Are the Colts panicking? (or the excellence of BB and SP)

[The Gr8est]

My answer to this question is "No", but I ask it because I am getting annoyed hearing the suggestions that the Pats are panicking as evidenced by their "Redskins-esque" spending spree and ignoring of character issues this offseason, and suggestions that BB and or SP are taking one last run at a SB before they leave.

Please note that panicking teams don't trade their current picks into the next draft leaving themselves with the likelihood that only one of their draftees is likely to be a significant contributor this season.

I don't hear any suggestions leveled that Dungy and or Polian are making one last run by trading their #1 next year to move up in the 2nd to draft a OT who most consider a step or two below the elites (Thomas, Brown, Staley).

Not only do BB and SP show they are interested in the long-term well-being of the Pats, they show rare patience that even many of us rabid Pats fans lack. They don't need the instant gratification that comes with taking a player now, they make the move that gives the best overall value. Many posters here were openly distraught at the lack of the Pats' "inability to draft the best players that were available", as if any of us can compare to the knowlege BB and SP had going in to this draft.

I also find it telling that while most teams clearly demonstrated that they saw this as a weak draft, very few had the discipline to delay the instant gratification of getting their guys now that the Pats showed. The Jets dealt with the weakness by putting all of their eggs in two baskets, but they weren't willing to wait. The Pats got an extra #1 and #3 next year (both probably high picks in the round), while the 49ers recouped a likely late #1 and the Vikings and Bears each picked up another #3 next year. This demonstrates a clear distinction between the Pats and the rest of the league, and shows the excellence of BB and SP that we are so fortunate to have.

 

[spacecrime]

It's the old I -YOU syndrome

I'm steadfast, you're stubborn
I'm pro-active, you're aggressive
I'm confident, you're arrogant
I'm react instinctively, you react without thinking

We're improving our team, you're panicking

 

[brdmaverick]

It's understandable that the Colts would be worried.

After all, we would worry if the Colts acquired LaDanian Tomlinson, but we would still try to put a bad spin on it to make ourselves feel better.

 

[He Ban Me]

It's understandable that the Colts would be worried.

After all, we would worry if the Colts acquired LaDanian Tomlinson, but we would still try to put a bad spin on it to make ourselves feel better.

Certainly you are not suggesting Randy Moss=LaDainian Tomlinson

 

[coltsfan]

I also find it telling that while most teams clearly demonstrated that they saw this as a weak draft, very few had the discipline to delay the instant gratification of getting their guys now that the Pats showed.

I think you make some good points in your post. But my question is whether next year's draft will actually be any better? Every year we seem to here that the draft is weak, yet there are contributors found in the middle rounds each year. I don't see a killer QB prospect next year. I don't see a great RB right now besides McFadden. I don't see a WR prospect like Calvin Johnson. If I had to guess at this point based on who I know, I think next year will be a better defensive class but a worse offensive class. So I guess that would be a good thing for the Pats. The Colts could have used that too, but they're looking ahead to 2008 where Tarik Glenn could be gone as a free agent. Hence why they wanted to draft his replacement this year and traded away that pick.

 

[Krugman]

Good post,Gr8test.Like the way you put that.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

"Redskins-esque"???????????????? I certainly hope you are quoting an Indy fan and not characterizing this Free Agency run yourself! After all, I seem to recall Archuleta's contract being closer to what Adalius is making then anyone not named Dan Snyder would find comfortable or reasonable.

The biggest challenge for this team won't be opponents, it will come when the veteran leadership exerts itself in the chemistry lab. I like the mix A.Thomas, K.Brady, Morris, and Welker bring to this process. The three name WRs are a bigger concern, but I like that all three are on prove it now contracts. It's a promising start, we'll see how LB shakes out and what happens with Asante and go from there.

 

[The Gr8est]

"Redskins-esque"???????????????? I certainly hope you are quoting an Indy fan and not characterizing this Free Agency run yourself! After all, I seem to recall Archuleta's contract being closer to what Adalius is making then anyone not named Dan Snyder would find comfortable or reasonable.

