Let the postseason begin!

Like many Colts fans, once Peyton Manning's 4th-and-5 pass to Dallas Clark went incomplete, I began thinking about the 2008 season (1).

Well, actually the offseason. The Colts fielded a very good team in 2007 —one that could have seriously scared the Patriots had it not had to put up with debilitating injuries to Dwight Freeney, Marvin Harrison, Booger McFarland and Rob Morris (2) along with the sudden retirement of stalwart left tackle Tarik Glenn. But the 2007 Colts fell short, and may need more than a little realignment to contend for the top spot again.

This blog will examine the team's various personnel issues and moves in the offseason, starting immediately with free agency. Here's what I have for the Colts' pending free agents as of Jan. 22, 2008 (3):

Unrestricted free agents:
Rocky Boiman OLB
Dallas Clark TE (4)
Ryan Lilja G
Dan Klecko DT
Aaron Moorehead WR
Mike Seidman TE
Jake Scott G/T
Josh Thomas DE

Restricted free agents:
Bryan Fletcher TE
Dylan Gandy G
Matt Giordano S
Darrell Reid DT
Ben Utecht TE

If anyone out there knows of any others, please leave a comment. Many thanks to the great Gino for helping me get it straight.

Notes:
1. I think it's great that the NFL calls it the 2008 season, even though it slops over well into 2009. I never liked how hockey and basketball both have 2008/2009 seasons. That's the NFL for you: Decisive.
2. Do not get on me for including Rob Morris amongst those luminaries. His 2006 season at OLB was better than many believe (and even the naysayers admit he did well), and his absence on special-teams coverage units led to disaster. His play in 2006 was a big part of the Super Bowl XLI run. Not convinced? Learn more about Morris in a later Coltplay post.
3. Don't bother me with exclusive-rights free agents. These guys must sign with the Colts (if the team wants them) or leave the NFL. Do you really think any of these guys wants to go to the CFL — or a higher-paying job at Blockbuster?
4. Has anyone ever seen a tight end play less tight end than Clark? He splits wide, goes into H-back motion, plays slot and lines up at fullback far more often than he spends his pre-snap time next to a tackle. Not saying it's a bad thing, just feel funny calling him a tight end.