Round 2,
Pick 28 (59) - Cliff Avril Defensive End Purdue - I said it a while back  and I
will stay with it, Purdue is cranking out playmakers at defensive end and the Colts
cannot ignore it much longer. Avril is
fast to the ball, has a good first step and two good counters. We need depth at end and I think he can
provide it. He can play linebacker, too,
if we need it since it was his position until his junior season. I don’t see him on many of the draft boards
around the net so he may fall this far.
With a tip of the cap I would like to note that an old classmate who
wound up at Notre Dame is screaming about Trevor Laws, a DT out of Notre Dame
who Pat Kirwan is talking about at NFL.com as a prospect for the Colts to trade
next year's first to get. I think he is a
great player with solid potential but I have never thought the Colts would get
immediate impact at defensive tackle from where they draft so I stick with
Avril.
 The GM says: Mario Manningham – WR – Michigan – The Colts are about offense early
in the draft and I don’t think that this year will be any different. They have had Manningham and a few other WRs
in for workouts and interviews. With
Marvin Harrison’s health in question, this is a solid pick. Plus, I’m tired of getting fooled year after
year, when I am screaming for a linebacker!
Round 3,
Pick 30 (93) Mike Hart Running Back
Michigan
- The guy the draft forgot. He is BIP
(better in pads). They say he isn’t fast
enough for the NFL but it seems to me like this guy has everything you would
want in a back. He has had tons of
carries and stayed healthy (for the most part).
He is a soft-spoken kid who has the ability to lead when the chips are
down. He has good hands out of the
backfield and never fumbles. What I like
most about him is his leg drive. When a
guy gets his hands on you the thing that gets you away is leg drive. That makes him good between the tackles. Worste note:
has had tons of carries. Has over
5,000 yards on the ground in Big Ten.
Best note: as a true freshman led the Big Ten in rushing with a 5.2 ypc
average. I don’t care how good your line
is, that is awesome. (The Colts did have
a kid from Lambuth
University named Allen
Ervin in to work out according to the Indy Star. I stay by Hart. It is a great chance to add depth with an
impact player) This is my “best player
available” pick.
The GM says: Darrell Robertson – Defensive End – Georgia
Tech –  Here is another smallish speed rusher for Bill Polian to add to this
front line. He will add depth to this
unit and I think he will really surprise a lot of people with his ability.
Round 4,
Pick 28 (127) Wesley Woodyard Outside
Linebacker Kentucky
- If he is here. Many teams may want to
take him on as a safety hoping to get a new Bob Sanders. He is super fast and always around the
ball. A better tackle than his 225
pounds would suggest. Can he play the
strongside? I think he can, but he would
be better suited backing up Keiaho which may be what we need at this point in
the draft. I know some of you thought I
would go with Stanford Keglar from Purdue but wait till next year. I think Heygood, their middle linebacker,
will be a top 5 inside backer prospect.
The GM says: Wesley Woodyard – Outside Linebacker – Kentucky – I have been high on this kid since his JR
season at Kentucky. I like what he brings to the table. Yes, he is a little undersized, but he fits
the Cover-2 defense perfectly.
Round 5,
Pick 26 (161) Robert Felton Guard Arkansas - Why not put
old Ugoh together with a buddy? We need
a guard and this is the time to get one.
Felton has really long arms which may be able to impact his stretch
blocking. He may not have the great
athleticism of Ugoh, but he is a replica of Ryan Lilja.
The GM says: Chauncey Washington – Running Back – USC – He is a
kid that is used to splitting carries at the college level. When he comes into the game, he is ready to
go and hits his holes. I like him as a
complement to Joseph Addai. He does have
a questionable attitude, so maybe Polian and crew will put him on a short leash
like they did with Ed Johnson last season.
Round 6,
Pick 30 (196) Dennis Dixon Quarterback Oregon - We are getting
to an interesting point in the draft where the Colts have four picks in very
close succession. I would like to see
them take some chances. Perhaps they can
take some guys at the same position and let them compete for a roster
spot. I think Dixon can be one. His ACL has his stock down but he is a
project at quarterback or wide out regardless of where you draft him. He will have to learn a position. Where else can he learn that would be
tremendously better than at the right hand of Peyton Manning?
The GM says: Doug Legursky – Center – Marshall – With four picks in this round, I
look for the Colts to add depth to their offensive line and possibly a backup
for Peyton Manning. Legursky played in a
pass happy offense at Marshall, so he is used to pass protection. He will learn from one of the best in Jeff
Saturday.
