Hoosier_Vol
Vol Stuck in B1G 10 Hell
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Here are some areas the Colts might address with the 32nd overall pick Saturday. Included are players on the team at that position (along with regular-season games/starts in the NFL) and players who might be available in the draft:
Wide receiver
On the roster: Marvin Harrison (170/168), Reggie Wayne (93/80), John Standeford (0/0), Devin Aromashodu (0/0), Kevin McMahan (0/0), Craphonso Thorpe (0/0).
Might be available: Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State; Robert Meachem, Tennessee; Dwayne Bowe, LSU; Dwayne Jarrett, USC; Steve Smith, USC; Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State.
The skinny: Harrison and Wayne have combined for 1,412 receptions, 19,171 yards, 159 touchdowns and nine Pro Bowl appearances. None of their current supporting cast has stepped on the field for a regular-season game. Coordinator Tom Moore makes liberal use of three-receiver formations, and the release of Brandon Stokley and unsigned status of Aaron Moorehead leave him one proven receiver shy. Tight end Dallas Clark filed the slot role expertly in '06, but a third receiver is needed. Polian will not allow Manning's supporting cast to wane.
Outside linebacker
On the roster: Gary Brackett (61/31), Rob Morris (97/65), Rocky Boiman (70/12), Gilbert Gardner (37/15), Freddy Keiaho (14/0), Tyjuan Hagler (9/0), Keith O'Neil (52/0), Brandon Hoyte (0/0), Mike Labinjo (10/1).
Might be available: Paul Posluszny, Penn State; Lawrence Timmons, Florida State; Jon Beason, Miami; Stewart Bradley, Nebraska.
The skinny: Both outside spots could be up for grabs following the departure of weak-side starter Cato June. Morris might get the first shot at retaining the strong-side job he took from Gardner last December, but Morris is a natural middle linebacker. Keiaho might be the long-term answer. As for June's replacement, perhaps Gardner will be a better fit at weak-side linebacker.
Defensive tackle
On the roster: Anthony McFarland (109/95), Raheem Brock (77/70), Dan Klecko (39/3), Darrell Reid (23/1), Corey Simon (91/91).
Might be available: Justin Harrell, Tennessee; Ray McDonald, Florida; Tank Tyler, North Carolina State; Turk McBride, Tennessee.
The skinny: Position coach John Teerlinck requires at least four tackles he can rely on: two starters and two competent backups to complete a rotation designed to keep everyone fresh. McFarland and Brock, the Super Bowl starters, return. Klecko and Reid aren't difference makers, and a blue-chipper to bolster practice against the run and push either McFarland or Brock would upgrade a defense that needs help.
Safety
On the roster: Bob Sanders (24/22), Antoine Bethea (14/14), Matt Giordano (27/1), Norman LeJeune (7/0), Scott Ware (0/0), Trevis Coley (0/0).
Might be available: Reggie Nelson, Florida; Michael Griffin, Texas; Brandon Meriweather, Miami; Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech.
The skinny: No one should question Sanders' value to the defense, or that Bethea has barely begun to scratch his potential. Giordano is a solid backup. But this is a critical position on defense -- right behind the line. Depth must be upgraded, especially considering Sanders' Tasmanian devil-type approach to the game makes it unlikely he'll ever play 16 games in a season. In three seasons, injuries have forced Sanders to miss half of the 48 regular-season games.
Cornerback
On the roster: Jason David (48/43, but signed restricted offer sheet with New Orleans), Marlin Jackson (29/9), Kelvin Hayden (31/1), Tim Jennings (11/0), T.J. Rushing (6/0), Tanard Davis (0/0).
Might be available: Aaron Ross, Texas; Chris Houston, Arkansas; Eric Wright, UNLV; Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh; Tanard Jackson, Syracuse.
The skinny: Nick Harper is gone. David is going, going, all but gone to New Orleans. There's every reason to believe Jackson and Hayden, the top two picks in '05, are ready to step in and start. After that? The player on the spot is Jennings, last year's second-rounder. Injuries limited his growth and playing time as a rookie. If he makes the anticipated leap from his first year to his second, the position should be fine. If not, trouble looms.
