For the past few seasons the Indianapolis Colts have been fairly quiet in free agency, and have been anything but aggressive on draft day. It seems that they have been fairly complacent with Manning and company, and changes are something out of the ordinary for this organization. Even after Tony Dungy retired, the Colts were able to plug in a coach in the exact mold as Dungy, and the same can be said of any major releases. However, this offseason the Colts have allowed several of their once steadfast players to walk away through free agency. Marlin Jackson, Raheem Brock, Ryan Lilja, and Jim Sorgi have all become very familiar faces for Colts fans, but all were let go by the franchise. The Colts have never been a team to overpay for players, and year in and year out they have let players walk without missing a beat. Edgerrin James, Nick Harper, and Cato June are just a few of the names that come to mind, but never have so many once key pieces been let go of at the same time. 

The recent shakeup amongst veteran players has raised many eyebrows, and one explanation could be that the Colts are attempting to get younger. The addition of Curtis Painter is a clear sign that the Colts were looking to get younger at the quarterback position, and in this year’s draft the Colts should be looking to add depth, youth, and talent to several key positions that have been anchored by veterans in the past few seasons. Jeff Saturday, for example, has always been the foundation of the offensive line, but it may be time for the Colts to start looking for a future successor to the veteran. Raheem Brock is another veteran who’s tenure with the Colts was certainly positive, but the Colts look to be searching for young blood up front defensively. Brock saw the writing on the wall and asked for his release from the team, and the Colts respectively obliged. Marlin Jackson never lived up to his potential with the team, and has had two very disappointing seasons in a row. Cornerback is another position that the Colts may look to upgrade in the draft.

All of the positions that the Colts allowed players to walk are areas of concern for the team in the coming seasons. Serious upgrades must be made, and to do so they cannot lock up money on underperforming veterans. As much as Colts fans want to deny it, Peyton Manning is getting older with each passing season. He and the rest of the foundation of one of the most consistent teams in the NFL are beginning to get up their in age, and it may be time to look for the next crop of Colts for the future.

Former Colts cornerback, Marlin Jackson, has signed a two year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Coming off two consecutive season ending ACL surgeries, Jackson’s return was not a priority for the Colts and he ultimately found himself looking for a new home. The former first round pick out of Michigan was never able to cement his starting role on the defense, and injuries and lack of development came to be the story of Jackson’s short tenure with the team. As we have seen with players in the past, a change of scenery may be exactly what Jackson needs to get his career back on the right path. However, it is never easy to come back from ACL surgery, let alone two in back-to-back seasons.

Unlike the Colts, the Eagles will attempt to move Jackson to free safety. With several well-paid cornerbacks on their roster, Jackson’s future with the Eagles may depend upon his ability to adjust to his new position. However, the Eagles may have received a bargain with this pick-up, pending Jackson’s ability to recover and return to his prior form. 

As Colts fans say goodbye to a former first round pick, it is safe to assume that Jackson’s time with the Colts will be remembered through one play. Jackson was the player responsible for intercepting Tom Brady on the final drive in the fourth quarter of the 2007 AFC Championship Game. The interception sealed the game for the Colts, and propelled them towards their first Super Bowl in Indianapolis. Although Jackson was never able to pan out into the player the Colts had hoped for, his contributions on the road to the Super Bowl will not be forgotten.

The Colts longtime backup quarterback, Jim Sorgi, has signed a one year contract with the New York Giants. The Colts decided to part ways with Sorgi following a season that was diminished by a shoulder injury. With the addition of Curtis Painter and the health concerns surrounding Sorgi, it only seemed logical that the Colts opt not to bring back the Wisconsin graduate. Although Sorgi certainly knew the Colts’ offense very well, he never showed potential or the ability to step in, should Manning go down with an injury. Sorgi will be able to compete for the No. 2 job behind Eli Manning with Rhett Bomar, and pending his ability to stay healthy, he should have a fairly good shot at winning the job. 

The loss of Sorgi clearly shows that the Colts have now invested their backup job into the young hands of Painter. The Colts asked Painter to step in for Manning towards the end of the regular season, and it was anything but pretty. Painter clearly struggled in his rookie season, and Colts fans will certainly not feel comfortable or hopeful should Manning go down with an injury. However, many people within the organization believe that Painter has the tools and ability to be a good backup quarterback in the NFL. Granted, he will never be a franchise quarterback or anything of that nature, but he may be able to develop into a consistent backup who can provide certainty and stability for an offense.

