[FarmBoy]

For those who follow Stanford East/NFL, apparently Griff Whalen is getting yet another shot at making the roster in Indy. From Stampede Blue:

Griff Whalen, a.k.a. "Mr. Training Camp." As is the case almost every year during training camp, wide receiver Griff Whalen is competing for a spot on the roster.  He's most likely competing for the sixth wide receiver spot, and it's a battle that he really could win.  If he continues to impress like he did today, then he might win that battle.  I think we should officially nickname Griff Whalen "Mr. Training Camp," because every year at camp I find myself talking about how impressive he was and how he was making plays.  Today, that was certainly the case as well.  He beat rookie D'Joun Smith on a nice crossing route in individual drills, and then he seemed to factor into the offense (whether it was the first or second team) quite a bit, catching several passes.  His best catch of the day was a great grab in which he reached up, pulled the pass down, and dragged his feet down along the sidelines to complete the catch in bounds.  It was a fantastic play.

It strikes me as odd. I haven't kept track, but it seems like Griff has ping ponged back and forth between scout team and the 53 man roster 5-6 times now. Isn't it a sign of insanity to try the same thing and expect different results? For both GW and the Colts, I would think they would move on and try different teams/players. If a player hasn't shown an ability to get over the hump in the last three years, why would that change? And maybe Indy isn't the right opportunity for GW and another team would allow him to shine, like Baldwin did in Seattle. Is it just because of Andrew Luck's role on the team and in GW's life that they keep giving it another go?

Good luck to the guy. I hope he makes an active roster and performs well enough to get a contract somewhere.

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2015/8/2/908...ok-day-one

[FarmBoy]

For those who follow Stanford East/NFL, apparently Griff Whalen is getting yet another shot at making the roster in Indy. From Stampede Blue:

Griff Whalen, a.k.a. "Mr. Training Camp." As is the case almost every year during training camp, wide receiver Griff Whalen is competing for a spot on the roster.  He's most likely competing for the sixth wide receiver spot, and it's a battle that he really could win.  If he continues to impress like he did today, then he might win that battle.  I think we should officially nickname Griff Whalen "Mr. Training Camp," because every year at camp I find myself talking about how impressive he was and how he was making plays.  Today, that was certainly the case as well.  He beat rookie D'Joun Smith on a nice crossing route in individual drills, and then he seemed to factor into the offense (whether it was the first or second team) quite a bit, catching several passes.  His best catch of the day was a great grab in which he reached up, pulled the pass down, and dragged his feet down along the sidelines to complete the catch in bounds.  It was a fantastic play.

It strikes me as odd. I haven't kept track, but it seems like Griff has ping ponged back and forth between scout team and the 53 man roster 5-6 times now. Isn't it a sign of insanity to try the same thing and expect different results? For both GW and the Colts, I would think they would move on and try different teams/players. If a player hasn't shown an ability to get over the hump in the last three years, why would that change? And maybe Indy isn't the right opportunity for GW and another team would allow him to shine, like Baldwin did in Seattle. Is it just because of Andrew Luck's role on the team and in GW's life that they keep giving it another go?

Good luck to the guy. I hope he makes an active roster and performs well enough to get a contract somewhere.

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2015/8/2/908...ok-day-one

[socalstanfan1]

While your point is well taken, I think there are rational reasons for the status quo here.

I think from the team's perspective, there is probably value in having a player on the practice squad who has mastered the team's playbook and terminology and has a sense of chemistry with the star QB. In case of a rash of injuries, Whalen would be able to step in and, even if he physically might not have the tools of some of the receivers above him on the depth chart, there would be fewer missed blocking assignments or busted routes than with a newer receiver.

From Whalen's perspective I'm sure being on the Colts practice squad provides a sense of security, even if his chances of making the active roster are slim. If he leaves to try somewhere else and the Colts replace him for a year with another practice squad receiver, he loses some of the advantage he has developed by mastering the Colt's system. It's not so much that he would forget the system so much as someone else would learn it, perhaps making it more difficult to get back to the Colts. I also assume that Whalen's agent must have some kind of informal feelers out with other teams to see if they think highly enough of Whalen to give him a legitimate shot at cracking an active roster. It's possible that the rational choice here is to play it safe and stready.

[socalstanfan1]

While your point is well taken, I think there are rational reasons for the status quo here.

I think from the team's perspective, there is probably value in having a player on the practice squad who has mastered the team's playbook and terminology and has a sense of chemistry with the star QB. In case of a rash of injuries, Whalen would be able to step in and, even if he physically might not have the tools of some of the receivers above him on the depth chart, there would be fewer missed blocking assignments or busted routes than with a newer receiver.

From Whalen's perspective I'm sure being on the Colts practice squad provides a sense of security, even if his chances of making the active roster are slim. If he leaves to try somewhere else and the Colts replace him for a year with another practice squad receiver, he loses some of the advantage he has developed by mastering the Colt's system. It's not so much that he would forget the system so much as someone else would learn it, perhaps making it more difficult to get back to the Colts. I also assume that Whalen's agent must have some kind of informal feelers out with other teams to see if they think highly enough of Whalen to give him a legitimate shot at cracking an active roster. It's possible that the rational choice here is to play it safe and stready.

