First depth chart released.

[RockThatBlue]

http://www.www.stampedeblue.com/2016/8/2/12358080/colts-release-first-depth-chart-in-advance-of-preseason-opener

 

Offense:

WR: T.Y. Hilton, Josh Boyce, Tevaun Smith, MeKale McKay, Daniel Anthrop, Andre Debose

LT: Anthony Castonzo, Kevin Graf, Jeremy Vujnovich

LG: Jack Mewhort, Joe Haeg, Kitt O’Brien

 

C: Ryan Kelly, Jonotthan Harrison,Austin Blythe

RG: Hugh Thornton, Denzelle Good,Adam Redmond

RT: Joe Reitz, Le’Raven Clark, Mitchell Van Dyk

 

TE: Dwayne Allen, Jack Doyle, Erik Swoope, Emil Igwenagu, Chase Coffman, Konrad Reuland, Darion Griswold

WR: Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett,Chester Rogers, Marcus Leak, Quan Bray, Josh Stangby

QB: Andrew Luck, Scott Tolzien, Stephen Morris

RB: Frank Gore, Robert Turbin, Jordan Todman, Josh Ferguson, Trey Williams, Abou Toure

 

Defense:

DE: Kendall Langford, Sterling Bailey, Kelcy Quarles, Henry Anderson

NT: David Parry, T.Y. McGill, Ricky Lumpkin

DT: Zach Kerr, Hassan Ridgeway, Delvon Simmons, Arthur Jones

SLB: Erik Walden, Trevor Bates, Curt Maggitt

Mike: D’Qwell Jackson, Nate Irving,Antonio Morrison, Amarlo Herrera

Will: Sio Moore, Edwin Jackson, Josh McNary, Junior Sylvestre

Rush: Robert Mathis, Trent Cole, Earl Okine, Ron Thompson

LCB: Patrick Robinson, Jalil Brown, D’Joun Smith, Tevin Mitchel, Frankie Williams, Christopher Milton

SS: Mike Adams, Winston Guy, Lee Hightower

FS: T.J. Green, Dezmen Southward,Stefan McClure, Clayton Geathers

RCB: Vontae Davis, Darius Butler, Tay Glover-Wright, Darius White, Winston Rose

 

 

Special Teams:

P: Pat McAfee

PK: Adam Vinatieri

H: Pat McAfee

LS: Matt Overton

KR: Quan Bray, Andre Debose

PR: Quan Bray, Andre Debose

 

Thoughts?

[Superman]

Not that it matters, but they have Quan Bray pretty far down the list. They also have Trent Cole at Rush, not Sam. I think they listed him at Sam last year, but I could be mistaken. He should be at Rush, in any event. Bates at Sam makes sense.

 

Also good to see Kerr having the starter spot for right now, and Moore being the starting Will. 

 

Starting to smell like football season... 

[Smonroe]

2 minutes ago, Superman said:

Not that it matters, but they have Quan Bray pretty far down the list. They also have Trent Cole at Rush, not Sam. I think they listed him at Sam last year, but I could be mistaken. He should be at Rush, in any event. Bates at Sam makes sense.

 

Also good to see Kerr having the starter spot for right now, and Moore being the starting Will. 

 

Starting to smell like football season... 

 

Bray is the one that surprised me too, not that it really means anything.

 

It was interesting seeing the pecking order of the WRs.  I wonder what it would look like if they listed them all together instead of two groups.  We Bama people have a vested interest in Rogers.  Hope he makes the PS at least.

[Ja'Crispy]

I don't typically read a lot into the WR order.  Bray will be safely on the roster as a return man for sure.

[krunk]

I think those backup TE spots behind Doyle and Allen will probably come down to a battle between Swoope, Coffman, Griswold when it's all said and done.

[Valpo2004]

49 minutes ago, Ja'Crispy said:

I don't typically read a lot into the WR order.  Bray will be safely on the roster as a return man for sure.

 

I don't like how they do the depth charts with WR and CB because they use a rigid system of Left and right CB and receivers.  

 

In all reality it should just list them all off as one position and we should all be able to understand that the #2 WR is a starter.  If TY Hilton goes out of the game he's going to be replaced by Phillip Dorsett, not Josh Boyce.

 

It would help us to understand what the real pecking order is at the bottom of the roster.  You could potentially say the same thing for offensive line positions too, although that can be more complex because a player can be backing up multiple positions.

