The fifth round. The somewhat late point of the draft. I consider it the forgotten round. It isn't considered very low where the players thank the gods they got drafted, but it isn't high enough for the players to be cocky. Before we get to the 3 prospects, let's see some of the notable Indianapolis Colts to come out of the fifth round.
Golden Tate/RB/1984: To be honest, I don't know anything about him. He was a fifth round pick in 1984, but I can't find anything else on him. But what I do know is that his namesake plays for Notre Dame. Hey dad, have your son study the playbook a bit more.
Brad Scioli/DE/1999: Scioli wasn't very good, but his name sounded like Ravioli, so I think that's why he stayed around for so long.
Robert Mathis/DE/2003: Mathis is a great pass rusher. Pass rushers always seem to fall. How often do you here about the great pass rushers getting drafted in the top 10?
Jake Scott/OG/2004: Scott may have played his last game for the Colts against the Bolts. He's a free agent and may not be back.
Tyjuan Hagler/LB/2005: Hagler was a no-name special teamer at the beginning of the year. Now he's a starting linebacker on one of the top defenses in the league. Funny how a few injuries can make a career.
Roy Hall/WR/2007: Does the name ring a bell? No? Well, it will in a few years. This guy is for real. The Colts offensive machine will continue for a long time with Anthony Gonzalez and Roy Hall.
So that leads us to 2008. Where will the Colts go? Here are the 3 guys the Colts should look out for. The Colts have already touched on running back, guard, and linebacker.
Bobbie Williams/S/Bethune-Cookman: The Colts have had some success with small schools defensive backs (Antoine Bethea ring a bell?), and Williams is a ball hawker. The Colts have some good young corners, but they need another safety.
Johnny Dingle/DE/West Virginia: Dingle could definitely succeed in a pass rushing situation, where the Colts definitely need help.
Joey Haynos/TE/Maryland: Haynos is a giant! 6-8!?!? That's amazing. However, he isn't a blocker. He had 67 receptions combined the past two years.
The Colts have to go with Dingle here. However, like the Colts' Craphonso Thorpe and Kosuke Fukudome of the Cubs, stink it up, and you have a bad nickname forever. No one wants to be called Dingleberry, no matter how immature and funny it is.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Who Said A Little Depth Would Hurt?
Round 4 now. The Colts have been getting some quality players in the later rounds. Kevin Smith and Adam Kraus would make the offense all the more potent. However, they still need depth at some defensive positions, which will be the main target on the second day. Here are the top 5 prospects for the Colts to get in the fourth round.
Greyson Gunheim/DE/Washington: This is Greyson's second appearance. He is projected as a 4th rounder, so he could be the Colts' pick right here. He is a speedy defensive end who plays like Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney.
Bryan Smith/LB/McNeese State: I guess you could question the level of competition, but the 40 doesn't lie. He is an extremely fast linebacker, and he is pretty good in the pass rush, which may be good if Freeney doesn't regain his form.
DJ Parker/S/Virginia Tech: Parker is an undersized safety who is very strong. Who does that remind you of? Coming from Virginia Tech, he is very fast and could help on special teams.
Zach Bowman/CB/Nebraska: Bowman is coming off of back-to-back serious knee injuries. His draft stock has plummeted due to this. However, he is insanely talented and may have been a star if he didn't get injured. The Colts may want to take a chance on him and see if he can pull and Antonio Cromartie.
Louis Holmes/DE/Arizona: Another defensive end. Holmes has all the talent in the world. He just can't put it together. The Colts may want to give him a chance. He could be great with his combination of size and speed.
The Colts here should take Bryan Smith. Smith is reminiscent of a Tampa 2 linebacker. He is fast and can get to the ball. The Colts need some depth at linebacker. He could be a valuable asset if there would be another trend of injuries like the Colts had at linebacker this year.
Greyson Gunheim/DE/Washington: This is Greyson's second appearance. He is projected as a 4th rounder, so he could be the Colts' pick right here. He is a speedy defensive end who plays like Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney.
Bryan Smith/LB/McNeese State: I guess you could question the level of competition, but the 40 doesn't lie. He is an extremely fast linebacker, and he is pretty good in the pass rush, which may be good if Freeney doesn't regain his form.
DJ Parker/S/Virginia Tech: Parker is an undersized safety who is very strong. Who does that remind you of? Coming from Virginia Tech, he is very fast and could help on special teams.
Zach Bowman/CB/Nebraska: Bowman is coming off of back-to-back serious knee injuries. His draft stock has plummeted due to this. However, he is insanely talented and may have been a star if he didn't get injured. The Colts may want to take a chance on him and see if he can pull and Antonio Cromartie.
Louis Holmes/DE/Arizona: Another defensive end. Holmes has all the talent in the world. He just can't put it together. The Colts may want to give him a chance. He could be great with his combination of size and speed.
