153 replies to this topic

[Indianapolis-Colts-Fan]

http://sportige.com/...utm_source=t.co

[BProland85]

Not really a surprise. Although this article doesnt prove they are "interested" just yet. It just shows that the Colts would be a great fit.

[Rian Huff]

dont want him on are team, hughes stats almost matches his and he didnt start doing anything til suggs got back from his injury sorry i dont think his stats are as good as they say they are

[Balzer40]

I wouldn't mind having the guy, but not for the 35 to 40 million dollars he's supposedly seeking. If Grigson and Pagano greenlight him for a contract like that though, I'll trust them.

[BrentMc11]

Just one question:  Did Kruger play up to his capabilities at any time before his contract year?

 

I personally would NOT pay huge coin to someone that has one very good year.....although I loved what I saw THIS YEAR!!

[Kyle]

Just one question:  Did Kruger play up to his capabilities at any time before his contract year?

 

I personally would NOT pay huge coin to someone that has one very good year.....although I loved what I saw THIS YEAR!!

i agree with this BUT, without looking up any stats, i think he has been a solid player for at least a few years.  I for one, think he may be a good pick up

[BrentMc11]

i agree with this BUT, without looking up any stats, i think he has been a solid player for at least a few years.  I for one, think he may be a good pick up

I feel the same way as you, we just have heard SOOOO much more in this contract year.  That is why I asked the question to our peers.  I feel he was solid too.  Like some have said, the Ravens may have seen him as their version of Hughes.

 

I see him wanting 35-40 million for this:  I am not so sure.....  

 

http://espn.go.com/n...437/paul-kruger

[Kyle]

I feel the same way as you, we just have heard SOOOO much more in this contract year.  That is why I asked the question to our peers.  I feel he was solid too.  Like some have said, the Ravens may have seen him as their version of Hughes.

 

I see him wanting 35-40 million for this:  I am not so sure.....  

 

http://espn.go.com/n...437/paul-kruger

hmm 35-40 mil is a lot...  In Grigson I trust!

[braveheartcolt]

Where are all those pesky Ravens fans when you need 'em.......probably still too drunk to login I suppose....

[Smonroe]

http://sportige.com/...utm_source=t.co

Maybe I'm dense, but what does $35-40M mean? Is that for four years? Five?

That can easily be made cap friendly. Every team needs pass rushers. I don't think he's the type of player who is going to slack off just because he got a good contract.

[Jason_S]

Just one question:  Did Kruger play up to his capabilities at any time before his contract year?

 

I personally would NOT pay huge coin to someone that has one very good year.....although I loved what I saw THIS YEAR!!

 

That is a fair question but I'll counter with another...how many opportunities has he been given in his previous few years to be able to show what he can truly do?  For the past several years, the Ravens have been stacked on defense both with starters and high quality depth.  Perhaps Kruger was never really given a chance to show what he can do simply because he was stuck in the rotation behind players who were more experienced and more developed.  Or perhaps it took him a year or two to really get into the flow of the NFL.  There are a number of possibilities, and sure, him playing harder in his contract year is definitely one of them.  I wouldn't automatically assume that to be the case though.

 

As others have said, Pagano should have a very good idea on the answers to these questions so if we bring him in for big money then I'll assume it's because Pagano truly feels that Kruger can be as good as he was this year on a consistent basis.  

[In Luck We Trust]

Pagano, Redding, McKinney, Zbikowski, and maybe Kruger and alot of you want Reed also???

 

" Here come your 2013 Indianapolis Ravens " 

[Balzer40]

Maybe I'm dense, but what does $35-40M mean? Is that for four years? Five?

That can easily be made cap friendly. Every team needs pass rushers. I don't think he's the type of player who is going to slack off just because he got a good contract.

 

 

 

I read somewhere that he wanted 8 million per yr., so that would put it at no longer than 5 yr. deal. Most teams won't go much beyond that for most players that aren't QB's.

[BrentMc11]

That is a fair question but I'll counter with another...how many opportunities has he been given in his previous few years to be able to show what he can truly do?  For the past several years, the Ravens have been stacked on defense both with starters and high quality depth.  Perhaps Kruger was never really given a chance to show what he can do simply because he was stuck in the rotation behind players who were more experienced and more developed.  Or perhaps it took him a year or two to really get into the flow of the NFL.  There are a number of possibilities, and sure, him playing harder in his contract year is definitely one of them.  I wouldn't automatically assume that to be the case though.

 

As others have said, Pagano should have a very good idea on the answers to these questions so if we bring him in for big money then I'll assume it's because Pagano truly feels that Kruger can be as good as he was this year on a consistent basis.  

