this is the final interview of the draft season before the NFL Draft later today. Today’s player interview is USC Safety Marvell Tell III. The..." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteStampede Bluean Indianapolis Colts communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsColtsShopAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Colts StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Colts NewsYahoo Colts Team PageYahoo Colts ReportYahoo Colts Depth ChartYahoo Colts TransactionsYahoo Colts PhotosShop About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Filed under:Colts AnalysisInterviewsRoad to the DraftColts Prospect Interviews: USC Safety Marvell Tell IIINew Antonio Morrison Jersey ,2commentsEDTShareTweetShareShareColts Prospect Interviews: USC Safety Marvell Tell IIIMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsThe Colts prospect interviews are finishing up as this is the final interview of the draft season before the NFL Draft later today. Today’s player interview is USC Safety Marvell Tell III. The Colts could use another safety on the back end with Malik Hooker and Tell could be that player.The interview will be towards the bottom of the page, as he interviewed exclusively with Stampede Blue to talk about the jump he made in play during his final two seasons, his versatility as a defensive back, and his meetings with the Colts.BackgroundSize:6’2” 198 poundsMeasurables: 40 Time: 4.57 / 10-yard split: 1.60 / Bench Reps: 8 Reps / Vertical Jump: 42 inches / Broad Jump: 136 inches / 3-Cone: 6.63 secondsCareer Stats:220 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, 13 pass deflections and 1 forced fumble in his career.Round Projection:Rounds 4-5Fit with the Colts: The Colts need a young safety to pair with Malik Hooker going forward, and Tell could very well be that player. He is a versatile and athletic player whose best football is certainly ahead of him in the league. Adding Tell to the defensive backfield would not only add a potential fit at safety, but also a potential developmental corner with his ability and upside in coverage. He may not be a finished project just yet, but with some work on his game, he could be a solid player in Indianapolis.Film Room: Tell’s athleticism and quickness pop on film immediately. He has great upside to be a good safety or corner in the NFL with his intangibles.Tell is very capable coming downhill, and even blitzing in some packages. His best fit is certainly in a role that allows him to fly downfield.Tell has great ability in coverage, too, which makes him intriguing as a cornerback convert. He has the versatility to perform well at multiple positions in the NFL.Interview:ZH: You made a big jump in play from your Sophomore year to your last two seasons at USC. What was the key to that improved play?MT: I just became a student of the game. I learned how to watch film, I started meeting with my coaches outside of mandatory times, and I just really bought into the defense and understood my role and the roles of others around me. ZH: Overall, how would you summarize your time at USC?MT: Oh man.. In a couple words? That’s tough man. Amazing, to start off with. I feel like they prepared us very well for life after school at USC both on and off of the field. I played with a bunch of great guys who are in the league now. It was really a growth period for me. You start out, and it’s like being in high school again. You are like a high school freshman being at the bottom of the totem pole again. You work your way up, you gotta fight through adversity and win your battles, and I definitely grew as both a person and a player throughout those four years. ZH: You were invited to the Combine after a good career at USC. How was that experience for you both on the field and in the interviews?MT: It was great, but it was a lot more than I anticipated. Growing up you just see the field drills but nobody else sees what goes on in those previous days, because the field drills are on the last day. You are meeting with teams, going through medical exams and psychological exams... It’s a lot. They put a lot on you before that last day Kenny Moore Color Rush Jersey , but it was a great experience. I didn’t complain about it at all, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m glad I got to take advantage.ZH: You played all over USC’s defense the last few years. Where would you say is the best fit for you position wise in the NFL?MT: Like you said man, I played everywhere. I have the most experience as a down safety, but as I got to touch other positions on the field, I feel like that might not even be my best spot moving forward. I feel like that if I get taught to be a corner, I could be a great corner. If I’m taught as a free safety, I could be a great free safety. I don’t know man, I have no clue. I just want to play ball and remain versatile, so I’m more than willing to play whatever.ZH: Yeah and that actually leads to my next question. With your athleticism and length, some have mentioned moving you to corner. Would you be comfortable making that move?MT: Definitely. I’m a quick learner and I played corner in high school so I’m not completely foreign to it. If I can just get to training and work on that craft, I can