it?s been one of the team?s two fifth-round selections, Roy Hall, who has garnered quite a bit of interest during training camp. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound native of Lyndhurst, Ohio has been noticeable during training camp for his overall size and the speed (4.35 in 40) that goes with it.
What makes Hall?s story all the more remarkable is the fact that he caught just 13 passes and scored a pair of touchdowns for the Buckeyes last season. He had 52 total receptions and three touchdowns for his entire collegiate career.
But don?t be fooled by the statistics, or rather lack of them. Hall?s lack of playing time and meager numbers were due more to the fact that he played behind three future NFL first-round draft picks ? Pittsburgh?s Santonio Holmes (2006), Miami?s Ted Ginn Jr. (2007) and Gonzalez (2007). Throw in junior-to-be Brian Robiskie for the Buckeyes (who may end up as yet another first-round selection in the very near future) and it makes for quite a crowd at the wide receiver position.
That group of talented players also makes it a little easier for someone with the ability of Hall to perhaps fall through a cracks a little bit. It would be easy to get lost in that group. And, unfortunately, Hall was often the odd-man out when it came to picking up significant playing time.
Knowing those facts, though, should help explain why Hall is taking his chance with the Colts so seriously. He?s got a point to prove. After his performance during spring workouts and during the first week of training camp, he has certainly made a positive statement.
One thing appears to be certain. Hall is probably going to end up seeing playing time at a number of positions, such as outside receiver, slot receiver, or maybe some work as a tight end or H-back on occasion. He?s also going to spend a lot of work on the special teams unit.
?We?re really finding out things that Roy can do. I have a feeling he?s going to be an excellent special teams player. We?ve got him doing things on the coverage units as a gunner and a kickoff coverage guy. We are looking at him in the slot,? Colts coach Tony Dungy said earlier this week.
?He might be a [former Colts tight end] Marcus Pollard-type of guy. I don?t know what Marcus looked like when he first got here, but he was probably very similar. We are working him basically on the outside on Reggie [Wayne?s] side. We are still find out exactly what he?s going to be able to do.?
It?s those skills to be so versatile on the football field that should help Hall?s chances of making the team. The more that you can do, especially on special teams, is always a good thing. But it does take time to learn all the positions and to know where he?s supposed to be in any given situation.
?You have a couple mental lapses every once in while. But you?ve just got to try hard to stay focused, man, and try to do your job as best you can,? Hall said Friday. ?In college, you were used to be on film all the time. But now it?s like every detail gets looked over. You?ve got to stay focused.?
Such close scrutiny is keeping Hall on his toes. One bad day at practice at any of the several positions in which he is getting work can come back to haunt you later.
?I think that?s the difficult part,? he said, reflecting on his multiple roles with the Colts. ?It has its pros and cons because you?ve got to learn so many different spots. The offense, in general, you have to know everything. But it?s one thing to see it on paper and then another to go out and do it. I?m just trying to stay focused and have fun with it.
?[It?s been] pretty tough [learning the Indianapolis offense]. You?ve got to learn the plays. Then you?ve got to learn the code words. And then you got [quarterback] Peyton [Manning] out there doing hand signals to who knows who. So you?ve got to get used to those also. You?ve got to learn three different parts and then you?ve got to run block also. It?s kind of difficult, but I?m maintaining and progressing a little bit.?
