Colts Free Agency: Should the Colts Re-Sign Sergio Brown?

Yesterday we looked at the safety position briefly and mentioned how the Colts have just two players currently under contract for 2015 at the position (Winston Guy and Dewey McDonald).  LaRon Landry was released yesterday and Mike Adams, Sergio Brown, Colt Anderson, and Delano Howell (RFA) are all free agents this offseason.  Obviously, this is a huge area of need for the team.  A day ago, we looked at whether or not the Colts should re-sign Mike Adams, and today we're taking a look at whether they should re-sign another safety or not: Sergio Brown.

In his third season with the Colts, Sergio Brown played in 15 games in 2014, starting eight of them (in his four previous seasons with both the Patriots and Colts, he had started three games total).  He recorded 33 tackles, a sack, and six passes defensed.  Not only did he step in and start when LaRon Landry was suspended, he also won the spot from Landry even upon the safety's return.  It was very clear that Brown outplayed Landry in 2014 and everyone noticed it, as Colts players and coaches all noted how much more energy and passion Brown brought to the defense.  He did a great job in pass coverage and a solid job against the run, providing a very solid option at safety.

It's a bit more difficult to determine whether or not Sergio Brown should return next year than it was with Mike Adams, as that was an easy "yes."  But Brown does provide value, as he can play both safety as well as excel on special teams.  If the Colts were to bring him back in 2015, I don't think they would bring him back as the solidified starting safety but rather continue to look to upgrade the spot.  With Brown under contract, however, he would provide competition in training camp and a backup who is definitely capable of stepping in and playing when need be.  Plus, he does a very good job on special teams as well, though his role there was decreased in 2014 since he started half the games.

Brown wants to be a starting safety somewhere, and it's hard to blame him for that.  If he doesn't get assurance from the Colts that he will be firmly in the midst of the discussion at the position, he may look elsewhere to see if he could sign somewhere with a better chance of starting.  But depending on the market, I think the Colts would love to bring back Brown, and that would give them some breathing room at a position where they don't have much at all.  This could come down to whether or not Brown is eager to return or whether the Colts can convince Brown to return.  For the right price, I think bringing back Sergio Brown would be a great move for the Colts - as long as they're still keeping their eye on improving the position and adding an impact starter.