Boring and Brilliant, Colts Draft 2010

I like Bill Polian. Never any B.S., from the hip, honest, and damn he’s good. A Colts blog I read from time to time made a really good point : How good do the Colts have to be to have every draft pick in a year slotted as a backup? What other team can afford the luxury of not filling a single starting role with a draft choice? Polian has built such an incredible team in Indianapolis, he can now start building the foundation for the next decade’s version of “under-sized, fast, smart, flawless football.” So what’d they get last weekend? Who are these guys, and what do they mean for the future of Indianapolis Colts football? One thing I noticed right off the bat is the Colts will clearly maintain philosophy for the foreseeable future. Another thing I noticed is there appears to be no chance Tim Jennings will return; which is the best news I’ve heard all year. That guy's back has to be sore from all of the wide receivers who climbed on it. Heck, Brandon Marshall was reported to have lobbied the NFL asking if Jennings could be his "personal conerback," kind of like Ryan Hannigan is Bronson Arroyo's "personal catcher." And finally, the Colts took a couple of shots (via draft and free-agency) at a couple of potential kick returners – which is a glaring area of need. I’m sure Chad Simpson’s a nice guy, but he just couldn’t seem to break through that impenetrable 17-yard line barrier - and another contender for the best job in professional sports, i.e. Peyton Manning’s backup. Ladies and gentlemen, the class of 2010 :

Round 1 – Jerry Hughes, DE Texas Christian #92

Hughes registered 26.5 sacks in his final 26 games at TCU and was a 2-time Mountain West player of the year, utilizing his size, speed, and quickness. Not known for having as many moves as Colts’ starter Dwight Freeney; but has the speed and agility to compete at that level. No offense to Raheem Brock, but Hughes is about 2 ½ months late. If he were a Colt in early February when Freeney was banged up? Maybe a different story in Super Bowl XLIV.

What it means : Hughes will spell both Freeney and Robert Mathis; and should be a Colts mainstay at defensive end for a long time. His presence and style suggest the Colts pass-rushing strategy will largely stay the same, and they’ll get a beast on special teams. Guys like Hughes want to be on the field, and he’ll make an immediate impact. He’ll force at least 2 fumbles on special teams next year.

Round 2 – Patrick Angerer, LB Iowa #51

People are starting to talk. Bill Polian likes Iowa guys, and why shouldn’t he? Angerer is another in a pattern of Hawkeyes drafted by the Colts, and if he has a career which even loosely resembles that of pro-bowlers Bob Sanders and Dallas Clark, Polian may legally adopt Kirk Ferentz. Angerer is a bit under-sized, but so is the entire Colts defense. He was a 1st team All-America choice by the Football Writers of America; had 258 career tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 6 interceptions. The thing that bugs me most about him is he was born during the 2nd semester of my senior year in high school.

What it means : The Colts got a Zach Thomas/Gary Brackett clone, which I guess I’ll take if we have to. Another player who was worthy of a 1st round selection, but dropped because he’s “too small” according to the standards set by such teams as the Raiders, Chiefs, and Rams. Angerer will back up Brackett and, like Hughes, help bolster special teams.

Round 3 – Kevin Thomas, CB USC #20

A solid one-year starter who was chosen All-PAC 10, Thomas provides speed and depth at the cornerback position. The departure of Marlin Jackson and Jennings leaves room for guys to make the team, and Thomas’ speed (he ran a 10.84 100 meter dash in high school) suggests he’ll be given many opportunities.

What it means : Speed and depth. Thomas won’t start for the Colts, but if he can produce like undrafted free-agent Jacob Lacey or 2009 draft choice Jerraud Powers; he’s a steal in the 3rd round. Another guy who’ll be looked upon as a special teams contributor.

Round 4 – Jacque McClendon, OT Tennessee #65

Pierre Garcon worked out so well, Polian decided to get another Frenchie! Or maybe it’s the success the Colts have had drafting guys from UT? Either way, McClendon was a 4-year letterman at Tennessee, a 2-year starter, and All-Academic SEC.

What it means : McClendon may be the one guy who has an opportunity to earn a starting role in 2010. Polian has been openly critical of the Colts’ offensive line; so McClendon will be given a hard look.

Round 5 – Brody Eldridge, TE Oklahoma #81

In a long line of pass catching tight ends at Oklahoma, Eldridge snagged 2 receptions for 19 yards last season. Okay, not known for his pass-catching prowess, Eldridge will be counted on to block and help the Colts upgrade their ground attack. Was a TE, FB, and OL at Oklahoma; and the only BCS player to start at 3 different positions in 2009.

What it means : Gijon Robinson may have played his last game as a Colt. No word on whether or not he’s ever stood up from the 3-point stance in San Diego. You know…the time he missed the block when Manning had his choice of receivers on a critical 3rd down that, if converted, would have iced the playoff game on January 3rd, 2009? Not that I’m bitter, or anything.

Round 7 – Ricardo Matthews, DT Cincinnati; #91 Kavell Conner, LB Clemson #53 Ray Fisher, CB Indiana #28

Matthews had 44.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks as a senior. In his interview, it was clear how honored he was to be drafted by the Colts, and I’d bet this is a kid who makes it. Believe it or not, even at UC, he was an academic honor roll student.

Conner registered 103 tackles and 7 tackles for loss as a senior. A special teams guy who will add depth.

Fisher, a former WR at IU converted to CB his senior year when he registered 40 tackles and 2 passes defended/tipped. Okay, so he’s not a stellar defender; but he IS a decent kick returner, averaging 37.4 yards and scoring 2 TD’s as a senior. He’ll be given the opportunity to earn that role as a Colt. Bill Lynch wanted to get the best 22 players on the field, but asking Fisher to play cornerback was a stretch. I don't see him as an NFL corner at all.

Undrafted free agents of note :

Javarris James, RB ‘Da U!’ Yes, the Colts opted for nostalgia and picked up Edge’s nephew. James rushed for 2,162 career yards and 18 TD’s.

Tim Hiller, QB Western Michigan : Guy threw for 3,249 yards and 23 TD’s as a senior and carried a 4.0 GPA for the entirety of his college career. I am so sick of the dumb guys the Colts keep drafting. He is a better QB than Curtis Painter, having seen both of them. I’d bet this guy makes the roster.

Blair White, WR Michigan State : Had 64 receptions for 876 yards and 8 TD’s as a senior. Longshot, but a sure-handed guy with good separation and route running skills. This is one of the guys that made me realize Ray Fisher is a kick returner, not a cornerback.

Brandon James, KR Florida : Remember when Darren Sproles kicked the Colts collective ass all by himself, and fans wondered why the Colts didn’t have a player like that? Now they do. A 5’7” kick and punt returner who collected 4,770 all-purpose yards at Florida. The Ray Fisher story was nice for 24 hours.

RT Brightman