Food for thought - Colts Draft

Ive been reading some really good posts the last few days. And some one posted that the Colts should trade next years 1st for an early 2nd this year. This makes sense, and I would not be surprised to see it happen.

When BP took Joseph Addai 2 years ago, he stated after the draft that they intended to take Mo-Jo with their second round pick. Last year, despite his severe limited pass-catching and blocking abilities, the Colts regularly stuck Kenton Keith in the line-up in hopes of rekindling the two headed monster the Colts displayed in 06's playoff run. BP still has not found his second back. This draft is loaded with RB's and grabbing a top flight one is probably a top priority in Indy. (If you think Im wrong, ask yourself why we would draft, Wayne, Clark, Gonzo, with 1st round choices when we had huge glaring needs on Defense? Answer: Because this team lives and dies by our Offense   - read: Manning - BP will do everything in his power to be an unstoppable Offense and if he can give Manning one more weapon than he will do it.)

I have a strange feeling that Colts fan are going to be upset when the Colts have 2 2nd round choices and they go RB then WR or TE. BP and Dungy do not want a starting DE, they want a pure pass rush specialist, you do not pay 2nd round money to a guy who at best you are looking for 3-5 sacks from.

Thoughts?

I agree.  Best case scenario is that the Colts trade next years 1st rounder to KC and pickup Chris Johnson early in the second (if the Colt's have to give up a 5th this year then so be it).  Then they can use the late second round pick for a linebacker like Adibi and take a TE in the third.  Or take a TE late in the second a take Woodyard in the 3rd. 

As long as RB, TE, and LB are the first three picks I think we will be in good shape. 

The DE spot can be filled with a speed-only rusher in the 4th or 5th that is used only on 3rd downs until he develops.  OL backups can also be addressed late. 

There is really no need at this point to look at the secondary until late and really no need for WR, unless your worried about Harrison, which I'm not. 

Answer: Because this team lives and dies by our Offense   - read: Manning - BP will do everything in his power to be an unstoppable Offense and if he can give Manning one more weapon than he will do it.)

This is the only part I do not agree with.  Offenses are not unstoppable.  The Patriots proved that last year, we proved it in 2004, and the Rams proved it in 2000 and 2001.

Defense was what sustained us during our playoff run to the championship and it was our offense that failed us several years in a row that we didn't win. (99, 03, 04, 05, 07).  Defense is also what led us to victory over the Bears in SB XLI.

I understand that you want Manning to have as many weapons as possible, but there's only ONE BALL...

By investing in defensive players that can have an impact on the other side of the ball, just about every play is a better investment than spending a high round draft pick on a guy who won't even see the ball much this year, and even later will only see the ball once every few offensive plays..

JMO

BcB

Not totally disagreeing with you, but there isn't going to be anyone at our late 2nd pick defensively that can come in and be an immediate starter and play maker. I still say Chris Johnson should be the first pick due to his returning skills and his ability to come in and be the #2 back. Good field position could do this offense wonders and he could a be that change of pace back that Dom was. That would be awfully hard to pass up in my opinion. Unless some beast is available with our late 2nd round pick I look for the Colts to go offensive the first 2-3 picks.

Not totally disagreeing with you, but there isn't going to be anyone at our late 2nd pick defensively that can come in and be an immediate starter and play maker.

I wouldn't quite say that, either.  We have had tons of second to late round guys (and even some FA's) come in and contribute on defense immedieately.  Bethea, Sanders, Peterson, Washington, Mathis, Brackett and others have proved this to be the case. Besides, other than Sanders, I don't think any of these guys were projected to be as effective as they have been.

In fact, I would say its been proven that more defensive picks have come in here and produced faster  than any high offensive draft pick that wasn't a running back.

I think drafting a receiver or a back up running back with our top picks would be a mistake because also.  The reason I say this is because it's taken all the TE/WR we've drafted 2-3 years to really be effective in our passing game. 

BcB

I've made my thoughts known on the board several times regarding this.  The running back pick makes sense right now.  I would prefer it if the Colts go DE if there is one still available IMO and I agree with the trading up to get a 2nd 2nd rounder by using next years 1st. 

The window of opportunity is small for most teams to win Super Bowls.  This season coming could be a great opportunity for the Colts to do it and they need to take advantaged of it while they have the talent base they have performing at a top level.  You don't want to chance next season what could happen so I say draft players that can make an impact now where ever possible.

The two positions that I think could use help the most are the two noted and if there are players there available that Polian thinks fit the Colts scheme I hope they take them.