Every Colts fan can recall the horror they felt when they saw Aaron Francisco run out there to start the playoff game against the Jets. It’s unlikely that will ever occur again, but who will be the Colts’ strong safety next season? Bob Sanders is a Charger, Melvin Bullitt is unsigned, Jamie Silva is unsigned and on crutches and the draft didn’t bring in any obvious contenders. Here’s a look at the men who would be the Colts’ strong safety.
23 Al Afalava
Height: 5107, weight: 207, 40-yard dash: 4.47, 20-yard dash: 2.57, 10-yard dash: 1.52, Bench press: 25, vertical jump: 40, long jump: 10’5, shuttle: 4.07, three-cone: 6.60
2010 stats: 3 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist in four games with the Colts
Comments: A former sixth-round draft pick of the Bears, Afalava started a few games there but was cut and became a Colt. Considered a big run stopper who has problems with coverage, he is better known as a special teamer than a safety.
Did he know the shame of being on the roster when the Colts started Aaron Francisco against the Jets?: Yes
Contract status: Unsigned
Chance of starting for the Colts on Sept. 11th: Slim
30 David Caldwell
Height: 5105, weight: 212, 40-yard dash: 4.58, 20-yard dash: 2.60, 10-yard dash: 1.52, Bench press: 24, vertical jump: 39 1/2, long jump: 10’10, shuttle: 4.07, three-cone: 6.69
2010 stats: None (no preseason stats)
Comments: This promising small school prospect missed his entire rookie season to injury. He certainly has the athleticism to make noise at the position, and his college production was phenomenal.
Did he know the shame of being on the roster when the Colts started Aaron Francisco against the Jets?: No
Contract status: Signed through 2012
Chance of starting for the Colts on Sept. 11th: Not bad
33 Melvin Bullitt
Height: 6011, weight: 201, 40-yard dash: 4.48, 20-yard dash: 2.55, 10-yard dash: 1.50, Bench press: 15, vertical jump: 40 1/2, long jump: 10’5, shuttle: 3.97, three-cone: 6.90
2010 stats: 10 tackles, 3 assists, 1 special-teams tackle, 1-0-0 interception, 1 pass defensed, 1 special-teams assist in four games/three starts with the Colts
Comments: A former college linebacker and undrafted free agent, Bullitt has been pressed into starting duty for long stretches due to the spotty durability of Bob Sanders. While his six interceptions in 48 career games has made him a favorite among Colts fans, he’s far from an elite player in either pass defense or run stopping. His demands for a long-term contract are unlikely to have endeared him to management, but his career with the Colts makes him the favorite to start.
Did he know the shame of being on the roster when the Colts started Aaron Francisco against the Jets?: No
Contract status: Unsigned
Chance of starting for the Colts on Sept. 11th: Likely
35 Ken Hamlin
Height: 6024, weight: 209, 40-yard dash: 4.61, 20-yard dash: 2.71, 10-yard dash: 1.59, Bench press: 16, vertical jump: 33, long jump: 9’9, shuttle: 3.92, three-cone: 6.80
2010 stats: 1 tackle, 2 assists, 1-0-0 interception, 1-0-0 fumble recovery in seven games with the Ravens, no stats in two games with the Colts
Comments: A former second-round pick and Pro Bowler, Hamlin is at the very end of a career marred and shorted by severe injuries including a fractured skull. Although his intellect and experience put him in the right place to make a play when he can get there, his speed is a thing of the past and any lengthy amount of playing time would expose him as a liability, especially in coverage.
Did he know the shame of being on the roster when the Colts started Aaron Francisco against the Jets?: Yes
Contract status: Unsigned
Chance of starting for the Colts on Sept. 11th: Very slim
37 Brandon King
Height: 5096, weight: 195, 40-yard dash: 4.59, 20-yard dash: 2.62, 10-yard dash: 1.59, Bench press: 23, vertical jump: 36, long jump: 9’11, shuttle: 4.28, three-cone: 6.87
2010 stats: 1 special-teams tackle in four games with the Colts
Comments: An undrafted cornerback who played one year of safety in college, the Colts moved him back to safety out of necessity when injuries piled up. There was a lot of hype early in the season about him potentially starting for the Colts at safety after a fairly impressive preseason, but he played almost entirely on special teams before going on injured reserve.
