July

July 16, 2008   

Manning's injury puts kink in Colts' training-camp plans

The news that Peyton Manning is expected to be sidelined 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to remove an infected bursa sac in his knee will have a significant effect on the Colts’ training-camp structure. Throughout his career, Manning has taken almost all the reps in camp and in practices, contrary to the practice followed by most teams, which give backup quarterbacks many practice repetitions. Now, Jim Sorgi, who has been little more than a practice dummy throughout his four-year career, will be thrust under center and asked to take the lion’s share of snaps, though untested Josh Betts and undrafted rookie Adam Tafralis will also get some opportunities. However, if Manning takes longer than expected to recover, the team would likely take a look at a veteran quarterback who's still available on the open market. According to a source close to the club, Manning would have to be expected to miss at least 3-4 games before the Colts would sign an outsider.

July 11, 2008   

Injury to Hagler adds to Colts' defensive woes

The hits keep on coming for the Colts' defense. With DE Dwight Freeney and SS Bob Sanders already sitting out the offseason program nursing injuries, starting SLB Tyjuan Hagler was added to the infirmary list in early July after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. While Freeney and Sanders are not considered realistic possibilities to miss regular-season action, the status of Hagler is more muddled. If out for an extended period of time, the Colts could be forced to juggle some personnel, as Hagler is their only natural fit on the strong side. However, word out of Indy is that the coaches are optimistic about the overall depth of the LB corps. Although more adept at operating in space on the weak side, second-year man Clint Session is the type of athletic gem that the coaches are eager to get a closer look at. Additionally, rookie MLB Philip Wheeler is believed to have enough versatility to play the strong side proficiently. Regardless of the positive long-term prognosis of the injured defensive players, with Hagler, Freeney and Sanders all doubtful to serve much of a role in training camp — all three are likely to start training camp on the physically unable to perform list — it's certain that many young defenders will be under the microscope in Terre Haute.

June

June 25, 2008   

Freeney progressing well from Lisfranc injury

According to a team insider, Colts DE Dwight Freeney is well on his way to be back in playing condition by the start of the regular season. Freeney has been nursing a Lisfranc (foot) injury throughout the offseason program, but we hear there’s little cause for concern. While the injury generally takes between 9-10 months to fully recover from, doctors have told him that he’s, if anything, ahead of schedule with his return. In fact, there’s a slight concern around Colts camp that Freeney may try to come back too soon. Fortunately for the Colts, their star end is also heeding advice from recently retired Michael Strahan and former teammate Brandon Stokley, both of whom have nursed the injury and have implored Freeney to take it easy. Word is Freeney has opted to stay in Indianapolis through OTAs and minicamp rather than rehab remotely.

June 13, 2008   

Colts rookie O-lineman proves to be a quick study

The Colts harbored high expectations for second-round rookie OG Mike Pollak entering the team’s offseason program. The way we hear it, it hasn’t taken him long to justify the coaches’ hopes. Pollak has adjusted well enough to the NFL and a relatively new position — he played the bulk of his Arizona State collegiate career at center after switching from guard — that he’s not only penciled in as the starting right guard but has impressed the coaches to the point that they felt comfortable cutting veteran Dylan Gandy. Gandy and Pollak were initially expected to stage one of the team’s bigger position battles. OL coach Howard Mudd isn’t averse to throwing rookies right into the fray, with the latest example of a first-year pro thriving under his tutelage being the solid play of OLT Tony Ugoh last season. That being said, a source close to the club said that converted OT Charlie Johnson cannot be overlooked. Although not quick enough to handle speed rushers on the outside, Johnson possesses the raw power to be a solid interior lineman. It still figures to be Pollak’s position to lose, but if he struggles when thrown the entirety of the playbook in training camp, Johnson could certainly emerge atop the depth chart.

May

May 30, 2008   

Colts considering alternative pass-rushing strategies

Tony Dungy’s Tampa-2 defense isn’t among the more complicated schemes in the NFL, but word out of Indianapolis is that Dungy is planning on adding a smattering of defensive wrinkles that he abstained from dabbling with last season. The rationale is twofold: (1) An inability to generate a consistent pass rush when DEs Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis were banged up underscored just how reliant the team was on those two, and how badly it needs to find alternative pass-rushing possibilities should the starting duo be slowed again. (2) Indy was breaking in a host of new starters in ’07, and Dungy’s more willing to trust his now well-seasoned crew to handle greater responsibilities. So, just what does Dungy have in store? It’s difficult to know exactly, but employing more DL stunts and turning loose S Bob Sanders to attack opposing backfields appear to be likely options. Dungy will never be keen on relying on LB blitzes to pressure the passer, and the increased confidence he has in CBs Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden has him even more eager to allow Sanders — the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year — to do what he does best.

