2011 Training Camp Battles
Training Camp battles, along with pre-season games, are what defines the off-season in terms of roster building once the draft and free agent acquisitions are complete. They are essentially just a competition to win a starting position, or even a depth position, in order to get on the roster. With the horrendous lockout at end, the drafted rookies, UDFA and recently acquired FAs will be feeling the toll. The lack of OTAs, film watching, and essentially, practicing with the rest the team, has given the newly acquired players less of a chance to make the roster compared to the veteran players who already know the system. This will prove to be true when pre-season ends and the roster is made. However, that doesn't mean a veteran can't suddenly decline or a rookie shows extreme promise, earning or losing him a roster spot. These are some of the interesting camp battles I'm looking foward to...
Quarter Back (Second String) Curtis Painter vs Dan Orlovsky vs Nate Davis
Ah yes, the ever so important clipholder. The Colts typically only carry 2 QBs, so most likely, only one of these three players will make the roster. I think this is just a case of knowing the system, which Painter does. Painter is already playing with the first team in practice, and the general belief is that the Colts will draft Manning's replacement in next years draft anyways. Might as well keep Painter (to the dismay of Colts Fans everywhere) for one last year; mainly because he knows too much about the offense. Depth Chart: Peyton Manning, Curtis Painter
Running Back: (Fourth String) Chad Spann vs Dominic Rhodes vs Devin Moore vs Javarris James
Running back is one of the plug-and-play positions of the NFL. This is a battle where pure talent, and the ability to catch the coaches eye will help you win. However, Joseph Addai starting is set in stone. He has been solid with a non-existing line and should only improve with all the additions made this off-season. Donald Brown should be feeling the pressure right now because of the addition of Delone Carter and Chad Spann, and veteran Dominic Rhodes still around. However, I believe that the FO is too proud, or stubborn to put Brown third on the depth chart, and since he showed promise on the last few games when the offensive line actually opened holes for him, he will keep the second spot. Delone Carter will also win the third spot, which is usually our Goal-Line/Short Yardage spot, because he fits it well, and due to the drafting of Carter, Javarris James (who was our goal-line back last year), will be released. Dominic Rhodes and Chad Spann are both solid returners, but unlike Devin Moore, they offer something in the running game, which is why Moore will be released. Outside of Joeseph Addai, the Colts have no third down back. Donald Brown can't pass protect, Carter can't catch, and Chad Spann has no experience. Rhodes is a proven, reliable third round back but will be released due to his age, in order to get younger talent on the team. However, I wouldn't be too surprised to see Rhodes resign with the team after someone gets injured. Carrying a 5th runningback is also an option, especially when your first 4 are so injury prone (Addai/Brown/Carter all have injury histories, not sure about Spann). Depth Chart: Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, Delone Carter, Chad Spann
Wide Reciever: (Starter) Anthony Gonzalez vs Pierre Garcon
This battle is one I'm interested in following. Gonzalez had a good rookie and sophomore season, but got hurt on a freak accident on the first game on his third season. I'm sure you know the rest, where Pierre Garcon steps up, quits his job as a waiter and becomes a solid #2 option for Peyton. However, Anthony Gonzalez never got a chance to reclaim his old position because he was injured, again. On the first game, again. But contrary to popular belief, he isn't injury prone. All three injuries he suffered were freak accidents, and none of them occurred on the same body part which means they aren't reoccurring injuries. Gonzo will most likely have a healthy 2012 season, but is healthy enough to claim a starting position? I don't think so, especially because the Colts FO is so high on Garcon. In fact they stated it was their #1 priority next off season, next to Mathis and Wayne. Sorry Gonzo, maybe next time. Depth Chart: Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Anthony Gonzalez, Blair White
Defensive End: (Third String) Jamaal Anderson vs Eric Foster vs John Chick
