Colts Off-Season: A Time for Change and Hope
Will the Colts make a move for free agent running back DeAngelo Williams? (Chris Keane | Reuters)
The Indianapolis Colts are known for their ability to put together teams that are young and competitive on the field with a chance to win the Super Bowl every year. The team has accomplished this by finding jewels in the draft that other teams simply overlook. As a Colts fan I have nothing but respect and admiration for the front office of the Colts and thank them for the product they consistently put on the field for Colts fans to cheer. It’s time for the next step, and at this point in Peyton Manning’s career it’s now or never for the Indy. Unlike many of the experts out there, I do not believe that Peyton is anywhere close to the end of his career. I do believe that he is at the point where the team can’t just wait for young talent to develop around him.
Starting with the offensive line, Ryan Diem has been rode hard this year for the false starts and his mental mistakes, but I’m one who believes that a lot of his issues were because of having to play through injuries all year long with a lack of depth behind him. The same could be said for left tackle Charlie Johnson. The hope in the franchise should be that Ryan Diem will work with the front office on restructuring his $5.4 million deal that would allow the team to pay him on incentives as opposed to cutting him as cap casualty.
Regardless what happens with Diem, the best answer for the Colts is to not miss out on a chance to get an anchor left tackle early in the draft such as Anthony Castonzo, Boston College, Nate Solder, Colorado, Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin, or Derek Sherrod, Mississippi State. There is also the option of landing a couple solid free agents with both Tyson Clabo of Atlanta and Matt Light being available, Clabo being ideal because of his youth. At guard the best answer without question is to find a way to sign Logan Mankins out of New England. Adding an all pro will allow you to let Jamey Richard and Mike Pollak fight for the starting spot next to Mankins with the loser backing up both the center and guard spots.
Ideal line: LT-Tyson Clabo, LG- Logan Mankins, C- Jeff Saturday, RG- Mike Pollak, and RT- Gabe Carimi.
The backfield could be the most notable change next season with there being two main options to choose from. 1) Keep Joseph Addai and start over in the backfield, or let Addai walk and start over in the backfield. There is going to be a chance that some team like the Saints or Packers jump in the running and snag a guy like Addai to fit into the system they already have in place — the idea of Addai and Ryan Grant in the same backfield is scary. Peyton Manning has openly commented on the value Addai brings to the backfield, and it’s hard to believe that Bill Polian will not keep that in mind. Combining a free agent signing and later draft pick seems to be the best answer here as well.
Whether we lose Addai to free agency or not, the team should make a strong run at DeAngelo Williams out of Carolina. Unlike Colts running backs used to facing defenses focusing on stopping the pass, Williams has put up solid career numbers with no passing game to speak of with the Panthers. His time splitting carries with Jonathan Stewart also shows his willingness to be a team guy. Another free agent option here could be Leon Washington of Seattle who would provide the Colts with as good a return man as there is in the league — not named Hester. There will be plenty of prospects that are projected to fall that could do real damage as well — Noel Devine of West Virginia would fill the same type of role as Leon Washington, and Dion Lewis of Pitt, DeMarco Murray of Oklahoma, and Mike Leshoure of Illinois, may all be available in the lower rounds.
Ideal backfield: Joseph Addai, DeAngelo Williams, Mike Leshoure
Injuries hurt the team most at the receiver/tight end positions. Luckily for the Colts, health is all that is needed for this group to get better. Defensive coordinators are already having nightmares on how they will have to account for both Dallas Clark and Jacob Tamme in a double tight set. Austin Collie should be back with Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, and Anthony Gonzalez all being in the mix at receiver. If the club did decide to dip in free agency, Brad Smith of the Jets or James Jones of the Packers would fit in very well. Smith and Jones would both have value on special teams.
Ideal lineup: WR- Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Brad Smith TE-Dallas Clark, Jacob Tamme.
To finish off the offensive side of the ball, the Colts could take a shot on a player like Tyrod Taylor of Virginia Tech to sit behind Peyton — and if he doesn’t work out at quarterback we can always use him as another Brad Smith or Antwaan Randle El type. Otherwise, the team is set at QB for the next five to six years. Brady Quinn would also be an interesting player to have sitting behind Peyton and learning how to be a pro.
Ideal: Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning.
When it comes to the defense, I’m not on board with analysts who have been calling for the Colts to take a defensive lineman. In the last two drafts they have drafted four already. The defensive end spots are locked up with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. The team will also use defensive end Jerry Hughes in a larger role in year two as they did with defensive tackle Fili Moala.
Defensive tackle is an interesting position for the colts. The continued development of Moala is critical for the group. If he can make the next step in year three, the line will be outright scary. Dan Muir and Antonio Johnson are both serviceable but neither looks as if they have a Pro Bowl in their future. It is also an interesting year in free agency for the position, with arguably the best player at DT being available in Haloti Ngata. It is unlikely that he finds his way out of Baltimore though and would probably cost too much. Other options the team should look at are Richard Seymour, Aubrayo Franklin, or Pat Williams.
