J.T.
03-22-2012, 08:38 AM
Peyton Manning is gone, but in the process he gave the Colts terrible salary cap conditions for this season. Oh and he had about 150% to do with them landing Andrew Luck.
As far as free agents go, the Colts have landed Cory Redding and Tom Zbikowski from the Ravens. Zbikowski isn't a top flight safety by any means but he has experience in Coach Pagano's system and is certainly better than the rotation of practice squad players the team has been using since Bob Sanders effectively retired from being able to stay on the field after 2007. Redding should be great as a 3-4 end with Freeney and Mathis switching to OLB. On "hybrid" defensive looks I think he slides to DT and Freeney/Mathis go back to end. Excited to have all 3 on the field at the same time. Perhaps Jerry Hughes gets some playing time as a rush LB now. Still need another solid CB or two to help Powers, all the other backs were trash even in Tampa 2 and should be cut. Biggest need on D now aside from corners is a double wide to play NT but they're probably better off getting a FA and then drafting one next year because they'd have to trade back into the 1st to get one but they have to use their other picks to replace all the skill position players they just cut or lost in free agency. Better NT prospects next draft anyway and they will assuredly have another Top 10 pick.
Offense should be altogether better than last year simply by having Luck at QB. Should be offensive rookie of the year. Defense should do better just with legitimate coaching and dropping the Tampa 2. Salary cap looks great for 2013 and the new regime looks like they aren't afraid to go after free agents, something Polian rarely did.
J.T.'s astute pre-draft prediction: 6-10
Will reevaluate the team following the draft
As far as free agents go, the Colts have landed Cory Redding and Tom Zbikowski from the Ravens. Zbikowski isn't a top flight safety by any means but he has experience in Coach Pagano's system and is certainly better than the rotation of practice squad players the team has been using since Bob Sanders effectively retired from being able to stay on the field after 2007. Redding should be great as a 3-4 end with Freeney and Mathis switching to OLB. On "hybrid" defensive looks I think he slides to DT and Freeney/Mathis go back to end. Excited to have all 3 on the field at the same time. Perhaps Jerry Hughes gets some playing time as a rush LB now. Still need another solid CB or two to help Powers, all the other backs were trash even in Tampa 2 and should be cut. Biggest need on D now aside from corners is a double wide to play NT but they're probably better off getting a FA and then drafting one next year because they'd have to trade back into the 1st to get one but they have to use their other picks to replace all the skill position players they just cut or lost in free agency. Better NT prospects next draft anyway and they will assuredly have another Top 10 pick.
Offense should be altogether better than last year simply by having Luck at QB. Should be offensive rookie of the year. Defense should do better just with legitimate coaching and dropping the Tampa 2. Salary cap looks great for 2013 and the new regime looks like they aren't afraid to go after free agents, something Polian rarely did.
J.T.'s astute pre-draft prediction: 6-10
Will reevaluate the team following the draft