Colts Continue To Impose Ryan Diem On Us, Renegotiates For One-Year Deal
by Brad Wells on Jul 31, 2011 9:01 PM EDT
in 2011 Colts News
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PrintPrior to the start of this off-season of 'meh' which the Colts have embarked on, the general thought was Kelvin Hayden would be retained despite his bloated cap hit and Ryan Diem would be cut free. The reason everyone held this notion was because it made sense.
Cutting Hayden only saved roughly $1.1 mill in cap space this year, while cutting Diem saved $5.4 mill. It's also important to add the despite being grossly overpaid, Hayden was still a decent corner whereas Diem has been done as a right tackle since 2008. I don't write that to insult Diem personally, but simply to point out the obvious. Watch him on tape, and the guy is a turnstile at RT. Injuries and age caught up to him. Happens to all players.
But, instead of following logic and reason, the Colts front office decided to do the opposite of what everyone expected: They cut Hayden and kept Diem, getting him to renegotiate the final year of his contract to a modest one-year deal. No terms of this new deal were announced, but I think it's pretty safe to say he won't be making $5.4 mill.
Why keep Diem? Well, it seems the Colts are having trouble signing first round pick Anthony Castonzo and veteran tackle-guard Charlie Johnson.
According to CBS Sports, Castonzo's agent wants the fourth year of his contract guaranteed. The Colts don't. Thus, no signing. It doesn't make sense to me why the Colts would play hardball with this. Castonzo is the team's projected left tackle protecting the blindside of Mr. $90 Million. I suspect he will be the LT for the next ten years. If he doesn't have the talent to do that, or if the Colts think he isn't worth keeping three years from now, then I kind of question why Indy used a first round pick on him.
I mean, if Castonzo turns into another Tony Ugoh, then I don't think Chris Polian and his dad need to worry about that guaranteed fourth year. They'll both probably be sent packing before it arrives. The reputations of the Polians cannot afford yet another busted first round pick, and the Colts stand no shot of winning another Super Bowl in Peyton Manning's final playing years if they continue to flop in the draft.
Reputations and pinks slips aside, it's all the more important to ink Castonzo and get him in camp because there are no other options currently available. The Colts don't seem all that serious about re-signing Charlie Johnson, and if you trust a player like Jeff Linkenbach as this team's starting left tackle, don't say that in public or people will laugh at you.
Charlie Johnson was the starting left tackle the last two seasons, and despite playing out of position, he was very solid. Charlie is a natural guard. He's also a better option at right tackle than Diem. Keeping Diem, but dumping Charlie, is complete and utter idiocy on the part of the Colts front office. Hopefully, they will come to their senses and actually make am move that help the team win in 2011.
Once again, I'll apologize to fans who are coming here looking for poms-poms, popcorn, and pink Kool Aid. I don't mean to piss on people's punch bowls, but I personally don't see a lot of sound decision-making coming from West 56th Street. At this rate, I'm pretty much convinced we will see Mike Pollak once against starting at guard and Philip Wheeler at linebacker when practice begins tomorrow.
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Gotta agree on this one
It’s silly to be keeping Diem if it means CJ won’t be resigned. The fact that he can start anywhere and is a solid vet is more important than any depth Diem would bring. Also Castonzo needs to get signed asap especially in this short time to get ready for season.. like WTF
It makes sense
Cutting Hayden only save $1 mill off this year’s salary cap, but he’d have cost quite a bit next year if we’d kept him around. Note that Manning’s contract appears to be structured for a pretty big cap hit next year and/or 2013. I expect they tried to get Hayden to take a pay cut but he refused. I believe that would have actually saved more cap space because the bonus would have still be stretched for the full five years.
And Diem isn’t guaranteed to make the team, he just gets a shot at training camp. Plus I imagine his reduced salary makes it feasible to keep him around as a back-up.
"They'll both probably be sent packing before it arrives"
Who’s going to send them packing? Irsay? Dream on.
Irsay
He came close to firing Bill Polian in 2001 and 2009. Personally, I think that if the Colts fail this year, the Polians will scapegoat Caldwell. But, Caldwell and his assistants can only work with what they are given, and right now that ain’t much.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
bbs, did you write about those almost firings?
i’d like to read about them because i’ve never heard of that and it sounds interesting
i don't give autographs
by muncie_in_this on Jul 31, 2011 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
On Caldwell
If the Colts don’t at least make it to the AFC CG, I think Caldwell will be gone. And probably the Jeff Fisher era will begin.
