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 areas of concern for the Colts' defense . . .
The Indianapolis Colts wrapped their 2010 organized team activities recently, and as we continue with out post-OTA breakdowns, we reach the areas of concern for the defense with a similar problem that arose when analyzing the offense.
The Colts were already strong, and they addressed some areas of concern in the off-season.
So . . .
Glaring problems are hard to find.
A glance around the Colts' defensive roster reveals as much front-line talent and experience as it has had entering a season in several seasons, with the main reasons for concern depth at at the cornerback and linebacker positions, as well as the health of key players such as S Bob Sanders. If the Colts stay healthy, there's a very realistic chance they could be as good defensively as they were in 2005 and 2007, their best defensive seasons in recent memory.
On to the list . . .
1. The health of S Bob Sanders. We mention this because we'd be insane not to mention it – and we mention it even though Sanders' potential return was also one of the reasons to be optimistic about the Colts' defense entering the 2010 season. Sanders has missed 10 or more games in four of his six seasons, and while he has made the Pro Bowl in his two full seasons – and while he was the 2007 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year – until he plays a full season, his health is going to be a concern. Probably, it will be even if he does play a full season. Sanders appeared healthy and upbeat during organized team activities and there appears every reason for optimism. Yet, given his history, fans are well within reason to be . . . well, concerned.
2. Depth at cornerback. As OTAs ended earlier this month, Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell correctly discussed the quality of the Colts' front-line cornerbacks: Jerraud Powers, Kelvin Hayden and Jacob Lacey. That trio makes the Colts solid at the position, but with Marlin Jackson, Tim Jennings and T.J. Rushing no longer on the roster, the Colts selected CB Kevin Thomas in the third round of the NFL Draft. The depth he was expected to provide almost certainly disappeared for this season when he sustained what the team said could be a season-ending injury. The Colts now likely will depend on either Ray Fisher – a seventh-round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft from Indiana University – and perhaps one of several undrafted free-agent signees. The Colts got big production from Lacey as an undrafted free agent last season. Can they get that two consecutive seasons? They need to.
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