Colts: Roster Cuts and Final 53 Review

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Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tim Tebow (11) is hit by Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle David Parry (54) in a preseason NFL football game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Colts, 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Colts preseason is officially over now that the final cuts to the mandatory 53-man roster are finished.

Since the Thursday night game against Cincinnati, Colts GM Ryan Grigson has been busy. The Colts had to cut or waive 22 players to get the 75-man roster down to 53.

That wasn’t all, they had to designate players going to injured-reserve and also track the players clearing waivers around the NFL. Added to those tasks were the two waiver claims and a trade. Then, they need to sign ten players to the practice squad which required a gamble on a few cuts. Now you can begin to see the stressful chaos that occurs in those final 72 hours in the Colts front office.

–= Related: Andrew Luck is a Football God =–

Much has happened in the past 72 hours which is why I held off on writing this until the dust settled. Let’s get one thing straight, the cement hasn’t dried with this roster several more transactions are possible, but we must go with what we have.

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Instead of speculating on Saturday’s deadline for cut-day, perhaps now we have a better idea of what the Colts intentions are with this roster. Exactly why do these players on the bubble miss the cut? Usually, it’s about the label. All of the time spent from OTA’s through training camp and the preseason, coaches are watching and evaluating the roster. In the end, a player earns a label.

Sometimes it is just bad luck, but sadly, injuries become a factor in the decision of a roster.If a player gains the unfortunate “injury-prone” label, teams may decide to move on rather than cross their fingers in the hopes a player stays healthy. Some are “Camp Bodies” and there to have an opportunity, but most likely still need to prove themselves to get added to the practice squad. Other players are “Projects” and are cut as a gamble that they clear waivers and can be stashed away on the 10-man practice roster. There, they can further their development until the time is right.

Another possibility is that the player has been labeled as a “bust”. This label is the hardest for a player to overcome. Admittedly, the players labeled a bust are not always one. Sometimes it’s an issue of fit or depth. Either way, the team determined that they could not harness anything further out of the players potential. For these guys we hope they can land on another roster and shed that label. After all, no one wants to be labeled a bust, it’s not conducive to a long career.

We will begin with the roster cuts, and then identify the practice squad signings, trades and waivers claims before we project the final(?) depth chart. Remember, the cement is still drying and Grigson and Co. may still decide to pull the trigger on a trade or signing anytime between now and the end of week one.

Next: Notable Surprises

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