INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – The Indianapolis Colts wanted more protection for Peyton Manning and a more powerful ground game.
They may have gotten both in this weekend’s NFL draft.
After taking one 300-pound tackle on Thursday and another 300-pound tackle Friday, Indy selected 225-pound running back Delone Carter of Syracuse with their fourth-round pick Saturday.
“I run more in between the tackles,” said Carter, who went No. 119 overall. “Good vision, and I love power.”
That’s just what the Colts need after struggling in short-yardage situations each of the past two seasons.
At 5-foot-8, Carter’s compact build resembles that of another ex-Syracuse back who made it big in the NFL, 5-7, 190-pound Joe Morris, who played for the New York Giants.
But in Indy, Carter will be asked to do more than just run. He’ll have to be able to catch passes from Manning and he’ll have to be able to block blitzing linebackers. He said he is ready for the job.
“I want to go in there and stick my nose in a linebacker,” Carter said moments after the selection.
Adding Carter, 311-pound tackle Anthony Castonzo, their first round pick from Boston College, and 317-pound Ben Ijalana, their second round pick out of Villanova, could give the Colts’ running game a whole new look
And Carter now joins a growing list of talent Indy has mined from western New York.
Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney and Marvin Harrison, the Colts’ career leader in all the major receiving categories, both played at Syracuse. So did former defensive end Josh Thomas and another small, powerful running back, James Mungro. Thomas, Mungro and Harrison are no longer with the team.
Even running back Mike Hart played prep ball just outside Syracuse, N.Y., though he may become the odd-man out in the Colts’ backfield.
Indy still hopes to sign leading rusher Joseph Addai, who could become an unrestricted free agent when the lockout ends. The Colts also want Donald Brown, their first-round pick in 2009, to become a bigger factor next season.
But Carter, the former Ohio Mr. Football, does take some baggage into his pro career.
Carter missed the entire 2007 season with a dislocated hip, then had just 23 carries for 137 yards in 2008. He rebounded by running for a combined total of more than 2,200 yards over his final two seasons, led the Orange to their first bowl game since 2004 and was name the offensive MVP in the East-West Shrine Game after scoring a touchdown.
Then there was the off-field incident.
Last April, Carter was charged with misdemeanor assault after being accused of hitting and injuring another man on Feb. 27, 2010. Carter was suspended for the rest of spring practice and the summer, and university officials said he had to perform 200 hours of community service work before he could return to the team.
Carter did not miss any games last season, and in September, he pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of harassment – admitting in court that he had punched that person in the face, according to reports from Syracuse.
Like Carter, Michigan State cornerback Chris L. Rucker has off-field issues, too.
In October, Rucker served eight days in jail for a probation violation. He was initially charged with drunken driving, but pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of reckless driving. Spartans coach Mark Dantonio punished Rucker by not allowing him to start against then No. 18 Iowa.
Rucker had been sentenced to 12 months of probation and 150 hours of community service for assault in 2009 for his role in a fight on campus.
But the Colts believe Rucker has put those problems behind him and that the 6-foot-2, 200-pound cornerback can help add depth to a secondary that already lost former NFL defensive player of the year Bob Sanders to San Diego and could still lose safety Melvin Bullitt in free agency.
Rucker had six interceptions and two sacks in his career with the Spartans but has never played safety.
“The style of play, I think I will be able to help the team with the way I play,” he said. “I just want to play good and tough every day in practice and showing them I’m a competitor and that I’m willing to compete.”
Indy also drafted LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis in the third round Friday.
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