INDIANAPOLIS — Now that Indianapolis has re-signed unrestricted free agents Bob Sanders (strong safety), Dallas Clark (tight end) and Ryan Lilja (offensive guard), team officials are planning to sit back and see what’s going to happen with the rest of the team’s free agents.
Clark inked a six-year, $41 million contract with the team Wednesday, making him the highest paid player at his position in the league. He will be making approximately $6.9 million per year, ahead of the $6.2 million currently being paid to Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez.
The Colts have six remaining unrestricted free agents (most notably offensive guard Jake Scott, defensive end Josh Thomas and outside linebacker Rocky Boiman); five restricted free agents (tight ends Ben Utecht and Bryan Fletcher, offensive guard Dylan Gandy, safety Matt Giordano and defensive tackle Darrell Reid); and two exclusive rights free agents, defensive tackle Ed Johnson and wide receiver Craphonso Thorpe.
“I don’t think that there’s a whole lot of stuff for us to do at this point in time. We’ve re-signed Bob, we’ve re-signed Dallas, we’ve re-signed Ryan. And so I think now we’ll step back, take a deep breath and see how things go forward. But I don’t think we’re going to be very active in the free agent market,” Indianapolis team president Bill Polian said Thursday.
“The fact that we were able to get [Clark] signed is a real plus. We get the [franchise] tag back, so that’s also a plus. Ryan, we felt, was an important objective. We didn’t feel that we could sign both [unrestricted offensive] guards, so it was a question of which one we could sign, if at all. We’re very grateful that we got him signed. And, obviously, Bob was a priority because he was the defensive player of the year and we all know what we means to our defense. So those were three difficult negotiations, which fortunately worked out for us.”
Scott, a fifth-round draft pick by the Colts in 2004, has been a valuable starter at right guard. He has also see some playing time at right offensive tackle, filling in on occasion for starter Ryan Diem. But his playing days with Indianapolis may be over.
“I don’t know [if Scott will be back in 2008]. Let’s see. We’ve always taken a position with free agents that are out there that we understand that they need to seek their fortune. They need to find out what the market is. Sometimes the market isn’t what the agent or the player may expect it will be. Sometimes it is. And I understand in both cases,” he said.
“We certainly would welcome Jake back with open arms. The question is what’s good for him and his family. He has to make that decision going forward. We never want to lose a player to free agency. Sometimes you do. It’s a reality.”
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n FCS, small-school players getting a look — Of the approximately 333 college players on hand for this week’s National Football Scouting Combine, 30 attended what most people would describe as smaller colleges (such as the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly I-AA, along with Divisions II and III and NAIA).
A pair of Northern Iowa offensive tackles — Brandon Keith and Chad Rinehart — are the only Gateway Conference participants at the combine, although several others very well could have also had been invited. Cornerback Craig Turner and offensive guard Darren Marquez (Southern Illinois) could end up being middle and lower round draft choices, as could Eastern Illinois wide receiver Micah Rucker.
Two of the best from the FCS, Tennessee State cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco, are expected to be taken anywhere in the first three rounds of this year’s NFL draft (which is scheduled for April 26-27).
According to Polian, the learning curve for a player from the FCS level is not quite as steep as it could be for someone from the other divisions. He should know. The Colts have had a pretty good run of success in recent drafts by taking players such as defensive end Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M;) and free safety Antoine Bethea (Howard), both key starters on Indianapolis’ rapidly improving defensive unit.
“[Competition level for] a prospective draftee may have faced] is only important in the sense that, I think, they transition into the National Football League a little faster. So if you were sitting here and making a judgment and saying you would rather have a football player from Purdue University or you would rather have a player from DePauw, both of whom have the same physical characteristics, if you presume that both would go to free agency at the same time, you would get more production likely out of the player from Purdue sooner than you would from DePauw,” he said recently.
“Now put a disclaimer in there. DePauw fans don’t need to write me letters telling me that I’m knocking their team. But the bottom line is, that’s where it shows because that player is more capable of making the transition sooner. It may well be that the player from the lower level of competition has more of a ceiling than the player from the higher level. And that’s particularly true of running backs. A guy that’s carried the ball 400 times in college as opposed to one who may have carried it 150. So there are variables. But if you make that apple to apple comparison, the guy from the higher level of competition will probably play sooner.”
That philosophy changes a bit, though, when players from the Football Championship Series are added to the equation.
“Well, I-AA [FCS teams] is a little bit different. The difference between I-AA and I-A, or whatever they call it these days, is not as great as the jump from [Divisions] II or III, for example, to the NFL. It’s just not. And you see more I-AA guys come in and play relatively soon,” he said.
n Athleticism counts — When members of the Colts’ player personnel and coaching staffs look at the players assembled for this year’s combine, the one area that they will continue to concentrate on is a prospect’s overall athletic skills. A bit of a translation: If you can’t run, you can’t play for Indianapolis.
