September 3, 2011

Updated Sep 3, 2011 at 10:33 PM EDT

(Indianapolis)- The Indianapolis Colts today waived 27 players to reach the league-mandated 53-man roster for the start of the regular season. Those waived include: DB-Al Afalava, P-Travis Baltz, WR-Chris Brooks, DE-John Chick, LB-Chris Colasanti, OG-Kyle DeVan, TE-Tyson DeVree, DT-John Gill, WR-David Gilreath, DB-Michael Hamlin, DT-Tommie Harris, RB-Javarris James, DB-Brandon King, OL-Jake Kirkpatrick, DT-Ricardo Mathews, TE-Michael Matthews, OG-Jacques McClendon, WR-Larrone Moore, LB-Kerry Neal, DT-Ollie Ogbu, QB-Dan Orlovsky, WR-Taj Smith (Waived/Injured), OT-Mike Tepper, OT-Michael Toudouze, LB-Nate Triplett, LB-Vuna Tuihalamaka, and WR-Marshall Williams. The Colts also activated wide receiver Blair White from the physically unable to perform list.

“These days always carry mixed emotions and we had a lot of tough decisions to make because of the competition we witnessed during the preseason,” said Head Coach Jim Caldwell. “With the moves we made, I feel this team is in a position to be highly successful and competitive over the course of the regular season.”

“There was a tremendous amount of talent competing for spots on this team and that made our decisions challenging,” said Vice President and General Manager Chris Polian. “We respect and appreciate the effort that these players put forth throughout the course of training camp and the preseason. At the same time, we feel we’ve established a solid group of players who will compete at a high level for the Indianapolis Colts this season.”

Prior to the regular season opener against the Houston Texans (September 11), the Colts have until Monday, September 5 to establish an eight-player practice squad.

