Friday, February 27, 2009

Free agency update

What happened: Jeff Saturday re-signed for three years
What it means: Peyton Manning breathes easier. Saturday may not be the biggest and strongest center in the league, but he is the smartest and may also be the toughest. Having him anchor the middle of their line allows the Colts to pick and choose between Ryan Lilja, Mike Pollak, Jamey Richard, Steve Justice and Charlie Johnson for the two starting guard spots. Lilja — who missed all of 2008 and is due $4.35 million in 2009 — could be a cap cut, while Johnson and perhaps Richard could move outside to tackle.

What happened: Colts decide against offering a tender to restricted free agent Freddie Keiaho
What it means: Look's like Keiaho is leaving a year before most of us expected. The most likely scenario has last year’s Sam Clint Session moving into Keiaho’s Will spot, with 2008 third-round pick Phillip Wheeler taking over on the strongside. But don’t count out 2008 undrafted rookie Jordan Senn taking over the weakside job, and Session staying put. Senn doesn’t have Wheeler’s physical gifts, but he clearly outplayed him as a rookie. The Colts will draft an outside linebacker prospect in the third, fourth or fifth round (like they always do). Keiaho could also be back at less than the tender if he doesn’t get a better offer elsewhere. And it’s not out of the realm of possibility that former Colts’ star Cato June — who was recently released by the Bucs — could be re-signed as a stopgap measure.

What happened: Colts offer tenders to exclusive-rights free agents Daniel Muir, Lance Ball, Dan Federkeil and Buster Davis.
What it means: These guys come back and compete for jobs. Muir has been injury-prone, but has some potential as a two-down defensive tackle. Ball was a pleasant surprise last season, showing he could carry the ball with authority and break tackles. He’s no threat to take over a starting position, but is a nice guy to have as part of the committee. Federkeil offers depth at right tackle and both guards spots, but has limited upside. I don't know why Davis is back. He was not very good when he played 2008, but I guess the Colts see something in him I don't.

Other free agents:

UFA S Matt Giordano: No news, unlikely to be back

UFA OLB Tyjuan Hagler: Indy Star says no contract offer from Colts.

UFA CB Keiwan Ratliff: No news, likely to be back after surprisingly effective 2008 season.

UFA DT Darrell Reid: No news, may be back because of his special-teams prowess.

UFA RB Dominic Rhodes: His agent says the Colts will not offer him a contract.

UFA P Hunter Smith: His agent says the Colts will not offer him a contract.

UFA DE Josh Thomas: His agent says he will test the market.

Depth chart

QB 18 Peyton Manning, 12 Jim Sorgi
RB 29 Joseph Addai, 32 Mike Hart, 35 Chad Simpson, 27 Lance Ball, 30 Clifton Dawson
FL 87 Reggie Wayne, 85 Pierre Garcon, 14 Samuel Giguere
SE 11 Anthony Gonzalez, 83 Roy Hall, 6 Taj Smith
TE 44 Dallas Clark, 84 Jacob Tamme, 80 Jamie Petrowski
H-B 47 Gijon Robinson, 86 Tom Santi
RT 71 Ryan Diem, 72 Corey Hilliard
RG Mike Pollak, 76 Dan Federkeil
C 61 Jamey Richard, 53 Steve Justice
LG 65 Ryan Lilja, 74 Charlie Johnson
LT 67 Tony Ugoh, 75 Michael Toudouze
RDE 93 Dwight Freeney, 92 Marcus Howard, 94 Curtis Johnson
RDT 99 Antonio Johnson, 90 Daniel Muir
LDT 96 Keyunta Dawson, 68 Eric Foster
LDE 79 Raheem Brock, 98 Robert Mathis
RLB 51 Jordan Senn, 59 Rufus Alexander
MLB 58 Gary Brackett, 52 Buster Davis, Mike Okwo
LLB 55 Clint Session, 50 Philip Wheeler
RCB 28 Marlin Jackson, 23 Tim Jennings, 25 Michael Coe, 34 TJ Rushing, 39 Brandon Foster
LCB 27 Kelvin Hayden, 20 Dante Hughes, 42 Nick Graham, 36 Brandon Sumrall
SS 21 Bob Sanders, 40 Jamie Silva, 37 Brannon Condren
FS 41 Antoine Bethea, 33 Melvin Bullitt, Travis Keys
K 4 Adam Vinatieri
P Mike Dragosavich
LS 48 Justin Snow

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