Eric Weddle Re-Signs With Chargers, Melvin Bullitt Drawing Interest From Cardinals, Rams

by Brad Wells on Jul 27, 2011 1:08 PM EDT in 2011 Colts News

News broke a few minutes ago that the Chargers have re-signed Eric Weddle. The Colts were one of six teams trying to ink the safety from Utah, but in the end he opted to stay in San Diego. The other top caliber safety in this year's free agent crop, Quintin Mikell, signed with the Rams yesterday.

Speaking of the Rams, they are active in trying to sign Melvin Bullitt as well, per JMV at 1070 The Fan. Bullitt, who has been the starting safety for the Colts the last three years, also has interest from the Arizona Cardinals. This is interesting because the Rams, like the Colts, were supposedly pressed against the cap with huge money invested in Sam Bradford, Chris Long, and Jason Smith. Yet, they still found a way to get Mikell, and are trying to team him with Bullitt.

So, yeah. It's starting to look like 2011 is another Aaron Francisco year, which means this team has absolutely no shot at winning a Super Bowl. Don't know what Chris Polian is doing over at West 56th Street, but as of right now he is most certainly not building a championship caliber roster.

But, hey, at least we're still keeping Kelvin Hayden (begins vomiting). Oh, and Weddle is now teamed with Bob Sanders in San Diego (vomits more).

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Francisco won't be our starting safety unless everyone ends up on the IR again last last season.

Even if Bullitt leaves, Francisco won’t be our starting safety.

And as long as Manning is our QB we’ll have a chance at winning the Super Bowl. You’re funny though. Hilarious actually. I was rotfling a second ago, and when i’m finished typing this I’ll need be rotfling again just because I didn’t get it all out the first time.

I hail from the state of Montana. The skies are big and the women are bigger. MMmmm.

by Brick Jobeson on Jul 27, 2011 1:16 PM EDT reply actions

Weddle's now the highest paid safety in NFL history

That’s pretty hilarious. Also shows we had no chance of getting him.

by BoilerHerrm on Jul 27, 2011 1:18 PM EDT reply actions

San Diego kinda had to retain Weddle. Bob Sanders likely won't play all 16 games.

I hail from the state of Montana. The skies are big and the women are bigger. MMmmm.

by Brick Jobeson on Jul 27, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Panic?

Not yet….that being said if we can’t afford to put a team around Manning because he insist on taking up 25% of the cap and he goes down with just one super bowl…thats his own damn fault

by Trav19purdue on Jul 27, 2011 1:20 PM EDT reply actions

Colts are worst team in freeagency

by Ty46 on Jul 27, 2011 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

and they’re also the team with the longest streak of consecutive playoff appearances. I think that matters a whole lot more than not signing Eric freakin Weddle.

by Coltsfan1980 on Jul 27, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

It's not about him

The only veteran FA, the Colts signed is Nate Davis

At least sign some cheap guys, Hagler, AJ, some backup DBs…

by Ty46 on Jul 27, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2011/7/26/2296097/2011-colts-undrafted-rookie-free-agents-signings

by Coltsfan1980 on Jul 27, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm talking about veterans

Do you expect rookie UDFAs to get us another SB?

Vinatieri, a DT, a starting S, CJ are musts. And some cheap backups are almost musts.

by Ty46 on Jul 27, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

If the screw holding Bob's bicep together comes unattached

Will you feel better about Sanders not being here anymore?

by DeepThought on Jul 27, 2011 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

I think Weddle and Sanders will run into each other and they will both break.

by moocow on Jul 27, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

It will be interesting

to see how long Bob Sanders lasts this season.

by Ayrshire on Jul 27, 2011 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Im pumped!!!

At least I get to keep my Francisco jersey and get root him on for the upcoming season!!…GO COLTS!!!!!

by trueblue1984 on Jul 27, 2011 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

lol

While we’re being sarcastic Curtis Painter’s new haircut is truly awesome…. but seriously I went to colts.com and the first thing I see is an interview, I literally thought it was Pat Mcafee but nope Curtis Painter. He looks like a hairy cabbage patch kid.

"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.

by Jfoley17 on Jul 27, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

He plays like a cabbage patch kid.

by Ayrshire on Jul 27, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I thought Curtis Painter was an okay QB at Purdue….

Honestly, though. Whenever I see there is a chance he might play….I get so scared….a little pee comes out.

by moocow on Jul 27, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

BBS - How much cap relief do the Colts get from cutting Hayden?

by ColtsFanNChiTown on Jul 27, 2011 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

about a million, which isn't enough to cut him

by Coltsfan1980 on Jul 27, 2011 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

exactly.

