Aside from this oft-discussed issue, how does the rest of the franchise look?

On offense:

Whoops...!

Quarterback:  Peyton Manning has been the heart of this team for over 10 years. But he is due a $28 million pay increase if Indianapolis decides to keep him around.  Behind Manning, Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky serve as backups. Neither of these players, in my opinion are ideal backups. Most teams prefer either veterans with previous starting experience or raw prospects with starting potential.

Running back: With Manning under center, the Colts running backs have been mainly an extension of the passing game. Joseph Addai is the starter when healthy (which is not often enough), and the Colts used a 1st round pick to acquire Donald Brown. Both players are quicker than fast types with excellent hands and plenty of savvy in pass protection. However, neither is a workhorse back capable of taking a heavy beating. 3rd string RB Delone Carter showed starting potential, and might wind up as the feature back once the passing attack is re-calibrated. Nevertheless, Carter must overcome his fumbling issues before seeing more of the field.

Wide Receiver: An area of extreme concern. This position could get gutted unless the Colts offer new contracts to Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, and Anthony Gonzalez. Problem is that Wayne is 32, and Gonzalez has yet to stay off IR an entire season. I would keep Pierre Garcon, since he should be relatively inexpensive to bring back. I like his ability to create after the catch. Backup WR Austin Collie is a decent player, but it is yet to be seen whether he can thrive in a system that doesn’t include Peyton Manning.

Offensive Line: An infusion of young talent via the 2011 draft gives this unit some real hope. Bookend tackles Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana will anchor this unit. But an upgrade at the interior 3 positions is a must via free agency or the draft, especially since Jeff Saturday (36) and Ryan Diem (32) may not be with the team next season.

Tight End: This position has both elite talent and depth. Dallas Clark has been a consistent mismatch maker, and his injury this year hurt dearly. I really like Jacob Tamme as the #2 guy. He is a versatile blocker who can play FB and TE kind of like former Viking Jim Kleinsasser.

On defense:

Defensive Line: In terms of pass rush skill, no duo terrorized quarterbacks more over the last decade than Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Combine their talent with the promising Drake Nevis and Fili Moala in the middle, and this unit could once again carry the defense. But Colts ownership needs to decide whether to offer soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Robert Mathis (age 30) a new contract and/or to lock up Dwight Freeney (age 32, contract expires in 2013) for the remainder of his career. It may not be financially possible to accomplish both tasks.

Linebacker: I am intrigued by this unit because it has some playmakers, and there is a nice blend of experience and youth. Oft-injured captain Gary Brackett anchors the unit, but I love the technique and instincts of Pat Angerer. On the outside, tackling machine Kavell Conner has fended off a very good player in Ernie Sims. Philip Wheeler probably will be offered a competitive contract, but I wouldn’t expect this new front office to pursue him fiercely.

Cornerback: Noticeably missing from this roster is a true #1 cornerback.  Allowing Kelvin Hayden to leave shifted the depth chart unfavorably, and the Colts need to make it a high priority to sign a skilled corner. Jerraud Powers is a guy I like, but not as the team’s #1 CB, and FA Jacob Lacey would be better suited lining up in the nickel (if they re-sign him). Ideally, Indy can invest a draft pick or two on one of the many great corner prospects available, with special emphasis on adding size to handle the big receivers in the AFC South.

Safety: Among my favorite tandems in the league. Antoine Bethea is a highly underrated player, having amassed an unheard of 139 tackles this season. That is an impressive feat for any linebacker. But for a safety, that production is off the charts. His sidekick, Melvin Bullitt, missed most of the season due to injury. For a secondary with an average crop of cornerbacks, Bullitt’s strong coverage skills were sorely missed. His protege, special teams return man, Joe Lefeged intrigues me. Coming out of college, he displayed real fluidity to go with his good size and hands. I won’t be surprised to see him take a big leap forward next season.

