Colts Trying To Sign Eric Weddle; Kelvin Hayden Will Not Be Cut
by Brad Wells on Jul 27, 2011 8:50 AM EDT
in 2011 Colts News
Email
PrintOn a conference call to media yesterday (again, bloggers not welcome... we must smell or something), Colts general manager Chris Polian said that the current period of free agency was 'organized chaos.' On Twitter last night, owner Jim Irsay wrote:
Tough n difficult decisions 2 b made n Coltsland..over the cap n Vet.and Rook.players 2 try to sign,not an easy puzzle 2 solve,but we will
The news then surfaced, via Jason Cole at Yahoo! Sports, that the Colts were one of six teams trying to ink Chargers safety Eric Weddle. We also have a somewhat interesting report that Indy might try and land Donte Whitner.
If you were hoping (as I was) that the Colts would sign Quintin Mikell or Barry Cofield, sorry. Mikell signed with the Rams and Cofield the Redskins. But, if you are a Kelvin Hayden fan, you should feel good this morning.
My friend JMV of 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis tweeted me last night and said, according to his 'sources,' that Kelvin Hayden will not be cut. Knowing this, when you see or hear Jim Irsay and Chris Polian using the salary cap as an excuse for why they can't do what they want, feel free to laugh. Hayden is, arguably, the third best corner on this roster. He's injury prone and grossly overpaid. Cutting him could free up money for a true starter at another position who can, perhaps, play more than ten games a season.
Ryan Diem, on the other hand, is as good as retired.
Yes, it's unfortunate that the Colts did not make a run at someone like Cofield. We can juggle scenarios all we want, but the reality is that this team is not championship caliber if it is trying to sell us on the notion that a DT rotation of Daniel Muir, Fili Moala, and rookie Drake Nevis can stop the run. The Colts desperately need an upgrade at DT, and free agency is the only way to do it, aside from a major trade. Unless we see an upgrade, we can look forward to more loses like last years playoff game against the New York Jets.
Despite this, the news on the team trying to get Weddle is encouraging. The Colts, as currently constructed, are not a Super Bowl team. And if this team is not actively working to get to a Super Bowl, then perhaps that is why Peyton Manning hasn't signed the contract Jim Irsay so desperately wants him to.
72 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Hmmm
Weddle is pretty solid isn’t he? Man it would have been sweet to get Cofield.
Keeping Hayden is a little strange but...
If you look at our secondary as a whole Powers, Lacey,Thomas and Hayden are all injury prone. Beside Tryon everyone else is unproven.
by VERNON HOWELL on Jul 27, 2011 9:06 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
also...
Until we know what Mannings contract will be we can’t sign anyone. If he really wants 25 million a year you can say goodbye to Addai,Session, and both Johnsons.
by VERNON HOWELL on Jul 27, 2011 9:11 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
ridiculous to declare them injury-prone with such a short sample size for all but Hayden
Powers, Lacey, Hayden, and Tryon are all proven. I’ve never been happier with our CBs.
Can anyone name a group of Colt CBs that have ever been better than this?
Lets see, Eugene Daniel, and …….
Or Kelvin and Marlin and ….
Nope, i don’t think these cohorts were better.
Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy
Maybe all our corners wouldn’t be so damn injury prone if they didn’t have to come up and tackle runningbacks that break through our pathetic DL.
Also, why the hell didn’t the Colts knock out more of Hayden’s guaranteed money last year when there was no cap? Bad cap management for sure.
by FatDT on Jul 27, 2011 9:14 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
You know
I’ve read at least three articles now saying it makes sense for Indy to grab Weddle in which I do agree, that being said it won’t happen. When its popular belief that “x” player will join the Colts it almost never happens. Hayden is a solid contributor when healthy the problem is like most other DBs in recent Colts history he’s rarely healthy. I’m not entirely sure what our cap numbers are but I’m fairly certain we won’t be fitting another seven mil under it. Also, this whole contract situation with Manning has really bothered me. Don’t get me wrong he deserves every penny of whatever he gets, (assuming its not thirty mil a year) but after an entire off-season of “business” and the first thing I hear about the Colts when this labor dispute is finally over is Peyton Manning wants twenty-five mil a year… I don’t know more than likely just bad timing.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
I wouldn't blame Peyton
for holding off a bit. Why waste a few more years here when the same mistakes keep recurring around him? Will Indy special teams again be a joke this year? Will the Colts finally be able to stop the run? And, will they finally be able to give the QB more than two seconds protection? It would be understandable if these issues happened for a season, but they are a recurring theme year after year. That falls on management. Too bad Hayden is remaining. Bad decision in my view.
by Ayrshire on Jul 27, 2011 9:20 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Yeah
At least they’ve taken steps to upgrade the line whether or not that pans out has yet to be seen however its looking better than it has since Tarik Glenn retired. Another area that has seemed to be addressed has been special teams with UDFAs (returner). The coverage however seems to be a recurring theme in Indy for as far back as I care to remember and seems to be doomed to perpetual failure. The run D looks to be nearly unaltered as well sadly, and will more than likely stay that way.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
I know what you mean.