That my friend is a point/question well taken.    With their defense he may have been on the back burner.   Just a reminder(Not that you need it ....Hughes has had Havoc (Freeney) and Mayhem (Mathis) in front of him too.....so there may be a parallel.  Hughes looked good in the Mathis role this year.  Not so much in the Freeney role.  He looked a step slow there.

 

Here is to hoping Grigson and Pagano make the right choices moving forward.....we have plenty of money to spend.  I think one good thing is Pagano had Kruger, so he is aware of how he compares to Hughes.  We shall wait and see....bring on free agency!!!!    

[Jason_S]

Pagano, Redding, McKinney, Zbikowski, and maybe Kruger and alot of you want Reed also???

 

" Here come your 2013 Indianapolis Ravens " 

 

Ah but you forget, we are going to have the Stanford offense, so we could change the name to the Stantimore Ravdinal

[Smonroe]

I read somewhere that he wanted 8 million per yr., so that would put it at no longer than 5 yr. deal. Most teams won't go much beyond that for most players that aren't QB's.

True. As we all know, it's about guaranteed money. He'll get the majority of the money up front, but it will count against the cap evenly through the years. I'm not concerned about the money unless it causes us to pass on another guy we really want.

I'm more concerned if he can contribute. Mathis is getting older, DF probably will be gone, Hughes has shown some ability, but we definitely need a strong performer at that position.

[Jason_S]

That my friend is a point/question well taken.    With their defense he may have been on the back burner.   Just a reminder(Not that you need it ....Hughes has had Havoc (Freeney) and Mayhem (Mathis) in front of him too.....so there may be a parallel.  Hughes looked good in the Mathis role this year.  Not so much in the Freeney role.  He looked a step slow there.

 

Here is to hoping Grigson and Pagano make the right choices moving forward.....we have plenty of money to spend.  I think one good thing is Pagano had Kruger, so he is aware of how he compares to Hughes.  We shall wait and see....bring on free agency!!!!    

 

Very true, and I was going to mention the parallel to Hughes in my post but got sidetracked.  Who knows, maybe Hughes and Kruger become our future primary OLB's

[Godeepreggie]

I think we would really regret signing him I don't think he is worth 8 mil a year for that matter I don't think he's worth 6 mil a year . He is just the hot name right now he is really just a specialist with only one year of solid numbers which just so happen to be in a contract year I've seem this happen time and time again with players like Braylon Edwards ,Sidney Rice, Steve Johnson the list goes on and on

[BrentMc11]

Very true, and I was going to mention the parallel to Hughes in my post but got sidetracked.  Who knows, maybe Hughes and Kruger become our future primary OLB's

HMMMM....I guess we better take a wait and see.....and a draft day for that one right 

 

I know some still have given up on 92.....I have not.  He needs to learn the word 'contain.' however.' (Ask Jamaal Charles)

Edited by BrentMc11, 06 February 2013 - 01:17 PM.

[IndyColtScout]

I wonder who told you guys this over a month ago?

If you don't want to sign Kruger, you're entitled to your opinion but your wrong. To say well I don't like his stats they are similar to Hughes. How about you quit looking at the stats, and watch the guy play. He was a force the second half, and post season. And making the argument that he didn't do anything til Suggs came back is a bad one. Is Aaron Rodgers an average QB because of his elite weapons? Is Arian Foster only a by product of his stellar offensive line? Come on, few guys in the NFL succeed without talent surrounding them. Kruger has developed into a great pass rusher, and we need him. End of story.

[braveheartcolt]

The "Jerry Hughes can still be good appreciation thread #83". Come on guys, stop believing in fairy tales.

[Balzer40]

True. As we all know, it's about guaranteed money. He'll get the majority of the money up front, but it will count against the cap evenly through the years. I'm not concerned about the money unless it causes us to pass on another guy we really want.

I'm more concerned if he can contribute. Mathis is getting older, DF probably will be gone, Hughes has shown some ability, but we definitely need a strong performer at that position.

 

 

I agree, I have no problem if they decide to sign him. I would like it to be a much lower contract, but Grigson and Pagano knows far more about him than any of us do, so I will trust them to make the right decision.

[Balzer40]

I think we would really regret signing him I don't think he is worth 8 mil a year for that matter I don't think he's worth 6 mil a year . He is just the hot name right now he is really just a specialist with only one year of solid numbers which just so happen to be in a contract year I've seem this happen time and time again with players like Braylon Edwards ,Sidney Rice, Steve Johnson the list goes on and on

 

 

 

I have said multiple times that IMO he isn't worth the money he's seeking, but I disagree that he's a specialist. He actually will be a much better run stopper IMO than Freeney ever even thought about being. He is big enough and strong enough to be a very effective OLBer in our system. I do however, question if he'll be a great pass rusher like many think he is and I also question giving him so much money based on a half a yr. of good production. Other than that though, I think he would be a good pickup.

[BrentMc11]

I wonder who told you guys this over a month ago?

If you don't want to sign Kruger, you're entitled to your opinion but your wrong. To say well I don't like his stats they are similar to Hughes. How about you quit looking at the stats, and watch the guy play. He was a force the second half, and post season. And making the argument that he didn't do anything til Suggs came back is a bad one. Is Aaron Rodgers an average QB because of his elite weapons? Is Arian Foster only a by product of his stellar offensive line? Come on, few guys in the NFL succeed without talent surrounding them. Kruger has developed into a great pass rusher, and we need him. End of story.

Nice little bark/rant!!  

 

Nobody has said not to sign him.  The man has had ONE good year.  We are talking about throwing 40 million out at him.  We even said Pagano has seen him practice and see him play..he knows better than anyone.  We also said we SAW what Kruger did this year...and I repeat THIS year.

 

For those named braveheart......Hughes played well in the Mathis role......not as well in the Freeney role....and was second best on special teams behind Lefeged....not ever gonna say he is going to be a world beater....just not giving up

[RomanianColtsFan]

I feel the same way as you, we just have heard SOOOO much more in this contract year.  That is why I asked the question to our peers.  I feel he was solid too.  Like some have said, the Ravens may have seen him as their version of Hughes.

 

I see him wanting 35-40 million for this:  I am not so sure.....  

 

http://espn.go.com/n...437/paul-kruger

 

One thing is clear from his stats page is that his number of tackles and sacks went up every year so he may be in his prime or close.

[BrentMc11]

Nice little bark/rant!!  

 

Nobody has said not to sign him.  The man has had ONE good year.  We are talking about throwing 40 million out at him.  We even said Pagano has seen him practice and see him play..he knows better than anyone.  We also said we SAW what Kruger did this year...and I repeat THIS year.

 

For those named braveheart......Hughes played well in the Mathis role......not as well in the Freeney role....and was second best on special teams behind Lefeged....not ever gonna say he is going to be a world beater....just not giving up

Sergio Brown was right up there with Hughes on ST as well....as info...

[Smonroe]

Nice little bark/rant!!  
 
Nobody has said not to sign him.  The man has had ONE good year.  We are talking about throwing 40 million out at him.  We even said Pagano has seen him practice and see him play..he knows better than anyone.  We also said we SAW what Kruger did this year...and I repeat THIS year.
 
For those named braveheart......Hughes played well in the Mathis role......not as well in the Freeney role....and was second best on special teams behind Lefeged....not ever gonna say he is going to be a world beater....just not giving up

Not to get off on a Hughes tangent, but that is true. He had a nice season. He may not ever be an all pro like DF or RM but every team needs solid guys to contribute and he did his part.

I know people like to hang that " first round bust " tag on him but this season disproved that.

[BrentMc11]

One thing is clear from his stats page is that his number of tackles and sacks went up every year so he may be in his prime or close.

A ton of money to throw out...like I said....Pagano knows him better than we do.  I think everyone will run through a brick wall for him...I know I would!!

[IndyColtScout]

Here is the thing about Free Agency though no matter what sport: if you are a commodity that multiple teams want, you will be overpaid. Teams rarely get solid market value for high end free agents. And the Cołts HAVE to spend at least what 35 mil of the 40+ mil they have available. And most of our best players are young so there is no need to extend them.

So what exactly are we supposed to do with all that money if we aren't going to get a high end free agent or two to come to Indy?

[TKnight85]

Too be honest here, not "Hating or Anything" but I seriously DID NOT know who this guy was until this year! And it's bad cause I live in VIRGINIA so all I see are Redskins & Ravens games on my TV. I'd rather just stick with Hughes cause he's honestly not worth what he's asking for. I don't understand why people have ONE breakout year then act like the NFL owes them something. No, you need to be doing it year in & year out. I had no idea who Kruger was till late in the year. I heard Courtney Upshaw's name a lot more in the beginning than his

[Balzer40]

Too be honest here, not "Hating or Anything" but I seriously DID NOT know who this guy was until this year! And it's bad cause I live in VIRGINIA so all I see are Redskins & Ravens games on my TV. I'd rather just stick with Hughes cause he's honestly not worth what he's asking for. I don't understand why people have ONE breakout year then act like the NFL owes them something. No, you need to be doing it year in & year out. I had no idea who Kruger was till late in the year. I heard Courtney Upshaw's name a lot more in the beginning than his

 

 

 

He's a hot name right now and if people were really honest, most here had no clue who this guy was till this season. Many have spent the last couple of weeks googling him, looking up his stats, watching youtube video's, etc, etc. so now they think they're experts on him. 

[braveheartcolt]

Not to get off on a Hughes tangent, but that is true. He had a nice season. He may not ever be an all pro like DF or RM but every team needs solid guys to contribute and he did his part.

I know people like to hang that " first round bust " tag on him but this season disproved that.

I don't want my LB's to be nice. Unicorns are 'nice'....

 

If people are not set on Kruger after this season, how can anyone be talking about Hughes as a better option? He was a complete waste of a 1st round pick. His production these last 3 years is what I'd be expecting of 6th or 7th....

 

And referring to his mediocre stats is not doing for me either. I remember one of his sacks being in amongst our Cheerleaders....

 

If we ignore the stats for Luck, then I can do the same for JH.  

[Superman]

Here is the thing about Free Agency though no matter what sport: if you are a commodity that multiple teams want, you will be overpaid. Teams rarely get solid market value for high end free agents. And the Cołts HAVE to spend at least what 35 mil of the 40+ mil they have available. And most of our best players are young so there is no need to extend them.

So what exactly are we supposed to do with all that money if we aren't going to get a high end free agent or two to come to Indy?

 

To the bolded, they do not have to spend any particular amount this season. The 89% "requirement" is an average for a four year period from 2013-2016.

 

And even then, it's not a real requirement. The team just cuts a check to make up for whatever shortage there might be.

[bavanlan]

http://sportige.com/...utm_source=t.co

 

I see nothing in the article to justify this title.

[throwingBBS]

GEE, I would like to see Kruger at a much HIGHER contract.

Mathis was a dumb contract. Are we really stuck with Satelle for three years. Sure glad we got Zibby. D Browns salary doubles this year.

Even when he was at the top of his game, how effective was Freeney without Mathis on the otherside? How effective was Freeney when were BEHIND? How Effective was Freeney when our opponents were RUNNING on us? He was a HUGE Reason Teams often Steam Rolled us. He was a GIGANTIC, Monumental DISASTER. One of the WORST Ever!!

The odds of Kruger coming here are so so. I would be SHOCKED if Grigson wouldn`t trade Kruger for Mathis in a hearbeat at $9M per yr. JMO

[indycrazy1887]

it seems as though people want us to spend money but on no big names. not saying that we throw it all on this high profile players but one or two would definately help us out...and its not like we are highly limited capwise. we have plenty of room to work with. as for hughes, i think this year he proved himself to be somewhat valuable. otherwise he would most likely be cut. and kruger, he brings a mentality that redding brought to indy, he plays hard, vicious, and fast out on the field. i think he and reed would be smart pickups. heck why dont we throw in arthur jones on the d line as well! just kidding

[TKnight85]

He's a hot name right now and if people were really honest, most here had no clue who this guy was till this season. Many have spent the last couple of weeks googling him, looking up his stats, watching youtube video's, etc, etc. so now they think they're experts on him.

Well, that's others. Like I said, I watched majority of the Ravens games due to my location. I didn't hear Paul Kruger till late in the year. But if Pagano & Co. Believe he can offer us something better than we have, then go for him. But I'm not for signing someone just for ONE standout year

[BrentMc11]

it seems as though people want us to spend money but on no big names. not saying that we throw it all on this high profile players but one or two would definately help us out...and its not like we are highly limited capwise. we have plenty of room to work with. as for hughes, i think this year he proved himself to be somewhat valuable. otherwise he would most likely be cut. and kruger, he brings a mentality that redding brought to indy, he plays hard, vicious, and fast out on the field. i think he and reed would be smart pickups. heck why dont we throw in arthur jones on the d line as well! just kidding

I would like Henry Melton please

[Superman]

I don't want my LB's to be nice. Unicorns are 'nice'....

 

If people are not set on Kruger after this season, how can anyone be talking about Hughes as a better option? He was a complete waste of a 1st round pick. His production these last 3 years is what I'd be expecting of 6th or 7th....

 

And referring to his mediocre stats is not doing for me either. I remember one of his sacks being in amongst our Cheerleaders....

 

If we ignore the stats for Luck, then I can do the same for JH.  

 

 

He was a completely waste of a first round pick, but he didn't pick himself. That's on Polian.

 

His play last season was good enough for a backup/rotational player. He made himself noteworthy on special teams as well. I wouldn't want to hand him a starting job at this point, but he's quality depth.

[Gavin]

He was a completely waste of a first round pick, but he didn't pick himself. That's on Polian.

 

His play last season was good enough for a backup/rotational player. He made himself noteworthy on special teams as well. I wouldn't want to hand him a starting job at this point, but he's quality depth.

I've always held the position as long as players are used in a rotation we wont know what we truely have with them (specifically Hughes in this situation) because its a given when Hughes was brought in it was not always to pass rush therefore with limited and inconsistent snaps that greatly hampers his ability to produce, Im not saying the guy is a diamond in the rough or that he is a bonafide starter but I think  he could start in the Mathis role and be good