A pre-training camp, position-by-position look at the 2009 Indianapolis Colts: The Defensive Tackles

July 3, 12:47 AMIndianapolis Colts ExaminerJohn Oehser

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In the ninth of a position-by-position series, we'll examine the Indianapolis Colts' defensive tackle position entering 2009 training camp . . .

The Indianapolis Colts' defensive tackle position may be the team's most-watched position entering 2009, with new faces and an altered approach making it a key issue entering the season.

The Colts, after losing Quinn Pitcock to retirement and releasing Ed Johnson after a marijuana-related arrest last August and September, respectively, finished 24th in the NFL last season against the run while playing a series of undersized players and undrafted free agents and lowly drafted players. While several of those players are solid players and could contribute this season, the Colts addressed the tackle position in a big-time way during and shortly after the 2009 NFL Draft. First, they selected Fili Moala in the second round, then they selected Terrance Taylor in the fourth round. Days later, they re-signed tackle Ed Johnson.

As a result, the Colts enter the 2009 season younger, a bit bigger and more talented than they finished last season, and how the position develops will be critical to the chances of regaining the AFC South title and contending again for the Super Bowl.

Breaking down the Colts' defensive tackle position . . .

Ed Johnson, second season, Penn State. It's hard to underestimate how much the loss of Johnson early last season hurt the Colts. Johnson started 16 games as an undrafted free agent in 2007 and the Colts finished in the top three in the NFL in total defense. The unit that season was about more than ranking. Through much of that season they were a dominant unit that only waned late in the season after the loss of DE Dwight Freeney. Johnson is a big tackle with the quickness to chase plays outside. The Colts gave him a second chance this off-season and early talk among players and coaches is he seems intent on taking advantage of the opportunity.Outlook: Would be a surprise if he's not starting early in the season.

Antonio Johnson, third season, Mississippi State. The Colts signed Johnson off the Tennessee TItans' practice squad midway through last season and by season's end, he had started four of the final eight games. His starts came in the season's final four games. He's a big body who could fit into the Colts' philosophy of getting a bit bigger at the tackle position. Outlook: Although it's likely that either Moala or Taylor could develop into a starter, Johnson showed enough last season to challenge and hold the position early.

Fili Moala, rookie, Southern California. The Colts' first major offseason move to address the tackle position was selecting Moala in the second round of the late April NFL Draft. He's a big-time talent from a big-time program who many analysts believe could have been a Top 10 selection had he declared for the NFL Draft a year before. While his collegiate production didn't match what many considered to be his potential, he is an athletic player who played on one of the top collegiate defenses in recent memory. Outlook: Should push early for a significant spot in the line rotation.

Terrance Taylor, rookie, Michigan. If there was an intriguining selection for the Colts in the 2009 NFL Draft, this may have been it. While Moala very much fit the mold of past Colts defensive tackles -- athletic players around 300 pounds -- Taylor is more of the prototypical nose tackle the Colts haven't used in the one-gap, Cover 2 defense. Typically, the team has employed lighter defensive tackles whose strength is athleticism but Taylor is a move toward larger, space-plugging tackles. How he fares may determine how the Colts approach the position. Outlook: Almost certainly will begin season as a reserve, but should play an important role.

Keyunta Dawson, third season, Texas Tech. In 2007, Dawson was part of a trio of rookie defensive tackles that performed well throughout the season. As part of a trio also included two 295-pound plus tackles, Dawson was a quick complement and an effective player despite his size. With Pitcock and Johnson gone last season, Dawson was just, plain undersized and that rookie trio seemed forgotten. Dawson didn' have a sack last season, but the people who make the decisions around the Colts like him enough he likely will get time to return to the form he showed as a rookie. That's only fair, because the way the Colts shuffled players at times on the interior of the line last season it was hard to judge anyone. Outlook: Could play a role as a quick, penetrating player in a larger tackle rotation than the Colts have had in years.

Eric Foster, second season, Rutgers. The Colts signed Foster as a free agent shortly after the 2008 NFL Draft, and he quickly became the latest in line of undrafted players to make a major contribution. Foster started 11 of 13 games last season before he missed the last three games with an injury. Foster spent the offseason focusing on his pass-rushing moves after not recording a sack last season. His goal is to increase his effectiveness as a pass rusher. He finished the season 49 tackles and six quarterback pressures. Outlook: Depending on how many tackles the Colts keep, Foster could either be a valuable member of the rotation or could be the off-defensive tackle out next season.

Daniel Muir, third season, Kent State. Muir played sparingly after signing with the Colts shortly before the start of the regular season, missing five games early in the season and five more in the season's second half. He played extensively in the final four games of the season, but with the Colts adding thre quality defensive linemen -- Johnson, Moala and Taylor -- he may have trouble finding a spot in the rotation. Outlook: He could fit in with the Colts' trend to bigger tackles, but will there be a spot?

Pat Kuntz, rookie, Notre Dame. The Colts signed Kuntz -- who attended Indianapolis Roncalli High School -- as a rookie free agent shortly after the NFL Draft. At 276 pounds, he fits the traditional mold of Colts defensive tackles: light, athletic, quick and conventionally undersized. But considering the depth and numbers at the spot, it will take something special for an undrafted rookie to make the roster. Outlook: Practice squad a real possibility.

Adrian Grady, rookie, Louisville. Like Kuntz, Grady was signed as a free agent shortly after the 2009 NFL Draft, and like Kuntz, it will take something special for Grady to make the final roster. He started his last two seasons in college and had two and a half sacks. Although the roster is deep at tackle, Grady -- like Kuntz -- will be helped by the Colts' philosophy of giving undrafted rookies a legitimate chance to make the roster. Outlook: Practice squad a possibility.

Synopsis

What was a weak position at the end of last season became a strength in the offseason, with the team re-signing DT Ed Johnson and acquiring Moala and Taylor in the draft. A question becomes just how many defensive tackles will the Colts keep next season. The addition of Johnson, Moala and Taylor immediately drops a veteran or two -- or even three -- who played extensively lower on the depth chart than last season. Without question defensive tackle is the most fluid position entering training camp. Either of the Johnsons could start, as could one of the rookies. And that's not including Foster and Dawson, each of whom started last season. Stay tuned.

Starters: Ed Johnson, Antonio Johnson.

On the roster: Dawson, Moala, Taylor, Foster.

On the practice squad: Kuntz.

THE POSITION-BY-POSITION PRE-TRAINING CAMP SERIES: 

• The QUARTERBACKS
• The RUNNING BACKS
• The TIGHT ENDS
• The WIDE RECEIVERS
• The OFFENSIVE TACKLES
• The OFFENSIVE GUARDS
• The CENTERS
• The DEFENSIVE ENDS
• The DEFENSIVE TACKLES

OTHER EXAMINER COLTS TOPICS . . .

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• The best of the Indianapolis Colts blogosphere . . .
• 2009 Colts training camp schedule
• SERIES: Top Five reasons to worry about Colts in 2009 
• SERIES: Top Five reasons to feel good about the Colts in 2009
• Manning: Influence of Tony Dungy still felt around Colts
• A look back at 2009 Colts minicamp
• Mudd, Moore return inevitable, happy end to long story
• Colts to allow sponsors on practice uniforms
• QB Peyton Manning willing to be patient regarding assistants
• A look at the defense entering 2009 minicamp
• A look at the offense entering 2009 minicamp
• QB Peyton Manning among three Colts players ranked highly in Madden 2010
• Hints Emerging about potential Colts defensive changes
• QB Peyton Manning must let assistant coaching situation play out
• Top Five Real Issues Facing Colts Entering 2009
• Top Five Myths Surrounding the Colts Entering 2009
• Top Five Underrated Players on Colts Entering 2009
• Top Five Breakout Players for Colts Entering 2009
• Top Five Nonissues facing Colts Entering 2009
• Why Frank Winters and Ron Johnson fit the Colts' philosophical approach
• Why Colts QB Peyton Manning is primed for another big season
• Preseason dates and times
• Former Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy essays on Michael Vick
• On Loss of Dom Anile
• Re-signing DT Ed Johnson makes DT situation even better
• SERIES: Peyton Manning Top 10 underrated moments.
• Breaking Down the 2009 Colts Schedule
• Colts Rookie Minicamp
• Top 10 rookie free agents in the Polian era
• Too early to quit on Addai
• A recap of the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft