INDIANAPOLIS – Mike Adams no longer has to turn around in the Indianapolis Colts meeting room to see who’s calling his name or tapping him on the shoulder.

“Mike, Mike,” the voice says.

It’s often fellow safety Clayton Geathers asking the veteran Adams about a play or scheme. Geathers does it over and over again, to where at times he feels like he’s bugging his teammate.

That’s the furthest thing from the truth, according Adams. He embraces his mentor role on the field, on the sideline, in the locker room, while eating lunch or in the film room. He views it as a sign of respect. That’s why Adams, who is headed into his 14th NFL season, will take the time to teach his younger teammates something for the coming season or for their careers, because he knows his own playing career is winding down.

"Great mentor, a ton of knowledge, obviously, and experience," Colts coach Chuck Pagano said of Mike Adams. Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire

“I appreciate it,” Adams said. “I’ve been fortunate to play in this league for a long time. Not everybody gets that opportunity. I think the young guys recognize that, and for me to answer questions is an honor. And it’s an honor that the coaches respect me enough to do that. I get it. I’m on my way out, so I want to be able to pass along my knowledge to the young fellas.”

Adams is coming off of back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances after recording a total of 10 interceptions over the past two seasons. But he’s also 35 years old and headed into the last year of his contract, and that’s why the Colts have started laying the foundation for their youth movement at safety.

It started with the 2015 draft and the selection of Geathers, who is expected to start alongside Adams this season, in the 2015 draft. And then this year, in the second round, the Colts selected T.J. Green, whom they envision as Adams’ replacement once he’s done playing.

But until Adams is gone, the Colts want him to continue to start and play at a high level and for their young safeties to gravitate to him and soak up knowledge.

“Great mentor, a ton of knowledge, obviously, and experience,” coach Chuck Pagano said. “He does a great job with those guys. We have the luxury because he’s got so many snaps and experience and time under his belt that we can take him out of there and kind of let him be another coach on the field and be a coach in the room and let those young guys continue to develop and get some extra reps.

“He’s a selfless guy. He spends a tremendous amount of time where other guys might hurry off to get here or get there. He’ll spend whatever time those guys want. We encourage a guy like T.J. [Green] and young safeties like [Stefan] McClure and Andrew Williamson that we got in here to get in that guy’s hip pocket. You ought to be his shadow. A little hard work, effort, attention to detail, focus and some passion – talent will get you here, but your passion will keep you here. He does a great job with the young guys that way.”

Adams' road to making the Pro Bowl for the first time at 33 years old wasn’t a smooth one. He was an undrafted free agent out of Delaware in 2004. It wasn’t until 2011 in Cleveland that Adams became a full-time starter. It's challenges like that – physically and mentally – that Adams passes along to his younger, eager teammates.

“He always says, come in humble and with a hungry attitude every day because nothing is given you,” Geathers said. “He does things the right way, from how he keeps his body to how he approaches practices, games and the mental side of things.”

Adams enjoys helping his teammates because he knows they have to improve as a unit after finishing 26th in the league in total defense last season. He also told them that they’re going to have to take his job from him from -- because he has no intention of giving it up anytime soon.

“I’m not going to lie down and give up my spot,” Adams said. “I told them, at the end of the day I’m going to do everything possible to make sure you’re prepared. Any time they ask a question I’ll never give a wrong answer, but at the same time, I’m competing to win this job. I don’t think it’s sewn up for me. That’s been my mentality for 13 years.”