Indianapolis Colts DT Fili Moala says he feels as if he has "gotten a little swagger back"

Indianapolis Colts DT Fili Moala didn't want it this way. No NFL player does, but now that his opportunity has come -- now that the rookie second-round draft selection from Southern California has been thrust suddenly from no role at all to a key one on one of the NFL's elite teams -- he knows this much is true:

He must come through.

And he must do so quickly.

Moala, selected by the Colts with the No. 56 overall selection of the 2009 NFL Draft, became a prominent story last week. That was the day the Colts surprisingly released third-year veteran Ed Johnson, who re-signed as a free agent this past offseason and started the last four games, but who the team said wasn't productive enough to merit a roster spot.

The Colts won't go seek a defensive tackle in free agency, Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said. That means they'll likely go with a tackle rotation of Antonio Johnson and Dan Muir starting, with second-year veteran Eric Foster and Moala -- the latter of whom has been inactive in all five games this season -- playing extensive backup roles.

"You don't want to see a friend go like that, but it's part of the game," Moala said last week. "Obviously, the responsibility has been put on all of our shoulders, collectively, as a defensive line."

Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said last week Moala has made progress recently.

"I think he’s better than he was coming out of training camp," Caldwell said ."When you look at young guys in the league and you see them develop, the real test is can they continue to get better every week. Sometimes, you see them plateau and nothing really happens until the spring when you have OTAs, but that’s not the case with him. I’ve seen a steady improvement, little-by-little. He’s making some strides. It’s difficult because of all the different things he has to face inside, the speed of the linemen he is having to work against and the size. I think in college, he’s well over 300-pounds, he was probably one of the bigger guys on the field. Now, there are tackles he is facing that are 330 and 335 (pounds), and guards in there that have good size and girth, as well.

"I do think he is finding his niche. I think that, more so than anything else, you kind of figure out what works for you inside, where you can maximize your ability and size. I think he is getting a feel for that. I think you’ll really start to see him come on as the year goes on.”

Caldwell said that before Johnson' s release, which the team said was for lack of production rather than any character issues. Caldwell also said the team has been impressed by Moala's work ethic. He has worked closely with defensive line coach John Teerlinck, and consistently works extra studying tape.

"He does indeed have ability and shows promise," Caldwell said. "I think he understands how we feel about him and where he fits into our system and what our plans in the future are for him. I don’t think there is any guesswork in that regard. We just push him to get better and get to the point where he is performing extremely well. It’s not customary that young guys that come in out of college play in this league early."

Moala said he has progressed less quickly than he hoped.

"I didn't do as well as I wanted to," Moala said. "I had to kind of just put my head down and go to work. I feel like I've progressed during this time up until now. I feel ready to go. I feel like I've gotten a little swagger back."

Moala, projected as a Top 10 overall selection had he entered the NFL Draft following his junior season, said while the Colts' system isn't drastically different than that in which he played at Southern California, he said he has had to fine-tune aspects of his game in recent months.

"I had to critique my stance," Moala said. "I feel ready to go. I feel confident. I feel focused."

Moala said he learned of Johnson's release Wednesday in meetings when he looked around the room and realized Johnson wasn't there.

"I was like, 'I can't believe Ed's gone," Moala said. "I guess that's just the nature of the beast."

ED JOHNSON COVERAGE

* Ed Johnson release performance-based, Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell says. Here.

* Ed Johnson officially waived. Here.

* The ramifications of releasing Ed Johnson. Here.

* Ed Johnson reportedly released. Here.

MORE COLTS NEWS . . .

* K Matt Stover calls kicking for Colts "awesome" opportunity. Here.

* QB Peyton Manning says knee was fine after Wednesday practice. Here.

*** A REVIEW OF COLTS PRESIDENT BILL POLIAN'S WEEKLY RADIO SHOW POST-COLTS/TITANS. PART ONE. HERE.