleared to run without restrictions after MRI comes back clean
Mark Sanchez ‘fired up’ about competing for NY Jets starting quarterback job
Jonas Mouton: I want to contribute

NFC TEAM NEWS
Victor Cruz doesn’t report as NY Giants open voluntary offseason workouts
New Bear Zbikowski exactly where he wants to be

VOTE, AND VOTE AGAIN FOR YOUR INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The draft is on April 25-27, starting 15 days from now.

To help get fans fired up as the 2013 team takes further shape, we have posted pictures of 60 draft picks during the Indianapolis era and have asked fans to vote for the best all-time choice during our local era.

This is a contest where you can vote, and vote.

In early tabulation, the top 10 reads like this:

PHOTO GALLERY: BEST DRAFT PICKS

908, Peyton Manning (D1-98)

599, Andrew Luck (D1-12)

547, Reggie Wayne (D1-01)

489, Marvin Harrison (D1-96)

361, Dwight Freeney (D1-02)

358, Edgerrin James (D1-99)

322, Robert Mathis (D5-03)

295, Dallas Clark (D1-03)

272, Marshall Faulk (D1-94)

205, Antoine Bethea (D6-06)

How this shapes up at the moment is no real surprise, but take a look sometimes at a player in later rounds who had a truly noteworthy career.  There are some.  Many great teams are built through successes beyond the first day of the process.

In the next few days, I will feature who I think is the best player taken during our local era at 10 different positions.  The stories already are written.  If they reflect the vote, that’s great, but you never know.

Thanks for checking the site and voting.  We love it.

LUCK REFLECTS ON SEASON WHILE IN NEW ORLEANS

Andrew Luck is nearly a month into his first NFL offseason, yet he can’t seem to get away from football.

Earlier this week, Luck threw a game-high 205 yards and two touchdowns at the Pro Bowl.

Now, the Colts signal caller is making the rounds at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans and sat down with Adam Schein and Rich Gannon on ‘The SiriusXM Biltz’ to recap his rookie season.

“It was a lot of fun especially just to be in the thick of things come December,” Luck said on radio row. “It was fun for our draft class, T.Y. Hilton, LaVon Brazill, Vick Ballard, the tight ends to be able to contribute.

“It was really a big testament to Reggie Wayne and Rob Mathis sort of leading us and showing us how to be professionals and how to get the job done.”

The blend of youth and experience was managed just right to place the Colts back into a familiar state of taking part in meaningful games during the month of January.

“From the veteran side, I think they were so accepting of us and accommodating and would take time out of their day to maybe show us ‘don’t do this, or you don’t need to be going over here,” Luck said.

“And I think the rookies sort of realizing that we are rookies, keep your mouths shut and put your egos aside. It was a great locker room atmosphere. It really was and I do think that helped a lot in trying to win some football games.”

Luck admitted that he is having trouble trying to ‘digest’ everything he experienced during his rookie campaign.

An 11-win season came after dealing with numerous unforeseen circumstances that only added to the impressive debut by Luck.

“When coach (Chuck) Pagano went down, it was weird, it was tough,” Luck said. “What a great job coach (Bruce) Arians did of stepping in and keeping coach Pagano’s message going and keeping us on the right track.”

“There’s so many good people in the organization, so many good people in the locker room that everything just seemed to work out. Whether it was meant to or not, it just seemed to work out.”

GRIGSON, STAFF ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR RIGHT TYPE

When Ryan Grigson was named Colts General Manager a little over a year ago, he had a tangible player on the roster he could show his scouting staff of what epitomizes the attributes they should be looking for in the scouting department.

One of Grigson’s sons goes to bed in a Robert Mathis jersey and the Pro Bowl outside linebacker ‘epitomizes what a football player is” according to the second-year GM.

Mathis fits the mold of what Grigson and his entire staff is looking for when the draft process and free agent period appears on the calendar.

“If you really scout this league and you really know this league, you can find guys that are under the radar, that are right under people’s noses, just because you dig a little harder and you have a better feel for some guys than the next team does,” Grigson said.

“I have such a stellar department at pro and college that I feel we can do that collectively as a group. I feel confident that we are going to be able to sign some guys that may not be household names but they are going to fit really well, they are going to play Colts football for 60 minutes and they are going to do their job at a high level, despite not being maybe that splash name.”

Grigson and his staff are currently entrenched in the process of searching for those players, whether it is through the draft or in free agency.

As he heads into his full complete offseason as general manager, Grigson says nothing is set in stone as to how he will be approaching things.

“I’ve learned from each spot that I’ve been in and I’ve been able to kind of look at things from afar and see how things were done, and say, ‘Okay, well I’m going to do this differently and do that differently, or I’m going to do this exactly how they did it,’ Grigson said.

“I’ve built my philosophy on things that I think didn’t work and things that I thought did work.” Grigson said.

Over the next few months, Grigson will get the chance to sit down with potential prospects and it’s those meetings that garner a large amount of weight when deciding who fits the mold of what he is looking for in a future ‘Colt.’

“Meeting these guys face-to-face, having dinner with them, looking them in the eye, that’s where you start to get a feel of what’s this guy makeup,” Grigson said.

“Does this guy play the game for the money or doe he play it because he flat out loves it and if you told him to go run down on kickoffs he’d do it?”