May 23, 2008   

Tight ends to play critical role in Colts' offense

With the uncertainty surrounding Colts WR Marvin Harrison — both in terms of his rehabilitation from the knee injury that sidelined him for most of ’07 and his possible connection to a Philadelphia gunfire case — we’re hearing that the Colts are planning on expanding the already significant role of their tight ends in the passing game. Currently one of the most dangerous tight ends in the game today, Dallas Clark will continue to line up throughout the formation to exploit his size-speed gifts. But it won’t be just Clark who will be asked to shoulder a receiving load at the TE spot. Word out of Indianapolis is that the team has big plans for rookie Jacob Tamme. An intelligent, wiry player with great hands and poor blocking ability, Tamme won’t provide much help to the running game as Clark’s bookend in the twin-TE sets, but the coaches are scheming ways to utilize his natural receiving abilities. With a dearth of legitimate WR depth, look for Clark and Tamme to act as de facto wideouts in a good number of offensive sets.

May 14, 2008   

Colts' brass quietly concerned about Harrison situation

Marvin Harrison

The Colts’ higher-ups — owner Jim Irsay, coach Tony Dungy and GM Bill Polian — have been conspicuously quiet on the Marvin Harrison situation. Save for a short statement and a couple of interviews with local media outlets, there’s been little external discourse about their reaction to the reports that their All-Pro receiver was linked to gunfire in Philadelphia that wounded one man in the hand and gave a 2-year-old a facial laceration from the shattered glass of an automobile’s windshield that was hit by a stray bullet. Published reports, quoting unnamed police sources, have indicated that shell casings found at the scene of the shooting, near a North Philadelphia car wash owned by Harrison, came from a gun owned by Harrison. According to a source close to the team, there’s more concern among the powers that be than the Colts are publicly letting on. It’s not that they know or suspect anything more than what the police have told them, but the potential of a major off-field distraction during the season is something the Colts are relatively unaccustomed to dealing with under Dungy’s direction. Harrison has yet to be charged, or even be named a suspect, in the case. However, if he were to be charged, the timetable for his court appearances could pose serious problems for how the Colts juggle their WR corps during both training camp and the season.

May 2, 2008   

Colts drafted three centers? Not exactly

On paper, the Colts drafted three centers. In reality, they drafted three interior offensive linemen. Even though Mike Pollak, Steve Justice and Jamey Richard all cut their teeth by snapping the ball in college, much of their value came from the fact that the Colts believe they have the versatility to make fine guards, as well. In other words, Pro Bowl C Jeff Saturday doesn't have to worry about his job security. Saturday, who'll be 33 next month, has been making the rounds on local television recently and has stated that he's not nearing the end of his standout career. So, although one of the three is likely Saturday's eventual replacement, “eventual” is the operative word. The most likely of the three to see early playing time is Pollak, who actually played guard his freshman and sophomore seasons at Arizona State. One team source put even odds on Pollak, Dylan Gandy and Charlie Johnson, who's been moved inside after struggling at tackle, winning the starting ORG job vacated by Jake Scott. OL coach Howard Mudd prides himself on developing versatile linemen, and the Colts' rookie crop provides him with a few new pieces to play around with.

April

April 23, 2008   

RB Keith finds himself in hot water in Indianapolis

Kenton Keith did all the right things his first season in Indianapolis, proving to be a surprisingly effective backup to star RB Joseph Addai. But Keith did all the wrong things in the early morning hours last Sunday, and he now faces an uncertain future with the franchise. After allegedly failing to follow police orders to leave a nightclub parking lot after the club closed at 3 a.m., Keith was arrested and has been charged with criminal trespassing. According to a team source, coach Tony Dungy will be tempted to sever ties with Keith, considering the former Canadian Football League player is a middling talent. Dungy preaches the importance of good character but has shown leniency in doling out punishment — at least publicly — to impact performers, which Keith is not. Either way, don’t expect any action to occur until Keith’s trial, as Dungy won’t do anything if Keith is exonerated of the charges.

