Peyton Manning, Jim Irsay, and Bill Polian held a press conference earlier today in Anderson, IN, the site for the 2011 Indianapolis Colts training camp. At the press conference, the message from all three resonated loud and clear: Peyton took less money so the Colts could sign more players and be competitive.
When Bill Polian and Peyton spoke, both singled out Joseph Addai and Antonio Johnson as two people the team wanted to target with the extra cap space Manning's new contract afforded them. Addai we heard was re-signed yesterday. Re-signing Mookie was the real news today. The 6'3, 310 pound Johnson was really the only defensive tackle worth a damn for the Colts last season.
The Colts also re-signed guard Kyle DeVan and tackle Michael Toudouze. Eric Foster, a restricted free agent, was inked as well.
So, if you are keeping score at home (and I know you are), Peyton's contract and the cap relief it granted were used by Bill and Chris Polian to re-sign the same people the Colts had on their 10-6 team last year. No improvements. No pieces were 'added.'
Just the same guys.
<cue fart noise>
My apologizes if I sound like Debbie Downer, but I just can't help but think of this over-used but still very appropriate quote that is attributed to Albert Einstein:
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
I guess if Irsay, Peyton, and the Polians are content with one-and-done playoff runs, maybe they aren't 'insane.' Because, if one is expecting different results from nearly the exact same team they fielded last year... well, that's in line with ole Albert's definition.
But, maybe the Colts aren't expecting different results. Maybe they are happy to settle for mediocrity and perennial playoff disappointment.
That said, I'm glad Mookie was re-signed. This defense was primed to set a new league record in 2011 for rushing yards allowed.