While everyone else is talking about Cassius Vaughn and LaVon Brazill, ColtPlay's been on board with those guys for a while. Instead, we here at ColtPlay (as usual) want to take things a bit deeper and look at a few guys who might make the roster, but may not actually be on your radar.
Jermale Hines: A late-season pickup last season, Hines didn't play on defense, but did look pretty good on specials. He's not stopwatch fast, but plays well in zone coverage and, more important, is a sure tackler and impact hitter. My feeling is that the Colts are looking for someone more in the mold of starter Tom Zbikowski in their backup strong safety, and that's why Hines has crept ahead of erstwhile starter David Caldwell on the depth chart.
Dominique Jones and/or Kyle Miller: A lot has been made about the Colts bringing Andre Smith in to be their blocking tight end, but I'm not sold. I think the concept is as out of date as a Reese McCall jersey. These days (and in the current system), tight ends are receivers who block as an afterthought. When you do need a blocker, you can always bring in an extra offensive lineman. Heck, Joe Reitz has better hands than Smith anyway.
After a productive D2 career, Jones bounced around the Arena and Indoor leagues, and produced at a variety of positions. That could prove very valuable as the Colts are expecting their tight ends to also play slot, wide and even fullback. Jones has experience at all of those positions.
Miller doesn't have that kind of versatility, but he does have great potential as a receiver. Though slow, he is fluid and nifty and blessed with soft hands. On the same Mount Union teams that produced Pierre Garçon and Cecil Shorts III, he caught 87 passes for 1,259 yards and 16 touchdowns, going 62-872-7 as a senior.
Not only are Jones and Miller better pass catchers than Smith, neither is all that bad a blocker, and Miller can also provide insurance at long snapper.
Steven Baker: There's a reason why Baker fetched the biggest signing bonus of all the 2012 undrafted free agents and why he's ahead of seventh-round pick Justin Anderson at right tackle — he's a freak of nature. Almost 6'8 with long arms, Baker can fly for a man his size with a 4.91 forty. He's got quick feet, is fluid and is in great condition — despite starting at tackle his final two seasons, Baker still played special teams.
But there's a catch, actually a couple of them. Years as a shot putter, basketball center and defensive lineman have slowed his development as a tackle. And, despite his gargantuan size, he does not play very strong at the point of attack.
It would take a while, but Baker could well develop into a starting-quality tackle. If the Colts want to make that gamble, they'll have to put him on the 53-man roster because he will not last on the practise squad.
Jason Shirley: Shirley has the talent to be a frequent Pro Bowler, but problems with alcohol, concentration, conditioning and overall dedication have held him back. After disappointing stints with the Bengals and Seahawks, he was signed by the Panthers — desperate for defensive tackle because their already talent-challenged corps had bee struck by a spate of injuries — late last season. He played well, if not dominantly, with three sacks and two quarterback hurries in just four games. But the Panthers cut him, and the Colts signed him.
He's in a great spot in Indy if he has his head screwed on right. Capable of playing 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle (and even the nose in a pinch), Shirley is not facing overwhelming competition. Of course Cory Redding has one spot nailed down, and Fili Moala and Drake Nevis are battling to start at the other. But after that, it's Shirley against James Aiono, who is big but could not get much playing time in college, and Ricardo Matthews, a Polian pick who plays at about 50 pounds lighter than the new regime would prefer.
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