However, before I move completely on I have to tell you guys about something that I just read. I’m probably just behind, but I could not help but comment after reading this story.

Prior to the Super Bowl a school in Louisiana had given it’s students permission to where Saints gear in place of their usual uniform. Not surprising, right? Well, one student decided he would wear his Colts jersey instead. He was subsequently sent home from school.

Now if the story was just that, I would see nothing wrong with that. The principal had allowed one exception to the school’s dress code, and the student took it upon himself to wear something else. You break a rule, you suffer the consequences. However, it was the way that the principal handled it when he told the student,”If you like Indiana so much, why don’t you go back?”

Wow. I am all for team pride, but that is pushing it. As a education professional he should have known better. The situation has since been cleared up and the student is back at school, but the damage is done.

Sports are fun. I love playing and watching all kinds of sports myself. While I am a fan of many teams, I make no judgements on anyone based on their team favorite. In the end it is all a game, whether the participants are getting paid millions or just having fun. Education professionals should know better than to take a game so seriously that a comment like that is said. Who cares what team anyone supports; just be glad that the kid has something that he believes in.

Anyway…so when is the Hall of Fame game?

10. Roy Hall, WR: Hall was very good last night.  He gained a fair amount of yards on the screen pass, and he caught a tough pass after it hit off of his hands.  They didn’t test him on deep plays, so we still don’t know how good his receiver skills are.  However, as a 4th receiver, he’s more than qualified.

9. Eric Foster, DT: Quinn who?  Foster had the Freeney spin and gave the Colts a good pass rush even though it didn’t result in incompletions.  The linebackers were pretty weak.  Foster is a good pass rushing defensive tackle.  This team will get a lot of sacks.

8. Marcus Howard, DE: Sometimes 40 times don’t lie.  Marcus Howard is extremely fast.  He was blowing by the tackles and getting into the backfield.  He was giving Todd Collins hell all night long.  The play that stands out the most for me was his sack when he was being held.  He is small, but he has good strength.  He definitely will get playing time this year.  I don’t consider him a project.  He’s ready to take the league by storm.

7. Brannon Condren, S: I didn’t know much about him.  I knew he was pretty good at special teams, but as a safety, I assumed that he wasn’t a big hitter and more of a ball-hawking safety.  I was wrong.  He was hitting hard last night.  He played like Matt Giordano, which is good for a player that will be a special teamer.

6. Gijon Robinson, TE: Robinson’s first catch made my jaw drop.  Sorgi was looking to sacrifice him by throwing the ball over his head, but Robinson made the leap and held onto the ball even though a safety clocked him.  He had 3 other catches that resulted in a fair amount of yards.  I see him making the roster as well.

5. Pierre Garcon, WR: Garcon was the most impressive receiver to me.  Whenever a pass was off target, he was able to adjust and get a hand on it.  He was running his routes perfectly.  He impressed me on special teams as well.  On his only kick return, he got it to midfield, and if he would have tried to get pass the kicker, he could have scored.

4. Jamey Richard, C: Sure, he had that bad snap, but he had the bad luck of the Colts being inside their own 10 when he made that snap.  If that was at midfield, Gray would have picked it up and threw it away.  After that, Richard became unstoppable.  He was pancaking defensive tackle, lead blocking for Mike Hart, and giving The Hefty Lefty time to make a crappy throw.  This was a great 7th round pick.

3. Jordan Senn, LB: I haven’t heard people talk about him, but he was great.  It seemed like he was involved on every tackle no matter where the ball was.  He definitely has the speed that the Tampa-2 requires.  Right now, I’d say he is a practice squad player, but that can change very quickly.

2. Quinn Gray, QB: Gray locked up the backup QB spot so far.  It would take a collapse of epic proportions to make him lose the job.  He can scramble.  He’s got a great arm.  When he scrambles, he is able to throw an accurate pass, which gave us around 80 yards that we would have lost if Lorenzen or Sorgi was throwing on the run, which would have been an incompletion or thrown away.  Gray looked better than a few starting QBs in this league.

1. Mike Hart, RB: There isn’t enough to say about this guy.  He proved why 40 times are useless.  He looked faster than any other Colts back out there.  He fought for the extra yards, which is huge for a back that will be used in short yardage situations.  The play where he lost his helmet but still gained another 3 yards showed why he will make this team.  He’s like a stronger and faster James Mungro.

All of these guys minus Senn will make the roster, and all but Gray will be in the rotation.  Here are some players that did not impress.

Jared Lorenzen aka The Hefty Lefty and The Pillsbury Throwboy, QB: Not only does he look like a lineman or competitive eater, he throws like one.  He was double clutching and shotputting his throws.  This guy should stick to the donuts and leave football alone.  He is not an NFL QB.  Plain and simple.  Good thing Eli Manning never got hurt or else the Patriots would have been 19-0.

