Add Three More

Here are some more undrafted free agents on the roster:

Trevor Anderson DE Michigan State
Numbers: 5115/241 4.67 forty, 17 reps, 37-inch vertical, 10’7 broad jump, 4.44 shuttle, 6.92 three cone
2009 stats: 12 tackles, 33 assists, 7.5-32 TFL, 4.0-21 sacks
Extremely undersized pass-rush end with determination, surprising leg drive and a nonstop motor; needs to work on technique to have even a faint shot

Jordan Hemby CB North Carolina
Numbers: 5107/190 1.52 ten, 2.53 twenty, 4.48 forty, 19 reps, 36-inch vertical, 9’11 broad jump
2009 stats: 9 tackles, 3 assists
Former walk-on had much of his college career hampered by injuries, but exploded to be the Tar Heels’ best DB as a junior in 2008, but again succumbed to injuries in 2009; hard-hitter will have to make his mark on specials

Gregg Peat G Oregon State
Numbers: 6035/299 1.73 ten, 2.96 twenty, 5.26 forty, 23 reps, 32.5-inch vertical, 8’6 broad jump, 4.86 shuttle, 7.53 three cone
2009 stats: 13 starts
Undersized and somewhat stiff inside prospect gets by on grit, determination, toughness and intelligence; landed with the right team

Depth Chart

I've cobbled together a crude version of a depth chart (keep in mind it's how I think they'll enter mini-camp, not how they'll come out of it):

QB
18 Manning, Peyton
07 Painter, Curtis
16 Willy, Drew
00 Hiller, Tim
RB
29 Addai, Joseph
31 Brown, Donald
32 Hart, Mike
45 Moore, Devin
00 James, Javarris
00 James Brandon
WR
87 Wayne, Reggie
11 Gonzalez, Anthony
17 Collie, Austin
85 Garcon, Pierre
12 Hall, Roy
83 Matthews, John
10 Smith, Taj
14 Giguere, Sam
13 Guice, Dudley
00 White, Blair
TE
44 Clark, Dallas
47 Robinson, Gijon
81 Eldridge, Brody
86 Santi, Tom
84 Tamme, Jacob
46 Cloherty, Colin
80 Petrowski, Jamie
T
71 Diem, Ryan
74 Johnson, Charlie
79 Terry, Adam
67 Ugoh, Tony
76 Cadogan, Gerald
00 Linkenbach, Jeff
00 Tyshovnytsky, Andrew
G
66 DeVan, Kyle
62 Alleman, Andy
78 Pollak, Mike
65 McClendon, Jacques
73 Thomas, Jaimie
C
63 Saturday, Jeff
61 Richard, Jamey
DE
93 Freeney, Dwight
98 Mathis, Robert
92 Hughes, Jerry
96 Dawson, Keyunta
91 Mathews, Ricardo
94 Baldwin, Ervin
60 Hardie, Rudolph
72 Skolnitsky, J.D.
97 Chick, John
DT
99 Johnson, Antonio
90 Muir, Daniel
68 Foster, Eric
95 Moala, Fili
69 Gill, John
75 King, Mitch
OLB
55 Session, Clint
50 Wheeler, Philip
51 Angerer, Pat
53 Conner, Kavell
52 Glenn, Cody
57 Renkart, Brandon
ILB
58 Brackett, Gary
59 Humber, Ramon
00 Tuihalamaka, Vuna
CB
26 Hayden, Kelvin
25 Powers, Jerraud
27 Lacey, Jacob
20 Thomas, Kevin
34 Lambert, Terrail
28 Fisher, Ray
00 Turner, Thad
00 King, Brandon
S
21 Sanders, Bob
41 Bethea, Antoine
33 Bullitt, Melvin
40 Silva, Jamie
00 Newton, Mike
00 Caldwell, David
00 McClesky, Donye
K
04 Vinatieri, Adam
00 Swenson, Brett
P
01 McAfee, Pat
LS
48 Snow, Justin

One more free agent to add

Donye McClesky SS Indiana State
Numbers: 5110/209 1.63 ten, 2.43 twenty, 4.43 forty, 18 reps, 36-inch vertical, 9'10 broad jump, 4.53 shuttle, 7.36 three cone
2009 stats: 46 tackles, 46 assists, 3.0-19 TFL, 1-12 sacks, 2-2-0 intercptions, 1 PBU
Powerful but straight-linish safety prospect who'll get a try on specials

Post-draft Comments

While the net is abuzz with the Colts’ so-called failure to grab a top left tackle prospect in the draft, I’m actually in agreement with those Colts fans and commentators who point out that there were no great prospects available when they picked and were better off going with what they had.

