D minus Two and closing

One last mock (okay, maybe second last):

1/27 Hakeem Nicks WR North Carolina
We’ve been through this before
2/61 Roy Miller DT Texas
Best run defender I saw in college this year, great Combine, Shrine Game
3/92 Javon Ringer RB Michigan State
Catches, blocks, runs between the tackles — a faster Mike Hart
4/127 Bradley Fletcher CB Iowa
Fits the mold
4/136 Joel Bell T Furman
Super athletic small-school lineman could be LT of the future
5/165 Endor Cooper ILB Howard
Super smart small-school ’backer could be Mike of the future
6/201 Dudley Guice Jr. WR/KR Northwestern State
It’s Dudley!
7/236 Jake Richardson P Miami (Ohio)
Strong-legged directional punter with some athleticism, can also kick off

• I might have been too hasty when I said the Colts defensive strategy wouldn’t change under new co-ordinator Larry Coyer. Take a look at the starting defensive tackles on the Broncos teams Coyer ran:

2003: Mario Fatefehi (6’2, 300), Darius Holland (6’5, 330)
2004: Mario Fatefehi (6’2, 300), Monsanto Pope (6’3, 300)
2005: Michael Myers (6’2, 300), Gerard Warren (6’4, 325)
2006: Michael Myers (6’2, 300), Gerard Warren (6’4, 325)

No real stars — though Warren was a high draft pick, he fizzled with Cleveland, the team that chose him. Still they did a great job, especially against the run. Note: Average weight was 310 pounds.

Does that mean a bigger defensive tackle? Wouldn’t bet against it.

• The Colts signed another interior lineman from the 2008 draft who spent some time in AFL2. Brandon Barnes G Grand Valley State (6016/325/5.06pd) was a great pass protector in college, but just didn’t look very strong in run blocking. A big kid with a great mind and motor, he shouldn’t be counted out just yet.

• To Action Jackson: Greg Brown DT Indiana (6021/300/5.20e) had, like many Hoosiers, a tough senior season. Great kid with a degree, he’s a stay-at-home tough guy who will get looks as an UDFA. Austin Starr K Indiana (6025/201/4.89pd) is another great kid, but one who has a much better chance of being drafted. I blame his rough senior season on bad snaps. He has the mental toughness to make it as a kicker in the NFL, and that’s rare.

• To Holland: I’m not a Todd Boeckman QB Ohio State (6043/240/4.75pd) fan. Big guy, huge arm, but no football intelligence, no mobility and strange mechanics. Think of Andrew Walter with better wheels and less accuracy. Probably be better off at tight end. But he’s tough and that big, big arm will make someone take a chance.

• To John: Thanks.