Saturday's Importantce

by AussieColtsFan on Nov 30, 2008 7:27 PM EST Comment 18 comments

Jeff Saturday is obviously one of the most important components of the Colts offense. In his absence the Colts have struggled (see weeks 1, 2 and 13). At the end of this season his contract expires and it will be interesting to see what Bill Polian does. Do you resign him, franchise him or let him walk? I know we drafted three centres last April and even though all three are improving they are no where near Saturday's level (very few centres in the NFL are).

In recent years the Colts have resigned players who they believe are extremely important to the success of the franchise (Bob Sanders, Dwight Freeney, Reggie Wayne, etc). Do the Colts deem Saturday to be just as vital and either resign him or franchise him, or do they let him walk because they are worried about his age and health, and believe that they have three players capable of filling the void he leaves?

Poll

Should the Colts resign, franchise or release Jeff Saturday during the offseason?

Resign him, he's vital to the Colts success

42 votes

Franchise him, he's only got a few good years left

16 votes

Release him, we've got enough depth on the OL

6 votes

64 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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I just don't see how resigning him will work

Obviously it is the best option, but how many more years does he have left? Isn’t he in his 30’s? I could see Polian putting up and offer for him, but I find it hard to believe it would be for as long or as much as Saturday would be looking for. But heck, what the hell do I know about this crap?

I figure he’ll at least get franchised to give the young’uns some time to learn from a master.

by yellowsnow on Nov 30, 2008 7:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't think franchising him is an option

they don’t separate O linemen for the tag so it would cost 7-8 million

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Big Ten's leading Rusher, Leads FBS
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Nov 30, 2008 7:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sign him for 3 years

That’ll be enough time for him to retire at the end of his contract and give Jamey Richard enough time to learn to be a leader of the line.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Nov 30, 2008 8:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

He's 33

We should be able to come to some sort of 2-3 year deal, surely.

by eltharion_doa on Nov 30, 2008 8:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Re-sign the best center in the league

I m not sure how is this even a question!?! Saturday is the most important Cog in the Colts offense after Manning. He is the leader, mentor, and the most consistent O-lineman on the team. When he is playing, the line does those ‘little things’ that Dungy talks about all the time. Chemistry with Peyton is also irreplaceble. I don’t think Jamey, Steve, or Pollak can replace him (if at all) for at least a couple of years. Just pay the man so we can get to another one or two SB before age catches up with Manning.

by DaColtsFan on Nov 30, 2008 10:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Saturday is vital to the Colt’s success. The line and the offense as a whole are obviously better when he is on the field. While Richard has done an adequate job standing in for him, he is far from as good as Saturday and one year is not going to change that. Surely we can lock him down for another 2 or 3 years. What other big names contracts are up after this year?

by Jake18 on Nov 30, 2008 11:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Colts with expiring contracts (age at the start of next season) 2008 cap $

Jeff Saturday (34) 5.2million
Kelvin Hayden (26) 802k
Tyjuan Hagler (27) 1.4mil
Dominic Rhodes (30) 645k
Keiwan Ratliff (28) 605k
Josh Thomas (28) 1.0mil
Matt Giordano (26) 927k
Darrell Reid (27) 927k

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Big Ten's leading Rusher, Leads FBS
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Nov 30, 2008 11:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and they don't have to take 6 million against the cap for Corey Simon again next year

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Big Ten's leading Rusher, Leads FBS
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Nov 30, 2008 11:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It seems to me

That only Saturday and Hayden are must-signs. Of course we should probably also sign Hagler, Rhodes and Ratliff, while I’m a bit indifferent about the rest of the guys..

by jocre on Dec 1, 2008 4:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

with Saturday and Hayden as must signs. With Ratliff I think alot depends on how well Jackson recovers from his knee injury. If Rhodes is smart he should resign after what happened in Oakland. Hagler couldn’t have chosen a worse year to get injured, as he’s been unable to build any possible free-agent value, and therefore might be less willing to test FA. I think Thomas is replacable. Reid and Giordano are great special teams players, who I’d like to resign if the price is right.

by AussieColtsFan on Dec 1, 2008 5:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Personally, I think the Colts need to resign all of them except Josh Thomas (for obvious reasons).

Saturday is arguably the best center in the league.
Hayden is the best corner on the team (I consider him and Jackson 1a. and 1b.)
Hagler has a lot of potential and brings depth.
Dom needs to stay for at least one more year with Hart recovering from that ACL tear.
Ratliff brings depth to the corner position and is going to get better with the experience he is getting this season.
Giordano and Reid are the two best, and two of the best special teams players in the league, IMO.

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Dec 2, 2008 8:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I meant to say the two best on the team and two of the best in the league.

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Dec 2, 2008 8:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

with Saturday and Hayden. Potential is a dangerous word, but I’d like to see Hagler back as well as well as Dom, Giordano and Reid IF it’s not to costly. I emphasis the if because although they are important they are still replacable. But I totally agree with Giordano and Reid as top special teams players in the league.

It's a bird, it's a plane... no it's Supermathis!!!

by AussieColtsFan on Dec 2, 2008 8:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think they do

I’m reasonably certain he’s off after this year.

by Jay Cutler's Barber on Dec 1, 2008 11:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d like to see the Colts resign everyone except Josh Thomas. That’d be nice.

The King of Anti-Fail and Unofficial Moderator of Stupid People

by KingRichard on Dec 1, 2008 6:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You said it the best.

Reid and Giordano could and should be resigned if the price is right.

Josh Thomas should’ve been let go last offseason, instead the Colts signed him for yet another year. Why?? He is supposed to be the best run-DE we have, yet both Freeney and Mathis do at least as good a Job in Run-coverage. Thomas needs to go..

by jocre on Dec 1, 2008 5:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Definitely.

I like the idea of playing a good run stopping DE on running downs to keep Freeney and fresh, however your right Thomas is not much of (if at all) an upgrade as a run stopper.

It's a bird, it's a plane... no it's Supermathis!!!

by AussieColtsFan on Dec 1, 2008 6:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Lilja?

I’ve been wondering lately about who will replace Saturday if he retires or leaves. I know the popular sentiment is that Pollak was drafted for that very reason, but I’m starting to wonder if the plan is to have Lilja take over at center. The Colts never pay guards, yet they gave Lilja an awfully nice deal. He’s very smart, knows the line calls, and is fairly seasoned, yet has many good years ahead of him. I would bet that if Lilja were healthy this year, he would be sliding over to cover for Saturday instead of Richards, which begs the question of whether he will be sliding over permanently if Saturday is done after this year. My guess is Lilja at center would be the best option (other than Jeff), but maybe they just think he is that badass of a guard and will just keep him there.

The Shogun of Harlem

by shonuff on Dec 1, 2008 10:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs