Colts snap counts: Andre Johnson's diminishing role

Looking at this week's Colts snap counts sheds some real light on the diminishing role of receiver Andre Johnson.

In Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson, in the first year of a three-year, $21 million contract, saw more dramatic drop-off in his involvement. Johnson was on the field for just 33 snaps, equating to 45 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps in the game. That's a startlingly low number for a starting wide receiver, but it's an indication the Colts recognize what they have to do to win. By comparison, Donte Moncrief played 80 percent of the snaps, while Griff Whalen played 34 percent.

For context, let's look at some of Johnson's snap counts from earlier in the season. Take the Colts' Week 6 game against the New England Patriots. Johnson played 85 percent of the snaps that night, with Moncrief at 73 percent and Whalen at 5 percent. In Week 7 against the New Orleans Saints, Johnson played 92 percent of offensive snaps, with Moncrief at 90 percent and Whalen at 3 percent. In Week 8 against the Carolina Panthers, Johnson played 78 percent of snaps, Moncrief 92 percent and Whalen 12 percent.

Week 9 — the same week Rob Chudzinski took over as offensive play caller — Johnson's big decline really begins.

That week, against the Denver Broncos, he played just 42 percent of snaps. Moncrief played 70 percent and Whalen 30 percent. That continued after the bye in Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons, with Johnson playing 48 percent of snaps, Moncrief 84 percent and Whalen 24 percent.

That's a stark contrast in Johnson's level of involvement. He is still capable of contributing — as he did with a big 22-yard gain on a post route Sunday — but those kinds of plays have come few and far between for Johnson. The Colts are no longer going to keep Johnson on the field at the expense of keeping other potential playmakers off it.

Here's the rest of this week's snap counts:

OFFENSE

LT Joe Reitz, 74, 100 percent

RG Hugh Thornton, 74, 100 percent

LG Jack Mewhort, 74 100 percent

C Jon Harrison, 74, 100 percent

QB Matt Hasselbeck, 74, 100 percent

RT Denzelle Good, 74, 100 percent

WR T.Y. Hilton, 61, 82 percent

WR Donte Moncrief, 59, 80 percent

RB Frank Gore, 51, 69 percent

TE Dwayne Allen, 48, 65 percent

TE Coby Fleener, 43, 58 percent

WR Andre Johnson, 33, 45 percent

TE Jack Doyle, 25, 34 percent

WR Griff Whalen, 25, 34 percent

RB Ahmad Bradshaw, 22, 30 percent

RB Boom Herron, 3, 4 percent

DEFENSE

ILB D'Qwell Jackson, 67, 100 percent

FS Dwight Lowery, 67, 100 percent

CB Vontae Davis, 67, 100 percent

CB Greg Toler, 65, 97 percent

SS Clayton Geathers, 62, 93 percent

ILB Jerrell Freeman, 46, 69 percent

DE Kendall Langford, 45, 67 percent

OLB Erik Walden, 43, 64 percent

OLB Trent Cole, 40, 60 percent

OLB Robert Mathis, 39, 58 percent

CB Darius Butler, 36, 54 percent

DT Billy Winn, 34, 51 percent

NT David Parry, 34, 51 percent

OLB Jonathan Newsome, 24, 36 percent

DT T.Y. McGill, 24, 36 percent

DT Zach Kerr, 21, 31 percent

ILB Nate Irving, 18, 27 percent

CB D'Joun Smith, 2, 3 percent

S Colt Anderson, 1, 1 percent.

Athlete Stocks May Soon Be Listed On NASDAQ

Athlete tracking stock company Fantex intends to allow you to purchase and sell a security linked to 10 separate professional athletes. Earlier today, it filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If approved, you may soon be able to trade “FXSP” on the NASDAQ Capital Market .

A total of 10 athletes, across 2 sports and at a various sections of their careers are to be tied to the anticipated ticker symbol. They are Vernon Davis, Alshon Jeffery, Mohamed Sanu, Jack Mewhort, Ryan Shazier, Kendall Wright, Andrew Heaney, Terrence Williams, Michael Brockers and EJ Manuel.

Tight end Vernon Davis #80 of the Denver Broncos may become part of a 10-athlete stock for purchase/sale on NASDAQ. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Each athlete will have a different weighting attached to his athlete brand contract, which will total 100% for the purpose of the contemplated FXSP stock. The largest weight will be held by Chicago Bears wide receiver Jeffery (19%); the smallest weight is attached to Broncos tight end Davis (3%).