Yeah, I'm Shure.
We don't know anything.
I don’t see how having a veteran backup (we all hope!) who knows the system is a bad thing, and we have no idea about the status of Johnson/Castanzo until they’re signed or not. We don’t know what Diem took and if it has much if any negative effect on the ability to sign other players. It’s normal for players and teams to negotiate contracts, and this shortened time period is pretty unprecedented. At least the Colts have veterans who know the systems in this very shortened offseason. Until the roster is final and we see the results on the field, we’re not in too much of a position to criticize. Can anyone name a “big name” free agent signing in the past ten years that led directly to a Super Bowl or prolonged success? (Not a rhetorical question to prove a point, I’m curious if anyone’s looked into this.)
by indyboiler on Jul 31, 2011 9:26 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
nope, you're right
this isn’t the NBA.
However, we do need to sign some good, contributing FA’s. They don’t neccessarily have to be big names.
The Indianapolis Colts are going to be the 1st team to win a super bowl in their own stadium. 'nuff said.
by It'sAlways18 on Jul 31, 2011 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Nate at 18 to 88 brought up a great point about Hayden.
We don’t save much this year, but eating it this year clears it. Next year, we have Mathis, Wayne, Garcon. We won’t have to deal with any of that money towards the cap. And we will need it. Mathis is a must, Wayne at the right price and I don’t know about Garcon.
by strandedincarolina on Jul 31, 2011 9:31 PM EDT reply actions
It’ll be interesting to see what Hayden can make elsewhere. I heard the Bears were interested. That’d be like the Colts looking at Tracy Porter… haha
burn
The Indianapolis Colts are going to be the 1st team to win a super bowl in their own stadium. 'nuff said.
by It'sAlways18 on Jul 31, 2011 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
gotta say it worked out pretty well for them with Tim Jennings
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 31, 2011 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought about that too...
But then why wouldn’t we just cut him next year??
Folks
Just FYI, useless comments from people ‘complaining’ that they’d prefer me not to write my opinions and just ‘report’ stuff are going to get deleted, and if I see people repeatedly making such comments, I’m going to ban them.
I have not the time not the patience to deal with stupidity on that scale. If people don’t like reading a blogger’s opinion at his own blog, those people should stop reading said blog. Asking the blogger not to opine is wasting space, and just makes the commenter look like a dumbass.
So, if you see me deleting a comment of that nature, it’s OK. I’m saving the commenter from him-herself.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
just ignore that shit if you don't like it
and let people use their free speech
i don't give autographs
by muncie_in_this on Jul 31, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
I think the back and forth
is what makes blogging good for the interwebs. It is about discussion, dialogue, discourse. Oh well.
by AnotherWriter on Jul 31, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think
Telling someone to shut up just because you disagree with them isn’t good for discussions, dialogue, discourse, etc. That’s why your comment is gone.
I don’t know how you personally can be for discussion, but your response to differing opinions is to, essentially, tell the architect of that opinion to stay quiet.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
some gentle criticism
i’d like to make a comparison, if I can without upsetting you, between what you wrote immediately above and your response to Mark Olson’s fan post about Free Agency. I was disappointed you told him to “stop drinking the koolaid” and said that his post didn’t inject anything into the conversation going on on the site. You tried to make a distinction between analyzing and advocating, but surely you’ll agree you do both with regularity. After I upset you a few days ago with an admittedly impolitic post, I’m trying to be milquetoast in my remarks, but I’d say you could be more charitable toward giving politely stated opinion free reign, especially in the fanposts section. Thanks.
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
Stop drinking the Kool Aid
and starting drinking the Jack Daniels.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
pour me a double. Cheers!
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 31, 2011 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Free speech
This is a monitored comments section. If you want ‘free speech,’ make your own blog and write as much as you want. You can make one for free even. Here, what you write is monitored, and if the admins don’t like it, it disappears.
