Did the Colts overpay for Gary Brackett, or is Gary worth the coin?
by BigBlueShoe on Mar 5, 2010 11:23 AM EST
in Colts Analysis
70 comments
Simple question: Is Gary Brackett, 29-years-old, worth $12 million in guaranteed coin as part of a 5 year, $33 million dollar deal? This deal puts him in Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher territory. Now, for some, Gary is nothing more than a decent coverage backer. I disagree. We all remember what the Colts defense was before Gary secured the starting MIKE spot back in 2005.
Since then, the Colts defense has taken this franchise to another level. Gary, for me, is a big reason why.
So, your opinions? Did Gary deserve this money? Please vote and discuss.
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Not in Urlacher/Lewis range
Final numbers are not in, but this deal pays an average of less than $7 million a year. Both Lewis and Urlacher are up closer to $8 million.
Brackett is significantly cheaper, and may be even cheaper still once the final two or three years are inevitably voided.
18to88.com
Good point.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In an exothermic reaction, heat is a product.
Thank you, Chem 116, for teaching me stuff I already learned in high school chemistry. I always enjoy having my time wasted.
Longer deal than I expected, but there won't be much guranateed on the back end,
so they can probably cut ties pretty painlessly if he declines in 2-3 years.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
true and the length is what i was worried about but like you said since it is probably front loaded it won't hurt to cut him with two years left or when we get a replacement
Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD
by TheAngelsColts on Mar 5, 2010 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
completely agree with Shake and DZ
It’s not quite top-end money and either way, it won’t matter in the long run. No way does that contract stay as is for 5 years.
maybe slightly above what I’d prefer, but it’s a 100% worthwhile contract
"If you don't [draft me], I promise you I'll come back and kick your ass for the next 15 years."
Without a cap
This means that he can be cut much easier if he starts to regress, right? I’m of the opinion that we will not see the cap come back.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
if the cap doesn't come back
then they don’t have to worry about the pro-rated remaining portion of the signing bonus going against the cap if they cut him.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Mar 5, 2010 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
also if the cap doesn't come back we don't have a season next year.
Co-Leader of yearly 7 round live mock draft at MtD
by TheAngelsColts on Mar 5, 2010 11:49 AM EST up reply actions
I don't mean we won't have a CBA
Just not a cap in the way it was done before.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
False.
We can have a new CBA without a cap.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In an exothermic reaction, heat is a product.
Thank you, Chem 116, for teaching me stuff I already learned in high school chemistry. I always enjoy having my time wasted.
I don't watch the Office.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In an exothermic reaction, heat is a product.
Thank you, Chem 116, for teaching me stuff I already learned in high school chemistry. I always enjoy having my time wasted.
Neither do I , I just don't get the humor.
I miss Friends and Everybody Loves Raymond.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
ELR is one of my favorites
Ray Romano is genius!
"Fans are the only ones who really care. There are no free-agent fans." - Dick Young
Movie Quote of the Week: "I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this."
Exactly
That would make cutting him easier to deal with.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
Don't like the
precedent this might set when it comes time to signing the best LB on the team. As long as we are able to keep Session in the long run, I’m OK with this deal. i still think its too much/too long, but when your owner comes out and says we’re gonna make every player on the team the highest paid player in the league, its kinda hard to fault the player getting that kinda contract.
The story of me
(Warning, perhaps NSFW audio, unless you work in a pharmacy(No Cussing, just a description of me that you may not want your boss to hear))
I believe that you get what you pay for.
He’s been rewarded for his good play so this should motivate him even more. Plus not only is he good LB but he’s a good leader, much like a Ray Lewis for our D.
by HappyLittleTreez on Mar 5, 2010 11:31 AM EST reply actions
We have to wait and see how he plays with that contract behind him
I believe Brackett is the kind of dude that will fight to earn that money. Hope I’m right, since Hayden also ot big numbers and hasn’t been up to it.
(formerly known as piojocuau)
"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady
Stewie: "Lois, Lois, Mom, mom, mommy, mommy, momma, momma, ma, ma, mom, mom, mom."
Louis Griffin- "What!!!!!!!!!"
Stewie:- "Hi" (runs off, LOL)
Brackett's signing bonus is bigger than his whole last contract
now that’s a pay bump
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
Wow.
"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: In an exothermic reaction, heat is a product.
Thank you, Chem 116, for teaching me stuff I already learned in high school chemistry. I always enjoy having my time wasted.
Gary
I like him on this team. he must have big tackles in front of him to be able to function at a high level. Last year is a perfect example!! Colts finally got someone , Coyer, who could figure it out. Many on this board said it for a long ttime. GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gary is a great MLB for ths team. He has the expierience, the tools, the leadership and a new contract! The mlb position couldve been a serious problem for a few years. BPolian wasn’t going to allow that to happen. I think the contract is a fair value.
