Draft aftermath

I found the draft interesting and have some questions I would like to pose to Colts fans who might have more knowledge on some of these players than I do.  These are some of the questions and concerns I have after the draft:

• The Colts rushing offense was ranked 18th last season.  The Colts addressed this need by picking up three offensive lineman, two tight ends (although one isn't rated as much of a blocker), one running back, and the best blocking WR in the draft.  In my mind the rushing offense needs to improve to keep pressure off Manning and make the rushing offense a threat.  If all of these guys play a role, is what the Colts did enough?  Mike Hart was a productive back but he is small, didn't have the best combine numbers, some would say he dropped down the board for a reason, and he has a lot of wear and tear.  The counter to that would be that teams pay too much attention to combine numbers and you can't argue against the productions.  What are the opinions on Mike Hart?

• The defense ranked number 4 last season but the pass rush faltered when Freeney went down and the Colts were exposed.  The Colts only used two picks on defenders - Philip Wheeler and Marcus Howard.  Both are projected as pass rushers.  The concern here is that while the 1st 4 linebackers are solid (Brackett, Hagler, Keiaho, and Sessions) there is a lack of depth.  The two players drafted strengths appear to be the pass rush according to the scouting reports.  The Colts don't blitz linebackers.  These two would appear to be better suited to pass rushing DE in the Colts scheme.  Also, SpeedBlue had an interesting counter in regards to drafting defensive linemen as the Colts already have plenty on the roster (Freeney, Mathis, Thomas, Charleston, Johnson, Brock, Dawson, Pitcock, and Reid).  The Colts couldn't really carry many more DL's.  Any concerns regarding the picks and how do they project on the Colts partiularly since Wheeler's scouting report says he is not particularly good in pass coverage?

• The Colts drafted three offensive linemen.  This is good for the priority of protecting Manning.  However, all three project as centers.  They could move over to guard too.  The Colts love offensive linemen who can play more than one position.  Where do you see the new offensive linemen playing?

• The Colts didn't draft a WR until the 6th round - Pierre Garcon.  He appears to have all of the physical tools but is raw and not a great route runner if you consult the scouting report.  Garcon may go straight to the practice squad.  Is WR a concern this year?

• The biggest surprise for me was when the Colts drafted Jacob Tamme (who looks like a good pick that will fit the Colts well) and then followed that up with Tom Santi who appear to be a better blocking TE.  To draft two TE's really was a shock to me when I thought the Colts could use help else where after the 1st one was drafted.  How do you project the TE's and does this mean that Fletcher is gone after the season?  And how about Gijon Robinson?

• The remaining rookies are still to be signed.  The Colts seem to excel at finding one or two who play a role.  I see linebacker potentially still as a need.  Where do you think the Colts need some help with rookie free agents?

Sorry, I know I typed a lot but I had a lot on my mind.  I was a bit disappointed in not getting Chris Johnson as I felt he could have been a home run threat in both running the ball and in the return game.  I think Tamme could be a big threat in the Colts offense and am excited to see what he can do.  He could come on near the end of the season like Gonzalez did last year.  On the whole, I still like the potential of the guys the Colts drafted and in the end Polian seems to make the right decisions 9 times out of 10. 

WZ

I was pleased with the pickup of Tamme too and you can't argue against Hart's production.

The two defenders project as the standard under sized defender the Colts usually go for and the Colts seem to take two offensive linemen in the draft quite often.  This year they took three.

On the whole, I like the look of the draft.  If the two defenders the Colts drafted pan out and beef up the pass rush even more keeping defenders fresh and being a fill in if Freeney isn't ready, the draft is top notch IMO.

I really, really like the addition of Mike Hart, I was hoping for Ray Rice personally but I wrote before that Polian wanted Mojo after taking Addai, now he has his bowling ball running back. Hart will be turned into a move the chains back and you cant discount this kids effort. Remember, there are no busts in the 6th round only steals...

In my opinion:

The rushing offense was a result of a lack of physicallity on the interior of our line.  We addressed that with two very, very aggressive physical players with our first two picks at center/guard.  Great picks.  Saturday is a great player, but he does lack some strength and physicallity and will most likely retire after this coming season.  Charlie Johnson needs to stay as a valuable backup to Diem and Ugoh. 

First, Wheeler will play linebacker only.  His athleticism is incredible.  He doesn't have great 40 speed, but his 10 and 20 speed is great and thats what counts.  The most important asset Wheeler has is his intelligent.  He will take over for Brackett next year and will be and upgrade.  Brackett wants big money and will not be resigned.

As far as Howard.  The steel of the draft.  I don't know what SpeedBlue said, but first you have to seperate tackles from ends.  The Colts are solid at tackle and have good depth, which you need ( at least five tackles).  At defensive end is were they are struggling.  We have Mathis and Freeney as rushers and Thomas as a run stopper, Charleston can't rush and will probably be released.  The Colts had to sign Howard and were very lucky to do so.  He is ferocious and will have impact immediately (just needs to get stronger).  The Colts are also bringing additional defensive ends in as free agents because they need to add a 4th pass rusher.  The way the Colts play and with the size of their defensive line players.  They need 10 defensive lineman, 5 ends and 5 tackles.

The Colts also have two other linebackers on the roster besides Brackett, Hagler, Keiaho, and Sessions.  With the addition of Wheeler, they will have 7 linebackers on the roster without accounting for unrestriced free agents.  They will only keep six and put one or two on the practice squad.  They might sign Woodyard from Kentucky as an UFA.

Hart was an excellent pick.  With the Colts offense, they don't try for the big run.  They want to run the strech play and pick up 5 to 10 yards at a time.  Chris Johnson is not they're type of runner and they would have passed on him if he was available.

Tamme is not strong enough yet to help in the run game, especially at the goal line.  They needed a bigger tight end for the short yard situations.  Fletcher and Tamme are not strong enough.  And as much as the Colts count on the tight end, they must have depth and variety at that position, 4 TE's is not a lot.  Tamme or Fletcher will go to the practice squad.  Robinson probably cut.

The only concern at WR would be if Harrison weren't coming back and it doesn't look like that is the case.  The Colts don't want any second rate receivers.  If they are going to draft a receiver early, it will be a high quality first round receiver.  WR is not a concern with the ability of Tamme or Clark to flex out, Fletcher's ability to catch, and the additional of the other TE from Virginia and Gonzales' ability to play on the right side.  (benefit of having so many TE who can catch.  Plus don't forget about Roy Hall he will be a very high quality backup/contributor this year.

Thats my opinion on your concerns.  I thought we had a very good draft under the circumstances and our team will be better this year than last and that's all you can ask.   

NdySportsFan

Makes a lot of sense what you said.  I am very high on Roy Hall too.

One thing I question is regarding the TE's though.  I am not sure from what I read about Tamme that he will be on the practice squad and I doubt the Colts put a veteran like Fletcher on the practice squad either and I am not sure Fletcher would be happy being on the practice squad as a veteran.  I think they may put Santi or Robinson on the practice squad or cut Robinson all together.  You are right though for a two TE set that 4 tight ends isn't that many.  Plus Tamme and Clark can be split out.  I think the TE's for the regular season will be Clark, Fletcher, Tamme, and Santi with Robinson as the practice squader or being cut.

I read the same thing about Tamme that he wasn't a good blocker.  There was a UK fan on here though that said he is better than scouts give him credit for at blocking.  Of course that could be homerism talking.  Clark wasn't rated much as a blocker either and he is ok.