Posts tagged Indianapolis Colts
The Colts Mold: Free Agent Cornerback Market Values
Jul 1st
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Any defense that runs a base Cover-2 scheme requires a strong secondary to succeed. The Indianapolis Colts strategy has always been to over-power opponents with a dynamic passing game, while the defense stifles the opponent’s passing game by refusing to give up big plays.
When Tony Dungy and Ron Meeks oversaw Indy’s defense the players needed were — in many ways — interchangeable because cover corners were not necessary. A strict zone discipline was instilled and the scheme itself “did the work.” Under defensive coordinator Larry Coyer that is starting to change, and a greater emphasis on man coverage has developed to support a more aggressive defensive style that includes blitz packages.
With players like Jerraud Powers and Justin Tryon already showing real potential, things could be coming together in Indianapolis. Heading into 2011 there are two primary questions. The first is, should the Colts retain Kelvin Hayden at his $9 million salary cap level? The second is how talented is Indy going to be behind these players? More >
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The Colts Mold: Free Agent Defensive End Market Values
Jun 30th
No team places more emphasis on the pass rush than the Indianapolis Colts and their defensive line coach John Teerlinck. With dual-Pro Bowl defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis leading the way, Indy arguably has the most powerful pass rushing tandem in the NFL.
The issue is that Mathis is entering the last year of his contract and may not be re-signed. Freeney is one of the league’s most diligent off-season physical trainers but he is 31 years old — and everyone’s production has to start declining at some point. While he could maintain a very high level of play for three or four more years, there are no guarantees and injuries to Freeney have devastated Indianapolis at the wrong time more than once.
With Keyunta Dawson unlikely to remain in Indianapolis, former first round pick Jerry Hughes unproven, and former Canadian Football League standout John Chick as the only remaining in-house options, it is plausible that the Colts will consider adding proven depth if the price is right. There are three outside free agents who are worthy of a look for different reasons. More >
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The Colts Mold: Free Agent Defensive Tackle Market Values
Jun 29th
One of most actively evolving positions for the Indianapolis Colts is defensive tackle. While major trade or free agent acquisitions are atypical for the Colts front office, two of the team’s biggest acquisitions in last six years were defensive tackles.
In 2005, Indianapolis signed Corey Simon, formerly with the Philadelphia Eagles. Simon’s contract was for $30 million over five years. Unfortunately, Simon would never fulfill the terms of the contract on the field as he developed polyarthritis, which forced him into an early retirement.
Mid-season 2006, the Colts traded a second round pick to acquire Booger McFarland from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McFarland’s contract included a $6.6 million salary cap hit. Like Simon before him, McFarland’s career would end prematurely — this time due to a catastrophic knee injury.
Since that time, Indianapolis has been attempting to put together a group of defensive tackles primarily through rookie free agency, second round draft picks, late round picks, and by acquiring players from other teams early in the year. When three of those players enter free agency at one time, the likelihood that new acquisitions occur increases significantly. More >
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The Colts Mold: Free Agent Safety Market Values
Jun 28th
Yesterday, we discussed the proposed salary cap increase and how it will affect the Indianapolis Colts as they enter the free agent signing frenzy that will likely begin in early July. Although official salary numbers are hard to determine, we loosely projected that the Colts should be able to retain most of their own priority free agents — even if Peyton Manning plays at the $23 million franchise tag level in 2011.
With so many players set to enter unrestricted free agency though, there is a possibility that teams like the Colts will sign an uncharacteristically high number of outsiders. The best way to determine who Indianapolis is likely to take a close look at is to determine which players fit the team’s greatest areas of need, which players are most likely to fit in the Colts scheme, and which players are within the team’s budget. More >
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Implications of New Salary Cap on 2011 Colts Roster
Jun 27th
ESPN recently reported that the players and owners may agree on a proposal to increase the NFL salary cap to around $120 million. If this is the case, it is important to know exactly how far under the cap Indianapolis sits, as it has also been released that the tenders issued by the Colts to players who were formerly restricted free agents are no longer valid. Coltzilla just added a salary cap feature in order to help readers identify where the team stands financially.
