Predict Which Draft Pick Will Impact the Colts Most

by supercolt on Jul 25, 2010 6:42 AM EDT

Okay, let's see who"s in your crystal ball. I know that we all have our favorites going into camp and some have already impressed the coaches and the front office. So let's see who this year's Pat McAfee will be. Of course we have a good group of UDFA's too. If you feel that is where the impact will come from then great. Just be sure to tell us who that is specifically. Now, without further ado, go vote.

Poll

Who makes the biggest Impact this year?

Jerry Hughes

71 votes

Pat Angerer

14 votes

Jacques McClendon

35 votes

Brody Eldridge

107 votes

Ray Fisher

27 votes

Other

6 votes

260 votes | Poll has closed

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.

Tweet Comment 6 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

IN-teresting votes

I’d like to hear from some of the TE voters… are you expecting a surge in the run game spurred by Brody? I’d find it hard to make a direct attribution to him in particular (trhere are some new faces on the OL as well and Ugoh’s rap as a rookie was that his run blocking was better than his pass pro), but it could happen.

My money (okay, no money is actually at risk) is on Hughes or maybe Angerer, simply because of the injury hisytory we have at DE and MLB—not that we’ve been fragile there, but lack of depth in the post-season killed us at those slots the last three years. Competent—even good—depth, could have been the difference against SD a few years ago, a couple years ago, and in the SB last year. (It’s also slightly easier to measure than the contributions of a blocking TE….)

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Jul 25, 2010 11:15 PM EDT reply actions

I voted Eldgridge and here's my thinking

- McClendon was my 2nd choice, but Eldgridge offers versatility as both blocker and occasional pass catcher. I know that he caught few passes in college, but he’s apparently raised a few eyebrows in mini-camp with his hands:

Rookie tight end Brody Eldridge figures to be more blocker than pass catcher early on, and I intend to write about him soon. But he appeared a comfortable route runner and pass catcher in the little bit we saw. - – Paul Kuharsky, June 5

- Hughes will likely only see spot duty, unless there is a serious injury. Even if he plays a fair amount, my assumption is that the jump from college to NFL at his position will be more than he can completely make in one year
- same for Angerer
- Fisher will not have an impact unless blocking on ST improves; put Fisher in last year’s ST and I bet he doesn’t do much better than Chad Simpson

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Jul 25, 2010 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Good, point, if we are talking THIS YEAR, the eldridge most likely to have biggest impact

As far as playing time and effectiveness, I think eldrige is going to get the most playing time, blocks, catches, etc. The Colts will be able to quickly put in use a #2 blocking TE rather than other postiions. They might even use him to catch a TD pass in short yardage situations.

However, I did go against odds and general logic and vote Hughes. Main reason: The DE end position is much more critical than the #2 blocking TE position. I just think it won’t be far fetched to see Freeney still have some injury trouble this year, maybe even something happen to Mathis. I don’t think Hughes will be anywhere close to as good as these two by anymeans. Like you said, DE is a hard position to transition into from college to NFL. However, I think the DE position is critical in the Colt’s Defense because they rely on pressuring quarterbacks. So Hughes stepping in for Mathis or Freeney will be much more critical to the Colt’s success than have a #2 blacking TE. So as far as importance I think we will see Hughes play some important roles even though he may not get the playin time that Eldrige does. So, I voted Hughed

Good point on Ray Fishers. Don’t matter how good the ST returner is if our team can’t make a freakin block for them!

by smits07 on Jul 27, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Hughes

Of all the players on this list, he has the least responsibilities and the most opportunity to simply “play”.

He’ll be able to spell both Freeney and Mathis, which will give him the chance to pin his ears back and just attack. He’ll also possibly be used on special teams, depending on how the coaches feel about him. Please remember that with Raheem Brock gone, Hughes is going to play significant time.

The other potential wildcard is if the Colts decide to really use him as a “Joker” linebacker…which could actually put him on the field with Mathis and Freeney at the same time…

by DevilsReject on Jul 26, 2010 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

Eldridge Effect

I think one of the intangibles that this guy brings a nastiness that our O-line is missing. He finishes blocks like no other and I hope that rubs off. Finally, he will be an under the radar weapon that gives Manning another target on the field. We haven’t had that since Utecht and that guy was a fumble waiting to happen.

by supercolt on Jul 27, 2010 12:22 AM EDT reply actions

I voted Eldridge

Seems to me that if our D is in pin back the ears mode with the game on the line, Free and Mathis are in there. If Hughes is in there to get his ears wet, it will be in mop up duty when he might get some stats but they wont be impactful when the game is on the line. Playing time at LB could change this I suppose. I think Eldridge could beat out Robinson early in the season AND see time at FB.

by Lucky Horseshoe on Jul 27, 2010 10:42 PM EDT reply actions