Clifton Dawson, RB: Mike Hart is better in pads, and Dawson is better on the practice field.  Dawson went down after the first hit, and he didn’t have a reception.  He’s got a Havard degree.  He’ll be better off as a lawyer than a backup running back.

Freddie Keiaho, Victor Worsley, and Brandon Archer: Worsley and Archer aren’t anything special, but the starting WILL linebacker being so bad in pass coverage is concerning.  He needs to improve or else we could see Philip Wheeler or Clint Session playing on the weak side.

So with all of this, here is the updated roster.  I love making these.

QB
#18 Peyton Manning: Obviously.
#5 Quinn Gray: After this game, I am more confindent in our backup QB than ever.

RB
#29 Joseph Addai: Obvious again.
#38 Dominic Rhodes: He had some great runs last night.
#32 Mike Hart: Even though he is a Michigan grad, I can’t get enough of this guy.

WR
#87 Reggie Wayne: Shocker, I know
#88 Marvin Harrison: Duh
#11 Anthony Gonzalez: Not a lot of second year former first round picks get cut
#83 Roy Hall: Amazing potential
#85 Pierre Garcon: Division III needs some love too.
#80 Devin Aromashodu: He played pretty well last night.

TE
#44 Dallas Clark: A few years ago, Austin Croshere wore number 44 for the Pacers.  Indianapolis had two white guys named after cities in Texas wearing number 44.
#47 Gijon Robinson: The stumpy H-back was impressive last night.
#84 Jacob Tamme: Tamme is bigger than I thought he was.  I want to see him get some throws from Gray and Sorgi, not BBQ (Bad & Bulky Quarterback, not Big & Beautiful).
#86 Tom Santi: Santi should make the roster even though he is hurt.

LT
#67 Tony Ugoh: Underrated tackle.
#76 Dan Federkiel: The only Canuck on the team on this roster prediction.

LG
#65 Ryan Lilja: Underrated guard.
#53 Steve Justice: I didn’t notice him last night.

C
#63 Jeff Saturday: The Indy Star did a piece on future Colts Hall of Famers, and Saturday wasn’t mentioned even though players like Bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney were.  Saturday has been just as dominant as any current modern-era centers.
#61 Jamey Richard: Richard was great last night.  He’s very, very fast, and the bad snap was a major fluke.

RG
#78 Mike Pollak: Pollak played well last night.
#74 Charlie Johnson: A “Meh”-worthy performance last night.  Didn’t see anything great out of him.

RT
#71 Ryan Diem: Often goes unnoticed, but I notice when he isn’t playing.
#75 Michael Toudouze: We’ve got some depth at offensive line.  Toudouze is good for a backup right tackle.

LE
#79 Raheem Brock: He had some good pass rushing last night.  He will play UT on passing situations.
#98 Robert Mathis: I prefer him as a pass rush specialist.  His best seasons were behind Brock.
#60 Curtis Johnson: Johnson surprised me last night with some good run defense.

RE
#93 Dwight Freeney: If you don’t double team him, he will get a sack.  It’s as simple as that.
#92 Marcus Howard: I shall call him “Mini-Freeney”.
#90 Jeff Charleston: Josh Thomas is still as slow as hell.

NT
#99 Ed Johnson: Big Eddy didn’t see too many snaps last night, but he is the best run-stopping player on this team.
#95 Darrell Reid: Special teamer who may see some time at defensive tackle this season.

UT
#96 Keyunta Dawson: The last couple of drafts have been absolutely amazing.  In Polian We Trust.
#68 Eric Foster: He’s been the MVP of training camp so far.  Let’s see if he can carry that momentum into September.

SLB
#55 Clint Session: I don’t like him being hurt.  Being a Colts linebacker, you will probably get hurt and not get resigned.
#56 Tyjuan Hagler: Hagler’s injury may have cost him a starting job.

MLB
#58 Gary Brackett: He’ll make the Pro Bowl this year.  The snub will motivate him.
#50 Philip Wheeler: Knees are slightly behind the Patriots as the Colts biggest enemy.

WLB
#54 Freddie Keiaho: He better improve at pass coverage.
#52 Ramon Guzman: Special teamer.

CB
#28 Marlin Jackson: He can hit and cover well.  Speed isn’t a big factor in the Tampa-2.
#26 Kelvin Hayden: See Marlin Jackson.
#20 Dante Hughes: He dropped because of his 40 time.  40 times are so frickin’ overrated!
#23 Tim Jennings: Jennings has done well enough in training camp to keep this job.
#34 TJ Rushing: Garcon and him will make a great returning duo.

FS
#41 Antoine Bethea: He could make the Pro Bowl the old fashion way (not by being an alternate) this year.
#42 Brannon Condren: He won me over.

SS
#21 Bob Sanders: Bob Sanders likes his New England Patriots the same way he likes his ice.  Crushed.
#43 Matt Giordano: He hits so hard his hair fell out.  Or at least that’s what John Madden says.

K
#4 Adam Vinatieri: One for the thumb.

P
#17 Hunter Smith: Being the Colts punter is the easiest job you can have.

LS
#48 Justin Snow: Long snapper needs to become an official position.

Reserve PUP/IR: #25 Michael Coe: Another knee injury…

Practice Squad
RB Chad Simpson
WR Sam Giguere
WR Onrea Jones
OL Darren Marquez
DL Collin Ferrell
LB Jordan Senn
LB Kyle Shotwell
DB Jamie Silva

10 to Keep In Touch With
QB Jim Sorgi
RB Kenton Keith
WR Courtney Roby
OL Corey Hilliard
DL Josh Thomas
DL Joe Bradley
LB Brandon Archer
LB Victor Worsley
DB Melvin Bullitt
DB Keiwan Ratliff

Players To Watch

Quinn Gray: We’ve heard good things about him from people who have gone to training camp.  Right now, I consider him the leader for the backup QB job.  This game could give him a huge advantage over Sorgi and the Pillsbury Throwboy.

Clifton Dawson & Mike Hart: This may be the tightest race so far.  Hart has amazing potential as a fullback in the Colts system.  However, so does Dawson.  Dawson has looked better in practice, but Hart is better at full contact than he is in practice.  I want to see who is the better receiver and short yardage back in this game.

Sam Giguere, Courtney Roby, & Pierre Garcon: Right now, I consider Marvin, Reggie, Gonzalez, Hall, and Aromashodu as locks to make the final roster.  After last year, I see one of these guys making the roster and either Garcon or Giguere (depending on who makes the roster) making the practice squad.  Giguere has great potential.  Roby has the most experience.  Garcon has looked great in practice.  This should be another tight race.

Mike Pollak & Charlie Johnson: This is a starting job competition.  I’m not a Charlie Johnson fan at all, so he will have to play very well to win me over.  Mike Pollak is our second round draft pick.  He’s expected to win this battle.  The right guard spot should be hard to get.

Marcus Howard & Curtis Johnson: Neither of these guys won’t make the roster.  Or at least I believe so.  What I want to see is if the Colts will be able to generate a pass rush if Mathis and Freeney would get hurt again.  These guys are two of the fastest rookie defensive ends in the league.  They will be expected to give the Washington QBs hell.  In another interesting development, Colt Brennan, the former Hawaii QB, is a backup QB for the Redskins.  Marcus Howard played for Georgia last year and dominated the Hawaii offensive line in the Sugar Bowl.  Colt and Marcus are very familiar.

Jamie Silva & Brannon Condren: The Colts will only carry 4 safeties.  Bob Sanders, Antoine Bethea, and Matt Giordano will most definitely make the roster.  The competition between Silva the undrafted free agent out of Boston College and Condren the unknown second year player.  I prefer Silva who showed great poise and leadership in college over Condren, who I do not know too much about.

Projected Depth Chart

QB
#12 Jim Sorgi
#5 Quinn Gray
#13 Jared Lorenzen

RB
#29 Joseph Addai
#38 Dominic Rhodes
#36 Kenton Keith
#30 Clift Dawson
#32 Mike Hart
#35 Chad Simpson

WR
#87 Reggie Wayne
#11 Anthony Gonzalez
#83 Roy Hall
#80 Devin Aromashodu
#85 Pierre Garcon
#14 Sam Giguere
#10 Courtney Roby
#16 Onrea Jones

TE
#44 Dallas Clark
#84 Jacob Tamme
#47 Gijon Robinson
#46 Zac Herold

LT
#67 Tony Ugoh
#76 Dan Federkiel
#60 Darren Marquez

LG
#61 Jamey Richard

C
#63 Jeff Saturday
#53 Steve Justice
#73 Doug Datish

RG
#78 Mike Pollak
#74 Charlie Johnson

RT
#71 Ryan Diem
#75 Michael Toudouze
#72 Corey Hilliard

LE
#98 Robert Mathis
#91 Josh Thomas
#60 Curtis Johnson

RE
#79 Raheem Brock
#92 Marcus Howard
#90 Jeff Charleston
#64 Ben Ishola

NT
#99 Ed Johnson
#95 Darrell Reid
#61 Collin Ferrell
#69 Joe Bradley

UT
#96 Keyunta Dawson
#68 Eric Foster

SLB
#52 Ramon Guzman
#49 Jordan Senn

MLB
#57 Brandon Archer
#51 Victor Worsley

WLB
#54 Freddie Keiaho
#59 Kyle Shotwell

CB
#28 Marlin Jackson
#26 Kelvin Hayden
#20 Dante Hughes
#23 Tim Jennings
#34 TJ Rushing
#31 Keiwan Ratliff
#39 Brandon Foster
#37 Antonio Smith

FS
#41 Antoine Bethea
#40 Jamie Silva
#33 Melvin Bullitt

SS
#43 Matt Giordano
#42 Brannon Condren

K
#4 Adam Vinatieri

P
#17 Hunter Smith
#5 Adam Crossett

LS
#48 Justin Snow