Did he know the shame of being on the roster when the Colts started Aaron Francisco against the Jets?: No
Contract status: Signed through 2012
Chance of starting for the Colts on Sept. 11th: Not bad
38 Mike Newton
Height: 5101, weight: 197, 40-yard dash: 4.48, 20-yard dash: 2.55, 10-yard dash: 1.50, Bench press: 9, vertical jump: 41, long jump: 10’0, shuttle: 4.09, three-cone: 6.94
2010 stats: 1 assist, 3 special-teams tackles, 1 special-teams assist in 12 games with the Colts
Comments: A very good athlete who was very raw after playing in the Mid-American conference, Newton played primarily on special teams.
Did he know the shame of being on the roster when the Colts started Aaron Francisco against the Jets?: Yes
Contract status: Unsigned
Chance of starting for the Colts on Sept. 11th: Slim
40 Jamie Silva
Height: 5106, weight: 204, 40-yard dash: 4.79, 20-yard dash: 2.72, 10-yard dash: 1.58, Bench press: DNP, vertical jump: 32, long jump: 9’0, shuttle: 4.50, three-cone: 6.86
2010 stats: None
Comments: The book on Silva was that he was a great college player who was just too slow for the NFL. But in limited appearances on both special teams and defense, he has graded out very well. Still, depending on him for extended periods, let alone as a starter, is inviting disaster. Besides, his rehab is not going well and it’s unlikely he would be available on Opening Day.
Did he know the shame of being on the roster when the Colts started Aaron Francisco against the Jets?:
Contract status: Unsigned
Chance of starting for the Colts on Sept. 11th: Very slim
49 Chip Vaughn
Height: 6013, weight: 221, 40-yard dash: 4.42, 20-yard dash: 2.57, 10-yard dash: 1.49, Bench press: 21, vertical jump: 37, long jump: 10’5, shuttle: 4.12, three-cone: 7.03
2010 stats: 1 special-teams tackle in three games with the Colts
Comments: Much-heralded as a big-play guy at Wake Forest, Vaughn was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2009 draft. He missed his rookie season due to injury and was a final cut the following season. He was picked up and dropped by the Eagles before landing with the Colts and playing a little bit on special teams. The book on him is that he’s a good run stuffer, but not much of a coverage guy and one who can be faked easily.
Did he know the shame of being on the roster when the Colts started Aaron Francisco against the Jets?:
Contract status: Signed though 2011
Chance of starting for the Colts on Sept. 11th: Slim
• “Bill Polian” asked my opinion of Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien, indicating he believed him to be a better prospect than Curtis Painter. Well, to tell the truth Tolzein reminds me of the man Painter replaced, fellow Wisconsin alum Jim Sorgi. Smart but athletically limited, Tolzein looks like a career backup in the NFL. But that, of course, means I think he’s already way ahead of Painter.
• Blue MD suggested some undrafted free agents, here are my takes on them:
DeAndre McDaniel SS Clemson: Interesting prospect, there are serious holes in his game but there’s also a lot to work with. But keep in mind that his arrest and suspension came from beating up his girlfriend, not backing into a parked car in a 7-11 parking lot. His 4.67 forty didn’t impress me either. I’d probably pass on him.
Deunta Williams FS North Carolina: A hot-and-cold player who can hit and cover, but makes some bad reads, takes some poor angles and can be fooled. With good coaching he might blossom. His suspension doesn’t bother me (he seems like a decent kid), but his leg injury sure does. Could be a guy you stash on the practice squad if his health checks out.
Dom DeCicco SS Pittsburgh: Great athlete, tough guy, big hitter but is absolutely lost in coverage. He could, as Blue MD suggests be converted to a weakside ’backer, but looks more like a career special teamer and blitz/short-yardage specialist. Worth a look? Sure. Worth a roster spot? I don’t know.
Cedric Thornton DT Southern Arkansas: To tell you the truth, I have seen very little of this guy. He was tremendous in 2009, but was limited by injuries and constant double-teaming in 2010. He’s very raw, even when you consider him a D2 prospect, but has potential. Looks like another practice squad guy you hope develops.
Weslye Saunders TE South Carolina: No thanks, kid’s a brat, won’t work out with the Colts.
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