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The Colts have a big decision this offseason when Andrew Luck finishes his rookie contract. Most think he will become the highest paid player in the game. The alternative would be the 5th year option which for QB's would be around $16 million. After 2016, the Colts could use the franchise tag for 2017.
2015 was also the last year of TY Hilton's rookie deal, but the Colts ponied up big time 5 yrs/$65 million extension, agreed but not yet signed.
Next up, they are talking with Anthony Costanzo, who is their best offensive lineman and plays a premium position at LT. The logic in the Indy papers/blogs is that they have to get Costanzo done so that they can use the franchise tag on TE Coby Fleener.
I admit to having had to read that a few times over when I first saw it printed. They feel they have to extend Costanzo now so that they have the franchise tag available for Coby Fleener. Is Fleener even their #1 TE? I thought Dwayne Allen was. Fleener is too small to block, so he is a receiving only TE.
A few things...
1. These are all offensive players getting big bucks. Do they have a budget for defensive players too?
2. Why did they draft WR Philip Dorsett when they already had Donte Moncrief and then feel the need to go $13 million per year on Hilton. Seemed at first like they were planning for life after TY Hilton with a succession plan, but then they paid him anyway.
3. Is Coby Fleener worthy of the franchise tag? I don't think so, but maybe the tag value for TE's is really low like for kickers and this makes it worthwhile.
4. Are they really going to screw with Luck and use the 5th year option and then the franchise tag? Or are they going to pay him sooner and not risk pissing him off?
5. Do they have enough on defense? After Mathis (injured/old) and Cole (old), who can rush the QB? DE's don't grow on trees and aren't cheap. Can Langford stop the run? Is Arthur Jones healthy? Do they have any serviceable LB's? Aside from Vontae Davis, how is their pass defense? I think the answer is they don't have nearly enough on defense.
6. Don't get me started on their offensive line. After Costanzo, they have a 2nd year guy named Mewhort who was good at LG last year that they are forcing to play RT this year. The other 3 guys are awful, including Herremans who they signed from Philly. 2 of the last 3 years he played 8 games and went on IR. He's old and not that good when healthy. Are they trying to get Luck killed or just feel that he can protect himself much like Brady and Manning do.
In conclusion, the Colts lack balance, and all their reportedly planned moves will throw them even further out of balance. Way too much invested on offense, yet still no offensive line.
I think this is the make-or-break year for them versus us. I still think we are 2 TD favorites in any matchup with the Colts because we are a game plan team that can exploit their weaknesses. I can't believe the rest of the league hasn't copied our blueprint for attacking the Colts.
2015 was also the last year of TY Hilton's rookie deal, but the Colts ponied up big time 5 yrs/$65 million extension, agreed but not yet signed.
Next up, they are talking with Anthony Costanzo, who is their best offensive lineman and plays a premium position at LT. The logic in the Indy papers/blogs is that they have to get Costanzo done so that they can use the franchise tag on TE Coby Fleener.
I admit to having had to read that a few times over when I first saw it printed. They feel they have to extend Costanzo now so that they have the franchise tag available for Coby Fleener. Is Fleener even their #1 TE? I thought Dwayne Allen was. Fleener is too small to block, so he is a receiving only TE.
A few things...
1. These are all offensive players getting big bucks. Do they have a budget for defensive players too?
2. Why did they draft WR Philip Dorsett when they already had Donte Moncrief and then feel the need to go $13 million per year on Hilton. Seemed at first like they were planning for life after TY Hilton with a succession plan, but then they paid him anyway.
3. Is Coby Fleener worthy of the franchise tag? I don't think so, but maybe the tag value for TE's is really low like for kickers and this makes it worthwhile.
4. Are they really going to screw with Luck and use the 5th year option and then the franchise tag? Or are they going to pay him sooner and not risk pissing him off?
5. Do they have enough on defense? After Mathis (injured/old) and Cole (old), who can rush the QB? DE's don't grow on trees and aren't cheap. Can Langford stop the run? Is Arthur Jones healthy? Do they have any serviceable LB's? Aside from Vontae Davis, how is their pass defense? I think the answer is they don't have nearly enough on defense.
6. Don't get me started on their offensive line. After Costanzo, they have a 2nd year guy named Mewhort who was good at LG last year that they are forcing to play RT this year. The other 3 guys are awful, including Herremans who they signed from Philly. 2 of the last 3 years he played 8 games and went on IR. He's old and not that good when healthy. Are they trying to get Luck killed or just feel that he can protect himself much like Brady and Manning do.
In conclusion, the Colts lack balance, and all their reportedly planned moves will throw them even further out of balance. Way too much invested on offense, yet still no offensive line.
I think this is the make-or-break year for them versus us. I still think we are 2 TD favorites in any matchup with the Colts because we are a game plan team that can exploit their weaknesses. I can't believe the rest of the league hasn't copied our blueprint for attacking the Colts.