“Our six completed IPOs paved the way to unlocking an asset class previously closed to the capital markets,” said Fantex, Inc. CEO and co-founder Buck French. “By bundling multiple tracking stocks into a single, NASDAQ-listed security, we believe Fantex is providing the next evolution for those looking to invest in the business of professional sports.”

As of right now, individuals can buy and sell individual athlete tracking stocks on the Fantex marketplace connected to Davis, Jeffery, Mewhort, Sanu and Brockers.

An Initial Public Offering for Wright is listed as “Coming Soon.” According to Fantex, the previously filed registration statement filed for Wright will be withdrawn, as the new “Fantex Sports Portfolio 1 Units,” such named as those connected to the proposed NASDAQ stock, contain the Wright offering therein.

Historically, Fantex has purchased 10% interests in athletes’ “brand incomes” in exchange for a specific amount of guaranteed money. For instance, under the terms of Fantex’s brand contract with Indianapolis Colts offensive lineman Mewhort, Fantex acquired a 10% interest in his brand income for $2.52 million. Fantex expects Mewhort to earn $58.8 million in gross lifetime brand income, most of which is expected to be earned from an estimated 9 years of future NFL salaries and bonuses (in addition to a slight amount of money from off-field income).

Brand income is defined within the contracts that Fantex creates with players. Generally, it includes income generated from current team contracts, expected future on-field income, certain endorsements and appearance fees. Potential post-career activities are sometimes included in the formula as well.

Acquisitions of brand income are often contingent on Fantex obtaining financing necessary to pay the stated purchase price.

UBS Investment Bank will be the lead underwriter for Fantex’s mission to list FXSP on NASDAQ. It serves as the sole book-running manager for the proposed offering.

Darren Heitner is a lawyer and the Founder of South Florida-based HEITNER LEGAL, P.L.L.C., which has a focus on Sports Law and Entertainment Law.

Five Colts under pressure in 2015

This is a big season for the Indianapolis Colts. But here are five Colts, in particular, who will have a spotlight shined on them for various reasons.

>> Coach Chuck Pagano

In three seasons, he has notched 33 wins, three playoff appearances and three playoff victories. Yet, he’s a lame duck with no contract beyond this season and an owner who consistently sends subtle messages that his defense hasn’t cut it in recent seasons.

So, yeah, there’s a little pressure on Pagano.

No one knows how this ends for him. There are many potential scenarios. The team could meet expectations and make a run at the Super Bowl. Or it could totally underwhelm and put Pagano at risk.

Either way, the coach’s fate is, and will continue to be, one of this season’s biggest storylines.

It’s not going away. And the pressure will only continue to grow.

>> RT Jack Mewhort

He was very solid as a left guard during his rookie year last season. And Mewhort’s reward was to earn the right to change positions to right tackle, where he’ll now have to fend off speedy edge rushers who are among the best athletes in the game.

That’s pressure.

Mewhort had some isolated struggles in the preseason that foreshadowed some of the challenges he will face. The Colts are asking a lot of him. They’re projecting Mewhort can pull this off, but what if they’re wrong?

Either way, we’ll know more on Sunday, when pass rusher Mario Williams awaits in Buffalo.

>> DE Kendall Langford

Remember when the Colts made that flurry of free-agent signings in the spring? And remember how little thought you gave to Langford?

You might want to rethink that. Langford is an excellent fit for the Colts defense, given the fact that he’s been much more productive in 3-4 defenses. But this isn’t quite what Langford signed up for.

He intended to play alongside Art Jones and a veteran defensive line. Now, Jones is on injured reserve, Josh Chapman and Montori Hughes have been released and Langford is the grownup in a room full of kids.

A pair of rookies is likely to start alongside Langford: David Parry at nose tackle and Henry Anderson at defensive tackle. Where Langford originally was planning to be the beneficiary of Jones’ presence, it’s now conceivable he will draw significantly more attention from opposing offenses who know well his ability to slow their running game.

Suddenly, Langford has gained a more central role in the Colts defense – like it or not.

>> S Clayton Geathers

It’s odd that a player not even projected to be in the starting lineup would be listed here. But given what the Colts are planning to ask of this rookie, he belongs on this list.

The Colts’ decision to use Geathers as a dime linebacker this season – a hybrid linebacker/safety that is, essentially, a sixth defensive back – is a direct response to their struggles against opposing tight ends in 2014.

Just think back to the Colts’ inability to stop New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and their insistence on using players like D’Qwell Jackson to cover him. Well, those responsibilities will now fall to Geathers in many instances, as coaches use him in select situations.

Can he step up to this challenge? Geathers is talented, but he’s raw. Look for some bumps along the way.