“[Being an athlete, in the Colts’ system] means that he’s a guy who moves easily, who does not expend every ounce of energy on every step and every movement. Someone who’s flexible. That would be an apt description of athleticism,” Polian said.
Character is important, but how a player carries themselves both on and off the football field will go a long way during the long pre-draft evaluation process.
“I don’t if you can use that word. I think football temperament is a better choice of words,” he added. “Football temperament is the guy’s internal discipline, his love for the game, his work ethic, his ability to process information within the scope of the game and his citizenship.”
In terms of measurables, the Colts look at height, weight, speed, arm length, hand size and football intelligence. And book smarts doesn’t necessarily translate to on the field success either.
“Well, it’s football intelligence and people shouldn’t confuse the two. Intelligence is a euphemism in football terms. What is really means is can the player process information quickly under pressure and in a physically violent atmosphere. That’s really what it’s all about it,” Polian said.
“[Book smarts are] really not a measure of it, to be truthful with you. You see in the guy’s play. Not necessarily productivity, more instinct. But productivity is extremely important. I mean if a guy’s a good player, he’s going to be productive. If he’s not productive, then you have to look closely.”
Colts
Colts notebook: Team won't be very active in free-agent market
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
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Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
The Indianapolis Colts welcomed 37 players to the start of the team’s rookie mini camp Friday at the West 56th Street headquarters.
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. -
Werner at top of game
Bjoern Werner was a late comer to football. But after being selected in the first round of the 2013 National Football League draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Werner realizes that he has reached the pinnacle of the sport in a relatively short amount of time.
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Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
The Indianapolis Colts selected Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner. The 6-foot-3, 266-pound defensive lineman can also play left outside linebacker.
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Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
As the 2013 NFL draft gets underway tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the Indianapolis Colts are continuing their wait-and-see stance in regard to the first-round pick.
The draft begins at 8 p.m. — televised by the NFL Network and ESPN — with the Kansas City Chiefs making the night’s first selection. Teams will have 10 minutes to make their decisions during the first round. Indianapolis will have the 24th overall pick in the first round.
There will be only one round tonight. The second and third rounds are scheduled for Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with seven minutes allotted per pick in the second round and five minutes allowed in the third. The final four rounds are slated to begin at noon Saturday with four minutes between selections.
As it stands now, Indianapolis does not have a second-round pick. It was traded to Miami last fall in exchange for veteran cornerback Vontae Davis. But second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has nut ruled out the possibility of trading down from the first round if the Colts aren’t satisfied with the players available. -
Direction clear for Colts in 2013 draft
The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2013 NFL Draft with some definite plans.
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Colts veteran among those excited to see Luck's growth in 2013-14
Veteran defensive end Cory Redding is a big fan — literally and figuratively — of Indianapolis Colts second-year quarterback Andrew Luck.
Redding, who has become one of the Colts’ lockerroom leaders after just one season with the team, thinks he has some reasonable expectations of Indianapolis’ former No. 1 draft pick. -
Heyward-Bey feeling fortunate to hook up with Luck
Add one more player to the list of veteran free agents signed by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.
Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey agreed to a a deal with the Colts late Monday evening. Bey, who played collegiately at Maryland, was the seventh player selected in the first round of the 2009 National Football League draft. -
Colts sign nose tackle
Another day, more player signings for the Indianapolis Colts.
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin agreed to terms with the Colts on Tuesday evening and officially signed with the team Wednesday. Franklin (6-1, 315) is a 10-year NFL veteran with stops in Baltimore (2003-06), San Francisco (2007-10), New Orleans (2011) and San Diego (2012). -
Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
The Indianapolis Colts’ roster moves just keep coming.
While the Colts haven’t yet added that big-name wide receiver that team owner Jim Irsay hinted at in tweets over the weekend, Indianapolis has addressed one area on offense.
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had agreed Monday night to be the Colts’ primary back-up to second-year starter Andrew Luck. He officially signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the team Tuesday morning.
“We are very pleased to announce the signing of Matt Hasselbeck,” general manager Ryan Grigson said in a prepared statement. “His body of work, intangibles, and extensive league experience speak for themselves. Those factors, plus his familiarity with our offensive scheme, will make him a great asset to our team and its vision as we move forward.” -
Colts likely done signing free agents, for now
With the possible exception of adding a few lesser-priced players, the Indianapolis Colts’ big-time foray into the veteran free-agent marketplace is pretty much done.
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Landry, Jean Francois join Colts defensive unit
After adding five veteran free agent players to the Indianapolis Colts roster on Tuesday, general manager Ryan Grigson plucked two more plums late Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.
New York Jets safety LaRon Landry and San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois both signed contracts with the Colts. Landry, a strong safety who appears to be a bigger version of former Indianapolis Pro Bowler Bob Sanders, and the versatile Jean-Francois are expected to make immediate impacts on the Colts’ defensive unit. -
Colts introduce free-agent signees
What the Indianapolis Colts accomplished last season — posting an 11-5 record and earning an AFC wild-card berth with a young team plus having that kind of success without its head coach on the sidelines for 12 games — didn’t go unnoticed by players around the NFL.
That was especially true for the five veteran free agents who were added to the Colts’ roster Tuesday. Offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (Detroit), cornerback Greg Toler (Arizona), outside linebacker Erik Walden (Green Bay), offensive guard Donald Thomas (New England) and linebacker Lawrence Sidbury (Atlanta) admitted as much Wednesday.
“I felt like this would be the best fit for me at this point in my career. I really liked what I saw was happening with the program here and the way things have taken shape. I feel like we have a really great team here and it’s on the rise. I really wanted to be a part of that,” Thomas said during a teleconference interview with the Colts’ media. -
Colts sign five free agents, filling needs at offensive line, cornerback
The Indianapolis Colts were a busy team on the opening day of the National Football League’s veteran free agent market, which got underway at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
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Jeff Saturday retires as a Colt
An Indianapolis Colt for life. Pencil in Jeff Saturday for that honor.
The 14-year veteran center in the NFL put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — when Saturday earned his greatest rewards. -
Saturday thrilled to retire as a Colt
The 14-year veteran center in the National Football League put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in-between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — that Saturday earned his greatest rewards.
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Saturday to retire as Colt on Thursday
Former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday will make his retirement from the National Football League official on Thursday.
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Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
A week ago, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano said it was a priority that the team retain the services of punter Pat McAfee.
McAfee, an unrestricted free agent who’s contract is due to expire March 12, was designated as the Colts’ franchise player Friday. The move allows Indianapolis extra time to work out a long-term deal for the team’s special-teams ace.
“He’s huge. He’s a major priority in free agency. Obviously, we’ve reached out and are working to get Pat re-signed,” Pagano said during the National Football Scouting Combine. “We saw what he did for us last year. He’s a great weapon, not only kickoffs and touchbacks. -
Colts GM enjoying time at combine
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson makes no bones about it. He enjoys watching prospective football players strut their stuff.
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Colts keeping eye on large crop of talented linemen in NFL Draft
According to most National Football League draft observers, this year’s crop of prospects is deep with quality offensive and defensive linemen.
Among the offensive line candidates who have been showcasing their talents at the National Football Scouting Combine, which began in earnest Thursday and wraps up on Tuesday, the spotlight has been on the offensive tackles. Offensive left tackles in particular. -
Colts' Pagano back to full work schedule at combine
Back and ready to go.
That’s the attitude Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano is taking during the National Football Scouting Combine, which completed its second day of operations Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. During a wide-ranging press conference at the combine, Pagano confirmed that he is back to a full work regimen after missing 12 games last fall as he battled a rare form of leukemia.
After undergoing cancer treatments that featured heavy doses of chemotherapy, the second-year head coach was able to return to the sidelines for Indianapolis’ final regular-season home game against Houston and for the team’s AFC wild-card matchup with eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore. -
Colts looking forward to different approach to draft in 2013
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts had the first overall pick in the 2012 National Football League draft.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Colts would select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the selection. While Indianapolis front office and player personnel officials certainly had to do their due diligence in preparing for the draft, the Colts find themselves this year in a bit different situation.
The team will have the 24th overall pick in the first round, which is a double-edged sword. Indianapolis picks lower in the round due to a successful season. But the pool of available can’t-miss talent isn’t quite as plentiful as drafting earlier in the round. -
Former Pro Bowl selection Freeney won't return to Colts
The news coming out of the Indianapolis Colts headquarters Friday afternoon was not totally unexpected. Team officials have confirmed that two veteran players – former Pro Bowl defensive end/outside linebacker Dwight Freeney and wide receiver Austin Collie — will not be returning for the 2013 season.
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Colts’ new offensive coordinator will offer variety
Quarterback Andrew Luck running the Pistol offense? Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton lining up in the Wildcat?
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Colts moving on to the off season
Moving on. That’s the immediate plans for the Indianapolis Colts as they head into the off season.
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Baltimore ends Indy’s playoff run early
The Baltimore Ravens want one long final ride for Ray Lewis. Having disposed of Andrew Luck and the Colts, they now face a more imposing challenge.
Next up, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. -
Switching sides: Colts-Ravens matchup includes old friends on new teams
Just as Baltimore Ravens players and coaches will be seeing some old friends returning to M&T Bank Stadium today, several Indianapolis Colts veterans will also have an opportunity to renew acquaintances with a familiar face.
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Pagano prepares Colts for tough crowd in Baltimore
As a former resident of Baltimore, Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows all about the hard feelings that still run strong about the move of the Colts franchise to Indianapolis in 1984.
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Pagano marvels at Colt’s progress
In the minutes after last Sunday’s win over AFC South champion Houston, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano marveled at how the 2012 season has progressed for his team.
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