Posts tagged Robert Mathis
Colts Off-Season: A Time for Change and Hope
Feb 9th
Will the Colts make a move for free agent running back DeAngelo Williams? (Chris Keane | Reuters)
The Indianapolis Colts are known for their ability to put together teams that are young and competitive on the field with a chance to win the Super Bowl every year. The team has accomplished this by finding jewels in the draft that other teams simply overlook. As a Colts fan I have nothing but respect and admiration for the front office of the Colts and thank them for the product they consistently put on the field for Colts fans to cheer. It’s time for the next step, and at this point in Peyton Manning’s career it’s now or never for the Indy. Unlike many of the experts out there, I do not believe that Peyton is anywhere close to the end of his career. I do believe that he is at the point where the team can’t just wait for young talent to develop around him.
Starting with the offensive line, Ryan Diem has been rode hard this year for the false starts and his mental mistakes, but I’m one who believes that a lot of his issues were because of having to play through injuries all year long with a lack of depth behind him. The same could be said for left tackle Charlie Johnson. The hope in the franchise should be that Ryan Diem will work with the front office on restructuring his $5.4 million deal that would allow the team to pay him on incentives as opposed to cutting him as cap casualty.
Regardless what happens with Diem, the best answer for the Colts is to not miss out on a chance to get an anchor left tackle early in the draft such as Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, Nate Solder, Colorado, Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin, or Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State. There is also the option of landing a couple solid free agents with both Tyson Clabo of Atlanta and Matt Light being available, Clabo being ideal because of his youth. At guard the best answer without question is to find a way to sign Logan Mankins out of New England. Adding an all pro will allow you to let Jamey Richard and Mike Pollak fight for the starting spot next to Mankins with the loser backing up both the center and guard spots.
Ideal line: LT-Tyson Clabo, LG- Logan Mankins, C- Jeff Saturday, RG- Mike Pollak, and RT- Gabe Carimi. More >
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Looking Forward at the 2011 Colts Defensive Ends
Feb 2nd
Robert Mathis looks on against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC wild card playoff game. (Jonathan Daniel | Getty Images)
Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis continued to be the NFL’s most dominant defensive end tandem in 2010. Their propensity for pressuring, hitting, sacking, and stripping the quarterback of the football will go down in league history as one of the most intimidating pass rushing units out of the 4-3 defense.
Many hoped that 2010 first round pick Jerry Hughes would immediately step in to bolster Indy’s pass rush, including Colts President Bill Polian, but Hughes did not become a meaningful part of the defense as a rookie. What his future holds is uncertain. While some might believe that Polian’s admission that he should have selected offensive tackle Rodger Saffold in the draft is an indictment of Hughes, coaches and members of the front office have all suggested that slow learning curves are not uncommon for defensive ends transitioning to the NFL. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Forecasting the Colts 2011 Defensive Tackles
Feb 1st
Antonio "Mookie" Johnson tackles Titans running back Chris Johnson. (Andy Lyons | Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts have historically had difficulty putting together a group of defensive tackles that are capable of fulfilling their responsibilities in the Tampa-2 defensive scheme. In this scheme, the nose tackle — 1-technique tackle — is asked to be a space-filling, line holding run stuffer. The under tackle — 3-technique tackle — is asked to penetrate the offensive line to disrupt running lanes on the way to the quarterback. For many years the biggest weakness amongst Indy’s interior defensive linemen has been a lack of size. This resulted in opponents running the ball relentlessly off of their centers and guards, right through the middle of the Colts defensive line.
A lot has changed. Now Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir, and Fili Moala all surpass the 300-pound mark. Only Johnson is well-suited to play nose tackle, while Muir and Moala are reasonably sized 3-technique tackles in a 4-3 defensive front — Muir had great success in 2009 and Moala showed marked improvement in 2010. Ricardo Mathews and Eric Foster are used situationally on passing downs and are better suited for the under tackle role. Foster moves outside to defensive end in run packages — Mathews may do the same in 2011. More >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Indianapolis Colts 2011 First String Currently Features Painter, Swenson
Jan 11th
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Curtis Painter talks with a coach during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Indianapolis, Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Tom Strickland)
UPDATE: I misread the Rotoworld entry on Robert Mathis, and inadvertently marked him as a free agent beginning this year. Thankfully, he is under contract for one more year. Post updated to reflect this. Apologies for any confusion!
For all intents and purposes, the 2011 season has begun for the Indianapolis Colts. And if the team were preparing for their first game of the 2011 season, Curtis Painter would be lining up under center and Brett Swenson would be practicing tee shots.