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INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts today waived 27 players to reach the league-mandated 53-man roster for the start of the regular season. The Colts also activated wide receiver Blair White from the physically unable to perform list. “These days always carry mixed emotions and we had a lot of tough decisions to make because of the competition we witnessed during the preseason,” said Head Coach Jim Caldwell. “With the moves we made, I feel this team is in a position to be highly successful and competitive over the course of the regular season.” “There was a tremendous amount of talent competing for spots on this team and that made our decisions challenging,” said Vice President and General Manager Chris Polian. “We respect and appreciate the effort that these players put forth throughout the course of training camp and the preseason. At the same time, we feel we’ve established a solid group of players who will compete at a high level for the Indianapolis Colts this season.” Prior to the regular season opener against the Houston Texans (September 11), the Colts have until Monday, September 5 to establish an eight-player practice squad. Below is a preseason breakdown of those players who were released:DB-Al Afalava (5-11, 212 pounds, Oregon State): In two preseason contests, totaled eight tackles (six solo) and one tackle for loss.P-Travis Baltz (6-3, 210 pounds, Maryland): Saw action in all four preseason games and recorded 11 punts for a 46.1 average and a long kick of 57 yards.WR-Chris Brooks (6-2, 210 pounds, Nebraska): Caught four passes for 53 yards (13.3 avg.) and one touchdown this preseason.DE-John Chick (6-4, 250 pounds, Utah State): In four preseason games, registered 10 tackles (five solo), 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss and one quarterback hurry.LB-Chris Colasanti (6-2, 241 pounds, Penn State): Posted 11 tackles (seven solo) in four preseason contests.OG-Kyle DeVan (6-2, 306 pounds, Oregon State): Saw action on the offensive line in all four preseason games.TE-Tyson DeVree (6-6, 245 pounds, Colorado): This preseason, contributed with three receptions for 55 yards (18.3 avg.) and a long catch of 33 yards.DT-John Gill (6-3, 302 pounds, Northwestern): Tallied seven tackles (three solo) and one quarterback hurry over the course of the preseason.WR-David Gilreath (5-11, 169 pounds, Wisconsin): Caught four passes for 33 yards, a long reception of 13 yards and one touchdown this preseason. Also added nine punt returns for 64 yards, which includes a long return of 30 yards and one kickoff return for 20 yards.DB-Michael Hamlin (6-2, 213 pounds, Clemson): Competed in the preseason finale against Cincinnati and notched one tackle.DT-Tommie Harris (6-3, 295 pounds, Oklahoma): In three preseason games, totaled two tackles (one solo), one sack, one tackle for loss, two quarterback hurries and one pass defensed. In his seven-year NFL career, all with the Bears, recorded 286 tackles (155 solo), 28.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and one interception.RB-Javarris James (6-0, 215 pounds, Miami): This preseason, totaled seven carries for 26 yards and added two catches for 26 yards, including a long reception of 20 yards.DB-Brandon King (5-10, 194 pounds, Purdue): In four preseason games, finished with two tackles.OL-Jake Kirkpatrick (6-3, 305 pounds, TCU): Competed in three of four preseason contests on the offensive line.TE-Michael Matthews (6-4, 270 pounds, Georgia Tech): Played in all four preseason contests, but did not record a catch.DT-Ricardo Mathews (6-3, 294 pounds, Cincinnati): Posted five tackles (two solo) this preseason.OG-Jacques McClendon (6-3, 324 pounds, Tennessee): Saw action in all four preseason games on the offensive line.WR-Larrone Moore (6-1, 185 pounds, Delaware State): Competed in three of four preseason games, but did not record a catch.LB-Kerry Neal (6-2, 245 pounds, Notre Dame): Contributed with eight solo tackles over the course of the preseason.DT-Ollie Ogbu (6-1, 283 pounds, Penn State): This preseason, finished with seven tackles (three solo), half of a sack and a forced fumble.QB-Dan Orlovsky (6-5, 230 pounds, Connecticut): In four preseason games under center, completed 25-of-54 passes for 386 yards, a long completion of 54 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions for a 65.8 quarterback rating.WR-Taj Smith (6-0, 192 pounds, Syracuse): (Waived/Injured): Led the Colts in receiving this preseason with 12 catches for 210 yards (17.5 avg.), a long catch of 54 yards and two touchdowns.OT-Mike Tepper (6-6, 323 pounds, California): Played in all four preseason contests on the offensive line.OT-Michael Toudouze (6-6, 303 pounds, TCU): Competed on the offensive line in all four preseason games.LB-Nate Triplett (6-3, 247 pounds, Minnesota): This preseason, compiled five tackles (three solo).LB-Vuna Tuihalamaka (6-0, 230 pounds, Arizona): Finished the preseason with seven stops (six solo) and one tackle for loss.WR-Marshall Williams (6-1, 188 pounds, Wake Forest): Totaled two receptions for 14 yards in three preseason games.

21. Kansas City Chiefs
2010 Record: 10-6
Needs: Tackle, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, wide receiver, center
The Pick: UCLA outside linebacker Akeem Ayers
Analysis: Ayers looks like a steady, all-around type of linebacker who will add to Kansas City’s young and improving defense.

22. Indianapolis Colts
2010 Record: 10-6
Needs: Tackle, guard, defensive tackle, safety
The Pick: USC tackle Tyron Smith
Analysis: Smith is slightly undersized for a tackle at 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, but the Colts are fine with that. After ignoring the offensive line in last year’s draft — after Bill Polian harped on the need for linemen, he only spent a fourth-round pick on guard Jacques McClendon — the Colts have to go all out in that area this time around.

23. Philadelphia Eagles
2010 Record: 10-6
Needs: Right guard, safety, cornerback, outside linebacker, right tackle
The Pick: Wisconsin tackle Gabe Carimi
Analysis: The Eagles had the fifth-ranked rushing offense in the league, but the eye test showed it was consistent on designed plays for LeSean McCoy. A boost on the line would help that department, and it could keep quarterback Michael Vick from running for his life.

24. New Orleans Saints
2010 Record: 11-5
Needs: Defensive end, outside linebacker, defensive tackle, running back, safety
The Pick: Alabama running back Mark Ingram
Analysis: The Saints had five running backs in 2010 who finished with 150-716 rushing yards, and they only had nine rushing touchdowns. The offense wasn’t New Orleans’ downfall by any means, but Ingram could be too good to pass up at this point in the draft.

25. Seattle Seahawks
2010 Record: 7-9
Needs: Quarterback, running back, guard, center, safety, cornerback, defensive tackle
The Pick: Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett
Analysis: Statistically, the Seahawks were poor in passing offense (19th), passing defense (27th), rushing offense (31st) and rushing defense (21st), so take your pick with their top need. By the time late April comes around, there could be eight to 10 different players at this spot in the mock draft.

