Posts tagged Gijon Robinson
Flying Under the Radar: Brody Eldridge
Apr 12th
Brody Eldridge at Training Camp 2010 | Robert Scheer/The Star
Eldridge was the Colts 2010 fifth round draft pick. It is doubtful any offensive player taken in the fifth round by the Colts has ever carried the kind of expectations Eldridge absorbed, though. Not only was Eldridge the second-half of an extremely potent tight end combination in college, he also was a pure blocking tight end that had experience as an offensive lineman.
That alone was not what sparked expectations for him, though. It was the understanding that some of the most dominant offensive seasons during the Peyton Manning-era came out of a strong two tight end formation with competent blocking tight ends. While no one was going to usurp Dallas Clark, Eldridge took over the starting spot formerly held by the perennially “just good enough and healthy enough to stay on the roster” Gijon Robinson.
Needless to say, expectations for Eldridge were pretty high to start off the year. With the return of Anthony Gonzalez to the field, visions of an unstoppable offense able to react and adapt to any defensive scheme imaginable ran wild. While there isn’t a major cry that he was “bad” or a “bust,” there really isn’t any affirmation for him out there either, and that’s where I step in. More >
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Assessing Positional Value for the Colts 2011 NFL Draft: Tight End UPDATED
Apr 8th
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Indianapolis has put together a solid group of tight ends whose depth is dependent upon players getting and staying healthy, a recurring theme. Coltzilla’s Laura Calaway informed readers in February that Pro Bowl tight end Dallas Clark is out of his cast and is working on getting his range of motion back. At this point, Clark does not foresee that he will have to miss any time during training camp, assuming all of the NFL’s negotiations are worked out in time.
Fourth-year player Jacob Tamme played a major role in the Colts offense after Clark went down in 2010. The potential use of both Tamme and Clark in some dual-tight end sets is a scary prospect for opposing defenses and could be a powerful weapon for Indianapolis’ offense. Second-year blocking tight end Brody Eldridge should have an opportunity to take some positive steps in his development. While he was unable to get comfortable catching the football as a rookie, he did improve the offensive line when he was on the field.
*Updated: Cobb78 sent Coltzilla an insightful email following this story. Arkansas tight end — and Mackey Award winner — D.J. Williams has been added in the fifth round. Thanks to Cobb78 for the discussion and contribution.
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Looking Ahead: Colts Tight Ends in 2011
Feb 10th
Jacob Clark... err, Tamme catches a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans in 2010. (AJ Mast | AP Photo)
The Indianapolis Colts’ pinnacle at tight end was in 2001 when Ken Dilger and Marcus Pollard were on the roster — they offered the best combination of blocking and pass-catching the team has ever had on the field at one time. When the Colts drafted Dallas Clark in 2003, Indy took a step closer to having two of the leagues best tight ends but Clark was only a rookie and both he and Pollard were better suited as receivers than they were adept as blockers. When Ben Utecht joined the team in 2005, Pollard was not retained. So, when Utecht also failed to become the kind of big-bodied blocker with soft hands the Colts hoped for — primarily due to injuries — it was back to the drawing board.
Indianapolis was without a legitimate partner for Clark in the two tight end sets the Colts loved to run when Peyton Manning entered the league in 1998. The team was able to get by because Clark quickly became one of the league’s top pass-catching tight ends and gave Manning a reliable outlet — who also happened to be a game-changer who could dictate defensive schemes and play-calls. As Clark’s importance continued to grow, Bill Polian, Jim Irsay, and Tony Dungy recognized how important it was to find another option to compliment him. More >
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Navigating the Colts 2011 Off-Season
Jan 7th
Quarterback Peyton Manning watches as running back Joseph Addai carries the football in Denver. (Doug Pensinger | Getty Images)
Although the Colts are heading into the playoffs and will not have to worry about new contracts, free agency, and draft planning until after their playoff run ends, once it does things will start happening fast. With all of the players who have contracts ending this season, it will be important to make good choices in order to keep a very talented football team intact.
One thing about any off-season is the chance that difficult decisions will have to be made about players for whom fans have a great deal of loyalty. That is the unfortunate nature of the business of football and those kinds of decisions and observations will be included in what this writer believes is the best direction for the Colts leading up to the 2011 season.
The most important thing to do to start this process is to identify which players require new contracts in order to play football in 2011, and which players currently have contracts that are not reflective of their value to the team.
The players who will need new contracts in order to return to the Colts in 2011 are listed below, by position. More >
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A Fan Salute to the 2010 Indianapolis Colts
Jan 5th
A true Colts fan salute. (Andy Lyons | Getty Images)
With a win against the Titans, the Colts managed to overcome unprecedented team injuries and their worst five game series since 2002 for a NFL record (tie) ninth consecutive playoff berth, and their seventh AFC South Championship in the last eight years. Peyton Manning was able to get through his toughest stretch of games since his rookie year and somehow Indy has managed to enter January with the three seed in the AFC.
