[I have been calling for the firing of Grigson and Pagano for two years]

If I had been calling for the firing of Grigson and Pagano for TWO YEARS,  I wouldn't be advertising that fact.

 

I'd be too embarrassed about it.

 

Goodness gracious.       

[My take on our draft!]

Great Job, 511..!!

Honestly, you are WAY ahead of me on doing your homework for the class of 2013. I'm with Kiper/McShay/NFL.com guys, plus Pro Football Weekly. At least for now, that's it for me.

So, I can't comment on who you want to take.

But here's what I can say....

Please God, let us not finish 3-13! If we do we have SERIOUS problems. Andrew is hurt in week 1 and misses the season. Stanton is our QB all year. That's the only way we finish 3-13.

But, the biggest and most important point you got right. Trading down. And maybe even trading down twice and picking up added draft choices. It's a must for us. Major props to you for going there.

The only other somewhat negative comment to make is to say you've projected that we'll use 3 of our first 4 picks on offense. I think if that happens then Greg Manusky will try to murder both Grigson and Pagano!!

His side of the ball needs help -- badly. You're going to have to throw him a few early bones. Maybe his issues get mostly solved in Free Agency, but I wouldn't bet on it.

One last thought.... we've got to get you OUT OF ALASKA!! How Cow, you live in Alaska?!? Are Dad and Mom in the Witness Protection program?? If not, we've got to you get out of there and down to the lower-48!!

Great job! And thanks for giving me the heads-up. I never go to the Blogs. I try and stay on the message boards. Appreciate you shooting me the message!

Thanks again!

Free 511!! Free 511!!! Free 511!!!!!

[Andrew Luck Deal Close!]

Whenever the deal is done, Andrew's deal will be much closer -- some say almost exactly like the one that Cam Newton got last year.

The new CBA allows the rookie money pool to be based on total league revenue. And that money for 2011 (for Luck's contract) is almost the same as 2010, the amount used last year for Newton's contract.

Newton got 4-years and $22 Mill. Meaning Luck is likely to get roughly the same.... likely not much more than that. Maybe a million or so more if that. The devil is in the details. How much upfront? How much per season? How much guaranteed, and so on.....

But there's no chance for $35-40 Mill over 4-years.

The only way to get to that amount, is to factor in the 5th year which likely comes, and THAT year the money will be big. But, by that time, odds are the Colts will have approached Andrew about a re-structered long-term deal. It's not only better for Andrew, but better for the Colts and their salary cap.

Hope this helps......

NewColtsFan

[(Way To Early) 2013 Mock Draft]

Mad props to you, Coltsguy511.... an ambitious undertaking and a job very well done. But as someone who has followed drafts of all kinds for roughly 45 of my 55 years, I'd like to share some observations if I may...

A couple of speed bumps in your scenario...

-- First, the odds of the Colts finishing with the first overall pick I think are very, very small. I think a fair guess of the number of wins this year would be 5 or 6. I suppose a terrible defense and lots of injuries could impact that, but getting the first pick again I think is HIGHLY unlikely. More likely, we'd get a pick somewhere between 5-10 overall. (although I do LOVE the idea of trading back!)

-- Second, even if we pick first, it's not clear yet (way too early) that there is a franchise player in college football worthy of a team giving up so much (three 1's and two 2's in your scenario).... I don't think we'll know that until roughly January or February. Seriously. That's how long it took to realize that RG3 was worth it.

-- Third, more likely for the Colts in 2013, is a trade like what the Cowboys did. Dallas traded their 1st and 2nd (14th and 45th) to move up to #6 where Tampa was picking. So, the Bucs gained a 2nd rounder. Other than the HUGE St.louis/Wash trade involving three #1's a one #2, this was the only trade that garnered as much as a #2. Otherwise, all other 1st round trades involved 3rd and 4th round picks and/or lower. In short, it's very, very rare to get the monster block-buster trade. Possible, but rare.

-- Fourth, your 4th round projection, Margus Hunt, seems like a very desirable player based on nothing more than freakish tools and great workouts. So, if he can play, I doubt he lasts until the 4th round. Seems like someone who'd go much higher.

I don't mean to throw a bucket of cold water on all your hard work. ALL OF IT is possible. Just not very likely, that's all. I'm just as crazy as you are.... I've already mapped out how I'd like the Colts to draft in both 2013 & 2014. I'm sure I'll post them at some point throughout this year or next, I only share to say, you're not alone. Great things ahead. But Luck IS the right first step!

NewColtsFan