Big Jake Kirkpatrick will be Jeff Saturday's new understudy.

The Colts have tried to find a steady backup, and possible heir apparent, for all-world center Jeff Saturday during the last few years, but Jamey Richard and Mike Pollak both fizzled.   Today, ESPN reports that the Colts have landed the best collegiate center in the land, signing TCU’s Jake Kirkpatrick as an undrafted free agent.  Last season, Kirkpatrick won the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center and has good size (6’2″, 300 pounds) and speed.  He ranks as an adept run blocker who needs to improve his pass blocking game (ouch!).   That will definitely be a focus as he learns behind Saturday, but Kirkpatrick may finally give the Colts a bridge from Saturday to the post-Manning era, as depressing as that is to consider.