When looking at most teams, the attention typically goes to certain positions like quarterback, pass rusher and wide receiver. Rarely does a special teams star make the headlines on a consistent basis.
But as the Pro Bowl voting is underway, Indianapolis Colts safety George Odum is making his case for a spot in 2021. It wouldn’t be as a safety on the Pro Bowl roster. No, Odum should be in consideration as a special teams specialist.
Odum leads the NFL in special teams tackles and that margin is pretty wide. All but two of his tackles have stopped a returner short of his average gain.
Special teams isn’t a phase of the game that gets a lot of recognition. But it certainly holds a lot of weight. Odum’s success in that department has made a difference for the Colts, and running back Nyheim Hines has taken notice.
“I vouch for George for Pro Bowl specialist,” Hines said Tuesday. “That’s how he made the team. He got here the same year I got here, and ever since I’ve been here, he’s always had a nose for the ball. He’s one of the best special-teams players in the NFL.”
The Colts, surprisingly, don’t have a lot of names vying for spots on the Pro Bowl roster. Rookie kicker Rodrigo Blankenship is leading his position but other than that, the Colts don’t seem to be a team that will have a ton of names in 2021.
But with the way Odum is playing on special teams, he absolutely deserves to be in the conversation for a spot on the Pro Bowl roster.