Off-season priorities

Free agency: make a decision about Peyton Manning. I am sure the Colts want him back, but the question really is whether they can afford to pay that whopping $28 million. From a financial standpoint, it might make the most sense to release Manning and throw Andrew Luck into the fire. Next, re-sign Robert Mathis to a 2-3 year deal. I think the Colts were hoping to have Jerry Hughes ready to take over for Mathis next season, but indications are that probably won’t happen. Productive pass rushers are hard to find, and this draft won’t offer immediate relief if Mathis slips away.

After that, I expect competitive contracts to be offered to Pierre Garcon and to Reggie Wayne. Getting the latter to agree to a reasonable salary shouldn’t be a major problem, so long as Peyton Manning returns. If Peyton departs, Wayne may not want to gear up for a rebuilding project.

Via the Draft: Select the franchise quarterback, presumably Andrew Luck in the first round.

Some intriguing prospects for the Colts:

1. Lavonte David- OLB/S, Nebraska:

Undersized LB with tremendous instincts and a nose for the football. Would play the weakside linebacker, and would remind Colts fans of Cato June.

2. Ryan Steed-CB, Furman

Small-school prospect with outstanding hands and ability to high point the football. Excels in zone coverage, and tackles like a tampa-two corner His skill set would shine in Indy.

3. Ben Jones- C, Georgia

A widely built interior lineman with surprising initial quickness to go with his natural power. Smart lineman who would be able to take the place left by Jeff Saturday.

4. Coryell Judie-CB, Texas A&M

A big CB with tackling skills. Grabbing Judie in the 4th round would upgrade the size on the edge.

5. Travis Lewis-OLB, Oklahoma

A 4-3 linebacker with excellent intangibles. Attacks the line of scrimmage with violence, and fits the chasing style LB that the colts prefer.

(Updated 1/9) -

	1. Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck- I must say, the Colts picked the right time to be bad. Selecting their star of the future is a sound move and will give Indy stability at the most vital position in football.
	2. St. Louis Rams
Justin Blackmon- Since Brandon Lloyd should make a b-line for New England, Sam Bradford once again has no clear number one receiver. Blackmon is the complete package, and will strike some fear into opposing secondaries.
	3. Minnesota Vikings
Matt Kalil- Providing Christian Ponder with an elite body guard or two on the outside is priority one. Kalil will immediately upgrade the blindside.
	4. Cleveland Browns
Robert Griffin III- Barring any trades to beat Cleveland to the punch, the Browns can select a face for this franchise. After seeing how an athlete like Cam Newton can be , I’ll bet Cleveland will be hoping for the same with this year’s Mr. Electricity.
	5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Trent Richardson- A series of off-field incidents and an expiring contract for LaGarrette Blount could open up the possibility of drafting a new work horse RB. Richardson is as powerful as they come, and he run with balance, vision, and speed. This pick would give some serious juice to the Bucs’ rushing attack.

-

	6. Washington Redskins
Morris Claiborne- If Mike Shanahan misses out on RG3 and can’t pluck Matt Flynn out of Green Bay, then snatch the player who some believe is the best pure cover corner in years.
	7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Dre Kirkpatrick- Although a pass rusher or wide receiver would be preferred, there is little value there unless Gene Smith wants to gamble on a high risk/reward type like Quinton Coples. Instead, Jacksonville can strengthen their secondary with the hard hitting Kirkpatrick, whose style will remind Jags fans of a young Reshean Mathis.
	8. Miami Dolphins (t)
Riley Reiff- The last of the potential players in the RG3 hunt, Miami might have to bolster another area of their squad if they can’t trade up. Riley Reiff is a sound technician capable of unburdening Marc Colombo at right tackle.
	9. Carolina Panthers (t)
Quinton Coples- The ultimate risk/reward player of this draft is versatile enough to give Ron Rivera some scheme flexibility, since he can play a number of positions along the line. If Coples lives up to a fraction of his lofty potential, this pick will be worthwhile.
	10. Buffalo Bills
Jonathan Martin- Finally, the Bills are in position to find their blindside protector. Martin is the most nimble tackle among his peers, and has a great deal of untapped potential.

-More picks soon!

