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A look at the Top 10 Indianapolis Colts free-agent rookies from the last 12 years
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The Indianapolis Colts sometime soon will release their list of 2009 undrafted free agents – most likely in the next day or two before a three-day rookie minicamp.
With some NFL teams, that's an afterthought list.
With the Colts, it's much more.
Before I go on, let me say this is an area where I have changed my thinking in the last decade. When I first began covering the Colts, I joked that the process of finding rookie free agents after the draft basically was “darts at a board,” meaning whoever you signed during the process was as good as any other player, with as good a chance of contributing or making the team.
That may be true of some teams. Not with the Colts.
Colts President Bill Polian long has said that collegiate free agency is as important to the team as the draft, and while that may be a slight overstatement, it's not much. Because in the Colts' system, with big-time players drawing big-time salaries, they depend upon 10-to-11 rookies per season playing. Not only that, they expect that if a player plays, he will play a significant role at some point.
Do the math:
With a seven-round draft, the Colts by definition will have three-or-four free agents make the roster, and while some have been bigger names and bigger contributors than others, without undrafted rookie free agents, the Colts' recent history would have been drastically different.
En route to Super Bowl XLI, one of the biggest catches in the AFC Championship Game was made by tight end Bryan Fletcher, a 2005 rookie free agent.
The Colts' leading rusher in the Super Bowl that season? Dominic Rhodes, a 2001 rookie free agent.
The starting linebacker then and now? Gary Brackett, a 2003 rookie free agent.
Which got me to thinking. Who are the best rookie free agents of the Polian era?
Glad you asked. Here's my list. See what you think and let me know yours . . .
1.Gary Brackett, MLB, Rutgers, 2003. He is the Colts' defensive captain and has started since 2005.
2.Dominic Rhodes, RB, Midwestern State University, 2001. He rushed for 1,104 in 2001 to become the first undrafted player to rush for more than 1,000 yards as a rookie. Played for the Colts from 2001-2006 and again in 2008.
3.Melvin Bullitt, S, Texas A&M, 2007. Led team in interceptions last season with four and has become one of top reserve safeties in the NFL. Played a key role on special teams last season and on defense with two-time Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders missing much of the season.
4.Darrell Reid, DT, Minnesota, 2005. Played four seasons for the Colts and emerged as one of the NFL's top special teams players. Signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent shortly after this past season.
5.Josh Thomas, DE, Syracuse, 2004. Played five seasons with the Colts and developed into solid reserve end and run defenders. Became a free agent following this past season and has not been re-signed.
6.Bryan Fletcher, TE, UCLA, 2005. Played three seasons with the Colts and made long reception that led to game-winning touchdown in 38-34 victory over New England in AFC Championship game following the 2006 season.
7.Terrence Wilkins, WR, Virginia, 1999. A dynamic punt and kick returner who left after the 2001 season to sign a free-agent deal with the St. Louis Rams. Re-signed with the Colts in 2006 and finished his career with Super Bowl victory.
8.Eric Foster, DT, Rutgers, 2008. Started 11 of 13 games as a rookie, registering 34 tackles and six quarterback pressures.
9.Ben Utecht, TE, Minnesota, 2004. After missing rookie season with an injury, played three seasons with the Colts and started opposite Dallas Clark. He signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals following the 2007 season.
10.Ed Johnson, DT, Penn State, 2007. Played one season before being released after an early-season arrest in 2008. But during the season he played, he was a key player on the interior of the NFL's third-ranked defense and showed signs of developing into an elite player.
More on the Colts . . .
OTHER EXAMINER COLTS TOPICS . . .
THE EXAMINER SERIES: Peyton Manning Top 10 underrated moments.
* SPECIAL EXAMINER REPORT: BREAKING DOWN THE 2009 COLTS SCHEDULE
- Too early to quit on Addai
- A recap of the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft
- P Hunter Smith signs with Redskins
- Colts sign C DeVan
- Colts had to do what they did with RB Dominic Rhodes
- Signing of S Matt Giordano solidifies position
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