26. Baltimore Ravens
2010 Record: 12-4
Needs: Cornerback, right tackle, wide receiver, safety, inside linebacker, outside linebacker
The Pick: Texas cornerback Aaron Williams
Analysis: Williams is 6-foot-1 and about 190 pounds, and he fits an obvious need as the best cornerback available.

27. Atlanta Falcons
2010 Record: 13-3
Needs: Outside linebacker, defensive end, safety, offensive linemen, tight end
The Pick: Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt
Analysis: The Falcons need some attitude on the edge of their defense, whether it’s at end or outside linebacker. If Georgia outside linebacker Justin Houston is still available, it would be hard to pass him over.

28. New England Patriots
2010 Record: 14-2
Needs: Defensive end, outside linebacker, tackle, guard, running back, wide receiver
The Pick: Georgia outside linebacker Justin Houston
Analysis: It could be a dream scenario for the Patriots if Houston is still available at this spot. The 6-foot-3, 258-pounder had 10 sacks last season as a junior and 20 in his career, and he could team up with Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Jermaine Cunningham and Gary Guyton as a nice young group of linebackers.

29. Chicago Bears
2010 Record: 11-5
Needs: Tackle, guard, wide receiver, outside linebacker, defensive tackle
The Pick: Mississippi State tackle Derek Sherrod
Analysis: The Bears need to line up every available lineman with a pulse and take the best one. Sherrod looks like he would fit that criteria.

30. New York Jets
2010 Record: 11-5
Needs: Defensive end, outside linebacker, safety, wide receiver, defensive tackle
The Pick: Purdue defensive end/outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan
Analysis: Kerrigan would be a stand-up rush linebacker in the Jets’ 3-4 scheme, and it sounds like he’s better in that role than as a defensive end in a three-point stance.

*31. Pittsburgh Steelers
2010 Record: 12-4
Needs: Right tackle, guard, cornerback
The Pick: Penn State interior lineman Stefan Wisniewski
Analysis: Wisniewski could play all three spots on the inside, but he’d fit in at right guard for the Steelers, who could also opt for Villanova lineman Benjamin Ijalana. Either way, the Steelers would stay in state.

*32. Green Bay Packers
2010 Record: 10-6
Needs: Outside linebacker, running back, defensive end, guard, left tackle
The Pick: Temple defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson
Analysis: Wilkerson would be an immediate upgrade along the defensive line. The Packers need an outside linebacker, but there aren’t any more clear-cut first-rounders remaining at this point and they could add one later in the draft. It would also be interesting if the Packers got greedy and simply took 6-foot-5 Pittsburgh wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin, who has definite first-round ability.

Click here for picks 1-10  |  Click here for picks 11-20

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Colts linebacker Clint Session will sit out Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Session hasn’t played since Nov. 1 because of a broken right forearm and dislocated right elbow.

Running back Mike Hart, cornerback Kelvin Hayden, and defensive tackle Dan Muir also are inactive for Indianapolis.

Hayden will miss his fourth straight game with a neck injury, Muir is out with a chest injury and Hart is out with an ankle injury.

Other inactive Colts are defensive back Al Afalava and offensive guards Jacques McClendon and Jaimie Thomas.

Inactive Titans include receiver Justin Gage, linebacker David Thornton, reserve left tackle Troy Kropog, defensive tackle Jovan Haye and tight end Bo Scaife.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Colts linebacker Clint Session will sit out Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans.

Session hasn’t played since Nov. 1 because of a broken right forearm and dislocated right elbow.

Running back Mike Hart, cornerback Kelvin Hayden, and defensive tackle Dan Muir also are inactive for Indianapolis.

Hayden will miss his fourth straight game with a neck injury, Muir is out with a chest injury and Hart is out with an ankle injury.

Other inactive Colts are defensive back Al Afalava and offensive guards Jacques McClendon and Jaimie Thomas.

Inactive Titans include receiver Justin Gage, linebacker David Thornton, reserve left tackle Troy Kropog, defensive tackle Jovan Haye and tight end Bo Scaife.