I hope there’s real positive change. But, if I’m going by the past, history tells me that things won’t change. I mean, they haven’t yet. Why would this year be any different? The Colts have a formula under Polian,….have the best quarterback in history directing the show, give him some very decent receivers, sign a couple studs on defense, and let the rest of the team mimic a group from Ben Davis (no offense to Ben Davis High). Then, throw in a coach who only won 1/4 of his games in college and has no clue about time management, simply because Dungy recommended him, and finally take players out of their winning stride every year when they’ve clinched the playoffs. With this formula, you’re still going to make it to the playoffs due to Manning. Trouble is, anything less than championships is a failure when you have an extraordinary talent like Manning out there.
Agreed
Bill Polian’s strategy in team building is very annoying, and has more to do with our regular season success and post season failure than Manning’s arm. That being said it has worked but with the play from a great safety named Bob. So, wouldn’t you if you were Manning at the very least take less money under the assurance that they would sign another solid defensive play maker? To me that seems more sensible… then again I wouldn’t want to take a twenty percent pay cut either.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
Manning already
has more money than he’ll ever know what to do with. I’m not sure it’s strictly about money with him. However, the problems that have plagued the Colts will probably not be cured by signing one more good defensive player. It will help, but the overall philosphy of managment, in my opinion, has got to change. The Colts more than not…..always look like they get pushed around. The smaller, faster player doesn’t seem to be working. They’re getting hurt too much. Another issue is when a team is on a winning roll due to the highly skilled timing and great arm of Manning, you don’t pull the plug on that machine/timing for three or four weeks at the most critical time of the year, and then expect them to miraculously get it back. Yet, Polian does it every year. For once, try letting this team do what it wants to do in the final games of a season………play……and wins/championships will follow.
by Ayrshire on Jul 27, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah
I agree I wish our defense would make the switch to 3-4 and be more physical and get bigger, I doubt my dreams will happen until both Freeney and Mathis are gone but the point is I try not to complain about stuff that Polian is far too stubborn to address. Also I think a lot of the injuries (outside of Sanders) could be attributed to the change in defensive philosophy of Ron Meeks and Larry Coyer, we’re making the switch to be more physical but with the leftovers from Meeks system. That being said I can’t say I’ve noticed a huge difference in the size of our players since he’s been our DC which would again fall back onto Polian. I agree 100% that pulling our players at the end of the year isn’t an intelligent move either.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
Weddle will not sign here
Theres no way we’ll have the money for him or any other big name free agent. I cant believe Peyton would hold the team hostage for more money, but if it happens this team is going NOWHERE! I guess we’ll find out if hes smart enough to realize that…
I think the Colts FIND the money if they can get Weddle.
Does anyone know if the Colts saved any money cutting running back Mike Hart, safety Jamie Silva, tight ends Tom Santi and Gijon Robinson and defensive back Mike Richardson?
Maybe not, but if they are talking to Weddle, they must feel they have a shot at him. Maybe they cut someone we don’t expect…and that is why Irsay is tweeting.
Doubtful
I would say most if not all of those players were making less than 1M/yr so very doubtful it created any significant cap room… at least not enough for Weddle at his alleged 7M/yr rate.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
They were not cut.
They were Restricted Free Agents without a contact for the 2011 season who were not tendered. Therefore, none of them were on the books for the 2011 season and were not wanted back on tendered contracts. Perhaps some of them can be re-signed at a cheaper rate down the road (i.e. Keiaho in the 2009 offseason).
as usual
the colts will sit around and do zip while other teams try to improve. it’s going to be another season of mediocre defense and pathetic special teams. plus we have to depend on rookies if we are to see any improvement in the running game.
as far as peyton goes…he should do what he can to help the roster, but isn’t it really how his contract is structured more so than what his yearly average is??
wonder if my boss will allow to relocate to another state?? at least then i will have a good excuse to root for a new team….
by BLOODontheTRACKS on Jul 27, 2011 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
patience...
