Catching up

Sorry about the time off, busy with books and publication bans and all kinds of other mishegoss.

First on the agenda has got to be reports that the Colts are actively seeking to sign a pair of defensive backs -- Cary Williams and Ed Reed -- from the Ravens. The reports seem less backed in fact than they do from speculation based on the facts that the Colts need defensive backs and that Colts head coach Chuck Pagano  is familiar with both players as a former defensive coordinator of the Ravens. Add to taht the fact that the Ravens are cap-strapped after having made Joe Flacco the highest-paid player in NFL history, and it makes great sense.

I like Williams, but I think his price tag will be inflated after his great performances in the playoffs and Super Bowl. He'll command a long-term, top-dollar contract, and I'm not 100 percent sure he's worth it. His presence would no doubt improve the secondary, but I'd balk if he's expecting franchise-tag numbers. I'm even less sure about Reed. Although his leadership qualities and experience are undeniable, I'm pretty sure I saw him begin to decline last season. If they do sign him, and they could well, the shorter the contract (and the less guaranteed money) the better.

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As far as keeping their own free agents is concerned, the media consensus is that the Colts are concentrating on cornerback Jerraud Powers first, defensive lineman Fili Moala second and corner Darius Butler third. That kind of makes sense since Powers has No. 1 potential when he's healthy, Moala fits the system well and was very promising before he went down last season and Butler player like an all-star last season (but only after years of being beaten while playing for other teams).

Of course, that came after the team placed a franchise tag on Pat McAfee. Both sides have said they they want to work out an equitable long-term deal, and they probably will. I can't say often enough how imporatnt McAfee is to the team, and it would be a horrible mistake to let him go.

So where does that leave the rest of the Colts free agents? Outside looking in.

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Everyone's talking about the Mike Chappell Jim Irsay interview. The big revelations about Bill Polian being open to trading Peyton Manning in 2004 and about how the 2012 draft would have unfolded if the Colts did not have the first pick certainly are interesting, but, since they are both based on what-if scenarios, not taht important in any real sense.