Fan Pulse: Mike Hart arrives in Indy

By Neal Coolong  |   Tuesday, August 05, 2008  |  Comments( 5 )

Indianapolis Colts
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Despite a 30-16 preseason loss to Washington in the Hall of Fame game, Colts fans are ecstatic about the debut of rookie running back Mike Hart.

Hart, the Colts' sixth-round pick out of Michigan, finished his first live pro game with four carries for 53 yards and three catches for 28 more yards. While it's early (the Colts have lost 13 of their last 15 preseason openers), fans don't get as excited for much more than seeing a rookie take the spotlight in the opportunity he was given in scrimmages.

On the fan forum on Colts.com, praise for the rookie isn't being held back. One poster noted his outstanding play, especially while wearing the number of another familiar Colt running back.

"I know that a lot of you have said that Hart wouldn't do anything for the team, He has made good on all of his carries, solid gains on all of his touches tonight, it just looks funny to see him in #32 i'm on the Hart bandwagon IMAO i think (Kenton) Keith will be needing a new team Hart is taking that spot."

Colts head coach Tony Dungy, in what could be his last year at the helm, will likely employ something of a two-back system with Joseph Addai getting the bulk of the touches. But Dungy got Addai 1,072 yards last year, along with Kenton Keith's 533. Is Hart going to be polished enough to knock him, second-year RB Clifton Dawson or recently acquired Dominic Rhodes off the roster? Some aren't likely to pull a Denny Green and "crown him" just yet.

"I am not ready to crown him on only 5 carries in the first preseason game, but with that said he ran really hard and followed his blockers well."

It's fair to suggest the Jaguars are the greatest threat to the stranglehold the Colts have on the AFC South, and one of the biggest strengths of the Jaguars is their ability to use both Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew to equal success. Colts fans are suggesting the possibility of doing Jacksonville one better and creating a three-headed monster.

"Hart will probably start at number three with increasing work as the season progresses and potentially take the number two spot from (Rhodes).
I was impressed with his seemingly natural ability as a receiver. I like the thought of a three headed monster! It should keep these guy's legs fresh for the post season."

If the Colts do give three RBs multiple carries per game, one poster doesn't see Keith being in the equation.

"Dominic Rhodes' welcome-back salary: $605K per year...Mike Hart's rookie contract: $3.3M/ 4 years...Watching Kenton Keith stagger out the door: ****in' priceless..."
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one...
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