18>12
by metallicolts on Mar 5, 2010 11:56 AM EST via mobile reply actions
If he starts to decline in 2-3 years
and there is the future MLB behind, the Colts can cut him and won’t suffer a serious cap hit.
guaranteed moneys is fine
but 6.5 mill a season still seems a bit high .. though his worth is not just in his play but in his leadership, and that is hard to quantify. Without a cap next year, it is easier to swallow. I hope the deal is loaded large at the beginning.
An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing...
Fair deal
Brackett is not “a stud”, but he’s an important part of our defense, since we have no back up and we don’t want to throw a rookie in there responsible for calling the plays.
With a hopefully front loaded contract, it doesn’t hurt us in the long run and it gives us tiem to groom a younger MLB.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi
I preger the term "cog" to "stud"
What he does in the middle of our defense is absolutely essential. I usually link the term “stud” to size.
Bob Sanders is starting to make me rethink my SBNation ID!
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on Mar 5, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Depends how the bonuses and everything shake out, obviously
I’m OK with him getting a big chunk of money in this uncapped year as a reward for being underpaid and, after that, his pay will probably tail off and if he’s not performing, he’ll likely be cuttable.
He’s probably fractionally overpaid in a vacuum, but this isn’t a terrible contract by any means and he’s an underrated player.
It ain't my money
Pay him whatever it takes to keep him for this season, no salary cap to worry about. All that matters is next season.
But he deserves the coin, for what it’s worth. When you play out of your mind in huge games, you deserve the money.
A little much...
Not as bad as some reports I had heard in the $8 million range. I was still expecting something closer to $4-5 million / year which seemed fair to me. No knock on Gary, who is a great player in this system, but I would say we overpaid by about 30%.
Technically they're all overpaid, compared to the average person.
BUT- I think he’s worth it in the crazy world that is the NFL.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
Thanks for the reality check.
Speaking of check… today is pay day, and i’m already broke. ;)
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
I'm always broke, I'm an underpaid housewife! LOL
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
You, dear lady, should get paid for the graphics you do
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
Thanks,
I do in a way, It’s very satisifing. When people like my Colts stuff, I feel like I’m appreciated. Which is priceless.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
I'm glad
I’ve done enough messing with PShop to recognize good work when i see it. Keep creating those Colts graphics, girl!
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
Overpaid
I really like Brackett, but I think the tag is a little steep here. While he’s an excellent player in the system the Colts run, I’m not so sure he’d be as sucessful elsewhere. Would another team have paid that much for him? Rewarding a player for past service and continued sucess is one thing, but setting a bad precident with a system player is another.
aw HELL no!
I think another team would have paid more than that...
Bob Sanders is starting to make me rethink my SBNation ID!
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on Mar 5, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
I disagree.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi
It's just been tweeted that the Colts will be releasing backup QB Jim Sorgi today
I Bleed Blue! Go Colts!
by Mr. Indianapolis Colts on Mar 5, 2010 2:58 PM EST reply actions
Wonder if that mean we'll be looking for another one via FA
As much as I want Painter to succeed, I still won’t feel comfortable with him at #2 on the depth chart.
I Bleed Blue! Go Colts!
by Mr. Indianapolis Colts on Mar 5, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
This...at least not yet!
Bob Sanders is starting to make me rethink my SBNation ID!
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on Mar 5, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
I know...He wasn't spectacular by any stretch
But he didn’t make many mistakes (when he played), and Peyton liked him. I wonder if there was more going on with his shoulder injury.
I Bleed Blue! Go Colts!
by Mr. Indianapolis Colts on Mar 5, 2010 3:08 PM EST up reply actions
Are you sure this is legit?
He knows all our secrets!
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
Annnnnd
he’s Peyton’s number 1 assistant. Who’s gonna watch all that film and know what to report?!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Mar 5, 2010 7:42 PM EST up reply actions
Agree, unless little P is ready is take over .
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.
Maybe.
I mean, I can’t imagine that they would cut Sorgi without getting Peyton’s input, right?
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Mar 5, 2010 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
you mean...
Mini P?
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
Gary is worth the coin...even if it is a bit high...
From everything Brackett clearly is not Ray Lewis, but is obviously a strong foundation to the defense with all of the other pieces that we have. I have no trouble with giving him a lot of compensation, but he will obviously be in the shadows compared to those in front of him. It is the role he plays for us in the immediate future and in the long run… no press, but solid as ever…
just to add to what has already been said
I too think Brackett’s new contract might be a bit high when taken at face value, but all things considered I think it’s a very good move. First off, he’s an essential part of our defense. The Colts’ team-building philosophy on defense the past decade has been to draft well and let the veterans go for the most part, spending all the big money on the offensive part of the ball. Keeping a veteran leader like Brackett makes the whole defense better and I don’t think the psychological value of the Colts’ front office’s change in philosophy should go unnoticed. Players on the Colts defense can now believe that there is a possibility of being offered a huge payday in Indianapolis…they’re not just playing to land a big contract elsewhere.
