Quarterback: Peyton Manning is the starter as long as he is ambulatory. Considering his conditioning and will, that could be another seven or even more seasons. Backup Jim Sorgi is signed through 2010, but the Colts would probably like to get some competition or an eventual replacement for him.
Runningback: Joseph Addai firmly is entrenched as the starter, but had major durability problems at LSU. Kenton Keith is an excellent runner, but so-so as a receiver and blocker, and he also has a history of behavioral problems and fumbles. Fullback Luke Lawton is a fan favorite, but far from irreplaceable.
Wide receiver: Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez are grade-A starters, as is Marvin Harrison, but Harrison was drafted when Bob Dole still thought he could be president. (1) Harrison missed a big part of last season and his frail frame may not be able to hold up much longer. Behind them are Devin Aromoshodu (career 7 catches) and Roy Hall (career 0 catches). Both of them look like NFL wide receivers, but have yet to play like them. (2)
Tight end: Dallas Clark is an awesome tight end if you like king-sized wideouts at the position. Bryan Fletcher is Clark-lite, and an unrestricted free agent next season.
Tackle: Tony Ugoh has Pro Bowl potential, but may have durability issues. Ryan Diem is not Pro Bowl material and definitely has durability issues. The top guys behind the starters are the oft-cut Daniel Federkeil and the even-more-oft-cut Michael Toudouze. (3) Keep in mind Diem makes a truckload of money.
Guard/center: Ryan Lilja and Jeff Saturday are very good, and whoever wins the epic Dylan Gandy/Charlie Johnson battle will probably be okay at the other guard spot. Saturday will be an old, highly paid unrestricted free agent after the season. There are other people there too.
Defensive end: Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis are huge pass-rushing stars who are signed for a long time. Josh Thomas is an okay No. 3 if he’s not out there for too long.
Defensive tackle: Undersized, under-rated and efficient. The trio of Raheem Brock, Ed Johnson and Quinn Pitcock get the job done, and are occasionally spelled by even smaller Keyunta Dawson.
Outside linebacker: I really like all four of the top guys — Freddie Keiaho, Tyjuan Hagler, Clint Session and Ramon Guzman — but there are caveats. Both Keiaho and Hagler have had durability issues in the past and Guzman (who’s no whiz in coverage) could find himself playing more defensive end than linebacker. There’s a distinct possibility Rob Morris, who’s better than most think, could be back, but he's really more of a special-teams player.
Inside linebacker: Gary Brackett gets the job done and is an inspirational leader, but he’s the type of guy teams are always trying to replace — especially since he makes about $3 million a year and is an unrestricted free agent after the 2009 season. The depth here is such that Keiaho would probably replace him. And if he went down, Hagler would replace him.
Cornerback: Polian said yesterday you can always use another corner, but I see no fewer than seven players at the position who can play in the NFL. Starter Kelvin Hayden will be an unrestricted free agent next season, but I think the Colts will lock him up this year or plug Tim Jennings, Dante Hughes or even Michael Coe into his spot.
Safety: The starters (Bob Sanders and Antoine Bethea) are awesome and the third guy (Matt Giordano) isn’t far behind. Sophs Brannon Condren and Melvin Bullitt provide enviable depth.
Special teams: Both Adam Vinatieri and Hunter Smith are fine, but elderly; and Polian will never give up on his quest for a kickoff specialist. Justin Snow is still a good long-snapper, but he’s getting up in years too. Polian gave TJ Rushing something of a half-assed vote of confidence yesterday — that should scare him a little.
Notes:
1. His next stop is Canton
2. Even if he never catches a pass, Hall has great special-teams value
3. I didn't mention Charlie Johnson because Polian said he'd be competeing for a job at guard. It's a move that lessens the talent at both positions.
In other news:
• Pay no attention to media tales of Colts interest in guys like Shaun Alexander, Jason Taylor and Rosevelt Colvin. It's hogwash. The Colts have signed two "name" free agents in the past few years — Corey Simon and Booger McFarland — and how'd that work out? Did you know that the Colts are the only team in the NFL with all 22 starters who have never played for another team? They really, really would prefer to build through the draft.
• Pat Sims DT Auburn (6021, 310, 5.06c) said on Siurius Radio that the Colts are interested in him. I'll bet $100 they don't draft him.
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