Defensive Tackle has been a weak spot, to say the least, in recent season. I was reminded this morning of a reason why I believe this is the case. I read an article from stampede blue on Quinn Pitcock, a draft bust. Pitcock if you remember was drafted in 2007. He worked his way into the Colt's tackle rotation and became a pivotal piece after Anthony MacFarland went down with a career ending knee injury. Pitcock looked as if he was the starter going into the 2008 season. On his way into training camp Pitcock, turned his car around and went back home. He decided to retire, at the age of 24. This was hardly a common theme for the Ohio State standout, he was a hard worker, this was completely out of his character. Sports commentator Michael Wilbon told viewers of PTI that "He'll be back in a couple of weeks, he's 24 years old, what else is he going to do." Pitcock never returned, not until this past season, and even then he was cut from the Seattle Seahawks 53 man roster before the season got underway.All of this said, it got me to thinking about the bad luck the Colts have had with defensive tackle.
If you remember, when the Colts hired Tony Dungy, it was because the Buccaneers had a fantastic defense, and we wanted that in Indy to go along with our offense, and the best quarterback to play the game. After reading this article and looking back, I really believe that we had what it took to be that type of defense. First things first you have to imagine that Bob Sanders remains healthy, he has always been the X-Factor. But take a look at the breakdown of Colt's Tackles since the Super Bowl season (2006).
2006
Montae Reagor
Raheem Brock
Corey Simon
Anthony MacFarland (traded for at the bye week)
I believe Brock was a place filler for former Eagles star Simon to get healthy and eventually take over the starting job. Simon never really got healthy, and we were stuck with a natural DE playing DT. The Colts traded for Anthony MacFarland just as Reagor got hurt and was placed on season ending IR.
2007
Raheem Brock
Ed Johnson
Quinn Pitcock
Darrell Reid
Brock was the only starter from the previous season. Both Johnson and Pitcock were rookies. Johnson was unsigned out of Penn St. He had character issues, but came on the Colts with a "no-tolerance" policy. Johnson performed, started every game that season at DT and had a very positive impact. MacFarland ended up on IR before the season began, and never made it back on the field. Pitcock played well, and everyone thought Pitcock and Johnson may be the answers.
2008
Raheem Brock
Eric Foster
Daniel Muir
Keyunta Dawson
Antonio Johnson (signed Nov 4, 2008)
Ed Johnson was released because he was arrested for possession of marijuana. So our best Defensive Tackle from the previous season was gone. Not to mention Pitcock retired, like previously mentioned. So we were scraping the bottom. Still Brock was there, but as everyone has seen in recent seasons he (and Keyunta Dawson) are more naturally DE's. Antonio Johnson was signed off of the Titan's practice squad in early November. He provided depth, but not a whole lot of production. He was just a large bodied individual (6'3", 310 lb.)
2009
Eric Foster
Daniel Muir
Ed Johnson (released Oct. 14 for lack of production)
Fili Moala
Antonio Johnson
You will notice Brock was not listed on this list. He moved to defensive end, finally! Antonio and Ed Johnson were the opening day starters. Ed was given a second chance by rookie head coach Jim Caldwell. But he was released again due to lack of production. Antonio Johnson and Daniel Muir filled in as the starters. Eric Foster has slowly become one of my favorite players on this list, but he is a "big-play" guy in specific situations. Moala was drafted but produced very little in his rookie season. Of the three main guys Antonio (Mookie) Johnson, Muir, and Foster, none were drafted.
2010
Daniel Muir
Antonio Johnson
Fili Moala
Ricardo Mathews
Eric Foster
Moala really stepped up into his own and took over the position, he is not officially listed as the starter, but he was the best player at defensive tackle. Mookie and Muir also played well. Honestly the line was in shambles this season and toward the end guys started to over perform. Moving forward it looks like Moala will produce, and possibly Mathews. Mookie and Muir are free agents, so we will see what happens there.
Conclusion
If you follow this semi-closely you will realize the Colts have just had bad luck at this position.
Simon gets hurt.
MacFarland blows out his knee and is done forever.
Pitcock retires out of no where
Johnson gets caught with marijuana
Polian has made it clear that you can't expect anything out of a D lineman in their first season. Though we drafted Moala and Mathews we won't see much from them til the season after they were drafted. You can't expect to lose guys to marijuana and video games like we did Johnson and Pitcock. You can't plan for that.
2007 we should have repeated. But MacFarland, who was an absolute force during our Super Bowl run, got hurt. Out of no where Johnson is a pleasant surprise. Pitcock plays well and we seem to be set for the future. Throw in some free agents like Muir, Foster, and Mookie for depth. Then we lose both Pitcock and Ed at the drop of a hat and are up a creek.
It's pretty remarkable what these guys who were not highly scouted have been able to do, and how our team has been able to beat the odds with lesser caliber players at a crucial position.
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