The Indianapolis Colts enter the preseason without knowing who the starting free safety will be, and it doesn’t look like they’ll have an answer anytime soon.
While training camp is the time for position battles, there’s typically a solidified front-runner by the time the team gets to the preseason, which begins just beyond the halfway point of camp.
As the Colts prepare for their preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, there was an alarming update from the coaching staff when it comes to who is winning the free safety battle between Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas II.
“I think as soon as someone consistently steps up,” said defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. “So I think once we feel good about, all right, this is the direction we’re going to go, then we’ll go. But I don’t think we’re any time close right now.”
Neither Cross nor Thomas has really taken advantage of the reps they’ve been splitting with the first-team defense. There have been some flashes from both players, but the consistency hasn’t been there.
Some of that inconsistency has led to strong safety Julian Blackmon shifting over to the free safety spot at times. Whether that’s a realistic spot for Blackmon to play full-time isn’t clear, but the Colts likely wouldn’t do that if they felt confident in what they’ve seen from the duo competing at the other safety spot.
The Colts also shifted Ronnie Harrison Jr. back to the safety position to work on the strong side after initially putting him at linebacker last season.
But getting more consistency from the players competing at free safety appears to be the missing element.
“I think the biggest thing is getting some consistency back there,” defensive backs coach Ron Milus said.
The Colts, thus far, have opted to forgo bringing in a veteran free safety like Justin Simmons or Quandre Diggs, the latter of which signed with the Tennessee Titans this week.
Developing the young players is key, but it shouldn’t come at the detriment of the entire defense. Granted, if a defense’s biggest concern is at safety, that’s better than it coming at cornerback or with the pass rush.
Regardless, the Colts enter the preseason without much of an answer at the free safety position, and it remains to be seen if it’s the right move to stick with their initial plan.
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