Seymour would be the ideal player to land if the price is right. He is familiar with the Patriots and would provide even more leadership to the defense. Franklin is a young player that has blossomed in San Fransisco and looks to have a bright future — he has a low center of gravity that gives offensive lineman fits. Williams would be the most realistic signing with his age bringing down his value. He would play a similar role as Anthony McFarland did for the Colts in their super bowl winning year.
Dangerous lineup: LE- Robert Mathis, LT- Fili Moala, RT- Richard Seymour, RE- Dwight Freeney
Linebacker is another position for the Colts where the future looks as bright as it has in a long time. Both Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner showed up and played their hearts out as rookies, both were on pace to rack up more than 100 tackles if they would have started all 16 games. The development also allows the team to let Clint Session walk, freeing up money for the team. Gary Brackett anchors the linebacker corps and provides great leadership to the young group.
Line up: LLB- Pat Angerer, MLB- Gary Brackett, RLB- Kavell Conner
The Colts secondary is another young unit that was devastated by injuries — 9 players from the group ended the season on injured reserve. There is no question that this is the year that the team decides what it is going to do with Bob Sanders. He can either restructure his contract, or walk. We sat and watched his body break down (two bicep tears may indicate the potential of previous steroid use?) for too long now. The city loves him for how he plays, but enough is enough.
Like the receivers, health will be the biggest issue here. There are some interesting options out there that could come into the mix as well. Champ Bailey is aging and would benefit from a change to a contender, and Bernard Pollard could add some much needed Safety dept and provide the kind of run support that we lose in Bob Sanders. Some other interesting signings for the safety spot could be Tom Zbikowski (BAL) or Brodney Pool (NYJ).
Secondary: DB-Powers, Jerraud, DB-Bailey, Champ, DB-Hayden, Kelvin, FS-Antoine Bethea, SS-Bullitt, Melvin
Colts special teams are in an unusual spot this year. The choice must be made on whether or not we are going to pay Adam Vinatieri again, or if we are going to head in another direction. Pat McAfee was a solid field goal kicker for West Virginia and could serve as both punter and kicker if needed. If we did decide to let Vinatieri leave there is also the option of Ryan Longwell from Minnesota whose attempts were down this year, but he still only missed once. With one of the worst average starting field positions in football, the team needs to find someone who can return kicks. Part of this issue could be addressed with the free agent signings of Courtney Roby, Darren Sproles, or Leon Washington.
About the author
I try to think of things in an eclectic way and try to build my opinion on matters in that fashion. Always open to the opinions of others, so please feel free to let me know if you think I’m wrong, and why. If you have any questions also feel free to email me.
| Print article | This entry was posted by Anthony Payne on February 9, 2011 at 6:30 am, and is filed under Off-Season Coverage. Follow any responses to this post through . You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed. |
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Wow a night of sleep and look at all the excitement that has come abound. I thought the article would obviously be read as a wish list. (hints the word hope in the title.) It is obvious that not all of the signings are possible. The idea was to show possibilities at every position. In that idea I did that. For all those who are ever so upset about the Bob Sanders comment, it was obvious that is was simply an idea of opinion. I also gave the evidence in why one could come to the conclusion. It was a not a story breaking idea. It blows my mind so many are upset about a side bar in an article that was just an overview of possible free agents that could fill in. With no offseason moves being made by the team it would be nothing but a shot in the dark as to what money we have to spend on any position. If you disagree or think that my opinion is wrong that is fine. As it is for me to have mine, I offer you prove me wrong.
So, instead of writing a brief correction and an apology for the misrepresentaion of opinion as fact as you should have you come off with this smartass comment trying to justify your mistake with a "it was obvious that it was simply an idea of opinion" when it most definitely was not written that way (the reason why your editor later changed it). You then go on to bait your readers with an "I offer you prove me wrong." Real professional.
The fact that you don't even get what you did wrong is disturbing. When you write, "We sat and watched his body break down from the steroids (two biceps tears?) for too long now," it is not presented in the context of opinion, but as that of fact. Please read this and learn to tell the difference (http://www.thenewsmanual.net/Manuals%20Volume%203/volume3_56.htm). An example of how your sentence should have been written if it were to be presented as your personal opinion instead of a statement of fact:
"We sat and watched his body break down from what may have been steroids (two biceps tears?) for too long now." If you are a writer, even a lowly blogger, you have to take care as to how you say things, that they not be misconstrued.
Or that you not get sued.
P.S. It's "hence" not "hints".
Comments regarding Sanders and steroids:
I just wanted to pop in real quick and state a couple of things for regular readers who were upset about the comment.
First, I edited this story and left that in because, in my opinion, the "(two bicep tears?)" following the mention of steroids seemed like a clear clarification that the comment was conjecture, theory, or opinion. If "two bicep tears" is a part, or large part, of the weight behind the statement preceding, I thought it was fine for Tony to have that opinion. I did not feel that he was representing his opinion as "fact."
