Surprise of the Week: Free Agent Frenzy

by emiller17 on Aug 12, 2011 2:02 PM EDT in 2011 Colts News

SEATTLE WA - DECEMBER 05: Linebacker Lofa Tatupu #51 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with Jay Richardson #99 and Craig Terrill #93 after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5 2010 in Seattle Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

We talk about how the NFL is an "Any Given Sunday" league. It means that anything can and will happen. Surprises happen every week. I hope to point some of those out each week and maybe even add a poll or two in there to see what you think was surprising. First up, Free Agent Surprises

3 months jammed into 2 weeks. I will admit the Free Agency period this year was exciting, even if the Colts didn't do much. I really think the NFL could draw on that and condense some of the off-season into shorter windows, but I digress. While I am surprised with the contracts that some people got, I would like to look at who, so far, didn't get contracts.

As I look there are a few names left on the market that surprise me.

I'll start with LB:

Lofa Tatupu - Released by Seattle for contract size was what I had heard. This guy has a nose for the ball and isn't as old as some of the other FAs. Just surprised I haven't even heard an interest yet.

Stephen Cooper - UFA from SD. Now I know he's not a huge name, but he always killed the Colts. With all the teams using some form of 3-4 now, it's surprising he hasn't found a home.

More after the jump...

Dhani Jones - I know he's up there in years (12) but I can't help liking the guy if for no other reason than he rocks a bow tie. I think he'll make an impact where ever he lands.

DT:

Pat Williams - Big and old and not a great fit for every system, but man could he be a force.

CB:

Ellis Hobbs - Hobbs is definitely the odd man out in Philly. Three may survive, but four will be too many. He still has some situational value and experience that could help some team with young corners.

Chinedum Ndukwe - Mostly because I love his name, but he would provide depth for any team for certain. It almost feels like he's holding out to try to get a starting job. Don't know that it'll be there for him, but he will be high on the injury call list.

Trai Essex - I know I mentioned him in an earlier article, but a Guard with his size and age should be playing somewhere. He is not as agile as the Colts guards, but this guy can plow the road. Plus he's from Fort Wayne. Gotta love local boys!

FB:

Tony Richardson - Ground and Pound is still a viable offense in the NFL. I FB is a must for that system. Surprising that someone with the ability and experience of Richardson doesn't have a home.

QB:

Jim Sorgi - As we all know this guy is the best clipboard holder in NFL history.

WR:

Hank Baskett - Every NFL team needs a guy who will let go of recovered fumbles in the Super Bowl. My fantasy football team name for this year was almost To Hell In A Hank Baskett.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Last two free agents aside, I am real surprised a guy like "Championship" is still out there to be had. I started writing this article before the news broke that the Colts were meeting with Housh. He is a solid receiver that got into a BAD spot in Seattle and then got lost behind Boldin, Mason and Rice in a Run first offense with the Baltimore. Not quite sure how he fits into the Colts rotation, but I love him as a football player and know that depth is key in the NFL.

If the Colts were to go after any of these guys, my vote would go for Trai Essex. I fell like we need some veteran depth along the O-Line. Second pick would be Chinedum Ndukwe. I love Bullit and Bethea and I think Lefeged will make the squad an could be a UDFA steal, but we need depth. I would also like to see Lofa Tatupu come in for a one year deal. My guess is that all these guys are looking more long term and higher dollar than the Colts can/will pay. Still, a guy can dream can't he? I think all these guys would be good value if signed for the right price.

Who are your surprises in the free agent frenzy? Was there a contract that made you say WHAT??!?!? How about somebody you thought would be signed that is not yet? Leave a comment.

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Comments

Question, since you mentioned the Eagles' secondary.

Last season they had Patterson (??) lined up as a 2nd CB much of the season, and from what I recall, he really impressed me. Obviously with Nnamdi & DRC on the squad, he’ll either be cut, traded, released, or nothing more than a 4th or 5th guy. Anybody have the story on him?

by kmbryant09 on Aug 12, 2011 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

Dimitri Patterson signed with the Browns

My thought…Joe Hayden and Seldon Brown will likely be the starters over there. Patterson will probably start in the Nickel and may take over for Brown by the end of the year.

Bleedin' Blue for as long as I can remember. Can you believe we get to be fans while our team has the greatest QB of all time?!?!?!

by emiller17 on Aug 12, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

He was average at best.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 13, 2011 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Brian Waters

Really surprised this guy was cut and is still just sitting out there…
5 time pro bowl selection (including last year)
2009 Walter Payton Man of the year (so you know he’s a great guy)
Ranked 67 overall in “Top 100 Players of 2011” by NFL Network
Age 34
The Chiefs were #1 in rushing last year

So he’s not exactly over the hill, he probably has at least a few good years left and he would be leagues better than any guard we have on the roster. I would absolutely love having this guy more than anyone else, including Pat Williams or a safety. This guy would be an instant starter and a huge upgrade on what is otherwise a pretty weak OL (with a bright future though)

by Stratocaster on Aug 12, 2011 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Good catch...

