Feb. 5, 2010

Under-the-radar players: Colts' Bullitt a weapon to be reckoned with

By Clark Judge | CBSSports.com Senior Writer
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MIAMI -- When you talk about the Indianapolis Colts the conversation begins with Peyton Manning, then moves to Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. But this is not a three-man team, people. There are other contributors operating below the radar -- and I mean considerably under it -- who deserve to be recognized, and that's why I'm here. I have five ... OK, really six ... who could make an impact in Super Bowl XLIV, and I'm ready for roll call:

Melvin Bullitt has filled in admirably in Bob Sanders' absence. (Getty Images)

K Matt Stover: So he's the oldest guy here. Make that the oldest guy to appear in any Super Bowl. Still, at 42, Stover has what most kickers want -- accuracy. He's 5 for 5 in the playoffs, and I don't care that none was longer than 44 yards. Stover can do what former Indianapolis kicker Mike Vanderjagt could not -- which is make pressure field goals. He's good probably from 47 to 48 yards, and while that's not great, this is: He rarely misses. If this game comes down to a last-second field goal, Matt Stover can make the kick.

LB Clint Session: He's not the best Indianapolis linebacker; Gary Brackett is. But he's better, much better, than most people think. Switched from the strong side to the weak side, Session has made the move so seamlessly that Brackett this week called him the best outside linebacker against the run that he has ever played with. Sure, Brackett had more tackles, but Session had more big and game-changing hits. In a victory over Tennessee earlier this season it was Session who blew up star running back Chris Johnson, and Johnson was never a factor afterward. Don't look to Session for sacks because he doesn't make them ... or a lot of them. But he can alter the course of a game with a momentum-changing tackle.

G Ryan Lilja: A year ago at this time he didn't factor in the Colts' 2009 plans. Lilja had gone through three knee surgeries that, frankly, threatened to end his career and made him questionable -- at best -- for another season. But return he did, and what a difference he made to the Colts blocking. So they ranked 32nd in rushing. They still were effective when they wanted to be, as they demonstrated in the conference championship game. It wasn't that they couldn't run this season; it's that they chose to pass instead, and that happens when Manning is your quarterback. But Lilja's return helped the pass blocking, too, with Manning sacked only 10 times this year. Granted, that wasn't all because of Lilja, but having him back solidified one of the league's best offensive lines. If there's a question about him now, it's not his knee; it's a back injury he suffered this week. Nevertheless, coach Jim Caldwell said he expects Lilja to play without a problem.

DT Daniel Muir/Antonio Johnson: If there's an area where the Colts are undersold and underrated it's defensive tackle. In the past it has been a problem, but not now -- and here are two reasons why. Muir was signed after the Packers cut him. Johnson was claimed off of Tennessee's practice squad. Both make a difference in the Colts' inside game. Johnson started the final eight games last season and continued his steady and effective play this year. So he's no surprise. But Muir is. He is a starter after not playing at all a year ago, and credit some of that to changing his body type, with Muir becoming thinner, leaner and better. Now Muir is considered the best defensive tackle the Colts have had since Anthony McFarland in 2006. If you wonder how good these guys are, check this out: Baltimore and the Jets, two top five rushing teams, combined for 173 yards rushing against the Colts -- 86.5 per game -- in the Colts' playoff wins. Daniel Muir and Antonio Johnson, take a bow.