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Around SBN: The Most Dangerous Division in Sports

Colts In The Market For Safeties

INDIANAPOLIS IN - DECEMBER 19: Al Alfalava #23 of the Indianapolis Colts is attended to by trainers after an injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 19 2010 in Indianapolis Indiana.   The Colts defeated the Jaguars 34-24. (Photo by Scott Boehm/Getty Images)

Lost during the focus on Austin Collie's injury was the fact that a couple safeties dropped during Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Colts lost safeties Mike Newton and Al Aflava on the same play, a 78-yard controversial punt return touchdown by Jacksonville returner Mike Thomas (who flipped into the endzone and taunted fans, as if his cheap touchdown would go down in history or something.) 

What does this mean besides more bitter injury news for Colts fans to digest?  Currently, safeties Antoine Bethea and Aaron Francisco are the only healthy safeties on the roster!  Shelved on IR at the moment are safeties Bob Sanders, Melvin Bullitt, Jamie Silva, Chip Vaughn, Brandon King and David Caldwell.  The Colts might soon add Newton (neck) or Aflava (ankle), or potentially both, to that list in order to sign a street safety to throw himself around on special teams for a few weeks.

Obviously, to say that the safety position has been decimated would be the understatement of the century.  The Colts need some help.  At this point, they need Francisco healthy, and that statement alone tells you all you need to know about the injury situation.  It's ridiculous, and it brings to light the Sanders issue once again.  You can see now, given the thread-bare talent that's now given way, why Bill Polian likely kept Sanders on the shelf, hoping for a return.  On the same hand, I can't help but wonder what Dr. James Andrews said.  If he projected a return at any point this season or postseason, it would seem foolish for the Colts to have put Sanders on IR over someone like Mike Hart, given the Colts are trending toward healthy at the RB position and have never had any less than three healthy RBs available on gameday.

Sanders situation aside -- and looking back, at this point, is simply fueled by speculation -- the Colts will need to introduce some new players to West 56th Street this week.  A safe bet is DaJuan Morgan, formerly cut by the Colts after spending a few weeks on the active roster.  As the Star notes, there is currently only one defensive back listed on the practice squad (John Destin), so unless he projects as a safety, the Colts are going to have to look elsewhere.

Are any of you guys in playing shape?

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I finally figured out Francisco's tackling style -

“Close your eyes and dive at their feet”. Oh, and sometimes try tackling them by the top of their helmet. Specifically, re-watching the game, on the play where MJD drove to the Colts 1 (and Brackett later tackled him for a loss), we get an angle from the end-zone looking at his run, and there’s Francisco diving head first into the ground at MJD’s feet. Really pathetic.

by buymymonkey on Dec 21, 2010 1:10 PM EST reply actions  

New Colts drinking game...when Francisco whifs on a tackle, take a shot

At points this year, I’ve spent the game just watching Francisco aimlessly fly by people with his head down and his arms wide open. Seriously one of the worst tacklers I’ve ever seen. And the worst part about it is, he is almost always in position to be the first player there, to attempt a tackle on a runner, yet it’s completely pointless. A small child could make him miss.

I feel bad when players loss their jobs sometimes, but I really can’t wait to see this guy lose his.

by BrianTday on Dec 21, 2010 2:08 PM EST up reply actions  

You'll have to wait until the offseason then

Because there is literally no one of worth behind him on the depth chart. In fact, right now, there is no one behind him on the depth chart if Newton and Aflava are injured.

Writer for Stampede Blue.

by Collin McCollough on Dec 21, 2010 2:14 PM EST up reply actions  

sad but true

yeah, it’s almost not fair to him. it’s not his fault that two teams worth of safeties have gotten hurt this year. he probably sits at home, laughing at how bad he is, yet still having a job.

at this point, this year is just a developmental year. which I’ve come to accept…it happens. but there will be no uncertainty about what we have in our backups next year or this offseason. absolutely none. any holes in the depth chart are widely exposed.

by BrianTday on Dec 21, 2010 3:47 PM EST up reply actions  

Funny - but true ...

Like you, I now look for Francisco on plays (easy to find him, face down usually) to watch him whiff. This has GOT to show up on film review later, no? Don’t the other DB’s snicker and point? Doesn’t Coyer put him thru tackling drills? When I played HS football, if I missed a tackle, I knew right away the next practice was me tackling a dummy over and over.

by buymymonkey on Dec 21, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions  

The whole team will be piss drunk

Mike Newton and Al Afalava should have been our starting SS long ago.

Colts fan since Tony Dungy's 48th Birthday.

by ColtsFan504 on Dec 21, 2010 10:47 PM EST up reply actions  

I am...

Got a number I can call.

by ralew42blue on Dec 21, 2010 1:18 PM EST reply actions  

I noticed that at the game

Fransisco kind of runs by people and grabs at them but doesn’t tackle. Sad…

I’m down to play safety instead

by icedude on Dec 21, 2010 1:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions  

I actually played safety/OLB in college…yes, it was a DIII school, but I think I could do just as much as Frannie is doing.

by ralew42blue on Dec 21, 2010 1:26 PM EST up reply actions  

Me too

@ralew42blue
I played Free Safety in HS, I also put a punishing hit on Jacoby Jones and Matt Forte once, I was the only Sophomore at the Lousiana HS All Star game playing with Dawan Landry in the backfield.

I think you are much better than Aaron and I don’t even know you, it just shows you how much Francisco sucks. =)

Colts fan since Tony Dungy's 48th Birthday.

by ColtsFan504 on Dec 21, 2010 11:00 PM EST up reply actions  

really?

we need you out there, PRONTO!!!

by icedude on Dec 22, 2010 10:20 AM EST up reply actions  

Remember Tom Brandstater? He played safety either in college or HS. And he is fast.

