Will the Vikings Be Interested in Ex-Colts Safety Melvin Bullitt?
The Indianapolis Colts are making sure their 2012 team looks a whole lot different than their 2011 team by cutting many of their top veteran players. Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star reports the Colts have cut ties with linebacker Gary Brackett, running back Joseph Addai, tight end Dallas Clark and safety Melvin Bullitt. Many of those cuts are expensive players on the downside of their career, but Bullitt could be worth a look for the Vikings.
Bullitt fits some of the necessary criteria for a young, rebuilding team looking to fill holes like the Vikings. He is only 27 and heading into the prime of his career. He knows the Vikings’ Tampa 2 defense well having played in it with the Colts for his entire five-year career. Bullitt’s history with the Colts could be even more significant for the Vikings whose head coach, Leslie Frazier, is the Colts former defensive coordinator, and new Vikings’ defensive coordinator, Alan Williams, was the Colts’ defensive backs coach for 10 years. And let’s not forget, the secondary is one of the greatest areas of need for the Vikings.
Bullitt, however, does have one glaring area of concern, he has lost a majority of the past two seasons to right shoulder injuries. Bullitt was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Colts in 2007. He only played in a few games in his rookie year but was a starter by his second season in the league. Bullitt is not known as a great playmaker (he only has seven interceptions in his career), but he is a solid tackler with experience in the cover 2.
The injury risk is certainly there, and it may be enough to keep the Vikings away. But with Bullitt’s injury risk comes a cheap price and more than likely a willingness to sign a short-term deal—the perfect scenario for a team in rebuilding mode.
As long as his shoulder checks out, look for the Vikings to be making calls for Bullitt’s services.
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