Colts Gab

Pro Football Weekly reports that both Tom Moore and Howard Mudd are officially back with the Colts:

It’s official: Tom Moore and Howard Mudd are back with the Colts. In a move that has been expected for months, the Indianapolis Star has reported that the venerable offensive assistants have come out of their brief retirements to assume “consultant” jobs with the club. Both should be present for the start of the Colts’ training camp on Aug. 2.

Moore, the longtime offensive coordinator, and Mudd, the longtime OL coach, retired earlier this offseason over concerns relating to their pension plans. But they have reportedly been assured that with new titles, they can continue working without worrying about their long-term benefits.

It’s unknown what exactly their responsibilities will entail, but owner Jim Irsay has intimated in the past that they will essentially have the same job description as they previously did, albeit without their formal titles.

The Colts have signed three more draft picks: punter-placekicker Pat McAfee, defensive tackle Terrance Taylor and guard Jaimie Thomas. Indy signed third-round pick Jerraud Powers, a cornerback, on Tuesday.

Powers, Taylor and Thomas all signed four-year contracts. McAfee’s agent would not confirm the length of the contract, though the Colts have been offering four-year deals to players selected after the first-round for the past several seasons.

To make room on the 80-player camp roster, Indy waived defensive backs Brannon Condren, Brandon Foster and Brandon Harrison; quarterback Chris Crane; defensive lineman Pat Kuntz; offensive lineman Cornelius Lewis; and linebacker Tyrell Sales.

Pro Football Weekly reports that the Colts waived 7 players earlier today:

The Colts trimmed their roster by seven on Wednesday, waiving DBs Brannon Condren, Brandon Foster and Brandon Harrison, QB Chris Crane, DL Pat Kuntz, OL Cornelius Lewis and LB Tyrell Sales.

The moves free up room on the training camp roster for the seven draftees the club has yet to sign. Third-round CB Jerraud Powers is the only member of the Colts’ eight-man draft class to agree to a deal. Colts veterans and rookies are due to report to camp on Aug. 2 in Terre Haute, Ind.

None of the players Indy waived were expected to factor much into the team’s plans.

What: The Indianapolis Colts will once again host the popular “Colts City” interactive fan area for kids and adults of all ages. “Colts City” activities are free and open to the public. There is a parking fee per Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

Where: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Cook Stadium
5500 Wabash Ave.
Terre Haute, IN 47803

Colts City elements include:

•Interactive Inflatables
oMountain Slide, Football Bouncer, Quarterback Challenge
•Colts Cheerleader Autograph Sessions
•Appearances by BLUE, the mascot
•Colts In Motion traveling museum
•Free Colts Give-a-ways
•Colts Kids Club and Crib Club
•Find Ways to Help a Hoosier
oDonate to the Indiana Blood Center
oBring canned foods to support the Terre Haute Catholic Charities Food Bank
oInquire about Organ Donation
oBring a new or gently used book to donate to “Books for Youth”
•Rock Climbing Wall
•Colts Retail Express Merchandise Trailer
•Sponsor Booths

“Colts City” Schedule

•Monday, August 3 – Opening Day
Colts City open: 8am-11:30am and 3pm-5:30pm
Team Practices: 8:30am-10:30am & 3:30pm

•Wednesday, August 5 – Republic Services Day with Night Practice Party
Colts City open: 9am-12pm and 6pm-9pm
Team Practice: 9:30am-10:35am & 7:30pm-9:25pm
*Fireworks show at dusk after practice

•Saturday, August 8 – Dairy Queen Miracle Treat Day
Colts City open: 8am-11:30am
Team Practice: 9:30pm

•Monday, August 10
Colts City open: 8am-11:30am and 2:30pm-5:30pm
Team Practice: 8:30am-10:40am & 3:30pm-4:30pm

•Wednesday, August 12
Colts City open: 9am-12pm and 3pm-6pm
Team Practice: 9:30am-10:45am & 3:30pm-5:15pm

•Tuesday, August 18 – with Night Practice Party
Colts City open: 8am-11:30am and 5pm-9pm
Team Practice: 8:30am-10:40am & 7:30pm-9:25pm

*Live concert by Indiana native band Jester Kings from 5pm-7:15pm

Visit www.colts.com/events for more information or an updated “Colts City” schedule.

