Competitive team with Manning

by Ty46 on Jan 13, 2012 6:57 AM EST

What is the only chance to become competitive again and keep Manning.

Last week’s calculations on the 2012 Colts cap number proved to be a bit off. Instead of $96 million, the Colts are at $101 million. But let’s subtract $1.6 million, because Painter and Diles will be cut. That leaves the team with 99.4 million.

Now the Colts have picks in all 7 rounds, plus likely a 5th and a 6th as compensation. But to field a competitive team, they need another high pick. The trade of which player could take a huge amount off the potential cap number and give the Colts a high draft pick?

The answer unfortunately is Freeney or Mathis. I doubt a 32 to be Freeney, with a $14 million base salary would attract too much interest, and I also think, if Mathis were to face the LT and double teams, he would have much less success, than Freeney. Let’s remain with Freeney. With a new contract, the cap number could decrease not by $7, but even by $9 million without an actual pay cut (which #93 wouldn’t agree to). That leaves us with Mathis. He is 31, and shows no signs of slowing down. In that age, James Harrison got a huge contract. Freeney’s new contract decreases the DE franchise tag from $11 to $10.2 million. The Colts franchise Mathis and trade him for 2nd round pick.

Then the Colts re-sign Wayne, Garcon and a few cheap guys and also have 4 picks in the top 65. (It would be great if Wayne or Garcon could be traded, but they don’t deserve anything close to franchise money and Wayne is old. trading Clark would save maybe $2 million.)

Let’s do something similar in the draft and hopefully Grigson won't reach, like last year:

1 QB Andrew Luck 6'4 - 230 Stanford
2 CB Stephon Gilmore 6'1 - 193 South Carolina
2T DT Michael Brockers 6'6 - 306 LSU
3 DE Cam Johnson 6'3 - 270 Virginia
4 WR Joe Adams 5'11 - 190 Arkansas
5 OG/C
5C OLB Demario Davis 6'2 - 235 Arkansas State
6 SS Matt Daniels 6'1 - 210 Duke
6C CB Terrence Frederick 5'10 - 190 Texas A&M
7 TE

After the signing of draft picks, Wayne, Garcon and a couple cheap guys, the cap number is around $113 million and you can still massage it with Bullitt cut, rescheduling, etc.

(On a different note, some good players with Grigson connection could become FAs. Evan Mathis, G; Brodrick Bunkley, DT)

Please rec, for it to stay on for more, than 19 hours (like last week)!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Comments

3rd round

i think we need a safety more than a DT

by coltsgolfbeer on Jan 13, 2012 9:55 AM EST reply actions

Bad draft again for safeties

And especially if Mathis is traded, the DL needs more than one player to be fixed

by Ty46 on Jan 13, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

not to mention

I think it’s pretty safe to say Brackett is gone, Angerer proved he can hold his own in the Middle linebacker. I guess the main thing that I’m waiting to see is the possibility of new coaching staff and possible scheme changes. The changes might create more emphasis on certain positions that the old regime tended to limp by on. I definately see the colts use more than one draft pick on the secondary unless Grigson is going to attack the existing market more than BP did

"You play to win the game" -Herm Edwards

by TENACIOUSDB7 on Jan 13, 2012 9:57 AM EST reply actions

yea

i can’t imagine brackett staying even though it doesn’t save us that much money

by coltsgolfbeer on Jan 13, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

How much would cutting him save? $0.2 million?

Well, I used 3 picks on the secondary

by Ty46 on Jan 13, 2012 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

Not a huge deal but Brockers is very likely to be a top 15 or even top 10 pick. You could switch him out with Worthy, Still, Thompson or any other top ranked DT who drops out of the first.

If this is the scenario I would draft accordingly:

1. Luck
2a. CB
2b. RG
3. SS
4-7 BPA

If we resign Anderson and one of Wheeler/Edds/Sims we won’t NEED any position and can just take BPA after the third round.

Jason Heyward wins at baseball.

by bbxxj on Jan 13, 2012 10:45 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Brockers wasn't even close to Nevis' production

But yes, there are other candidates, very few though.

G is not such a huge need, because Reitz and Ijalana can start there. We have some guys to develop too. But no problem if Colts go there. But if Mathis is traded, there is a huge need at DE.

I think there is very little difference between 3rd and 6th round SSs.

BPA makes sense, but not very exciting to put that in a mock.

by Ty46 on Jan 13, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

That's why we have Jerry Hughes

/ducks

"Cat in the wall, eh? Ok, now you're talking my language. I know this game."
-Charlie

by Addai Another Aday on Jan 13, 2012 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

It’s fine if that’s your opinion on Brockers. I have watched him very little but since he declared nearly every scout/online draftnik have said he is a top half of the first round pick, likely top 10 and at the very least a first rounder.

I just always though Ijalana was beig groomed to be a RT because of how adamant Polian was about it. I think it would be a good idea to put him at RG and Link at RT where he was decent. If the new FO is willing to do that then RG moves way down the list of priorities.

Jason Heyward wins at baseball.

by bbxxj on Jan 13, 2012 5:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

FREENEY

can be extended. He counts $19 million against the cap and is in the last year of his contract. The Colts can re-sign him for another 3 years and greatly reduce the $19 million cap hit. It makes sense since defensive ends tend to hold up well into their mid 30s.

by javen on Jan 13, 2012 12:20 PM EST reply actions