[BobK]

Here are his stats.  He certainly has contributed

http://www.colts.com/team/roster/Griff-W...8d308568e5

[BobK]

Here are his stats.  He certainly has contributed

http://www.colts.com/team/roster/Griff-W...8d308568e5

[FarmBoy]

He contributed in 2013, but his WR numbers in 2014 were negligible: 2 catches for 23 yards. Add to that he had 2 fumbles (both on PR if I recall), and I think you negate any value he created in 2014. Were I building an NFL roster, I would put guys on the practice squad who I thought had potential to contribute on Sundays. Play it "safe" is the kind of thing that will get a guy like Grigson fired.

I wish the guy nothing but the best, I'm just surprised he's still in Indy.

Another Stanford East player I was hoping to hear positive news on was Delano Howell. He contributed in 2013 before being injured for all of 2014. I believe he was on the IR. But I don't see him anywhere mentioned in Indy or elsewhere. Has he retired. I loved his play at Stanford and always thought him underrated. He delivered some big hits on the Farm. It would be a shame if is career was over.

[FarmBoy]

He contributed in 2013, but his WR numbers in 2014 were negligible: 2 catches for 23 yards. Add to that he had 2 fumbles (both on PR if I recall), and I think you negate any value he created in 2014. Were I building an NFL roster, I would put guys on the practice squad who I thought had potential to contribute on Sundays. Play it "safe" is the kind of thing that will get a guy like Grigson fired.

I wish the guy nothing but the best, I'm just surprised he's still in Indy.

Another Stanford East player I was hoping to hear positive news on was Delano Howell. He contributed in 2013 before being injured for all of 2014. I believe he was on the IR. But I don't see him anywhere mentioned in Indy or elsewhere. Has he retired. I loved his play at Stanford and always thought him underrated. He delivered some big hits on the Farm. It would be a shame if is career was over.

[fullmetal]

Maybe he likes Indy and likes being around his Stanford teammates.  There's more to life than chasing a bigger contract with a team that has less invested in you.  And Griff should enjoy the ride--football is a game for the young :)

[fullmetal]

Maybe he likes Indy and likes being around his Stanford teammates.  There's more to life than chasing a bigger contract with a team that has less invested in you.  And Griff should enjoy the ride--football is a game for the young :)

[BobK]

Howell seems to still be a free agent.  Released by the Colts awhile back. 

[BobK]

Howell seems to still be a free agent.  Released by the Colts awhile back. 

[Mick]

He contributed in 2013, but his WR numbers in 2014 were negligible: 2 catches for 23 yards. Add to that he had 2 fumbles (both on PR if I recall), and I think you negate any value he created in 2014. Were I building an NFL roster, I would put guys on the practice squad who I thought had potential to contribute on Sundays. Play it "safe" is the kind of thing that will get a guy like Grigson fired.

I wish the guy nothing but the best, I'm just surprised he's still in Indy.

Another Stanford East player I was hoping to hear positive news on was Delano Howell. He contributed in 2013 before being injured for all of 2014. I believe he was on the IR. But I don't see him anywhere mentioned in Indy or elsewhere. Has he retired. I loved his play at Stanford and always thought him underrated. He delivered some big hits on the Farm. It would be a shame if is career was over.

He is currently an unsigned free agent.

[Mick]

He contributed in 2013, but his WR numbers in 2014 were negligible: 2 catches for 23 yards. Add to that he had 2 fumbles (both on PR if I recall), and I think you negate any value he created in 2014. Were I building an NFL roster, I would put guys on the practice squad who I thought had potential to contribute on Sundays. Play it "safe" is the kind of thing that will get a guy like Grigson fired.

I wish the guy nothing but the best, I'm just surprised he's still in Indy.

Another Stanford East player I was hoping to hear positive news on was Delano Howell. He contributed in 2013 before being injured for all of 2014. I believe he was on the IR. But I don't see him anywhere mentioned in Indy or elsewhere. Has he retired. I loved his play at Stanford and always thought him underrated. He delivered some big hits on the Farm. It would be a shame if is career was over.

He is currently an unsigned free agent.

[FarmBoy]

Well, in positive Cardinal news, Griff made the Colts 53 man roster! If the Cardinal doesn't shape up on Saturdays, hopefully we'll be able to watch a winning team on Sundays with Luck, Fleener, Whalen, Anderson and Parry.

[FarmBoy]

Well, in positive Cardinal news, Griff made the Colts 53 man roster! If the Cardinal doesn't shape up on Saturdays, hopefully we'll be able to watch a winning team on Sundays with Luck, Fleener, Whalen, Anderson and Parry.

[needle]

And throw in Pep Hamilton! Never thought I'd say it, but I kind of long for the guy...

[needle]

And throw in Pep Hamilton! Never thought I'd say it, but I kind of long for the guy...