>> LB Bjoern Werner

He made the final cut, but this 2013 first-round pick seems to be on borrowed time. Werner flamed out as a pass rusher and now is playing strong-side linebacker, a position that seems better suited to his skill set.

But if he doesn’t produce in the limited playing time he figures to be afforded, it’s going to be difficult for the Colts to justify keeping him on the roster moving forward. The lack of depth at the strong side (he’s Erik Walden’s primary backup) likely means he has a place on the roster for the duration of this season.

But in 2016, Werner is going to be a prime target to be cut unless something changes

Pass protection a concern in Indianapolis

The Indianapolis Colts are well aware their Super Bowl hopes are largely dependent on the arm of quarterback Andrew Luck and keeping Luck healthy throughout the season is a top priority as a rsesult.

That's why the offensive line's performance in Saturday's exhibition loss to the Chicago Bears, in which Luck was sacked once and hit two other times early in the game, is a concern.

“We’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback,” Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said, per ESPN. “Pass (protection) at times was okay and at times has got to be better, got to get it shored up.”

After investing money and draft picks upgrading the offense by adding wide receivers Andre Johnson and Phillip Dorsett, along with running back Frank Gore, the Colts chose to stand pat along the offensive line, with the notable exception of the addition of veteran guard Todd Herremans. Second-year lineman Jack Mewhort, who played guard last season, is the team's new right tackle, taking over for Gosder Cherilus, who released just prior to the start of training camp.

Mewhort surrendered a sack Saturday to Bears linebacker Pernell McPhee. On the next play, McPhee got by Mewhort again, forcing Luck into an incomplete pass. 

“It’s crippling when you go out there as a tackle and you give up a bad sack like that on the second play of the game,” Mewhort said. “You can’t start fast when a guy is on top of the quarterback. That’s on me. I have to go back to the grindstone and get better and make sure I have to give Andrew time to make plays.”

After the early struggles, the offense settled in and Luck was able to lead the Colts on 89-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown. 

Pagano preached patience with Mewhort, citing the time it takes to adjust to playing tackle in the NFL.

“You know he’s a second-year player, we lose sight of the fact that he’s a second-year player," Pagano said. "There’s going to be growing pains and we need to find out what we can do to accentuate our strengths.”

GM Ryan Grigson deserves blame for not fixing offensive line

INDIANAPOLIS -- The spotlight of the Indianapolis Colts' struggles during their 0-2 start has centered on coach Chuck Pagano and quarterback Andrew Luck.

But there's one person who deserves some of the blame for Luck continuing to get pressured and playing under siege during the first two weeks of the season, and that's general manager Ryan Grigson.

It was Grigson, the team's fourth-year general manager, who decided not to completely address the offensive line in the offseason.

The biggest question mark on offense heading into the season was whether the offensive line could block long enough to give Luck a clean pocket to work with.

The results so far have proven the offensive line is as bad as advertised. The Colts got away with it in previous seasons. That hasn't been the case this season.

Luck has been blitzed on 47.9 percent of his dropbacks, which is the third-highest rate in the NFL, according to ESPN's Stats & Information. That's almost a 15 percent increase from last season.

Point the finger at Grigson, a former offensive lineman himself.

The Colts used their first-round pick on receiver Phillip Dorsett. They let six more picks pass before selecting an offensive lineman in the seventh round. And tackle Denzelle Good is considered a project player.

Free agency didn't include much, either, as Grigson signed 32-year-old Todd Herremans, who hasn't been overly impressive so far. Gosder Cherilus' injury problems and desire not to re-negotiate his contract led to his release, which caused the Colts to move Jack Mewhort, who started at guard last season, to right tackle. Journeyman Lance Louis is starting at left guard.

Guess what?

Pagano is used to having offensive line issues.

"That's been the case for three years now," he said. "Has it not? [Luck] should be more than comfortable dealing with what he's dealing with. We've got to get it fixed."

Teams will continue to blitz and hit Luck until the Colts prove they can protect their franchise player.

Next up: The Tennessee Titans.

"We have to get in better field position offensively," center Khaled Holmes said. "That's going to allow defensive coordinators like in the first two weeks to really draw up fun stuff for the defense and make things tough on us. We have to get out of those situations and give Andrew time to throw."

Colts' Jack Mewhort looks good in new role on right side

The Indianapolis Colts had enough confidence in their left tackle to sign Anthony Castonzo to a four-year, $42 million contract extension. Confidence is growing in their right tackle, Jack Mewhort.

Mewhort went into Sunday's season opener as a question mark and came out as a plus. Although there was little for the Colts to build on in a 27-14 loss at Buffalo, competence at each end of the offensive line is essential for Andrew Luck to perform as expected.

