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INDIANAPOLIS – When Mike Adams arrived to Indianapolis in the final week of the team's nine-week offseason program, he just wanted a chance.
Frankly, that's all the 11-year veteran has ever wanted since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2004.
In early June, Adams was looking for a place of employment.
As the Colts now head into the stretch run of the season, Adams has logged more than 97 percent of the team's defensive snaps and has answered many offseason safety worries.
Chuck Pagano feels the Colts have gotten what they thought they would get from Adams, if not a little more.
A guy that brought more than 140 games of NFL experience to Indianapolis has shown why the Colts are now benefiting form Adams' longevity.
"Playmaking ability, great communicator, quarterback of the back end, all those things," Pagano says of what Adams has meant.
"He's one of those guys the ball just seems to find him. Puts a lot of time in and does a great job of orchestrating things back there. Good tackler as we saw and have seen."
The stability Adams has provided the back end of the Colts defense is felt throughout the unit.
Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson played with Adams for five seasons in Cleveland and isn't surprised by what the safety has provided the Colts.
"(Adams) was one of the staples, one of the core guys that I leaned on in Cleveland," Jackson says. "He was a great mentor to me and a lot of others.
"It's no coincidence that he's played 11 years in this league. If there are any issues in the back end, Mike is one of the guys that I lean on"
Adams, who has three forced turnovers this season, has filled the void of long-time veteran Antoine Bethea.
After Bethea signed with the 49ers during the free agent period, the safety position quickly moved to the top of the priority list.
No safeties were taken in the Colts five draft picks.
Adams signing came in mid-June, a time period where teams are virtually done in trying to find starters.
In 2013, the Colts inked Ahmad Bradshaw in mid-June.
This year, it's Adams who has been a key contributor after not even joining the Colts until their offseason program was nearly over.
"(Adams) came here and learned our scheme and our system and picked up things in a short period of time," Pagano says. "He's done a great job being the quarterback of our secondary back there.
"We are really fortunate to have Mike."