Just when you think the Colts are set to stand pat with their current roster, they throw fans a curveball that sets the tone for the rest of the offseason. According to Fox Sports the Indianapolis Colts have released left guard Ryan Lilja. It was no mystery that the Colts had to upgrade the offensive line, but this move indicates the Colts are clearly aware of the problem and it is something that will be addressed. Lilja missed the 2008 season with knee surgeries, and this season he performed like a shell of his former self. Throughout the season he struggled in the run game, just as the majority of the offensive line did. However, it does not appear that the Colts believe Lilja will ever be able to return to the level of performance he was once at. This move may force the Colts to target a guard in the 1st or 2nd round in this year’s draft, and there are a couple of players that instantly come to mind. 

Two of the first round prospects that the Colts may choose to pursue at offensive guard come from opposite ends of Division I football. Maurkice Pouncey was a starter for the Florida Gators, helping anchor one of the best offenses in college football over the past few seasons. Pouncey played center at Florida, however, he has the capability of playing either guard position or center. Not only would Pouncey provide a quality upgrade at either guard position, but he would also be able to be Jeff Saturday’s eventual successor. It is rare to see an interior lineman drafted in the first round, but Pouncey has the talent and ability to crack the top 32. He is a fantastic all-around blocker, and being part of a winning culture fits in nicely with what the Colts want. Another possible guard prospect that the Colts may select in the first round is Idaho guard, Mike Iupati. Unlike Pouncey, Iupati comes from a smaller college, and has not had to face the level of competition that Pouncey has. However, Iupati has the frame and build to be successful in the NFL, and he is an absolute monster on the inside. A big, tough, and physical blocker, Iupati offers everything that teams look for from their guards. Although he is a brute, 6-5/330, he is still learning the game and his feet aren’t overly nimble. These weaknesses were often masked in college, as he was able to make up for it with strength. However, his upside and potential is tremendous, and he will continue to grow in the NFL.

 Although there are multiple guards that the Colts may look to select in this year’s draft, these are the only two that are garnering first round buzz. Rodger Saffold, out of Indiana University, is another guard who is rapidly climbing up draft boards, and the Colts could look to add a hometown kid in the second round. Saffold played tackle in college, but many teams are more interested in shifting him to guard. The Colts must look to add depth and talent to the offensive line, and I believe that they must do so early. Waiting until the fourth or fifth round to find a starting caliber lineman, will not cut it. There are a plethora of quality guards who can step in from day one and start, but they will all be gone with the first few rounds. It is important that the Colts snag one of these talented guards, and several will be available with the 31st pick.

With the NFL draft a little over a month away, teams around the league are gearing up for what appears to be a very deep and solid draft. Free agency has slowed down, and most of the huge names are off the board. So teams will be unable to fill areas of need with game changing players.  This makes it imperative for teams who were unable to plug holes with top-notch players, to finish scouring the nation for talent and comple their draftboards with the upmost accuracy.

The Indianapolis Colts are clearly one of those teams who will be looking to improve and plug in holes through the draft, as they have been very quiet throughout free agency. As fans, it is hard to complain about a roster that was able to make it to the Super Bowl, and appears to be in very good shape for the season to come. Although this may be the case, it is clear that the Colts have several areas of need. Offensive and defensive line are two areas that need to be improved this offseason, and I look for the Colts to address these needs early in the draft. However, as you begin to take a closer look at this team, it becomes evident that they lack an explosive returner and running back.

I know that you are probally thinking, how can a team that just made the Super Bowl have so many needs in so many areas? Well I am not saying that the Colts cannot perform just as well next season as they did this year, what I am saying is that teams were able to expose the Colts in those areas and that is a problem. Staying stagnant in the NFL is like asking for a top 10 pick come April. The NFL has proven time and time again that teams can make major changes in one season, the worst to first mentality certainly applies to the NFL. The Jets have improved with the addition of Antonio Cromartie, the Jaguars just signed Aaron Kampman, and the rest of the NFL is scrambling trying to fill voids with premier talent. However, the Colts seem willing to wait until April to make their upgrades, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Back to my point, with this year’s draft being so deep, it opens up the opportunity to grab quality talent with later picks. More good news for the Colts is the fact that this year’s draft is also very deep at offensive line, defensive line, and electric backs, all areas of need. I believe the Colts first area of concern is the offensive line, and I believe that if the right player is available they should grab him. However, with this draft being so deep, they should not reach to fill a need. Many believe that there will be a fast and furious run on lineman in the first round, and if this is the case the Colts should turn their attention to defensive lineman or playmakers. Specifically I want them to take a long look in the first few rounds at some of the explosive backs in this year’s class.

