To kick off our look at free agency, let's start with Ryan Lilja and Jake Scott — both of the Colts' starting guards, who also happen to be unrestricted free agents.
Ryan Lilja
2007 stats: 16 games, 16 starts, 3-25 penalties (two holds, one false start), 3-26.5 sacks allowed
Combine numbers: 6024/297/5.23 in 2004
Who's he: After receiving no major-college offers, Kansas City native Lilja played two seasons at nearby Coffeyville Community College, before transferring to Kansas State. He eventually took a starting guard job with the Wildcats and showed good athleticism, but went undrafted in 2004. Lilja entertained a number of offers as an undrafted free agent, and signed with his hometown Chiefs. His play in training camp and the preseason were much better than expected, but he was released in the final cut. The Chiefs attempted to sign him to their practice squad, but the Colts signed him before they could. (1) Since then, he has started 43 of 50 games with the Colts (missing 14 to injury) at guard and center. In that time, he has allowed seven sacks and been flagged five times.
As a player: As you'd expect of a Colts lineman, Lilja is a better pass blocker than run blocker. he has very good footwork and hand usage, and generally compensates for a lack of bulk with superior technique. Not really a mauler, Lilja is at his best on the move and can be devastating when he gets to the second level. While considered an aware player, Lilja can have trouble picking up blitzes, especially against 3-4 defenses. He can play center, but is much better at guard.
Jake Scott
2007 stats: 16 games, 16 starts, 5-30 penalties (one hold, four false starts), 4.5-24.5 sacks allowed
Combine numbers: 6047/281/5.09 in 2004
Who's he: A former walk-on at Idaho, Scott earned a spot at center before switching to right tackle in the Vandals' high-powered offense. An Idaho native, Scott earned a civil engineering degree his senior season. The Colts raised some eyebrows in the 2004 draft by selecting him in the fifth round. Although many teams considered him a smart, athletic and technically sound lineman, his lack of bulk (he looks more like an NBA player than an NFL lineman) scared most of them off. Scott has since started 57 of 60 games played for the Colts (four missed to injury in his rookie season) at both guard positions and at right tackle. In his career, he has allowed 10.5 sacks and been flagged 19 times.
As a player: Despite his thin frame, Scott is very strong and can win his share of battles at the line of scrimmage. His hand usage is very good, as is most of his technique, but his footwork is not special. A load on the move, Scott is better in the running game than in pass protection, in which some bull-rushers can bowl him over if they stay low and disturb his set. Like Lilja, he can be fooled by creative defenses, especially when facing odd-number fronts and zone blitzes. He plays passably well at right tackle and could probably fill in at center in a pinch, but is better off as a guard.
Analysis: The consensus opinion is that Lilja is a better player than Scott. While I agree, I'd have to say that the edge is not as great as some would have you believe. Keep in mind that Scott has had to play right tackle on occasion when you look at their stats. The Colts run about the same number of plays behind Scott as they do Lilja and gave both players $1.3 million tenders when they were restricted free agents last year.
There are a number of factors at play here as to whether the Colts will keep both, one or neither:
• Cap room. The Colts just signed Bob Sanders to a $37.5 million contract and made lesser deals with Tyjuan Hagler and Jim Sorgi. Now, the focus is on keeping Dallas Clark, who will command a huge contract and may well get a franchise tag. While the Colts are brilliant at restructuring, there's only so much they can do. If Lilja and/or Scott are to be signed, they'll have to fight for the scraps left over after Clark has his meal.
• The market. Guards are getting more attention and bigger contracts these days than they used to. And, more teams are appreciating smart, mobile blockers who can fit into a zone-blocking scheme — both Scott and Lilja fit the bill. Many teams with cap room are looking to build their lines and would well be interested in a solid starter with Super Bowl experience. The Chiefs — the same team who let him slip through the cracks in 2004 — were said to have made some overtures to Lilja last season, but didn't want to give up a draft pick. You can be sure they will try again this year. Teams like Atlanta, Houston, Tennessee and Denver are also likely to target at least one of the Colts guards. The market, however, many not be as active as their agents will claim. Colt offensive linemen (like Rick DeMulling and Tupe Peko) have been busts after they left the team, and many scouts believe that the team's system, coaching and offensive firepower make linemen look much better than they actually are.
• Being a Colt. Both players have strong ties to Indy and are virtually guaranteed a playoff spots for years if they stay. They get to play with greats like Peyton Manning and stay part of a team that took a chance on them when they were considered fringe prospects at best. The flip side of that is that credit for their play will often go to Manning's quick release, Howard Mudd's coaching or Tom Moore's game-planning.
• Depth. Right now, the Colts have only one veteran option, Dylan Gandy, at guard after the starters (2). Not only is Gandy a cut below Lilja and Scott in ability, but he's also a restricted free agent. The Colts have to start someone at guard, and would prefer to maintain continuity. A rookie is an option, but without a first-round pick and with second-year man Tony Ugoh at left tackle and injury-prone Ryan Diem at right tackle, that could be dangerous. The Colts don't place a premium on the guard position, but the prospect of having them both leave could change that.
In the end, I think the Colts will try to find a way to keep one of last year's starters and pair him with Gandy in training camp. Which one will be determined by the open market. Lilja probably has the upper hand because he's better known. Whoever stays will almost certainly be joined by a draft pick who'll push for a starting spot as a rookie or soph. Look for any veteran they keep to sign a backloaded deal with a small signing bonus and big roster bonuses, so the team can cut him later on without too much of a cap hit. Should they both leave, look for the team to try to unearth another gem, as they did with Scott, Lilja, starting center Jeff Saturday and many others.
Notes:
1. NFL teams can sign players from other teams' practice squads only if they assign the player to the active roster. The Colts did that with Lilja.
2. They also have prospects Mike Elgin, Tala Esera and Patrick Ross.
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