What to Expect: Defensive Backs

1. Yes. If the Colts can afford Bethea he’ll be priority #1, even if it means cutting someone like Addai.

2. No. There will come a time when the Colts will not be able to afford to keep the impact defensive players they’ve developed. Like has been the case with LBs and CBs in the past, Jackson will be a casualty. But it will definitely depend on how good of a value they can get on Bethea. If he makes another Pro Bowl, Jackson actually may be cheaper (and he could play safety, remember).

3. No. Jennings will be gone no matter how much he improves. They simply won’t spend the money on him if he gets better, and they’d rather pay a rookie to do what he does if he doesn’t get better.

4. No. He went to see James Andrews today. I’ll be happy if he plays more than he did last year. Until I see him on the field I’ll consider him indefinitely out of the starting lineup.

5. I agree, Jennings will start at NB, but either Hughes or Powers will get the job eventually. Both have had a good camp.

6. Jamie Silva can have all the good camps he wants, there’s not room for a special teams-only 5th safety on this roster, especially when Marlin Jackson can play the position in a pinch. Sorry. No.

7. Hughes is safe. I agree that Rushing and Coe are on the bubble, but Rushing has the edge since he’s a return man. He just has to outperform Powers and Chad Simpson on kickoffs/punts.

8. I expect Melvin Bullitt to have a huge impact. The day is coming when the Colts may have to consider cutting ties with Bob Sanders, simply from a risk-reward standpoint, and having Melvin Bullitt around to soften the blow makes it something halfway doable. I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Let’s move on.

9. Yes. Kelvin Hayden hasn’t been playing the position very long. Polian cited that as one of the reasons they long-termed him; because he’s still getting better. He’s already probably the best CB on the team and he’s still getting better. I don’t know how he stays out of the Pro Bowl sometime in the next 3 years if he stays healthy, defensive scheme or not. Plus, we don’t know exactly how much T-2 he’ll be playing with Coyer in charge. They’ve supposedly thrown in some man wrinkles. He could rack up 4 or 5 INTs. That plus rep could get him in, especially if he takes one or two of them to the house.

10. Bethea has the best chance of making it again. If he does, watch his market value skyrocket. I’m actually hoping he has a minor injury sometime during a stretch of games where we could live without him and he sabotages his value so we can afford to re-sign him…I hate to say that, but damn, he’s good and he’s not going to be on the late-round pay scale much longer. Imagine what kind of stink he’d be making about his contract if he were a WR.

11. Over 9.5, but not by much. I still think 10-12, and that would be awesome. Last year was freakish.

12. Under. I say Bethea gets three.

13. Under, considering I think we’d be lucky to have him 10 games. It’s more likely he plays 8. He’d have to get 8 or more tackles per game to have over 65 tackles, and I don’t see that happening with the improved run D.

14. I used to say that I hoped Jerraud Powers wouldn’t have to play, but all the reports have been glowing. I guess I’ll just say that if he plays, I hope it means either we’re blowing someone out or he’s a lot better than everyone thought. Either would be fine with me.

15. I agree with you; there aren’t many other options. Hayden/Hughes/Powers will be the top three remaining CBs. And the only thing that keeps Bethea off the team is, like I said, Marlin Jackson somehow being much cheaper, which I don’t think will happen.

1. Do you expect Antoine Bethea to be re-signed after this season?
YES
2. Do you expect Marlin Jackson to be re-signed after this season?
60% YES (May be too pricey, depends on how Jennings/Powers develop)
3. Do you expect Tim Jennings to be re-signed after this season?
75% YES
4. Do you expect Bob Sanders to play 13 or more games this season?
75% YES—it’s an odd year, no?
5. Who do you expect to be the nickelback this season?
JENNINGS 80%, Powers 20%
6. Do you expect Jamie Silva to make the roster?
NO
7. Do you expect Dante Hughes to make the roster?
50/50
8. Do you expect Melvin Bullitt to have an impact close to the one he had last year?
YES—SANDERS WILL MISS A FEW, MAYBE BETHEA ALSO, AND MAYBE SOME 3 S PACKAGES. THAT WOULD BE BITCHIN’
9. Do you expect Kelvin Hayden to be a Pro Bowler at some point in the next 3 years?
NO—THE T-2 DOES NOT LEND ITSELF TO FLASHY HIGH-INT SEASONS OR LOTS OF MAN COVERAGE. NOT HIS FAULT.
10. Do you expect a Colts defensive back to be in the Pro Bowl this season?
YES
11. Over/under on the opponents’ touchdown passes: 9.5
UNDER: 9.
12. Over/under on Antoine Bethea interceptions: 3.5
UNDER: 3
13. Over/under on Bob Sanders tackles: 65.5
OVER. BY A GOOD MARGIN. SAY 8/GAME X 11 GAMES = 88
14. Do you expect Jerraud Powers to get significant playing time next year?
DEFINE SIGNIFICANT. PROBABLY NOT.
15. What will the 2010 defensive starting backfield + nickelback look like?
FS Bethea SS Bullitt (I know, it’s heresy but I have to assume Sanders does too much damage to hiimself at some point.) CB Hayden and CB Jennings, with Powers at Nickel.

1. Yes.

2. I’m not really sure. I hope he does, but I don’t think it will happen.

3. No.

4. I really hope he does. ;]

5. Dante Hughes.

6. No.

7. Yes.

8. I think so, but it really depends on how many games Bob Sanders plays.

9. No, unfortunately for Kelvin Hayden he won’t make the probowl since it’s fan-voting. Even though he’s a great corner, he’s not recognized by most fans, because he doesn’t get 7+ interceptions in a season. He’s got a chance, but it’s pretty slim.

10. Yes, Sanders or Antoine Bethea will make the probowl.

11. Just a little over.

12. Over.

13. Under, if we can stop the run. Over, if we can’t.

14. On special teams, probably. If someone gets injurred in the secondary, he might get more time than expected.

15. CBs: Hayden and Hughes. Powers at nickle. SS: Sanders. FS: Bethea.

here who really likes Charlie Johnson? I really like this guy and what he brings to the team. I really understand that he is not a starting calibur LT…but he has shown some glimpses of very good play in the past. I really admire his work ethic, his desire to do whatever the coaches ask, and hopefully he will be a very good lineman for the Colts this year. Whatever happens….I will be rooting for Johnson, as every team needs guys like him!!