Peyton Manning wins 4th MVP

As we enter the new decade with the Pacers on an 8-game losing streak and the Hoosiers undefeated in BigTen play, I wanted to keep my streak going of passing on tomorrow's news: Peyton Manning will win an NFL-record 4th MVP and the six Pro Bowlers mentioned below will also include Bethea but none of them will be available to play due to XLiV.

Colts fans: meet your backups

• #36 RB Kenton Keith: Competent backup after 4 CFL seasons.

• #15 WR Craphonso Thorpe: Kick and punt returner played well @ SD (5 catches, 41 yards)
• #34 CB T.J. Rushing: Played nickel back when Tim Jennings was out.
• #43 S Matt Giordano: Started four games in place of Antoine Bethea.
• #45 FB Luke Lawton: Waived twice in 8-day period. Caught winning TD vs JAX.
• #50 LB Rocky Boiman: Special teams player who started 7 games at strong-side LB.
• #52 LB Ramon Guzman: Played DE @ Baltimore after 4 days of practice.
• #55 LB Clint Session: Sensational rookie started @ SD (5 tackles, 2 picks)
• #56 LB Tyjuan Hagler: Special teams player started 8 games at LB.
• #60 DE Jeff Charleston: Texan has-been started last 3 games (Mathis out).
• #74 OT Charlie Johnson: 10-game starter for Tony Ugoh and Ryan Diem.
• #80 WR Devin Aromashodu: Another Texan has-been was Colts' #2 WR behind Reggie Wayne.
• #81 TE Bryan Fletcher: 3rd-string TE stepped up (8 catches) @ SD w/ Dallas Clark out.
• #91 DE Josh Thomas: Started since Dwight Freeney went down Nov. 11.
• #95 DL Darrell Reid: Special teams beast who filled in some at DT and DE.
• #96 DT Keyunta Dawson: Taken in 7th Rd in 2007. Started at tackle last 4 weeks.
• #97 DT Quinn Pitcock: Rookie emerged as bright prospect performing spot duty.
• #99 DT Ed Johnson: Excellent (undrafted) rookie started all 16 games.

Freddie Keiaho is the future

With the 2 picks the Colts made late last night it's safe to say we're not looking at ILB Brandon Siler. I was hoping maybe the Colts would love to add a National Champion to their roster of World Champions... or maybe his knee injury scurr'd them enough to go with CB Daymeion Hughes and this lovely fellow:
Are we obsessed with the Big Ten??

2007: 1-Anthony Gonzalez (O$U), 3-Quinn Pitcock ^^ (O$U)

2006: 1-Marlin Jackson (UM), 2-Kelvin Hayden (UI)

2005: 2-Bob Sanders (Iowa), 3-Ben Hartsock (O$U), 3-Gilbert Gardner (PU)

2004: 1-Dallas Clark (Iowa), 2-Mike Doss (O$U)

Throw in 3 more Wisconsin guys in those same years, plus 2 kickers (Rayner and Kimball) and it's quite obvious we love the Big10. I love the Roy Hall pick. This guy probably won't make the roster, but he will most likely be AG's rommie through camp, thus easing the transition for Peyton's new #3. Classy move akin to (IU?) bringing in a high school recruit's coach to the college staff.
Polian gave up next year's first round pick (for the third time since Dungy arrived) to select Tony Ugoh at pick #42.
Remember, Antoine Bethea was selected in the 6th round last year. Who's the secondary gem this year? Michael Coe? Brandon Condren?

With the 32nd pick, the XLi Champs select...

The defense lost two solid veterans in Cato June and Nick Harper, but I doubt we'll be looking for a CB with a core secondary of Bob Sanders, Antoine Bethea, Jason David, Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden. I've heard reports that Ron Meeks and Mike Murphy are ready to push Freddie Keiaho to start at LB alongside Rob Morris and Gary Brackett. This is obviously the ONLY HOLE in the Colts starting 25 (22 + Hunter Smith, Adam Vinatieri, Terrence Wilkins). The run-defense stepped up in the playoffs, but you cannot expect Booger and Brock to plug the gaps every down.

The next position we need to look at is RB. With the absence of Rhodes, Peyton will need a similar compliment to handle some of the rushing/blocking when Addai rests. The type of player Gene Huey wants here will be someone that's available on Day #2 or even in Free Agency.

When Brandon Stokely only played a handful of games, we saw replacement-wannabes continually drop passes from Peyton's laser-rocket arm. Morehead is still too raw, and Dallas Clark was only a temporary slot-receiver. There is an abundance of talented WRs in this year's draft, but I doubt Polian will flinch at the studs that'll be available.

Here's a look at some possible candidates for the 32nd pick in the 2007 draft:

• Brandon Siler (LB) UF
• Jon Beason (LB) Miami
• Justin Harrell (DT) Tennessee
• Anthony Spencer (DE/LB) Purdue
• Dwayne Jarret (WR) USC
• Steve Smith (WR) USC
• Brian Leonard (RB) Rutgers

Polian's previous 10 1st round picks:
Joe Addai, Marlin Jackson, Dallas Clark, Dwight Freeney, Reggie Wayne, Rob Morris, Edge, Peyton Manning, Tarik Glenn, Marvin Harrison

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