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INDIANAPOLIS – The release of defensive tackle Ed Johnson smells fishy.
If it was based on poor performance, why had he been starting since he was re-signed in the offseason? If it was because of off-the-field issues, why not announce it, as the Colts did when they waived him in 2008.
And if it was because he was a couple of pounds overweight, couldn’t that have been overcome without getting rid of a crucial cog in the defense?
We might never know the answers to these questions. But the Colts (5-0) must now prove that they can succeed without the defensive lineman, who had 10 tackles in four games.
They will get a stiff test today against the St. Louis Rams (0-6).
The Rams might be winless, but they’ve got one of the best running backs in the game, Steven Jackson, who ranks fourth in the NFL with 501 yards.
“He’s as big and fine a running back as you’ll see,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. “He’s one of those rare guys that because of his size and the power he has, you anticipate that he can just run over guys. But he blends power and the ability to make you miss, as well. He runs the ball effectively, can catch the ball, blocks well. You name it, he can do it.”
The Colts have had their struggles stopping the run – they rank 14th giving up 103.2 yards a game – and Johnson’s release adds to the questions about that part of the defense.
The Colts plan to start Daniel Muir for the second time in his career. Rookie Fili Moala will also play, as should Eric Foster.
But the pressure is really on veteran linemen Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis to pick up the slack, and on safety Bob Sanders to be a factor in run-stopping in his first game of the season.
“That’s the most veteran group we have on defense, the defensive line,” Freeney said. “We have some guys between me, Raheem (Brock) and Robert, and we’re the foundation. As long as that foundation is there, we’ll be fine. It’s sad when we lose somebody, but we’ll step up, lead and we’ll get it done.”
If the Colts can draw any positive from parting ways with Johnson, it can be found in film from the 14-12 Week 1 victory over Jacksonville.
Johnson was serving his one-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policies – getting pulled over with marijuana in his car incited his release in 2008 – and Indianapolis was respectable in holding the Jaguars to 114 yards and one touchdown on the ground.
“That’s probably as clear an indication to see what it looks from a team standpoint,” Caldwell said. “I think more than anything else, (Muir and Moala) have to be able step up and play well.
“They’re going to get challenged this week, because this is a team that is going to run the ball downhill at you.”
Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo promised as much.
“(Jackson) is a workhorse, wants the ball, and he leads this team,” Spagnuolo said. “He’s certainly the guy that we want to hang our hat on and do some good things. He’s a very determined runner. He’s a good football player.”