Jamaal Anderson was the 8th overall pick in the 2006 draft, and has essentially busted as a pass rusher but he is one of the top run-stuffers at DE (#6 to be exact, according to PFF). However, Eric Foster is also a good run stuffing DE, but unlike Anderson, Foster is a good pass-rusher. Most likely, Anderson won't make the final roster since Foster has an overall better skill set. John Chick is a player you should pay close attention to this off-season though. He was the DPOTY for the CFL and has been marinating in our practice squad for what seems like decades. I doubt Chick will make the final roster because he isn't good at stuffing the run, which is what you will need to when spotting Freeney/Mathis during rushing downs. Depth Chart: Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Jerry Hughes, Eric Foster
Defensive Tackle: (Second String) Drake Nevis vs Tommie Harris
Fili Moala had a good sophomore jump and should develop even further this season. Why ruin it by taking away his starting position? Moala will most likely start as our 3-tech while Harris and Nevis battle for the back up position. However, since Harris was signed to an one year deal, expect him to play the second string as Nevis develops and adjusts to NFL game speed. I don't see why the Colts would sign someone like Harris to play as a third string player. Also, Antonio Johnson will start our 1-tech position, simply because there is nobody else. Depth Chart: Antonio Johnson, Free Agent (1 tech), Fili Moala, Tommie Harris, Drake Nevis
Strong Linebacker: (starter) Pat Angerer vs Kavell Conner vs Tyjuan Hagler
Pat Angerer is most suited playing as the MIKE, a position which our defensive captain, Gary Brackett currently occupies. He has also shown flashes while playing the WILL position as well. Since MIKE and WILL are the most important positions in a Tampa-2 scheme (see Chicago, Lance Briggs at WILL and Brian Urlacher at MIKE), I think Angerer will fight for WILL instead of SAM. That leaves Connor and Hagler. The fact that Hagler, although a solid player, hasn't been re-signed yet, means that Connor, who made the All-Rookie team last year, will start at SAM. Depth Chart: Kavell Connor, Hagler (or any other free agent)
Weak Linebacker: (Starter) Pat Angerer vs Ernie Sims
This will also be an interesting battle to follow. However I expect Sims to win the battle, and for Pat Angerer to back up all three linebacking positions. The main reason why is because, how better to replace Clint Session by replacing him with a player who has the EXACT same skill set as him? This includes the positives like hard hitting as well as the negatives such as taking bad angles. He excelled in Detroit's Tampa-2 scheme his first three seasons, racking up over 100 tackles in each. However, it went downhill from there as he went through two system changes and seemingly 'regressed' throughout each of them. He should flourish under the same Tampa-2 scheme now though, and should be a great addition to this defense. Depth Chart: Ernie Sims, Phillip Wheeler
Corner Back: (Starting, Nickle) Jacob Lacey vs Justin Tryon vs Kevin Thomas
First, Kevin Thomas is completely unproven and injury prone. With that in mind, I think using him as the nickle or even the dimeback would be more effective. Jacob Lacey was throughily abused when matched up against second tier wide outs (Braylon Edwards) while Justin Tryon held his own against one of the premiere ones in Santonio Holmes. Although last season may have been a fluke, I think Tryon is best suited for the #2 corner spot. Since Lacey has been reported playing with the first team, I don't think he will fall to the dime package, which means Kevin Thomas will play the dime with Chris Rucker playing the dollar. I would prefer the Colts trading or signing a veteran corner, or even resigning Kelvin Hayden to a less lucrative deal (I would love Asante Samuel but he's out of the Colts' budget). Depth Chart: Jerraud Powers, Justin Tryon, Jacob Lacey, Kevin Thomas, Chris Rucker
Safeties: (Second String) Joe Lefeged vs Mike Newton
We have absolutely no depth behind our safeties, and while I don't expect the Colts to sign someone like Donte Whitner (it'd be foolish to pay someone with starter talent, starter money to be a backup), I can't be content with having an two UDFAs as the primary backups to one of the most important positions on our defensive scheme. I fully expect Indy to make SOME sort of signing, whether it be Fransisco (please don't be) or another veteran, we need more talent at the position. Its been reported that Mike Newton has been impressive at practice (both this year and last), so if no signing is made, he will most likely be the backup. Depth Chart: Antoine Bethea, Melvin Bullit, Mike Newton, Joe Lefeged
Those are the main training camp battles that I'm anticipating. I know I left out a few positions like TE, O-Line, and K/P, but I'm assuming the TE is already established (Clark, Tamme, Elridge, Snow) and I will make a separate post for the O-line. Our K/Ps are both solid so they should expect to be on the team next season. Go Colts!
