Looking for Mr. Goodplayer

One game away from the Super Bowl isn't good enough for these Colts. The moves they make in the draft and free agency will decide whether they can make the big leap from feared playoff contenders to bona fide champs.

Before I start in with all the disclaimers about the combine and free agency not having happened yet, I want it to be known that this is just the first of many 2004 draft predictions and that I reserve the right to radically change my mind any time I want. The biggest factor is the potential signing of unrestricted free agent quarterback Peyton Manning. If they have to put a franchise tag on him, the salary-cap hit would be enormous and the team would have little or no flexibity in signing free agents. They could sign him to a long-term deal where he'd make about the same amount of money and save about $7 million against the cap. Or, they could let someone else sign him and start all over again with two more first-round picks. Whatever happens will Manning will determine who else the Colts sign and who they draft.

That said, let's take an early look at what the Colts need and some of my suggestions on how to plug some holes. The players listed in red below are unrestricted free agents, the ones in blue are restricted free agents and those in green are likely cap casualties.

Quarterbacks: 18 Peyton Manning, 7 Brock Huard, 16 Cory Sauter, 6 Tom Arth

Here's where you begin to understand the illusion of NFL free agency. If free agents really were free and teams honored the contracts they signed, the Colts would be easily outbid for "unrestricted" free agent Manning1 and would be paying new starter Brock Huard $5 million (quite a raise from the $650,000 he made last season).2 Odd, but I don't know a single fan naive enough to think that could happen. Instead, the Colts will do everything they can to sign Manning to a long-term but cap-friendly contract or slap him with a restrictive franchise tag3 and Huard will be cut or have his contract restructured. In the unlikely happenstance that Huard balks at restructuring and gets a better offer elsewhere, the Colts will be in the market for a backup quarterback. Since the plan is to sign Manning for as long as possible and groom young Tom Arth to be his backup, I doubt the team would invest heavily in a backup even if Huard leaves. Instead I think they'd replace Huard the same way they found him — some veteran odd man out4 who has some talent, but not enough to contend for a starting job or complain about how few snaps he gets behind Manning.5 Small but effective in spurts Shaun King isn't going to be asked to come back to Tampa Bay and could be lured to Indy.

Fullbacks: 36 Tom Lopienski, 42 Detron Smith, 47 Donnel Thompson

Normally the fullback is an afterthought in a Tom Moore offense. He's a special-teams player who maybe participates on a few confused snaps on some third- or fourth-and-inches plays or catches a pass when the team is up by 21 points and the quarterback is feeling generous. That all changed when the Colts signed an undrafted free agent named Tom Lopienski. Did you see the blocks he threw against Kansas City? And he can catch too. Not only is he sticking, he's forcing Moore to expand his playbook.6 Expect to see the Colts use more two-back sets next year, and not always in short-yardage situations. I have no doubt the Colts will keep him, but the other fullbacks ... I don't know. Both Detron Smith and Donnel Thompson have impressive credentials as special-teams tacklers and wedge-busters, but the Colts' roster is dotted with guys like that. Smith really adds nothing to the offense and makes $660,000. Thompson was a "linebacker" until recently and now he's a "fullback," just like Justin Snow is a "tight end."7 Either Smith or Thompson or both could be back. Even if neither is, the Colts are not looking for a fullback in the draft, although they will invite a couple of undrafted free agents into camp. Move along people, nothing to see here.

Halfbacks:8 32 Edgerrin James, 33 Dominic Rhodes, 35 Ricky Williams, 23 James Mungro, 43 Brian Allen

Considering all the injuries the Colts have sustained at halfback over the last two years, we all have a good idea of what all the players on the roster can do because they have all spent extended time on the field.9 When they're all healthy, Edgerrin James is the undisputed No. 1, Dominic Rhodes is the do-everything No. 2 and a kick returner, James Mungro is the short-yardage back, li'l Ricky Williams is the third-down back who can just as easily shift to wide receiver before the snap and Brian Allen is the promising youngster fighting for a job. Now that they're all looking to be recovered from their assorted ailments, Rhodes' contract has come due. Yeah, he's a restricted free agent, which allows the Colts right of first refusal, but he is a speedy young back who can catch, return kicks and has proven he can pull off a 1,000-yard season with games to spare.10 Lots of teams will have more money under the salary cap than the Colts and one may make a strong run at Rhodes. Since the Colts are unlikely to break the bank for a backup, he'll most likely receive a tender that would be easy for many teams to better and would guarantee the Colts "a draft selection at the player's original draft round" — but Rhodes wasn't drafted. So there's a decent chance Rhodes will be fighting for a starting job in Houston or Arizona while the Colts are looking for his replacement. If so, don't expect a high draft pick to be used. Instead, look for more of what Rhodes was, a super-productive small-school back available late in the draft or as a priority undrafted free agent. A kid like North Dakota State's11 Rod Malone (6'1, 211, 4.55, 239-1,251-17 rushing, 16-111-1 receiving) isn't more than a dot on most people's radar, but could be a nice find. Keep in mind that Terrence Wilkins was Joel Buschbaum's 103rd-ranked wide receiver when Bill Polian found him in 1999.12

Wide receivers: 88 Marvin Harrison, 87 Reggie Wayne, 83 Brandon Stokley, 86 Troy Walters, 85 Aaron Moorehead, 84 Brad Pyatt, 10 Terrence Wilkins, 11 JaJuan Dawson, DeAndrew Rubin

The Colts are likely to keep five or maybe six wide receivers. Barring injuries, they're loaded: Marvin Harrison is not just the Colts' No. 1, but arguably the league's; Reggie Wayne emerged last year as a legitimate No. 2; Brandon Stokley showed in the playoffs that he's one of the league's most dangerous players;13 Troy Walters had his moments as a receiver when he was forced to fill in; Aaron Moorehead showed some skill in his brief audition; and Brad Pyatt wowed us all as a return man and could well develop enough as a receiver to contribute. And they're all under contract. It's about as perfect as a spot gets in these days of free agency and the salary cap. So why have I seen two mock drafts that have the Colts drafting a wide receiver in the first round? Two reasons: a) Harrison is an unrestricted free agent after the 2004 season and b) the Colts' receivers, though skilled, were pushed around mightily by the Patriots' defensive backs in their nationally televised playoff game. I think those mock draft makers are outsmarting themselves. Harrison is smart, and he will stay because Manning will; and the return of tight end Dallas Clark and better game-planning will help the Colts' against teams with physical defensive backs. But that doesn't mean that I don't think the Colts will ignore the position this offseason. Real Colts fans know the only statistical category their team came 32nd. No, not run defense, it was net punt return average.14 Walters simply does not do a good job as a punt returner. Although his 9.55 average may seem passable, his tendency to call fair catches lowers his net to 5.83, he never seems to break a long one and has a reputation as a fumbler. And, although Pyatt is a top-notch kick returner, his long-striding style is not suited to bring back punts and he may not be fully recovered from last year's horrible neck injury in time for camp. Should the Colts want a new punt returner, Walters' contributions as a receiver could easily be made up by Moorehead and perhaps Pyatt.15 One candidate for the job is young DeAndrew Rubin, who was a spectacular punt returner (64-1,049-416) at South Florida but saw his rookie NFL season ruined by injury. Rubin won't give the team much as a receiver right away, and needs to prove he can hold onto the ball, but he could be a find. If the Colts look to the college ranks for a punt returner, they could find a cornerback with return ability or target a guy like Tennessee's Mark Jones (5'9, 185, 4.41, 36-556-5 receiving, 20-303-1 punt returns, 7-65-0 rushing) late in the draft or after it. Jones is a tough little17 former defensive back who needs to grow into the wide receiver position, but is a quick waterbug who's a threat to score whenever he touches the ball.

Tight ends: 81 Marcus Pollard, 44 Dallas Clark, 80 Joe Dean Davenport, 49 Pete Mitchell, Chad Bartoszek, Bryan Fletcher

The Colts are almost as loaded at tight end with starters Marcus Pollard and, returning from injured reserve, 2003 first-round pick Dallas Clark. Third man Joe Dean "Billy Bob" Davenport is a restricted free agent, but I don't see any team wanting him as much as the Colts do, and I think he likes the Colts. They also have first-year players Chad Bartoszek and Bryan Fletcher waiting to show what they can do. But, should the planets misalign and Davenport sign elsewhere, the Colts may need to acquire a blocking specialist.18 One guy who could be had late in the draft is Southern Mississippi's Terrell Browden (6'3, 260, 4.85, 11-144-1 receiving). He can walk in and block well and contribute on special teams, but would need time to become a receiver, though he has some natural skills.19 Oh, and there's always Snow, at least in theory.

Tackles: 78 Tarik Glenn, 71 Ryan Diem, 76 Makoa Freitas, 69 Jim Newton

Guards: 64 Rick DeMulling, 56 Tupe Peko, 74 Steve Sciullo, 73 Adam Meadows, 62 Rex Richards

Centers: 63 Jeff Saturday, 60 Joe Iorio

The offensive line is in pretty good shape. Young starters Ryan Diem and Rick DeMulling are restricted free agents, but both are likely to return. Even if they don't, the Colts have young replacements with starting experience in Makoa Freitas and Steve Sciullo. Depth is always a concern, but the Colts have been very successful drafting linemen late20 and making players out of them. Should they go to the draft for help, guys like Cal-Davis' giant Brad Lekkekerker (6'6, 340, 5.20) — although he's no longer a secret after the Shrine Game21 — or Miami of Ohio's quick-footed Jacob Bell (6'5, 306, 4.90) could be nice projects.

Defensive ends: 93 Dwight Freeney, 79 Raheem Brock, 92 Chad Bratzke, 99 Brad Scioli, 98 Robert Mathis, Durrand Roundtree

Veteran Chad Bratzke has almost certainly played his last game for the Colts, and his pass-rushing ability will be missed.22 Dwight Freeney is one of the league's defensive stars and the guy other teams game-plan around, but the rest of the ends need to do a better job of getting to the passer. Raheem Brock held down the left end spot last year and, despite some limitations, showed progress. He had just two sacks, but he was third on the team in quarterback pressures, tied for second in tackles behind the line of scrimmage and was on the ball enough to recover no fewer than three fumbles. More telling, perhaps, was that he faded down the stretch; indicating that he's probably better off playing a lesser role. Behind them are former starter Brad Scioli23 and undersized pass-rushing prodigy Robert Mathis. Mathis could have a huge future ahead of him, but not vas a fulltime or even rotational end, he's a cameo player at best.24 If the Colts are looking for a bigger guy (Mathis weighs just 235 pounds) to join the end rotation, the two guys I like are Idaho State's Jared Allen25 (6'6, 275, 4.78, 102 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 28 TFL, 6 forced fumbles, 9 passes broken up), who is fast off the line and has a surprising inside power move, and a very similar player in UCLA's Dave Ball26 (6'5, 275, 4.85, 59 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 20.5 TFL, 5 forced fumbles), who is tough, smart, instinctive and could excel early in the Colts' rotational system. Should they be gone early, a big guy like Mississippi State's Tommy Kelly (6'5, 295, 4.90, 4 sacks, 12 TFL, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries) could be available in round four. He doesn't have Allen's or Ball's motor, but can be explosive and is a nice tackler. Since the Colts like to rotate linemen, don't be surprised if there is at least one new addition at this spot.

