Did Polian make a costly drafting boo-boo?

[MoLewisrocks]

And a potential humdinger at that at LT?

Charlie Johnson returned to practice today. And on his first day of training camp, he started at left tackle. Tony Ugoh was with the second team.

Colts coach Jim Caldwell made it clear this wasn't a one day experiment. He said Johnson is his starter. And we would have known it sooner had Johnson not been hurt in the offseason.

Some people may brush this off as no big deal. But I won't dismiss it so quickly because this confirms what many suspected in recent years -- that the Colts made a mistake by moving up in the draft to get Ugoh.

You'll remember the Colts traded first- and fourth-round picks to move up to the second round to select Ugoh with the 42nd overall pick in 2007. He appeared to have all the tools, good size and speed, but some questioned his intensity level. I have to admit, when talking to him as a rookie thrust into the starting role by Tarik Glenn's unexpected retirement, Ugoh seemed a bit asleep. A very, very quiet man. I was told painfully shy. But it's human nature to question someone's fire if they are quiet.

Anyway, Johnson was a sixth-round pick in 2006. All you need to know is the obvious, that sixth-round picks don't usually beat out second-round picks. And Johnson has been the whipping boy for criticism in the past, so I'm not necessarily saying he's the long-term solution at left tackle, which is such an important position -- is there anything more important on this team than protecting Peyton Manning's blind side?

It's fair to say this move says more about Ugoh.

IndyStar.com | Bounce it off Phil B. | The Indianapolis Star

 

[workhorse]

It could be, but I'm guessing this is a case of them trying to light a fire under Ugoh. He did a pretty good job as a rookie, so he has the talent. Something happened when or just after he got hurt. Nobody is saying what, but he got benched. Time will tell on this one.

 

[Kontradiction]

It will be nice watching Seymour blow right through Johnson for a couple of blind side hits on Manning. Perhaps a fumble or two?

 

[workhorse]

It will be nice watching Seymour blow right through Johnson for a couple of blind side hits on Manning. Perhaps a fumble or two?

There's a first time for everything huh?

 

[WhiZa]

There's a first time for everything huh?

I had to look that up, and it's true. Seymour has never sacked Manning. You better knock on wood!

 

[Scouse Patriot]

So because he's a quiet, humble man he's not good enough. Excellent reasoning Mr Reporter. Colts new HC may want more out of him which is fair enough, maybe this move is designed as such but he's not a bad player IMO.

 

[Kontradiction]

There's a first time for everything huh?

Fine then... Jarvis Green.

 

[workhorse]

Fine then... Jarvis Green.

Heh.

BTW, Ugoh is back in the starting line up, for now, due to Ryan Diem getting banged up.

 

[WelshPat]

My guess is Ugoh will win the starting job back and this is a ploy to get him fired up

Even the best teams can mess up in the draft, i mean, look at us with chad jackson!

 

[workhorse]

My guess is Ugoh will win the starting job back and this is a ploy to get him fired up

Even the best teams can mess up in the draft, i mean, look at us with chad jackson!

I have the same feeling. It may not even happen right away just to make him work for it.

Jackson popped to mind right off the bat, but I was trying to be nice.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I have the same feeling. It may not even happen right away just to make him work for it.

Jackson popped to mind right off the bat, but I was trying to be nice.

Hehehe...

Only the point here is that Polian is almost entirely dependent on the draft...for whatever reason...and that's often even said to be his genius. And he spent a 1st as well as a 2nd on Ugoh.

And fwiw it's a lot easier to find a high functioning replacement WR than a LT. Heck, Bill found a HOF bound replacement for Jackson using a 4th...

 

[workhorse]

Hehehe...

Only the point here is that Polian is almost entirely dependent on the draft...for whatever reason...and that's often even said to be his genius. And he spent a 1st as well as a 2nd on Ugoh.

And fwiw it's a lot easier to find a high functioning replacement WR than a LT. Heck, Bill found a HOF bound replacement for Jackson using a 4th...

The Colts traded their 2007 4th round and 2008 1st round picks to get San Fran's 2007 2nd round pick to draft Ugoh.

 

[Mayday Malone]

I think the Colts will be fine regardless of who they put there. Polian may have seen something long before in Ugoh, or he felt the need to stock up on tackles that specialize in pushing from the left side of the ball. I hardly consider this a Pas Faux on Polian's behalf. Enen the most hardened Pats fan can't denounce the guy's accomplishment's at this point.

 

[Synovia]

Ugoh had a fantastic rookie year, and then a mediocre sophomore year, which seems to be common for young Tackles.


Look at Joe Thomas: Worldbeater First year, just good second year. Marcus Mcneil: terrific the first year, terrible the 2nd.


I don't know what it is, maybe D-Coordinators finally get enough film to find footwork mistakes, or something, but its not uncommon by any means.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I know it's only pre season and all but 3 sacks in six snaps? Hell of an opening night for Manning...

 

[SHOWTIME15]

donald brown had 1 nice run but it's really hard to say since this is preseason. sage rosenfels looked great last night too.

 

[workhorse]

I know it's only pre season and all but 3 sacks in six snaps? Hell of an opening night for Manning...

Ya, not what you're used to seeing. Though they were without two of their starting linemen.

 

[Gwedd]

Ya, not what you're used to seeing. Though they were without two of their starting linemen.

I wouldn't sweat it. Orton's performance with Denver likely will attract more attention...

 

[TrueBeliever]

It could be, but I'm guessing this is a case of them trying to light a fire under Ugoh. He did a pretty good job as a rookie, so he has the talent. Something happened when or just after he got hurt. Nobody is saying what, but he got benched. Time will tell on this one.

It's not very often I agree with a Colts fan but I wouldn't put a lot of stock in this either. The history books are littered with first- and second-round picks at every position that did next to nothing and were out of the league and forgotten within a few years.

Now had he taken Ryan Leaf instead of Peyton...

 

[upstater1]

I thought Ugoh was a mistake back when they picked him. He looked awful in the all-star games, and he used to fall asleep a lot in his college games. His measurables were always great, a good athlete.

He's going to tease you guys for a long time. He'll be your Adrian Klemm.

I hate the fact that the Colts drafted my draft binky, Donald Brown, because I love the way he plays, and also his attitude. I find it hard rooting against the kid.