Most blogs and website employ this kind of monitoring. If you were on some of them, they’d delete your comment for saying the word ‘shit.’ Consider yourself lucky I don’t mind curse words.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
You ask tolerance for your opinions but have none for others?
I agree out right bashing has no place, but criticism does. If you are going to run a blog and allow comments, you need thick skin, especially someone as opinionated as yourself. It is for the most part, really easy to scroll past people you deem to be full of it and a waste of time.
by strandedincarolina on Jul 31, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Reminds me of the South Park Mel Gibson Episode
"It's about the journey--mine and yours--and the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better."
— Tony Dungy
I agree on the 4th year for Costanzo… just do it already… if you don’t think he is going to be around for 4 ..shouldn’t have drafted him… For once I actually agree with you…LOL (The only time ever I think)
It sets a really bad precedent.
Polain had a point. If Addai isn’t worth a guaranteed contract, having helped take us to 2 SBs, what makes you think a rookie is. Pay your dues and earn your money. I’m curious when the penalties start for holding out.
by strandedincarolina on Jul 31, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Addai
He’s a RB. They are a dime a dozen. Bookend left tackles are high value, and since the Colts currently have no one to play the position, Polian playing hardball here is silly.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
It has nothing to do with position.
A 22nd round pick wants a guaranteed contract? It’s not going to happen. For all we know he could turn out to be the next Ugoh. If he is a bookend tackle, he will have no problem getting all his money. Draft picks already made out well in reaching FA after four years unless the team pays them the rediculously high fifth year. Also, the only picks that really lost money was the top half of the first round. Castonzo will make something similar to what he got last year at this spot.
by strandedincarolina on Jul 31, 2011 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Wrong
It has everything to do with position. Position is everything in contract negotiations. If Castonzo was a punter, his tact and demands would be dramatically different. He was drafted to be the blindside blocker for a QB who makes $90 mill. If the Colts are going to be cheap with that, then the team will suffer and yet another first round pick could fail to develop.
Castonzo and his agent have the Polians by the nuts with this. They just need to sign him and get him in camp. He’s more important to this team than any other player the Colts have re-signed recently, save Manning.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
Here is Polians point of view.
If you give Castanzo what he wants, it probably turns out OK. Then next year, the 22nd or 25th round pick wants it because last years pick got it. That pick might be someone like Hughes or a WR, or a QB, or some other higher risk player. You end up screwing things up long term for everyone by doing that.
He was drafted 22nd. He should be payed like a 22nd pick. If he was drafted by Dal in the top 10, he would have demanded to be paid like a top ten and got the guaranteed money they are getting this year. You cannot be subjective here. It is a principle thing. In the end, Castanzo will cave and the world will keep on spinning.
by strandedincarolina on Jul 31, 2011 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Here's Irsay POV
And this is me just musing in a semi-drunken stooper I often find myself in when I write about the Colts:
If Anthony Castonzo turns out to be just OK, I fire Bill Polian and his son. Screwing up one first rounder at left tackle is one thing. Doing it twice is not good.
Thus, for Polian’s sake, Castonzo better work out.
This fourth year guaranteed thing is dumb. The kid has had no OTAs, and the Colts will not win the AFC South unless he is protecting Peyton. Worse, Peyton could get hurt again, as he did in 2010.
Sign him already. This ‘old school’ way of doing things is just hurting the franchise.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
I don't think they can fine him
if he isn’t already under contract.
The fines come when they already have a signed contract and then don’t report, like DeSean Jackson. Correct me if I’m wrong.
The Indianapolis Colts are going to be the 1st team to win a super bowl in their own stadium. 'nuff said.
by It'sAlways18 on Aug 1, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I for one think the Colts have different accounts for rookies than for other players.
And while we know BBS doesn’t like Diem, along with a bunch of other players that he takes turn crapping on….Just because the Colts signed Diem (and he took a paycut), doesn’t necessarily mean anything about CJ or Castanzo.
Anybody with 4yrs experience is a UFA.
The only tender that held up after the CBA was Foster. CJ has seven.
by strandedincarolina on Jul 31, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I have no clue why the Colts are keeping Diem. Is it out of loyalty? No, can’t be that? Cmon, Castanzo will sign. Charlie Johnson will hopefully get signed. It’s too bad Gaither wouldn’t be a good option…doubt his back could hold still for as long as Peyton demands.
