Cornerbacks Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey combined to make 21 regular-season starts in 2009 and were impressive as rookies, but they’ll vie for the starting job opposite Hayden. Whoever winds up as the backup may also have to contend with Townsend, a 12-year veteran, for playing time.
Bethea is coming off his second Pro Bowl season and just signed a $27 million contract, and former undrafted free agent Melvin Bullitt has established himself as a legitimate play-maker in Indy’s secondary.
Coyer’s job is devising ways to use Sanders and keep the big-hitting safety healthy. Sanders has started only eight regular-season games since being named the 2007 NFL defensive player of the year, but has practiced all week. It’s the first time Sanders hasn’t opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list since 2007.
“He’s our leader back there, and you could say he’s the most battle-tested guy in the secondary,” Hayden said. “He doesn’t do a lot of talking, but when he leads, he leads by example and we need that.”
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