Round 6,
Pick 35 (201) (Compensatory selection)
Dorien Bryant Wide Receiver Purdue - hasn’t run as fast as many people
expected. His 40s have been in the
middle 4.4s and many thought they would be in the 4.3s (where he has run them
in the past). Still, his dropping stock
gives us a chance to get him here, I think (hope) and his body of work speaks
for itself. He runs all the routes with
guts and brains. Big impact in a little
package and a dynamite returner.
The GM says: Chad
Rinehart – Guard – Northern Iowa – Polian
loves his small school prospects.
Rinehart is a big boy at 320lbs and will help fill in while he learns
the pro game.
Round 6,
Pick 36 (202) (Compensatory selection) Jacob
Hester Fullback/H-Back LSU - I think a lot of people believe this guy should go
earlier but I think, and I hope many GMs will agree, that his redzone abilities
were highlighted on LSU’s many televised games but that he wasn’t there between
the 20s. As a team with the starters
set, I think the Colts can use a fullback with good feet and ball skills. I may even be willing to part with a 4th
rounder for this guy because I see him as very effective in our system when
Peyton uses playaction on the goal line.
The GM says: Kevin O’Connell – Quarterback – San Diego State – This kid is big. Has a nice arm and is smart enough to learn
the pro game. Peyton will teach him the
nuances of the game and with his size, the line won’t have to adjust a thing
when he comes in.
Round 6,
Pick 39 (205) (Compensatory selection)
Keilen Dykes Defensive Tackle West Virginia - Saw bunches of him during
all of UVW weeknighters. Liked his speed
and his pass rush but when they went up against better teams he was forced to
play the run more and he fell apart a little.
He is light at 285 and that fits us.
This is the kind of guy you don’t see at the combine but that a little
scouting can help out with. Like his
upfield ability in our scheme and that makes him my choice at 205.
The GM says: Jason Shirley – Defensive Tackle – Fresno State
– Here is a kid that can become a gap filler in a hurry. He comes in at 335lbs and will help stop the
run on the inside, something the Colts haven’t done so well at the last few
years.
Round 7,
Pick 29 (236) Taj Smith Wide Reciever Syracuse - He was a decent player on a
mediocre team that got beat up a lot. A
year ago I thought we would see more of him but time proved me a fool. I have no idea where this guy has gone. His stats show his ability to put together a
big game and he has after the catch ability.
The GM says: Jack Ikegwuonu – Cornerback – Wisconsin – Here is a
kid that had a ton of buzz going into last season. He didn’t quite live up to that buzz and now
he is slipping down the draft boards.
Polian loves his Big 10 DBs. Ike
could provide depth and the Colts could use him as a return specialist.
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Nice, well done boys. I like Manningham a lot, but I don't he'll be there at 59. No way Ikeggwuowu goes in found seven either. The rest looks swell. I actually think Laws would be a great addition, and I'll admit that while i like what i read about Avril, i didn't catch too many Boilermakers games this season. How would you compare him to Anthony Spencer?
Interesting stuff guys. I don't think you are as far apart on the picks as you think you are. I would be surprised if the Colts took Dixon from Oregon because he doesn't seem to be a drop back QB the Colts would use. They could switch him to WR but there are probably more experienced options there at that point in the draft.
Also, I hate Chauncey Washington and beg the Colts not to draft him.
Rick -
Each year someone that shouldn't fall does. I think it is going to be Ike for some reason. He would be a steal in my opinion.
Also to note:
Now Chris Mortensen is saying that Kevin O'Connell is creating a lot of buzz for himself and could moved up in the draft. I'm hoping he doesn't and the Colts can move in on him late.
Jack Ikegwuonu is dropping because he has one less ACL and MCL and could spend some of his first season in jail.
And according to Profootballtalk.com -Jack's telling people he's going to skip the draft if not picked the first day. Not sure how you do that.
oh, and I always love articles with pictures.
Avril is similar but different. Spencer was an amazingly balanced player. He was as good against the run as he was against the pass. He was a great, balanced defensive end that had really great moves. I think Dallas got a good player in him but that they spoil a lot of what is good about him by asking him to play "up" as a linebacker. Spencer had an amazing "jab and pull" to the inside shoulder of tackles that allowed him to penetrate the interior on run plays and tremendous lower body strength that allowed him to get under on the outside and wrestle the corner out on the pass rush.