 

 

 

 

[21isSuperman]

A couple of immediate reactions:

Good moved to guard instead of tackle, that's interesting

TJ Green starting makes me kinda nervous

[Bravo]

9 minutes ago, 21isSuperman said:

A couple of immediate reactions:

Good moved to guard instead of tackle, that's interesting

TJ Green starting makes me kinda nervous

TJ Green starting doesn't make me nervous at all. In the preseason anyway. As long as they give him more than just the starter reps during the preseason! He needs all the experience he can get. Lol

[GAColtsFan]

What do these positions represent ? Thanks

SLB

Mike

Will

SAM

[ColtsFanMikeC]

 

40 minutes ago, Ja'Crispy said:

I don't typically read a lot into the WR order.  Bray will be safely on the roster as a return man for sure.

 

Andre DeBose (the only other one listed as a returner) holds Florida's record for return TDs and is tied for the SEC all-time record..... he missed last year in the NFL due to an achilles injury, so he may not be back to form, but if he is, I won't be shocked to see him turn some heads in camp.

 

Also, I won't be shocked if injuries/depth concerns make the coaches think very carefully about holding a roster spot solely for a return specialist.  At TE, for example, we have Allen (a solid player who has struggled staying on the field at times) and Doyle (a solid, but not spectacular player, who IMO is a good blocker and pretty good short-yardage TE, but not a very strong receiving TE overall in terms of ability to stretch the field and drive fear into a defense), then we've got the Erik Swoope project and a group of players we don't know anything about at the NFL level...... we traditionally keep 3 TEs, but I would not be all that opposed to keeping 4 TEs (especially if Swoope and Griswold or someone else show they are capable of being WR-like TEs who can be major redzone threats) and eliminating the 'return specialist' spot on the final 53.... there are plenty of other positions (RB, DL, OL, DB, LB) on this team where I could see it beneficial to keep another body rather than use a spot on the roster for a returnman who does little else to contribute in other aspects of the game.

 

I like Bray, and thought he did a pretty good job as a returner last year.  While I think he has room to improve, I haven't seen 'take-it-to-the-house' talent from him (yet).  It also seems as though the NFL is trying to fizzle out kick-returns... for those reasons, I'm pretty hesitant to think it's a great idea to have a 'return specialist' who doesn't make contributions in other areas of the game taking up a spot on a 53 man roster (if the guy isn't Devin Hester or Josh Cribbs in their prime).

 

While you may be right, I sure hope Bray doesn't have a safely secured job at this point in time, as I'd not be shocked to see someone else show themselves to be a good returner with ability to help on offense or defense (and who knows, Bray may have improved as a WR) with some of the depth issues we have on this team.

 

 

21 minutes ago, krunk said:

I think those backup TE spots behind Doyle and Allen will probably come down to Swoope, Coffman, Griswold when it's all said and done.

 

I was very excited about Griswold and Mike Miller after the draft/UDFA.  Looks like Miller got waved for hurting his foot prior to training camp and Griswold is on the PUP -- I sure hope Swoope's development is coming along and that one or more of these younger TEs steps up......... TE is a position which concerns me -- it seems like Chud really likes to utilize the TE in his offense and I'm just not convinced we've got the depth there in terms of a receiving threat if Allen were to go down.

[21isSuperman]

Just now, bravo4460 said:

TJ Green starting doesn't make me nervous at all. As long as they give him more than just the starter reps during the preseason! He needs all the experience he can get. Lol

Yeah, it's really early and this depth chart is almost guaranteed to change a bit by the time the regular season comes around (I'm expecting Geathers to start and he would probably be the starter here if it weren't for his injury).  I like him getting a lot of playing time to try and develop in the preseason, but it makes me nervous in that I expect a lot of growing pains

[21isSuperman]

2 minutes ago, FL Colts Fan said:

What do these positions represent ? Thanks

SLB

Mike

Will

SAM

Sam/SLB = strongside linebacker

Mike = middle linebacker

Will = weakside linebacker

[krunk]

14 minutes ago, 21isSuperman said:

A couple of immediate reactions:

Good moved to guard instead of tackle, that's interesting

TJ Green starting makes me kinda nervous

Not me.  I have no problem with TJ Green starting in the preseason.   He needs to be out there and get his feet wet.  Preseason is the time to do that.