OK, OK, it’s sensationalist and nobody expects that to actually happen. Owner Jim Irsay has gone on record as saying that the Colts will make Peyton Manning the highest-paid player in the NFL. And after Adam Vinatieri’s season, in which he went 29 of 31 (including the playoffs), and was perfect on 52 XPs, it is hard to imagine the Colts wouldn’t do what is necessary to re-sign him. Vinatieri has also expressed an interest in completing his career in Indy. But what does the roster currently look like to start 2011?
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Indy Sports Coverage – Wildcard Weekend
Jan 8th
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 Wildcard weekend of the 2010 season, and the 10-6 Indianapolis Colts welcome the 11-5 New York Jets to Lucas Oil Stadium. The winner moves on, the loser goes home.
UPDATED – Inside The Huddle, More Local Coverage – Tuesday morning
UPDATED – Sports Jam, SportsLocker – Monday afternoon
UPDATED – Local Post-Game Coverage – Sunday evening
UPDATED – Colts Pre-Game Show – Saturday evening
UPDATED – Peyton Manning Interview – Saturday evening
UPDATED – Bill Polian Show – Saturday evening
UPDATED – Local Pre-Game Coverage – Saturday afternoon
UPDATED – Replacement Huddle Up Indy – Saturday morning
Inside The Huddle:
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Wednesday Injury Report: Jets v. Colts
Jan 5th
Today’s injury report is a bit discouraging – although Coach Caldwell denied reports that Clint Session suffered any setbacks, the fact that he was full two days last week, then went limited last Friday and a no-show today indicates that he is unlikely to play on Saturday. Kelvin Hayden’s non-participation is also a bad sign. It is good, however, to get Al Afalava back – if nothing more than for depth.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
OT Ryan Diem (Back)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
DE Robert Mathis (Rest)
S Mike Newton (Hamstring)
RB Dominic Rhodes (Hip)
OG Jamey Richard (Concussion)
LB Clint Session (Elbow)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
DT Antonio Johnson (Chest)
FULL PARTICIPATION
DB Al Afalava (Ankle)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
OG Jaimie Thomas (Ankle)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
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 >
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Thursday Injury Report: Titans v. Colts
Dec 30th
No comments
Today’s injury report is encouraging for Mike Hart and Clint Session, but not for Kelvin Hayden. Despite Irsay’s tweet yesterday to not read too much into the injury report, the fact that Hayden hasn’t even practiced in a limited capacity this week speaks to his likely status (of OUT) for Sunday’s game.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
DB Al Alfalava (Ankle)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
DE Robert Mathis (Rest)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
OG Jamie Thomas (Ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION
DT Eric Foster (Upper Arm)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
LT Charlie Johnson (Groin)
LB Clint Session (Forearm)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Wednesday Injury Report: Colts v. Raiders
Dec 22nd
By now it’s been widely reported that WR Austin Collie has been placed on IR, and while we will miss him sorely, it is a move that is being applauded around the league, not the least of whom by the Colts fans, who know how much more difficult a playoff run will be without him.
Get well, Austin!
There is some encouraging injury news today, though, as Joseph Addai returned FULL to practice! Mike Hart and Clint Session also saw some practice time. Their status for the game is uncertain, but it’s nice to see that there may be a chance for them to return.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
Al Alfalava (Ankle)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
LB Tyjuan Hagler (Illness)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
LT Charlie Johnson (Groin)
DT Dan Muir (Chest)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
TE Brody Eldridge (Rib)
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
LB Clint Session (Forearm)
FULL PARTICIPATION
RB Joseph Addai (Shoulder)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
DB Mike Newton (Neck)
LG Jamey Richard (Hip)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...
Thursday Injury Report: Jaguars v. Colts
Dec 16th
The injury report is getting cleaner, and not a moment too soon. It appears that Austin Collie is headed for a return, as is Kelvin Hayden. The Colts will need as much fire power as they can get with what amounts to their 2nd playoff game of the 2010 season coming up (I counted last week’s game as the 1st because it was at that point).
Phil B. Wilson of Indy Star that we will see Joseph Addai, Mike Hart, Charlie Johnson or Clint Session on Sunday in anything other than track suits.
DID NOT PARTICIPATE
RB Mike Hart (Ankle)
LT Charlie Johnson (Chest)
DE Robert Mathis (Rest)
LG Jamey Richard (Hip)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION
RB Joseph Addai (Shoulder)
DT Fili Moala (Knee)
LB Clint Session (Forearm)
FULL PARTICIPATION
WR Austin Collie (Concussion)
TE Brody Eldridge (Rib)
DE Dwight Freeney (Rest)
CB Kelvin Hayden (Neck)
TE Jacob Tamme (Knee)
OG Jaimie Thomas (Illness)
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...