It is extremely important for Colts fans to step back and think about the gravity of this accomplishment. Frankly, this team had no business overcoming all of the adversity it has faced in a sixteen game season. More >
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Game Stats: Cowboys v. Colts
Dec 9th
After the debacle against the Chargers, and the heart breaker against the Patriots, the Colts dropped another game. They gave the Cowboys 17 points to start the contest, and had the chance to pull out a last minute victory on three occasions. Unlike previous weeks, no single unit can carry all of the blame.
The Colts had multiple series where one good play after another would get completely erased by a horrible play or decision. Manning threw interceptions on the heels of key defensive stands, Eric Foster jumped on top of an opponent to negate an amazing goal line stand, and Wayne tallied his only drop to erase a chance for the offense to win after taking the kickoff in overtime. In the end the Colts fell to 6-6, one game behind Jacksonville, and head into a short week — at least three players left the game with injuries.
It makes more difficult to know that some guys had great games. Antoine Bethea was absolutely everywhere and tallied 15 tackles, Pierre Garcon caught EVERY SINGLE throw his way, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis both had a sack, Jeff Saturday returned to form, and even Manning was not terrible statistically.
On to the stats.
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Indy Sports Coverage – Week 13
Dec 6th
Each week, Coltzilla brings you highlights from local sports coverage of the Colts with an emphasis on player interviews. Pre-game interviews go up throughout the week. Post-game interviews are posted shortly after the game. Hope you enjoy!
It’s Week 13 of the 2010 season, and the 6-5 Colts host the 3-8 Dallas Cowboys.
UPDATED: Inside The Huddle – Monday evening
UPDATED: Post-Game Coverage – Monday afternoon
UPDATED: Colts Pre-Game Show – Sunday evening
UPDATED: Countdown To Kickoff – Sunday afternoon
UPDATED: Bill Polian Show – Sunday morning
UPDATED: Bracket / Session Injuries – Friday evening
Post-Game Coverage:
The Colts suffered their fourth loss in their last five games, Sunday afternoon, to the then 3-8 Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Peyton Manning threw four interceptions resulting in 17 Cowboy points. In pre-game interviews, the Colts listed protecting Peyton, stopping the run, and eliminating turnovers as keys to beating the Cowboys. How’d they do?
Inside The Huddle:
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Indy Sports Coverage – Week 12
Nov 30th
Each week, Coltzilla brings you highlights from local sports coverage of the Colts with an emphasis on player interviews. Pre-game interviews go up throughout the week. Post-game interviews are posted shortly after the game. Hope you enjoy!
It’s Week 12 of the 2010 season, and the 6-4 Colts host the 5-5 San Diego Chargers.
UPDATED: Inside The Huddle – Tuesday morning
UPDATED: Colts Post-Game Coverage – Monday morning
UPDATED: Colts Pre-Game Show – Sunday evening
UPDATED: Countdown To Kickoff – Sunday afternoon
UPDATED: Bill Polian Show – Sunday morning
Post-Game Coverage:
The Colts suffered their worst loss in the Peyton Manning era Sunday night to the San Diego Chargers. The Colts scored early, but the rest of the game was all San Diego. Manning was harassed all night resulting in four interceptions including two pick-sixes. In pre-game interviews, the Colts listed scoring early, winning on Special Teams, and containing the run as keys to beating the Chargers. How’d they do?
Inside The Huddle:
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Quick Posts: Colts Inactives – SD @ IND
Nov 28th
The Following players have had a determination made concerning their availability for today’s game against the San Diego Chargers.
Joseph Addai: INACTIVE: Addai will be inactive after a number of weeks being out with nerve damage in his shoulder.
Gary Brackett: INACTIVE: Brackett will be out once again with Turf Toe, with Pat Angerer taking over at MLB.
Austin Collie: INACTIVE: Collie was ruled out earlier in the week after succumbing to concussion symptoms last week.
Brody Eldridge: INACTIVE: After not practicing all week, Eldridge will be inactive leaving Gijon Robinson as the primary blocking TE.
Mike Hart: ACTIVE: After missing practice on Friday, Hart will get some work, even if only on a limited basis.
Javarris James: ACTIVE: James will be active despite some concern earlier in the week.
Bob Sanders: INACTIVE: Sanders was ruled out early in the week, but has begun to return to meeting and practice and may return in the next couple weeks.
Clint Session: INACTIVE: Clint Session will be out once again with a dislocated elbow and fractured forearm. Conner and Hagler will fill in at WLB.
Jaimie Thomas: INACTIVE: Coaches Decision.
Justin Tryon: INACTIVE: Tryon will not return to the lineup this week after missing a few weeks with the first serious injury of his career.
Reggie Wayne: ACTIVE: Wayne will be active for this game, bolstering an increasingly thin receiving corps.
Notes
* Phillip Wheeler will be starting at SLB, with Angerer starting at MLB, and Conner starting. Hagler will rotate with Conner at WLB.
* Hart is likely to only be used sparingly, with Javarris James used in short yardage situations.
* On the enemies side of the ball, WR M. Floyd, and TE A. Gates will both be actives while SS S. Gregory and CB D. Stuckley, and WR P. Crayton will all be inactive.
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