2009 Free Agency/Offseason

[Seamus2602]

If I was given a choice between a primadona, very athletically gifted Wide Reciever, who unfortunately for him lacks the biggest thing a Wide Reciever needs (ie, the ability to catch the ball), with the player who has been one of the most consistent performers on our Offensive Line in the last two years, then it wouldn't be a difficult choice. Our Offensive Line is going through enough of a change already without trading away the O-Lineman who has played the most snaps in the last two years.

[UKfan]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11764633

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The trendy pick in the AFC South this season is the Houston Texans, either as the division champion or playoff contender, and the club they're supposed to supplant is -- Indianapolis?
You heard me. Mostly because Tony Dungy is gone but partly because the Colts (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page/IND) just subtracted two of the league's top assistants, offensive line coach Howard Mudd and offensive coordinator Tom Moore.
http://images.cbssports.com/u/photos/football/nfl/img11764635.jpg Jim Caldwell is expected to fill Tony Dungy's shoes nicely, his boss says. (AP) Only they didn't. The two no longer are full-time employees, but, according to Colts' owner Jim Irsay, have tentatively agreed to return as consultants -- there to help guide the club through the 2009 season from beginning to end.
"I've talked to them," said Irsay at this week's league meetings, "and know they would like to come back and do it and be part of it. They're going year to year (as far as their futures), but they want to be part of it, and I'm for that."

[MaxV]

Cool, I hope it'll be a seamless transition.

[Dam8610]

If I was given a choice between a primadona, very athletically gifted Wide Reciever, who unfortunately for him lacks the biggest thing a Wide Reciever needs (ie, the ability to catch the ball), with the player who has been one of the most consistent performers on our Offensive Line in the last two years, then it wouldn't be a difficult choice. Our Offensive Line is going through enough of a change already without trading away the O-Lineman who has played the most snaps in the last two years.

Who said anything about trading away Ryan Diem? Johnson won't start this year, and while he's a valuable backup, Braylon Edwards is a ridiculous talent who I think would flourish under Manning, who helped to cure Reggie Wayne's case of the dropsies and wouldn't put up with the primadonna attitude.

[killxswitch]

Apparently it's not a seamless transition: http://www.indystar.com/article/20090526/SPORTS03/905260353/Coaching+changes+fluster+Manning

I'm not impressed with any player who throws a hissy fit in front of reporters, even a "calm" one. The fact that it was Manning makes it worse.

[Prowler]

maybe it'll give him something to 'overcome'. get them back to an underdog mentality so they can win the first 12 games of the season.

[Geo]

A much better article on Peyton's response from the Associated Press:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/05/26/manning.ap/index.html

I found this part particularly interesting:

The Colts already have announced assistant head coach Clyde Christensen will assume play-calling duties and assistant line coach Pete Metzelaars will have the word "assistant" dropped from his title.

Indy veterans are content with those choices.

Manning said Christensen helped call plays in third-down and red-zone situations last season, two categories in which the Colts had the league's No. 1 conversion rate in 2008.

Three-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday also said his teammates along the line spoke with both Metzelaars and Mudd during games and practices last season, and because the focus this week is on strengthening and conditioning, Saturday hasn't seen much change yet.

"We've not really done anything anyway," he said. "We'd normally be meeting with Pete now, so it's not really affected us. What will happen, or what it (the coaching staff) will look like, I don't know. But I'm sure Jim will make it very clear at some point."

[killxswitch]

Some of Manning's comments were out of line but when taken in their entirety they weren't THAT bad. The Star article made it seem like he only said those things. Those comments were picked out of a large set of quotes from Manning, many of which were either complimentary of some of the coaches or had nothing to do with that situation at all.

[Geo]

Yeah, some people see only the "not coaching much at all" comment and think it's attributed to Christensen and Metzelaars, which isn't true. He's referring to the two new coaching interns, Frank Winters at OL and the former WR whose name escapes me, who the team recently added.

