NFL Preseason
Okay, we are all aware that our Colts opened the preseason with a 26-10 loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia, and judging by what has been said on blogs and Web sites, Colt haters are joyously predicting gloom and doom for the Horseshoe based on their performance in this first outing. Granted, they didn’t play all that well but several key players didn’t dress for the game. Luck sat out after the first series and the Big Blue tried some different sets and combinations. A number of the players on the field for the Colts in the second half won’t be on the roster when the regular season begins. What I liked was the play of rookie first round pick Phillip Dorsett. Dorsett caught 4 passes for 51 yards. He did get stripped for a lost fumble on one reception and he will have to work on that, but generally he showed some speed, hands, and toughness. Rookie running back Josh Robinson carried 10 times for 44 yards to lead the team and scored the Colts’ only touchdown. The fifth rounder from Mississippi State also caught a pass for 11 yards. Second year back Zurlon Tipton got the most work, carrying 16 times for 34 yards and catching 4 passes for 22 yards. Tipton is listed third in the depth chart at running back. Vick Ballard is trying for a comeback after not playing for the last two seasons due to injuries. I figure the Colts won’t be putting Ballard in any contact situations. If he is hurt the Colts would have to carry him on the injured reserve again. Ironically, Ballard is a Mississippi State grad and he will lose his roster spot to a fellow Bulldog.
Rookie linebacker Amarlo Herrera had an impressive game against the Eagles. The fifth rounder from Georgia had five solo tackles. Free agent rookie linebacker Junior Sylvestre from Toledo had three solo tackles and two sacks. Bjoern Werner, the Colts’ first round pick in 2013, has been moved from rush linebacker to strong side backer. He did defend a pass. The Phillie defense looked pretty good — or maybe I should say that their third string looked a lot better than our third string.
Tim Tebow got his first significant work in over two years playing quarterback for the Eagles. He didn’t look bad, but he still has accuracy problems and makes too many bad decisions, but he is getting a chance to prove himself. Tebow supporters have claimed that the NFL and sports media has a prejudice against the Florida Heismann Trophy winner because of his conservative Christian views and stance against abortion, and they have conspired to keep him out of the NFL. Tebow himself has not come out and said this but he has intimated that he believes it to be true as well. Hopefully this chance for him will give him the opportunity to prove himself one way or the other.
The Colts offensive line still isn’t opening holes for the backs and the defense still isn’t putting pressure on the opponent quarterbacks, but we still have a month to go. We also need to look into getting a solid backup quarterback. Matt Hasselbeck has a good relationship with Luck but he will be 40 years old in September. Rookie Bryan Bennett does not appear to possess a basic NFL level skill set as a quarterback.
There were no serious injuries for the Colts and now the team can get ready to host da Bears Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. Fans will have a chance to boo Bear Quarterback Jay Cutler, who right now seems to be the most hated man in the NFL. Cutler is from Santa Claus, Indiana and played his college football at Vanderbilt.
Former Colt right tackle Gosder Cherilus has signed with the Tampa Bay Bucs who are experiencing an injury crisis at both offense tackle positions. Good Luck to Gosder. Pittsburgh Steeler linebacker James Harrison made news this week when it was learned that he had taken away the sports participation trophies his two sons had been given for playing in team sports. Harrison feels trophies should be earned by winning, not just by showing up. If they lose, even if they play their best, they shouldn’t be rewarded according to Harrison. While everyone seems to have an opinion, in the end this is between a father and his two sons.
Trent Richardson is on the bubble in Oakland. The former Brown/Colt has been trying to resurrect his career with the Raiders who definitely need running backs. Unfortunately, he has not impressed the coaching staff or the Raider Nation fan base. In the Raider’s preseason opener against the Rams, the former Alabama back took the handoff and instead of running through a hole the size of the Grand Canyon to the end zone for a touchdown, he dove into a pile of bodies for a no gain. He is down to his last chance.
New Sponsor for Danica Patrick
Stewart-Haas Racing has announced that Nature’s Bakery has picked up the sponsorship of Danica Patrick’s #10 Chevy for the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup season and beyond. Her racing colors will go from black green and gold to powder blue and white.
snicewanger@yahoo.com