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By Anne Erickson
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AJ Haulcy is giving the Indianapolis Colts a lot to think about in a good way.
The rookie safety has quickly become one of the most intriguing players in training camp, and it looks like he's putting himself in position to earn a significant role much sooner than many expected. That's saying something.
Safety isn't an easy position to learn, especially in Lou Anarumo's defense. There's a lot to process before the ball is even snapped, and young players are expected to communicate, react quickly and clean up mistakes before they turn into big plays.
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It's a lot to ask of a rookie. But Haulcy doesn't seem to be backing away from the challenge.
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The third-round pick has earned positive reviews throughout camp, and Anarumo hasn't been shy about praising what he's seen from the young defensive back. Those compliments have also been backed up by Haulcy's chances, as he appears to have taken control of the starting job alongside veteran Cam Bynum. That's a pretty impressive start.
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The Colts drafted Haulcy because they believed he could become part of the long-term answer in the secondary, but it now looks like they may not have to wait very long to see what he can do.
Of course, training camp and the regular season are two different things. Veteran quarterbacks have a way of testing rookie safeties, and there will almost certainly be a few lessons along the way. That's part of playing one of the toughest positions on the field.
Still, the early signs have been hard to ignore.
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The Colts have been looking for more consistency on defense, and finding a rookie capable of stepping into a starting role would be a major boost for the entire unit. Haulcy still has a lot to prove once the games begin. But, he's getting there.
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