[Geo]

Bill Polian, in a radio interview, agrees with Peyton (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-9-292/Polian--Manning-not-alone-in-frustrations.html)

The return of Ed Johnson, thanks mostly to Jim Caldwell, and how guys in the locker room think of him (http://indyfootballreport.com/index.php/archives/2024)

Despite coaching uncertainty, Peyton nonetheless works hard to gain chemistry with young players (http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=0b1be09c-ed0f-48f6-9541-83f7c44da753)

Dwight Freeney also chimes in on the improvements Larry Coyer is bringing to the defense (http://www.indystar.com/article/20090527/SPORTS03/905270344/1004/SPORTS/DT+Johnson+thankful+for+second+chance)

[Geo]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ilh9pQ4skCePAI7i9uqHkD_5wQawD98FC3300

Colts CB Jackson, RB Hart make speedy recoveries
By MICHAEL MAROT – 2 hours ago

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson is back on the field and running back Mike Hart may not be far behind.

Jackson's early return to practice Thursday surprised some because it normally takes players a full year to recover from ACL surgery. Jackson had his surgery Dec. 1.

Jackson says he is not yet 100 percent, but he and Hart are both clearly ahead of schedule. Hart also tore his ACL in October and said he could pretty much do everything — if asked.

Neither player would say whether they expect to be on the field for the team's first training camp practice Aug. 1 in Terre Haute.

[Geo]

Well we don't have an OTAs/minicamps thread, so might as well post this bit of promising news here:

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=a33d5f09-9fac-4c00-8a2c-9bb7e2e29e16

Also Tuesday, veteran offensive guard Ryan Lilja participated in some drills in the no-pads, no-contact practice, with Caldwell saying afterward Lilja was making progress. Lilja, a six-year veteran, missed all of last season with a knee injury.

“He appears to be coming along very well,” Caldwell said. “He's making good progress. He feels he is certainly a lot further along than he has been. They're starting to do things with him little by little. He's increasing his activity.”

Caldwell was asked if he were optimistic Lilja would be ready by training camp, which is scheduled to begin August 2 at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute.

“The way things are going right now, it looks pretty good,” Caldwell said. “I'm not certain exactly when he'll be to the point where he can perform full speed consistently, but I know he's moving in that direction.”

The Colts finished 31st in the NFL in rushing last season, and Caldwell said the Colts missed Lilja's presence in the lineup and in the locker room.

“He's a very experienced guy,” Caldwell said. “Not only that, he certainly has a great attitude in terms of his leadership and in terms of his understanding of our scheme. He's a very, very bright individual and does just a great job in terms of executing his techniques on the interior. Anytime you lose a bit of experience like that, it certainly does have an effect on you. We had some young guys who did step in and play quite well, but Lilja gives you a little more experience in there.”

[killxswitch]

With Pollack out with a sore vag we really need Lilja back.

[UKfan]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/11824747


INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page/IND) kicker Adam Vinatieri (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1392) had surgery on his right hip but is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
The Colts announced the surgery on Friday, the first day of their mandatory minicamp.
The team's statement said Vinatieri had pain in the hip for more than a year. It flared up recently, prompting the surgery.
Coach Jim Caldwell said he was uncertain whether Vinatieri would be able to kick when training camp opens in August, but that Vinatieri should be ready for the regular season.
Vinatieri is known as the best clutch kicker in league history. He made the winning kick in two of New England's Super Bowl victories and has won four Super Bowl rings in 13 NFL seasons.



You guys probably saw this, but hopefully this surgery is nothing serious, and since it has hung around for a year maybe Vini will be better next year.

[Geo]

Really good article on the Colts' wide receivers. (http://indyfootballreport.com/index.php/archives/2337)

Give it a read.

[Dam8610]

Since we're in the middle of the offseason and things are pretty dead anyway, why not check out the fantasy forum, maybe even create a character in our new league?

http://www.draftcountdown.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34379

[Geo]

ESPN AFC South blogger Kuharsky presents "The cases for and against Tony Ugoh". (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afcsouth/0-10-209/The-cases-for-and-against-Ugoh.html)

Super article, must read. Ugoh's always been a stud in my mind, all of the Ugoh haters are going to be signing different tunes as he gets better every year.

