April 14, 2004 I like your idea about drafting a wide body defensive tackle in the first round but! can we afford to pass up a good linebacker? —Chris, Greeenville, Pa.

Actually, I've stepped off the DT bandwagon. I really thought that the Colts would sign a starting-quality free-agent cornerback and was also pretty sure that they'd make at least a token attempt to keep Marcus Washington, but since neither happened, the landscape has changed. Look at it this way: right now, the starting DTs are Larry Tripplett and Montae Reagor, the starting CBs are Donald Strickland and Joseph Jefferson, while the starting OLBs are David Thornton and Keyon Whiteside ... or Gary Brackett ... or Cato June ... or Jim Nelson. The Colts are unlikely to get more than two starters out of the draft, so they must be careful with their top two choices. I see CB first, OLB second and DT third.

March 4, 2004 Well Jerry, I saw earlier Mel Kiper claims only 3-4 DTs and DEs total have 1st round talent.Ê This fellow B. Duane Cross claims 9 defensive linemen will be chosen before the Colts take LBer DJ Williams from U of Miami. Fact? Fiction? Was Bill Kornfusing Josh Williams with someone who can play DT? Ê— Kornfused in Florida

Well Korn, I've always taken pride in not worrying too much about what Mr. Kiper, Mr. Cross or any other draft "expert" says. And in this case, I think a synthesis of what the two say is closer to the truth. Let's look at the candidates. Surely no sane fan thinks the first round will not include Oklahoma's Tommie Harris, USC's Kenechi Udeze, Miami's Vince Wilfork, Ohio State's Will Smith and Maryland's Randy Starks (that's five already). Also likely to make it into the lightning round are Florida State's Darnell Dockett (perhaps at 29?) and Texas' Marcus Tubbs. Maybe this Cross fellow has a point. It's not inconceivable that LSU's Chad Lavalais and Marquise Hill, Oregon State's Dwan Edwards, Alabama's Antwan Odom and even Michigan State's Matthias Askew could sneak into the big money. Kiper has to face facts — defensive linemen are the most desirable players in football and, because of the size, athleticism and mean streak required, also happen to be the rarest. That premium drives them higher in the draft. Keep in mind that Mr. Kiper predicted just two defensive linemen in the first round only a month ago. But he is covering his posterior. By saying that only three or four have "first-round talent," he can throw in a rationalization, saying teams are reaching. Just as he said about the Colts with Dwight Freeney.

As for your second question, I think Mr. Polian looked at what was available in the free-agent market and decided Josh Williams was as good as he'd get at a reasonable price. Who else would you suggest — Fred Robbins? Chad Eaton? And don't be impressed by the six-year contract. Polian builds escalators into many players' contract in order to make them easier to cut later on — remember Brock Huard's phantom $5M a year salary? Josh Williams, finally over his injuries, will make a fine fourth DT.

Feb. 10, 2004 Hey Jerry, what's the numbers (age and experience in NFL) on Ted Washington? I see he is a UFA with NE and I was wondering if you thought he would be a possible addition for the Colts. I personally love the guy and wanted the Colts to pick him up a few years ago, but my main concern is his age. —Joe, east side PA

Washington was a first-round pick in 1991, making 2004 his 14th season. He was born April 13, 1968, so he'll be 36 well before opening day. There's no doubt that Washington can still control the line of scrimmage at least for short periods of time, but I'm concerned about his age too. You don't want to be the team that's paying him big money when he finally falls apart. Washington is a smart man, he knows he won't be playing football too much longer, so he'll be looking for the biggest signing bonus he can. If the Colts honestly believe Washington will put them over the top, they can live with the future salary-cap implications and they don't have to franchise Peyton Manning, I think there's a chance they could do it, but the odds — unlike Washington himself — are slim.

Jan. 31, 2004 I know you don't think much of Kiper's projections. However, the last bit I saw calls this a lean year for DL. Maybe only 2 or 3 taken in the first round. Fact or fiction? That's where the Colts go, isn't it? May your tea leaves always be green. —Rod, Riverview, FL

Kiper will change his mind. Defensive tackles are as valuable as diamonds these days. Think of them like NBA centers — people with that much size and athletic ability just don't happen that often. That's why drafts with two or three genuine first-round defensive tackle prospects can see five or six get drafted in the first round. This year, I can see six — Vince Wolfork, Tommie Harris, Randy Starks, Darnell Dockett, Marcus Tubbs and Chad Lavalais — who have good chances of being selected in the first 32.

As for the Colts, it seems like we fans predict them drafting a defensive tackle in the first round every year and they ... don't. The last time the Colts chose a DT in the first was when they held up an Ellis Johnson jersey back in 1995. And when was the last time Bill Polian drafted a DT for any team in the first? Never.

It could happen this year, but I wouldn't bet on it. The Colts appear to be undergoing a big change at corner — I think Donald Strickland starts next year, but I don't know who his running mate will be. I think that's where the No. 1 pick goes.