I have a persistent thought that tells me they would prefer to open the season with free-agent acquisition Adam Terry at left tackle unless reluctant dragon Tony Ugoh can reclaim the spot with conviction. If either of those scenarios were to happen, it would allow Charlie Johnson to move inside and reclaim his natural left guard spot, and still allow him to kick back outside should Terry get injured again and/or Ugoh fail again.

Don’t laugh at the Terry scenario. On those occasions he started for the Ravens, he was more than competent. When it comes to overall talent, he is by far the Colts’ best option at the position, but he has to show that he can stay healthy.

If Charlie Johnson is inside, it solidifies one guard spot, which is crucial. Then the options at right guard would include incumbent Kyle DeVan, former starter Mike Pollak, free-agent signee Andy Alleman, rookie Jacques McLendon and holdovers Jaimie Thomas and Jamey Richard. It’s a lot easier to see one starter arise from that group than two.

If I had to look into my crystal ball, I’d say the opening day starters from left to right will be Terry-Johnson-Saturday-DeVan-Diem; they cut Pollak, Thomas and Ugoh, keep Alleman, McClendon and Richard as inside reserves and one of the rookie tackles Jeff Linkenbach or Andrew Tyshovnytsky outside, although Johnson would actually be the top reserve at both tackle positions with Alleman filling in at left guard if necessary.

***

Lots of people are drinking the Polian Kool-Aid when it comes to Pat Angerer being strictly Gary Brackett’s backup and heir apparent and not a challenger to Phillip Wheeler’s strongside position. Here are a few points to keep in mind:

• Brackett just signed a five-year contract
• Brackett is not old for the position, and is playing at a high level
• Wheeler twice lost his starting spot last year to since-departed Tyjuan Hagler, and was clearly the weakest link in the Colts’ LB corps last season
• Angerer is as NFL-ready as he’ll ever be and has limited upside
• Angerer’s best spot in the Larry Coyer defense is probably the strongside
• As a fifth-year senior last year, Angerer is not a young prospect
• Fili Moala notwithstanding, Polian doesn’t draft guys in the second round expecting them to sit
• Polian lies

***

I already said I liked the Jerry Hughes pick and I still do very much. Remember when the Giants went to the Super Bowl with a four-man, all end rushline they used on third downs? I could see the Colts starting Mathis-Mookie-Muir-Freeney, then going Mathis-Foster-Freeney-Hughes on third down. I’ve seen Freeney slide inside a few times in preseason, but not often in the regular season. Could be scary.

***

As interesting as all the other positional battles will be, they pale next to the return specialist. I’ve said this before, that returning kicks and returning punts are two very different tasks that are best suited to different kinds of players (look at it this way, Eric Dickerson would be my perfect idea of a kick returner, while Barry Sanders would be the prototype punt returner). But, alas, the Colts don’t usually think that way and would rather have one guy (make that one roster spot) handle both jobs. Fine, let’s look at the primary candidates' college stats:

Ray Fisher 18-650-2 (36.11) KR/6-59-0 (9.83) PR
Brandon James 112-2,718-1 (24.27) KR/117-1,371-4 (11.72) PR
Devin Moore 61-1,246-1 (20.43) KR/0-0-0 (--) PR

Personally, I like James for the job and I also like his (almost) Percy Harvin-like abilities on offense. Fisher’s KR average is gaudy, but remember, all but one of his returns came in one year. He has some ability as a tackler, but it’s more likely they would come in handy on special teams than on defense. It’d be great if they could keep both Fisher for kicks and James for punts, but I think the final decision will come down to who holds onto the ball best in camp and preseason.

***

Speaking of precious, precious roster spots, it looks like Drew Willy and Tim Hiller will fight for the No. 3 quarterback spot, but it may be moot as the Colts look like they’ll keep just two quarterbacks.

The Undrafteds

Here’s ColtPlay’s look at the first set of undrafted free agents, I’m sure there’ll be more to come:
Javarris James HB Miami
Numbers: 6002/214/4.59, 4.24 shuttle, 7.07 3-cone, 36-inch vertical, 32-inch arms, 9 5/8-inch hands
2009 stats: 103-409-6 rushing, 13-85-0 receiving
Yeah, Edgerrin’s little cousin. Makes coaches’ hearts break because he does everything well and is a hard worker and a good kid who appears to lack the athleticism to be special.

