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The Top Five most underrated players on Indianapolis Colts 2009 roster
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With the Indianapolis Colts' 2009 rookie minicamp now in the rearview, and the 2009 NFL Draft long since past, we'll continue taking some time to break down various issues on the Colts' roster.
We looked last week at the Top 5 non-issues facing the team. And the Top 5 breakout players.
Today, we'll take a look at the Top 5 most underrated players on the roster, and I'll preface this entry with this:
To the hardcore fan, there's probably no such thing as an underrated player. If I've learned anything in recent months dipping more than a toe into the blogosphere it's that the hardcore fans know so much about every player that no one's really all that underrated. So, to the hardcores, bear with me and if you disagree, comment below.
On to the list . . .
5) Raheem Brock, DE, eighth season. I still shake my head that Brock can be in his eighth season. I still remember vividly interviewing him the day he arrived at the Colts in Training Camp 2002, days removed from being released by his hometown team, the Philadelphia Eagles, who had selected him months earlier in the 2002 NFL Draft. In seven seasons since, Brock has been a key part of the defensive line, moving from end to tackle and back to end and seemingly always available to play when needed. On a team with two Pro Bowl defensive ends, Brock has matured during his NFL career from an overlooked, quiet guy to a team leader. He's not only versatile and durable he's a tough guy, too, and while fans may not think of him as quickly as they do Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, he's an important component.
4) Matt Giordano, S, fifth season. Giordano became an unrestricted free agent following the season, and his re-signing went largely unnoticed shortly before the draft. But Giordano is not only a solid backup safety -- a guy who could be a reliable starter if necessary -- he is a solid special teams player who likely will take a leadership role in that area with offseason departure of defensive tackle Darrell Reid to the Denver Broncos. One of the team's fastest players, he had 13 special teams tackles last season.
3) Melvin Bullitt, S, third season. Again, Colts fans know all about Bullitt, but those on a national scale may not realize quite how good Bullitt is, or how important he is to the Colts. He started nine games, defending four passes and finishing the season with a team-high four interceptions. With 2007 Associated Press Most Valuable Player missing 10 games with a knee injury last season, Bullitt was critical to the Colts' pass defense and made three interceptions that ended Colts victories. He finished the season with 42 tackles, four passes defensed, a fumble recovery and four interceptions.
2) Tim Jennings, CB, fourth season. This is a selection/ranking that may draw the ire of some fans, partly because of a perception that Jennings struggled at times last season. But remember this: after missing 10 games in his first two seasons, he started 12 games and played 16 games last season. This was key because starter Marlin Jackson missed nine games with a knee injury and Kelvin Hayden missed six games in midseason. Jennings had a difficult game early in the season against Green Bay, but Jennings -- who had seven passes defensed in 2007 -- had eight this past season and two interceptions. The Colts allowed six touchdown passes last season, the fewest in NFL history.
1) Charlie Johnson, OT, fourth season. Johnson is another player who has drawn some criticism in the past, but it's hard to imagine where the Colts would have been last season without him. A sixth-round selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, he has played a key role in each of his first three seasons. He played as a reserve in Super Bowl XLI, then started 10 games at tackle in 2007 for Diem and Ugoh when the latter two were injured. He started 16 games last season -- four in place of Ugoh at left tackle and 12 at left guard in place of Ryan Lilja at left guard.
OTHER EXAMINER COLTS TOPICS . . .
- On Loss of Dom Anile
- Top Five Breakout Players for Colts in 2009
- Loss of Moore, Mudd would be end of an era
- Ex-Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy meets with Michael Vick
- Re-signing DT Ed Johnson makes DT situation even better
- Top Five Nonissues facing Colts in 2009
- Peyton Manning Top 10 underrated moments.
- Breaking Down the 2009 Colts Schedule
- Colts Rookie Minicamp
- Top 10 rookie free agents in the Polian era
- On the re-signing of LB Freddy Keiaho
- Too early to quit on Addai
- A recap of the Colts' 2009 NFL Draft
- Colts had to do what they did with RB Dominic Rhodes
- Signing of S Matt Giordano solidifies position
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