Jump to content
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts Fan Forum

Bullitt, A Far Cry From The Eraser


chrisfarley

Recommended Posts

Reviewed the game twice. Melvin Bullitt was atrocious on multiple occasions. I don't get it, I thought he was one of our better players. Also, his tackling leaves a LOT to be desired. I was watching some of the San Diego game and did see Bob Sanders cut a few people down with his patented knee erasers. Yes, he also got an unfavorable assignment in trying to keep Gronkowski and the other TE from catching TD's but he is too short to do anything about that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Reviewed the game twice. Melvin Bullitt was atrocious on multiple occasions. I don't get it, I thought he was one of our better players. Also, his tackling leaves a LOT to be desired. I was watching some of the San Diego game and did see Bob Sanders cut a few people down with his patented knee erasers. Yes, he also got an unfavorable assignment in trying to keep Gronkowski and the other TE from catching TD's but he is too short to do anything about that.

How many weeks do think he will play though?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

How many weeks do think he will play though?

I think he will try to stay out of trouble by being smart and not throwing around his body like he used to. If you saw the SD game, you could see that, and I think he simply has to adjust his game that way. I can already hear ppl, NO, THATS not the way he plays, he's all out, all the time. Well, just watch the SD vs. PATS game, and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No but he is a serviceable starter and Bethea is our playmaker. We've always had 1 guy to simply try to be a solid starter alongside a guy who is a playmaker. Originally it was Sanders and Mike Doss. Due to injuries in Bethea's rookie year he was thrust into the starting lineup and we started to realize what a diamond in the rough we found in him. I hoped we could wind up with 2 big playmakers at safety but Sanders wasn't able to stay healthy. Even if he had however, at some point we'd have likely had to part ways with one of them. The simple fact is you can't have a big time playmaker at every position due to cap restrictions. You have to accept that some positions are going to be filled with guys who you simply want to see solid play from.

I'm also not convinced that Bullitt is the long-term answer at SS but it simply hasn't been a glaring enough need yet so they haven't made finding a replacement a priority and unless one of the more talented safeties fall to us in a later round then I don't think it gets addressed this year either and rightfully so. As much as I like what I've seen so far from guys like Robert Lester and Mark Barron, and as much as I'm intrigued by the possibility of TJ McDonald of USC (who has spent the past 2 years learning a somewhat more basic form of the defense we run from USC DC Monte Kiffin) I think there are bigger needs than upgrading Bullitt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think he will try to stay out of trouble by being smart and not throwing around his body like he used to. If you saw the SD game, you could see that, and I think he simply has to adjust his game that way. I can already hear ppl, NO, THATS not the way he plays, he's all out, all the time. Well, just watch the SD vs. PATS game, and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I wish he would have learned that as a Colt.

Good for him. I haven't seen the Chargers play yet this season.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Melvin is not as good as a former Defensive Player of the Year? You are the master of the obvious. lol

Nobody doubts how great Bob is when he is healthy. The problem with Bob was he just could not stay healthy and that is the only reason he is gone.

Melvin is a solid back up that is forced into a starter role because the starter could not stay healthy and we had to part ways. He is just not the long term answer there at SS.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread is from the 'asking too much' department...

He cost us a touchdown...

Andy, see oldunclemark's reply. ;) If you expect 200 lb Bullitt to make a TD saving tackle against a 250 lb power runner like Hillis then your expectations are very unrealistic.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Your absolutly right i expect that. Thats the job of the SS and if he doesnt make that tackle then he ISNT DOIN HIS JOB...PERIOD

The only safety I can think of quickly off the top of my head that makes a tackle 1 on 1 even semi-consistently against a power back like Hillis is Troy Polamalu. Bob Sanders would bounce off of Hillis and probably get hurt. Sanders' MO is hitting the runner hard and simply knocking him down. Polamalu would go low on Hillis and wrap the legs and Polamalu has the strength to do it.

I'm not saying that Bullitt is our long-term solution at SS. I AM saying however that he's been getting a bad wrap lately because of that one play and that simply isn't fair. He's been a solid starter for us...not a huge playmaker and not great, but solid and a lot of that is being overlooked because he didn't make a play that, imo, is unreasonable to EXPECT him to make.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andy, see oldunclemark's reply. ;) If you expect 200 lb Bullitt to make a TD saving tackle against a 250 lb power runner like Hillis then your expectations are very unrealistic.

