Let’s hope all that’s needed is a change of scenery.

Vontae Davis has Pro Bowl level talent.  He’s physical, can play man-to-man defense, and fits perfectly into head coach Chuck Pagano’s system.

He has nine interceptions in three seasons…more than double the number accumulated by the Colts’ top corner in that same time span.

The ability is there…and so is the need.

Tim Jennings, Jacob Lacey, Kevin Thomas, and Justin Tryon are just a few of the players who have tried to hold down the corner position opposite Jerraud Powers the last few years.  And all have been burned.

Here are a few top performances against Colts DB’s last season:

Mike Wallace – 144 yards

Julio Jones – 131 yards

Dwayne Bowe – 128 yards

Wes Welker – 110 yards

Jared Cook (Who???) – 103 yards

Jerome Simpson – 101 yards

Marques Colston – 98 yards

Andre Johnson – 95 yards

When it comes to pass defense, elite pass rushers need quality corners – but quality corners don’t always need elite pass rushers.

A pass rusher can be nullified with a quick pass attack.  Dwight Freeney is among the fastest in the league at getting to the quarterback.  But if a QB can get rid of the ball a second quicker….Freeney is useless.

That’s why the cornerback position is so crucial in today’s NFL.  A physical corner (who is allowed to play bump coverage) can disrupt timing routes to potentially give pass rushers the time they need to get to the QB.

The Colts haven’t had that luxury as long as I can remember.  Part of it was the scheme they ran…and the other part was the lack of talent at the cornerback position.

Vontae Davis has the opportunity to change that.

He has the physicality to play bump coverage and the speed to run stride-for-stride with elite receivers.  Coupled with (a healthy) Jerraud Powers…the Colts will have two corners that can solidify the position for several years.  Davis is just 24 years old, Powers is 25.

But…

…we need to hope a change of scenery is all that’s needed.  We need to hope a veteran presence in the locker room can set Davis straight.  We need to hope a head coach who has experience working with strong personalities can be the perfect remedy for a wayward player oozing with potential. 

Was the deal worth it?  Only time will tell…in the meantime, I’m less worried about the defensive backfield.

Now….about the offensive line…