With the Indianapolis Colts' 2010 organized team activities at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center now over -- and with training camp fast approaching --Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser this week will continue taking a look at what to like and what to worry about with the Colts as the 2010 NFL regular season approaches . . .
Five things to like about the Colts' special teams . . .
The Indianapolis Colts wrapped their 2010 organized team activities recently, and as we continue our post-OTA breakdowns, we reach the things to like about the Colts' special teams entering next season.
The Colts made strides in this area last season. P/kickoff specialist Pat McAfee had a productive year as a rookie, and the team's kickoff and punt coverage improved from the previous season.
Add to that the return of K Adam Vinatieri after an injury-plagyed season a year ago and there are reasons for optimism on the special teams.
There are also reasons for concern, but that's another topic for another day.
So, we know give you five areas to like about the Colts' special teams entering the 2010 season . . . .
1. The return of K Adam Vinatieri. Remember last off-season? When one of the main storylines around the Colts was the health of Vinatieri? The then-14-year veteran underwent off-season surgeries on his hip and knee and while he returned to kick in six games, he eventually missed 10 games and the post-season. While there was early speculation this off-season that Vinatieri might not return, and while that speculation heightened a bit when the team signed Michigan State kicker Brett Swenson as free agent, all indications during organized team activities that Vinatieri is healthy and feeling good and that the Colts very much want him to be their specialist next season. Vinatieri said during OTAs that there is a huge difference in how he feels now compared to last off-season and that he plans to play a few more seasons if he stays healthy. Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said the value of Vinatieri's experience and history in big games makes him a critical part of the special teams and his return would be a big plus entering next season.
2. The potential of P Pat McAfee. One of the most intriguing areas of the Colts' special teams continues to be McAfee. Now in his second season, he is one of the more entertaining personalities of the Colts' locker room, but that's not what makes him important to the team. As a rookie, he gave Indianapolis a punter with the ability to punt the team out of negative field-position situations, something at which long-time veteran Hunter Smith wasn't quite as effective. McAfee in several situations flipped field position in important situations, which was one of the reaons the team used a seventh-round selection on him in the 200 NFL Draft. Most interesting about McAfee is he only began punting in college, and while there, typically did so from a spread formation. Last year essentially was his first punting in a professional style, and he and Caldwell each think he can get significantly better in the coming seasons.
Comments
One thing I think John may have forgotten about is that McAfee was primarily a kicker in college. On the pre-draft lists that even bothered to mention him he was listed as a kicker. So, to me the obvious question is: Is it on the Colts RADAR for McAfee to be both the kicker and punter down the road? This would save a roster spot.
I don't think that it will happen; it seems that NFL teams are very reluctant to have one guy do both jobs; can't remember the last guy to do it regular.
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