P-Rez25

The Indianapolis Colts aren't too worried about the fact that they don't have a first-round draft selection this year.


Indianapolis traded this year's top pick to San Francisco for the 49ers' (along with a 2007 fourth-rounder) during last year's NFL Draft, allowing the Colts to take Arkansas OT Tony Ugoh in the second round a year ago.


So, in effect, the Colts already have used their 2008 first-round pick to take Ugoh, who ended up being a starter on the Indianapolis offensive line this past season.


As it stands out, the Colts won't have a pick until late in the second round. But that's okay.


It just so happens that this year's draft may be one of the deepest in recent years along a large group of juniors have opted to come into the NFL.


"I believe that the fact that this is either the largest or second largest number of juniors that have ever come out indicates that they'll be some pretty good depth there. I think you could say that fairly. There's not been that kind of depth in awhile," Colts team president Bill Polian said recently.


And the fact that Indianapolis doesn't make a pick early might just work out pretty well for the defending AFC South champions.


"It's a nice coincidence," Polian said, adding that he likes how the move to obtain Ugoh worked out for his team.


"The question last year was you would give up this year's number one (pick) to have Tony Ugoh as your starter at left (offensive) tackle. Or at least your presumptive starter at left tackle a year early. And the answer is, yes I would because I wouldn't get Tony Ugoh with the 30th pick in the draft. So, yes, our first pick this year is Tony Ugoh. That's exactly correct and that's the way you view any trade."


Notes, Quotes
• The Colts are going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer. The National Football League recently announced that the Colts will face the Washington Redskins in the annual Hall of Fame Game, which is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 3 (8 p.m.) at Fawcett Stadium in Canton, Ohio.


This year's game will be telecast nationally by NBC.


It will be Indianapolis' first appearance in the Hall of Fame Game since the 1996 preseason and it will be the fourth overall for the franchise, a 10-3 win over the New Orleans Saints. The Colts also played in the game in 1964 (posting a 48-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers) and 1982 (dropping a 30-14 decision to the Minnesota Vikings).


"We are pleased to be chosen to play in this year's (Hall of Fame) game," team president Bill Polian said. "The Hall of Fame weekend in Canton is one of the NFL's annual noteworthy events. People who count themselves as football fans should make it a point to visit the Hall to enjoy the exhibits that portray the history and the individuals who have helped make the NFL what it is today."


• Polian and Colts head coach Tony Dungy will both be making their third trips to the Hall of Fame Game. Polian went to the game as the general manager of both the Buffalo Bills in 1989 and Carolina Panthers in 1995. He also presented former Buffalo head coach Marv Levy at his Hall of Fame induction in 2001.


Dungy, meanwhile, was an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1983 and returned to the game as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' head coach in 1998.


• The Colts recently added former Houston Texans P Chad Stanley to the team's off-season roster.


Stanley, who played six seasons with the Texans, was released by the team on Sept. 8, 2007 after an injury settlement. He has averaged 40.6 yards during his nine-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Houston.


He is one of two punters currently on the Indianapolis roster, along with veteran Hunter Smith.


• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind., remains in the mix to host another Indianapolis Colts training camp, but team officials have been looking at other possible venues for the preseason workouts.


Indianapolis conducted training camp at Anderson (Ind.) University from 1984-1998 and has been at the Rose-Hulman campus since 1999. The contract between the Colts and school officials expired at the conclusion of the 2007 training camp.


"It's very much up in the air. Hopefully it will get resolved sometime soon. It's going to have to. We're long past the point where it should have been resolved. So we're getting to the point of no return. And we won't go past it," team president Bill Polian said.


"(Terre Haute) is still in the mix. But I wouldn't say it's a done deal by any means."


Quote To Note: "Given the quality of the draft -- which I already know given the tremendously large number of juniors that are coming in will be deeper than it's been in quite some time -- we're going to get a very good player, maybe one comparable to Gonzo (wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, selected 32nd overall last year) although not at the same position, where we're picking in the second round." -- Colts team president Bill Polian on what he expects Indianapolis to accomplish in the upcoming NFL Draft.


Strategy And Personnel
The Colts' front office will certainly have plenty of work to do over the next few weeks. Indianapolis officials must decide on a franchise player, although it's expected to be UFA TE Dallas Clark.


Team president Bill Polian also has decisions to make on a few of the Colts' free agents, such as OGs Ryan Lilja (UFA), Dylan Gandy (RFA) and Jake Scott (UFA). Scott, who can play both guard and tackle, would appear to be the more valuable of the three. Also, two of the team's tight ends -- Ben Utecht and Bryan Fletcher -- are unrestricted free agents, as is DE/DT Darrell Reid.


TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY


1. Defensive end. When DE Dwight Freeney was lost for the season with a foot injury, DE Robert Mathis became the Colts' lone pass rusher from the edge. Mathis also missed valuable playing time late in the regular season with a knee injury. Indianapolis needs another athletic pass rusher to rotate in with Freeney and Mathis on a regular basis.


2. Running back. Kenton Keith did okay as the primary backup to starter Joseph Addai, but he struggled as a pass blocker and as a consistent receiving threat out of the backfield. The Colts need to find someone to give them a Kevin Faulk-like change of pace as a runner and receiver.


3. Wide receiver. While everybody connected to the Colts fully expect WR Marvin Harrison to return in peak condition in 2008, his loss for most of the 2007 regular season with a knee injury showed Indianapolis' lack of quality depth at the receiver position. 2007 first-round draft pick Anthony Gonzalez was selected primarily to be a slot receiver, although he played relatively well on the outside when needed. The team needs a quality fourth option behind Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Gonzalez.


Medical Watch: S Bob Sanders underwent shoulder surgery the week prior to the Super Bowl. He is expected to be back fully ready to go by the time the regular season starts.


• WR Marvin Harrison missed most of the 2007 regular with a left knee injury, but he recently underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He remains hopeful of being ready for the start of training camp.


Harrison, who played in the AFC divisional playoff game with San Diego after missing the final 10 regular season games (and 11 of the last 12) continues to rehab his left knee.


• DE Dwight Freeney (foot) is expected to be ready to go by the start of the regular season. He underwent surgery after suffering a season-ending LisFranc injury Nov. 11.


• LB Rob Morris (knee) and DT Anthony "Booger" McFarland (knee) are continuing their rehab efforts and hope to be ready by the season opening weekend.


• OT Ryan Diem (knee) and DE Josh Thomas may undergo surgical procedures on unspecified injuries. CB Michael Coe (shoulder) is also a possibility to undergo surgery as well.


FRANCHISE PLAYER: None, but it's expected to be TE Dallas Clark.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• LB Rocky Boiman has been a pretty good special teams player for the Colts. He worked his way into the starting lineup at strong side linebacker when Rob Morris was sidelined with a season-ending knee injury. Could be back.


• TE Dallas Clark will most likely be the team's franchise player. Versatile receiver either from his tight end position or when he lines up in the slot or outside. Had a career-high 58 catches during the regular season.


• DT Dan Klecko went from being utilized as a short-yardage blocker and receiver on offense and as a member of the Colts' defensive line rotation to seeing limited work in 2007. Is not expected back in 2008.


• OG Ryan Lilja has proven to be a valuable member of the offensive line since he arrived from Kansas City four years ago. If he is willing to come back at the right price, Lilja would most likely be a priority.


• WR Aaron Moorehead played hurt (back) for most of the season before finally ending up on the team's injured reserve list. Did not play as well as expected when he was forced to fill in after the knee injury to starter Marvin Harrison. Has probably played his last game with the Colts.


• OG Jake Scott will probably get the most attention among the offensive linemen since he has prototypical size and he can play both offensive guard and offensive tackle equally well.


• TE Mike Seidman missed the 2007 season due to a knee injury. He was placed on the team's injured reserve list early in the year. A toss up on whether he will be brought back.


• DE Josh Thomas stepped in as a starter when DE Dwight Freeney was lost for the season with a foot injury. A good backup and situational player, he is played reasonably well when given an opportunity to see more time on the field.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS


• TE Bryan Fletcher was a third tight end on the Colts' roster the last couple of seasons. Has proven to be a valuable resource as a receiver. Could be back if the price is right.


• OG Dylan Gandy will most likely be back, especially if the team decides not to have Ryan Lilja return. A versatile player, Gandy can play either guard spot as well as center if needed.


• S Matt Giordano has proven to be a valuable backup, especially with the recent injury problems of S Bob Sanders. Can play strong or free safety, as well as being a quality special team performer. Is expected to return.


• DT Darrell Reid had his best season in an Indianapolis uniform in 2007, stepping up as a member of the team's injury-plagued defensive line rotation and has a special teams performer. He should be back in 2008.


• TE Ben Utecht hauled in 31 passes last season as the primary backup to starter Dallas Clark. Has been inconsistent at times on the field and has battled injuries at times. Will probably be back.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS


• DT Ed Johnson came out of nowhere as an undrafted rookie free agent to earn a starting job, taking over for the injured Anthony "Booger" McFarland. He impressed everybody with his play. Is expected back.


• WR Craphonso Thorpe was used primarily as a backup receiver and as a kick returner. Due to injuries at both spots, his playing time in 2007 was a bit more than expected. A toss-up on whether he will be brought back.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED


• S Bob Sanders: Potential UFA; $37.5M/5 yrs, $20M guaranteed.


• QB Jim Sorgi: Potential UFA; terms unknown.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...pe=team_report

__________________