:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55624579/460609197.0.jpg)
John Farley at Field Gulls, the Seattle Seahawks SB Nation blog, had a fantastic idea for an interactive story during the slowest time of the NFL off-season. He put together a list of the franchise’s all-time 53-man roster that culminated into this story.
The Colts have had their own rich history of players who should not be forgotten and who deserve the kind of recognition that Hall of Fame voters and fans of other franchise’s might never see. This is the chance for the Stampede Blue Colts fan community to look back at Colts greats and vote for who they believe belongs on the all-time team.
We continue on the defensive side of the football with second-level players at linebacker and in the secondary. For the purposes of the all-time 53, there will five inside linebackers, four outside linebackers, five corners, and four safeties.
For those concerned about deserving players not making the cut, we will include a 10 player practice squad designation and discuss the biggest snubs.
Inside Linebacker
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8819205/94377576.jpg)
Four of the five inside linebackers have received enough vote to earn their way onto the all-time 53 team inside linebacker depth chart. Those players are Gary Brackett, Mike Curtis, Jeff Herrod, and Duane Bickett. All of these players are deserving for their own reason, with Curtis as the most decorated inside linebacker in Colts history with four Pro Bowl nods, an All-Pro nod, and a championship.
One spot remains between two players receiving small enough votes to reset the poll and see how the voting turns out head-to-head.
Poll
Which Colts Inside Linebacker Must Be on the Colts All-Time 53
This poll is closed
-
60%
Quentin Coryatt
(244 votes) -
39%
Bill Pellington
(161 votes)
Outside Linebacker
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8819209/83136874.jpg)
The voting for outside linebacker was a bit more decisive for a couple of players. Robert Mathis and Ted Hendricks are clearly deserving to be on the all-time 53 outside linebacker depth chart. All remaining candidates received under 10% of the total votes. As a result, we’ll remove the two clear winners and give voters another stab at the two remaining players.
This group has a large number of Baltimore Colts. It might be worth the time to research these players and the impacts they had on the franchise if the names are unfamiliar.
Poll
Which Colts Outside Linebacker Must Be on the Colts All-Time 53
This poll is closed
-
7%
Chip Banks
(36 votes) -
9%
Johnie Cooks
(44 votes) -
51%
Cato June
(238 votes) -
14%
Don Shinnick
(66 votes) -
17%
Marcus Washington
(80 votes)
Cornerback
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8819215/494230388.jpg)
Three corners received enough votes to earn their spots on the all-time roster. Vontae Davis, Ray Buchanan, and Marlin Jackson all received a significant share of the votes. While it seems somewhat surprising the Marlin Jackson would be included on the list on the basis of what appears to be one big play, that play had a huge impact on the team’s history in Indianapolis.
Two more corners will be named to the team and we’ll gives fans another chance to vote based upon the remaining candidates. I have also included Milt Davis as a candidate -- as he is deserving of being included in the voting.
Poll
Which Colts Cornerback Must Be on the Colts All-Time 53
This poll is closed
-
12%
Bobby Boyd
(60 votes) -
25%
Eugene Daniel
(123 votes) -
3%
Milt Davis
(15 votes) -
16%
Nick Harper
(80 votes) -
31%
Kelvin Hayden
(154 votes) -
6%
Tim Jennings
(34 votes) -
5%
Lenny Lyles
(26 votes)
Safety
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8819219/73203702.jpg)
Similar to outside linebacker, two Colts safeties clearly separated themselves in the voting. Both Bob Sanders and Antoine Bethea will be included on the all-time 53. Also similar to the outside linebacker position, there are a lot of safeties who are deserving of inclusion in the voting who played for the Colts in Baltimore.
This is another position where there is a real opportunity for voters to do some research on some players who they might not otherwise know.
Poll
Which Colts Safety Must Be on the Colts All-Time 53
This poll is closed
-
41%
Mike Adams
(190 votes) -
29%
Jason Belser
(136 votes) -
8%
Bruce Laird
(39 votes) -
4%
Jerry Logan
(22 votes) -
15%
Rick Volk
(73 votes)
After we wrap up the voting on Colts all-time linebackers and defensive backs, we’ll work our way into the trenches on both sides of the football.