FanPost

Who will be the next surprise Colt

Who, in 2013, will exceed expectations and play out of his skin?

Who will receive the Pat Angerer award of 2011 or the Jerrell Freeman award of 2012? To qualify, you must be considered an 'underclassed' player (in the eyes of the media, and even some Colts fans). So already, the likes of Andrew Luck, Reggie Wayne, Robert Mathis, LaRon Landry and other great players are ruled out. This player must too play at a high level. There are a few candidates that are leading this charge already,given the signs from training camp and the limited preseason action:

HUGH THORNTON

As a Guard, he's playing probably the least sexiest position to win the award from Jerrell Freeman. But after putting up with shoddy oline play from the last few years in the Colts, and having your franchise (and stud) QB being hit/hurried/sacked more than any other QB last year (with the main culprits being the poor interior line,a shoddy #2 wide receiver who is now in Kansas City and the play-calling), there may not be a position more that needs to step up than guard. Hugh was a good player in College. He was drafted pretty highly, and he had a nice preseason game . Only some expected him to be the starter, but if he wins the starting job and plays to a high level, he will most likely win the award.

ERIC WALDEN

Probably the most stigmatised free agent signing amongst the media and fans was the 4 million per year Eric Walden. However, he has already surprised me as I have actually thought his preseason games have been decent. Yes, he has concentration lapses at times (Trent Richardson's juke from the weekend is a nice example). But Walden sets the edge well in the run, managed a sack on Eli Manning (Eli in 2012 had the least sacks, had the 7th least in 2011 and the least again in 2010) and seems to be a good fit on run downs in the Colt's scheme. If he does his job well on 1st and 2nd down (which most people seem to think won't happen) then he will be a surprise.

CAESAR RAYFORD

Caesar has been carving up against the second and third stringers.He is doing a good job in his fight to remain on the roster. He will get plenty of time in the final preseason match to prove his worth and if he makes the team, he may burst onto the scene as a top pass rusher.

Other candidates- Stanley Havili, Rickey Jean-Francois.

ANY THOUGHTS? Which bottom/medium- respected tier player are you really liking?

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.