Colts Camp Battles, Part II: DTs and Running Backs

In Colts Camp Battles Part I, we took a look at the back-up quarterback and cornerback situations going into training camp at Anderson University. In Part II, we'll examine the defensive tackle and running back competitions.

With Joseph Addai back as Peyton Manning's security blanket, it looks like there will be a wide-open battle for the change-of-pace and power-back spots.

Drake Nevis was a high-profile addition to the defensive tackle rotation who will compete with Fili Moala and Daniel Muir to play major minutes on the line. The surprising addition of Tommie Harris from the Chicago Bears only adds to the interest level at that position heading into the 2011 season.

Let's take a look at the primary competitors at those two positions for the roster spots, and forecast who might emerge from Anderson with major roles on the team. 

After Joseph Addai, the Running Back Situation Is Murky

Joseph Addai is the perfect back for the Colts system. While he hasn't proven to be a consistent home-run threat and doesn't always cut with decisiveness, he is a better than average receiver and is one of the better blocking backs in the league. Addai does occasionally churn out yards between the tackles, but is at his best when he's able to find a hole off the edge. He is a great feature back for the Colts system, and the Colts were wise to retain his services.

Let's take a look at the other backs on the roster and I'll end with a recommendation for the eventual fate for each guy.

Donald Brown: Brown has underwhelmed since being drafted in the first round in 2009. A stand-out at UConn, Brown was considered to be a running back in the Willie Parker mold. In his two seasons in the league, he has not shown that type of Parker-esque burst and seems out of his depth when trying to block for the passing game. His missed reads and general dis-ease during passing plays, make him a liability when Peyton is trying to work his magic. He has the most pure talent of the remaining backs on the roster and seems to have good vision when he's able to get decent blocking up front. Hopefully he'll put in the work he needs to this offseason to be a better all around back. If he does, he may yet be a weapon for the Colts.

Devin Moore: A product of an Indianapolis high school (Cardinal Ritter), the Colts like what Moore may be able to bring to the team in the kick-return game. He has blistering speed, and moves well in space. He didn't show much as a running back last year, however. His slight build was a detriment to him as a blocker and he hasn't shown that he can pass-catch consistently out of the backfield. Sources have reported that he has bulked up in the offseason in an effort to enhance his value to the Colts as a running back who can block. He is definitely a borderline player, though, and it will be interesting to see if he's able to fight off the younger, less-experienced players for a spot on the team.

Javarris James: James doesn't possess the moxie, speed or hands of his older cousin Edgerrin. He rushed 46 times last year for a paltry 2.4 yards-per-carry average. His arrest for marijuana possession during the offseason won't help his already tenuous relationship with the Colts, and it's likely that he'll find himself on the cutting-room floor by the end of training camp.

Delone Carter: At 5'9", 222 lbs., Carter is a big, punishing beast who may be able to help the Colts' woefully inadequate short-yardage packages. Many drives have been stalled in the past few years by the Colts' inability to convert in third-and-short or fourth-and-short situations. Drafting Carter in the fourth round this year may be a sign that the Colts are looking for a true change-of-pace back who can do the bruising dirty work of picking up those last few inches. Although not an especially proficient blocker or pass-catcher, he may not be asked to do much of that in 2011. Those are skills that can be learned over time.

Darren Evans: The physically gifted Evans has lots of potential as a smash-mouth back. He is an undrafted free agent out of Virginia Tech who was a touchdown machine in his last season as a Hokie. His knee problems and history of injuries kept him off of teams' draft boards, however, and he may not be able to stay healthy long enough to make a career of it in the NFL. If he is able to keep on the field and show that he can push the pile and do the little things that can make him an effective blocker, he may be able to sneak onto the roster as a third or fourth running back.

Chad Spann: Another undrafted free agent, Spann was a good producer at the University of Northern Illinois. He dropped off of many teams' radar due to poor metrics for speed and agility on pro day. This doesn't necessarily mean he won't translate well into the pros, but it does mean that he'll have to work hard to compensate for his lack of breakaway speed. Spann is not likely to make the team, but could find himself on the practice squad and ready to be called up to help out in case injuries plague any of the top-tier backs.

Recommendations: With Addai as the primary back, look for Delone Carter and Donald Brown to emerge as the top options behind him. Carter will come in as the power back and Brown will be used as a change-of-pace guy (as long as he can become a better blocker). With the rest, look for Evans and Moore to hang around, with James out of the picture and Spann hanging around the fringe.

D-Tackles Should Step Up Their Games in 2011 as Newcomer Nevis Pushes Them

The oft-maligned Colts defensive tackles have been gashed by running backs time and again the past few years. The high-profile signing of former all-pro Tommie Harris signals that the Colts are serious about getting better along the interior of the line. Daniel Muir is now with the St. Louis Rams, so new draft pick Drake Nevis has a ready-made spot in the rotation. Let's take a look at each DT on the roster, though, to make some guesses about how the rotation may shake out.

Fili Moala: True to form for a guy with the first name of a dwarf from The Hobbit, Moala has often played like a smaller man than his size would warrant. The Colts second-round draft pick out of USC in 2009, Moala appears tentative and is often pusillanimous on the field. He has the girth and tools to be good at stopping the run, but doesn't move his feet particularly well and is easily knocked off his position by the better offensive linemen in the league. Moala needs to make a stand in his third year as a Colt and show that he can be a good rotational guy alongside Nevis, Johnson and Harris.

Drake Nevis: The 2011 third-rounder out of LSU excites Colts fans. He is big, quick (for his size) and can get to the quarterback with ferocity. Not known as a good run-stopper with a one technique, he can be a Fili Moala-type with a better motor. Nevis should find himself playing significant minutes at tackle for the Colts in short order.

Antonio Johnson: The most consistent of the Colts defensive tackles for the past couple seasons, former Titan "Mookie" Johnson has proven that he is a good starter in the NFL. Injuries hampered him some last year, but look for a return to form in 2011. He moves well and takes away lanes on his side with some degree of success. He'll miss his pal Dan Muir, but should be a solid contributor this season.

Ricardo Mathews: A seventh-round pick last year, Mathews had one tackle in the regular season and one against the Jets in the playoffs. I don't think we've seen all that Mathews can do, but he doesn't have the size or technique to really gain much traction. He has sometimes been referred to as a "power end," which is code for someone who can hold his own against the run on the edge, but who won't often be able to get to the quarterback. As a defensive tackle/end, he could be another Keyunta Dawson-type. But who really needs that? 

DeMario Pressley: Two-year veteran Pressley only has 15 career tackles. He was claimed from the Texans, so perhaps the Colts think that they can make some hay with Pressley like they did with Mookie when they snagged him from their division rival Titans. It seems unlikely that he'll make the team, but having him in the mix can't hurt during training camp.

Eric Foster: Undersized tackle Foster has been a good undrafted free-agent pick-up. He broke in with the Colts out of Rutgers in 2008 and has shown that he has the burst to occasionally get to the QB. He holds his own by reading plays well and reacting quickly. Foster should continue to be an asset on the interior of the line due to his motor and his drive to find the action on the field.

Tommie Harris: Recent addition Harris is one of the bigger (pun intended) free-agent signings for the Colts in recent years. Only Booger McFarland in 2006 comes close to Harris for name-recognition for a Colts free-agent DT signing. Harris' knees have not been kind to him the past couple years, and injury concerns played a strong role in the Bears' willingness to part ways with the former Pro Bowler. If Harris can keep healthy and stay on the field, he will be a solid veteran presence who will do some damage along the front for the Colts. His signing (coupled with the drafting of Nevis) provides more optimism for the Colts' chances to be respectable against the run than fans have had in years. 

Ollie Ogbu: Amusingly named, Ogbu is an undrafted free agent out of Penn State. Possessing a good feel for both the 1-tech and the 3-tech, Ogbu is an undersized guy who may be able to surprise folks with his work ethic and drive. With the addition of high-profile signee Harris, Ogbu's chances of making the regular rotation are diminished, but he does have considerable upside and may turn out to be a good find for Bill Polian and son.

John Gill: Jack-of-all-trades Gill has somehow managed to stick around since 2009, yet has never made an impact on the field. Theoretically he can rush off the edge or play in the middle as a smallish tackle, but he's really not very good at either of those jobs. My guess is that Gill will do just enough again in camp this year to make the practice squad and I'll be writing about his general uselessness at this time next year.

Recommendations: Here's hoping that Tommie Harris can return to his 2007 ways this year. If so, look for the defensive line to be a bright spot in 2011. Nevis has the look of a solid rotational guy alongside Fili Moala. Maybe having Nevis to push him will motivate Moala to elevate his game. Mookie Johnson is entrenched in the trenches, so that leaves Foster and Ogbu as the two most likely smaller rotation guys on the roster. Gill will be your practice squad die-hard and Pressley will probably be cut. All told, this looks like the best group of tackles in years.

Linebacker and Wide Receiver Battles to Be Featured Next Week

With Clint Session bolted from the stable to be the new weak-side linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the outlook for Colts linebackers in 2011 is murky. Throw new free-agent signee Ernie Sims into the mix, and the waters are positively opaque. Pat Angerer was impressive in his rookie season, so he figures to get more time this year. Where the other guys on the roster will be slotted and how they'll mesh with Gary Brackett as the unquestioned leader, are questions that deserve thorough answers. 

At wide receiver, Anthony Gonzalez is hoping for an injury-free season to reassert himself as an important part of the passing offense. The questions around Austin Collie with his concussion issues from last year adds intrigue to the training camp battles for those last few spots.

Look for analysis of the linebacker and wide receiver training camp battles early next week in Colts Camp Battles, Part III: Linebackers and Wide Receivers.