New guys, other stuff

The Colts signed three more players, here's a look:

Jordan Sisco WR Regina
Numbers: 5115/212, 1.56 ten, 2.59 twenty, 4.50 forty, 8 reps, 34-inch vertical, 9-7 broad jump, 4.38 shuttle, 9-inch hands, 29 7/8-inch arms*
2009 stats: 52-700-2 recieving, 25-74-0 rushing, 1-0-0-0-0 passing, 1-0-0 punt returns
Who he is: Another raw Canadian receiving prospect, so his best shot would appear to be the practice squad. Hope’s nowhere near the athlete Sam Giguere is, but appears to be a smoother receiver with good football intelligence. Unfortunately, he has no return experience.

Pete Ittersagen CB Wheaton
Numbers: 5102/189, 4.47 forty, 18 reps, 37-inch vertical, 9’10 broad jump, 6.60 three-cone, 4.32 shuttle*
2008 stats: 49 tackles, 15 assists, 3.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, 3-77-1 interceptions, 12 PBU, 1 forced fumble, 20-528-1 kick returns, 25-464-2 punt returns
Who he is: A D3 standout at corner who was an incredibly effective punt returner (65-1,075-5). Signed by the Jaguars out of Wheaton, he was a final cut. He’s a long shot for any CB work, but has to be considered a contender for the return specialist job because of his outstanding stop-start run skills. If it doesn’t work out, he already has a contract to play with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.

Marlon Favorite DT LSU
Numbers: 6007/317, 1.74 ten, 2.66 twenty, 5.09 forty, 26 reps, 18.5-inch vertical, 7’0 broad jump, 5.27 shuttle, 8.02 three-cone*
2008 stats: 9 tackles, 19 assists, 3.5-14 TFL, 2.0-13 sacks, 2 PBU
Who he is: The Bills cut Favorite to make room for former Colts halfback Chad Simspon, so I like to think of it as a trade. Favorite is a hard-working guy with a great first step, but he appears to be lacking functional strength and pass-rushing technique. Because of his gifts, he has been signed by the Panthers, Rams, Chiefs, Seahawks, Saints and Bills in less than a calendar year. And because of his liabilities, he has been cut by all of them. Favorite is a good guy who graduated early and is a talented singer (performing under the name “Big Fav”), so I’m rooting for him. But until I see something new, he looks like a rotational injury replacement type to me.

*all numbers except Favorite’s reps are from Pro Days, not the Combine

In other news:

• It looks very much like third-round pick Kevin Thomas will miss his rookie season, and potentially even more. It’s a hard break for the kid, and it puts the team in a bind, too. Although the next man down on the depth chart would appear to be Terrail Lambert or draftee Ray Fisher, Thomas spot as No. 4 corner will more likely be taken by whichever of the corps of unknowns – Brandon King, Thad Turner, Jordan Hemby or Ittersagen. Lambert just isn’t a natural coverage guy, and I think Fisher is just too small and inexperienced at the position. This is a vital spot. Consider that the Titans’ No. 4 receiver is dynamic rookie Damian Williams, the Texans’ is wily David Anderson, the Jaguars’ is rapidly improving Jarrett Dillard and there are far more frightening options at that spot on the teams the Colts will meet in the playoffs.
• While I think it’s significant that Brandon James was given a receiver’s number (12) instead of a halfback’s, I don’t think it is that Trevor Anderson was given a linebacker’s (56), not an end’s. I also think James (Brandon, not Javarris) will be one of the most interesting players to watch in camp and the preseason.