In search of Safeties....

[NewColtsFan]

Unfortunately,  we picked a terrible year to be in need of safeties.

 

The draft class is dreadful.    Seriously.

 

And the FA class is only marginally better.     We have our work cut out for us in order to up-grade the positions.   

 

It starts with re-signing Adams and Brown.

 

But then it continues with the FA class.   Hoping to draft a college kid that will step in and start from Day 1 is a Fool's Errand.

 

So,  looking over the FA class,  I see 4 players beyond McCourty (who most think will either re-sign or get tagged) for the Colts to consider.

 

If we're looking Strong Safety,  I see two:

 

DeNorris Searcy from Buffalo and Ron Parker from KC.   Both are in their mid-20's.

 

If we're looking Free Safety,  I also see two:

 

Louis Delmas from Miami and Rahim Moore from Denver.    Both are in their mid-20's.

 

All have starting experience and are serious contributors to their cause.

 

I think we'll sign one of these four.   I just don't know which one.

[backshoulderfade]

I like Searcy, but how would be play without that front 7? Would be a nice piece for a secondary that could be very good.

[Colts_Fan12]

I'm really hoping for Moore I think he is a good young FS not elite or anything but pretty good IMO. we could also take a chance on Branch released from OAK on a cheap deal I think

[GoColts00]

i don't mind getting someone to fill the space temporarily until next season. Jalen Ramsey, FSU will probably enter the draft early next season. 

[COLTS449]

We definitely need to look at Branch considering he'll have to settle for a cheap, 1year deal most likely. Then I hope we go after Moore or hopefully McCourty to play FS. Might as well address this in free agency since this draft class is weak for safeties. I love Holliman's potential, but I really about his tackling ability.

[The Peytonator]

It seems like the safety position has been very sub par in recent drafts, especially in the early rounds. I don't think it's a very good practice to draft one early as I feel they have a higher bust probability. I really like Clayton Geathers as a late round prospect, and Adrian Amos looks pretty good too. 

 

Sign Branch, he would fit our system so perfectly. Re-sign Brown and draft Geathers. Dewey McDonald looked good in preseason last year. I'd feel pretty comfortable with those four guys as our safety depth.

[akcolt]

Hopefully we can get Adams and Sergio back.

 

I like Tishaun Gipson from Cleveland RFA out of all the players available. It is Cleveland so there is no telling what they will do but it would be shocking if they let him get away.

 

FA I think I'd go with Searcy. Moore didn't look bad but he didn't look the same after almost losing the leg in 2013.

 

Branch is a huge risk reward player, he can't stay on the field. He has only played in 5 games the last 2 years. Granted when healthy he is one of the better in the box S in the league. I really don't like bringing in guys that have that kind of injury history but he would be cheap if he could stay healthy. He would be a steal.  

 

I don't see McCourty getting out of NE.

 

Hopefully Dewey takes a big step forward there doesn't seem to be a lot of options at S

 

.

[DougDew]

Some of the college film studiers on this forum should look at Eric Rowe from Utah. He played Safety his So and Junior years and played CB this year for the Utes. Sounds like he has some coverage skills. 6'1" 205 and 4.5 at the combine.

3rd round.

[TKnight24]

Quandre Diggs from Texas

[Jdubu]

I'm ok with getting this guy who is always hurt to play and let Dewey get some reps as well but overall, I want a guy with coverage skills that can match up with the rb's and TE's that kill us 5 yards from the LOS. Quite honestly, I don't understand why teams don't draft more cb's and convert them into FS Since they have made a living on coverage in the past. In the passing league, let your dline and lb'ers handle the run and your 4 cb's play the ball in the air.

[TKnight24]

I'm ok with getting this guy who is always hurt to play and let Dewey get some reps as well but overall, I want a guy with coverage skills that can match up with the rb's and TE's that kill us 5 yards from the LOS. Quite honestly, I don't understand why teams don't draft more cb's and convert them into FS Since they have made a living on coverage in the past. In the passing league, let your dline and lb'ers handle the run and your 4 cb's play the ball in the air.

180-190lb CB <<<<< 230+ TE

CB would get blown off the ball every time

Has the speed to run with the TE, but would get overpowered 9/10 times

[12isthenew18]

also why would mccourty wanna be in indy

[Deano1818]

It's still early

There will be some more cuts for players better than we have on our roster

[Deano1818]

also why would mccourty wanna be in indy

Because..... We give him a chance to win the SB......

Oh....... Right

[BigQandTheManiac]

also why would mccourty wanna be in indy

I've always thought that too,why would any patriots want to play for the colts after witnessing first hand how superior they are to the Colts. Unless it's just for the pay.

[Gavin]

I'd certainly welcome Searcy in, I certainly would not call this Safety class dreadful though, Delmas is alright but somebody needs to tell him its alright to CATCH the ball and not always bat it down

[Kyle]

What about Howell?  I have not heard anything on him in a while.  Rehab go well??  