In this game, I saw (and you shall see in the video clip below) an unflappable young man with an advanced football acumen. I couldn’t help but notice how calm he was in the pocket, sidestepping oncoming rushers, resetting his feet, and delivering accurate passes while avoiding sacks. He displayed tremendous touch, throwing a very catch-able ball that the receivers could pluck in stride.

In terms of pro-readiness, Barkley is advanced in two key areas: reading defenses and quarterbacking technique. His technique is polished, from his compact overhead release, down to his solid footwork.

He can throw effectively to either side, and is adept at selling play fakes, as USC tends to run a play-action dominant offense.

(Video thanks to JMPasq)

What others have said about Barkley:

As a college prospect, Scout.com had this to say about Barkley, their top rated quarterback in the country:

A dropback passer with good mobility inside of the pocket, Barkley has a big time arm. He can hit the deep out as well as anyone in the country while showing exceptional touch on short and intermediate routes. His mechanics are outstanding, and he shows great poise and leadership under pressure. He is a big quarterback that has the frame and toughness to make an early contribution on the next level. The total package. – Scott Kennedy, Scout.com

They also listed among his strengths – accuracy/consistency, intangibles, and arm strength. His weakness was thought to be a lack of mobility/running ability.

Rob Rang of CBS Sports.com in his scouting report:

Arm Strength: Has the ability to make every throw, but has only slightly above average arm strength, overall. Zips short and intermediate routes, but relies more on timing and accuracy, rather than arm strength for the deep out. Only an average deep ball passer.

McShay’s ESPN analysis presently giving a draft grade 0f 91, good for 16 best prospect:

A polished prospect that possesses a high football IQ and shoulders a tremendous amount of responsibility conducting a pro-style offense. Possesses great field awareness and has a thorough understanding of game situations. Processes information quickly both with pre and post-snap. Sees the entire field and consistently can get to second and third progressions. Savvy and can manipulate coverage with pump fakes. Oblivious to the rush and will sit in the pocket and make throw under duress. Calm and executed well working against pressure. Can anticipate throwing lanes. Needs to cut down on interception total. To his defense several INTs were due to a lack of communication or drops by receivers.

From Mel Kiper’s Big Board, which currently ranks Barkley as the 10th best NFL prospect:

After a so-so effort at Cal, Barkley impressed against the Irish. He has shown a great growth curve, a better ball and throws well on the move. Good, not great, arm. Even as NFL expands in the gun, Barkley’s pro-style skills are helpful.

The above featured excerpts underscore some of the perceived strengths and weaknesses of Mr. Barkley.

You can see that arm strength is cause for debate among the media evaluators. Most of these writers believe that Barkley lacks elite arm strength, and I would agree. But having “elite” arms strength is more a luxury than a necessity. The important thing is to get the ball from point A to point B in the given time window. Won’t a quarterback with average arm strength who gets the ball out early achieve the same result ( a completed pass) as a QB who hesitates but has a monster arm?

Besides arm strength, evaluators are unanimous in their praise of the other facets of Barkley’s game.

Looking forward to April, what does this do for Barkley?

Quarterbacks are always the hot commodity, and Barkley looks to have  the requisite skills to go within the top 10 picks, especially if he continues playing like he did Saturday. Maybe I like this guy more than most, but I simply cannot say enough good things about Matt Barkley.

(video thanks to xXOneNightXx)

Why am I making you watch highlights of Marion Barber III (besides the sweet music playing in the background)?

Because Dallas used to run the football.

Not only did they run the ball well, but they took pride in knocking people over in the process.

The Cowboys lost the heart and soul of their offense during the off-season, quietly dropping aging staples of a once potent rushing attack (Andre Gurode, Leonard Davis, Marc Columbo, Marion Barber). Those players have been replaced by smaller, more athletic pass blockers like Tyron Smith and Doug Free, and quicker 3rd down-ish running backs like Felix Jones and Demarco Murray.

What’s wrong with opening up the offense a bit? Besides, those guys that we dropped were past their prime.

Theoretically, nothing at all. But we are now seeing that the result of this philosophical shift in the Cowboys’ inability to play with a lead. Take a look at the games this season, starting with the week 1 loss to the Jets.