The Colts here should take Bryan Smith. Smith is reminiscent of a Tampa 2 linebacker. He is fast and can get to the ball. The Colts need some depth at linebacker. He could be a valuable asset if there would be another trend of injuries like the Colts had at linebacker this year.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The Draft Clock Is Ticking (Round 3)
The Colts really don't have very many needs. They have one of the greatest QBs in NFL history. They have a Pro Bowl running back. They have two future Hall of Fame receivers not to mention a fantastic slot receiver coming off of his rookie year. The offensive line is very good when healthy. Dallas Clark is a great tight end. The defensive line has improved in the run game. The linebackers are great. The secondary is the best in the league. However, it never hurts to get more depth. In the third round, there are some prospects that really stand out. Here are my top 3.
Ben Moffitt/LB/South Florida: Moffitt is insanely fast. Don't pay attention to his 40 time (4.68), he plays as fast as any first round prospect at linebacker. His amazing performance against West Virginia really stood out. The problem with him is apparently he is an idiot. His wife (!?) came out and said she was allegedly doing his work. The Colts don't need someone who is illiterate.
Greyson Gunheim/DE/Washington: First, props to Greyson's parents for giving him the coolest name ever. Second, Gunheim is very fast. Josh Thomas is a good defensive end, but he's slower than a fat guy on a segway. The Colts need a third down specialist. I do think that they should try to get Mark Anderson in a trade with the Bears, maybe using this pick. Anderson is phenominal and would make this defensive line much better in the pass rush.
Adam Kraus/OG/Michigan: Kraus is a very, very underrated guard for Michigan who could also play center in the pros. The Michigan offensive line was one of the best, if not the best, in the nation this year. The Colts need a backup guard, and Kraus could fill that role easily.
My pick here would be Adam Kraus. Remember that I had the Colts taking Kevin Smith in the second round. Kraus should be able to replace Ryan Lilja/Jake Scott next year or be able to wait behind Dylan Gandy. Either way the Colts need a new interior lineman. Kraus should be a star in the future.
Ben Moffitt/LB/South Florida: Moffitt is insanely fast. Don't pay attention to his 40 time (4.68), he plays as fast as any first round prospect at linebacker. His amazing performance against West Virginia really stood out. The problem with him is apparently he is an idiot. His wife (!?) came out and said she was allegedly doing his work. The Colts don't need someone who is illiterate.
Greyson Gunheim/DE/Washington: First, props to Greyson's parents for giving him the coolest name ever. Second, Gunheim is very fast. Josh Thomas is a good defensive end, but he's slower than a fat guy on a segway. The Colts need a third down specialist. I do think that they should try to get Mark Anderson in a trade with the Bears, maybe using this pick. Anderson is phenominal and would make this defensive line much better in the pass rush.
Adam Kraus/OG/Michigan: Kraus is a very, very underrated guard for Michigan who could also play center in the pros. The Michigan offensive line was one of the best, if not the best, in the nation this year. The Colts need a backup guard, and Kraus could fill that role easily.
My pick here would be Adam Kraus. Remember that I had the Colts taking Kevin Smith in the second round. Kraus should be able to replace Ryan Lilja/Jake Scott next year or be able to wait behind Dylan Gandy. Either way the Colts need a new interior lineman. Kraus should be a star in the future.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Draft Time...In 3 Months (Rd. Two)
Well, the Colts aren't in the playoffs. That means we get to enjoy Phillip Rivers, Igor Olshansky, Shawne Merriman, and Rodney Harrison interviews. Here's to those hoping a massive case of laryngitis sweeps through the Chargers locker room. But enough about them, let's get to the point of the blog.
It's draft time, baby! Yeah. I love the Draft. 12 months of prognosticating all comes down to this. We get to see Ted Ginn being taken number 9 and then look around at everyone with a classic 'WTF' look on their faces. The draft is all fun and games before a stupid GM takes a kick returner over your favorite player. But I digress.
The Colts do have some problems that they need to fix. They may lose some people this offseason and need replacements. Here is my 2 cents (but in my case, 2 marks) on what the Colts should do with their 6 current picks.
2nd round
The Colts traded their 1st round draft pick for this year for Tony Ugoh. That was a good deal. Ugoh could end up being a star. However, that means we have to wait through 60 picks before the Colts will end up taking someone barring a draft day trade. Here are the 5 players who are projected around the late 2nd round that I think the Colts should take. For projections and stats, I use WalterFootball.com, my personal favorite draft site.
Anthony Collins/OT/Kansas: I bet most of you are surprised I would pick an offensive lineman, especially a tackle. Let me explain. Either Ryan Lilja or Jake Scott will be gone next year. I guarantee it. Collins is a big guy who could play guard for the Colts. He is pretty mobile with a 4.98 40 time, so I think he would have no problem adjusting to a zone blocking scheme.