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

by zherebyonki on Jul 27, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Colts cant be a player in Free agency

Manning and Freeney take up a third of our cap…no way to be a player without cutting people left and right….and by the way I like Hayden

by Trav19purdue on Jul 27, 2011 1:31 PM EDT reply actions

I like healthy pick-6 in the Super Bowl Hayden

I don’t like play 6 games a season and get beat on Hayden. We’ve seen a lot more of the latter than the former. I think he’s worth another shot, though, he can play well when healthy.

by DeepThought on Jul 27, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

My thoughts exactly.

I am actually curious whether the Colts will even cut Diem.

by moocow on Jul 27, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I was under the

impression he was already cut or retired.

"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.

by Jfoley17 on Jul 27, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Neither. I have read literally hundreds of suggestions here that the Colts cut him.

But the Colts have some weird cognitions about their offensive line. So who knows.

by moocow on Jul 27, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

At this point its assumed but not certain. If they don't cut him then the must have serious concerns about our rookies.

by Coltsfan1980 on Jul 27, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

here are going to be a lot of stampeders here crying in their beers

when the reports of Diem’s demise turn out to be greatly exaggerated.

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

by zherebyonki on Jul 27, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Not too worried about this...

Would he have been a big upgrade to our secondary? Yes, but overpaying (richest safety in the league) for a solid safety doesn’t usually position a team to win a SuperBowl. As soon as 5 or 6 teams started recruiting Weddle’s services, we should’ve realized he’d be out of our price range.

I’d much rather offer Donte Whitner a reasonably fair contract (or splurge for B. Mebane), and use the rest of our money to retain some in-house players (Charlie Johnson, Joseph Addai, Vinatieri, A. Johnson).

by kmbryant09 on Jul 27, 2011 1:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

the rest of what money? everything I read says were sitting pretty tight

by Coltsfan1980 on Jul 27, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions

We will free up some money

When we sign Manning (his contract will hopefully be more cap-friendly than the $23 million franchise tag) & when we cut Diem and/or other players.

by kmbryant09 on Jul 27, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

why are we so concerned about this again?

We rarely, if ever, sign major free agents.

I know that by “Colts standards” we had a rough season last year, but has everyone forgot the 18 or 19 guys we put on IR?

by Coltsfan1980 on Jul 27, 2011 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

I haven’t. But that’s too thoughtful and reasonable.

by moocow on Jul 27, 2011 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

free agency

by the way 1070 the fan, twitter site is also reporting that it looks likely Melvin Bulitt returns to the colts

by zorro7114 on Jul 27, 2011 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

zorro? Are you the same guy who does the Puss in Boots voice?

by moocow on Jul 27, 2011 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Bullitt and Bethea

If they stay on the field together for the majority of the season, I’m fine with this.

by DeepThought on Jul 27, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

It's either him or Whitner.

But Whitner is going to want too much money. Hopefully Lefeged realizes that he’s got an incredible opportunity to become the Colts starting SS and works his tail off.

We do also have Rucker. It’s been said he can play SS and the FO has acknowledged that fact, but that doesn’t mean they plan on playing him there.

All in all our Safety situation is scary. One of these guys could step up be great, or they could all be horrible/mediocre. Who knows what’s going to happen?

by ActionOxford on Jul 27, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

moocow

yeah i’m antonio bandareas

by zorro7114 on Jul 27, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

sweet. Say hi to Melanie for me. I like the way she dresses.

by moocow on Jul 27, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

PUT CURTIS PAINTER IN AT SAFETY

by icedude on Jul 27, 2011 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Might be an upgrade over Aaron…

by 18forPrez on Jul 27, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Conversely...

I bet Francisco would be an upgrade at QB over Painter…

by kmbryant09 on Jul 27, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Touche'.

by Ayrshire on Jul 27, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Weddle contract

5 year, $40 mil, $19 guaranteed. I’m okay with the Colts passing on that kind of deal. Everyone else should be. Let’s move on.

by BoilerHerrm on Jul 27, 2011 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

BBS, can't you find a font that will better convey your shirll, fingernail-gnawing pusilanimosity?

since you feel the season’s over once we didn’t get Weddle, why don’t you just take an 8 month sabbatical, and let levelheaded fans run the site for a while? There are a lot of tall buildings in New York, and frankly I’m afraid you’ll do something rash if we fail to get another player you think is indispensable.

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

by zherebyonki on Jul 27, 2011 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Shouldn't surprise anyone

But doesn’t sound like we’re in the Mebane hunt in the slightest. According to John Clayton, Seahawks are trying to get him re-signed today. Broncos and Saints are in the hunt as well.

by BoilerHerrm on Jul 27, 2011 2:00 PM EDT reply actions

I doubt we get Addai back

Even 50% of Deangelo Williams’ contract is too much

by Ty46 on Jul 27, 2011 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

Bullitt will be a Colt

4 yr. deal for $12 mil. or in that ballpark for Bullitt, I will not be shocked at all if the Colts offer him that.

