Release of Indianapolis Colts DT Ed Johnson has major on-field ramifications

October 14, 2:13 AMIndianapolis Colts ExaminerJohn Oehser

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Indianapolis Colts DT Ed Johnson (Matt York/AP Photo)

The Indianapolis Colts' release Tuesday evening of DT Ed Johnson has onfield ramifications to spare -- primarily because if there is a position the Colts can't spare, it's defensive tackle.

Let's make it clear: it has not yet been reported by the media or revealed by the Colts just why the franchise released the likeable, talented Johnson for a second time in as many seasons. He was released last September following an marijuana-related arrest, and when the Colts re-signed him shortly after this past April's NFL Draft they did so on a zero-tolerance basis. The Colts declined comment Tuesday on the situation, and no reason for his release has been reported.

Colts fans may not grasp it, but despite his off-field concerns, Johnson was a very likable guy. His teammates liked him. Media did, too. When Johnson returned this past offseason, he spoke to the media openly about his past mistakes. I thought his return to the Colts would work out, and hoped I was right. And you just thought . . . well, you just hoped it would work out.

That it hasn't . . . well, it's just a shame. And it's not only a shame, it's one with obvious on-field ramifications. The Colts are unbeaten, and they're a deep defense, one playing at a high level through five weeks, but if there's an area where they are not deep, it's defensive tackle. 

Johnson has been starting the last month next to Antonio Johnson, who the Colts signed off the Tennessee practice squad a year ago. Also on the roster is third-year veteran Dan Muir, who signed last season off waivers from Green Bay. Eric Foster started last season as a rookie free agent, but although he is productive and talented, he is also undersized, which is what the Colts spent the offseason edging away from on the defensive interior. DE Keyunta Dawson started at tackle last year, and DE Raheem Brock started there in 2006 and 2007, but each is more effective at end. The final tackle on the roster is rookie second-round selection Fili Moala, who has yet to play this season.

So, what will be the on-field ramification? Honestly, it's hard yet to know. The Colts have taken a "Next Man Up" philosophy to injuries in recent seasons, and while it's a bit cliched, it's a cliche that has been very, very effective for the Colts. The thing is, they took that approach last year at tackle, too, when Quinn Pitcock retired just before training camp and Johnson was released early in the season. Foster moved in and Dawson started, and an undersized line had trouble stopping the run much of the season.

While that may not be the saddest part of Johnson's story, it is an element of the story. In 2007, he was good. Very good. And he seemed to have potential to get better. Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell talked last week about the difficulty of adapting to the NFL for rookie tackles. He was talking about Moala, and why he hasn't played yet this season, but the obvious counter to the story was that Johnson not only played 16 games as a rookie, he played well enough that many -- including myself -- thought he was not only a solid long-term contributor, but possibly a Pro Bowl-caliber player.

And now it may be over. It’s hard to imagine him getting another chance at the NFL. As talented as he is, no one signed him last season after his release from the Colts, and this time, there’s almost no way Johnson will get another chance with the Colts. Here's hoping the guy well, and hoping he some day gets another chance. As for the Colts, can they move on? Can 'Next Man Up' work again? Sure.

But can this be expected to hurt? It's hard to see any way it won't.

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

*** READ COFFEE WITH THE COLTS: INDY FOOBALL REPORT EDITOR JOHN OEHSER'S NEXT-MORNING LOOK AT COLTS-TITANS. HERE. 

*** PRE-GAME PRIMER. INDY FOOTBALL REPORT EDITOR JOHN OEHSER PREVIEWS TITANS-COLTS. HERE.

*** THE TOP FIVE SEASONS OF COLTS QB PEYTON MANNING. HERE

*** WR PIERRE GARCON AMONG FIVE KEY EARLY-SEASON DEVELOPMENTS FOR 3-0 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HERE *** 

MAGNIFICENT SEVENS: WEEKLY COLTS THOUGHTS . . .

Magnificent Seven I: Seven training camp thoughts and observations

Magnificent Seven II: On the Colts' defensive tackle position and WR Reggie Wayne

Magnificent Seven III: On the Colts' running backs and offensive line

Magnificent Seven IV: On the Colts' offense, OG Ryan Lilja and WR Anthony Gonzalez

Magnificent Seven V: On S Melvin Bullitt and QB Peyton Manning

Magnificent Seven VI: On RB Donald Brown and the start of the season . . . at last

Magnificent Seven VII: On WR Reggie Wayne, the OL and blitzing

Magnificent Seven VIII: On WR Reggie Wayne, QB Peyton Manning and DE Dwight Freeney 

Magnificent Seven IX: On DE Robert Mathis, S Bob Sanders and DE Dwight Freeney