18-to-88 presents "18 Questions with Mike Tanier of Football Outsiders". (http://18to88.com/2009/07/18-questions-with-mike-tanier.html)

FO is the ****, I love those guys and will buy their book for a third year in a row. This is a really good and wide-ranging interview with one of their top guys, includes forecasting 09 Colts.

Although they should change that site's name to 18-to-87.

[Philliez01]

Ugoh is such a superb athlete but he's starting to become more, I guess the word is, "developed" but he looks more like an LT than an athlete right now which is all I can ask for. Sure he has his moments, but I trust Bill Polian/Jim Irsay more than anyone in this world when it comes to football.

[Seamus2602]

Jerraud Powers became the first 2009 Draft Pick to sign a contract with the Colts. Early estimate is a 4 year deal worth $2,425,000 with $675,000 signing bonus. It puts his cap hits at about $478,750, $563,750, $648,750 and $733,750.

http://i31.tinypic.com/vhb0br.gif

[chad72]

Both our 7th round picks are signed.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090729/SPORTS03/90729033/1100/Colts+sign+2+seventh-round+draft+picks

[Seamus2602]

For Pat McAfee, early estimate is a 4 year deal worth $1,800,000 with $50,000 signing bonus. It puts his cap hits at about $322,500, $407,500, $492,500 and $577,500.

For Jaimie Thomas, early estimate is a 4 year deal worth $1,790,000 with $40,000 signing bonus. It puts his cap hits at about $320,000, $405,000, $490,000 and $575,000.

http://i28.tinypic.com/vwwp35.gifhttp://i32.tinypic.com/fxxk7d.gif

[Seamus2602]

My other Estimates:

Donald Brown

http://i32.tinypic.com/21afqlv.gif

For Donald Brown, my early estimate is a 5 year deal worth $13,400,000 with a $4,625,000 signing bonus, and $6,365,000 in other bonuses. It puts his cap hits at about $1,235,000, $2,911,250, $2,996,250, $3,081,250, $3,176,250.

Fili Moala

http://i31.tinypic.com/2hnywsw.gif

For Fili Moala, early estimate is a 4 year deal worth $3,390,000 with $1,005,000 signing bonus, and another $500,000 in other guarantees. It puts his cap hits at about $572,500, $824,166, $909,167 and $994,167.

Austin Collie

http://i27.tinypic.com/6plpjd.gif

For Austin Collie, early estimate is a 4 year deal worth $2,190,000 with $440,000 signing bonus. It puts his cap hits at about $420,000, $505,000, $590,000 and $675,000.

Terrance Taylor

http://i27.tinypic.com/f4e5ag.gif

For Terrance Taylor, early estimate is a 4 year deal worth $2,150,000 with $400,000 signing bonus. It puts his cap hits at about $410,000, $495,000, $580,000 and $665,000.


Curtis Painter

http://i29.tinypic.com/2mqry1f.gif

For Curtis Painter, early estimate is a 4 year deal worth $1,840,000 with $90,000 signing bonus. It puts his cap hits at about $332,500, $417,500, $502,500 and $587,500.

[Seamus2602]

Cotls have signed another two Draft picks, with Terrance Taylor and Curtis Painter both signing, bringing the Colts down to three picks left to sign, Donald Brown, Fili Moala and Austin Collie. Donald Brown will probably be the last to sign as they need to wait until the other 7 are signed to see how much of the Rookie Cap is left but I expect Moala and Collie to sign within the day.

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090729/SPORTS03/90729036/Colts+shuffle+roster++prep+for+training+camp

Moala's contract shouldn't be complicated. William Moore, the 55th pick, and Paul Kruger, the 57th Pick have both signed their contracts. Moala, at 56, should be somewhere in between the two.