IM talking about the TD we're he completely forgot about his man in the back of the endzone, and he caught the pass. The Hillis run is not his fault...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bullitt lead the team with 11 tackles. Even some nice run stuffs, but his coverage game is suspect. He'll catch a INT if it bounces his way but I haven't seen him break up a pass yet this year. I could be wrong though

Bullit is not the best tackler... lacey also had alot of tackles in the browns game but that didnt mean much... I never liked bullit because of his tackling... i think both caldwell and lefeged are better than him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bullitt is one of the better strong side safeties in the league. He has good knowledge and good tackling skills, but like someone else said, the only guy who could possibly tackle Hillis on a semi-consistent basis is Troy Polamalu.

That is not true at all bullit does not have good tackling skills at all, and you should watch the game again lacey tackled hillis all by himself in the game.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IM talking about the TD we're he completely forgot about his man in the back of the endzone, and he caught the pass. The Hillis run is not his fault...

Ah ok, that was my bad. I obviously thought you were talking about the Hillis run. Sorry bout that. :)

As for that TD catch, I honestly don't remember it well enough to say conclusively who's fault it was, but I remember at the time thinking it was kind of a combo let down by both Powers and Bullitt. Could be wrong though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i think i was one of the few people who mention he played horrible. No one had mention him until i mention him on the good,bad and ugly thread.

edit: how isnt hillis td not his fault he broke his arm tackle and he took a poor angle to the line. if lacey and powers took hillis down im sure bullit could too and hes bigger than lacey and powers

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andy, see oldunclemark's reply. ;) If you expect 200 lb Bullitt to make a TD saving tackle against a 250 lb power runner like Hillis then your expectations are very unrealistic.

It didn't need to be a touchdown-saving tackle. He crashed too far to the inside and let Hillis get outside his shoulder and run through an arm tackle. It's an issue of playing his assignment better. And yes, Melvin Bullitt ought to be able to stop Peyton Hillis from running for 24 yards and a touchdown on first and 10. I don't need him to wipe the man off the field, but he could hold up him and wait for his teammates, or he could give him a form tackle and maybe surrender two or three yards. His job was to contain to the outside, and he failed to do that, not because he's outmatched against Hillis, but because he missed his assignment.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

edit: how isnt hillis td not his fault he broke his arm tackle and he took a poor angle to the line. if lacey and powers took hillis down im sure bullit could too and hes bigger than lacey and powers

I don't remember Powers taking Hillis down 1 on 1. Definitely not saying it didn't happen but I don't remember the specific play. I do remember the Lacy play and I guess here is where we simply have a different level of expectation. For me personally, no way I expect Lacey to make that play either. The fact that he did was great and I consider that an exceptional play on his part but still not one I expect him to be able to make on a regular basis. Regardless of what the differences are in levels of expectation, I'd want to find a way to make sure our DB's don't have to try to take on the big power backs in the league 1 on 1 if for no other reason than I don't want them to get hurt. We're weak enough in the secondary as it is...don't need it to get any worse. lol

It didn't need to be a touchdown-saving tackle. He crashed too far to the inside and let Hillis get outside his shoulder and run through an arm tackle. It's an issue of playing his assignment better. And yes, Melvin Bullitt ought to be able to stop Peyton Hillis from running for 24 yards and a touchdown on first and 10. I don't need him to wipe the man off the field, but he could hold up him and wait for his teammates, or he could give him a form tackle and maybe surrender two or three yards. His job was to contain to the outside, and he failed to do that, not because he's outmatched against Hillis, but because he missed his assignment.

Ok here's my take on it and this is simply my perspective of the play....normally I would say you're right and regardless he does need to work on technique and the other things you mentioned. For that specific play though I just don't think it would have mattered. The LB's and DL were all clogged in the middle because of the heavy run blitz that was called. I don't want to say, but can't remember for sure, that Bethea was close to the LOS on the other side of all that mess to. So all that said I don't know that Bullitt would have been able to hold up Hillis long enough for help to get there. It would have been nice if Bullitt could have done a better job so the other guys would have had a chance to get there to help but I really don't think it would have mattered because there was simply too much clutter. That's why, in the end, I simply chalk that play up to..we took a risk and sent a heavy blitz and we got beat.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't remember Powers taking Hillis down 1 on 1. Definitely not saying it didn't happen but I don't remember the specific play. I do remember the Lacy play and I guess here is where we simply have a different level of expectation. For me personally, no way I expect Lacey to make that play either. The fact that he did was great and I consider that an exceptional play on his part but still not one I expect him to be able to make on a regular basis. Regardless of what the differences are in levels of expectation, I'd want to find a way to make sure our DB's don't have to try to take on the big power backs in the league 1 on 1 if for no other reason than I don't want them to get hurt. We're weak enough in the secondary as it is...don't need it to get any worse. lol

I agree with this. Lacey didn't go straight up with Hillis, he caught him after a catch and up-ended him. Great play, but it's not exactly like he stopped Hillis in the middle of a downhill run.

Ok here's my take on it and this is simply my perspective of the play....normally I would say you're right and regardless he does need to work on technique and the other things you mentioned. For that specific play though I just don't think it would have mattered. The LB's and DL were all clogged in the middle because of the heavy run blitz that was called. I don't want to say, but can't remember for sure, that Bethea was close to the LOS on the other side of all that mess to. So all that said I don't know that Bullitt would have been able to hold up Hillis long enough for help to get there. It would have been nice if Bullitt could have done a better job so the other guys would have had a chance to get there to help but I really don't think it would have mattered because there was simply too much clutter. That's why, in the end, I simply chalk that play up to..we took a risk and sent a heavy blitz and we got beat.

If Bullitt plays his assignment right and gets run right over, fine. He's outmatched, obviously, by 50 pounds. That's a horse of a different color. As it is, however, Bullitt misplayed his assignment, allowing Hillis to run through an arm tackle for a touchdown. I'm not asking Bullitt to flatten Hillis at the goalline. I'm asking him to be where he's supposed to be and give himself a chance to slow the man down, maybe even make the tackle. And then, the 24 yards to the endzone aren't free and clear, because the rest of the defense has a chance to get to the ball carrier. Slow him down just a little bit, and it's a different story. But even if it's not, even if Bullitt is where he's supposed to be and Hillis scores anyway, then credit goes to Hillis for being a powerful, downhill runner, just like we know he is. The difference is that we had been slowing him down for an average of less than 3ypc to that point, mostly by staying in our lanes, not by making great tackles. Even with the inside blitz, Bullitt had a chance to make a play, and took himself out of it by going too far to the inside.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He is certainly no starter and I don't think he is a perfect fit for our system, which requires safeties that can tackle well, but he is a serviceable guy who is decent. Honestly, we don't have anyone better to play SS than him right now

true, we don't. which is why i wish we still had Bob Sanders. he's a game changer (when 100%), which he is right now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

true, we don't. which is why i wish we still had Bob Sanders. he's a game changer (when 100%), which he is right now.

yeah but how long will that last? Bob Sanders is a great safety when he's healthy, but he couldn't stay healthy. Personally, I thought we waited a year (or 2) too long to cut ties with him. If he's able to stay healthy now and make an impact on a new team, well yeah it sucks but I'm still glad they let him go because it was too much of a risk.

Unless they could have gotten him to sign a contract that paid him based on a per game played basis. :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Are you high?

I was thinking the exact same thing. I don't see how people are defending Bullitt...he was pretty bad last year and has looked even worse this year. He is a solid back-up/role player not a starter. He never has been good at tackling, and continues to prove that every week. And YES, he should have stopped Hillis on that TD run. It's his job/assignment to do so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't remember Powers taking Hillis down 1 on 1. Definitely not saying it didn't happen but I don't remember the specific play. I do remember the Lacy play and I guess here is where we simply have a different level of expectation. For me personally, no way I expect Lacey to make that play either. The fact that he did was great and I consider that an exceptional play on his part but still not one I expect him to be able to make on a regular basis. Regardless of what the differences are in levels of expectation, I'd want to find a way to make sure our DB's don't have to try to take on the big power backs in the league 1 on 1 if for no other reason than I don't want them to get hurt. We're weak enough in the secondary as it is...don't need it to get any worse. lol

Ok here's my take on it and this is simply my perspective of the play....normally I would say you're right and regardless he does need to work on technique and the other things you mentioned. For that specific play though I just don't think it would have mattered. The LB's and DL were all clogged in the middle because of the heavy run blitz that was called. I don't want to say, but can't remember for sure, that Bethea was close to the LOS on the other side of all that mess to. So all that said I don't know that Bullitt would have been able to hold up Hillis long enough for help to get there. It would have been nice if Bullitt could have done a better job so the other guys would have had a chance to get there to help but I really don't think it would have mattered because there was simply too much clutter. That's why, in the end, I simply chalk that play up to..we took a risk and sent a heavy blitz and we got beat.