Jahvid Best, Dexter McCluster, and C.J. Spiller are all running backs who come into this year’s draft with the lable of “electric.” Best and McCluster appear to be 2nd round players who the Colts should have the opportunity to draft with the 31st pick, but Spiller is believed to be a top 20 pick. All three are speed backs who can be placed in returner roles, and McCluster may be the lowest rated yet most versatile of the bunch. Ole Miss relied heavily on McCluster, as he was the teams best rusher, top special teams performer, and it could be argued that he was their best reciever. Now I understand that the Colts just spent a first round pick on Donald Brown, but neither he nor Addai offer the speed, quickness, and agility that these three do. The Colts have not had a “good” returner in years and these players would also offer the ability to step in from day one and be game-changers. As Colts fans, we get to see a game-changing speed back twice a year in Chris Johnson, and we have seen just how much of an impact one player can have on a game and a season.

There are certainly teams who have more needs and holes than the Colts. However, this is a critical draft for the Colts. They were right on the verge of winning the Super Bowl, and teams in the past who have suffered defeat in the Super Bowl have taken enormous steps in the wrong direction. It is crucial that the Colts do not stay complacent, and that they strive to stay atop the AFC. They are no longer the underdogs attempting to throwoff the Patriots or Steelers, now they are the lead dogs and everyone will be gunning for them.

There is some question as to whether Odrick would be better in the NFL as a 3-4 end or a 4-3 tackle, and this is perfect for the Colts. Odrick is a superb pass rusher for a tackle, and would allow the Colts to get pressure from the center of the pocket to go along with the pressure Freeney and Mathis bring from the outside. He is an outstanding penetrator, and is very quick and has nice agility for a lineman. Scouts love his hands, very fast and strong, and said that he has the natural instincts that raise players to the “next level.” The fact that he could presumably play a 3-4 end shows that Odrick is a quality pass rusher, and is athletic for his position. In my opinion, if the Colts can add another player to go along with Freeney and Mathis, especially one as gifted as Odrick, they will be able to get even more pressure on opposing teams. Odrick is also a physical football player, which will bolster the run defense, just as you assume any defensive tackle will be able to do. 

However, Odrick also comes with some possible weaknesses. The biggest of which is the fact that he can struggle against the run. Even though he will bolster the line and increase the Colts ability to stop the run because he is a 300 pound high-motor guy, it is not his strength. His strength is penetrating gaps and using his quickness and hands to get up field. He is not a tackle that will be able to take on two lineman, and teams shouldn’t force him to be. In this defense the Colts will simply ask him to do what he does best, and that is get in the backfield and cause havoc. Another flaw in Odrick’s game is that at times he relies on his athleticism, and shows a lack of technique. In the NFL you must be precise and mindful of technique, or you will not succeed. 

Odrick is certainly not my first choice, however, the Colts don’t have the first choice, they have the 31st. Thus, a lot of how you go about your draft depends on the teams in front of you. Personally I would prefer the Colts to go offensive lineman in the first. However, it looks very likely that there will be a long run of offensive lineman taken in the first, and unless the Colts trade up they will not be able to get one of them. 

Remember to keep an eye out for the next Fanball Mock Draft, because that one will go three rounds deep and allow teams to make trades. Trust me, the Colts draft will be interesting.

Had the Colts not been able to re-sign Brackett, middle linebacker would have been a position of need for this team. Whether through the draft or free agency, this team would have had a tough time finding someone to fill the void left by Brackett. This signing was very important for this Colts team, and now it allows them to focus on more glaring areas of need, such as, the offensive and defensive line.