[Dark Superman]

We definitely need to look at Branch considering he'll have to settle for a cheap, 1year deal most likely. Then I hope we go after Moore or hopefully McCourty to play FS. Might as well address this in free agency since this draft class is weak for safeties. I love Holliman's potential, but I really about his tackling ability.

McCourty isn't leaving NE.

[dgambill]

Look on the bright side...if a majority got what they wanted last year we would have had a WAY OVERPAID Jarius Byrd on our team. I don't think you need elite safeties to win in this league. I do think its an area we need to upgrade but we don't have to have a star player on the back end. Besides I think there will be a couple interesting options after the next rd of cuts happen when teams try to manuver under the cap. I can see a couple guys not willing to renegotiate or being overpaid that we may be able to sign. Just because the list is small now doesn't mean that is all that will be on the market. There are several waves of free agency and its just beginning.

[Dark Superman]

What about Howell?  I have not heard anything on him in a while.  Rehab go well??

Can't rely on a guy with a bad neck..

[Dark Superman]

Quandre Diggs from Texas

Who? Lol

[Smonroe]

I've always thought that too,why would any patriots want to play for the colts after witnessing first hand how superior they are to the Colts. Unless it's just for the pay.

 

Obviously, it would be for the pay AND it's not exactly like the Colts are too much of a step down.  Players careers are short, they have to get the big contract while they can.

 

As far as the Patriots, Brady isn't going to be there forever.  If I were a young guy looking for a long term contract, and considering the offers were similar, I'd take the Colts for the future upside.

[Smonroe]

Who? Lol

 

He's good, if you like short, slow CBs.

[Iancolts]

Book it Mcourtney to Colts!!!

[NewColtsFan]

also why would mccourty wanna be in indy

 

McCourty reportedly wants to stay in New England.

 

BUT....

 

If NE knows this (they do) and tries to low ball him on his contract,  that's why he might want to play for Indy.

 

Either way,  even if they low ball him,  odds are, they'll slap the tag on McCourty.

 

We're all just wishing....

[NewColtsFan]

I'd certainly welcome Searcy in, I certainly would not call this Safety class dreadful though, Delmas is alright but somebody needs to tell him its alright to CATCH the ball and not always bat it down

 

I called the DRAFT portion of the safety class dreadful,  NOT the Free Agency portion.

 

But the FA portion isn't all that great.    The best is McCourty and odds are he isn't going anywhere.   There's one handful of good guys....  and the rest are 1-2 year fliers....

[COLTS449]

McCourty isn't leaving NE.

 

Its highly doubtful he does, but its still possible. Rahim Moore is more realistic though. There's also a couple RFA's I would love. Will Hill and Tayshaun Gibson. Either one of those guys would be awesome IMO.

[SOMDColtsfan]

Shore up the front 7 and safety issues wont look so dire. Then address when the pieces fit and are available 

[Dark Superman]

He's good, if you like short, slow CBs.

Apparently TKnight likes him..

[Dark Superman]

Its highly doubtful he does, but its still possible. Rahim Moore is more realistic though. There's also a couple RFA's I would love. Will Hill and Tayshaun Gibson. Either one of those guys would be awesome IMO.

I wouldn't mind Hill. Don't know much about Moore.

[Smonroe]

Apparently TKnight likes him..

 

He's a Texas CFB fan.  Got to support your boys!

[zhubaba]

What about Howell?  I have not heard anything on him in a while.  Rehab go well??  

 

I was wondering about that as well.  A healthy Delano Howell would make our safety situation look much better.

[NewColtsFan]

I was wondering about that as well.  A healthy Delano Howell would make our safety situation look much better.

 

That's always been Delano's biggest problem,   he can't stay healthy.    He plays pretty well when he IS healthy.

 

That's just not often enough.   

 

I suspect we won't hear anything about Howell until mini-camps and OTA's,  just like Swoope.

[Gavin]

I called the DRAFT portion of the safety class dreadful,  NOT the Free Agency portion.

 

But the FA portion isn't all that great.    The best is McCourty and odds are he isn't going anywhere.   There's one handful of good guys....  and the rest are 1-2 year fliers....

My bad, That's what I meant, The draft class...Its certainly not deep by any means but I got a couple Safeties I like. Agree on the FA Safeties

[NewColtsFan]

My bad, That's what I meant, The draft class...Its certainly not deep by any means but I got a couple Safeties I like. Agree on the FA Safeties

 

From everything I read,  the safety spot is the worst position in the draft. 

 

Inside linebacker might be 2nd.

 

Tight end is very thin....

 

And after the Big Two,  the QB class seems filled with serious question marks.    It would not be surprising if no one after the first two turned into anything at the NFL level.     They might,  but it seems more likely than not that they won't....

 

The exact opposite of last year's class where there were 8-10 guys who looked like they might have a long NFL career as either a starter or a quality back-up.

 

-- RB class....  very strong.   Strongest in a number of years.   Quality and quantity.

 

-- WR class....  very strong.   This is three straight years of very strong WR classes.

 

-- OL class....    very good and deep....   but no one in the top-5 and perhaps only 1 or maybe 2 in the top 10.   Odd year.

 

-- DL class....    very good and deep....   but after Williams,  there's a bit of a fall-off.    Still lots of good to very good talent.

 

-- LB class....    Outside is very good and deep.    Inside is very poor and not deep.

 

-- CB class....    Average.    Likely no one in top-10, and maybe one or two to make the top-15.  Perhaps 4 in the 1st round.

 

-- Safety class....   very poor....   One marquee player...   perhaps 1 or 2 in the 2nd (maybe) and the rest are guys who will need a year or two to figure things out.   Most seem resigned to being career back-ups.    

 

Very disappointing for the Colts.   Maybe we find a project?

[esmort]

From everything I read,  the safety spot is the worst position in the draft. 

 

Inside linebacker might be 2nd.

 

Tight end is very thin....

 

And after the Big Two,  the QB class seems filled with serious question marks.    It would not be surprising if no one after the first two turned into anything at the NFL level.     They might,  but it seems more likely than not that they won't....

 

The exact opposite of last year's class where there were 8-10 guys who looked like they might have a long NFL career as either a starter or a quality back-up.

 

-- RB class....  very strong.   Strongest in a number of years.   Quality and quantity.

 

-- WR class....  very strong.   This is three straight years of very strong WR classes.

 

-- OL class....    very good and deep....   but no one in the top-5 and perhaps only 1 or maybe 2 in the top 10.   Odd year.

 

-- DL class....    very good and deep....   but after Williams,  there's a bit of a fall-off.    Still lots of good to very good talent.

 

-- LB class....    Outside is very good and deep.    Inside is very poor and not deep.

 

-- CB class....    Average.    Likely no one in top-10, and maybe one or two to make the top-15.  Perhaps 4 in the 1st round.

 

-- Safety class....   very poor....   One marquee player...   perhaps 1 or 2 in the 2nd (maybe) and the rest are guys who will need a year or two to figure things out.   Most seem resigned to being career back-ups.    

 

Very disappointing for the Colts.   Maybe we find a project?

 

I am ok with a draft like this for the Colts this year... we don't have a top pick so no big loss to us that it is light at the top, and we don't need a QB or TE so no big deal there.

 

I think the safety position although not a "strength" at least won't be a liability with Adams, Brown, & McDonald ... if we pick up Moore or Searcy... then we make upgrading the Safety position a priority next season.  

 

It would be nice if we could have gotten a good ILB, but if we address the DL I think our ILBs are passable although unspectacular; and who knows we still may find a hidden gem ILB or a decent one may fall to a value spot. 

 

With where the talent in this draft appears to be we have enough holes at the deep positions that we can go BPA and get some good players to fill some holes at our most needed positions regardless of what areas we focus on in FA. 

[Kyle]

From everything I read,  the safety spot is the worst position in the draft. 

 

Inside linebacker might be 2nd.

 

Tight end is very thin....

 

And after the Big Two,  the QB class seems filled with serious question marks.    It would not be surprising if no one after the first two turned into anything at the NFL level.     They might,  but it seems more likely than not that they won't....

 

The exact opposite of last year's class where there were 8-10 guys who looked like they might have a long NFL career as either a starter or a quality back-up.

 

-- RB class....  very strong.   Strongest in a number of years.   Quality and quantity.

 

-- WR class....  very strong.   This is three straight years of very strong WR classes.

 

-- OL class....    very good and deep....   but no one in the top-5 and perhaps only 1 or maybe 2 in the top 10.   Odd year.

 

-- DL class....    very good and deep....   but after Williams,  there's a bit of a fall-off.    Still lots of good to very good talent.

 

-- LB class....    Outside is very good and deep.    Inside is very poor and not deep.

 

-- CB class....    Average.    Likely no one in top-10, and maybe one or two to make the top-15.  Perhaps 4 in the 1st round.

 

-- Safety class....   very poor....   One marquee player...   perhaps 1 or 2 in the 2nd (maybe) and the rest are guys who will need a year or two to figure things out.   Most seem resigned to being career back-ups.    

 

Very disappointing for the Colts.   Maybe we find a project?

This all may be true BUT.... even in a bad year for a position, I guarantee there will be a player at each position that goes late or even undrafted that can be a star.  We just have to be the team that gets a gem or 2 

[lollygagger8]

Branch would fit our system. Along with Mike Adams, Sergio Brown (must re-sign both) and Dewey McDonald, that would be a good start.. Hopefully draft a safety in the late rounds who isn't a knucklehead like Boyett was. 

 

 

As stated above, I also believe the NE Cheaters will tag McCourty. 

[ProblChld32]

also why would mccourty wanna be in indy

 

Brady has maybe 1-2 years in him, Indy is a Young team that has been in the post season the past 2 years. why wouldnt he want to be on a team bound to win multiple SB?

[Wesk7]

resign adams and brown and draft tartt and amos. That's a good mix up vets and young guys that would allow us to work in the rookies until they are ready to start.