Brandon James HB Florida
Numbers: 5072/186 14 reps
2009 stats: 20-109-0 rushing, 24-215-1 receiving, 33-244-0 punt returning, 29-756-1 kick returning
Too small and fragile to be a real halfback, this James has a legitimate shot at being a return specialist and occasional offensive contributor on offense if he can show some toughness, durability and the ability to keep his ego in check

Blair White WR Michigan State
Numbers: 6022/209 1.50 ten, 2.60 twenty, 4.49 forty, 18 reps, 33.5-inch vertical, 6.69 3 cone, 4.03 shuttle
2009 stats: 70-990-9 receiving, 1-27-0 punt returning
I’m actually surprised this guy wasn’t drafted. He won’t set the world on fire, but can run routes, catch the ball, has some shiftiness and will play on special teams. This guy could surprise.

Tim Hiller QB Western Michigan
Numbers: 6040/229 1.65 ten, 2.78 twenty, 4.97 forty, 18 reps, 32.5-inch vertical, 9’10” broad jump, 4.54 shuttle, 7.10 three cone
2009 stats: 514-319-3,249-23-13 passing, 39-(-101)-0 rushing, 0-(-5)-0 receiving
From the waist up, he’s a perfect quarterback, but below that he reminds me of the old Kids in the Hall character M. Piedlourd (Mr. Heavyfoot), Hiller can’t sense the rush and doesn’t have the feet to do anything about it if he did, he could be effective as an NFL No. 3 if he has limited exposure

David Caldwell SS William & Mary
Numbers: 5104/212 1.52 ten, 2.60 twenty, 4.58 forty, 24 reps, 39.5-inch vertical, 10’10” broad jump, 4.07 shuttle, 6.69 three cone
2009 stats: 41 tackles, 17 assists, 2.0-13 TFL, 1.0-12 sacks, 3 PBU, 1-0-0 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble, 2-29-0 kick returning
Outstanding athlete was very productive at small school, a former halfback, he also played corner and was William & Mary’s primary kick returner before concentrating on safety as a senior, smart, hard-working kid could make it on specials

Mike Newton FS Buffalo
Numbers: 5101/197 1.50pd ten, 2.55pd twenty, 4.48pd forty, 9 reps, 10’0 broad jump, 4.09 shuttle, 6.94 3 cone
2009 stats: 52 tackles, 33 assists, 1.0-22 TFL, 2-30-0 interceptions, 8 PBU, 1-24-0 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
Had this guy on one of my mocks; gifted, hard-hitting safety who needs to learn more about coverage and play diagnosis before he can contribute on defense in the NFL

Thad Turner CB Ohio
Numbers: 5103/188 1.56 ten, 2.62 twenty, 4.51 forty, 14 reps, 41-inch vertical, 10’3” broad jump, 4.26 shuttle, 7.20 three cone
2009 stats: 34 tackles, 26 assists, 0.5-2 TFL, 1-4-0 interceptions, 6 PBU
Aggressive, hard-hitting corner isn’t the most fluid guy around but excels in the short-area press and could succeed on specials

Jeff Linkenbach T Cincinnati
Numbers: 6062/312 5.10 forty, 22 reps, 27.5-inch vertical, 8’2” broad jump, 7.69 three cone
2009 stats: 14 starts
Here’s another guy I had on a mock or two; experienced, effective starter who doesn’t have natural feet or bull strength, but managed to stonewalls lots of big-name pass rushers in college. And when you consider how immobile Tony Pike was and how high-powered their offense was, that’s quite a feat. Personally, I have no idea how Linkenbach went undrafted – with coaching and conditioning he has an outside chance to become an NFL starter

Brett Swenson K Michigan State
Numbers: 5076/180
2009 stats: 19-22 on field goals, 44-45 on extra points, 66-4,087-7 on kickoffs
He was actually the top kicker on my list for the Colts. He won’t help you on kickoffs or placements over 50 yards, but the Colts have McAfee for that. Deadly accurate and with a rare level of concentration under pressure, Swenson is a rare talent.

Vuna Tuihalamaka LB Arizona
Numbers: 6011/230 1.61 ten, 2.74 twenty, 4.70 forty, 18 reps, 33.5-inch vertical, 9’4 broad jump, 4.64 shuttle, 7.25 three cone
2009 stats: 45 tackles, 27 assists, 5.5-19 TFL, 1-0-0 interceptions, 3 PBU
The Colts bring in a guy like this every year: An undersized tackling machine who could be the next Gary Brackett or could be the next Mike Tuailiili.

