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Colts can't 'create enough competition' at crowded safety spot

INDIANAPOLIS -- It’ll work itself out.

hat was basically general manager Chris Ballard and coach Chuck Pagano's message after the Indianapolis Colts added another safety with the selection of Ohio State's Malik Hooker with the 15th pick in Thursday's draft.

Hooker joins T.J. Green, Clayton Geathers and Darius Butler in what looks like a crowded safety spot on paper for Indianapolis.

It’s all about the competition.

"We’re trying to build," Pagano said. "Obviously we’re trying to get younger,<a href='http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/greg-olsen-jersey-authentic ' title='Authentic Greg Olsen Jersey' target='_blank'>Authentic Greg Olsen Jersey</a>, what the heck are you doing coach?'",<a href='http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/thomas-davis-jersey-authentic ' title='Authentic Thomas Davis Sr Jersey' target='_blank'>Authentic Thomas Davis Sr Jersey</a>, which we are doing. We’re trying to create competition. And those guys are good players that are here and they are competitors. My phone isn’t going to be blowing up,<a href='http://www.bearsfootballauthentics.com/walter-payton-jersey-authentic ' title='Walter Payton Jersey' target='_blank'>Walter Payton Jersey</a>, 'Hey

The Colts view Hooker as one of the top players in the draft and were surprised he was still available when they picked. He led the Big Ten with seven interceptions,<a href='http://www.bearsfootballauthentics.com/jordan-howard-jersey-authentic ' title='Jordan Howard Jersey' target='_blank'>Jordan Howard Jersey</a>, with three of them returned for a touchdown.

"When he was sitting there, talk to Malik and really find out -- know the player, he was the highest value on the board," Pagano said. "He’s a really good kid. We brought him in for a top-30 visit. There are a lot of people that got to lay their eyes on this guy, but try to figure out the intangible stuff. He loves football and he’s a football player. I feel blessed right now.", get to know this guy,<a href='http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/greg-olsen-jersey-authentic ' title='Greg Olsen Jersey' target='_blank'>Greg Olsen Jersey</a>,<a href='http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/thomas-davis-jersey-authentic ' title='Thomas Davis Sr Jersey' target='_blank'>Thomas Davis Sr Jersey</a>, see the tape

The initial thought was that Butler would make the transition from cornerback to full-time safety to offset the loss of veteran Mike Adams. But the addition of Hooker will allow defensive coordinator Ted Monachino the luxury of having Butler drop down in the slot and play cornerback if needed.

The same flexibility goes with Geathers. The Colts needed to have as many of their best players -- no matter the position -- on the field with their struggling defense last season,<a href='http://www.bearsfootballauthentics.com/walter-payton-jersey-authentic ' title='Authentic Walter Payton Jersey' target='_blank'>Authentic Walter Payton Jersey</a>,<a href='http://www.bearsfootballauthentics.com/jordan-howard-jersey-authentic ' title='Authentic Jordan Howard Jersey' target='_blank'>Authentic Jordan Howard Jersey</a>,<a href='http://www.bengalsfootballauthentic.com/andy-dalton-jersey-authentic ' title='Authentic Andy Dalton Jersey' target='_blank'>Authentic Andy Dalton Jersey</a>, so Geathers at times was used as a fifth linebacker.

The Colts have tossed around the idea of moving Green,<a href='http://www.bengalsfootballauthentic.com/andy-dalton-jersey-authentic' title='Andy Dalton Jersey' target='_blank'>Andy Dalton Jersey</a>, their second-round pick in 2016, because they still view him as a safety., to cornerback. It’s just an idea at the moment

"We can’t create enough competition," Ballard said. "... They’ll all find a role on (game days on) Sunday."