Heading into this offseason we knew we would loose one of our starting guards. We chose to keep Lija, and, therefore, Scott was a certinaty to leave--he signed with the Tennessee Colts. So, heading into the draft finding a replacement was a key hole we had to fill. Pollack was the best c/g on the board, and he is the type of person that the Colts look for. He should step in and start immediately, and should be solid for years to come--very litte risk.
Grade- B
R3 P93 Philip Wheeler - Ga Tech----------LB
Besides guard Olb was the only other starting position we had to fill this offseason. Wheeler played in a blitzing scheme at GT, so it is unlikely that he will start this year. He, however, projects to be a great fit for the Tampa 2 scheme; he struggles in man to man coverage but should excel in zone because he has fluid hips. Look for him to sit behind Clint Session and Hagler this year but eventually start. Overall, great value at the 93 pick.
Grade- A-
R4 P127 Jacob Tamme Kentucky-----------TE
Tamme is a former Wr that should bring great depth behind Clark. many have compared Tamme to Clark, and he has watched tape on him as well. He should be the 2 te at the start of the season, and he will never have to carry the load by himself with Clark's new contract--decent value.
Grade- B-
R5 P161 Marcus Howard- Georgia----------DE
Not being able to pressure the qb cost us our season last year. So, I would have liked to se a De picked earlier, but Howard is perfect and the value is excellent. He can come in and give Mathis and Freeney brakes. If injury occurs, he can start. He is undersized but perfect for our scheme. With 10.5 sacks last year he is proven, and if he was somewhere around 6-3 265 lbs he could have been a first round pick.
Grade- A
R6 P196 Tom Santi- Virginia----------------TE
Not very high on this pick. Santi is very big and is our 4 te. He will only be used in blocking and goaline situations, which does not garner this pick. Not great value.
Grade- D+
R6 P201 Steven Justice - Wake Forest----- C
Justice is an All American with a low risk. He won't have a oppourtunity to start until Saturday retires, but by then he should be groomed. He fits the mold of all the Colts previous interior linemen--undrafted or late round pick.
Grade- B+
R6 P202 Mike Hart - Michigan---------------RB
This guy got the job done in college. He is small and slow though. Some say he can't block or catch, but he never had to do it in college so that is not fair to jude him. He has a great opportunity in Indy to be the 2 back and get plenty of chances. Great value for a Great college player.
Grade- B+
R6 P205 Pierre Garcon - Mount Union------WR
Probably will never do anything on offense ... he has a chance to return kicks ... had other needs that still need to be filled
Grade- C-
R7 P236 Jamey Richard- Buffalo------------C
Oline depth is always key ... you never know with Indy, he could be a future starter
Grade- C+
Overall Grade- B Very quietly they had a solid draft, filling many needs.
