Colts Training Camp 2013: FB Stanley Havili Can Make an Impact

Oct 28, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles fullback Stanley Havili (39) is introduced prior to playing the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. The Falcons defeated the Eagles 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

When asked what the biggest difference is with the Colts’ offense from year one under Bruce Arians to year two under Pep Hamilton, quarterback Andrew Luck said that having a fullback was going to be the most significant change. The fullback is somewhat of a lost position in the NFL, but can still be a very effective weapon in certain offenses.

In order for the Colts to get someone who can man the fullback position properly, they made a move this offseason by trading defensive end Clifton Geathers to the Philadelphia Eagles for former USC Trojan Stanley Havili. Havili stands at 6’0″ 231 pounds, and while he doesn’t have a great stat line, he doesn’t really get credit for a lot of the stats he contributes to.

Hamilton knows Havili from their days in the Pac 12, so the two are already somewhat familiar with each other going into offseason activities. Havili was drafted in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Eagles, and he spent the 2011 season on their practice squad before making the active roster in 2012. While with the Eagles, I think Havili was poorly utilized. When I evaluated him coming out of college, I felt like he had a chance to be another Peyton Hillis type of player, a guy capable of being a lead back when called upon and doing a solid job.

Havili didn’t participate in pre-draft workouts because of injuries, but he is a very solid athlete who is not only going to help the Colts’ running game as a lead blocker, but he can also make some plays as a receiver out of the backfield as well. He is a smooth receiver out of the backfield who gets upfield in a hurry, and actually has really good lateral agility and breakaway speed for his size.

I think Havili has a chance to be a very strong yet quiet offseason addition. He is the type of guy who will do the dirty work on the offense, but will also be the guy who is constantly wide open on 3rd-and-four situations in the flat and gain a tough five yards for the Colts. Pep Hamilton has the luxury of finding ways to use this new weapon, which the Colts got at a very reasonable price. I think adding a player like Havili to this offense can be a huge boost for the Colts in a variety of ways. As many moves as the Colts made this offseason, this one has gone by the wayside. Still, I think as many changes as the Colts have seen over the last two years, the addition of Havili could prove to be a very big move for GM Ryan Grigson.