The biggest challenge for this team won't be opponents, it will come when the veteran leadership exerts itself in the chemistry lab. I like the mix A.Thomas, K.Brady, Morris, and Welker bring to this process. The three name WRs are a bigger concern, but I like that all three are on prove it now contracts. It's a promising start, we'll see how LB shakes out and what happens with Asante and go from there.

"Redskins-esque" is a tongue-in-cheek reference to those who are comparing the Pats FA acquisitions to the typical short-sighted off-season the Redskins generally have. I don't think the Pats actions are remotely comparable to the Redskins'. While I hear a lot of jealous fans point out how the Pats are trying to buy a championship, they don't point out how atypical an off-season this was. Just last season the Pats were busy losing Givens and Vinatierei and struggling to get Deion's situation resolved, while signing no one of note.

How soon people forget about the charges of the Pats being cheap.

 

[upstater1]

The Colts are a great team.

But, I can help but notice that the Colts lost both their starting corners.

And the Patriots added a few middling wide receivers.

This is important. Trust me. And remember, Reche Caldwell made Hayden look like a fool back there.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

"Redskins-esque" is a tongue-in-cheek reference to those who are comparing the Pats FA acquisitions to the typical short-sighted off-season the Redskins generally have. I don't think the Pats actions are remotely comparable to the Redskins'. While I hear a lot of jealous fans point out how the Pats are trying to buy a championship, they don't point out how atypical an off-season this was. Just last season the Pats were busy losing Givens and Vinatierei and struggling to get Deion's situation resolved, while signing no one of note.

How soon people forget about the charges of the Pats being cheap.

I stand relieved bro, phew! :rocker:

 

[VJCPatriot]

The Colts are a great team.

But, I can help but notice that the Colts lost both their starting corners.

And the Patriots added a few middling wide receivers.

A few middling wide receivers? LOL. The Pats have gone from last to at least a top 10 wide receiver corps now imo.

 

[RyanTheColtsFan]

So trading a first rounder for what Bill Polian calls "the best LT prospect in 5 years", is panic? Silly. Absolutely silly. If Ugoh pans out, he's our starting LT next year and we save a TON of cash letting Tarik walk.

 

[upstater1]

So trading a first rounder for what Bill Polian calls "the best LT prospect in 5 years", is panic? Silly. Absolutely silly. If Ugoh pans out, he's our starting LT next year and we save a TON of cash letting Tarik walk.

I'll become a Colts fan if Ugoh turns out to be the best LT in years.

Ugoh was horrible during the all-star games, universally panned by everyone.

 

[Fencer]

So trading a first rounder for what Bill Polian calls "the best LT prospect in 5 years", is panic? Silly. Absolutely silly. If Ugoh pans out, he's our starting LT next year and we save a TON of cash letting Tarik walk.

If Polian really means that, it was heckuva risk not taking the guy at #32.

 

[workhorse]

I'll become a Colts fan if Ugoh turns out to be the best LT in years.

Ugoh was horrible during the all-star games, universally panned by everyone.

A couple of items here. Ugoh was part of the line for one of the best rushing attacks in the country. I didn't see the all-star games, so I'll have to take your word on it. But, I haven't seen him universally panned. Just one quick example is that Vic Carucci said, "They used the second-round pick they acquired from San Francisco to land one of the top offensive tackles in this year's college crop, Tony Ugoh, formerly of Arkansas." Not to mention the fact that Howard Mudd has him at least a year before they need him and Mudd is one of the best line coaches in the league.

If Polian really means that, it was heckuva risk not taking the guy at #32.

He must have felt it would have been more of a risk to pass on Gonzalez. This situation presented itself and he went and got him. Another thing is they don't have to pay him first round money.

 

[Bostonian1962]

My answer to this question is "No", but I ask it because I am getting annoyed hearing the suggestions that the Pats are panicking as evidenced by their "Redskins-esque" spending spree and ignoring of character issues this offseason, and suggestions that BB and or SP are taking one last run at a SB before they leave.

