If you knew the Colts signed a new player off waivers, what position do you think he’d play? Those of you who said anything but center are wrong, but honest. Those of you who said center were peeking.
Yeah, the newest Colt is a center despite the fact the team has the best center in the business and drafted no fewer than three centers just a few weeks ago. And the funny thing is that the new guy actually has a decent shot at making the team.
Doug Datish (6041, 302, 5.13c in 2007) is best known as the guy who took over from the great Nick Mangold in the middle of Ohio State’s vaunted offensive line. But he actually played all over the line for the Buckeyes — 14 starts at center, 12 at left tackle and nine at left guard.
Datish’s defining characteristic is intelligence — and his quick wit. He earned a degree in history and began graduate school while playing at the highest level in the toughest competition of college football. And he also brings that intelligence (mixed with top instincts) to the field. He understands defenses, picks up stunts and blitzes adroitly and always seemed to keep his linemates in their proper positions.
He’s not considered a great athlete, but has good strength and leverage — factors that are increased by his excellent form, knee bend and hand use. He had very good stats at OSU at far as sacks allowed, pancakes, downfield blocks and touchdown blocks were concerned and definitely passed the eyeball test as a player.
But his so-so numbers at the combine (1) (not to mention a well-publicized belly flab at the Senior Bowl weigh-in) and his lack of natural size led to him being drafted late. He was chosen in the sixth round by the Falcons.
The Falcons had high hopes for him, but it didn’t really work out. At the beginning of training camp, he dislocated a finger on his left hand. It required surgery, but he continued to play with a cast. A week later, he broke a bone in his right wrist. “I couldn't play with two casts, so they threw me on IR,” Datish said. “I hadn't missed a game my whole life, so to miss a whole year was pretty bad.” It wiped out his whole rookie year. (2)
And then, after mini-camp, Atlanta released him. The team didn’t give a reason — unlike when they cut former second-round cornerback Jimmy Williams who they claimed had ballooned to 236 pounds (3) — but many attributed it to the team’s desire to get bigger on the offensive line.
Although the Falcons’ line is much maligned, it’s actually pretty strong — at least on the inside. (4) The starters — from left to right, Justin Blalock, Todd McClure and Kynan Forney — are all very solid. And the top reserve prospects (Alex Stepanovich, D’Anthony Batiste, Quinn Ojinnaka and Ben Wilkerson) started a combined 15 NFL games last year — and all of them are bigger and stronger than Datish.
On the Colts, however, Datish is greeted with a more welcoming coaching staff and philosophy, and less competition. Center Jeff Saturday is an awesome starter (though probably in his final year with the team) and Ryan Lilja is very solid at left guard, but the rest of the interior line is up in the air. Veteran reserve tackle Charlie Johnson is competing with draft pick Mike Pollak for the starting slot at right guard, but neither is a sure thing. (5) The rest of the competition will come from two second-day draft picks and a few street free agents.
Right now, Datish appears to be little more than a name on the depth chart. But he does have a most of the qualities the Colts prize most highly — intelligence, technique, a non-stop motor and versatility. And he has history on his side. Keep in mind that both Saturday and Lilja were undrafted free agents who were cut by other teams. (6) And the Colts have cut many offensive linemen they actually have drafted. (7)
Notes:
1. The 31 reps were nice, but the 26-inch vertical and 8’6 long jump impressed nobody
2. Unable to do much with his hands, he spent the season working on his leg strength
3. The new regime in Atlanta seems to be particularly hard on players acquired from the Bobby Petrino regime — but Williams is no surprise, nobody likes a fat DB
4. Things aren’t so cheery on the outside — journeyman Todd Weiner is the guy to beat on the right side and second first-round pick Sam Baker is the favorite on the left side. If he doesn’t work out, heavy-footed Chris Redman or rookie Matt Ryan will have their backside protected by guys with names like Renardo Foster, Terrance Pennington or Harvey “Barbie” Dahl.
5. My gut says Johnson loses and gets cut
6. Saturday by Baltimore and Lilja by KC
7. Remember Michael Toudouze (5th round, 2006), Dylan Gandy (3rd!, 2005), Robert Hunt (6th, 2005), Steve Sciullo (4th, 2003), Makoa Frietas (6th, 2003), Matt Johnson (5th, 2000) and Aaron Taylor (6th, 1998)? All of them were drafted in the Polian era and all were cut. Although Toudouze was brought back, he doesn’t look like a lock to make the team at this point. That’s seven draft picks cut, while only seven (Tony Ugoh, Charlie Johnson, Jake Scott, Ryan Diem, Rich DeMulling, Brandon Burlsworth and Steve McKinney) made it through a run without being cut. Before you say anything, I know DeMulling was cut, but that was in his second tour with the Colts after a highly paid hiatus in Detroit and a steller first run; and that Burlsworth died before he could play a down, but I have no doubt he would have been a very effective starter. So, getting back to the argument at hand, it can be said that if you are an offensive lineman drafted by the Colts, you have about a fifty-fifty chance of being a real contributor (the ratio is even harsher on second-day picks). Consequently, no team presents a better chance to undrafted free agents and other teams’ rejects.
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