The Indy Star reports today that despite a lot of change, the Colts have once again sold out the season:

The demand for season tickets has remained strong in a sour economy, ensuring the Indianapolis Colts sellouts for the 2009 preseason and regular season. Consider it a case of the local market flocking to the 63,000-seat Lucas Oil Stadium to watch an appealing product. Over the past 10 seasons, the Colts have posted an NFL-best 114-46 regular-season record, reached the playoffs nine times and won one Super Bowl.

“We believe we’ve got an exciting product with some great talent,” said senior executive vice president Pete Ward. “Of course, we’ve also had a lot of success on the field. You can’t beat that.” The result is a another season of wall-to-wall sellouts and local broadcasts. Since 1999, the Colts have sold out 79 of 80 regular-season games, including the past 46. The only non-sellout during that span was a Sept.21, 2003, game with Jacksonville.

Website Amarillo.com today has thrown up their 10 NFL questions as camps open, and their number 3 question has to do with the Colts:

3.Who will replace Marvin Harrison in Indianapolis? Harrison made eight Pro Bowls and caught 1,102 passes in his 13-year career for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns. Reggie Wayne has been Peyton Manning’s go-to receiver the past two seasons. Anthony Gonzalez, who has 94 catches in his two seasons, and tight end Dallas Clark will be the other main options for Manning.

But it’s an open competition for the slot job, with second-year veteran Pierre Garcon the leading candidate after a solid off-season. Austin Collie, a fourth-round pick, and third-year veteran Roy Hall also will get chances to contribute.

Pro Football Talk reports today that it appears that Colts assistants Howard Mudd and Tom Moore will be unlimited on what they will be allowed to do with the team on game days this fall. Here’s the report:

In a development that surely will prompt employees of some other teams to roll their eyes and attribute the news to the perceived power and influence of Colts president and G.M. Bill Polian, the NFL reportedly has informed the 32 teams that consultants have no limitations on their game-day activities.

Jason LaCanfora of NFL Network reported during the most recent edition of Total Access that the league office sent an e-mail this week to all clubs explaining the official position on the rules applicable to consultants.

Essentially, the rules are there ain’t no rules.

As LaCanfora explained, this means that former Colts offensive line coach Howard Mudd and former Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore will be able to do anything and everything on game day.

So, basically, they can do what they did as full-time employees, even though they no longer are — and even though they have been replaced, at least in title.

That’s great news for the Colts, who already are dealing with extensive turnover at various other coaching positions, including head coach, defensive coordinator, and special-teams coordinator.

ESPN’s Insider section just did a full-scale blowout about the salary cap for each and every team around the league. Here’s what they had to say on the Colts:

2009 Salary Cap: $128,264,361
Player with Highest Cap Number: QB Peyton Manning ($21,207,278; 16.5 percent of cap)
Highest Cap Number for a Player No Longer with Club: WR Marvin Harrison ($6,400,000; 5.0 percent of cap; seventh-highest on club)
Player Who Has to Live Up to Cap Number: K Adam Vinatieri ($2,700,720; 2.1 percent of cap; 14th-highest on club)

Given Manning’s immense salary, he obviously faces a ton of pressure, but the expectations have been high since he arrived in Indianapolis. And to say he has handled the expectations well would be a massive understatement. It is easy to make the argument that Manning is well worth every penny.

The same is not true for Vinatieri. There is no doubt that he has hit some of the most memorable field goals in NFL history, but in 2008 Vinatieri’s kicking left a lot to be desired. By making just 80 percent of his kicks, he ranked 24th out of 30 kickers with at least 20 field goal attempts. He also ranked 24th in the Football Outsiders field-goal valuations that take into account distance, weather and altitude. His kickoffs were only slightly above-average.

Titans OT Michael Roos, quoted in The Tennessean when asked who is the best defensive end he has faced so far in his four seasons in the NFL:

“Probably Dwight Freeney (Colts). He just has so many moves he can throw at you. Obviously, his spin move has been well documented and it is incredibly fast, and he is so fast just straight upfield. You can’t get your body turned and then the spin comes or the bull rush. He keeps you focused on everything. Every single play you have to be at your best and make sure your technique is sound.”