Sorry folks, everyone is going to be overpaid.

Whitner will demand more and may go to Cowboys or Jaguars, same with Dawan Landry.

by chad72 on Jul 27, 2011 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

Colts need to keep him

if they are not going to sign anyone else’s palyers they need to keep their own decent ones from leaving

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Jul 27, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Lets save $1 million dollars in cap space BBS

that would be enough to sign a bunch of FA

by metal_militia on Jul 27, 2011 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

Danieal Manning

Why is no one on his bandwagon? Not only is he a strong cover-2 safety but he is a stud kick returner.

by bobferg on Jul 27, 2011 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

cause we're a one-manning team and we can't spell his first name

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

by zherebyonki on Jul 27, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think

Bullitt would be better than Manning

"It's ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm!" - Mike Tyson.

by Jfoley17 on Jul 27, 2011 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

If the team is breaking the bank

I want #18 on offense only, please. Find someone else to play DB

by DeepThought on Jul 27, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Can we even look at Free Agents yet...?

Until we get a final deal in place with manning, I don’t think we can even play with the free agent market as we have no idea how much cap space he’s gonna comsume. We can arrange it for a bonus load and minimize the cap space this year, or he may make us pay by just signing his Franchise tender and dooming us to a guaranteed 23 million this year. Until Manning/Condon let us go and sign something, I don’t think there’s really anoyone we can sign. So I wouldn’t be blaming Polian right now, BBS…I’d be asking Manning/Condon what’s taking so long to decide what’s the “highest paid player”.

by Hawkwinter on Jul 27, 2011 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

But other teams in the division are making moves..

You should be talking about how to counter the spending we are seeing from the competition, BBS. Titans signing Hasslebeck…that’s not good, now they have a patient, consistent quarterback to go with their running game, ughhh. Jags signing Paul Posluszny? Not good, shores up their run and blitz packages against us…no like. Texans sign Leinart…okay, this one makes me happy. What can I say, you can always count on the Texans to make our inaction look good.

by Hawkwinter on Jul 27, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

seems like peyton would want a few more possible SBs for his legacy and not hold the Colts hostage and take anything personal ,, it is business and if they cant sign anybody to help cause of Condon’s slow negotiating that would be too bad and if it was me I would announce I turned down extra money for the good of the team,, average fan can’t relate to someone wanting a few million more when many are making under 100 K we all know he deserves more than Colts should give him but he doesn;t deserve more than 2 million more than Brady

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Jul 27, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Look out!

The sky is falling!!!

by coltsfanawalt on Jul 27, 2011 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

Obviously the Colts have the money and want to spend it

If they were inquiring about a safety that just signed the richest contract ever. I honestly believe Manning threatened to not come back unless they improved the players around him. They started by making a very uncharacteristic move by drafting 2 O-lineman right off the bat. I believe they will be going outside of their comfort zone again by signing a halfway big free agent. Because I think they know the window is starting to close

by CastroRakesOnTheReg on Jul 27, 2011 3:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I agree

That our front office appears willing to do “more” than usual this off-season. However, I wouldn’t get too hyped about our financial situation. I’m guessing we inquired about Weddle hoping he’d sign with a contender for 4 years/$30 million. But realistically, once 5 or 6 teams actively recruited him, I figured we’d be priced out of his services.

We’ve re-signed Vinatieri & Bullitt. I’m hoping we have enough $$ to re-sign a few of our guys (Addai, A. Johnson, C. Johnson) and maybe 1 or 2 external Free Agents (Mebane, T. Harris, R. Bush) – those are all just examples

by kmbryant09 on Jul 27, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

BBS comments

may be a bit negative but, as past seasons have proved this defense just does not work without at least solid play at the safety. If Fransisco is starting we’re just putting more pressure on our DB’s meaning they’ll have to play off even more to keep everything in front of them.

by beckmania on Jul 27, 2011 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Bullitt is solid

This defense has shown that it ABSOLUTELY DOES NOT WORK without a competent DT. If they don’t sign a good DT, or at least re-sign Mookie, it will be insane.

Remember 2008? We had zero DTs and Manning was injured heading into the season. Only a miracle allowed them to make the playoffs and we knew they weren’t going anywhere then.

I honestly think this team needs a good DT (1 tech) and with everything else staying the same we are SB contenders if we have good luck healthwise.

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Jul 27, 2011 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Bullitt re-signed

According to Indy Star, Bullitt re-signed a multi-year contract.

by Prahasta on Jul 27, 2011 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

It’s great news that they decided to re-sign him. Eric Weddle is a great player, and he’s probably very glad to be back in his spot. Many people many not have allowed a team to re-sign them, but he did.

Halloween World

by kristinabelova on Jul 27, 2011 10:53 PM EDT reply actions