:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46446692/usa-today-8333898.0.jpg)
With questions swirling about their safety position, the Indianapolis Colts made a late free agent signing in the summer of 2014 to bring in veteran safety Mike Adams, adding him to the competition. After Delano Howell went down with a season-ending injury in training camp, Adams stepped in as the starter, and looking back on it now he turned out to be one of the biggest moves that general manager Ryan Grigson made a season ago.
In 2014, Adams had the finest season of his eleven-year career. He started all 16 games and recorded 87 tackles, 11 passes defensed, five interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries - either setting or tying a career high in every category. His seven takeaways were tied for the most in the NFL and he was named to his first career Pro Bowl. In his eleven seasons (with the 49ers, Browns, Broncos, and Colts), Adams has played in 162 games (starting 89), recording 629 tackles, five sacks, 59 passes defensed, eighteen interceptions (one touchdown), and six forced fumbles.
Last year, Adams was nothing short of crucial to the Colts' defense, as he provided them a stable presence in the secondary and was one of the most reliable defenders that the Colts had. For a unit with a lot of bad play and poor performances, having a player like Adams was very helpful. He was re-signed this offseason and will return as the team's starter in 2015. While it is probably unrealistic to expect him to match his production from a year ago in what was a career year for him, Mike Adams should still give the team good play from the safety position.
The two veterans, Mike Adams and Dwight Lowery, are projected to be the starters at safety, while younger players like Winston Guy, Dewey McDonald, Colt Anderson, Clayton Geathers, and Robert Smith are expected to compete for backup spots. Ideally, the Colts would find a long-term answer at the safety position in one of them and then he could play behind Mike Adams, the 34-year old safety. He won't be the team's long-term answer at the position, but he's their short-term answer - and a pretty good one for a team desperately needing safety help.