Kevin Smith/RB/UCF: Addai slowed down big time at the end of the year. I think he needs someone more reliable than Kenton Keith (catch the ball!) in the running game behind him. Smith dominated in college football last year and should have won the Heisman. I think he will be a fantastic pro, and if he falls down here, he should be snatched up as quickly as possible.
Titus Brown/DE/Mississippi State: If Freeney or Mathis is to get injured again, they need a defensive end that can get to the quarterback. Brown plays a lot like Freeney and Mathis using speed over size. I like him a lot.
John Carlson/TE/Notre Dame: All of the Colts' tight ends are free agents this year, so drafting another wouldn't be a bad choice. I also don't think Hunter Smith and Rocky Boiman are cutting it as Domers. I need some more to feel whole.
Erin Henderson/OLB/Maryland: Henderson is big, but he is also very fast. He runs a 4.58 40 time, yet he is 6-3. If Rob Morris does not come back, he should be a good backup for Freddie Keiaho. Also, Craphonso Thorpe needs some competition for the prized "Dumbest Name Ever" contest. Did his parents think he was a girl. It's A-A-R-O-N if you are a guy. C'mon now, Mr. and Mrs. Henderson. That's a mental slip-up.
So let's say all of these people are there at the 61st pick. If I could choose one of them, I would go with Kevin Smith. Smith is my boy. He is one of my favorite players, mostly for the fact that he is underrated and I feel the need to rate him. I think he could be a valuable asset for the Colts to give Addai a break and transition into a two-back system. I think Addai is great, but a 2 back system is better for a team to win. Look at the 2004 Patriots, 2005 Steelers, and the Colts of last year. Smith would be a great pick.
Rounds 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 should be coming soon.
It's draft time, baby! Yeah. I love the Draft. 12 months of prognosticating all comes down to this. We get to see Ted Ginn being taken number 9 and then look around at everyone with a classic 'WTF' look on their faces. The draft is all fun and games before a stupid GM takes a kick returner over your favorite player. But I digress.
The Colts do have some problems that they need to fix. They may lose some people this offseason and need replacements. Here is my 2 cents (but in my case, 2 marks) on what the Colts should do with their 6 current picks.
2nd round
The Colts traded their 1st round draft pick for this year for Tony Ugoh. That was a good deal. Ugoh could end up being a star. However, that means we have to wait through 60 picks before the Colts will end up taking someone barring a draft day trade. Here are the 5 players who are projected around the late 2nd round that I think the Colts should take. For projections and stats, I use WalterFootball.com, my personal favorite draft site.
Anthony Collins/OT/Kansas: I bet most of you are surprised I would pick an offensive lineman, especially a tackle. Let me explain. Either Ryan Lilja or Jake Scott will be gone next year. I guarantee it. Collins is a big guy who could play guard for the Colts. He is pretty mobile with a 4.98 40 time, so I think he would have no problem adjusting to a zone blocking scheme.
Kevin Smith/RB/UCF: Addai slowed down big time at the end of the year. I think he needs someone more reliable than Kenton Keith (catch the ball!) in the running game behind him. Smith dominated in college football last year and should have won the Heisman. I think he will be a fantastic pro, and if he falls down here, he should be snatched up as quickly as possible.
Titus Brown/DE/Mississippi State: If Freeney or Mathis is to get injured again, they need a defensive end that can get to the quarterback. Brown plays a lot like Freeney and Mathis using speed over size. I like him a lot.
John Carlson/TE/Notre Dame: All of the Colts' tight ends are free agents this year, so drafting another wouldn't be a bad choice. I also don't think Hunter Smith and Rocky Boiman are cutting it as Domers. I need some more to feel whole.
Erin Henderson/OLB/Maryland: Henderson is big, but he is also very fast. He runs a 4.58 40 time, yet he is 6-3. If Rob Morris does not come back, he should be a good backup for Freddie Keiaho. Also, Craphonso Thorpe needs some competition for the prized "Dumbest Name Ever" contest. Did his parents think he was a girl. It's A-A-R-O-N if you are a guy. C'mon now, Mr. and Mrs. Henderson. That's a mental slip-up.
So let's say all of these people are there at the 61st pick. If I could choose one of them, I would go with Kevin Smith. Smith is my boy. He is one of my favorite players, mostly for the fact that he is underrated and I feel the need to rate him. I think he could be a valuable asset for the Colts to give Addai a break and transition into a two-back system. I think Addai is great, but a 2 back system is better for a team to win. Look at the 2004 Patriots, 2005 Steelers, and the Colts of last year. Smith would be a great pick.
Rounds 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 should be coming soon.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