And it's now my sig
by Bronn on May 17, 2011 4:56 PM EDT
if Diem is willing to take a pay cut, it shows that he really wants to play for the colts
Im sure they would have talked to kelvin hayden about renegotiating a deal before he was cut, but clearly he wasnt as willing to work out a deal.
However, I do have to say I would be very disappointed if it ends up we dont keep CJ, yet Diem has stayed around.
you've wanted to cut Hayden for a long time
now you say it doesnt make sense?? We all knew it only saved $1 mil to cut him, yet you ignored that and called for him to be cut…now hes cut and you dont like it. Cmon man!
And Castonzo will be signed, they’ll work that out real soon. Nothing wrong with keeping Diem at a REDUCED salary, the guy knows what hes doing hes just gettin old and cant do it anymore! He’ll be a solid backup if the rookies get up to speed right away
by bigpony on Jul 31, 2011 10:02 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
I want Castonzo to be his roomie, his mess-hall buddy, his shadow, soaking up all he can
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 31, 2011 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's a very good point.
I just hope they resist the temptation to start him. Unless last year was an aberration, he has no value other than a backup.
by strandedincarolina on Jul 31, 2011 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreement
with a move the Polian regime cannot happen.
"Are you f*cking kidding me???"
by danorocks17 on Jul 31, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
He did repeatedly say Hayden needs to be cut
He said it over and over and appeared to ignore everyone’s comment that it would only save $1M. Now he seems to be to be completely disregarding his earlier comments without acknowledging as much. What a clown.
by boothman11 on Jul 31, 2011 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
We don't save much on Hayden this year, but it frees us up to work on Mathins, Wayne and Garcon next year.
We clear his cap hit this year. It frees things up to work on some big players next year.
by strandedincarolina on Jul 31, 2011 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought you had said a few days ago...
That it was “assumed” that Hayden would be cut. Not it was the general consensus that he would be kept??
Also, the new CBA tried to guarantee the contracts of draft picks #1-20, which left teams in the early 20’s in a bind. Teams were told not to guarantee the 4th year of the contract, and agents/players are asking for that 4th year to be guaranteed.
Renaldo Hill S Denver just released.
He was getting paid 2.4M. Denver Post thought for sure that Dawkins would be released but nope. He’d be a decent pickup and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg like Landry and Weddle.
Irsay doesn't like decent pickups
He called them other people’s problems on twitter. I like decent pickups, as I feel they help the team win more games. Just my opinion.
You don't have to get other peoples problems.
You get players that were in the wrong system, underapreciated, or buried behind talent. You don’t have to shun other players and keep your own problems.
by strandedincarolina on Jul 31, 2011 10:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No, this was actually a great article
I don’t expect Kool-aid or pom-poms, I just don’t like cheap shots at (1) baseball (2) Hughes who has only played on year, and (3) Caldwell. The first should have no relevant discussion on Stampede Blue, while it’s perfectly alright to criticize the other two and offer intelligent criticism, I just don’t like cheap shots.
Dallas Clark: Some tight ends catch. Some block. Clark just owns.
on the contrary
i encourage any and all cheap shots aimed at “radio”
by BLOODontheTRACKS on Aug 1, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Like I said, I have no problem with criticising him,
I just don’t like lambasting him without intelligent discourse.
Dallas Clark: Some tight ends catch. Some block. Clark just owns.
agree that I'd rather have Hayden
For essentially $1M more this year but I think they are planning for next year. Diem is just a back up. I think the issue with CJ is that he wants LT money since he started there the last 2 yrs. The Colts drafted their LT of the future and want to pay RT money. CJ’s agent says that CJ moves to LT if there is an injury so should still get most of that money. As for the 4th year guarantee, if it were up to the Colts only, Irsay would pay it. The problem is that the other owners are probably putting pressure to not to set a precedent in the 1st draft of a 10 year CBA. The Colts could be in a bad spot due to the other owner jerks!
by Utah Colt Fan on Jul 31, 2011 11:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
cj
If thats what is indeed holding up cj from being signed, just add a clause that says he gets a bonus if he has to play Lt that gives him Lt money for playing Lt and g money for playing g or rt….simple.
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