A couple of late adds:

Brandon King CB Purdue
Numbers: 5096/195 1.59 ten, 2.62 twenty, 4.59 forty, 23 reps, 9'11 broad jump, 4.28 shuttle, 6.87 three cone
2009 stats: 25 tackles, 5 assists, 2.0-14 TFL, 3-25-0 interceptions, 5 PBU, 1-0-0 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble
Stout corner has great skills, but lacks height and long speed; could work better at free safety.

Andrew Tyshovnytsky T Fordham
Numbers: 6041/317 1.68 ten, 2.81 twenty, 4.91 forty, 33 reps, 28-inch vertical, 9'2 broad jump, 4.83 shuttle, 7.99 three cone
2009 stats: 11 starts
Exceptionally athletic tackle prospect who protected John Skelton's blindside; will need extensive coaching, but has a shot

Day Three

The fourth round also gave the Colts a player at a position many expected, but the name was not a familiar one. It should be noted that the Detroit Lions traded in front of the Colts to draft Miami’s Jason Fox, a left tackle prospect many Colts fans liked. So no matter what guard Jacques McClendon does in his career, it will always be measured against Fox’s. Here are the numbers:

6026/324
4.96pd forty
37 reps

Good: Started 26 games for elite program ... A massively strong man with decent athleticism ... first step has major pop ... hard worker ... has football intelligence and is very alert ... once benched 645 pounds, a team record ... Academic All-SEC twice despite majoring in economics ... former defensive lineman, also played basketball and shot put

Bad: Needs to work on pass-blocking especially ability to mirror and slide ... foot quickness is not great ... is not great at pulling or blocking downfield ... can fall out of shape

Overall: McClendon is a powerhouse whose success in the NFL will be determined by two things: a) his ability to improve his footwork in pass pro, and b) his commitment to keeping his weight down. There is significant potential for him to be a bust, but he worked hard in school academically and on the field, so he has a good chance of making it.

How he fits: Right now, the Colts have a muddied situation at guard, but McClendon will start at the bottom and have to sit and learn and earn the coaches trust before he sees any playing time.

Reminds me of: Keydrick Vincent

By the fifth round, Colts fan had given up on their quest for a left tackle and were looking elsewhere. But few could have predicted the Colts would have selected Brody Eldridge, a guy who played mostly tight end, but also at H-back, center, guard and fullback for the Sooners. Here are the numbers:

6046/261
4.75c/4.70pd forty
9’4”pd broad jump
26 reps
32.5-inch arms
9 5/8-inch hands

Good: Very strong, especially in his hands and arms ... stays low ... can destroy smaller players both inline and on the move ... great balance ... finishes his blocks ... fearless ... plays hard with a good motor ... leadership ability ... versatile, quick learner

Bad: Poor hands ... average straight-line speed for a tight end with little explosion ... not agile ... can overextend as a blocker ... not the best first step ... not all that durable

Overall: Eldridge is one of the best blocking tight ends to come around in years, and can also play full back or any of the middle three offensive line positions and could develop into a starter at any of the five positions, especially if he adds weight)

How he fits: Some have opined that the Colts will convert Eldridge to an offensive lineman, but they gave him a jersey with 81 on it, so they think he’s a tight end, at least for now. The Colts lay with two tight ends about 35 percent of the time, but aside from star Dallas Clark, they have gotten precious little production from any of them. Eldridge will never be a star receiver (or even an adequate one), but can help the offense as a blocker from a variety of positions, especially in motion. I would not at all be surprised if he plays a significant role as a rookie.

Reminds me of: Brandon Manumaleuna

To kick off the three seventh round picks, the Colts selected Cincinnati’s Ricardo Mathews, an undersized defensive tackle who the Colts project at end. Here are the numbers:

6025/294
1.69pd ten
2.85pd twenty
4.95pd forty
4.51pd shuttle
7.30 three-cone
31.5pd-inch vertical
9’6”pd broad jump
26 reps

Good: Very athletic for a defensive lineman, fluid and agile ... Good technique as a run stopper ... Quick first step ... nice lateral mobility ... productive senior season with 12.5 TFL and 3.5 sacks ... strong for his size, likes the rough stuff in the trenches ... penetrates, likes to cause problems for blockers ... seems like a good, hard working kid ... played better in big games ... smart

Bad: Very small for defensive tackle, very short for defensive end ... did very little of note until senior season ... can be handled by one man ... needs pass-rush moves

Overall: Looking more like a 3-4 end than anything else, Mathews could make it in the NFL as a situational player if he works hard to prove his senior season wasn’t just a case of being in the right place at the right time.

