Bullitt - Potential Star?

by ColtsFanNChiTown on Jan 5, 2009 9:23 PM EST

For those who needs to be cheered up just a bit, here's an article from ESPN that predicts emerging stars from each division in the NFL...our own Melvin Bullitt represents the AFC South:

Melvin Bullitt spent his second year in the NFL relying upon things out of his control. To see regular playing time, he needed Bob Sanders or Antoine Bethea on the sideline.

And he certainly wasn't rooting against Sanders, the NFL's defending defensive player of the year, or Bethea, a 2007 Pro Bowler. But a knee issue for Sanders opened the door for Bullitt, who started eight games in his place and a ninth as the Colts' fifth defensive back.

Bullitt might not be most naturally a nickel or dime, but he played awfully well in his chances, grabbing four interceptions while playing soundly in the Colts' scheme and spending time in those roles when the safety positions were otherwise occupied.

Where is there room for him going forward? It's hard to say. But as Colts president Bill Polian, coach Tony Dungy and the staff plan for 2009, they're going to be looking for ways to allow Bullitt to contribute.

Paul Kuharsky, AFC South blogger

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?page=predictions09/nfl

I thought Bullitt took advantage of his opportunity in the NFL and now has his name known...plus as a safety, the name Bullitt just has a good ring to it. I think his ability will let Sanders become even more of a playmaker (given that Sanders is on the field) and will give the D in general more options to play with. Any thoughts on his role next year and how he affects the defense?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Comments

Hayden

Well his 40 time is pretty much the same as Hayden’s so maybe if we can’t resign Kelvin we’re not as screwed as we thought. We could move Bethea over to #2 CB, Bullit FS, Sanders SS, Marlin #1 CB. Bethea was actually projected as a DB. I actually think that’d be a sick secondary. Not saying Hayden, Sanders, Jackson, Bethea wouldn’t be. But I have seen him play and Bullit does look like he has big potential.

If we do resign Kelvin though (and I hope we do), and Sanders does his Sanders thing every year, Bullit will probably be starting more than half the season anyway.

by monstersbox on Jan 6, 2009 8:32 AM EST reply actions

I agree

If for some reason we don’t resign Hayden, I would definitely support moving Bethea to cornerback and start Bullitt. Have Jennings be the nickelback and Ratliff, Rushing, Hughes or Coe the dimeback. Two of those four will make the roster and the other two will be cut. I’m going to guess Ratliff and Rushing, but Coe may still be practice squad eligible. I’m sure shake would know.

We have a great secondary. Dungy knows how to scout defensive backs.

by Colts Homer on Jan 6, 2009 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

Letting Bullitt go would be really bad. The guy is only going to get better. Considering Bethea was whiffing on a ton of tackles against the Chargers, I wouldn’t mind seeing him start in place of Bethea (even though I really like Bethea).

by KingRichard on Jan 6, 2009 8:56 AM EST reply actions

Glad to see he got a chance to show his skills

I started reading about this guy when he was a UDFA. I knew he had good skils but one of the things that really stood out was his time in the short shutle; at the combine, he was one of only two guys to break 4 seconds. He is fast enough to play saftey and big enough to play corner. I guess the coaches made the right move keping Melvin and cuting Brannon Condren

by BetterD on Jan 6, 2009 1:07 PM EST reply actions

I'd definitely leave him at safety

He’s too good of a hitter to move to corner. I like the way our D is showing signs of going. We’re developing some extremely hard hitters. Sanders, Session, Bullit, Wheeler if he gets to play, and our CBs aren’t slouches. I think we’re going to drop the misnomer of a finessee team pretty soon.

by monstersbox on Jan 6, 2009 1:20 PM EST up reply actions

bethea

im unsure about bethea because as KingRichard said he missed tackles against the chargers and missed tackles all year, bullit seems to be a better tackler and thats one of the major things that let us down.

by sharpie1600 on Jan 6, 2009 6:07 PM EST reply actions

not to toot my own horn

okay, i lied, but Ive been saying since week 3/5 that this guy was awesome. No disrespect to Bob, but Melvin is, in my opinion, the most well-rounded Safety/DB on the team. He’s a good safety and he’s more than passable at nickleback. With the way Sanders is hurt, he is a really important piece because he has shown he can play 3 positions (safety, slot/nickel, outside corner). Another year under his belt will make him even better next year, and with his talent, I think the coaching staff goes out of their way to find ways to get him on the field.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmGdAPjcgaM&eurl=http://www.only17points.com/&feature=player_embedded

by Nideak on Jan 6, 2009 7:12 PM EST reply actions

Funny thing

Remember the preseason when we saw the final cuts, and everyone was saying “Why the hell did Bullitt make the roster over Condren? Is Dungy out of his mind???” Now we know that Polian and Dungy are way smarter than we could ever dream to be. I’m not sure if you said it but it seemed to be the consensus around here.

by Colts Homer on Jan 6, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think I was posting on SB back in preseason..

I said it on Phil B’s blog…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmGdAPjcgaM&eurl=http://www.only17points.com/&feature=player_embedded

by Nideak on Jan 6, 2009 8:36 PM EST up reply actions

It seems like you have been around for that long. Well it was definitely the consensus around here. You were right. That’s for sure.

by Colts Homer on Jan 6, 2009 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

well, it doesn't matter

Its just good to have him on the roster. But yea, even though I like(d) Bullitt, Condren was a pretty good player, I’m glad he’s back on the Colts PS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmGdAPjcgaM&eurl=http://www.only17points.com/&feature=player_embedded

by Nideak on Jan 6, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

I thought Bullitt would make the team BEFORE training camp...proof you ask?

Yes im a douche who had time to look this up, but its pretty cool to look back in time to see what me and other people had to say before the season started. Some predictions came true, while others were way off…but fun either way.

Heres the link from the Fan Post by Colts Homer back in July 21st ( I thought his predictions were pretty accurate given the time):

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2008/7/21/576123/my-final-pre-training-camp

These comments were made by me regarding a Final Pre-Training Camp Fan Post:

" Melvin Bullitt?
I do not see a Melvin Bullitt up there, so maybe switch him with Silva. I think Jennings will make the team and I would like to see Garcon on the practice squad somehow. I don’t know, I guess im just being picky."

and then…

“I don’t think I like the idea of Jackson going back to safety if injuries arise. The only reason he played the position in 2006 was because he was the 3rd string CB and they could afford him going there. Now, I think it is important for him to stay at his primary position since he’s the number one CB on the team. I think Matt G. or Melvin Bullitt could hold things down in case of a Sanders or Bethea injury. However, lets hope Sanders and Bethea are good all year so we wont have to worry about his scenario.”

by ColtsFanNChiTown on Jan 6, 2009 10:02 PM EST reply actions