Stanford's Anderson, Parry have potential to form strong tandem on Colts' D-line

The Indianapolis Colts will tell you former Stanford defensive linemen Henry Anderson and David Parry were never intended to be a package deal in the NFL draft.

But to say there is coincidence to both being selected by Indianapolis is not exactly a factual statement.

The seed was planted in coach Chuck Pagano's mind quite some time ago after he was encouraged by the scouting staff to cue up film of Anderson and offer an expert opinion.

"Hey, check out No. 91 and tell me what you think,' " Pagano was asked. "You watch, but then all of a sudden you see this other guy (Parry) flash and make plays and make plays and make plays. Not that he wasn't on our radar, but you say, 'Shoot, this guy isn't too bad either. Maybe the stars will line up right and we might just get both of them.' "

Whether the result of an astrological event or simply a front office determined to add two players high on its draft board, the twin Stanford interior defensive linemen will now wear blue and white. Anderson was plucked in the third round while Parry was scooped up a day later in the fifth.

Over the weekend, in the Colts' rookie minicamp, they did what they've done every Saturday for the past couple of years: They lined up next to each other.

Again, they were never considered a package deal, per se. But that does not mean Anderson and Parry can't become quite the package anyway.

"They wreaked a lot of havoc," Pagano said, referencing those film cut-ups that so thoroughly intrigued him.

The two offer skills sets the Colts love from their defensive linemen: run-stopping tendencies blended with an ability to also create occasional heat on the opposing passer.

They come from a Stanford defense that is founded on principles very similar to the Colts' scheme, a base 3-4 system played by only a few college teams.

"Some of the terminology is a little bit different," Parry said, "but (it's) mainly the same scheme."

For the Colts, that makes for an easier projection of how the pair will adjust in Indianapolis. It's still a massive projection, as is the case with all draft picks, just with a little less guesswork.

Also easier is the transition Anderson and Parry will be asked to make to the NFL. They were roommates at Stanford. And that might now continue in Indianapolis – though likely in a more comfortable abode than their college apartments.

The two are close friends and know each other's games through and through. That, they said, had much to do with their success as a tandem which, in turn, was a big reason for the collective success of the Stanford defense. The Cardinal finished 2014 ranked No. 5 in the country in yards allowed per game (287) while playing in a Pac-12 Conference that features a number of high-octane offenses.

"We took a ton of reps next to each other," Anderson said. "We were on scout team next to each other and eventually moved on to starters. All the reps we've taken together, we kind of just know what (the other is) going to do on a certain play."

They've not taken a single snap with the Colts veterans yet. But for what it's worth, Anderson and Parry look the parts. Anderson is long and lean, 6-6 and 294 pounds – an ideal physique for a 3-4 defensive end. Parry is shorter and squatty, a 6-2, 300-pound ball of muscle.

Together, they helped transform a Stanford team that was offensively-oriented with Andrew Luck under center before he became the Colts' No. 1 draft choice in 2012. Tight end Coby Fleener was a huge part of the Stanford arsenal then, too.

Anderson and Parry helped spearhead a major shift to dominant defense.

"When Luck and Fleener were at Stanford, it was more of an offensively-based team," Parry said. "And then we kind of took the reins for a couple of years. So hopefully we can come and help the (Colts) defense out."

That's hardly a prediction of a similar transition in Indianapolis. Luck and Fleener aren't going to run out of eligibility here as they did in college. But the Colts are looking for a little aggression in the middle of their defense, and they want to believe this pair can provide some. They'll supplement the efforts of Art Jones, Kendall Langford and others on a defensive line that will consistently rotate to keep players fresh.

Parry "kind of plays with an attitude," Anderson said. "If someone plays a little dirty on a certain play, he's definitely going to take note of that and come back on the next play with a little something extra. I try to play the same way. … If I get beat, I'm trying to come back harder and be more violent the next play."

Package deal or not, Anderson and Parry are here. And if they can duplicate what they did at Stanford, they'll have Pagano thanking his stars again – or, at least, his scouts.

Other Colts news:

The Colts on Sunday announced that they signed undrafted free agent running back Abou Toure out of Tennessee-Martin. He had worked out with Indianapolis during the team's three-day rookie minicamp over the weekend. The 6-2, 230-pound Toure rushed for 1,647 yards and 10 touchdowns in two seasons.

The Colts waived outside linebacker Terrell Hartsfield. Hartsfield was signed as an undrafted free agent on May 5 out of Cincinnati.

Follow Star reporter Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.