April 11, 2008   

D-line versatility a boon for Colts

Make no mistake, the state of the defensive line is one of the Colts' few concerns entering the draft, even though it's not in all that bad shape. But the way we hear it, what alleviates some of the trepidation across the front is the versatility of its constituents. Keyunta Dawson, for example, is listed as an end but can be plugged in at tackle, Raheem Brock is a tackle who might even be better served at end, and even DT Darrell Reid can play at end. Additionally, OLB Ramon Guzman can be used as a situational pass-rush specialist. It still wouldn't be a surprise to see Indy take a defensive lineman with its first pick — which is at the end of the second round — but it helps knowing that if either D-line position is hurt by injury, it can dip into the well of talent at the other spot.

April 2, 2008   

Colts finding it difficult to find backup to Manning

With Brett Favre now enjoying the fruits of retirement, Peyton Manning assumes the title as the league’s iron man. Manning has started every game of his 10-year career, but this doesn’t mean that the Colts don’t have concerns over their backup QB situation. Jim Sorgi, 27, has played sparingly over his four-year career in Indianapolis, and the feeling is that the Colts would be hurting should he be thrust into the lineup. So why haven’t the Colts secured a more experienced backup to Manning? According to a team insider, the Colts have certainly courted a number of suitable backups over the years, but none of them have wanted to sign up. During the season, Manning takes almost all of the first-team repetitions, unlike the situation for most franchises that tend to distribute the QB reps at least somewhat more evenly. In other words, many veterans feel uneasy about going to Indy because they believe they’d be ill-prepared should they need to take over in a game setting. That being said, the Colts do plan on giving Manning more rest in training camp, with associate head coach/quarterbacks Jim Caldwell believing it behooves the team to allow Manning’s aging arm to be given more rest when not in the daily in-season grind.

March

March 28, 2008   

Colts expecting Morris to come back

When the Colts severed ties with SLB Rob Morris in February, it wasn’t done because they didn’t value his contributions. According to a source close to the club, it was rather that they felt he wouldn’t attract much attention on the open market, and they felt they could re-sign him to a more cap-friendly deal. It appears that the gamble has paid off. Morris, who played in just two games last season before a bum knee forced him onto injured reserve, could very well be back in Indianapolis in the near future. Nevertheless, we hear it will awfully difficult for him to reclaim the starting job that he held in the early part of the 2007 season. Morris, 33, lacks the type of prototypical athleticism that coach Tony Dungy covets in his linebackers for the Tampa-2 defense, and thus would most likely back up ’07 revelation Tyjuan Hagler.

March 19, 2008   

Would Colts consider releasing Harrison?

There’s talk in some NFL circles that the Colts might unload WR Marvin Harrison. A lock for the Hall of Fame, Harrison will be 36 in August and is coming off a season in which a ruptured/inflamed bursa sac in his left knee relegated him to the bench for 11 games. His injury prognosis is a dubious one. GM Bill Polian says that he should be ready for the start of the regular season, but there’s a suspicion that at his age he’ll never be the same dominating player he was prior to the injury. Harrison signed a seven-year, $67 million extension in December 2004, and the prospect of doling out at least $7.6 million each of the next four years — his salary jumps by a little over $1 million per year after his ’08 rate of $7.6 million — is not an attractive one for Indy. That being said, there’s a better chance of him being cut next offseason than this one. The Colts don’t have a capable receiver on the roster after Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez, so unless they take a receiver early in April’s draft, they wouldn’t have the requisite WR depth needed for the spread offense without Harrison. Considering the 49ers own the Colts’ first-round slot, utilizing the draft to obtain a target good enough to be an immediate factor is a long shot. There's no evidence that the Colts are contemplating a move with Harrison any time soon — although they might persuade the veteran to restructure the remaining years of his contract — yet it's a topic that has aroused the interest of league observers.

March 12, 2008   

Wanted: Fourth receiver in Indianapolis

Word out of Indianapolis is that the Colts are looking to add a fourth wide receiver to the mix. When Marvin Harrison went down last season with a nagging knee injury, the Colts’ lack of depth at the position that’s so critical for their spread formation kept the offense shackled. Right now, the options behind Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez extend little beyond Devin Aromashodu — a very raw, developmental prospect. The problem is that obtaining a serviceable wide receiver this late into free agency is a difficult task. Factoring in the Colts’ limited salary-cap space, which is believed to be around $3 million, and the WR pursuit becomes that much more difficult. Fortification could come via the draft, but the Colts traditionally follow a strict “best player available” approach, meaning it’s possible that they’ll forge ahead into 2008 with only three receivers they’re confident in.

