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With Dominic Rhodes likely back in the fold, the next step is to sign former Patriots LBer Rosevelt Colvin. After Indy released Bryan Fletcher and Dylan Gandy last week, it was really only a matter of time before they started reaching out to veterans like Dom and Colvin.
We discussed the benefit both these players could add, but it's important to remember that simply getting signed means nothing when the 53 man roster is selected. Last year, Indy brought back OG Rick DeMulling only to cut him at the end of pre-season. However, I find it very hard to believe that Rhodes will get cut.
Despite what some think, Rhodes can still play and it was moronic on the part of the Oakland Raiders to draft RB Darren McFadden when they had Rhodes, Justin Fargas, and Michael Bush on the team. Rhodes saw extensive action during the last four games of Oakland's 2007 season after Justin Fargas went down with injury. Rhodes rushed for 279 yards and a TD, averaging 4.3 a rush. Rhodes also caught 10 passes for 60 yards during that stretch. Just so people can compare, Kenton Keith caught a total of 13 passes for 77 yards and 0 TDs for the 2007 regular season. (Note: Keith had a receiving TD in the playoffs though). He also dropped a ton of balls thrown at him, with one resulting in a turnover in the San Diego playoff game.
So, there is no question Rhodes is an upgrade over Keith, but even Kenton has his uses. K2 was very good as a short yardage, goal-line runner in 2007. He also ran for 4.4 yards per carry behind a very beaten up o-line, and notched 3 rushing TDs. The key to K2 keeping his job is how willing he is to play play special teams and how much he can add to the short yardage package over rookie Mike Hart.
Hart is clearly a fan favorite both because of his college career and his personality. When you read about Hart, it is hard not to like him:
The hand stuck out. Suddenly, to Mike Hart, the NFL was no longer a distant dream.
The hand belonged to Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.
“I said, ‘I’m Mike,’’’ Hart said.
Manning’s reply: “I’m Peyton.”
“I was like, ‘I know who you are,’’’ Hart said, recalling the story with a smile.
And because the hand was a real hand – because it wasn’t on television and because it wasn’t animated – Hart said it took a moment to realize the reality of the moment.
“I grew up watching Peyton,” said Hart, a running back from the University of Michigan and a sixth-round selection in this past weekend’s 2008 NFL Draft.
“When I saw Peyton, I was like, ‘I’m not playing with him on a video game. I just shook his hand.’ “It’s nice. I’m definitely a little in awe.”
Bill Polian has often compared Mike Hart to James Mungro, a RB whose career was ended by a knee injury during pre-season in 2006. If Kenton Keith wants to stay a Colt, he has to beat out Hart for that roll. I have a very hard time imagining the Colts keeping 4 RBs on the active roster. Another possible RB prosect is rookie free agent Chad Simpson of Morgan State. He's a fast player who has kickoff return ability.
The more you look at it, the more it seems that Kenton Keith has a big mountain to climb to keep his job.