Indianapolis Colts NFL Draft WarRoom

by tomwghagger on May 20, 2011 4:19 AM EDT

Mocking the Draft wants to introduce you to an new article series taking a closer look at each team's draft workings. The WarRoom articles will give you a glimpse at the recent draft history and the decision-making structure of each NFL team. We will also include our thoughts about the structure and draft history.

Offensive Scheme: With Peyton Manning as de facto offensive coordinator, the Colts are a pass-first team that uses relatively few formations and relies heavily on precision and execution. Over the last few years, the Colts run and play-action game has slowly deteriorated into non-existence. The OL has historically been smaller, athletic and undersized but the front office has stated on numerous occasions a commitment to getting bigger.

Defensive Scheme: Tony Dungy's influence is still felt on the defensive side of the ball and the Colts employ the Tampa-2 system. The general principle is rush four and drop seven, but defensive co-ordinator Larry Coyer is not opposed to blitzing in key situations. Speed is the name of the game in Indy and the undersized unit is built around keeping the play in front of them and flowing to the ball and making tackles. Numerous teams have had success running down the throat of this defence due to its undersized nature.

Thoughts: Bill Polian has done an amazing job building this team through the draft. He is also amongst the best in the business at finding UDFAs. However he has missed on his last few first-round picks (see Brown, Donald and Gonzalez, Anthony) and whilst adding solid starters there have been no superstars. Surrounding Manning with talent has been a main priority but neglecting both lines really started to show last year.

The drafts have always emphasised character, speed and starts as key traits. However this WarRoom is in transition with Chris Polian being promoted to GM recently. In 2011 he emphasised physicality as the buzzword for the draft. Also of note is that both Delone Carter and Chris Rucker had character concerns, which in the past may have meant they were off the Colts' board. It is likely the future of the drafts in Indy will be a team effort between him and Jim Caldwell, both of whom have big shoes to fill.

Five-year record: 61 - 19

Coach: Jim Caldwell

GM: Chris Polian

Draft History: Here

Best Pick: Austin Collie

Worst Pick: Donald Brown

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Comments

I dunno, Tony Ugoh seems to me to be a worse pick than Donald Brown.

Welcome to Houston, J.J. Watt, Brooks Reed, Brandon Harris, Rashad Carmichael, Shiloh Keo, T.J. Yates, Derek Newton, and Cheta Ozougwu!

by krkenney on May 20, 2011 5:03 AM EDT reply actions

You are probably right but Ugoh did start 24 games for the Colts. I think it is a 1a and 1b situation. Although Brown will likely have one more season to show if he has anything.

by tomwghagger on May 20, 2011 5:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Ugoh is absolutely worse than Brown.

Brown will have a good O-line to work with for a couple of years, and showed in glimpses like against the Jags last year that he can play. He’s not someone who’s going to push the pile, which was necessary with our woeful line of the last couple of years.

Despite our run game being awful, our PA game still exists and works – because Peyton has possibly the most indistinct fake handoff in the game. It still can cause havoc, as we saw a few times last year.

Antoine Bethea - the most underrated safety in the NFL.

by Ben Savage on May 20, 2011 7:36 AM EDT reply actions

I'd peg Bethea as the best pick if you are going back that far

6th round comp pick is an instant starter and makes two Pro Bowls in his first 5 years. Thankfully he’s very durable too. Hasn’t missed a game in 3 years and has only missed 3 total in his career.

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals" -Agent K

by shake n bake on May 20, 2011 8:46 AM EDT reply actions

Was going to say that.

But I’d assume 5 years means ’11, ’10, ’09, ’08 and ’07

Antoine Bethea - the most underrated safety in the NFL.

by Ben Savage on May 20, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, I didn't realize how long Bethea's been with the team until I looked it up

though he’s very young for a 5 year vet, turns 27 this summer.

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals" -Agent K

by shake n bake on May 20, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

With Gonzo I think it's hard to fault a GM for a player who didn't have injury issues in college

and has been great while on the field, but hasn’t been able to stay healthy.

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals" -Agent K

by shake n bake on May 20, 2011 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

Donald

by tomwghagger on May 20, 2011 3:37 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

My iPhone posted that title by accident. I totally agree with shake and bake about bethea one of the most underrated S in the NFL but he is 5 years ago so excluded him. I actually think Brown is terrible. He is just a scat back IMO hated the pick at the time and still do. I agree Ugoh was a wasted 1st rounder but everyone is entitled to an opinion.

by tomwghagger on May 20, 2011 3:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

he's great out of the backfield and has big play ability

it’s just the Colts OL is awful at run blocking and they really don’t like playing a back they can’t trust in pass pro. I’m not all that optimistic about Donald working out in Indy, but I think he could be successfully elsewhere if they cut him loose.

Choke/Clutch is the fetishization of the small sample size.

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals" -Agent K

by shake n bake on May 20, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions