2009 Free Agency/Offseason - Page 6

psulion21 · 02-26-2009, 08:51 PM

Bringing back saturday is huge i was nervous when i heard rumors of him wanting to play in pitt

RCAChainGang · 02-27-2009, 08:41 AM

Jeff and Peyton have great chemistry and I definately think this was the right move. Saturday is the core leader of our offensive line.

RCAChainGang · 02-27-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seamus2602

In the same way they quickly brought Dominic Rhodes back last year, what chances do you think of the Colts bringing back Cato June after he was released by Tampa Bay today?

Thats a good point, but to be honest he I don't see us doing that with Cato. He was a good linebacker but lacked the right tackling skills. We will shape our new guys Keiaho, Session ect.

Geo · 02-27-2009, 09:49 AM

I heard that the Colts signed Saturday for 3 years, $13.3M. Can anyone confirm that? Because that is way too much money for me, ugh ugh ugh. But what's done is done at least, sigh ... let's just hope Saturday helps the Colts win more Super Bowls.

The rest of the Colts' free agency news:

Quote:

This morning, the Colts also released some new information. LB Freddy Keiaho may have been a casualty of Saturday's deal. Keiaho, who has started all 25 games he's played in over the last 2 seasons, was due to be a restricted free agent, but was not offered a tender. He becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Here is the list of the other unrestricted free agents:
DB-Matt Giordano RB-Dominic Rhodes
LB-Tyjuan Hagler P-Hunter Smith
DB-Keiwan Ratliff DE-Josh Thomas
DE-Darrell Reid

The Colts also announced the free agent or waiver additions of the following players since the end of the 2008 season (some of them were on the roster at times last season, or the practice squad): LB-Rufus Alexander, DB-Brannon Condren, P-Mike Dragosavich (waiver claim), DB-Brandon Foster, WR-Sam Giguere, OT-Corey Hilliard, DB-Travis Key, LB-Michael Okwo, TE-Jamie Petrowski, WR-Taj Smith, DB-Brandon Sumrall.

The Colts also offered tenders to the following Exclusive Rights Free Agents: running back Lance Ball, linebacker Buster Davis and defensive tackle Daniel Muir.

Good call on Keiaho, he's not worth 1M. And I'll be surprised if there's much interest for him on the open market, so maybe he comes back at a more reasonable price. Or maybe Tyjuan Hagler. I would like Dom Rhodes back too.

If there's any cash left after spending on Saturday, meh.

Seamus2602 · 02-27-2009, 10:10 AM

It is a bit hard to tell where the Cap is at the moment. Without including Jeff Saturday’s Cap Hit for this year, the Colts are about $5.6 Million under the Cap when you take out the ERFA signings. As Geo has point out already, the Colts will need about $4 Million to sign the Rookies they draft this year, so at a conservative estimate, the Colts have about $1.6 Million in the Cap before resigning Jeff Saturday.

Saturday’s agent has stated that the new contract makes Jeff Saturday one of the top paid Centres in the league. With Saturday being $13.3 Million over the 3, it probably puts his Cap hit this year at about $3.5 Million. It puts the Franchise about $1.9 Million in the Red, without resigning any of the other Free Agents like Rhodes or Keiaho.

As I said earlier, the Franchise can claw back about $7 Million by redoing Bob Sanders and Peyton Manning’s contracts so we could see about $6 Million in cap to resign those players.

I still can’t see all of them coming back. I think Rhodes will be brought back, Federkeil hopefully won’t be.

I would like to see Josh Thomas back but he apparently wants to start, so the a possible move may be to bring back Josh Thomas but cut Raheem Brock. Cutting Brock will gain back about $1.1 Million in Cap Room, more than enough to resign Josh Thomas. I think the Franchise will decide whether they want Brock or Thomas.

Darrell Reid won’t be brought back as he just isn’t worth it and the Colts don’t like players who get into off the field antics.

I think either Freddie Keiaho or Tyjuan Hagler will be brought back, but not both of them. I think one of them will be replaced by a Day 1 draft pick. If Hagler returns then they will draft a Sam, if Keiaho returns they will draft a Will.

Ratliff might be back, as he provided good cover when both Hayden and Jackson were injured, while I don’t believe Giordano will be retained.

The last difficult decision is over Hunter Smith. I personally think he will cost too much money at such cap strained times and he should be wished well and let go.

Geo · 02-27-2009, 10:21 AM

Re: linebacker, maybe the Colts go ahead right now and move back Session to WLB and Philip Wheeler takes over at SLB? Two young and physical guys, with good size, on the outside.

And Brackett in the middle, of course. Although next year he'll be a free agent and 30 years old.

Seamus2602 · 02-27-2009, 10:31 AM

Geo, that is a possibility, especially with Wheeler, who is a more Larry Coyer stile Linebacker than anything the Colts currently have, but I still think that Session can be upgraded. Session, in my opinion, is a good, solid backup Linebacker but I think we can get a better Starter.

On the Gary Brackett issue, this is one of the big reasons that I am praying that Baby Animal falls to us. The Colts draft Laurinaitis at the bottom of the 1st and he plays Will Linebacker this year and can move to Mike next year.

Dam8610 · 03-01-2009, 09:09 AM

I for one don't like bringing Saturday back, especially not at that price. He's shown decline over the past two seasons, and IMO is going to be a shell of his former self over the life of this contract, which seems like rewarding past performance in the present to me, something that can't be afforded in the salary cap era. Maybe this is a sign that the Colts think the cap is going to go away?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seamus2602

It is a bit hard to tell where the Cap is at the moment. Without including Jeff Saturday’s Cap Hit for this year, the Colts are about $5.6 Million under the Cap when you take out the ERFA signings. As Geo has point out already, the Colts will need about $4 Million to sign the Rookies they draft this year, so at a conservative estimate, the Colts have about $1.6 Million in the Cap before resigning Jeff Saturday.

Saturday’s agent has stated that the new contract makes Jeff Saturday one of the top paid Centres in the league. With Saturday being $13.3 Million over the 3, it probably puts his Cap hit this year at about $3.5 Million. It puts the Franchise about $1.9 Million in the Red, without resigning any of the other Free Agents like Rhodes or Keiaho.

As I said earlier, the Franchise can claw back about $7 Million by redoing Bob Sanders and Peyton Manning’s contracts so we could see about $6 Million in cap to resign those players.

I still can’t see all of them coming back. I think Rhodes will be brought back, Federkeil hopefully won’t be.

I would like to see Josh Thomas back but he apparently wants to start, so the a possible move may be to bring back Josh Thomas but cut Raheem Brock. Cutting Brock will gain back about $1.1 Million in Cap Room, more than enough to resign Josh Thomas. I think the Franchise will decide whether they want Brock or Thomas.

Darrell Reid won’t be brought back as he just isn’t worth it and the Colts don’t like players who get into off the field antics.

I think either Freddie Keiaho or Tyjuan Hagler will be brought back, but not both of them. I think one of them will be replaced by a Day 1 draft pick. If Hagler returns then they will draft a Sam, if Keiaho returns they will draft a Will.

Ratliff might be back, as he provided good cover when both Hayden and Jackson were injured, while I don’t believe Giordano will be retained.

The last difficult decision is over Hunter Smith. I personally think he will cost too much money at such cap strained times and he should be wished well and let go.

I really hope you're wrong in regards to Darrell Reid, Josh Thomas, and Raheem Brock. Reid may have had a run in with the law, but it's not like he had Ed Johnson's history, and he's the heart, soul, and playmaker of the special teams unit, which showed marked improvement this season. EDIT: Just learned Reid will be with Denver next season. That SUCKS.

Cut Raheem Brock? To keep Josh Thomas? I have never understood the Colts' infatuation with Thomas, there's never been a JAG on this team that has kept his job for so long...maybe Rob Morris, but at least he earned some redemption by filling the gap at SLB on the way to the championship. And why would one want to cut Raheem Brock, a versatile player who has proven he can start at two positions and at the very least is still a solid rotational player, to keep a JAG like Thomas? I don't understand that thinking at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo

Re: linebacker, maybe the Colts go ahead right now and move back Session to WLB and Philip Wheeler takes over at SLB? Two young and physical guys, with good size, on the outside.

And Brackett in the middle, of course. Although next year he'll be a free agent and 30 years old.

Yes, I certainly hope so, that would be the best LB corps the Colts have had in a LONG time. Session is going to beast at WLB if he gets the chance (dare I say Derrick Brooks?), and Wheeler could be a Marcus Washington type if he gets the chance, I just hope he's got the gap discipline to play the spot. Brackett is probably gone after next season given the circumstances and the Colts history with LBs, I think the Colts will seriously consider a MLB fairly early, maybe Gerald McRath. Or maybe they go a different direction, plan to slide Wheeler over, and draft a OLB or two.

Geo · 03-01-2009, 10:03 AM

I was thinking no more than 3M per for Saturday, but of course Polian caved in a bit like he always does. Yet I do think Saturday has at least two more good years in him, and wouldn't be surprised if he did play that third year. So I can live with it, the good thing is that we've seen some centers play at older ages and more importantly that the Colts offense won't miss a beat.

Darrell Reid signed with the Broncos, 3 years for 6.8M I think it was. Way more than he would have received from the Colts.

I agree on the Colts targeting a linebacker early, Dam. Although I'm thinking less that it could be Laurinaitis in the 1st round. His collegiate career and the Combine make you wonder if he's explosive enough.

You guys know Scott McKillop of Pittsburgh has been one of my faves this whole year, he's been the guy I want the most and still is. I've always thought getting him in the 3rd round was better than Laurinaitis in the 1st, although I'll be fine with spending the late 2nd on McKillop to make sure another team doesn't snatch him up. The guy is just a player on the field, and proved it looking like the best linebacker during the Senior Bowl game. Plus he seems like a smart kid, which is important for a potential MIKE.

chad72 · 03-02-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo

You guys know Scott McKillop of Pittsburgh has been one of my faves this whole year, he's been the guy I want the most and still is. I've always thought getting him in the 3rd round was better than Laurinaitis in the 1st, although I'll be fine with spending the late 2nd on McKillop to make sure another team doesn't snatch him up. The guy is just a player on the field, and proved it looking like the best linebacker during the Senior Bowl game. Plus he seems like a smart kid, which is important for a potential MIKE.

I like that Jasper Brinkley guy from South Carolina as well for being MIKE in our system.

killxswitch · 03-02-2009, 10:20 AM

No way will the Colts cut Brock for Thomas. Thomas is terrible. Brock is capable as a rush down DE and pass down DT. You could replace your LT with a stop sign and still block Josh Thomas.

I am looking forward to a LB lineup of Wheeler at the sam, Session at the will, and whatever 1st-day rookie replaces Brackett halfway through the '09 season.

RCAChainGang · 03-04-2009, 09:37 AM

Personally I would like to see a safety drafted. Get rid of Bethea. I don't understand what is valuable about him. Put someone els on the field. Melvin Bullit maybe? Bethea is slow and he only looks decent because of our scheme. Draft a future FS somewhere in the draft imo.

The first pick (excluding Peria Jerry because that is likely) is gonna be an offensive player. I can't help but look at WR's. Marvin is gone so gonzo goes out wide and we draft a guy for the slot. I've heard you guys shoot down the thought of Harvin, but is there another WR there is worth drafting in the 1st?

psulion21 · 03-04-2009, 02:16 PM

i would love dhb but i doubt he falls to us

Henry B · 03-04-2009, 08:54 PM

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/3/2...d-to-re-struct

Interesting read on how the Colts are playing around with the cap. The rumour is that they are restructuring the contracts of both Ryan Lilja and Adam Vinatieri. (Not really FA news but this thread seemed appropriate).

chad72 · 03-05-2009, 01:10 PM

For a cap strapped franchise like ours, we have some must-sign free agents.

One guy that is not yet signed is Antonio Johnson, who plays DT (NT mainly) for us. He needs to be re-signed just like Muir was.

Then, we can build on that with more DT picks from the draft.

Plus if Lilja returns quickly, he costs us less than Ryan Diem. Let us not forget that in the Super Bowl XLI, when Ryan Diem got hurt, Charlie Johnson filled in for him at RT and we did not miss a bit. If we let go of Ryan Diem for cap reasons, I can see CJ being moved to RT and a rookie drafted for LT/RT.

Then we will have Ugoh, Richard, Saturday, Lilja, and Charlie Johnson for starters and Pollak/Justice/Federkeil will sub in for rotation. It is funny that a 7th round pick -Jamey Richard was the best out of our rookie linemen last year. We have great depth at OG, but not at OT. But Charlie Johnson and Federkeil have had experience at tackle, so if Ugoh gets hit with the injury bug again, one of them will step in. Don't we all miss how Tarik Glenn got injured seldom?

Geo · 03-05-2009, 02:17 PM

Antonio Johnson is signed for 2009, at least. So no worries there.

chad72 · 03-05-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo

Antonio Johnson is signed for 2009, at least. So no worries there.

Hopefully we get more push from the DT spot this year starting with game 1. Bob Sanders was most healthy when we had both Pitcock and Ed Johnson out there in 2007, helps him roam and make plays big time. Otherwise, teams know he is going to play close to the box like an LB and will just have a TE sniffer or someone like that to spy on him and reduce his effectiveness. If he is playing away from the line of scrimmage, the TE will have to get through the LBs to get to Bob, chances are, it does not happen easily and frequently.

Geo · 03-17-2009, 03:32 PM

Exact numbers of the 1-year minimum tenders per Coltscap.net:

- RB Lance Ball ($310k)
- MLB Buster Davis ($385k)
- OL Dan Federkeil ($535k)
- DT Daniel Muir ($460k)

Obviously these aren't big salaries, relatively speaking, because all four guys have been the league only one, two, or three years. And if one of them doesn't make the team this fall, cutting them comes without financial penalty, so it makes sense to sign them now and allow them to challenge for roster spots.

I thought Federkeil would be a RFA and thus would cost too much, so it's good to see the Colts have another year to continue his three-years-plus development and confirm if he is part of the future.

psulion21 · 03-25-2009, 12:12 AM

yahoo sports reports colts sign LB Adam Seward and waive RB Clifton Dawson

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

Geo · 03-25-2009, 12:19 AM

Alright, I was hoping someone would finally post the Seward signing!

I like it.

Vet minimum per Coltscap which makes it great, especially as chances are he gives the team a worthy back-up to Gary Brackett and a very good special teams player, which are very important. Additionally though, he could compete with Philip Wheeler for the starting SLB job. Maybe that's what spurned him to sign with the Colts right now, a real chance to win a starting job.

Only a one year deal though, so it's kind of a temporary solution. But a good one nonetheless I think.

a-dub83 · 03-25-2009, 08:13 PM

http://indyfootballreport.com/index....s/641#more-641

This moves Session to WLB, and thus cancels all chances that Keiaho will be back. Coyer likes to blitz, something Wheeler is very good at. I don't know if Seward will compete with Wheeler or if he is going to back up at MLB. I believe he can play both.

killxswitch · 03-26-2009, 09:07 AM

I'd guess Seward will be a backup MLB and will see a lot of special teams action. There isn't anyone on the roster that could beat out Session for either OLB spot IMO. I like him and Wheeler at the OLB spots. I think there's a good chance we will draft Gary Brackett's replacement this year. Frantz Joseph or Gerald McRath?

chad72 · 03-26-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killxswitch

I think there's a good chance we will draft Gary Brackett's replacement this year. Frantz Joseph or Gerald McRath?

Larry Coyer is making his signature moves with bigger LBs that emphasize more on blitzing and stopping the run than pass coverage. His Ds did well against the Patriots and the Chargers:) , two teams we'd like to beat, especially in the playoffs.

Like Geo & Seamus have opined, this may be the other year after Rob Morris where we go LB with the first pick, Lauranitis?:) If one of Peria Jerry & Evander Hood are available, I cannot see how BP overlooks any of them for our D-line. But if both of those are gone, I can see Lauranitis on top of BP's board for BPA.

Geo · 03-26-2009, 03:13 PM

I've got a new mock/1st round pick in mind right now, going back to Ziggy Hood.

Will be interesting to see if Peria Jerry can somehow fall, either one would be great and could be the pick.

As I look at Polian's draft history in Indy, the Colts' first pick in a draft is spent on a talented and hard-working player who very likely won't start as a rookie, but will contribute immediately. They expect contribution from that pick, Marlin Jackson for example was the starting nickel corner in addition to playing special teams in '05.

And there's no bigger opportunity to contribute, given the make-up of this current roster, than defensive tackle. Contribution that both those guys, Hood and Jerry, can bring as they are great fits for the defense. both have very good size, first steps, and motors. They will improve the defensive interior against both the run and the pass. Both guys looked great at the Senior Bowl, competing against the best draft-eligible prospects in the nation.

Though this brings us right back to the discussion if Polian values DT or LB as 1st round material? Hard to say, obviously draft history doesn't support it much.

One could point to Polian signing Corey Simon to a 5-yr/$30M contract in 2005 and then the next year trading a 2nd round pick for Booger McFarland as potential evidence that he does place value in the DT position if he can get a player who he feels will make a difference.

And before Tony Dungy came to Indianapolis, Polian had spent a 1st round pick (Morris) and two 2nd round picks (Mike Peterson & Marcus Washington) at the linebacker position in Indy. But since Dungy came and installed the Tampa 2, the Colts haven't gone linebacker earlier than the early 3rd round. A defense that, according to Polian and Caldwell, will be tweaked as normal but not changed.

Of course in that time since 2002, the Colts drafted some solid if not good linebackers to pick up after Peterson and Washington left. And an undrafted free agent from Rutgers, Gary Brackett, eventually worked his way into the starting position and a second contract to continue his captaincy of that unit.

Brackett does have one year left on his current contract though, turning 30 years old before next season. Do the Colts re-sign him? Will they even have the money to do so? Can't say for sure. Does Brackett command a big contract from other teams on the open market? Maybe not, so that might help the Colts. Or maybe as Chad says, there's a chance to strike when the iron is hot with a potential MLB in Laurinaitis.

killxswitch · 03-27-2009, 06:55 AM

To me taking Hood in the first is not a reach anymore. I would still prefer Jerry but there is just no other position where a rookie could make a more immediate impact than DT.

I think the thing about rookies not starting at all was a Dungy thing. We'll probably see less of that now. If we were to get an early-round DT I don't see anyone on the roster that would give him much competition for a starting spot.