In that game, the Cowboys had a lead until the final seconds of the game. Yet, Tony Romo was still flinging the football around.

If you’re not asking why, then do so now.

Why?

Simply because they needed to move the chains to keep the clock running. I agree with anyone who says a team should run the football with a 4th quarter lead. However, Dallas is a bad rushing team, and going three-and-out is not a very good option when trying to milk 15+ minutes of clock. Neither is slinging the football to Darelle Revis. If running the ball was a good option then the fumble on the goal line could have been avoided since Garrett would just call a run up the gut for 6 instead of having to finesse it in.

Against Detroit, the same phenomenon happened. Detroit was scoreless in the first half, but came roaring back only after Tony Romo was a bit too care free with the football. Is the blame all on Romo?

No. The coach makes the calls, and Garrett had no faith in his offensive line and running backs to place the game on their shoulders.

Ask yourself this basic question: if the Cowboys could run the football would they have lost the game against the Jets or Lions?

To ask is to answer.

What Dallas needs is a really tough, nasty runner to fill the void left by the beloved Marion the Barbarian. He was not only a bruising runner, but the team’s fire, passion, and toughness personified. He helped shape their identity, and his absence is being felt.

In light of this, the primary goal of the Dallas scouting department should be to find the replacement for Mr. Barber.

[Enter running back prospect of the future: Trent Richardson]

(video thanks to kingofthesouf863)

If Jerry Jones manages a way to get this guy, or someone like him, then NFC East be warned…Dallas will be very dangerous indeed.

When I started writing this, I was sitting at the computer desk, thinking that this game could have been so much better. The Manning-less Colts faced the Steelers in a match between two of this decade’s football giants (no, not those “Football Giants”) who, on Sunday night, were only shadows of their former selves.

In what usually would be a foretaste of the AFC championship game, we peered through the looking glass to see what the Colts are without Peyton Manning. And for my part, I didn’t particularly enjoy what I saw.

This game was ugly. The Indy offense, which usually moves the ball with surgical precision looked sloppy and ineffective. The Pittsburgh offense was similarly poor except for a beautiful pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Mike Wallace.

And I can’t help but feel that this game was the manifestation of some lingering issues for both franchises.

If I’m the Colts, up until now, I haven’t had to worry too much about the prospect of losing Peyton Manning to an injury. And that’s fair enough, considering he has started 227 consecutive games in his career. But I must be thinking somewhere in the back of my mind that my franchise QB is always just one hit away from injury.  I’ve got to try to get my QB of the future in place. Why not get him while Manning is still around, so my young apprentice can learn from one of the best to play the position?

Hold your horses, finding that QB of the future is easier said than done.

Absolutely true. The Colts have said the success of the organization has caused them to draft late. But this team is built entirely around the strong play of it’s quarterback.

Okay, what do you suggest?

The way I see it, Indy has two logical options moving forward:

A)  spend a premium draft pick on a quarterback.

or…

B) spend one or more low draft picks on a quarterback.

The first option A.K.A Operation Replace Franchise QB ( McNabb-Kolb, Favre-Rodgers, Montana-Young) gives Indy an elite prospect with a valuable apprenticeship behind Peyton. The downside of this route is the potential cost.  Indy may (or may not) have to trade up significantly in order to land their man.

The second option  (A.K.A The Patriot Way) is the quarterback replacement plan adopted by Bill Belichick. In essence, it’s bargain hunting. Tom Brady and Ryan Mallett slipped significantly in the draft, and New England scooped them up. The potential downside for this plan is the time it takes and it’s relatively low success rate (unless you’re a genius/Jedi Master like Bill Belichick).

Both options can lead to success, but most franchises not named the Patriots choose option A.

If Bill Polian decides to go that route, there are several signal callers he will need to pay special attention to this fall:

1. Andrew Luck, Stanford

2. Matt Barkley, USC

3. Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Of these three quarterbacks, my initial thought is that Andrew Luck is the best fit in Indy. In fact, he is probably the best fit anywhere.

But I digress….

