The Indianapolis Colts have a well-deserved reputation for keeping the best 53 players on their roster, regardless of draft position or salary.
In general, owner Jim Irsay and President Bill Polian decline to indulge in the types of political games that some franchises use to determine a final roster.
That player-friendly attitude gives the Colts an advantage with many younger free agents. But it’s a double-edged sword.
The same team-first philosophy compels Indianapolis to keep only the 53 players who can help the team win games now. There’s no room for developmental players, and that was made evident by the first five players signed to the practice squad Sunday.
Quarterback Tom Brandstater was brought aboard in June as possible competition for Curtis Painter at the backup spot. But he didn’t pick up the offense quickly enough and was cut Saturday, despite throwing three touchdowns in Thursday’s preseason finale against Cincinnati.
Wideout Brandon James caught those three touchdown passes, but he was a relative bust in the return game. His muffed punt that led to a touchdown in Week 3 against Green Bay apparently carried more weight, and he was cut as well.
Defensive end John Chick, a star for the past three years in the Canadian Football League, impressed Polian early in training camp with his blend of speed and power. But that didn’t carry over to the playing field.
Chick had no sacks and no quarterback hurries in the preseason, despite getting ample playing time in all four games.
Wide receivers Taj Smith and Blair White each had a 100-yard receiving game; both were let go Saturday.
All five players were brought back Sunday on the practice squad. But there’s risk involved.
Teams can carry a maximum of eight players on their practice squad throughout the season. Those players can’t appear in a regular season game unless they are added to the active roster, but any of the 31 other teams in the NFL can sign them to their 53-man roster at any time.
Keeping those players on the practice squad allows the Colts to take a longer look at them and to keep them working in the system. But the Colts are willing to take the risk of losing them because the only thing that matters is winning a championship in Dallas in February.
Each of those five players showed flashes of potential. But none showed the consistency that can help Indianapolis win games in 2010.
And the Colts simply don’t have time to wait for that to develop.
The NFL can be a cold business with no room for emotional attachment. That’s even more true at the elite level.
Some day Brandtstater, James, Chick, Smith and White might help the Colts. Or they might find success in another NFL city.
For now, all that matters to Indianapolis is a seven-pound sterling silver trophy that currently calls New Orleans home.
Contact George Bremer: 640-4831, george.bremer@heraldbulletin.com.
Sports
Related Photos
-
George Bremer
Discussion
George Bremer: Colts have just one goal
- Sports
-
-
Brady's long road to success
Even 10 years later, it’s arguably the most iconic image of Tom Brady’s remarkable career.
In just his second season in the league, and his first as a starting quarterback, Brady had just led the New England Patriots to an upset victory against the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. As confetti fell from the top of the Superdome in New Orleans, Brady put both hands on his head and shook it back and forth in wonder. -
Madison-Grant outlasts Alex
Jeremy Johnson was mad, and John Irwin was glad.
After being demoted from the starting lineup, Johnson took out his frustrations on Central Indiana Conference leader Alexandria, scoring a career-high 27 points, including the game-winner, as Madison-Grant defeated the Tigers 58-56 on Friday night in Fairmount. -
Arabians roll over Tigers for HHC title
Pendleton Heights reportedly didn’t miss many shots in practice this week.
The Arabians likely missed even fewer Friday night at Yorktown.
In a de facto Hoosier Heritage Conference championship game, the visitors made 24 of 34 attempts from the field and rolled to a 64-26 victory against the Tigers. -
Indians excel at exceeding expectations
In the field for today’s Pendleton Heights Wrestling Regional are 21 wrestlers ranked in the top 20 in their respective weight classes by IndianaMat.com. Four of those are 21 are recognized as the No. 1-rated wrestler in their division by the state’s top website for high school wrestling.
-
Korn’s 34 leads Frankton to victory over Mississinewa
Frankton had a near-perfect first quarter and parlayed that and Aaron Korn’s 34 points into a Central Indiana Conference win here Friday.
The Eagles survived 35 3-point attempts by Mississinewa to defeat the Indians 80-66. Frankton is now 8-7 and 4-1 in the CIC. -
Bulldogs stomp Faubion, Lutheran
It was Samaritan’s Feet night on Friday as Lapel faced Indianapolis Lutheran in an Indiana Crossroads Conference battle.
Both coaching staffs went sans shoes to raise awareness and to provide money for shoes for the less fortunate.
It didn’t stop the Bulldogs from stomping on the Saints.
Lutheran’s J.C. Faubion was averaging 25 points per game heading into Friday’s matchup, but Lapel wasn’t intimidated. The Bulldogs held the Saints sharpshooter to 12 points, crushing their opponents 62-37. -
Richmond bedevils Anderson
Quinten Hunter scored 11 of his team-high 21 points in the fourth quarter, Kristian Rodriquez and Joel Okafor each netted 15 and the Richmond Red Devils moved to 3-1 in the North Central Conference with Friday’s 69-62 win against the Anderson Indians at Tiernan Center
-
Goodell impressed
It didn’t take long during NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s annual state of the game address for the topic to turn to the question on everybody in the host city’s mind.
Is it possible Indianapolis will be considered to host future Super Bowls? -
Patriots notebook: Belichick leaves no stone unturned
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is famous for his attention to detail.
But practicing halftime?
That’s exactly what Belichick did Wednesday with his team. -
Giants notebook: Team likes practice facility at U of Indy
The New York Giants have been working out all week in a practice bubble on the University of Indianapolis campus.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Brady, Manning Headline Super Bowl XLVI
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Rangers' Hamilton Confirms Alcohol Relapse
Goodell: Player Safety Is Top Priority
Coaches Update Injuries Ahead of Super Bowl
Pats Mesko Fulfills American Dream at Super Bowl
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Gronkowski's Ankle Still 'Day to Day'
Umenyiora Explains Missed Media Session
Fans Having a 'Super' Time in Indianapolis
Pats Ready to Plug in Julian Edelman Anywhere
Gronkowski Sheds the Boot for Media Day
Media Day: Bring on the Weird
Giants, Pats Looking Beyond Rematch
Marshall's 4 TD Catches Lifts AFC in Pro Bowl
Brady, Belichick Getting Ready for Giants
Gaborik Leads Team Chara to All-Star Win
Djokovich Beats Nadal in Australian Open Final
Nike Founder Defends Paterno