And considering how little we were paying Brackett over his previous contract (less than $3 million a year for 4 years if I recall correctly) I think we were severely underpaying him. This contract is as much about rewarding him and properly compensating for the past, as it is the future. That is another reason why I hope and believe the contract will be severely front-loaded. And while it might seem stupid to pay someone for what they’ve already done, again I think you have to take into account the effect this has on the whole team, the defense in particular. The Colts’ front office is sending a message to all of the younger players, that if you play well on your rookie/cheap contract and buy into the system, you will be rewarded. What kind of message would it send if the Colts would continue to dump their defensive players as soon as they’re due a good paycheck? Of course from a business sense it makes sense…but the players are human and have their own self-interests to worry about, not just “what’s best for the team.”
So yes, in a vacuum, Gary Brackett might not be worth this contract. But considering all of the other effects and implications, I think this was absolutely the right move to make.
He's worth it and I'm glad we have him.
Most important piece to our defense.
"Fans are the only ones who really care. There are no free-agent fans." - Dick Young
Movie Quote of the Week: "I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this."
It is but while Brock wasn't Freeney
he was still serviceable and Mathis was still there (this is with Freeney out). Without Brackett I find our defense is like swiss cheese.
"Fans are the only ones who really care. There are no free-agent fans." - Dick Young
Movie Quote of the Week: "I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this."
I didn't see anything serviceable in the 2nd half of that game we won't mention
That was a clinic. I’m not trying to downplay Brackett’s importance, but it’s always pathetic watching the D play w/out Freeney.
It's just as pathetic watching them without Brackett
That was just one game that they looked terrible. I’m not going to hold it against them for playing bad in one game because if I did Reggie Wayne should be traded/released because he played bad in the “game we won’t mention.”
"Fans are the only ones who really care. There are no free-agent fans." - Dick Young
Movie Quote of the Week: "I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this."
Oh, man
Do we now have two games which shall not be named? I always considered the OT loss to the Chargers as unmentionable.
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
I wasn't trying to go there
but I just think Brackett is the heart and soul of the defense. He’s not as talented as Freeney (who is the best player on the D) but he’s the leader and while I know it’s cheesy. I feel being the captain, having those leadership qualities, and being as talented as HE is that is he is the most integral part of our D. Just my opinion though – no one needs to agree with me.
But now knowing my opinion people might understand why I didn’t mind slightly overpaying to get him back.
"Fans are the only ones who really care. There are no free-agent fans." - Dick Young
Movie Quote of the Week: "I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this."
Understood, and agreed about Brackett's importance
When it comes to ‘unmentionable / unwatchable’ games (because they hurt too much), it occurs to me that we Colts fans don’t have near as many as other teams.
Most wins in a decade is pretty darned impressive. Maybe the few we lose hurt more, but it’s gotta be worse overall for.. say… Browns fans.
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
Is it really?
I’d love to hear a really big sample of fans talk about whether it hurts to always lose more OR to lose very little except for some important games.
3-13 for Peyton at first didn’t hurt much but I was REALLY young and didn’t know much about the game. Losing last month was like a knife through my chest.
"Fans are the only ones who really care. There are no free-agent fans." - Dick Young
Movie Quote of the Week: "I must be crazy to be in a loony bin like this."
Yeah, i'm not sure, to be honest
In another life, i was a Lions fan. While the individual loses didn’t hurt that much (it was pretty much expected), the absence of hope was downright debilitating.
At least Colts fans have hope.
Careful what you wish for... a government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take everything you have.
If Brackett
continues to play at the high level we are accustomed to than he is indeed worth the money. We could pay this much or even more for a elite mike like Urlacher or Ray Ray and and still not get the results on the field that we get from Brackett. So I say he’s worth it. For now.
No great loss with Sorgi. He’ll probably be back for less money anyway. I doubt any team looking for a competent backup would sign him. Polian will probably pick up another prospect (not Tebow) in the later rounds anyway.
I think we are being a bit hasty by discounting Painter as well. He was placed in a tough spot. My guess is Polian likes something he sees in this guy and he’ll be around
Unfinished business
"I wanted to stay here," Brackett said early Friday afternoon at the Colts’ training facility. "I really feel like we have some unfinished business. We went to the Super Bowl this year, and kind of didn’t get the job done. I feel like we were right there, and very competitive.
"It's the greatest job in the world until Peyton comes off the field and you think his thumb might be broken and there's three minutes left in the AFC Championship Game and you're down by three to New England and you haven't taken a snap all year. Yeah, it's a great job until that point." - Jim Sorgi
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