Avril is a faster, quicker on the first step to the outside and as such, was a better edge rusher. He is a little lighter and not as heavy framed as Spencer. He is an excellent tackler but doesn't have the lower body strength to maul his way into the backfield to go after the run. At this point in his career, Avril is more of an edge rush specialist and not the all-around player Spencer was. That is why I think he will drop far enough for the Colts to select. Purdue has a habit of preparing players mentally and physically for the NFL (which is all thanks to their D-Coordinator Brock Spack) and lately these guys have been able to up their stock in the Combine by putting up great numbers. Dustin Keller, their TE, was unknown outside of the Big 10 before the combine and now he is one or two on most draft boards at TE. Avril had a huge combine as well, as an athlete, and I am hoping that teams will pass on him a bit when they think about the time they would have to spend developing him as a linebacker and he may fall to us.
Jack - As far as Dixon is concerned he is certainly not the QB a Colt fan would expect but he fits my bill of being able to play a couple different positions and he is really raw, which I like. Lets get a kid who is a raw kid but a winner to boot. Make him understand that to play the position at the NFL level he has a lot to learn and then turn him loose in the learning. It is perhaps my chanciest pick I will admit, but I think I took a lot of chances here. Hester may be gone before we get to him, so to may Woodyard and Felton. I am hoping the Colts take some chances. I believe they can afford it. I do think the GM's picks reflect the Polian's habits more than mine, though.
I appreciate the effort, but Avril, how about Groves in the second he seems much faster and more physical, or even Jackson from USC (Avril would be a good DE pick, but not a great one, I would like to see Groves or Jackson first. Do you think one of them will be there in the late second.
If Groves and Jackson aren't there, how about taking Forte at RB (I do not want to see Hart or Manningham, both are too slow, plus short not a good mixture) Hopefully, we will get lucky and Forte or Johnson from East Carolina will be there. (or possible trade up to get one)
If worse comes to worse and those guys are gone, hopefully Adibi or Carlson will be there. But, it would probably be better to take Woodyard and Cottham at those positions. Maybe Cottham in the third and Woodyard in the fourth (hopefully, they will still be there.
I would like to see:
2nd Round: Groves or Forte
3rd Round: Cottham
4th Round: Woodyard or DE or RB(Depending on the 2nd)
5th Round: Woodyard (if we are lucky)or OL or WR
6th Round: 3 OL picks, DT or WR
7th Round: DT or WR
I find it hard to believe that either Groves or Jackson (at DEs), Forte or Johnson (at RB), or Carlson or Adibi would not be there later in the second. And, IMHO I believe those are all great value picks that fit our four greatest needs. WR, even with Harrison slightly questionable, is not a pressing need (Round 2). Wait until next year and use a number one or Pick up a FA with cap space from Harrison.
If by Groves you mean Quentin Groves out of Auburn i will say this: Groves is a great player, and he would excel in our system, I would love to have him there, and I think there is a snowball's chance in Hell that he is there at the 59th pick. Everything you say about him is true. He is tremendously explosive and athletic. I don't believe he is stronger than Avril or more physical, and he might not even have a better top speed. But he is faster in his first step. He is not as thickly built as Avril and has better fluidity in his hips and torso which enhances his draftability. This guy goes before Avril, and probably before the 50th pick. He is smaller and more explosive than Avril and that makes him more attractive to teams that use the 3-4. He edges out Avril in versatility and that is what will get him drafted beforehand. Jackson is too slow to play end for us and not strong enough to play defensive tackle for us. I like him, but he would be better at end in a 3-4 or bulking up and moving to tackle. If he could bulk up without getting sloppy he could fit our system but why wait for him to do it.
You make good points. I don't argue that, but we didn't talk about trade possibility because we were calling the picks as they sat. In response to Manningham, I think he is plenty fast. In response to Hart, I don't care if he is too slow and neither should you. This guy is great in pads and great on the field. He nearly beat Ohio State all by himself. Speed on a track means very little on the gridiron. I am the slowest guy in the world but I rarely get beaten to the other end in transition. Why is that? Because desire, tenacity, and quick decision making can make up for speed and Hart has these. I have received several emails about that pick and I can't see why. We are drafting for depth, we need a tailback, here is one with a proven record who can benefit from splitting carries and who can sync into our system with minimal coaching and effort. We have a track record of receiving players from Michigan that are mentally prepared to contribute early. Lets pull the trigger.
Will Roy Hall be playing TE next this season?
hah. If he can get off the practice team. Last I heard Mike Williams of USC fame was on the Titans roster as a tight end and he weighed about 260.
I don't buy the Manningham is short argument. He is 5'11, which is just one inch shorter than Harrison, Wayne, Gonzalez, and Courtney Roby. He has proven that he can stretch the field in the vertical game and he has good enough hands to play him in the slot.
I also don't like Forte because he has some health issues. I do like Johnson though.