Wide receiver
On the roster: Marvin Harrison (170/168), Reggie Wayne (93/80), John Standeford (0/0), Devin Aromashodu (0/0), Kevin McMahan (0/0), Craphonso Thorpe (0/0).
Might be available: Ted Ginn Jr., Ohio State; Robert Meachem, Tennessee; Dwayne Bowe, LSU; Dwayne Jarrett, USC; Steve Smith, USC; Anthony Gonzalez, Ohio State.
The skinny: Harrison and Wayne have combined for 1,412 receptions, 19,171 yards, 159 touchdowns and nine Pro Bowl appearances. None of their current supporting cast has stepped on the field for a regular-season game. Coordinator Tom Moore makes liberal use of three-receiver formations, and the release of Brandon Stokley and unsigned status of Aaron Moorehead leave him one proven receiver shy. Tight end Dallas Clark filed the slot role expertly in '06, but a third receiver is needed. Polian will not allow Manning's supporting cast to wane.
Outside linebacker
On the roster: Gary Brackett (61/31), Rob Morris (97/65), Rocky Boiman (70/12), Gilbert Gardner (37/15), Freddy Keiaho (14/0), Tyjuan Hagler (9/0), Keith O'Neil (52/0), Brandon Hoyte (0/0), Mike Labinjo (10/1).
Might be available: Paul Posluszny, Penn State; Lawrence Timmons, Florida State; Jon Beason, Miami; Stewart Bradley, Nebraska.
The skinny: Both outside spots could be up for grabs following the departure of weak-side starter Cato June. Morris might get the first shot at retaining the strong-side job he took from Gardner last December, but Morris is a natural middle linebacker. Keiaho might be the long-term answer. As for June's replacement, perhaps Gardner will be a better fit at weak-side linebacker.
Defensive tackle
On the roster: Anthony McFarland (109/95), Raheem Brock (77/70), Dan Klecko (39/3), Darrell Reid (23/1), Corey Simon (91/91).
Might be available: Justin Harrell, Tennessee; Ray McDonald, Florida; Tank Tyler, North Carolina State; Turk McBride, Tennessee.
The skinny: Position coach John Teerlinck requires at least four tackles he can rely on: two starters and two competent backups to complete a rotation designed to keep everyone fresh. McFarland and Brock, the Super Bowl starters, return. Klecko and Reid aren't difference makers, and a blue-chipper to bolster practice against the run and push either McFarland or Brock would upgrade a defense that needs help.
Safety
On the roster: Bob Sanders (24/22), Antoine Bethea (14/14), Matt Giordano (27/1), Norman LeJeune (7/0), Scott Ware (0/0), Trevis Coley (0/0).
Might be available: Reggie Nelson, Florida; Michael Griffin, Texas; Brandon Meriweather, Miami; Aaron Rouse, Virginia Tech.
The skinny: No one should question Sanders' value to the defense, or that Bethea has barely begun to scratch his potential. Giordano is a solid backup. But this is a critical position on defense -- right behind the line. Depth must be upgraded, especially considering Sanders' Tasmanian devil-type approach to the game makes it unlikely he'll ever play 16 games in a season. In three seasons, injuries have forced Sanders to miss half of the 48 regular-season games.
Cornerback
On the roster: Jason David (48/43, but signed restricted offer sheet with New Orleans), Marlin Jackson (29/9), Kelvin Hayden (31/1), Tim Jennings (11/0), T.J. Rushing (6/0), Tanard Davis (0/0).
Might be available: Aaron Ross, Texas; Chris Houston, Arkansas; Eric Wright, UNLV; Darrelle Revis, Pittsburgh; Tanard Jackson, Syracuse.
The skinny: Nick Harper is gone. David is going, going, all but gone to New Orleans. There's every reason to believe Jackson and Hayden, the top two picks in '05, are ready to step in and start. After that? The player on the spot is Jennings, last year's second-rounder. Injuries limited his growth and playing time as a rookie. If he makes the anticipated leap from his first year to his second, the position should be fine. If not, trouble looms.