How he fits: While Hughes is being groomed to take over for Freeney or Mathis, Mathews will be given an opportunity to play the Raheem Brock role – a competent backup both inside and out and a situations run stopping end.

Reminds me of: Mike DeVito

Later in the seventh, the Colts picked a guys lots of people described as a Colts-type player, Clemson OLB Kavell Conner. Here are the numbers:

6004/242
1.55c ten
2.59c twenty
4.59c forty
4.60c shuttle
7.36c three-cone
33.5c-inch vertical
9’2”c broad jump
24 reps
32 ¾-inch arms
9 1/2-inch hands

Good: Very productive at big-time program ... strong tackler ... big hitter ... great range, can tackle sideline to sideline ... tough ... self-made player through hard work and determination ... very durable ... has blitzer potential ... very smart ... definite leadership potential

Bad: Short ... can be blocked out of a play, not a natural shedder ... not overly instinctive ... can take bad angles ... not fluid in man coverage, not quick in his drops in zone

Overall: Conner has lots of tools, but his lack of instincts and coverage will limit him as a pro. In all likelihood, he will be a career backup and special-teams contributor

How he fits: The Colts love guys like Conner and his attitude will take him a long way, but I don’t ever see him as a starter

Reminds me of: Vinny Ciurciu

The last pick was Indiana defensive back Ray Fisher, who may be the answer to the Colts return-specialist woes. Here are the numbers:

5082/171
4.32pd forty
38-inch vertical
10’2 broad jump

Good: Exceptional athlete ... blazing speed ... former WR with great hands, good ball tracking skills ... very fluid and agile ... very productive returner in college ... instinctive runner ... has played basketball and track

Bad: Tiny ... has had just one year’s experience on defense ... can get caught up in traffic ... easy to bring down ... may not be durable

Overall: Fisher is unlikely to make any impact in the NFL as a defensive back, but could be an exceptional return man and perhaps gunner

How he fits: The Colts will give him every opportunity to be their primary return specialist

Reminds me of: Eric Weems

Tomorrow, the undrafteds

Colts take LB Angerer, CB Thomas

Iowa’s Pat Angerer was a bit of a surprise as the Colts’ second-round pick. Here are the numbers:

6002/235
1.63c/1.58pd ten
2.70c/2.72pd twenty
4.71c/4.64pd forty
4.29c/4.23pd shuttle
7.04 three-cone
35c/39pd-inch vertical
9’2”c/9’3”pd broad jump
26 reps
30.5-inch arms
9 1/8-inch hands

Good: Run-through-a-wall dedication ... reads and diagnoses plays quickly, won’t be fooled ... not straight-line fast, but football fast, pursues sideline-to-sideline and closes quickly ... quick into zone drops and able to locate ball and receiver quickly ... will be a demon on special teams ... fights his way through blocks ... wasn’t ask to blitz often, but can; is too much for most halfbacks to handle

Bad: Not an explosive tackler ... gets absorbed in junk ... not durable ... on the ground too often ... not agile or fluid in coverage

Overall: Angerer is like a miniaturized version of the prototype linebacker. He does everything right, but is limited by his size. He’ll need to be protected by a four-man front, or he may never be better than a nickel ’backer and special teams captain

How he fits: Angerer wouldn’t make it on most teams, but is in the right place in Indy. Although likely the heir apparent in the middle, he’s most likely to begin as a swing backup and could perhaps supplant Phillip Wheeler, who has not really established himself on the strong side. The Colts do not expect second-round picks to sit for long.

Reminds me of: Rocky McIntosh

Lots of mocks – including ColtPlay’s – had the Colts getting a corner in the third round, but I don’t think any thought it would be Kevin Thomas. Here are the numbers:

6000/192
1.52c/1.52pd ten
2.50c/2.52pd twenty
4.41c/4.45pd forty
4.18 shuttle
6.82 three-cone
34.5c/32.5pd-inch vertical
10’6” broad jump
19 reps

Good: Tall and fast ... great first step ... excellent at play diagnosis, and willing to support ... very fluid in zone coverage, almost as good in man ... very good at tracking the ball in the air ... keeps his body between the ball and the man ... uses long arms very well ... decent hands ... has cornerback mentality

Bad: Injury-prone ... not strong in press coverage ... not a strong tackler ... still a bit raw ... not great in recovery

Overall: Thomas is a rare athlete who is just beginning to unlock the football player within. If he’s over his injuries, he could have long-term starting potential.

How he fits: Begins the season as the No. 4 corner behind Kelvin Hayden, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacy and will have to fight his way up.

Reminds me of: A taller Jabari Greer

Still need a return man and a prospect at left tackle.