Qs and As

Wow, lots of questions. Let’s get to them all.

From “Bill Polian” (aka tmilohan from Ohio)

1. Asks if I agree with LT, G, DT, SS, RB/WR as the Colts’ needs.

Yes, but not in that order.

2. Could Tepper be the answer even if he has less impressive measurable than Pollak?

Hard to say. Pollak had great measurables, but so did Jamey Richard and Steve Justice, and all three have been major washouts so far. Tepper is a college tackle getting over a series of major injuries and is nothing more than a projection inside. But he has rare size, strength and intelligence and would not surprise me if he stuck.

From Blue MD

1. I also think the colts should trade back, but only if 3 of 1er OTs/DTs Rounders are at 22 (Castonzo, JJ Watt, Carimi, Liuget, Sherrod). The “lower” upside/lower risk Sherrod, should be the pick

I’m a huge Sherrod supporter. Castonzo is likely to have been selected by No. 22, and I’m not as high on Carimi, who I don’t think is the athlete you want at LT, and not all that interested in any defensive linemen in the first round.

2. 1 DT of Paea, Taylor, Wilkerson, Heyward, Ballard, in the 2nd?; or this is the place to trade down and get a 3er tier DT (Jenkins, Nevis, Ellis, Casey or even Fua)

I think the hype machine has been in love with Paea since his Combine performance and he’ll be overdrafted. Sure he’s strong and has been productive in the college game, but he lacks any finesse and his instincts are just so-so – that will make the transition to the NFL very tough. Taylor will also be overdrafted because of his size and how many teams are running 30-fronts. Character and condition issues make me think the Colts would pass on him. Heyward is more a Colts-like player and could make an interesting pairing with Fili Moala inside. I certainly don’t see him falling to the end of Round 2, though. Ballard? He’s a possibility, but I hope they don’t choose him. The third echelon guys you mention make varying degrees of sense to me, my favourites being Nevis and Jarvis.

3. Da’Norris Searcy: there are 10 or more safeties with more “ceiling;” could He be at later rounds. He is a good pick: good tackler,he can cover slot receivers, steady (UNC coaches’),returner, good 2010 production, and athletic (40=4.54, Benching=27, Vertical=33, Arm=33 1/2). He sounds like a Colt.

I’m with you. He’s one of a few safety prospects I really like this year.

4. The expectation is: 6-7 QBs in rounds (Rs) 1-2, 20s D.liners in Rs 1-3, 15s O.liners in Rs 1-3, 20s DBs in Rs 1-4, 10s RBs in Rs 2-4; hence, high value non-pash rushers LBs will fall. Will the Colts consider a LB in mid rounds? (Clint Sesssion is FA).

I hope not, but they may well. Even though Larry Coyer is more likely to blitz than any other defensive co-ordinator the Colts have had in the Polian/Manning era, it’s still not a huge part of the defense. And look at the last time the Colts drafted a blitzer at the position – they got Phillip Wheeler.

• In other news, the Colts met with Bowie State WR Derrick McPhearson. It might just be because he was a local high school phenom, but he’s a legitimate prospect. He’s bounced around from receiver to defensive back and back to wideout and from Illinois to Hampton to Bowie State. He is incredibly raw as a receiver, but is a natural as a return man. I don’t see anyone spending a draft pick on him, but he’ll be invited to someone’s summer camp.