perfect it.ZH: Since you did play safety, though, I’d like to ask you this question: What is the most important trait a safety can possess in your opinion?MT: Great eyes and to be able to see the whole field. I believe that, and being able to run, are the most important traits.ZH: Who do you model your game after/compare yourself to in the NFL?MT: It’s hard to say who I model myself after. Guys I watch film of though are definitely Earl Thomas— I love his motor— and Harrison Smith because he played in a similar defense to us at USC so I’ve watched a ton of him to see what he sees and how he moves in zone coverages. My favorite safety of all time is Sean Taylor, that’s the GOAT right there.ZH: You’ve met with the Colts multiple times throughout this process. How have those meetings gone for you?MT: They’ve gone really well. No complaints at all. I’m just trying to prove myself in these meetings and show that I’m a great player on the field and also on the board.ZH: The Colts need a strong safety to pair with the rangy Malik Hooker. Do you think you could step in and be that guy?MT: No doubt, definitely. We’d be good together.ZH: Last question for you. What is my team getting on and off the field if they spend a draft pick on you? What separates you in this class?MT: They are getting someone who is accountable, intelligent, fast, and passionate about the game of football. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Adam Vinatieri’s record-breaking quest could be temporarily on hold.The seemingly ageless kicker re-injured his right groin during the Indianapolis Colts‘ victory over Buffalo on Sunday, underwent an MRI on Monday and coach Frank Reich acknowledged he might miss next weekend’s game at Oakland.Vinatieri first appeared on the injury report in Week 5 before facing his former team, New England. The 43-year-old looked fine in the game, making a 54-yard field goal and finishing with six points to move within 20 of breaking Morten Andersen’s league scoring record of 2,544 points.The Colts kicker added three more field goals in Week 6 against the New York Jets and another against the Bills — though he also missed two extra points in a game for the first time in his 23-year career. He needs five points to move past Andersen.“We just know he felt a little something on the first PAT, so we are just going to see how the week progresses https://www.coltsfanshop.com/Jeremiah-George-Jersey ,” Reich said on a conference call. “We’re going to bring in some kickers, just so you guys know, but we are not going to make any decisions until later.”Vinatieri has been a model of consistency throughout his career.His legacy as the best clutch kicker in history began with two kicks in the “Snow Bowl”, one to force overtime and one to beat Oakland in overtime. That victory helped lead New England to its second Super Bowl appearance.Two weeks later, he made the winning kick in the final minute to give the Patriots their first championship since the AFL-NFL merger. He made another last-minute, Super Bowl-winning kick two years later to give the Patriots the second of their five Lombardi Trophies.The story continued after he signed with Indianapolis before the 2006 season. Vinatieri made five field goals in a divisional-round matchup at Baltimore, a game in which no touchdowns were scored, to help send the Colts on their first title run since moving to Indianapolis.Vinatieri has four championship rings, is a three-time All-Pro selection and last month broke Andersen’s record for field goals. Andersen finished with 565. Vinatieri has 571.And Vinatieri has achieved all those feats largely because of his uncanny ability to stay healthy.He’s missed only 15 games during his career, 10 coming in 2009 when he finished the season on injured reserve.This injury even caught Reich by surprise.“I thought he was just like a robot,” Reich said. “He’s a machine. But the good thing is he has that mental toughness, that mindset to do what he has done in his career. You know he has the right mindset to get past this — whatever course it should take.”Now, though, Reich & Co. must figure out their next move.Reich doesn’t anticipate Indy (2-5) signing Vinatieri’s potential replacement immediately and instead will rely on trainers to closely monitor Vinatieri’s health, consulting Vinatieri before making a decision.Keeping him out this week could work to Vinatieri’s advantage, too.The Colts have a bye following the Raiders game, giving Vinatieri two weeks to heal, then play three straight games in the climate-controlled confines of Lucas Oil Stadium.Sitting out a week also could help Vinatieri achieve his stated preference of breaking Andersen’s record on his home turf — even if this wasn’t how he planned it.“Ultimately when you’ve got a guy like Adam, who’s just so unique, we are going to listen to him,” Reich said. “We are going to listen to the trainers and that will be what will inform our decision.”NOTES: Reich provided no updates on tight end Erik Swoope, who did not return after hurting his knee Sunday, or defensive lineman Jihad Ward, who was carted off the field after appearing to injure his right ankle. … Reich also could not say whether Pro Bowl tight end Jack Doyle (hip) could return this week. Doyle has missed six straight games.