Colts Release OL Person and Shipley, Sign Trai Essex; More Moves to Come
The Colts continue with a trend with Ryan Grigson as GM: if he doesn't like something, he doesn't wait to do something about it.
After just one game into the season, Grigson has already decided that center A.Q. Shipley and tackle Mike Person are not worth roster spots on the Colts. Shipley made the roster as an effect of being the only backup center on the roster, but apparently he has been deemed no longer necessary. It was a little surprising to see Person waived after the Colts used a waiver claim on him a couple weeks ago.
In order to refill the roster, the Colts signed veteran offensive lineman Trai Essex. Essex played for offensive coordinator Bruce Arians in Pittsburgh, being drafted in 2005 by the Steelers. He was a starter in 2009, as well as partially in 2010. Of course, those Steeler offensive lines were terrible, and Essex really is nothing but a depth player.
He is a player, however, with a lot of flexibility, and is able to play all five positions. This is what allows the Colts to cut both Essex and Person.
Person will likely be in contention for either the left guard or right tackle position, depending on injuries. Coach Pagano told reporters today that Joe Reitz will likely be out another week with his knee injury, and Winston Justice's concussion could cause some missed time.
Essex could feasibly replace either Seth Olsen or Jeff Linkenbach on the line while Reitz and Justice recover. Both Olsen and Linkenbach look terrible so far in 2012, and I honestly don't know which is the lesser evil at this point.
Another move will likely be made today to fill the extra spot, which has to be an offensive lineman at this point. With Justice and Reitz possibly out, the Colts would have just one backup lineman going into Sunday's game.
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In my opinion, this was the biggest fail on Grigson's behalf this off season. I know they needed to keep things on the cheap with all that dead money, but the Colts front office had no business spending a red cent without matching every expenditure dollar for dollar with talent for the offensive line. It was also completely silly to take that second tight end, essentially a luxury pick, and wait until the 6th or 7th to take a lineman. The only priority this off season should have been protecting the franchise QB.
It almost makes me giggle to think about all the people that were lavishing praise on the offensive line before the preseason before they played a single down. Better than the lines from the last few years? Apparently not. This might be the worst offensive line in the league, and frighteningly, because of injuries, it might be getting worse. The defense could have waited and the skill positions could have waited. Protecting Luck should never have taken a backseat to anything, especially acquiring a CB.
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There's some names switched around in this section, methinks:
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Essex really is nothing but a depth player.
He is a player, however, with a lot of flexibility, and is able to play all five positions. This is what allows the Colts to cut both Essex and Person.
Person will likely be in contention for either the left guard or right tackle position, depending on injuries."
@ColtsAuth_Kyle That's Yesterday's News! Kyle, I love your stuff but we need to know who'll they'll sign TODAY! Roster Spot Open! OL? CB?
I wonder if former Colt Kyle DeVan is worth a look. Titans cut him this preseason and he seemed decent enough in his time here.
Any chance that Justice has been concussed every since he signed with Colts and we are just now hearing about it. (Sorry, i know concussions are no jocking matter and neither is Justice's inability to block.)
Linkenbach is evil.... Is Brad Wells talking here?... Luck was sacked 3 time. Linkenbach allowed 0 of them. Guy is shuffled around on a weekly basis, so Grigson's bums can keep a job and now comes Arians' bum.
@Atti46I think Link is a decent depth guy, but you never really want him as a starter. He was attributed the sack with 5:24 left in the fourth quarter on Sunday. He was also counted for four quarterback hurries by PFF, and that was on just 30 snaps. Put it this way: In terms of pass pressures per snap, Link was 3rd worst in the league week one.
