Put Colts Mike Adams into the Pro-Bowl
Oct 19, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts safety Mike Adams (29) catches a pass before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
While Mike Adams may not get the recognition he deserves in making his 1st career Pro-Bowl appearance, the Indianapolis Colts 11-year veteran certainly has earned it.
Quite frankly, Adams has been a solidifying presence at safety for the Colts all season. When injuries (Delano Howell) and a performance-enhancing drug suspension (LaRon Landry) hit, it’s been Adams remaining as the lone constant in the back of the Colts’ secondary. He’s started all 13 games for the Colts this season at the tender age of 33. We previously noted that he’s proving age is just a number, but he’s done so much more than that for the Colts.
Signed in the offseason as veteran insurance for the Colts, rather than as a projected starter, Adams has made the most of his opportunity while in Indianapolis. He currently leads the NFL in takeaways with 7 on the season (5 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries). Those 5 interceptions are tied for the 2nd most in the NFL, only the Cleveland Browns’ Tashaun Gipson has more with 6 interceptions. He is currently 3rd on the Colts in tackles with 70 tackles, behind only starting inside linebackers D’Qwell Jackson and Jerrell Freeman.
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The advanced statistics provided by ProFootballFocus (subscription) support the notion of Adams’ exceptional play on the field. He’s currently graded as the 6th best safety overall with a +10.3 grade, among both strong and free safeties. To put that in perspective, that’s two spots higher than the Seattle Seahawks Earl Thomas, who’s widely regarded as one of the best overall safeties in the National Football League.
As of December 10th, Adams was 5th in strong safety voting according to NFL.com. With the recently implemented format of no clear AFC or NFC conference distinguishment and players chosen by NFL celebrity captains, that means he’s behind the Cleveland Browns Donte Whitner, Seattle Seahawks Kam Chancellor, Green Bay Packers Morgan Burnett, and Pittsburgh Steelers Troy Polamalu respectively. No disrepect to any of the aformentioned safeties, who are all great in their own right; however, Adams has been better. He’s been better in coverage and better overall.
The numbers simply don’t lie:
Fans of the NFL, it’s time to do the right thing and give the 11-year veteran his due, and vote Mike Adams to his 1st career NFL Pro-Bowl. He may not have the popular name recognition of some of the other candidates at safety, but he’s outperformed them on the field. You know…the thing that really matters. The numbers speak for themselves, as has Adams’ play on the field.
Put the Indianapolis Colts Mike Adams in the Pro Bowl, time to vote ColtsNation!