Falcons Sign Former Colts Corner Kelvin Hayden

by Brad Wells on Aug 31, 2011 4:33 PM EDT in 2011 Colts News

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 14: Kelvin Hayden #26 of the Indianapolis Colts runs with the ball after intercepting a pass during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 14 2010 in Indianapolis Indiana. The Colts won 23-17. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

NFL Network's Jason LaConfora is reporting that former Colts corner Kelvin Hayden has signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta seems to be making a habit of signing DBs jettisoned by other teams. Yesterday, they agreed to terms with James Sanders, who was the New England Patriots starting safety last year.

The Colts cut Kelvin Hayden several weeks ago because his cap hit and his yearly salary did not match his production. For the last two years, he never played more than ten games a season. Durability has been the big concern for Hayden, and (to be honest) for any defensive back drafted by Bill Polian. Hayden was signed to a rather ridiculous five-year, $43 million dollar deal back in 2009, with $22.9 mill guaranteed. In 2011, he was scheduled to make $8.6 mill from the Colts.

No details yet on his Atlanta deal, but I'll go out on a limb and say it's not for $22.9 mill guaranteed.

Like some of you, I thought that the Colts would possibly re-sign Hayden. But, honestly, why would Kelvin do that? From his P.O.V., it was probably insulting for them to cut him, and then for him to come back for a veteran minimum. Like it or not, money and contracts represent status in the NFL. It's best for him to just go to another team and try to contribute, and the Falcons are a good fit. They are a contender. They run Cover-2, and they need help in their secondary.

Best of luck, Kelvin.

For us Colts fans, Kelvin will always be remembered as the player who sealed the Colts victory in Super Bowl XLI against the Bears. He also intercepted March Sanchez to insure the Colts victory in the 2010 AFC Championship Game over the Jets.

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Hayden had a strange market

I mean, he visited some teams (vikings, bears,chiefs) before singing with the falcons, and even declined to visit the Giants. The Bears had much, much more money to spend on him than the Falcons (19 million cap vs 1.8 M for Atlanta), and yet decided not to pursue him. Why ? Health ? That’s gotta be it, since they are not too deep at corner either.

On a side note, I just saw an PFT article from 2 days ago that had the colts with 3.7 million cap space.

by blacktobias on Aug 31, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Perfectly Said

You spelled that post out just perfectly…every word explained the Hayden story as it went down from the day he was drafted until today. Polian should have never given him that much $$$$$$$….then and only then he may have still been here. We have had enough injuries… we need as little of that type issue as possible…..

by Colts53 on Aug 31, 2011 4:49 PM EDT reply actions

When the contract was given

He had too much leverage against us. Marlin went down the season before with a torn ACL, and we only had Tim Jennings on the roster. So we overpayed.

Speaking of Marlin Jackson, here is hoping he (after getting released) comes back to the Colts, to cover the slot.

by blacktobias on Aug 31, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Marlin is out a few months with hernia

And his career as a player is likely over. He can’t cover anything any more.

I would like to see him come back as a DB coach assistant though.

by Ty46 on Sep 1, 2011 2:07 AM EDT up reply actions

There's an idea

If he can’t play – he definitely seems like the type of guy who could flourish as a coach!

by GoHorse88 on Sep 1, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Same with Mike Hart or Silva

say in an assitant ST coach role.

by GoHorse88 on Sep 1, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

right

they gave him way too much a stupid contract,, we need a veteran strong safety and could use a veteran CB

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Aug 31, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

The CB market is really dry.

Every team suffers to get even 3rd -4th-5th CBs that aren’t washed up.

by Ty46 on Sep 1, 2011 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions

that is too bad

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Sep 1, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions

I liked Hayden

It figures that a bunch of Polian’s DBs suffer durability issues though because of their physical style of play (Marlin Jackson, Bob, Bullitt)

by gujurarhti on Aug 31, 2011 4:58 PM EDT reply actions

We need to find someone new

I’m still hoping for another Tryon type pick up from Polian & Co during roster cut down week otherwise I really think It’s going to be a painful season on passing downs unless our defensive lines pass rush is just unreal this year.

by coltsfn82 on Aug 31, 2011 5:09 PM EDT reply actions

I think we will add someone

In the waiver wire, just like Irsay tweeted

by blacktobias on Aug 31, 2011 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Kelvin was never worth that $43M deal. He was an average corner that looked better than he was because he was the best we had at the time. He looked average at best last year when he was on the field. 2nd best corner on the team making superstar money. That said, I would like our secondary alot more with him than without him, as we don’t have any better options. Powers better find a way to stay healthy this year so at least we have to make teams’ #2 wr beat us by catching 7 yard passes vs Lacey all day.

Another season of live & die by the pass rush and PM.

by SDHoosier on Aug 31, 2011 5:40 PM EDT reply actions

yes

we should have better CB ,, only trust Powers and Bethea at safety and that is it,, hopefully Tyron plays well also

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Aug 31, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Powers at Safety? O.o

say what? Powers is a CB, not a Safety. Unless I’m just misunderstanding your comment

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by coltsfan723 on Aug 31, 2011 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Punctuation

meant I only trust Powers at CB and Bethea at safety,, hopefully Tyron will be good, and Lacey will play better than preseason and Bullett will play like he did 2 yrs ago

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Sep 1, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice writeup…sad Kelvin never lived up to his contract but wish him the best of luck in Atlanta.

by JackBurton! on Aug 31, 2011 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

Since we play Atlanta this year

is Kelvin gonna cover reggie or garcon?

by Phillycolt on Aug 31, 2011 9:07 PM EDT reply actions

he'll TRY to cover one of them!

by bigpony on Aug 31, 2011 11:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Garcon was beating the S*** out of him the 2010 TC, was beat deep regularly

He will likely try to cover Collie or Clark in the slot.

by Ty46 on Sep 1, 2011 2:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I can still see him hauling that ball down. Yes!

"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"

by indylator on Aug 31, 2011 10:56 PM EDT reply actions

Hayden was way over payed but

id still take him over lacey right now. I hope the Colts find a way to upgrade or come to their senses and start tryon over him

by supercolts on Sep 1, 2011 12:09 AM EDT reply actions

agreed

maybe lacey will play better

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Sep 1, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions

Just saw where a doc

thinks Foster could be out 3-4 weeks with the hammy ,,how stupid is that to tweet your MRI!!!!! so even if he plays against Colts will not be at full strength

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Sep 1, 2011 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

colts miss out/ James Sanders

Colts miss out again James Sanders would of been a good pick up

by lawdogvb702 on Sep 1, 2011 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

Kevin Thomas

I don’t know about you guys. Kevin Thomas is second on the team (based on nfl.com) in solo tackles. Wideouts that catch passes in front of him do not get past him, he hasn’t missed ANY tackles, he is a sound tackler and his closing speed is better than Lacey. He is also bigger that he can be used to jam. I think he needs to replace Lacey on the outside. Powers is going inside to the nickel, if you have not heard. He will guarding the likes of AJ (when they put him inside which is a LOT of times), Colston, Welker etc. this year.

Lacey and Tryon are supposed to be on the outside, from all that I have seen in TC and pre-season. So, Kevin Thomas needs to be given a shot on the outside, IMO, and he will pleasantly surprise us against the first team offense.

by chad72 on Sep 1, 2011 10:51 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs