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April 27, 2008

Colts focus on offense during NFL Draft’s second day

By Tom James The Tribune Star Sun Apr 27, 2008, 11:48 PM EDT

INDIANAPOLIS — During last year’s NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts concentrated on improving the depth on the defensive side of the ball.

In 2008, however, it was the offense — specifically the offensive line — that got the bulk of attention by the Colts’ player personnel department. The draft wrapped up Sunday evening and Indianapolis came away with nine new additions to the roster.

The Colts selected three centers, although there’s a pretty good chance that at least two of them will be moved to offensive guard before training camp gets underway this summer. Indianapolis also added a pair of tight ends, a running back and a wide receiver to this year’s list of incoming rookies.

“It’s important to always keep [the offensive line] green and growing. We had a loss there [with unrestricted free-agent offensive guard] Jake [Scott] and so you want to make sure that you replenish that. And then we [along with head coach Tony Dungy] both felt that there was a necessity to try and bring in some young depth there. And I think we did that,” team president Bill Polian said.

“Give [Colts offensive-line coach] Howard [Mudd] 14 guys and he’s going to come out with the right eight in the right positions. And so it’s our job to give him those 14 guys. And we have and I think we’ll be fine with it. I feel really good about that.”

Dungy acknowledged that while Indianapolis set its collective sights on improving the team’s offensive depth, the Colts didn’t completely forget about the defense. A linebacker and a rush defensive end also were drafted Sunday.

“We hit the offense a little harder than we usually do. But we drafted a lot of good, young defensive players last year and a lot of those guys got to play because of our injury situation. We talked about really addressing our offensive line. Since I’ve been here, we’ve kind of let Howard do it through smoke and mirrors and an occasional later [draft] choice,” the Colts’ coach said.

“But we really did feel like there were some quality offensive linemen that we could get that could really help us. It was time to address that. And we did that and we feel good about it. We think it’s going to add competition to our offensive line and help make up for some of the guys we’ve lost in the last couple of years. And then we also got some tight ends that can run and catch the ball. So we were happy with the way things went. And we’re excited to get things started.”

The ability of all three new offensive linemen to play multiple positions was important, Dungy said.

“They’re guys who have played a couple of different positions in college, but they’re what we would call inside guys for the most part. And they’ll be like all of our guys — Dylan Gandy and Jake Scott and Ryan Lilja and even Jeff [Saturday] early on. They’ll play a number of different spot until you become a starter. I think they’re going to be just like everyone and we’ll see what our best combinations end up being,” he pointed out.

• • •

• Top pick — OG Mike Pollak. In terms of which of this year’s draft class stands the best chance of seeing playing time the quickest, Indianapolis’ second-round pick from Arizona State will be given every opportunity to make a name for himself at guard. Pollak is expected to make the move outside from center to right guard as a potential replacement for former starter Jake Scott. He’ll probably see work at guard and serve as a backup at center behind Pro Bowl performer

Jeff Saturday.

• Player to watch — WR Pierre Garcon. A sixth-round pick by Indianapolis, Garcon has all the athletic skills needed to make the Colts’ 2008 regular-season roster. The question, though, is whether the former NCAA Division III standout can adjust his game against better competition. There’s a pretty good chance that he can, but he will most likely have to earn his way on offense before seeing some special-teams work.

A closer look at the Colts’ 2008 draft class:

Round 2/59: Mike Pollak, OG, 6-3, 293, Arizona State.

Versatile offensive lineman who was considered the best player available on the Indianapolis draft board when the team picked in the second round. Earned first-team All-Pac 10 Conference mention at center as a senior for the Sun Devils. Was a two-year starter at center who saw some work at guard early in his collegiate career.

Round 3/93: Philip Wheeler, LB, 6-1, 248, Georgia Tech.