For this draft each correspondent selected for the team they represented, and each site will have an in-depth look into the pick. In this year’s draft the Colts hold the 31st pick, and it is clear that they have some issues they must address. Based on the teams reliance on Manning and the offense, I thought it was necessary to sure up one of the most crucial parts of any team, the offensive line. However, with most of the top tackles off the board at pick 31, it appears more likely that the Colts could get just as good of value at offensive tackle in the second round as they could late in the first. This then forces the Colts to turn to their second area of need, the interior defense. With the return of Gary Brackett to this team uncertain, the Colts may look at linebacker, however, I believe defensive tackle is the way to go. Freeney and Mathis can dominate any game, but if you are able to add a high-motor defensive tackle to the mix, you create one of the best defensive lines in the league. This draft is very deep in both offensive and defensive lineman, which is good for the Colts, as both are areas of need. In my opinion the Colts must address their offensive tackle situation, but the first round may not be the way to go about it. Fanball Sports Network Mock Draft

1st Round Mock Draft: 

1) St. Louis Rams - (RamsHerd.com) – Ndamukong Suh, DT, Nebraska

2) Detroit Lions - (RoarOfTheLions.com) – Gerald McCoy, DT, Oklahoma

3) Tampa Bay Bucs - (WhatTheBucs.com) – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee

4) Washington Redskins - (PaintItRedskins.com) – Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State

5) Kansas City Chiefs - (ChiefsChatter.com - Joe Haden, CB, Florida

6) Seattle Seahawks - (FlockOfSeahawks.com) – Brandon Graham, LB, Michigan

7) Cleveland Browns - (GridironBrownies.com) – Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame

8) Oakland Raiders - (RaidersRadar.com) – Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

9) Buffalo Bills - (BillsHerd.com) – Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

10) Denver Broncos - (BroncosStable.com, DENVER’S PICK) – Mike Iupati, OG, Idaho

11) Jacksonville Jaguars - (TealPower.com) – Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, South Florida

12) Miami Dolphins - (BlogWithAPorpoise.com) – Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State

13) San Francisco 49ers - (NinersNuggets.com) – CJ Spiller, RB, Clemson

14) Seattle Sewhawks - (FlockOfSeahawks.com) – Anthony Davis, OT, Rutgers

15) New York Giants - (GmenDen.com) – Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech

16) San Francisco 49ers- (NinersNuggets.com) – Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma

17) Tennessee Titans - (HonkyTonkTitans.com) – Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida

18) Pittsburgh Steelers - (SteelersMill.com) – Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa

19) Atlanta Falcons - (DirtyBirdBlog.com) – Taylor Mays, S, USC

20) Houston Texans - (DontMessWithTexans.com) – Dan Williams, DT, Tennessee

21) Cincinnati Bengals - (BengalsJaw.com) – Jermaine Gresham, TE, Oklahoma

22) New England Patriots - (PatsChowder.com) – Sergio Kindle, LB, Texas

23) Green Bay Packers - (PackingCheese.com) – Earl Thomas, S, Texas

24) Philadelphia Eagles - (EaglesHaveLanded.com) – Everson Griffen, DE, USC

25) Baltimore Ravens - (FootBaltimore.com) – Arrelious Benn, WR/TE, Illinois

26) Arizona Cardinals - (DesertFlock.com) – Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

27) Dallas Cowboys - (RespectTheStar.com) – Trent Williams, OT, Oklahoma

28) San Diego Chargers - (ChargingBolts.com) – Brian Price, DT, UCLA

29) New York Jets - (TurnOnTheJets.com) – Kyle Wilson, CB, Boise State

30) Minnesota Vikings - (VikingsThrone.com) – Sean Weatherspoon, OLB/ILB, Missouri

31) Indianapolis Colts - (ColtsChatter.com) – Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

32) New Orleans Saints - (WhoDatBlog.com) – Ricky Sapp, DE/OLB, Clemson

There will be a more in-depth look into Jared Odrick to come, and I will explain why the Colts need a player like Odrick and what a player like Odrick brings to the table. Also, keep an eye out for the second mock draft that will be coming out in the next few weeks, as it will go deeper into the draft and will surely offer some interesting and exciting things to think about as the draft approaches. I believe the Colts may have something up their sleeve that will shake up their entire draft.

