Future Colts Coach? Mike Adams Mentoring T.J. Green and Young Safeties

Indianapolis Colts safety Mike Adams has seen it all, as the 35 year old is set to enter his 13th NFL season. Now, he’s looking to give back some of his wealth of knowledge to the Colts younger safeties.

Originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2004, Adams continues to defy father time, as well as the odds–playing one of the most physically demanding positions in football.

Like a fine wine, Adams has aged gracefully–even playing his best football as of late.

Since signing with the Colts before the 2014 season, Adams has gone on to make consecutive Pro Bowl appearances–having never made the Pro Bowl previously.

He’s only missed 3 starts and made 162 tackles during that span.

Not to mention, the veteran safety has been a turnover causing machine for the Colts with 10 combined interceptions and 5 forced fumbles respectively during that 2-year timeframe.

Right place? Right time? Adams simply has a knack for finding the football.

However, at the age of 35 years old and entering the last year of his Colts contract, Adams is now looking to mentor some of the Colts younger safeties–players who could eventually become his long-term replacement in what may be his swan song.

So far, his head coach Chuck Pagano has been plenty pleased with Adams veteran leadership–calling him nothing short of a coach on-and-off the field:

"Oct 18, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams (29) celebrates with inside linebacker D’Qwell Jackson (52) after returning an interception for a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half during the NFL game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports“Great mentor,” said Pagano on Tuesday at OTA’s. “Ton of knowledge obviously and experience. He does a great job with those guys. We have the luxury because he has so many snaps and experience that we can take him out of there and kind of let him become another coach on the field and in the room and let those young guys continue to develop and get some extra reps.”“He’s a selfless guy. He spends a tremendous amount of time, whereas other guys may hurry off to get here, and get there, he’ll spend whatever time those guys want.”"

In fact, Pagano has encouraged the Colts young safeties–specifically 2nd round pick T.J. Green, as well as undrafted free agents Stefan McClure and Andrew Williamson to soak up as much suds of knowledge as they can from Adams:

"“We encourage T.J. and young safeties like McClure and Andrew Williamson that we’ve got in here to get in that guy’s hip pocket, you ought to be his shadow,” added Pagano. “He’s going into year 13 I believe, and I think he was a college free agent coming out. So a little hard work, effort, and attention to detail and focus and passion. Talent will get you here, but your passion will keep you here. So he does a great job with the young guys that way.”"

Something that Green has already taken the veteran safety up on:

"“You’ve got a guy like Mike Adams, who I’m out there shadowing when we’re going through walkthroughs,” said rookie T.J. Green Tuesday at OTA’s. “I mean he’s just teaching me the little details of playing the safety position and disguising and things like that.”"

The veteran safety is now not only a 2x Pro Bowler at his position, but a mentor–and by the sounds of things, a great one at that.

Enjoy your tutelage, T.J.