[21isSuperman]

Just now, krunk said:

Not me.  I have no problem with TJ Green starting in the preseason.   He needs to be out there and get his feet wet.  Preseason is the time to do that.

Agreed.  I just expect to see a lot of growing pains

[Mr. Irrelevant]

4 minutes ago, 21isSuperman said:

Sam/SLB = strongside linebacker

Mike = middle linebacker

Will = weakside linebacker

Thanks.

[GAColtsFan]

Looking forward to a great battle at RG. I haven't given up on Thornton, but I'd like to see Good earn the start there.

[Bravo]

8 minutes ago, 21isSuperman said:

Yeah, it's really early and this depth chart is almost guaranteed to change a bit by the time the regular season comes around (I'm expecting Geathers to start and he would probably be the starter here if it weren't for his injury).  I like him getting a lot of playing time to try and develop in the preseason, but it makes me nervous in that I expect a lot of growing pains

 

Agreed! I expect a lot of growing pains as well! Which im okay with in the preseason. The Colts seem to never want to win preseason games anyway! ;) lol

 

Yes I assume Geathers will retain the starting job as soon as he becomes 100% healthy. I expect some growing pains with Geathers also, not near as many though.

[krunk]

7 minutes ago, 21isSuperman said:

Agreed.  I just expect to see a lot of growing pains

Well it's preseason so they'll probably be playing a lot of base defense so he'll probably do okay with that.. It's the complicated looks and all that other stuff where I expect problems.

[Hoosiernsavga]

Who is Hightower the safety listed? I must have missed something. 

[GAColtsFan]

34 minutes ago, Hoosiernsavga said:

Who is Hightower the safety listed? I must have missed something. 

UDFA from University of Houston

[akcolt]

1 hour ago, 21isSuperman said:

A couple of immediate reactions:

Good moved to guard instead of tackle, that's interesting

TJ Green starting makes me kinda nervous

I thought the draft showed our hand on where we thought Good was. 

 

I am excited to see FA WR's Smith Rogers and Leak in the preseason. Hopefully the back ups let them show what they can do. I really like Smith he made a lot of big plays at Iowa in Frentz's conservative offense. 

 

The LB's will nonsense interesting. Edwin ahead of McNary and Junior is interesting. I thought Thompson was a SAM, I expected Bates at Rush. A 4.25 short shuttle from Bates is pretty good 

[TheRustonRifle#7]

Pretty much how I figured and the pecking order is skewed due to injuries to players like Jones, Anderson and Geathers.  Can't wait to see some action and I may be a homer but I am rooting for Thompson!

[krunk]

16 minutes ago, akcolt said:

I thought the draft showed our hand on where we thought Good was. 

 

I am excited to see FA WR's Smith Rogers and Leak in the preseason. Hopefully the back ups let them show what they can do. I really like Smith he made a lot of big plays at Iowa in Frentz's conservative offense. 

 

The LB's will nonsense interesting. Edwin ahead of McNary and Junior is interesting. I thought Thompson was a SAM, I expected Bates at Rush. A 4.25 short shuttle from Bates is pretty good 

In regards to the LBs I was wondering some of the same stuff.  I thought Thompson would be at SAM and Bates at the Rush

[TheRustonRifle#7]

2 minutes ago, krunk said:

In regards to the LBs I was wondering some of the same stuff.  I thought Thompson would be at SAM and Bates at the Rush

Thompson has some pass rushing skills.  He was  an undersized interior lineman for Syracuse. I am rooting hard for him!

[krunk]

12 minutes ago, TheRustonRifle#7 said:

Thompson has some pass rushing skills.  He was  an undersized interior lineman for Syracuse. I am rooting hard for him!

Yeah he played DT and DE for them.  More built like a 3-4 OLB to me, so I think he'll do better in the 3-4 scheme I'm betting.

[PrincetonTiger]

4 hours ago, Ja'Crispy said:

I don't typically read a lot into the WR order.  Bray will be safely on the roster as a return man for sure.

Agreed

[TheRustonRifle#7]

14 minutes ago, krunk said:

Yeah he played DT and DE for them.  More built like a 3-4 OLB to me, so I think he'll do better in the 3-4 scheme I'm betting.

Me too!

[krunk]

1 minute ago, TheRustonRifle#7 said:

Me too!