First of we look at the premier level of football in the state, our NFL franchise the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have become a steadfast part of our culture and there is certainly no arguing the impact they have had on our community. Growing up I was groomed more to follow Indiana University basketball and I certainly attended more Pacers’ games then Colts’ games. However, as I talk to people across the state, it is clear that kids are growing up bleeding blue, and every Sunday they sit in front of the TV glued to Peyton Manning’s every move. Now it is basketball season and we search for places to turn, but other than Purdue we do not find much to satisfy our sport’s needs. Even that is a bit tainted with the loss of Robbie Hummel, and the hope of a final four that once surrounded Purdue is fleeting. Along with the Colts, Indianapolis has been awarded the 2012 Super Bowl, and look to be in the running for hosting more Super Bowls for years to come. Furthermore, they are the yearly hosts of the NFL Scouting Combine, an event that brings all of the brass of the NFL teams together for one event. The Colts clearly are the best professional organization in the state at this time, and the strong impact they are having on the state is unquestionable. 

Now we turn to the collegiate level, and where else can you turn but north? Up in South Bend, Indiana has one of the greatest collegiate football programs of all-time. Notre Dame, although in a bit of a rough patch, still has the attention of the nation every Saturday. Whether you love them or hate them, it seems football fans from all walks of life tune in on Saturday to watch the “gold-domers.” Another collegiate program that occasionally makes it into the national spotlight is Purdue. Although they have just about as much success as IU over the past few seasons, they have certainly developed a strong fan base that has grown accustom to watching top flight quarterbacks. Even IU has been trying to reverse their cultural tradition of football ineptness, and have recently constructed new state of the art facilities. It is clear that all of these schools are either rich in football tradition, or attempting to increase their football culture surrounding their university. 

Finally, we move down to high school football. Warren Central established itself as one of the elite programs in the entire nation, and have played on the national stage on several occasions. Their dominance has also filtered to other Indianapolis programs, and on a yearly basis the state is now producing elite division one prospects. Although our high school level of football is clearly not as well-developed as other states, such as, Ohio, Texas, and Florida. It is clear that the Friday night’s in our state our becoming more and more popular. 

I am not naive nor am I blind. It would be very difficult to make the claim that we are no longer a basketball state, however, a case can be made that we are slowly becoming a more well-balanced state. Football has become the dominant sport throughout the entire nation, so it is only fair to assume that our state will also become more attached to the game of football. The continued success of the Colts paired with the traditional surrounding our universities, has helped play a factor in our growth as a football state. Who knows maybe one day we will also develop into a basketball, football, and baseball state…. Nahh.

With Gary Brackett not receiving the franchise tag from the Colts, he is set to hit the open market. It is clear the Colts would like to keep Brackett, but at what price? This free agency class is severely hindered, because of the ongoing CBA discussions and it looks as if most of the big names will be restricted. However, along with Brackett, Karlos Dansby is another veteran linebacker who has proven himself in this league, and both are set to become unrestricted free agents. The Arizona Republic reported that the Miami Dolphins, Indianapolis Colts, and the New York Giants are amongst the teams rumored to be interested in acquiring the Cardinals’ veteran linebacker. Dansby would greatly upgrade this linebacking core, and if the Colts can bring Brackett back as well, this group will take a giant step in the right direction. 

However, it seems unlikely that the Colts would be willing to pay not only Brackett, but Dansby as well. Dansby is said to be looking for a contract in the $30 million range, which would be quiet an investment, especially paired up with the money Brackett is looking for. Out of the two it would seem more logical for the Colts to bring back Brackett, not only because he will demand less money, but also because he is a leader on this team and has proven himself in this Colts defense. Putting money aside I believe the addition of Dansby paired with the resigning of Brackett would do wonders for this team. However, there are also questions about where Dansby would play and how he would fit into this defense. With Arizona, Dansby played inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme, a scheme much different from that of the Colts’ traditional 4-3. So if he were to come to Indianapolis Dansby may have to play on the outside, a position that he has played in the past, just not in the last few seasons. 

At the end of the day I do not believe that the Colts will sign both of these linebackers, but it is fun to think about. However, pending the Colts ability to resign Brackett, they may look to sign Dansby in order to replace, and upgrade, over the loss of Brackett. Neither player racks up sacks, but both are tackling machines, and in all honesty they are fairly similar players. Dansby is bigger and a bit younger, and he also has a bit of a better resume, but not by much. Thus, it does not seem likely the Colts will pursue both, but if they are looking for an upgrade, they might want to look into Dansby.