Of course, things could change. Keep an eye on the Colts' free agent signings. If they bring back Josh Williams, there is no way they go defensive tackle in the first. Re-signing David Macklin and Nick Harper could change things at corner, although they'd still be left without a true No. 1. If Marcus Washington leaves, outside linebacker could also be a first-round possibility.

Jan. 31, 2004 Who are the long snappers on the current roster? I come up with Justin Snow, Joe Iorio, Ben Mahdavi and I think Pete Mitchell. Anyone else? Do you foresee Snow retaining these duties? If not, is it likely he would remain on the roster? With o-linemen being very valuable, I wonder if it would save a spot to have Iorio handle the duties? Is he good enough? —Doe, East Side Indy, Indiana

Your list is the same as mine, but I would discount the elderly Mitchell — if he's around next year, it's just to catch passes.

As for Snow coming back, I can't tell from here yet. He's been a good snapper for years, but that nationally televised heave against the Patriots will be hard for him to forget. If he can put it behind him and regain his confidence, I think he stays because the Colts are more loyal to their players than most teams are. But he is a tight end in name only. If he's not the long snapper, he's unemployed.

Iorio can't be discounted. Unlike Snow, he can play when the Colts aren't kicking or punting. The Colts are pretty deep on the line for a change, but Iorio's ability to play center or guard really helps him. I liked his play at Penn State and thought he could have made the team last summer without snapping. He brings many of the same qualities Snow brings — intelligence, toughness — plus another 70 pounds. But he doesn't get downfield like Snow does when the ball is coming back at the Colts on punt returns. It'll be a tough fight, something to keep your eye on.

Mahdavi has his work cut out for him, he'll have to convince the team he's not only a better long-snapping option, but also a good special-teams tackler. Still, stranger things have happened — who expected that skinny undrafted defensive end out of Baylor named Snow to make the roster in 2000.

Jan. 26, 2004 Hey Bro, Florida State's OLB Michael Boulware. It seems the only concern with him is a lack of size and because of this some have him sliding in the draft. This guy is a prototype Dungy Linebacker ... is there a chance Polian and Dungy could make a move to get him or if he falls that late would/should we grab him? Also, Nate Webster will be a FA. Is there a possibility that Indy could try to sign him? —Brian, Long Island, Virginia

The Colts will need an outside linebacker if Marcus Washington signs elsewhere, Polian has said that you can never have enough pass-rushers and you have to like Peter Boulware (Michael's older brother, who is now a fixture on the Ravens' powerful defense). But this year's Boulware is about 30 pounds lighter than his brother and not nearly as good a tackler. Most people rate him a second-rounder at this point, but a good combine showing could vault him into the bottom of the first. Still, I'm not sure he's really a Dungy-type. Of his 326 college tackles, only 12 were behind the line of scrimmage and just three were sacks. He reminds me a lot of a player I didn't like at all last year, Boss Bailey, who was selected in the second and (from what I heard) wasn't visited by the Colts at all. Keep an eye on a guys like Georgia Tech's Keyaron Fox and South Florida's Maurice Jones who may not have Boulware's size/speed numbers but were more productive in college and are better fundamental players. Am I the only one who likes Wisconsin's Alex Lewis? Late note: Boulware looked extremely blockable at the Senior Bowl.

Webster, on the other hand, is known to be admired by both Polian and Dungy, but more as a sub/special teamer than a starter. He's more an inside guy than an outside guy and would represent a major dropoff from either Washington or Rob Morris, if he were signed to start.

Jan. 22, 2004 I feel that "Freight Train" Morris is a useless slug and needs to go away ASAP. I had been looking at Jonathan Vilma from Miami, but there are a couple of other candidates for MLB out there just as hot .... What are your thoughts on the Colts' MLB position and whether one is selected in the 1st round, 2nd, or maybe not at all? —BCN, Barcelona, Spain

Fans and some members of the media have been calling for Morris' head since the day he was drafted. But I doubt he's going anywhere, at least for the 2004 season. My reasoning: a) the Colts' braintrust of Bill Polian, Tony Dungy and Ron Meeks, though aware of his limitations, don't think he's the defense's big problem, b) he has a year left on a fairly cap-friendly contract and c) teams one game away from the Super Bowl rarely exchange a veteran starting middle linebacker for a late first-rounder. Granted, Morris isn't the star we thought he'd be, but he does an okay job when the rest of the D works and is replaced on obvious passing downs by nickel specialist Gary Brackett.

Clearly Vilma is a hot prospect, and I don't see him lasting very long in the draft. Granted, he's not very big, but smaller linebackers are in vogue right now and Vilma's play-making abilities have been showcased around the nation as Miami is college football's best prospect machine. But keep in mind that Vilma was probably the nation's least blocked linebacker because of the Hurricanes' defensive line and the attention teams paid to DJ Williams. If Vilma's available, I could see grabbing him and grooming him as Morris' replacement. More likely, though, I see the Colts selecting a lower-profile inside linebacker prospect like North Iowa's Jonathan Harrell or McNeese State's Roderick Royal later on and giving him a season to earn the job, much the way they did with David Thornton.