I’m curious to see how the Colts start thinking about this transition from the Peyton Manning era. Will they stay the course and try to find a Manning clone to pick up where Peyton left off or will they move in an entirely new direction?

Buzz Around The League

-Somewhat surprisingly, the biggest story of the opening Sunday might have been the Panthers’ number one pick and new starting quarterback, Cam Newton. Newton went through plenty of scrutiny throughout the preseason, with many experts ultimately deciding that he’s not ready, or that he’s ill-equipped, to be a star player. However, in week 1, Newton stunned the football world by throwing for 422 yards and 2 touchdowns (along with 1 rushing touchdown) to lead his new team. Now, the Panthers actually couldn’t get the win, as the Cardinals just managed to come out on top, but Carolina has something to be excited about in its new starting quarterback.

- Many have been wondering just how drastically Peyton Manning’s absence would affect the Colts. Unfortunately for Indianapolis fans, if Sunday’s 34-7 domination by Houston is any indication, the Colts may be even worse without Manning than anyone predicted. Their offense, so consistent under Peyton Manning for so many years, looked lost and confused.

- Another somewhat surprisingly lopsided game on Sunday featured the Baltimore Ravens manhandling their rival and nemesis, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh struggled with turnovers throughout the 35-7 rout, and the Ravens earned a major win and even more major boost in confidence heading forward.

Of course, these brief accounts to not represent all of the drama of the first week. There were a number of other exciting outcomes and individual performances on game day, including the Jets’ late game comeback against the Cowboys (in New York and on the anniversary of 9/11), the Buffalo Bills’ surprising offensive outburst in their 41-7 defeat of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Michael Vick’s fantastic performance picking up right where he left off last season, to name a few. With only Monday night football to finish up the first week, there is plenty more excitement to come in the weeks ahead. Make sure you don’t miss any of it.

Randall Cobb (NFL.com)

rounders.

Why?

They usually have every bit the talent of most 1st rounders, they just don’t have the same hype.

They also come at a fraction of the cost, too.

Below are some of my remarks concerning the picks made on day two of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Julio And His Sweet Tie (NFL.com)

selections, I couldn’t help but wonder at the logic that went into some of the decisions.

Some moves were brilliant.

Others…stunned me.

But where to start….?

Here are some thoughts about the first round selections. Next article will cover the second rounders.

Don’t forget to watch at 8 PM ET on NFL.com, NFL Network, or ESPN.

2011 NFL Mock Draft (Final Edition)

1. CAR-Marcell Dareus

2. DEN-Patrick Peterson

3. BUF-Blaine Gabbert

4. CIN-A.J. Green

5. ARI-Von Miller

6. CLE-Robert Quinn

7. SF-Prince Amukamara

8. TEN-Nick Fairley

9. DAL-J.J. Watt

10. WAS-Cameron Newton

11. HOU-Julio Jones

12. MIN-Da’Quan Bowers

13. DET-Aldon Smith

14. STL- Cameron Jordan

15. MIA- Mark Ingram

16. JAC- Ryan Kerrigan

17. NE- Mike Pouncey

18. SD-Tyron Smith

19. NYG-Anthony Castonzo

20. TB- Nate Solder

21. KC- Phil Taylor

22. IND- Corey Liuget

23. PHI- Gabe Carimi

24. NO-Adrian Clayborn

25. SEA-Jake Lockers

26. BAL- Jimmy Smith

27. ATL-Kyle Rudolph

28. NE-Derek Sherrod

29. CHI- Marvin Austin

30. NYJ- Akeem Ayers

31. PIT-Aaron Williams

32. GB- Danny Watkins

On one occasion, I remember discussing with one of my co-workers about my hope that the Detroit Lions would draft Vernon Gholston.

(Sure am glad that didn’t happen….)

I was naive enough to believe that predicting the draft was rather straightforward. You know, analyze team needs, then select the best player at a position of great need.

It was a long time ago….

Years later, sitting here at my computer, I am armed with greater experience, and tons more knowledge about the inner workings of the draft. Yet, I feel that the more I learn, the more I realize how delightfully unpredictable the whole process can be.

I also know that the daunting task of analyzing all 32 NFL teams for a mock draft can cause subtle details to be overlooked. Allow me to elaborate more on this concept.

1. The Carolina Panthers have been linked to both Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert for quite some time. Indeed, it is readily apparent that neophyte quarterback Jimmy Clausen struggled to command the Panthers offense last season. Largely for that reason, Carolina now sits atop the draft, where quarterbacks seem to be in high demand.

However, I wrote recently about how no team over the last 20 years has ever selected a 1^st round QB after selected one in the 1^st or 2^nd round the previous year.

If quarterback is not the answer, consider providing a receiving target like A.J. Green, or try upgrading the defensive line with arguably the best player in the draft, Marcell Dareus.

2. The San Francisco 49ers hired Jim Harbaugh out of Stanford to replace Mike Singletary as head coach. At Stanford, Harbaugh emphatically stated that he wanted “scholar-athletes” on his football team. If those words can be taken at face value, it suggests that he wants more than just high football I.Q. Perhaps a test like the Wonderlic  carries weight with Harbaugh and his staff.

Largely for this reason, I find talk about Patrick Peterson going to San Fran seems awfully far-fetched. I’d be shocked if he slipped that far, and his abnormally low Wonderlic could be a substantial red flag to Harbaugh.

Then, who might the 49ers be after?  Prince Amukamara or J.J. Watt seem to be prime candidates.

3. The Dallas Cowboys have not left any stone unturned with regards to scouting the major offensive tackle prospects. Reports have even suggested that Dallas is the team that has shown the most interest in USC tackle Tyron Smith.

I’m just not buying the hype. I do agree that Dallas needs help along the offensive front, but not with the 9^th pick. I’ve watched Tyron Smith, and here is what I see on tape:

An ideal zone-blocking tackle who can effectively latch and turn his opponent with his good quickness. Didn’t show the ability to consistently drive block, and would take time to adjust to a man blocking scheme.

Smith’s value will be at its highest in a zone blocking scheme such as the one that Houston or Washington runs. But I simply do not believe he carries that grade for the Dallas Cowboys. They run the type of man blocking scheme that requires big nasties. Tyron Smith would be among the smallest members of that front. Take a glance at some of the OT’s the Cowboys have employed in the recent past. It is clear that Smith (in red) would be substantially smaller than all the others on the list:

Marc Colombo            6-8/ 320

Leonard Davis             6-6/ 355

Doug Free                      6-6/ 320

Flozell Adams              6-7/ 338

Sam Young                    6-8/ 322

Alex Barron                  6-8/ 316

Tyron Smith                 6-5/ 310

If Dallas is dead set on taking a tackle at 9, I suspect that either Anthony Castonzo or Nate Solder would look the part. Prince Amukamara is a popular pick, if he makes it past the 49ers. And J.J. Watt needs to be in the discussion, too. He doesn’t get the attention from the media, but all I can say is watch him line up against Ohio State and sack Terrelle Pryor 3 times. Need I say more?

4. Like Dallas, the Detroit Lions are another team that utilizes the man blocking scheme. If they were to select Tyron Smith at 13, I’d have a tough time wrapping my brain around that decision. Castonzo and Solder could figure into Detroit’s plans if they could trade back a few spots. But it ultimately boils down to how much they like the progress that Jason Fox has made this past season. He was brought in as a developmental guy who might be able to take over for Jeff Backus sooner or later.

Most of the prospects Detroit has brought in figure to be mid-first rounders. It seems they are poised to trade down to get greater value for their targets. If they can’t, bolstering the defensive line with a prospect like Aldon Smith or Cameron Jordan would give Detroit more options once Kyle Vanden Bosch hangs up his cleats. Cornerback and linebacker are severe needs, but there are some excellent values in the 2^nd and 3^rd rounds (Ras I-Dowling, Bruce Carter, Mason Foster).

I can certainly understand that some people will not agree with my method of thinking. If you’re one of those people, leave your thoughts, and I’ll give you my feedback!