If Ed Johnson's release was character-related, as some suggest it was, the Colts are certainly doing a good job of hiding it. In the immediate aftermath of releasing the starting defensive lineman, who was regarded as the most talented member of a DT rotation that has helped the Colts establish themselves as a far more solid run defense than they were a season ago, coach Jim Caldwell insisted that the measure was strictly about on-field results. The skepticism comes from the fact that Johnson has been involved in a series of off-field legal matters, problems that led to his ouster in 2008 before Caldwell opted to sign him up again this season. Regardless of the reasons behind his dismissal, the void creates more pressure on touted draftee Fili Moala to step up his game after he failed to so much as see a snap of action thus far.

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