Second, even in the comments here he clarifies the statement, that "yes he called Sanders a juicer" but the clarifying statement is "maybe I'm wrong" and "walks like a duck, talks like a duck." Again, in my mind, that represents opinion and does not represent "fact" in either case.
Finally, I really thought that Tony showed a lot of effort in his thoughts discussing the team, some great insight into the kinds of players that could or may be considered by fans or the coaching staff, and generally did a lot more work than the one comment that is rubbing some the wrong way. I would be happy to discuss this further, on Coltzilla in an open thread we can set up specifically for this discussion or by email, but I will hope that most who come in and read the story from here forward will discuss this information, idea, and thought-rich story.
Honestly, I thought the juicing statement was horrible and the context is open to debate as to whether or not it was presented as opinion or fact. I will respect your wishes and not contest that here. However, the rest of the article, in it's entirety, reads like a ridiculously juvenile wish list of fantasy football madness. You could literally replace "Colts" with the name of any other NFL team and have your typical "WHAT IF WE SIGNED EVERY AWSUM FA OUT THERE?!?! WE'D HAVE TEH MOST AWSUMEST TEAM EVAR!!!!!" post by a seemingly uneducated fan. This article is only germane to the Colts in that it uses the names of a couple of Colts players (one instance of which is to libelously malign said player) other than that, it is uninformed and uninforming.
Understood PUD. I will let Tony discuss the context or meaning of his listing potential free agent players at each position. I met Tony a couple of weeks ago and discussed Colts football with him for a couple of hours and I think he is very knowledgeable about the team. I do not know if he intends to suggest that the Colts should sign all of the players mentioned and dump all of the rest or if he only intends to discuss who is available who could provide help at each position. (my guess is the latter)
I will completely agree that the story may read more like a wish list but if you give Tony a chance I think he will prove that your concern with the one statement and the content of this particular article will not last as it is not representative of all he has to say, offer, or add to the discussion. Just try to not run the guy off by throwing daggers at him right after he starts. Eh? :)
Thanks PUD.
I updated the story regarding the potential steroid issue to use wording that I hope more concretely presents Tony's thoughts as opinion. If I failed to appropriately edit or accurately represent via my editing that the comment was opinion, I apologize to any who might have been offended.
Thanks.
This article is a joke, and if you fell into the realm of an actual journalist it would be, in the least, unethical, and in the most, libelous. You cannot say things like "We sat and watched his body break down from the steroids (two biceps tears?) for too long now."
This one article just set back the reputation of this site and all the hard work Brett and the contributing writers have done to make it a reputable source for Colts news and analysis to nearly zero.
Thanks a lot. Perhaps you'd be more at home at Stampede Blue.
I'm not going to write a 1000 word post disagreeing with 80% of the opinions in this article, but I totally disagree with four fifths of this article.
I did just call Bob Sanders a juicer. It is all based of his injury history. If one is took look at the type of injury he had with his first bicep tear it would raise questions. Theu00efu00bbu00bf three most common issues body builders face are shoulder ligaments, bicep ligaments, and yes elbow ligaments. The reason for this is the muscle the body is building is growing at a rate in which the ligaments can not keep up, because of this there is a high risk of tears. Feel free to check those stats. Bob has now had all three of those injuries (biceps on both arms!). Look i'm just as big a fan of Bob as anyone, and I also know we are all fools if we don't think the NFL full of HGH players. Maybe i'm wrong, possibly he is like Mr. Glass and Tracey McGrady and just stuck with bad luck, but as T.O. once said, "walks like a duck, talks like a duck."
Still, that's your opinion and should be stated that way. I'd hate to see Coltzilla go the way of StampedeBlue (well, mainly one of the writers over there) and start posting speculation as fact.
Overall, it was a good article and a nice wish list.
I think you're a moron and a stain on this fine site. Please prove me wrong by posting quality content free of that type of gossip rag bullshit.
Pardon me, but did you just call Bob Sanders a juicer? Based on what evidence exactly?
I'm terribly sorry, this story was written by Anthony Payne and published by me after editing. I failed to change the author information to him. I will notify him that he has some questions.
It looks as though you have given up on Donald Brown. I think that is a mistake.
See above. Sorry again.
It know it looks like I have given up on Donald Brown early, but the fact is I never liked the draft pick in the first place. He seems like a great guy, but when he has proven nothing. He can't stay healthy and is averaging less yards per carry than even Mike Hart. If he does end up being wrong, and he has an Arian Foster break out year, I would eat my words all the way to the super bowl.
To be honest Coltzilla, this is the second (of 2 I think?) article that Anthony Payne has written that is quite frankly, way way way off the mark on many many things. Where did you find this guy? The last article (Changing of the Guards or something along those lines) was by far the most poorly researched and argued article I've ever seen at Coltzilla.
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