Colts considering signing Tank Johnson and trading for Gerard Warren

by Brad Wells on Aug 17, 2007 9:59 AM EDT in Colts News

Tank can offer you a discount on some slightly used Uzis if you are interested. Oh, and he can play DT for you for about half the season too.

If you watched last night's pre-season game between Miami and KC (and if you are a starved football dork like me-- you did) you saw ESPN's Chris Mortenson talk prior to the game about the Colts. He stated that the Colts are interested in signing former Bears DT Tank Johnson and possibly trading for Denver DT Gerard Warren. Remember, Johnson is suspended for the first 8 games of the regular season because he spent some time in a prison shower with two dudes named Jamal and Jose. And Gerard Warren, while not convicted of a crime as far as I know, is a known lazy bastard.

What surprsied me out of all this was Mortenson said Bears coach Lovie Smith sang Tank's praises to Tony Dungy, and that Lovie's love of Tank is a big reason the Colts are considering signing him. I'd always assumed Lovie was a big reason Tank was no longer a Bear, but I guess that had more to do with Bears GM Jerry Angelo.

If Johnson (25 years old) is signed, I'd imagine he'd get a 3-4 year deal with some serious behavior clauses. The Colts were burned big time by the lies of Corey Simon. They do not want to repeat that scenario again this time with a known ciminal. Also, his first year salary would need several incentives, and rated as if he's playing only half the season (which he is).

The one thing holding this up isn't Tank Johnson but actually Bill Polian. Apparently, he and Dungy like what they are seeing out of rookie DTs Ed Johnson and Quinn Pitcock. However, let's be realistic here: The Colts need depth at DT BAD!.

I'm very interested to see how this plays out. I'm fine with the Colts going out and getting some depth at DT, but these two guys need to prove to me that they are willing to come to Indy with a strong work ethic and a clean rap.

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Tank Johnson?

boy, you guys must really be desparate.

by Terry @ Stampede Blue on Aug 17, 2007 11:34 AM EDT reply actions

Go away

I hope Romo signs with the Broncos

by shake n bake on Aug 17, 2007 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

why?

so he can beat you on a more consistent basis.

by Terry @ Stampede Blue on Aug 17, 2007 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

You are hilarious ...

You're obviously from Bizzarro world.

by PaytonMenning on Aug 17, 2007 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions

um....

says the guy who's favorite team signed TO.

by the21eraser on Aug 17, 2007 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

More DTs

The cost is the only reason I think they could pass on either of them. If they can get either of them for a reasonable salary (+a second day pick for Warren) they have to do it.
Starting caliber DTs are hard to find, so they are expensive.

Example 1 The Colts gave Corey Simon a huge free agent contract, which is completely unlike them, Even though he was angry and out of shape from his holdout.

Example 2 McFarland basically cost us next years 1st (they would have their 2nd round pick in the last draft,that they had traded for Booger, to move up for Ugoh instead of next years first.

Tank and Warren both have baggage but if the Colts protect themselves in the contracts it will be a good chance to take.

by shake n bake on Aug 17, 2007 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

acquring a DT

given our experiences with DT's I'd be really surprised in we brought in from the outside. Think Simon and booger have left a bad taste in Polian's mouth. criminal or fat and lazy... what a choice. do you really think risking those problems is worth big bucks?

by bluegirl on Aug 17, 2007 11:42 AM EDT reply actions

Booger?

Why would McFarland leave Polian with a "bad taste?" Without him Indy would not have won the Super Bowl, and Polian has raved about McFarland's leadership and steadiness.

Getting injued in camp happens, and it certainly wasn't McFarland's fault. Simon I can understand, but Polian loves McFarland and has no regrets about trading for him.

Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by Brad Wells on Aug 17, 2007 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

bad taste

not a bad decision, but it is a draft pick and money that will now sit on the bench for a year... more a case of continuing bad luck trying to fill that position from the outside... has to be very frustrating that is two attempts, there has been a lot of money spent, and we still don't have a top guy in there for this year...

by bluegirl on Aug 18, 2007 5:51 AM EDT up reply actions

DT

If anyone has ready Dungy's book, he makes a comment in there about DT being the cornerstone position in his defensive scheme. I know this isn't really news, but it just kind of reaffirmed for me how suck it is that the entire time he has been here, we have not been able to stabilize that position. I imagine they are frustrated and willing to do whatever, knowing that if they could get that DT spot firmed up finally, our D could be really special.

The Shogun of Harlem

by shonuff on Aug 17, 2007 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

Vote for Tank!

I had a feeling that if Lovie vouched to Tank, that the colts would take a chance on him. And why not? The only thing I can think if is that the front office doesn't want the bad PR by signing a convicted felon. But if he stays out of trouble, it would be a big success story.

And it's low risk with a high reward. We'd get him well below market value with very little guaranteed money. If it doesn't work out this year, cut him and it really wouldn't hurt next years cap. If it does work out, and it's a 3 or 4 year deal, you've just secured yourself a young, solid DT at quite a bargain.

Warren scares me...even if you get him to renegotiate his contract, it will be for quite a bit more than what you could get yourself a Tank for. And I feel like his (supposed) health and work ethic issues are more risky than tanks off field issues. And if trading for him now, hurts our ability to resign Bob Sanders at the season's end, I give that a big "HELL NO"!!!!!

by rudy0498 on Aug 17, 2007 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

Tank

If they can sign Tank I say do it.I don't want to get my hopes up but the thought is exciting even considering his suspension. He's played well in the Cover 2 we can use the depth. On top of that it sounds like we have the guy to replace McFarland at this point, with Ed Johnon.

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Aug 17, 2007 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Warren Sapp

Hey whatever happened to talk about Warren Sapp? Earlier in the year there was at least talk about the Raiders cutting him. Did that happen? I would love for him to be signed for a one, two year deal at Indy just for the short term.

by MarkV0327 @ Stampede Blue on Aug 17, 2007 5:10 PM EDT reply actions