Posts tagged Philip Wheeler
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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Colts 30 Titans 28 – Quick Reaction
Dec 9th
One of Pierre Garcon's two touchdowns against the Titans. (Joe Howell | AP Photo)
Reaction highlights:
- Manning kept the pace slow and steady, able to eschew the no-huddle, hurry-up offense because the Colts held the lead.
- The slower pace and more frequent huddles contributed to the rookies’ ability to keep up.
- The Colts ran more than in the prior 3 games, in part because they had the luxury to do so because they had the lead, but even with a smaller lead the Colts kept at it.
- Forced into the LT position when Charlie Johnson injured his shoulder, Jeff Linkenbach put in a good performance… might we see him more at that position going forward?
- The defense was not very good tonight, allowing Tennessee, who had been held to 13 touchdown-less quarters, to score 4 touchdowns in the game. But frankly, on a short week, against a familiar opponent, and in the NFL… you can hope for a shut-out, but don’t expect one. More >
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Game Stats: Chargers v. Colts
Dec 4th
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Blair White catches his breathafter scoring against the Chargers(Don Larson | Colts.com)
The Colts offensive struggles have doomed the team the past two weeks — as poor decisions and poor timing stifled a last minute come from behind victory against New England, and handed the Chargers 20 points. While the team won’t make excuses, fans should realize that Manning’s limited options at wide receiver, running back, and tight end have ruined Indy’s offensive cohesion. Add poor performances from both offensive tackles, and the situation gets even worse.
While there were numerous things for fans to complain about, there were also enough positive signs to make one hopeful. The biggest was the fact that despite common perception, Jeff Linkenbach has actually been an improvement over Mike Pollak at right guard (albeit a modest one). Receivers Blair White and Jacob Tamme are becoming very stable for Manning, showing both good timing and hands. The Colts also found a use for Donald Brown. He may not function as a pass blocker, or have the vision to effectively run through a gap, but he showed an edge on quick slant routes that gives him a tangible positive.
Let’s move on to the stats. More >
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Why the Colts Future is not in Doubt
Dec 2nd
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Peyton Manning speaking gealic to his offense in Super Bowl XLI. (Jed Jacobsohn | Getty Images)
With Indianapolis struggling recently, a lot of fans are questioning the team’s future. Many complain about recent drafts and believe the young talent will be incapable of replacing the perennial Pro Bowl and future Hall of Fame talent that is starting to age.
This negative perspective is premature. As long as Peyton Manning is healthy and playing at a very high level in the NFL, the Colts future is safe. With that in mind, it makes sense to focus on the players who represent the team’s future, consider their talent level, and where that talent can take the Colts moving forward. More >
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After Review: Chargers 36, Colts 14
Nov 29th
Peyton Manning punches the ground after a play in which he was knocked down in the third quarter. (Brent Smith | Reuters)
Wow. The San Diego Chargers absolutely dominated the Indianapolis Colts. Home field? Irrelevant. Fast field? Helped the Chargers as much as it did the Colts. Crowd? Had little chance to have an impact due to turnovers creating a big gap on the scoreboard.
Just about everything that could go wrong did in this game. The Colts offensive line was battered and bullied by San Diego. The running game was dead before the first hand-off. The best receivers on the team right now? Blair White and Jacob Tamme.
This Indianapolis team is not the same as it was when the year started, the injuries are hurting badly, and the offensive line is a mess. The only unit who played a pretty good game was the defense, though a lot of people will not be able to believe that if they look at the score. More >
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Indy Sports Coverage – Week 11
Nov 22nd
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 11 of the 2010 season, and the 6-3 Colts travel to Foxboro to face the 7-2 New England Patriots.
UPDATED: Local TV Coverage – Monday evening
UPDATED: Post-Game Coverage – Monday morning
UPDATED: Countdown To Kickoff – Sunday afternoon
UPDATED: Bill Polian Show – Sunday morning
Post-Game Coverage:
Inside The Huddle:
The Colts late rally fell one completion short in Foxboro Sunday afternoon. Down a very familiar 17 points (31-14) in the fourth quarter, Indy scored 14 unanswered point and was driving for the win when Peyton Manning was picked at the New England six yard line. In pre-game interviews, the Colts listed preparing for trick plays, pressuring New England quarterback Tom Brady, and getting the offense on track as keys to beating the Patriots. How’d they do? More >
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Bengals 17, Colts 23 – Quick Reaction
Nov 14th
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Kelvin Hayden returns another interception for a touchdown. (Brent Smith | Reuters)
The Indianapolis Colts (6-3) managed to survive against the Cincinnati Bengals (2-7) on Sunday, and in doing so, grabbed sole possession of first place in the AFC South. The Colts started fast, and appeared poised to run the Bengals out of the building, but inconsistency from the offensive line, a Carson Palmer trip to a time machine, and yet another officiating blunder allowed the Bengals an opportunity to steal a win at the end of the game. Jump for my quick thoughts on today’s game.
More >
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Bengals v. Colts, And Things of that Nature (Week 10 Game Preview)
Nov 13th
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The Battle for I-74 will take place on Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts (5-3) take on the Cincinnati Bengals (2-6). The Colts will need a win to keep pace in both the tightly packed AFC South standings and the race for the number one seed in the AFC. The team standing in the way of a Colts victory on Sunday will not be an average, ordinary football team — they have a secret. A secret identity, that is.
Not content with only being able to wear tights during the day, the Bengals set out on a mission to find a nighttime gig that afforded them the opportunity to experience their comfort and masculinity 24 hours a day. So, led by the obnoxious diva-turned-crime-fighters duo of Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Terrell Owens, the Bengals entered the world of superheroes. More >
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After Review: Texans v. Colts
Nov 3rd
Jacob Tamme's first NFL touchdown against the Texans on Monday night. (AJ Mast | AP Photo)
The Indianapolis Colts won convincingly against the visiting Houston Texans. The surprising part of the victory is that it was without key players like Joseph Addai, Jerraud Powers, Dallas Clark, and Austin Collie. During the course of the game, rookie tight end Brody Eldridge left the game due to injury, first-time starting running back Mike Hart hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter, and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez took a hard hit on the sideline, which kept him from finishing the game.
The game had major contributions from players like Hart, who ran for 84 yards on 12 carries (7.0 yards per carry) and caught all three of the passes his way for an additional 19 yards. He had the best game of his career and was on pace to break the 100-yard rushing mark. Cornerback Justin Tryon got his first start with the Colts for Jerraud Powers. Pat Angerer started his first game at strong-side linebacker in place of Philip Wheeler. Jacob Tamme got his first career start for the injured Dallas Clark and managed 64 yards on 6 receptions, out of 9 targets, and his first NFL touchdown. Even rookie Jerry Hughes saw his first action, got his first NFL tackle, and a quarterback hurry. More >
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