Deep Breath folks
There are going to be some good value free agents in the next few days. As name guys like Mikel, Coefield, and Weddle are picked up for big money. A guy like Whitner (wants out of Buffalo, was always solid on VERY bad teams) is likely to be available at a better price.
Mebane still isn’t signed (that I know of) Pat WIlliams on a 1 year deal (shot for a ring for him), Tommie Harris as a pure run stufffer (think 20 – 25 plays a game). Give Chris Polian a chance to do his job. It most likely will be ok.
BBS is quite often a doom and gloom guy. I know that he feels we have to have a stud at DT, but we really just need an upgrade. Someone that doesn’t get destroyed every time he gets a double team. We made it to the SB with mediocre DT’s and would have likely won if Freeney wasn’t hurt.
Deep Breath. Move on.
Yeah, I'm Shure.
by Music Man on Jul 27, 2011 9:51 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
yeah, keep preaching patience....
for the 100th year in a row…
by BLOODontheTRACKS on Jul 27, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions
The Colts have made the playoffs for the last decade.
I am not patient. But I have a very high opinion of the Colts front office. Because they always make the playoffs, have won a Super Bowl, and have been to 2 Superbowls in the past 6 years. T
Patience has more to do with teams with coaches will long tenures who haven’t won (the Jungle Kitties….the Texans).
Music Man is right on. I really hope the Colts sign Weddle, but they have many other options.
by moocow on Jul 27, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
my lack of patience
comes from the fact that the colts have had the same problems for years……
by BLOODontheTRACKS on Jul 27, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Front Office?
We make the PO’s every year despite our front office. Give me a break. Peyton is the only reason we are consistently winning. Fact.
by braveheartcolt on Jul 28, 2011 1:59 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Very Well said. Recced.
But I really like Weddle. He is a ballhawk. He is young. He actually plays. This could be the Booger McFarland signing.
He's not a ballhawk
Weddle has six career interceptions in four years, very solid safety but I wouldn’t call him a ballhawk.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
This is an Indianapolis Colts blog.
so that should be “flops like Reggie Miller.”
by ActionOxford on Jul 27, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Reggie's flops have nothing on Vlade Divac. Or Chris Bosh.
I hail from the state of Montana. The skies are big and the women are bigger. MMmmm.
by Brick Jobeson on Jul 27, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
i have this queasy feeling
that in a couple weeks that we fans are going to be crossing our fingers that the colts sign someone like fat albert…..oh boy
by BLOODontheTRACKS on Jul 27, 2011 10:05 AM EDT reply actions
Washington
Washington would never let their MVP on D go, silly man.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
Whitner
why is Weddle getting all of the attention? i have thought Whitner has been a solid player on a bad team for years. i would rather have him if we can get him at a lower price.
last year weddle had 96 tackles and 2 picks; whitner had 140 tackles, 1 pick and 1 ff.
Whitner
Whitner would be great but I thought he was looking to return to Buffalo… but then again so was Paul Pusluzny.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
who would want to return there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so they can finash last in the division again,, and nasty town and horrendous weather
by OBGYNOSUPREME on Jul 27, 2011 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Just what he said.
Maybe it was a PR move, I don’t know but I do remember reading that.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
I think Weddle is better.
You may be right about Whitner though. Because he has played for a bad team, he definitely isn’t as well known as Weddle.
In any case
They both would be an upgrade to what we had and I would have to think IF Indy does make a move it would be to go the cheaper route. Remember we still have to resign Manning, at least some of our FA’s, and our rookie draft picks. I highly doubt there will be enough cap space. Although I really hope there is.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
by Jfoley17 on Jul 27, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Talking about the Colts right now….everything really boils down to “Sign Peyton”.
Everyone knows that.
I put that aside when considering Weddle…so has everyone else. Or else the only thing that would be said anywhere about the Colts is “They can’t sign anyone until they sign Peyton.”
?
Would you disagree with that? I wouldn’t sign anyone until Peyton’s contract is in the equation.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
Yes I would disagree with that. The guy will likely be the highest paid player in history. His contract is difficult to do. The Colts obviously have to do many other things along with signing him.
The debate here was whether the Colts should go after Weddle. My point is you can always say “the Colts shouldn’t do anything until they sign Peyton Manning….” then what can you have to offer on a thread discussing signing a free agent?
And though they can’t technically sign anyone until Friday….the colts clearly have been paying attention to people other than Peyton Manning!