Defensive tackles: 75 Larry Tripplett, 90 Montae Reagor, 96 Josh Williams, 95 David Pugh, 70 Keith Wright, Tank Reese

Many observers contend that defensive tackle is the Colts' weakest spot, and they have a point. The Colts were 20th in the league for rushing yards against, 23rd in average yards per carry against and 28th in rushing touchdowns allowed.27 Many — not the least of whom was overstressed middle linebacker Rob Morris — believe that problem started front row center. The incumbents are all lightweight penetrating one-gap types, although the Colts have been playing Larry Tripplett in a pseudo-two-gap position. Third tackle Josh Williams, the most nose tackle-y of the group — is an unrestricted free agent and may not be pursued.28 David Pugh is returning after a year off injury, but he's a little guy29 too and, although he did show some penetration in 2002, his rookie year, he was the first defensive player I have ever seen record more penalties than tackles. Keep an eye on recent signee Tank Reese. Although he's only 5'10, he's a bull-strong and relentless little man30 who could really succeed in a rotation, especially if he has a two-gap nose-tackle type beside him. Ah, but therein lies the rub — there isn't one, nor is there likely to be. The last time the Colts drafted a defensive tackle first was 1995 (Ellis Johnson) and no Bill Polian-managed team has ever drafted a defensive tackle in the first round.31 Maybe it's the gambler in me, but I'm sure that will change now. Still, since the cupboard is beyond bare in free agency, the Colts' hands may be forced. I think the perfect player for their system (although he does have personality issues) would be Florida State's Darnell Dockett (6'3, 285, 4.90, 1.5 sacks, 17 TFL, 17 pressures, 2 forced fumbles), but after his dominating performance at the Senior Bowl, there is no way he will last until the 29th pick. Still, LSU's Chad Lavalais (6'3, 299, 4.99, 7 sacks, 16 TFL, 23 pressures, 6 passes broken up), though a bit thin, has an outstanding motor, great first step and the ability to hunt down passers and runners behind the line. He won't occupy two gaps, but he could dominate one. He's also a passionate, rah-rah character guy who gets his teammates up. Should Polian, Dungy and Meeks all of a sudden have a group change of heart and decide the team needs a two-gapper, then Texas' Marcus Tubbs (6'4, 325, 5.20, 5.5 sacks, 12.5 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 3 passes broken up, 2 blocked kicks) would appear to be the man. What am I saying? I might want it, but it won't happen. Lavalais looks as much like the Colts' first-round pick as anyone at this point and, even if it does happen, don't be surprised if the Colts grab another big guy later in the draft. Oregon's Igor Ohlshansky (6'5, 305, 5.00, 6.5 sacks, 15 TFL and 3 fumble recoveries) is a big-time run stopper, is still way down on his learning curve and it's always hard to resist drafting a lineman named Igor. He should be around in round two or three.32 Other defensive tackles of interest include: Brandon "Booger" Kennedy33 (5'10, 325, 5.10, 66 tackles, 6 sacks, 17 TFL), an very productive tackle at North Texas State who stands just 5'10 but carries his 325 pounds well; Brandon Calton (6'4, 295, 4.95, 4.5 sacks, 15.5 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries), a giant with long arms who dominated at East Tennessee State: and UCLA's Ryan Boschetti (6'4, 295, 4.95, 43 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8.5 TFL), a hard-working blue-collar type who specializes in absorbing blockers to help other players get free.

Middle linebackers: 94 Rob Morris, 58 Gary Brackett, Ben Mahdavi

Although lots of fans would love to see the Colts send Morris packing, I think the plan is to give him one more year to prove himself, and draft a young prospect just in case.34 Lots of people are talking up Miami's Jon Vilma (6'2, 233, 4.54, 127 tackles, 1 sack, 12 TFL, 3 fumble recoveries), who I'll admit is cerebral and athletic but, after watching lots of tape, I have come to the conclusion that his so-so ability to shed college blocks could be magnified into a major hindrance in the pros and that he's not the kind of wrap-up tackler the middle demands. He could easily succeed on a team with big, strong defensive tackles, but ... that's not the Colts. Perhaps it's better that they draft the tackles first and find Morris' successor later. A pair of athletic middle men who could thrive under the right kind of coaching are Auburn's Dontarrious Thomas (6'2, 235, 4.60, 75 tackles, 8 TFL, 1 interception) and Nevada's Jorge Cordova (6'2, 240, 4.68, 11.5 sacks, 17 TFL, 4 forced fumbles and 2 blocked kicks). Keep an eye out for Cordova especially, he flies around the field and makes bad things happen when he makes contact. My kind of player.35

Outside linebackers: 50 David Thornton, 53 Marcus Washington, 57 Jim Nelson, 59 Cato June, 52 Keyon Whiteside

Depending on whether they re-sign Marcus Washington or acquire a reasonable facsimile elsewhere, the Colts could avoid drafting an outside linebacker altogether or draft one in the first round.36 If Washington leaves and the Colts don't sign a Barrett Green or Clark Haggans or some such, then the two Sams I'd be interested in are UCLA's Brandon Chillar (6'3, 235. 4.70, 133 tackles, 2 sacks, 8.5 TFL) and Washington's Marquis Cooper (6'3, 225, 4.65, 4 sacks, 8.5 TFL, 2-58-1 interceptions). Neither is all that big, but both can blitz, have good coverage skills and can lay a nasty pop. If the Colts wants a second OLB prospect or just want to wait until later, Bethune-Cookman's Steve Baggs (6'0, 233, 4.75. 15 sacks, 36 TFL, 6 forced fumbles) is a hard hitter and a stat machine just waiting to make an impression in the pro, and Washington State's DD Acholonu37 (6'2, 230, 4.75, 16.5 sacks, 21 TFL, 6 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries) is an undersized defensive end who looks much better dropping into coverage than he does standing up at the line of scrimmage. What little film I've seen of him is eerily familiar to Washington himself.

Cornerbacks: 21 Walt Harris, 27 David Macklin, 25 Nick Harper, 31 Clifton Crosby, 29 Joseph Jefferson, Willie Miles, 38 Darrell Rideaux, Crance Clemons

Cornerback was perhaps the Colts' second weakest position38 last year. You could argue that, but I'd probably win. And it's gotten worse, look at the depth chart, The No. 1 (Walt Harris) is a constantly injured, inconsistent Gen-Xer whose contract is just about to make a big jump upwards. Unless he retires gracefully, he will be cut. The much-flawed and maligned No. 2 (slow David Macklin) and No. 4 (frail Cliff Crosby) are both unrestricted free agents and neither is considered essential. No. 3 (skinny Nick Harper) is a restricted free agent who doesn't fit the system and is still smarting from the extra-heavy benching he got after starting the year with a bang. No. 5 (Joseph Jefferson) is a straight-line sprinter who has barely sniffed the line of scrimmage after two years in Indy.39 There are others, but nobody worth discussing, unless you (like me) think that the Colts' future No. 2 cornerback is a guy who started eight games at safety as a rookie. Yeah, Donald Strickland has the stuff to start at corner in the NFL. He's not big or really all that fast, but he's tough, aggressive, smart and smooth. He could step in today and be perhaps a shade better than Macklin. He's too good not to start. But who is No. 1? I was sure the Colts were going to draft a corner first, but after looking at what's available in free agency, I totally disagree. There is such an incredible glut of No. 1-quality corners on the open market40 that the price is sure to drop to affordable levels. Staring from the top, the shelf is stocked with Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, Chris McAlister, Troy Vincent, Antoine Winfield, Bobby Taylor ... stop me when I've made my point ... Fernando Bryant, Shawn Springs and Ahmed Plummer. Any of those guys could easily walk in and be the best corner in Indy since Ray Buchanan was young and limber.41 Personally, I like Plummer, but since Polian has a thing for very talented first-rounders who are hard on their luck, the most likely options seems like Springs.42 I have little doubt that the Colts will find a starting cornerback in free agency, but I still think they'd be wise to draft at least one more, especially if the prospect in question can also return punts. The draft-eligible guy I think most fits what the Colts are looking for is Arkansas' brash Ahmad "Batman" Carroll (3 interceptions, 5 TFL). Yeah he talks, but he can really back it up with hard hits, good hands and excellent zone coverage ability. Should they pass on him, two other guys I have my eye on are USC's Marcell Allmond (6'0, 200, 4.50, 3 sacks, 3 TFL, 3 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles and 9-208-0 on kick returns) and Southern Mississippi's Greg Brooks (5'10, 185, 4.45, 1 sack, 2 TFL, 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles as everybody was afraid to throw to his side of the field). Allmond is still learning the position and Brooks is undersized,42 but both have speed, fluidity and great potential.

Safeties: 28 Idrees Bashir, 20 Mike Doss, 30 Donald Strickland, 34 Jason Doering, 41 Cory Bird, 39 Anthony Floyd, Waine Bacon, Paul LaCoste

Even though I think rookie sensation Strickland will shift back to cornerback, the Colts' safeties are pretty solid. Both Idrees Bashir and Mike Doss were recent second-rounders and both seem to be delivering on their promise (Bashir in coverage, Doss with highlight-reel hits) and be on the way up. Depth is a concern,43 but could easily be alleviated by a key signing or re-signing. The Colts may well draft a safety or even two, but I don't see it as a need area. Utah's44 Dave Revill (5'11, 205, 4.58, 2 sacks, 9 TFL, 1 interception, 4 forced fumbles) is a late-rounder who can deal some sickening blows and won't embarrass himself in coverage, he'd walk right onto the kick coverage units and do well.

Punter: 17 Hunter Smith

Kickers: 13 Mike Vanderjagt, 5 Patrick Dunne

Do you really think the Colts will draft a kicker or punter? If so, you're on the wrong site, try this instead.

With all that said, I'm going to publicly announce my first Colts 2004 Mock draft:

Round 1/29 Chad Lavalais DT Louisiana State

Round 2/59 Jared Allen DE Idaho State

Round 3/90 Ahmad Carroll CB Arkansas

Round 4/122 Jorge Cordova ILB Nevada

Round 5/156 DD Achonolu OLB Washington State

Round 6 pick sent to Tampa Bay for long-departed safety David Gibson.

Round 7/218 Jacob Bell G Miami of Ohio

Notes

1 I doubt if there is a team that wouldn't bid for him and many have more salary-cap room and are more desperate for a seat-filling name to put on the marquee.

2 That is what his contract calls for, but I don't think even he beleived it would ever happen. Even if Manning left, I doubt Huard would be dubbed the undisputed starter and even if that did happen, there's no way he'd get a $5 million paycheck.

3 Even that wouldn't totally assure that Manning would stay in Indy, but it's pretty close.

4 Huard had been given the starting job in Seattle but quickly fumbled it away. When the Mike Holmgren regime brought in its own guys — Matt Hasselbeck and Trent Dilfer — Huard (too good to be a No. 3) was without a spot.

5 Whoever backs up Manning will have to get used to not playing.

6 I don't think Lopienski has the quickness or shiftiness to ever be an effective runner, but I would like to see him get some flare passes in which he is isolated on some poor defenseless cornerback.

7 If anyone out there has ever seen Snow line up at tight end in a real game, please e-mail me with the details. PS: I just noticed the Colts roster on nfl.com lists him as a "center."

8 Yes, I said halfback and I meant it. I know that nobody uses that name anymore, but it's the only accurate one. You can't say running back because that would include fullbacks (and with most offenses these days the line between fullback and tight end is blurrier than that between fullback and halfback) and I won't say the oh-so-trendy name tailback because that applies to the farthest back ... uhm ... back in an I-formation and the Colts use the I-formation about as often as they use the Wing-T.

9 Okay, Allen we've only seen in preseason.

10 In 2001, he ran for 1,104 yards and nine touchdowns despite starting just nine games.

11 In Fargo. Not the big, famous Fargo in Minnesota, but the even colder and stranger one in North Dakota.

12 Because we've seen a lesser, post-injury Wilkins of late, many have forgotten his spectacular rookie season.

13 Keep your eye on this guy. Manning likes him and, although he's not the most disciplined guy ever, he's very hard to catch and bring down.

