Indianapolis Colts S Jamie Silva said he feels more comfortable, more confident, entering the 2009 season — something he said is to be expected entering his second season in the NFL.

Now, Silva said his next task is clear:

To make the Colts see the benefits of what he feels.

Silva, who signed with the Colts as a free agent shortly after the 2009 NFL Draft, played 14 games last season and developed into a valued member of the special teams. He said he wants to solidify his position on special teams and enhance his role as a reserve safety, and that a year experience gives him confidence he can do so:

The more comfortable you are with the defense, the more you can just go out and play – read and react to what you see as opposed to thinking, ‘Where should I be? What should I be doing?’ I feel like they’re going to see a big improvement with me from Year One to Year Two. Most of the guys who come up and sign with teams are good enough to play. It’s how quick can you pick up the system and get out there and not have to think. If you’re thinking out there, then you’re playing slow. If you can read and react to what you know, then you can play fast. I think this year, right from the start, I’ll be able to play a lot faster and just play football. My strong thing is football, not the testing or the combine. I think this year I’ll be able to show it even more.

Silva, who played collegiately at Boston College, showed his potential last season as a backup safety, but his most prominent role was on special teams. After spending the first two games of the regular season on the practice squad, Silva signed to Indianapolis’ active roster before the third game of the season: a home loss to Jacksonville. He spent the rest of the season on the 53-man roster, playing in 11 games as a reserve.

 He made five tackles on defense – all in a victory over Tennessee in the regular-season finale – and he also finished the season as the team’s seventh-leading tackler on special teams with 12 tackles, including nine solos.

 But to Silva, the transition to NFL special teams player wasn’t a transition at all:

In high school, I was playing offense and defense, but I was still doing special teams. I liked doing it. I liked running down on kickoffs. I was the punter for my high school team and the kicker. I just enjoy playing football. In college, I had to ask the coaches to stay on special teams. They wanted to put the younger guys on special teams, but I asked them if I could stay out there. I’ve always enjoyed special teams. I think it’s a lot of fun.

IFR Analysis: Silva is a classic Colts undrafted free agent: a tough, productive player in college willing to play a role in the NFL. It surprised some last preseason when the Colts signed him to the practice squad and released 2007 fourth-round selection Brannon Condren, but Silva spent just two games on the practice squad and moved to the active roster. His productivity on special teams last season makes it hard to imagine he won’t be around this season — that, and the Colts decision to bring just six true safeties to camp: Bob Sanders, Antoine Bethea, Melvin Bullitt, Matt Giordano, Silva and Condren. They’ll likely keep at least five, with Silva being a logical fit because he is a quality special teams player.