[Geo]

Yep, all the signings are coming in now. Hopefully everyone is signed in time for reporting to camp, it will likely get done.

[chad72]

Post TC Roster Predictions


Quarterbacks (2)
Peyton Manning, Jim Sorgi

Running Backs (3)
Joseph Addai, Donald Brown, Lance Ball (Mike Hart starts on PUP)

Wide Receivers (5)
Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Roy Hall

Tight Ends (4)
Dallas Clark, Tom Santi, Gijon Robinson, Jacob Tamme

Offensive Linemen (8)
Tony Ugoh, Charlie Johnson, Jamey Richard, Ryan Lilja, Jaimie Thomas, Jeff Saturday, Mike Pollak, Ryan Diem

DEs (5)
Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, Raheem Brock, Marcus Howard, Curtis Johnson

DTs (5)
Antonio Johnson , Terrance Taylor, Ed Johnson, Fili Moala, Eric Foster

LBs (7)
Philip Wheeler, Tyjuan Hagler, Gary Brackett, Adam Seward, Clint Session, Freddy Keiaho, Jordan Senn

CBs (6)
Kelvin Hayden, Marlin Jackson, Jerraud Powers, Tim Jennings, TJ Rushing, Dante Hughes

Safeties (5)
Bob Sanders, Melvin Bullitt, Antoine Bethea, Matt Giordano, Jamie Silva

Kicker (1)
Adam Vinatieri

Punter (1)
Pat McAfee

Long Snapper (1)
Justin Snow

Practice Squad
QB Curtis Painter
RB Chad Simpson
WR John Mathews
OT Corey Hilliard
OG Kyle Devan
DT Adrian Grady
LB Mike Tauiliili
DB Nick Graham

Notables: Sam Giguere is cut, Steve Justice is cut, Dan Federkeil is cut, Keyunta Dawson is cut, Michael Coe is cut.

Jamie Silva and Jordan Senn made my roster for special teams reasons.

[Seamus2602]

Fili Moala (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4371505) and Austin Collie (http://www.sltrib.com/collegesports/ci_12973939) have both signed 4 year deals.

[Seamus2602]

Donald Brown (http://www.indystar.com/article/20090802/SPORTS03/90802009/Colts+sign+top+draft+pick+Brown+in+time+for+camp) has signed. Its being reported as a 5 year deal.

[Geo]

Hilarious and awesome, this is must see stuff:

http://www.indysportsnation.com/isn-080209-reggie-dumptruck,0,354177.story

Love Reggie. Great player and person, the perfect role model/veteran for all of the young, talented receivers the Colts now have. Always keeps his eye on the prize, a championship, but with a sly grin.

Also, for anyone curious about Donald Brown's contract:

NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reports (http://www.nfl.com/trainingcamp/story?id=09000d5d8119ca62&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true) that Brown received a five-year, $12.8 million contract, with $6.8 million guaranteed.

[chad72]

I hate the Patriots, they just got Burgess from the Raiders.

http://www.nesn.com/2009/08/patriots-acquire-burgess-from-raiders-for-draft-picks.html

Now, their front 7 looks better than it did last year with the aging LBs.

Seymour-Wilfork-Ty Warren

Thomas-Mayo-Bruschi-Burgess/Woods

Plus, they upgraded their CB corp too.

As always, no matter who says what about the Steelers returning a lot of starters and being balanced, we need to get homefield over the Pats. I'd feel better going on the road against the Steelers or Chargers than the Pats in the playoffs.

I feel better about our chances against the Steelers and Chargers with our increased depth this year on the OL, DL, LB, RB, TE and DB corps, and would do so if we play the Pats at home but I'd rather the Steelers or Chargers take out the Pats before we play one of them.

Our kicking game, O-line run blocking, punting game, and WR corps are probably the biggest question marks that need to be answered, IMO. Adam V probably should not be doing kickoffs, IMO, it should be McAfee with his younger legs, save AV for the FG kicks that are more crucial.

[diabsoule]

Colts just signed WR Hank Baskett

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4480266