Lance Zierlein didn't have much negative to say about Thompson in his write up. Even the negative stuff wasn't really negative.  Can't wait till Sunday to see these young guys play.

[TheRustonRifle#7]

24 minutes ago, krunk said:

Lance Zierlein didn't have much negative to say about Thompson in his write up. Even the negative stuff wasn't really negative.  Can't wait till Sunday to see these young guys play.

Me too Bro!

[AZColt11]

9 hours ago, 21isSuperman said:

Yeah, it's really early and this depth chart is almost guaranteed to change a bit by the time the regular season comes around (I'm expecting Geathers to start and he would probably be the starter here if it weren't for his injury).  I like him getting a lot of playing time to try and develop in the preseason, but it makes me nervous in that I expect a lot of growing pains

Oh yeah.  They'll probably look terrible in the pre-season.  When don't they?  But at least we'll know what they have to work on, the young kids will get some game experience, and they can make a plan going forward.  Hopefully some guys get healthy too.  The DB's are thin right now.

[weslo1812]

19 hours ago, akcolt said:

I thought the draft showed our hand on where we thought Good was. 

 

I am excited to see FA WR's Smith Rogers and Leak in the preseason. Hopefully the back ups let them show what they can do. I really like Smith he made a lot of big plays at Iowa in Frentz's conservative offense. 

 

The LB's will nonsense interesting. Edwin ahead of McNary and Junior is interesting. I thought Thompson was a SAM, I expected Bates at Rush. A 4.25 short shuttle from Bates is pretty good 

Yeah Edwin Jackson is apparently having a really good TCU so far...

[ColtsFanMikeC]

 

21 hours ago, krunk said:

In regards to the LBs I was wondering some of the same stuff.  I thought Thompson would be at SAM and Bates at the Rush

 

I agree with you -- especially after reading the article about Mathis trying to step up and be Bates' mentor, I was fully expecting him to be listed at rush (maybe it's a typo??).

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

[krunk]

4 minutes ago, ColtsFanMikeC said:

 

 

I agree with you -- especially after reading the article about Mathis trying to step up and be Bates' mentor, I was fully expecting him to be listed at rush (maybe it's a typo??).

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

 

Superman seems to think it makes sense for Bates to be at Sam.  Supe if you are reading this please share your incite on the matter so we better understand that view point.  Maybe I'm not looking at this the right way.

[ColtsFanMikeC]

1 minute ago, krunk said:

Superman seems to think it makes sense for Bates to be at Sam.  Supe if you are reading this please share your incite on the matter so we better understand that view point.

 

This is from his NFL.com draft profile..

Bottom Line

Lacks the length desired at the outside linebacker spot, but has enough get-off out of the blocks to warrant a look as a situational rusher. Has to prove that he can rush against bigger, quicker tackles or we could see a team try him at an inside linebacker spot.

[Narcosys]

On ‎8‎/‎2‎/‎2016 at 8:37 PM, RockThatBlue said:

http://www.www.stampedeblue.com/2016/8/2/12358080/colts-release-first-depth-chart-in-advance-of-preseason-opener

 

 

 

 

Whats italicized mean?  Rookies?

 

[Superman]

54 minutes ago, krunk said:

Superman seems to think it makes sense for Bates to be at Sam.  Supe if you are reading this please share your incite on the matter so we better understand that view point.  Maybe I'm not looking at this the right way.

 

They usually start young guys off at Sam, and I think it's because that's where you learn the angles, work on the fundamentals of playing OLB in a 3-4 front: reading the play, setting the edge, keeping your head up and on the ball, using your hands to disengage, taking disciplined coverage drops, playing in space, etc. At Rush, you're basically coming forward 100% of the time.

 

On top of that, while I think Bates is clearly a Rush backer prospect, and while Mathis' comments make him sound like a Rush backer prospect, there were reports after the draft that the Colts were working him at ILB, with an eye on moving him there in the future. Maybe that was an exaggeration, but it seems to fit with the NFL.com profile that @ColtsFanMikeC posted. If they are considering moving him inside, then it makes even more sense that he'd be getting more time at Sam.

 

In reality, outside of the guys that we know are playing one position or the other -- Mathis and Walden, pretty much -- the Sam/Rush usage is kind of interchangeable, and everyone will learn and play both positions in practice. And when the reserves take over the game on Sunday, I expect Bates to play both spots. Of course, his greatest value is at Rush.