Although Peyton Manning is currently on the books under an exclusive franchise tag, and is slated to make $23 million in 2011, Coltzilla predicts that Indianapolis will reach a permanent long-term contract with Manning shortly after the new collective bargaining agreement has been finalized. If no long-term agreement is reached, Indianapolis is set to have $14.5 million in cap space. If he does sign a new deal, the cap may increase by approximately $7-9 million — based upon the approximate $14.7 million yearly average of his 2004 deal (leaving $21.5-23.5 million in cap space). More >
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Indianapolis Colts Priority Undrafted Free Agents
Jun 24th
Although the NFL lockout will keep teams from pursuing undrafted free agents following the 2011 NFL Draft, one can be sure that teams are hard at work coming up with a list of players they want to call when the lockout if lifted. For the Indianapolis Colts, there are a few positions they probably would like to grab a few players to compete during summer activities and training camp — assuming either actually happen. This list will be comprised of players Coltzilla feels are in the highest need areas on the team, players the team met prior to the draft — who have historically been free agent signings — and players who are the most talented signing possibilities. Check out the list after the jump.
*Bumping this story because free agency is going to be a whirlwind process this year and it will likely happen within the next couple of weeks. More >
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Colts Running Game on Verge of Breakthrough?
Jun 23rd
Paul Kuharsky of ESPN’s AFC South Blog reported on a story by KC Joyner discussing the state of the Indianapolis Colts ground game. Joyner noted that the difference between a respectable running game and the bottom of the league is relatively small.
The separation between the 15th ranked running game and the 29th ranked running game is only a few percentage points of yards per rushing attempt behind good blocking. Joyner believes the additions of rookie tackle Anthony Castonzo and guard Benjamin Ijalana are likely to make up that ground.
If he is right, Indianapolis’s offense should be as potent as ever. Consider how much more dangerous Indy would be with the option to run on short-yardage, save Manning’s arm, and command more balanced defensive attention that allows receivers time to get into their routes. It could be an interesting year.
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Indianapolis Priority Veteran Free Agents: Current Colts
Jun 22nd
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Since it was reported that the players and owners are close to reaching a new CBA agreement, and details have started to spill out into the media, NFL teams have had to get into high gear in order to prepare for a free agency free for all. It has been reported that free agency rules would push back the unrestricted free agency eligibility to four years from five.
The result is that dozens of players who were previously tendered offers by their current teams will be free to negotiate with and sign with the highest bidding team. There is no doubt that this is a win for the players side in the negotiations but it could be a loss for team’s who were previously protected.
The Indianapolis Colts will have to compete with all other team’s if they hope to re-sign veterans like Joseph Addai, Melvin Bullitt, Antonio Johnson, Charlie Johnson, Daniel Muir, and Clint Session. More >
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Why It’s Easy to be an Indianapolis Colts Fan: Professionalism and Community Service
Jun 22nd
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For a lot of people in the Midwest, particularly in Indiana, it is just as important that professional athletes positively reflect the city, state, and community off of the field as it is that they achieve on-field success. Hoosiers will not tolerate a professional team that includes players who are continually public nuisances, break the law, and generate press that negatively reflects on and negatively impacts the community. Players like Pacman Jones, Vince Young, Albert Haynesworth, Cedric Benson, and Brandon Marshall are not the kind of players off-field that the Colts will typically target in free agency.
Consider how positively most Colts players display community service, professionalism on and off of the field, intelligence, and a hard work ethic. While no team is perfect, as players are human beings and make mistakes too, very rarely will any kind of repeat offenses be tolerated. Key defensive tackle Ed Johnson, who was arguably the most talented nose tackle in Indianapolis after Booger McFarland’s career ended, was charged with speeding and marijuana possession and was cut less than 24 hours later. The team took a chance with Johnson from the get-go, as he had a history of drug related problems in college and informed him that he was on a one-strike and your out policy. Head Coach Jim Caldwell was willing to give him a second chance a year later but he was cut after only a brief stay. More >
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