He wasn’t on the big list I looked at when developing my short list. I would add him to mine though. A little old for my taste and bigger than most of the guards on our roster.

Bleedin' Blue for as long as I can remember. Can you believe we get to be fans while our team has the greatest QB of all time?!?!?!

by emiller17 on Aug 12, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

This

It’d be idiotic for the Colts not to at least take a look at Waters.

by BoilerHerrm on Aug 12, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

More on Waters

Sounds like the Cowboys are kicking the tires on him a bit. He’s from the DFW area and played at North Texas so the chance to finish his career close to home would probably be appealing for him.

by BoilerHerrm on Aug 12, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Essex

He would be a much better solution to our guard problem and is 6 years younger than Waters. Waters would be great for a possible short term fix, but Essex has more long term upside. I know I am dreaming, but it would be nice to have both these guys. Then we wouldn’t need to worry about our receivers or Peytons health because we would be cramming the ball down the defenses throat on the ground. I keep hearing about the Colts trying to add receiver depth but that doesn’t matter if Peyton isn’t given enough time to get them the ball, or given enough time to let the longer routes develop. I say we need to solidify the offensive line before we look at a safety, DT, LB, or CB.

by Colts Forever on Aug 12, 2011 3:59 PM EDT reply actions

Not a huge name, but...

The Rams just released LB David Vobora. The dude was just too small for their new defensive scheme under Spagnuolo. The colts, on the other hand, have no problem with 235lb linebackers who can play the run and the pass. I am over-rating him a little? Possibly. But as a starter, Vobora was Pro Football Focus’s #6 rated 4-3 outside linebacker in 2009, despite missing the first 4 games.

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by Mojo1 on Aug 12, 2011 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

Scraping the barrel on these guys.

Pat Williams would be decent if he weren’t suspended, but given our activity so far this offseason, I don’t see the benefit or likelihood of any more signings.

Antoine Bethea - the most underrated safety in the NFL.

by Ben Savage on Aug 12, 2011 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

Not sure how it's scraping the barrel

When either Waters or Essex would be significant upgrades over any of the guards (McClendon, Reitz, Pollak, or Devan) that will be starting for us.

by BoilerHerrm on Aug 12, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Waters is perhaps an above average pass protector.

Which in my opinion isn’t overly necessary at guard, given Peyton’s prodigious talent in letting the ball go early. Essex would be a boon for the run game, but I’m more in the Diem at guard camp.

Antoine Bethea - the most underrated safety in the NFL.

by Ben Savage on Aug 13, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Way off topic here but

Is anyone as confused as me on how the Jags got blown out last night i mean i know its preseason and all that but that was still embarrassing and not even pro QB Brady killing them like usual but just the back ups.
Any of the staff planning to do a write up on how our division is looking throughout preseason, Which teams are connecting and which arent getting in sync which I’m thinking was the Jags problem.
Those ex Colts must be embarrassed to get man handled like that by a team they once played on par with.

by C.Settles on Aug 12, 2011 7:57 PM EDT reply actions

We have our resident Jag expert that I am sure will be checking in soon

"I'm a stylin'-profilin', limo-ridin', jet-flyin', kiss-stealin,' wheelin'-dealin', son of a gun!" WOOO!
Ric "The Nature Boy" Flair

by PV Mike on Aug 12, 2011 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm willing to see what Ellis Hobbs can do

It seems that he’ll fit in our system as a decent zone coverage CB and great depth just in case injuries to our secondary occur. He was nice speed and starter experience and can be used as a returner. If Indy were to bring him in for preseason, he could be another low risk/high reward player for us.

Colts fan since Tony Dungy's 48th Birthday.

Free will is an illusion, but pragmatically, the illusion of self (ego), choice, freedom, consciousness, are all necessary for the game or struggle to move. No struggle, no universe.

I am the most die-hard Colts fan in the city and state of New Orleans, Louisiana

by ColtsFan504 on Aug 12, 2011 8:25 PM EDT reply actions

He retired.

Dude almost broke his neck last year, he’s not coming back. And he wasn’t anything special anyway.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 13, 2011 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

O line help

We gotta do a better job keeping Peyton from getting beat up. Opening a few holes for the running game will do a lot towards keep the opposing D line honest, thus keeping Peyton from being beaten up as much. Its very difficult to pass protect when the D line pins its ears back and rushes the quarterback on 1rst, 2nd, and 3rd down…Of course, I havent had a chance to watch the rooks yet; unless they can make an impact quickly we really need O line help. The other positional help would be “nice” and provide “depth,” but that’s the area I see this 2011 Colts team having a serious potential problem.

"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it's for or against."

-Malcolm X

by BigBlackRichard on Aug 12, 2011 10:35 PM EDT reply actions