In the preseason, he knocked a player who intercepted him out of bounds. Looked good. Can’t remember which game. He’s in Miami now.

by coltsfoot85 on Dec 21, 2010 1:24 PM EST reply actions  

Rod Woodson

I think he’s still got it.

by cmbeck82 on Dec 21, 2010 1:25 PM EST reply actions  

Francisco

I think we should be OK at strong safety for the rest of the season,

Hell…it’s hard for Francisco to get hurt when he never makes contact or tackles anyone!!!

by scsmith1906 on Dec 21, 2010 1:32 PM EST reply actions  

Anthony Gonzales would like a word with you...

"Cat in the wall, eh? Ok, now you're talking my language. I know this game."
-Charlie

by Addai Another Aday on Dec 21, 2010 1:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions  

Brannon Condren

He’s been out of the mix for awhile now, but he played well on special teams his rookie year if I remember correctly.

by GoHorse88 on Dec 21, 2010 1:39 PM EST reply actions  

All possibilities...

McClesky must have reached an injury settlement, because I don’t see him listed on IR and I thought the Colts IR’d him. Was a while ago and admittedly I wasn’t too concerned with the Donye McCleskys of the roster back then.

Skinner and Hall seem like likely candidates though.

Writer for Stampede Blue.

by Collin McCollough on Dec 21, 2010 1:57 PM EST up reply actions  

maybe bring back deshea townsend (i know he's a CB, bit still,,,)

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Dec 21, 2010 6:34 PM EST up reply actions  

Look what I found

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brannon_Condren#cite_note-0

He is married to a female body builder Taylor Gallagher, here are her pics:

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/bio/171751

Man, Baskett was married to Kendra, and now we will have another wife to talk about, LOL :-)

by chad72 on Dec 21, 2010 4:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Fair catch

It seemed to me that M Thomas actually did the same signal a few times on punts. One of the last punts of the game it looked as if he had waived for fair catch and the Colts let up a little then he took off out of bounds once he caught it. I wouldn’t put it past Del Rio to instruct his players to cheat like that. He is always going to look for an edge when it comes to beating the Colts. I bet if the Colts would have hit Thomas on that 1 that he returned it would have been a penalty. During the first half of the game it looked as if the the Refs were trying to give the game to the Jags.

by Garland on Dec 21, 2010 1:44 PM EST reply actions  

Francisco

In reality Francisco scares me, I mean I ACTUALLY think he closes his eyes and hopes he hits someone. I don;t know if you guys remember but the 1st or second game Angerer started, Francisco came flying in HEAD DOWN and hit Angerer in the back of the head with the crown of his helmet!!!! Angerer grabbed the back of his head in pain and turned around with the WTF mannerism!!! I just KNEW Angerer was hurt. (thank goodness he wasn’t)

Francisco employment with the Colts speaks volumes about the lack strong safeties in the NFL .If San “Francisco” Treat is the BEST we can find the Colts are in deep deep $hit!!!!

by scsmith1906 on Dec 21, 2010 2:17 PM EST reply actions  

Given that -

Seems like San Francisco Treat (great name!) would make us a great full back. Head down, plow forward!

by buymymonkey on Dec 21, 2010 2:27 PM EST up reply actions  

San Francisco Treat @ FB

You are correct!!! HAHAHAHAH He would make an awesome fullback!!! Has the technique down PAT!!!!!

by scsmith1906 on Dec 21, 2010 5:01 PM EST up reply actions  

Has to be a veteran somewhere that we can sign?????

Bethea is the man tough as nails and knock on wood does not get hurt( and that is not a jinx!!!!)

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 21, 2010 2:37 PM EST reply actions  

Matt Giordano

A pity he was picked up by NO in Week 6. Had speed and at least knew the system.

by JTBLA on Dec 21, 2010 2:41 PM EST reply actions  

Agreed

I miss me some Guido.

"It's an easy game, man. Easy game."
~Edgerrin James

by 87 Rides A Surfboard on Dec 21, 2010 3:15 PM EST up reply actions  

Mike Doss!

"It's an easy game, man. Easy game."
~Edgerrin James

by 87 Rides A Surfboard on Dec 21, 2010 3:13 PM EST reply actions  

@87 Rides A Surfboard

He was pretty good, he only got released cause of Bethea’s good rookie year and injuries.

Colts fan since Tony Dungy's 48th Birthday.

by ColtsFan504 on Dec 21, 2010 11:09 PM EST up reply actions  

with all the injuries to

the safety position do you think anyone will want to sign lol

by drake89 on Dec 21, 2010 4:46 PM EST reply actions  

Is it quite possible that

with all the playing time Francisco is getting, he might turn into a Revis???lol…

by chihoosierguy on Dec 21, 2010 6:55 PM EST reply actions  

NFL PR number

(212) 450 2000, ask to speak to pr. I have already called to complain about the embarassment of officiating in this game. However hands down the worst officiated game this year would be the Seahawks VS Cardinals at Qwest earlier this year, I was there in the fron row. Between that game and this (and the Collie hit in the Eagles game)I had to double my bp meds, I was so irate.

COLTSFTW

by Nathan Brummett on Dec 21, 2010 7:06 PM EST reply actions  

We're all in better playing shape than Francisco!

With one of these in our hands :P

Photobucket

Anyone play Madden 11’s Ultimate Team by the way? It kicks ass.

by nickfromnaptown on Dec 21, 2010 10:51 PM EST reply actions  

The solution to the Colts safety problem

2 words…Chad. Cota. lol! Sign him, he’s def a veteran safety lol

by fc3worships on Dec 22, 2010 10:05 AM EST reply actions  

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