Late note: MrCrayz points out that the Colts did tender Charlie and Mookie. Changes have been made.
We all know that the tenders teams were giving out before the lockout were useless. No realistic CBA – or even post-union free-for-all – would allow them to stand up. Useless, yes; but meaningless, no. Below is a list of the players the Colts have offered tenders, applied a franchise tag or at least sat down and talked contract with.
29 Joseph Addai HB
Why?: He’s been the Colts’ starting halfback for a few seasons now, and would be a bargain if he could be re-signed at the rate he was tendered. Chance he’ll be back? Okay. They’d like him to come back, but if there’s a bidding war, consider the Colts out of it.
33 Melvin Bullitt S
Why?: He’s a decent safety who’s started 24 games for the Colts after the last three seasons and looked pretty good. Chance he’ll be back? Good, Bullitt’s a good but not great player who would be a good short-term starter or swing back up. Those guys are handy to have but rarely get offered big contracts, especially at his position.
68 Eric Foster DE
Why?: Out of necessity. Thrown into Raheem Brock’s old position Foster did not play well in 2010, but he has some potential and defensive ends with any talent are rare and expensive. Chance he’ll be back? Good, I can’t see any other team would make much of an effort to lure his from the Colts.
99 Antonio Johnson DT
Why?: Of all the Colts defensive tackles, he was the best one not named Fili Moala. I didn’t say he was good, just better than the others. Chance he’ll be back? Good. He’s not likely to be overrun by offers and the Colts know he can help out.
74 Charlie Johnson T
Why?: Okay, he’s not exactly Joe Thomas as a left tackle, but he’s much better than the alternative (and the best right tackle on the roster as well). Besides, the Colts owe him for forcing him to play out of position and for peanuts all these years. Chance he’ll be back? Good. even if they solve the left tackle problem, they need a right tackle, and if they solve both, they need a guard.
18 Peyton Manning QB
Why?: He’s still the best quarterback in the NFL. Chance he’ll be back? Excellent. It should have been a slam dunk, but unnecessary nastiness is emerging even though neither side can negotiate.
90 Daniel Muir DT
Why?: Defensive tackles are rare and Muir’s not as bad as his 2010 season would make it appear. Chance he’ll be back? Good. Muir might not make the opening day roster, but I’d bet that he’ll be invited to give it a try.
55 Clint Session LB
Why?: He’s a pretty good outside linebacker, capable of the occasional big play. Chance he’ll be back? Okay. The Colts tend to give up on linebackers who become free agents,a nd they have two youngsters – Kavell Connor and Pat Angerer – who could be just as productive outside, although Angerer’s future is inside.
4 Adam Vinatieri K
Why?: He might be almost 39, he’s still very accurate from within the 50. Chance he’ll be back? Good, I doubt anyone else would bid for him.
And below is a list of free agents the Colts have not made any offseason overtures to.
23 Al Afalava S
Why not?: One of the many safeties signed after a ridiculous number of injuries made the Colts desperate. He didn’t do much and could not beat out Aaron Frickin’ Francisco. Chance he’ll be back? Doubtful.
96 Keyunta Dawson DE
Why not?: Foster did poorly in 2010, but Dawson was much worse. Chance he’ll be back? Maybe.
66 Kyle DeVan G
Why not?: Although he had a surprisingly competent rookie season, he regressed in his second year. Chance he’ll be back? Good. It’s unlikely any other team would bid on him, and the Colts like him as a low-cost swing reserve.
43 Aaron Francisco S
Why not?: He’s awful. Chance he’ll be back? I desperately hope not.
56 Tyjuan Hagler LB
Why not?: He’s slow, he’s always hurt, but he’s a pretty good player when it counts. Chance he’ll be back? Kinda good, actually. He always seems to be.
35 Ken Hamlin S
Why not?: One of the many safeties signed after a ridiculous number of injuries made the Colts desperate. He didn’t do much and could not beat out Aaron Frickin’ Francisco. Chance he’ll be back? Not really.
30 Dominic Rhodes HB
Why not?: He’s a million years old in halfback years and was never any great shakes when he was young. Chance he’ll be back? Slim. I was shocked he came back last season.
32 Mike Hart HB
Why not?: I know he has tons of fans, but slow, fragile and unable to pick up the blitz is no way to go through life, son. Chance he’ll be back? Not good. I have a feeling the Colts would like to get younger and more talented at this spot, and Javarris James seems to have taken his place.
37 Mike Richardson CB
Why not?: I’m sorry, who’s he again? Chance he’ll be back? Slim.
47 Gijon Robinson TE
Why not?: He doesn’t do anything exceedingly well and his job has been taken by by Brody Eldridge. Chance he’ll be back?
40 Jamie Silva S
Why not?: I’m not sure. Silva’s a pretty good player despite having subpar speed. Chance he’ll be back? Pretty good.
75 Michael Toudouze T
Why not?: He’s not very good. Chance he’ll be back? Hard to say, really. They seem to cut and re-sign him with stunning regularity.
If you add the guys they have asked to stay to those already signed, the depth chart takes on a different look:
QB 18 Peyton Manning, 7 Curtis Painter
RB 29 Joseph Addai, 31 Donald Brown, 42 Javarris James, 45 Devin Moore
FL 85 Pierre Garcon, 17 Austin Collie, 15 Blair White, 12 Chris Brooks
SE 87 Reggie Wayne, 11 Anthony Gonzalez, 10 Taj Smith, 13 Kole Heckendorf
TE 44 Dallas Clark, 84 Jacob Tamme
H-B 81 Brody Eldridge, 86 Rob Myers
RT 71 Ryan Diem, 60 James Williams
RG 78 Mike Pollak, 73 Jaimie Thomas
C 63 Jeff Saturday, 65 Jacques McClendon
LG 61 Jamey Richard, 77 Casey Bender
LT 74 Charlie Johnson, 72 Jeff Linkenbach, 76 Joe Reitz
RDE 93 Dwight Freeney, 92 Jerry Hughes
RDT 99 Antonio Johnson, 90 Daniel Muir
LDT 95 Fili Moala, 91 Ricardo Mathews, 69 DeMario Pressley
LDE 98 Robert Mathis, 68 Eric Foster, 97 John Chick
RLB 53 Kavell Conner, 54 Nate Triplett
MLB 58 Gary Brackett, 51 Pat Angerer, 52 Cody Glenn
LLB 55 Clint Session, 50 Philip Wheeler
RCB 25 Jerraud Powers, 27 Jacob Lacey, 39 Cornelius Brown, 36 Jordan Hemby
LCB 26 Kelvin Hayden, 20 Justin Tryon, 22 Kevin Thomas, 43 Terrence Johnson
SS 33 Melvin Bullitt, 38 Mike Newton, 30 David Caldwell
FS 41 Antoine Bethea, 49 Chip Vaughn, 37 Brandon King
K 4 Adam Vinatieri, 2 Brett Swenson
P 1 Pat McAfee
LS 48 Justin Snow
1 comment:
CBS Rapid Reports said that Charlie Johnson was tendered an offer and ProfootballWeekly said that Antonio was as well (I hope).
Like you said, it probably doesn't mean much since they likely won't hold, but it means they'll have 'em if they can.
CBS Rapid report: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/rapid-reports/post/14784012
Profootball Weekly link:
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/03/11/colts-not-displeased-with-play-of-dts
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