Are there actually Colts UFAs (not named Manning) desired by other teams???
Aside from the sarcasm… can anyone remember back to the last Colts UFA that actually met with success on another team?
by SoCalHoosier on Jul 27, 2011 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
A couple
David Thornton, Jake Scott, Nick Harper, Edgerrin James, etc. its been a while for sure but there have been some.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
To be fair
I can’t remember if all of them were UFA’s.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
easy answer...
cato june of course….he was a stud in tampa. actually i think jake scott has done pretty well
by BLOODontheTRACKS on Jul 27, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
$6 mil. per season is what he got
Here is the info:
http://washington.cbslocal.com/2011/07/27/barry-cofield-signs-with-redskins/
The $12.5 mil. is the guaranteed money portion of it.
A 4 yr. $24 mil. contract, it seems like, with $12.5 mil. guaranteed.
Mason Foster, has been the first to sign with the Bucs. This means that they have Mason Foster and Tyron Mckenzie in their LB corp thus most likely releasing Barrett Ruud. For the right price, say bye bye to Session and welcome Barrett Ruud to the fold. Run D from the LBs has been lacking as well, so if we can improve somewhere along the front 7, I will be happy.
Like someone else said, guys like Brandon Mebane, Pat Williams, Kelly Gregg and Tommie Harris are still out there, so free agency for DTs is not done yet.
i will be happy
if they attempt to get some dt help i will be happy… good dt’s make linebackers and safeties look a lot better
by BLOODontheTRACKS on Jul 27, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Correction
A 6 yr. $36 mil. contract with $12.5 mil. guaranteed, sorry about the math :-)
Sign Donte Whitner
Sign Donte Whitner and Melvin Bullitt while other teams woo and overpay for Eric Weddle.
Seems like every FA is being overpaid
Mikell is good, but old, and now, overpaid.
by Ty46 on Jul 27, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I'm actually quite happy about it too
I don’t think it helps the Titans at all. Hasselbeck is an average QB at best. He’ll be 36 in September, he’s never healthy and he hasn’t posted a QB rating above 75 since 2007.
by BoilerHerrm on Jul 27, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Niners join Jets in Asomugha sweepstakes
http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/nfl/207119/niners-join-jets-in-the-asomugha-sweepstakes
Jets will land Asomugha when it is all said and done, I am thinking.
Sidney Rice is being wooed by Seahawks, will he catch passes from Tavaris Jackson AGAIN??? I bet Tavaris Jackson, that got signed by Seahawks would hate it if the Seahawks brought in Favre as backup.
Oh no, NOT AGAIN!!! :-)
Island nation
WOW. Revis and Asomugha together would be one SCARY coverage unit. Teams without 3+ options on offense will REALLY struggle against that. I hope he goes to the Niners.
Yeah, I'm Shure.
how can they sign him and the receiver?
sanchez wants to restructure his contract so they have more money to try to do something like that maybe Sanchez can talk to Peyton LOL
by OBGYNOSUPREME on Jul 27, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
GO NINERS
do not want to see him become a Jet
by OBGYNOSUPREME on Jul 27, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Rocky Bernard
Just read Rocky Bernard will be getting released by the Giants shortly.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
Saw that too. Don't know much about him.
Anyone know if he’d be a good fit?
by BoilerHerrm on Jul 27, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats//id/3674/rocky-bernard
/id/5539/tommie-harris" target="_blank">http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5539/tommie-harris
From an uneducated guessing standpoint he’s kind of reminds me of a guy like a Tommie Harris… just by looking at their stats and physical build but Bernard is a little bigger.
"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.
roster count
unless my count is wrong, i see that we are already at 94 players and have to be down to 90 by sunday when they report for camp. imho our free agency period is over. and we’ll just have to sit back and act surprised when some of our favorites are cut/released.
I was a big believer in Marv Leevy’s draft picks when he picked for the Bills, and note the colts also were impressed with thos players.
I scouted whitner, and in college, as far as where he was his senior year, he was a player in the line of Eric Berry, very good, and in my opinion worth that 10th overall pick. The louisville defensive tackle they traded a pic for to get in the first round, I scoted and he looked like a good cover 2 DT mold as well (which the colts also tried to acquire).
Note, I don’t know anything about how Whitner is now, and there is ample evidence players can be severely hampered (progress stoppers, in the Bill Parcels parlance) by playing with certain teams after promising college careers
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Stampede Blue
Related FanShots on Stampede Blue
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