That is ludicrous. Don't want them to make plays they are assigned to make because you don't want them to get hurt? Really? He's a NFL starting SS...he should be able and expected to tackle a RB.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That is ludicrous. Don't want them to make plays they are assigned to make because you don't want them to get hurt? Really? He's a NFL starting SS...he should be able and expected to tackle a RB.

man....whatever. I didn't say I wouldn't want them to make the tackle if they're in the position where they need to do so....but I'd much rather it be my LB's than my CB's.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bullitt lead the team with 11 tackles. Even some nice run stuffs, but his coverage game is suspect. He'll catch a INT if it bounces his way but I haven't seen him break up a pass yet this year. I could be wrong though

Pat Angerer leads the team with 21 tackles. Bullitt is behind several others including Lacey, Bethea, and Connor.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Reviewed the game twice. Melvin Bullitt was atrocious on multiple occasions. I don't get it, I thought he was one of our better players. Also, his tackling leaves a LOT to be desired. I was watching some of the San Diego game and did see Bob Sanders cut a few people down with his patented knee erasers. Yes, he also got an unfavorable assignment in trying to keep Gronkowski and the other TE from catching TD's but he is too short to do anything about that.

weren't you the same guy that last year praised Bullitt and how great of a job he has done filling in for Bob?

ridiculous to see same people who said great things about him now bashing him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

lacey makes a lot of tackles because his man catches the ball for yardage

word is lacey might be close to losing his job, well not really but there is a fire that is well lit under his behind.... i wouldnt be surprised if tryon or thomas gets to see playing time in his spot

Link to comment
Share on other sites

true, we don't. which is why i wish we still had Bob Sanders. he's a game changer (when 100%), which he is right now.

I was hoping he would restructure, but it didn't happen. I've only seen him in the Chargers-Pats game and from what I noticed, his playing style seems far less aggressive to me than it did when he was in Indy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Thread of the Week