Please note that panicking teams don't trade their current picks into the next draft leaving themselves with the likelihood that only one of their draftees is likely to be a significant contributor this season.

I don't hear any suggestions leveled that Dungy and or Polian are making one last run by trading their #1 next year to move up in the 2nd to draft a OT who most consider a step or two below the elites (Thomas, Brown, Staley).

Not only do BB and SP show they are interested in the long-term well-being of the Pats, they show rare patience that even many of us rabid Pats fans lack. They don't need the instant gratification that comes with taking a player now, they make the move that gives the best overall value. Many posters here were openly distraught at the lack of the Pats' "inability to draft the best players that were available", as if any of us can compare to the knowlege BB and SP had going in to this draft.

I also find it telling that while most teams clearly demonstrated that they saw this as a weak draft, very few had the discipline to delay the instant gratification of getting their guys now that the Pats showed. The Jets dealt with the weakness by putting all of their eggs in two baskets, but they weren't willing to wait. The Pats got an extra #1 and #3 next year (both probably high picks in the round), while the 49ers recouped a likely late #1 and the Vikings and Bears each picked up another #3 next year. This demonstrates a clear distinction between the Pats and the rest of the league, and shows the excellence of BB and SP that we are so fortunate to have.

Don't worry about comments like that. Trust me, other team fans are worried, and the negative spin stuff is to be expected. Think about it. Multiple teams went after Stallworth, Washington, Thomas, etc. If they signed elsewhere, would those teams have been "panicking"? Of course not. The Pats try hard every year to sign free agents, and this year they were more successful at it.

A team that's panicking would not have trading picks from this draft to obtain out-year draft picks. Case closed.

I personally LOVE when I read the negative spin, because I LOVE seeing opposing fans worry so much about the Patriots. It's a beautiful thing!

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'll become a Colts fan if Ugoh turns out to be the best LT in years.

Ugoh was horrible during the all-star games, universally panned by everyone.

He may not become the best LT in years, but he's better than people are giving him credit. I watched that All-star game in real-time and off my DVR, Ugoh handled Anthony Spencer, one of the better pass rushers, just fine. I thought he did a good job, much better then Joe Staley who gave up three sacks to Jay Moore (two by blocking down and one getting beaten inside). Grabbing Ugoh was a good move by Polian, curse the swine.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

As long as we're talking Colts...
http://www.charlotte.com/364/story/107800.html

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was in a hurry to leave Wednesdayafternoon. He had a workout in Indianapolis and a "Get Motivated" speaking engagement with former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Colts coach Tony Dungy in front of an expected crowd of 23,000 Wednesday night. While waiting for his luggage and his car, Manning offered his thoughts on:

NEW ENGLAND'S STOCKPILING TALENT: "They've gotten better and made some moves, but it's still early. We've just got to worry about making the Colts better."

REPEATING AS NFL CHAMPION: "After winning, I have more respect for what the Patriots have done winning multiple times. I know it's tough to win one. I am sure it's tough to repeat."

 

[Nordberg]

The greatest thing about this whole offseason is the fact that we have stole the spotlight from the superbowl winning Colts. Every year the media talks about how its there year......

So they finally win it.....and only get to enjoy the spotlight for a few months. Its understandable the frustration the Colt fans are going through. They got to the top of MT. Monadnock....and instead of being able to enjoy the view for awhile....they were thrown off.

 

[TouchdownColts]

The greatest thing about this whole offseason is the fact that we have stole the spotlight from the superbowl winning Colts. Every year the media talks about how its there year......

So they finally win it.....and only get to enjoy the spotlight for a few months. Its understandable the frustration the Colt fans are going through. They got to the top of MT. Monadnock....and instead of being able to enjoy the view for awhile....they were thrown off.

Trust me most of us Colt fans are just fine with the Pats having all the pre season hype. We're used to being the favorites almost every year and you see how that ended for the most part. So you all go ahead and take ALL the attention and let the Champs fly low under the radar....