"It's a marathon, not a sprint. That message gets echoed from top to bottom here," Mewhort said. "You've just got to batten down the hatches and realize the only people we're worried about are the guys in this locker room.

"Specifically, as an offensive line, our unit, myself, it's time to go back to the grindstone and tighten up your technique and not panic and be able to move on to the next week."

Mewhort, 6-6 and 312 pounds, is a 23-year-old native of Toledo, Ohio. He was capable last season as a rookie left guard but struggled sometimes at right tackle during preseason.

He played his final 26 games at Ohio State as a left tackle, so the position wasn't completely unfamiliar. After playing right tackle in the Senior Bowl, his versatility was impressive enough for the Colts to select him in the second round of the 2014 draft.

At guard, he never had to fend off edge rushers like Mario Williams and Jerry Hughes, as he did at Buffalo. Mewhort could not have been laid bare more than if he had posed nude – which, actually, he did do for ESPN Magazine's Body Issue.

Colts coach Chuck Pagano said Mewhort was "outstanding" in the new role.

Colts tackle Jack Mewhort (75) takes his stance in preparation to block Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) Sept. 13, 2015 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park NY. (Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star)

"It wasn't too big for him. He had great look in his eye," Pagano said. "I think he competed his tail off. For his first outing out there, I think everybody but us was worried about how he was going to hold up.

"But he did that. He did a really good job. It's never going to be perfect, but he played well. Like everybody else, he'll be better this week."

Mewhort said blocking by tight ends and running backs meant he wasn't alone on the edge. Moreover, he said the offensive linemen are made better by center Khaled Holmes' understanding of the offense.

"It is different than guard," Mewhort said. "But it doesn't mean it's any easier or any tougher. Each position has its own battles it needs to fight, and at tackle it's more space."

Falling behind 24-0 didn't allow the Colts to develop much of a running game. They totaled 64 rushing yards in 17 attempts.

The score and a calf cramp contributed to Frank Gore's 31-yard debut as much as the Bills' defense.

"There's no wondering what Frank Gore can do. It's all documented," Mewhort said. "He's had a long career of playing at a high level. It's out there. It goes back to putting it on us as an offensive line to be on the same page and create those holes and those lanes so he can do his job, which is run the ball really well."

If the Colts do so, Mewhort might become worth the money a brokerage firm says he is. Fantex Brokerage Service is trading Fantex Series Jack Mewhort Convertible Tracking Stock (ticker symbol JKMTL) at $11 a share at Fantex.com.

The stock pricing is based on a projection that Mewhort will earn $58.8 million in lifetime brand income, most of it from an estimated nine more years in the NFL.

Would the Colts really pay twin tackles more than $100 million? Maybe, if that results in Super Bowls.

Chuck Pagano: Colts right tackle Jack Mewhort was "outstanding" in debut

Right tackle Jack Mewhort, who made his debut at right tackle for the Colts on Sunday, played "outstanding" according to head coach Chuck Pagano - and he's right.

The Indianapolis Colts were defeated handily by the Buffalo Bills in week one, losing 27-14.  There were a lot of negatives from the game and a lot of players who were underwhelming, but at the same time there were players who impressed and looked very good.  One such player was Jack Mewhort, who was making his regular season debut at right tackle after starting at left guard last year.

"I thought he was outstanding," head coach Chuck Pagano said on Monday.  "It wasn't too big for him.  He had a great look in his eye.  I think he competed his tail off.  For the first outing out there, I think everybody but us was worried about how he was going to hold up.  But he did a really good job.  It's never going to be perfect, but he played well.  He'll be better.  Like everybody else, he'll be better this week.  Great start for him."

A lot of times, Pagano uses a lot of coach speak that isn't entirely indicative of how someone played.  This isn't one of those instances.  Pagano is absolutely right: Jack Mewhort did a fantastic job on Sunday.  There was a lot of concern about him after the second preseason game (with many people saying the Colts should just move him back to left guard), but on Sunday he was one of the biggest strengths on the offensive side of the football.  According to Pro Football Focus, Mewhort spent 53 snaps in pass protection on Sunday and allowed just one hurry on quarterback Andrew Luck.  The only other tackle in the entire NFL who played that many snaps and didn't allow a hurry?  Fellow Colt Anthony Castonzo.

There are still question marks about the offensive line, but those question marks are on the interior.  But against one of the league's best defensive fronts, Jack Mewhort - in his first career start at right tackle - played very well.  Moving forward, it seems as if the Colts have two very good bookends on their offensive line to protect Andrew Luck.  Their problem is the interior of the line, and while that will be an issue this year, it was very nice to see Mewhort look good on Sunday at right tackle.