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I'm good with picking up the option. I kind of agree a little with Ballard that there is more upside to Paye on passing downs. He is a good athlete and he has improved each season. Important that he says healthy, he was quite a raw prospect coming out of college and was then injured alot in his first 2 seasons in the NFL. So I can see why Ballard would like him around for another 2 years to see how much they can improve him. He's also an excellent run defender, which is important to note, especially in that LDE role.
    • Doug….   I’ve just read your latest two posts.   And as has been the recent trend, I don’t understand your logic.   So I’ve got a long post to respond to your long post.    So let me ask you an important question:     Have you noticed in the last month or so that I am responding to your posts very slowly?   I’m taking 8, 10, even 12 hours to respond.    I’m doing it deliberately.  I don’t want us to be going back and forth and back and forth while we’re both awake.  I’m trying to slow the pace of communication so things don’t get heated.  So I’m not trying to pick a fight,  I’m trying to AVOID a fight.   As to your two posts….   I think your memory is playing tricks with you.  Ballard said “let’s take the wide receiver” this draft for Mitchell.  His quote in 2022 after the Colts had no pick in the first round was this…. “Tomorrow,  wide receiver, tight end, tackle, and safety or corner.”   What did Ballard do?   He took those 4 positions in that order.  But not until he had traded DOWN from 35 to 53 for Pierce.   That was Reich’s personal pick.  Ballard was confident the players would be there and they were.   Not possible if everyone has same info as you assert.    Do you remember the 2019 draft when Ballard took Rock, Benagu, Campbell, and Okereke on Day 2,  that was the first year of the popular video series and the most memorable sound was Frank going around the war room high fiving everyone yelling “Four for Four!  Four for Four!”   Those were the guys Frank wanted, those were the guys Ballard got him.   Not possible if every team sees things the same.    The story of the 21 draft was the Colts picking 21.  And Ballard telling the scouts he had a good feeling that Paye, who the Colts ranked 10th on their board, would fall to the Colts.   And he did.   Ballard thought Dayo would fall to pick 54, and he said he likely would’ve taken Dayo at 21 if Paye had been taken.  Ballard was right again.   And again, not possible if everyone sees things the same.    Historically speaking…. In 2012, Seattle had Russell Wilson ranked THIRD on their board.  But they waited to draft him at pick 75 because they thought at 5’10” and 5/8ths,  RW would still be there.  And he was.   That wouldn’t be possible if everyone had mostly similar rankings as you believe.  As for Reimann:  picked 77.  You talk about his value as a left tackle.  Yet he lasted to pick 77.   Any other team could’ve taken him before the Colts did.   They didn’t.  Yet you think it has nothing to do with his age.  I don’t understand the logic you use to reject the age argument.   I don’t see an alternative view that makes sense.    All of these are examples of teams seeing the same thing differently.  They value things differently.  When asked recently, Steichen said he valued quickness in a wide receiver.  For other teams they might value speed, or precision route running.   Every team has its own identity based on what they value.    GMs are different.  Head coaches are different.  Scouts are different.   They are NOT working with the same information.  Every team has their own Big Board and the differences are big, not small.  32 teams, 32 very very different looking boards.     I’m 67.  I have literally studied the draft for more than 50 years.   The draft has always been a passion of mine, even before I became a TV sports producer at age 23.   I’m not making this up.     This post could be longer, but I think it’s gone long enough.  There was much to talk about.   Thanks for reading.               
    • Next year imagine the Colts will be looking at 2 QBs.  My top dual threat/mobile pocket passers are Jalen Milroe, Grayson McCall, and KJ Jefferson.   For offensive lineman got to love LT Kelvin Banks Jr who managed to hold his own versus Will Anderson a few years ago and LG Donovan Jackson.  Jackson has generated all-conference honors the past two seasons; Nelson's contract expires at the end of 2026 where he will be 30 years old.   So far for running backs I like Treveyon Henderson, DJ Giddens, and Kyle Monangai.  Each back knows how to secure the rock.  Last I checked both Dalvin Cook and Damien Harris are still free agents that would improve our roster.   Not sure if we need a top talented wide receiver early but am interested in Tre Harris and Ricky White.  While De'Corian Clark been compared to Alec Pierce and made Bruce Feldman's Freak list.  Still need to see where his high school numbers would have ranked compared to this year's draft class.     Plenty of defensive lineman to like in the next draft and probably one of the best groups coming out.   Edge Princely Umanmielen - one I feel is a fit for the Colts Edge Jack Sawyer is another stud that I want to pair with Latu and Paye Edge James Pearce Jr. DT 3-tech Tyleik Williams Edge/DL Mykel Willaims - as a freshman led all FBS true freshman edge defenders LDT Kenneth Grant NT/DT Walter Nolan Edge Dani Dennis-Sutton Edge Landon Jackson Edge Patrick Payton Edge Tyler Baron DL Shermar Turner - been one of the more disruptive DTs in the SEC.  Has a quick first step and body control to shoot the gaps. NT/DT Tonka Hemingway Edge Jasheen Davis NT/DT Alfred Collins. Linebackers got an interesting group of prospects to keep an eye on from the following: WLB Jack Kiser WLB Danny Stutsman LB Dasan McCullough MLB/OLB Jay Higgins LB/Edge Collin Oliver LB Eugene Asante SLB/Edge Khordae Sydnor LB Keaten Wade LB/Edge Steve Linton WLB Eric Gentry Read where some say this is a very weak safety class but got a few that seem to have potential.  This draft class I noticed more excel in press/man more than zone but still very capable of playing both.  Some of the defensive backs I like so far are: LCB Will Johnson CB Benjamin Morrison CB Ricardo Hallman SS Kevin Winston Jr - Blackmon signed a 1-year deal but only a 2% missed tackle rate and ranked 2nd among all safeties in 2023. SS Xavier Nwankpa - 4.39s-forty speed reminds me of Nick Cross FS Rod Moore - excellent 4.40s-forty speed FS Hunter Wohler - slower 4.52s-forty speed, if can improve his speed might be better than Rod Moore CB Tacario Davis CB Maxwell Hairston FS Jahdae Barron CB Jacobee Bryant CB Jordan Hancock CB Denver Harris SS Keon Sabb CB Malik Spencer CB Aydan White CB Tommi Hill - In 2023 had an outstanding QB rating when targeted of 38.6.  With another solid year Hill could move up the draft boards. Still on the lookout of those players not listed on the primary draft boards that the Colts always seem to find hidden gems to draft.
    • This is the list of Retired Colts Numbers. Peyton Manning — No. 18 Johnny Unitas — No. 19 Buddy Young — No. 22 Lenny Moore — No. 24 Art Donovan — No. 70 Jim Parker — No. 77 Raymond Berry — No. 82 Gino Marchetti — No. 89
    • a lot of the recent super bowl winners had game changing tight ends bowers would have been a nice addition but i like who we got, imo an a plus draft  
  • Members

×
×
  • Create New...