Add Oklahoma's Phil Loadholt to the list of college players the Colts are interested in

by Brad Wells on Mar 14, 2009 7:58 AM EDT in Colts News

The Colts continue to interview college players:

Ed Thompson of ScoutNFLNetwork.com reports Oklahoma offensive tackle Phil Loadholt told Scout.com that he had a formal interview with the Indianapolis Colts at the NFL Scouting Combine.
While the Colts currently have Tony Ugoh, who is entering his third NFL season, anchoring the left side of their offensive line, Ryan Diem is the incumbent at the right tackle position. Diem will turn 30 this summer as he enters his ninth NFL season, and the team could use some added depth at the position.

Diem is getting up there, and he has battled injuries since 2005. In 2006, he missed significant portions of the season, and had to be replaced in the Super Bowl. Last year's irony was that Diem was the only offensive lineman to start every game.

Oklahoma's Loadholt (an excellent name of a tackle) is considered a first round prospect, and if Indy wants any chance of getting him they will likely need to trade up in the first round to get him. Mocking Dan at Mocking the Draft ranks Loadholt as the fourth best tackle in this year's draft (I can't imagine that after Andre Smith's disastrous Pro Day that he is ranked higher than Loadholt):

A mountainous offensive tackle who is in surprisingly good shape for a man weighing more than 330 pounds. Could probably get bigger if he wanted to. Great kick slide that allows him to quickly take up a lot of space. Powerful drive blocker in the run game. Can neutralize bull rushes fairly easily due to his size and strength. Does a nice job extending his arms and pushing opponents out of a play.

This means we will certainly do a profile on Loadholt. Player profiles for the draft start next week. In the meantime, here is some video of Loadholt (he's highlighted in the video):

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Comments

Welll there's one way to fix the running game

and I didn’t think Polian believed in drafting 300+ pound Offensive Lineman. I haven’t checked stats on this, but I’m pretty sure we have one of the lightest O-line’s in the NFL.

by FreeneyWillEatYourBaby on Mar 14, 2009 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

Buffalo Rumblings is doing a mock draft and I have drawn the Colts as one of the teams that I get to make the picks for. I was going to write a fan post asking for suggestions, as to what players the Colts will be looking at for the first 3 rounds, but this looked like as good of a spot as any to ask that question. I know that the Colts always seem to look at players differently then other teams, and value different skill sets and personalities. So a player like Andre Smith (as mentioned by BBS) might not grade as high by Colt standards, as compared to a guy like the previously mentioned Phil Loadholt. Any help you guys could throw my way would be appreciated.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Mar 14, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Front page post

I’m posting your request on the front page, sireric. This way, more folks will see your request.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by Brad Wells on Mar 14, 2009 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I doubt

we would have to trade up to draft Loadholt. I could see Britton and Beatty even going ahead of him. His feet aren’t really that quick and he could possibly end up at guard. With all that said, I wouldn’t mind us drafting him. I think we could possibly trade down and still pick him up.

by BlueVol03 on Mar 14, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

Second

Andre Smith has hurt his draft stock, but is still a possible top 10 pick – at least top 20 – because of his game tapes. Then there’s Andre Smith and Eugene Monroe, and probably Oher and Britton (and perhaps Beatty) before Loadholt. If he’s picked in the 1st round, it will be a slight reach, but it still would make sense for the Colts.

by Cow of Pain on Mar 14, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

I could see

Loadholt being available with our second pick due to other teams needs.

Andre may have hurt his stock but he’ll never make it past Philly’s first pick.

by BlueVol03 on Mar 14, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Give me a break

They interviewed the guy at the Combine. They interview a multitude of prospects, at the Senior Bowl, Combine, and later on in campus workouts or being allowed to bring in 30 prospects to the team facility.

Loadholt won’t be a Colts player.

by project geo on Mar 14, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions