A look at the Indianapolis Colts defense entering 2009 Mandatory Minicamp

June 4, 1:07 PMIndianapolis Colts ExaminerJohn Oehser

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With the Indianapolis Colts scheduled to begin their 2009 mandatory veteran/rookie minicamp Friday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center in Indianapolis -- and with organized team activities ongoing -- it's a good time to examine quickly the roster as it stands with a little more than two months remaining before training camp.

We'll do this in more detail on Examiner as training camp draws closer, breaking down each position, but for now, let's start with a quick overview of the defense:

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

This area wasn't as strong last season as the Colts would like, but they have addressed it in a big-time way in the offseason. They selected Fili Moala from Southern California in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft, then selected Terrance Taylor of Michigan in the fourth round. While Moala is the athletic-type DT the Colts have had in recent seasons, Taylor is something of a depature in that he is a prototypical nose tackle. That's something Indianapolis hasn't had in its quickness-get-to-the-quarterback-oriented line philosophy in recent seasons. What happened during the draft may not be as significant as what happened shortly thereafter, with the Colts re-signing DT Ed Johnson, who started 16 games in 2007 and one game last season before being suspended following a September 2008 marijuana arrest. The Colts finished in the Top 5 in the NFL in total defense with Johnson in the lineup in 2007, and it would be a surprise if he doesn't return to the lineup and make the area better this season. With starters Keyunta Dawson and Eric Foster -- as well as backup Antonio Johnson -- also returning, this area is deeper than it has been in recent seasons, and the offseason may have turned this area into a strength.

Synopsis: If Johnson plays to his 2007 form, this area is significantly improved.

DEFENSIVE END

Few teams in the NFL have a defensive-end situation as good as the Colts. That's particularly true on third downs, with Colts DEs Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney two of the NFL's elite pass-rushing ends. Freeney last season made his fourth Pro Bowl in the last six seasons and Mathis made his overdue first appearance. Each had double-digit sacks last season and each is among the best in the league not only at forcing sacks but creating fumbles when they reach the quarterback. A question this season is the depth at the position, second-year veterans Marcus Howard and Curtis Johnson each playing sparingly in reserve roles as rookies. The Colts like the pass-rush potential of each player and think each fits the mold of Mathis and Freeney -- i.e., relatively-undersized players who disrupt backfields.

Synopsis: The Colts are as good as any team in the NFL with their opponent in passing situations.

LINEBACKER

This may be the most misinterpreted area on the Colts' roster. While many observers and analysts considered it a weakness entering the 2009 NFL Draft, the Colts opted to not address the position. But a look at the roster shows the position may be as good as it has been in several seasons. Gary Brackett, a starter since 2005, will start in the middle, with second-year veteran Philip Wheeler on the strong side and third-year veteran Clint Session on the weakside. It would seem a long shot for an Indianapolis backer to make the Pro Bowl, but Wheeler has a ton of potential and Session was an exciting player in his first season as a starter who made big plays. The Colts this off-season signed Adam Seward as a free agent from Carolina, and also re-signed Tyjuan Hagler and Freddy Keiaho. Hagler started on occasion the past two seasons at outside linebacker, and Keiaho was the team's starting weakside backer the past two seasons. Overall, that gives the Colts better depth than they have had at the linebacker spot in some time. While the Colts' linebackers haven't been an overwhelming strength in recent seasons, they haven't been so weak as to significantly hurt the defense often, either, and this year's bunch has more than enough front-line depth and veteran experience to hold its own.

Synopsis: The are in better shape here than many outsiders think. Wheeler is one of the team's young players to watch.

CORNERBACK

Entering the 2008 season, the Colts' cornerbacks were as good a young tandem as there was in the NFL. The problem last season? Staying healthy. Marlin Jackson, the Colts' first-round selection in the 2005 NFL Draft, missed the last nine games with a knee injury and Kelvin Hayden missed six games with several injuries. Jackson has worked some in the team's organized team activities and Hayden is full strength, and if both stay healthy, this is an extremely strong area. Third corner Tim Jennings started 12 games last season and while he struggled in a game or two, the Colts were one of the NFL's best pass-defending teams all season. There will be competition beyond the top three, and look for third-year veteran Michael Coe and rookie Jerraud Powers to earn two slots. Third-year veteran Dante Hughes and fourth-year veteran T.J. Rushing likely will compete in training camp, and Rushing has the advantage of returning kickoffs and punts.

Synopsis: If healthy, Jackson and Hayden are a hard-hitting, solid tandem, with Hayden on the verge of becoming a Pro Bowl player.

SAFETY

As is the case at corner, health is a huge issue at safety. When healthy, safety Bob Sanders is as good as any defensive player in the NFL, evidenced by his 2007 season in which he was the Associated Press' NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Sanders is one of the hardest-hitting, biggest-impact safeties in the NFL, but he missed significant time in 2004, 2006 and 2008 with injuries. He made the Pro Bowl in 2005 and again in 2007, and in the latter season his teammate at the safety position, Antoine Bethea, also made the Pro Bowl. Together, they may be the NFL's best safety tandem and when combined with reserves Melvin Bullitt and Matt Giordano the Colts' safeties are as good as any in the NFL as a group. Bullitt played extensively for Sanders last season, leading the team in interceptions with four, and he could start for many NFL teams. Giordano is a capable player in a backup role and is one of the team's leaders on special teams.

Synopsis: The Colts' front-line players here are Pro Bowlers and the depth is as good as any in the NFL.

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