March 7, 2008   

No bigger bargain than Colts DT Johnson

When the Colts have a player they covet, they’ll make sure he feels the love come contract time. Just ask Bob Sanders and Dallas Clark. When they have a solid player who isn’t in that rarified superstar air, they often won’t. Just ask Ed Johnson. Johnson, an undrafted rookie in 2007, was among the most team’s most impressive revelations, starting every game at defensive tackle and providing a stout run-stuffing presence. But with so much of their salary cap tied up in the Colts’ headliners, Johnson grudgingly accepted a one-year, $370,000 deal, peanuts when compared to the average deal of a player of his caliber. But because he was an exclusive rights free agent, he had no other alternative. Johnson’s emergence was largely responsible for the recent release of Anthony McFarland, whose cap number in 2008 would have been in excess of $7 million.

February

Feb. 27, 2008   

Dungy, Polian give conflicting reports

Do Colts coach Tony Dungy and team president Bill Polian have a philosophical difference when it comes to evaluating prospects? According to statements each gave at the Combine, it appears so. “To be honest, the 40 and those times have never been that big of a deal,” Dungy said. “I like the other side of it, especially getting to meet the players and the information you can gather from just seeing how they go about their business.” Two days later, however, Polian seemed to refute Dungy’s claim. “The measurables to us are very important,” Polian said. “There are guys we eliminate based on the measurables. Our studies show us over time that at a certain speed it’s virtually impossible to play at a certain position in the National Football League. … The most obvious example is cornerback. We can play with corners who are slower perhaps than other systems. But once you get above 4.55, you’re getting to an area it’s virtually impossible to be good consistently.” Considering that coach-executive rifts have never been reported in Indy, the most logical conclusion is that one of the two — most likely Dungy, considering the specifics of Polian’s claim — was giving more of a party-line answer.

Feb. 22, 2008   

McFarland's imminent departure allows Colts to afford Clark

When the Colts re-signed TE Dallas Clark to the richest contract for a tight end in NFL history, the question that was raised throughout league circles was: “How did they possibly afford it?” After all, the Colts had very little cap space even before inking S Bob Sanders to a record deal late last season. A back-loaded contract with a hefty signing bonus that is spread out over the duration of the deal is likely part of it, as is the likelihood that a few of the Colts’ priciest players agreed to restructure their current deals. But according to team insiders, one of the biggest reasons the Colts are able to afford Clark is the imminent release of DT Anthony “Booger” McFarland. McFarland carries a cap number of approximately $7 million, and after the way then-rookie Ed Johnson stepped seamlessly into a starting role with McFarland (knee) sitting out 2007, McFarland is deemed expendable.

Feb. 13, 2008   

Manning, Harrison to be asked to restructure their deals

With an estimated $8.5 million in salary-cap space, the Colts will be hard-pressed to re-sign all of the players they would like to keep. But as has been the case throughout most of team president Bill Polian’s tenure in Indianapolis, they usually find a way to keep the players they deem necessary. Team sources tell us that within the next few weeks, Polian will have talks with some of the marquee, high-priced players on the roster, asking them to restructure their deals to ensure that the team has enough salary-cap wiggle room. The most likely candidates to be asked to restructure their contracts are QB Peyton Manning and WR Marvin Harrison. Both are among the highest-paid players in the league at their respective positions. As has been the case since S Bob Sanders signed his five-year, $37.5 million extension in December, TE Dallas Clark remains likely to be franchised, because even a couple of restructured contracts won’t afford the Colts the luxury of signing him to a lengthy deal. But because they will require a lesser financial commitment than Clark, the situation bodes much better for OGs Jake Scott and Ryan Lilja. Sources say there’s just an outside chance that both will remain in Indianapolis, but at least one is almost certain to be offered a competitive deal by the Colts. Because of Scott’s versatility to play both guard and tackle, he holds the upper hand over Lilja if it comes down to choosing one over the other.

Feb. 1, 2008   

DB coach likely to become Colts defensive coordinator if Meeks leaves

If the Redskins decide to hire Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks as head coach, we hear that Tony Dungy would like to promote from in-house. Crediting much of his success to former bosses Chuck Noll in Pittsburgh and Dennis Green in Minnesota, both of whom allowed Dungy to climb the ranks on their respective coaching staffs, Dungy wants to afford his own assistants the same luxury. Team insiders say the most likely option would be secondary coach Alan Williams. The 38-year-old Williams has worked with Dungy since 2001, Dungy’s last season in Tampa Bay. Williams has been credited for much of the success of the Colts’ pass defense in 2007, when they finished second in the league despite breaking in two new starting cornerbacks (Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden). In the event Dungy opts to look outside of the organization, the prerequisite would be that the replacement is schooled in the cover-2 defensive scheme he favors.