Colts 2014 Positional Review: Safety
By Evan Reller
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts free safety Colt Anderson (32) and inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman (50) and guard Joe Reitz (76) react to a turnover on downs against the Denver Broncos late in the fourth quarter of the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Colts won 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Other Option at Safety
Howell is a free agent and is also coming off back-to-back seasons on IR due to a neck injury. He looked like an option to start at safety and was competing for the starting spot, but didn’t make it out of training camp.
It is unlikely that the Colts will make him an offer and it also wouldn’t be surprising if he was considering retirement with the multiple neck surgeries.
Anderson was largely a special teams ace this season. He was only on the field for 38 plays on defense this season. Anderson is a free agent and isn’t an option to start at safety but the team could choose to re-sign him to continue his role on special teams.
McDonald was another standout player on special teams this season. The Colts have him under contract for 2015 for $510,000. He was only on the field for eight defensive snaps this season and didn’t have an impact on either game.
He’s an excellent gunner, just like Anderson, but that is about it for McDonald.
Guy was someone the Colts were very high on before the season began. He’s under contract for 2015 for $660,000 and they have him through 2016 as well. Guy was signed to the practice squad after the final round of cuts in August. He’s a relatively unknown player but the team has been fairly high on him in the past.
Considering how little some of the players under contract have actually played on defense, the need at safety his higher than is was last season. Re-signing Adams and Brown has to be the highest priority.
The Colts will need to look at free agency and the draft to find another quality safety heading forward.