Posts tagged Ryan Diem
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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Colts Priority Free Agents: External Options
Jun 23rd
Although Indianapolis does not have a history of signing numerous outside free agents in the off-season, this year could be different. With the very real possibility that veterans like safety Melvin Bullitt, tackle/guard Charlie Johnson, defensive tackles Daniel Muir, Eric Foster, and Antonio Johnson, and running back Joseph Addai could all depart via free agency, uncharacteristic off-season choices may become the rule.
Although rumors have been relatively meaningless during the lockout they may take a step closer to reality in the coming weeks. More >
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Why It’s Easy to be an Indianapolis Colts Fan: Perpetual Underdogs
Jun 15th
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Professional sports is a religion for a lot of people, and while they have a variety of reasons for following their favorite players or teams — raised to be a fan, proximity, winning, etc. — being a fan is not always easy.
Consider how frustrating it must be for fans who have to deal with ongoing public relations nightmares from players who get into considerable trouble — or front offices who regularly sign players with troubled histories. Being a fan can also be difficult when a team has built a reputation for failure or mediocrity — Colts fans who have been around for awhile should be very familiar. No time can be more difficult for a fan base than when an elite player retires — a situation the Colts will face when Peyton Manning decides to hang it up.
But there are things about the Indianapolis Colts that will not go away, even when the wins do. It is what makes it relatively easy to remain a Colts fan, and is part of what will hold the fan base together when (arguably) the greatest quarterback to ever play football moves on. More >
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Roster Casualties
May 21st
Despite knowing that the lockout will remain in place, fans are left wondering if some of the old rules that governed the ins and outs of the NFL offseason will stand. One thing in particular, the player total on the offseason roster, should stay the same though. At least that’s what we’ll assume for the time being. Based on the previous CBA, teams were allowed 80 players on an offseason roster, and while that number could change, the fact that the NFL isn’t adding any more games, and the NFLPA doesn’t want to split their pie between any more people, it is reasonable to assume that the figure is likely to stay the same. As it stands right now though, the Colts have 83 players on their roster, but due to the lockout no personnel decisions can be made except for adding the 2011 draft picks to the lists. As such, with the lockout technically still in place and no end to it all readily in sight we are simply left with speculation on what is likely to be a tumultuous beginning to the NFL pre-season. More >
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Reaction to Bill Polian Interview with “1070 The Fan”
May 10th
Last week, Colts GM Bill Polian had a phone in conversation with Grady and Big Joe at 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis. I wanted to highlight a few interesting points that have gone largely unmentioned thus far. After the jump we’ll take a look at a few of these quotes and why they stood out. If you’d like to read the full interview, head over to SportsRadioInterview.com to read the transcript. More >
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2011 Roster Projections – OT Anthony Castonzo
May 7th
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The draft is over, and with the lockout back in place the only thing to do is study draft picks. This is one of the few drafts where almost every pick gives the Colts a player who looks like he could see significant time in the coming year — sans injuries. From Anthony Castonzo to Delone Carter, each of the Colts top four selections shows something that either has been missing from the team, or a new wrinkle that could have a significant impact on how the team operates in 2011. First, let’s take a look at the Colts first round selection, offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo out of Boston College. More >
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In the Second Round, the Indianapolis Colts Select…
Apr 29th
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OT – Ben Ijalana
The Colts traded the 53rd and 152nd picks to the Washington Redskins in order to move up and draft Villanova left tackle Ben Ijalana. With this selection the Colts have infused a lot of talent along the offensive line and have some flexibility on how they will use that talent. Ijalana may play guard as a rookie before he moves outside, as he has the ability to be an exceptional guard as a rookie. He could also take over at right tackle, or even challenge Castonzo for reponsibilities at left tackle.
Consider the new Colts offensive line, thus far. For the sake of conversation, three different potential starting rotations will be included for discussion.
LT Anthony Castonzo LG Charlie Johnson C Jeff Saturday RG Mike Pollak RT Ben Ijalana
LT Anthony Castonzo LG Charlie Johnson C Jeff Saturday RG Kyle DeVan RT Ben Ijalana
LT Anthony Castonzo LG Charlie Johnson C Jeff Saturday RG Ben Ijalana RT Jeff Linkenbach
Of course, it is quite possible that Ryan Diem will remain the starter at right tackle but with this group of players, the Colts offensive line should improve considerably.
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