14 True dat, the Colts caught 47 punts (16 fair catches) and brought them back for a paltry 240 yards. The 5.11 net average was way below the 6.79 they gave up.

15 I know I'm starting an argument here, but I don't Walters is all that, let alone a bag of chips. Yes, he caught 36 of 49 passes thrown his way, but is that really impressive for a guy who had Peyton Manning as his quarterback and started four games and was the third receiver for the other 12? Plus his four drops is a bit much. Moorehead could do that and more.

16 An incredible 16.39 average. Don't be surprised if you see him in the NFL Europe this (off)season.

17 Yes he is short, but he can see the top of Walters' head without standing on his toes.

18 Neither Bartoszek or Fletcher will remind anyone of John Hannah.

19 Certainly more than Davenport.

20 Or not at all. Look at the guys they have. Tarik Glenn was a first-round pick and Adam Meadows was a second rounder (same draft), but the rest were from the wrong side of the draft. Diem and Sciullo were fourth rounders, Freitas was found in the sixth (and cut twice) and DeMulling was selected in the seventh. The rest were cast-offs and were never drafted.

21 He was dominating.

22 I was going to say sorely missed, but he didn't exactly light the league on fire last year.

23 I wasn't too surprised that Scioli's 2003 effort didn't match his "breakout" 2002 season.

24 He totally just scratched the surface in his rookie season. When he was 100 percent and got some playing time, he was generally in the opponent's backfield. He didn't always know what to do back there, but he was back there.

25 But he has to lose that friggin' mustache and mullet look. It is 2004, Jared.

26 Now that there is what a defensive end oughta look like.

27 And those numbers would have been worse had the Colts not jumped out to so many early leads.

28 By anybody.

29 How dare I call anyone who's two inches taller than me and 80 pounds heavier than me a little guy? Well, it's all relative. I write for a living, he knocks people down.

30 Again with the little, at least this guy's shorter than me.

31 If you look at Polian's top picks since he arrived in Indy against the defensive tackle he probably would have taken, he usually comes out okay: Peyton Manning instead of Jason Peter in '98, Edgerrin James instead of Anthony McFarland in '99, Rob Morris instead of Cornelius Griffin in '00, Reggie Wayne instead of Kris Jenkins in '01, Dwight Freeney instead of Wendell Bryant in '02 and Dallas Clark instead of William Joseph in '03.

32 His stock is rising quickly.

33 Never underestimate a man named Booger.

34 It would be a pretty radical move to let him go, but the Colts aren't afraid of that kind of thing. Still, I think the braintrust believes that Morris could succeed with more help up front.

35 I think Cordova is about a year away from being a major NFL contributor, but he could really make an impact in the right system. Until then, his skills should be awesome on special-teams.

36 Although at this point, I'm not in love with any of the potential first-round candidates.

37 Pronounced as it looks.

38 After the defensive tackles of course.

39 There's all kinds of talk that he'll start next year, but I see no indication as to why. In two years, he has seven tackles (including six on special teams) and he looked lost in coverage last preseason. I guess we'll find out next fall, but until then, I have little faith in him.

40 Polian has not been shy about signing free-agent cornerbacks — look at Jeff Burris and Tyrone Poole. But then again, they were also guys he had drafted in the first round for other teams.

41 Forget how he plays now, he was something else for a few seasons there.

42 So many of those guys are so similar that I think attitude and price tag will be the deciding factors.

42 He's very strong, though, and is surprisingly hard to outmuscle.

43 Although Anthony Floyd's potential should not be dismissed.

44 Also keep on eye on Utah's Arnold Parker (6'2, 210, 4.43, 2 TFL, 5 passes broken up, a fumble returned for 80 yards and a touchdown), a long-legged cornerback who'd make a nice Cover-2 safety. Maybe a fourth rounder