Athletic linebacker who can play either the middle or either outside positions. Was recruited to Georgia Tech as a defensive end, but was moved to outside linebacker. Started 13 games as a middle linebacker in 2007. A hard-nosed player who is expected to get some work early on at all three linebacking spots in order to find out where he fits in the best.

Round 4/127: Jacob Tamme, TE, 6-3, 239, Kentucky.

A pass-catching tight end in the mold of starter Dallas Clark. A former wide receiver who was moved inside, can also be used on special teams as a long snapper. Can be used as an H-Back and as a motion receiver in addition to setting up on the line of scrimmage.

Round 5/161: Marcus Howard, DE, 6-0, 237, Georgia.

A potential speed rusher off the edge. Had 12 career sacks at Georgia, tying the school record. He had 10.5 sacks and 42 pressures as a senior, the only year that he started for the Bulldogs. Was the defensive MVP in this year’s Sugar Bowl against Hawaii. Was viewed as an outside-linebacking prospect by some teams, but should fit in well in the Colts’ defensive system.

Round 6/196: Tom Santi, TE, 6-5, 250, Virginia.

Good blocker at the point of attack who could give the Colts some help in the running game. Was the third-leading receiver as a senior, catching 36 passes for 418 yards and three touchdowns. Also saw some work as a fullback in goal-line situations.

Round 6/201: Steve Justice, C, 6-3, 293, Wake Forest.

Rated as one of the top centers available in this year’s draft. Was a first-team All-America and a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection as a senior. Was the runner-up for the Rimington Award, given each year to the nation’s top collegiate center. Recorded 65 knockdowns and 12 touchdown-resulting blocks as a senior. Will probably see some practice time at guard as well once he begins practicing with the Colts.

Round 6/202: Mike Hart, RB, 5-8, 206, Michigan.

Should compete for a backup role behind starter Joseph Addai. Hard-nosed college player who may have been bypassed by other teams who were concerned about his speed and size. Was a second-team All-Big 10 Conference selection as a senior, rushing for 1,361 yards and 14 touchdowns. Had 41 career touchdowns for the Wolverines. Has been compared favorably to former Colts running back James Mungro. A good lockerroom guy who has a chance to make the team.

Round 6/205: Pierre Garcon, WR, 6-0, 210, Mount Union (Ohio).

Might be considered as a bit of a project. Possesses outstanding athletic skills. Caught 67 passes for 955 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2007, along with five kickoff returns for 99 yards and seven punt returns for 51 yards. Has outstanding speed, could be used to return punts and kickoffs for the Colts. Ran a 4.4 at the combine. Was a member of the Division III national 400-meter relay team.

Round 7/236: Jamey Richard, OG, 6-5, 300, Buffalo.

Tall, rangy offensive lineman who will probably begin his NFL career as a guard. Honorable-mention All-America selection as a senior in 2007. Was a second-team All-Mid-America Conference pick last fall. Started at center in college. Considered to be a tough, hard-nosed player.

• Free agents coming — The Colts will announce their list of undrafted free agents in the next couple of days.

According to Polian, Indianapolis hopes to add some additional defensive-line help — including another rush defensive end or two, if all goes well.

As for veteran free agents, the Colts still may talk some more with former New England outside linebacker Roosevelt Colvin. An Indianapolis native and Purdue graduate, Colvin was released by the Patriots at the end of the 2007 season.

• Indiana, Gateway Conference players taken — Among the Indiana college players selected in Sunday’s final five rounds were Notre Dame safety Tom Zbikowski (third round, 86th pick, Baltimore); Purdue defensive end Cliff Avril (third round, 93rd pick, Detroit), Purdue outside linebacker Stanford Keglar (fourth round, 134th pick, Tennessee) and Notre Dame center John Sullivan (sixth round, 187th pick, Minnesota).

A pair of Gateway Conference standouts, both from Northern Iowa, also were drafted. Offensive tackle Chad Rinehart went to Washington (third round, 96th overall) while offensive tackle Brandon Keith is headed for Arizona (seventh round, 225th overall).

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