2014 Salary-Cap. Colts in good shape

[cmgww]

Grigson need to target big name guys instead of small name guys. There is a reason why guys like Heyward-Bey and Walden were small name players. They need to get people that will make an impact on the team, not people that are a hit-or-miss. They have the money, so why not be aggressive?

 

You know why "big name" guys are usually FAs? Because their former teams didn't think highly enough of them to re-sign them. Sometimes it's money, but usually there's a reason that they are FAs besides them wanting too much $$$. You see how Wayne and Mathis were never let go, right? They are key players. When teams let a "big name" go, as we did with Freeney for example, its b/c they think they can move on without him. That is exactly why I am against big name guys. Typically they are a step slow, a bit past their prime, injury prone, or just didn't work out for the teams they were on.

 

We missed on DHB, for sure. TRich isn't looking good (trade but we'll call it a FA deal for the sake of the argument), but lets see how he pans out. Toler is looking bad b/c he has been out 5 games now, but when he was healthy he was solid. The two other bigger names got hurt (Thomas, Bradshaw). Add in the fact that a lot of the contracts were 1 year, cap friendly deals, and I am ok with not going after the big name guys. Walden has been solid, RJF as well.

[Malakai432]

I think walden has actually been a pleasant surprise

He looks ok, but for 4 million/yr for a guy who is getting outplayed by Jerry Hughes seems like too much IMO. One would think there are a bunch of guys with equal to greater production for less. Hence, I was wondering if people think he may restructure or just have the organization flat out cut him.

[CanuckColt]

it's hard to build through the draft when you panic and trade 1st round picks for average at best players.

Bingo!  ....but to be fair, Irsay probably pushed the Richardson trade through.

[husker61]

39 million, if they resign mcafee, veniteri, davis, and bethea (or his replacement), it would probably take at least 20 million. then another 3 million to fill the roster at nfl minimum and 2-3 million for wiggle room during the season, leaving about 13 million for free agents. not asmuch money as it seems.

[husker61]

Bingo!  ....but to be fair, Irsay probably pushed the Richardson trade through.

 

he signed off on it, but i don't think he was calling around looking for a rb. this move is all on grigson.

[Colts_Fan12]

With all of our needs why would we spend that kind of money on a Tackle? That's definitely not the weak spot in out O-Line.

Yeah at RT AC is NOT a franchise LT

[Tunggreat]

You know why "big name" guys are usually FAs? Because their former teams didn't think highly enough of them to re-sign them. Sometimes it's money, but usually there's a reason that they are FAs besides them wanting too much $$$. You see how Wayne and Mathis were never let go, right? They are key players. When teams let a "big name" go, as we did with Freeney for example, its b/c they think they can move on without him. That is exactly why I am against big name guys. Typically they are a step slow, a bit past their prime, injury prone, or just didn't work out for the teams they were on.

 

We missed on DHB, for sure. TRich isn't looking good (trade but we'll call it a FA deal for the sake of the argument), but lets see how he pans out. Toler is looking bad b/c he has been out 5 games now, but when he was healthy he was solid. The two other bigger names got hurt (Thomas, Bradshaw). Add in the fact that a lot of the contracts were 1 year, cap friendly deals, and I am ok with not going after the big name guys. Walden has been solid, RJF as well.

 

Look at Denver. They targeted big name guys like Welker and Vasquez. Peyton is rarely touched and Welker catches most passes that come his way. While the Colts targeted Heyward-Bey who can't catch and Thomas who is on injured reserve. Ask yourself, who would rather have, Welker and Vasquez, or Heyward-Bey and Thomas? Also how was Freeney a big name when he had 5 sacks and was injured a lot last season?

[husker61]

Look at Denver. They targeted big name guys like Welker and Vasquez. Peyton is rarely touched and Welker catches most passes that come his way. While the Colts targeted Heyward-Bey who can't catch and Thomas who is on injured reserve. Ask yourself, who would rather have, Welker and Vasquez, or Heyward-Bey and Thomas? Also how was Freeney a big name when he had 5 sacks and was injured a lot last season?

 

manning makes any line look good on pass plays! thomas got hurt, so that's not a fair comparison with vasquez. the colts big need wasn't at wr, so why sign welker?

 

denver is in a completely different situation than the colts, they have to win in the next couple years with manning. the colts thinking has to be the next 10-15 years with luck.

[esmort]

Yeah at RT AC is NOT a franchise LT

 

AC may not be an elite LT, but he is above average and continues to improve each year.  We have far too many other needs that are a higher priority.

[esmort]

Look at Denver. They targeted big name guys like Welker and Vasquez. Peyton is rarely touched and Welker catches most passes that come his way. While the Colts targeted Heyward-Bey who can't catch and Thomas who is on injured reserve. Ask yourself, who would rather have, Welker and Vasquez, or Heyward-Bey and Thomas? Also how was Freeney a big name when he had 5 sacks and was injured a lot last season?

 

Supposedly the Colts made an offer to Vasquez we can't force him to choose us.  As Husker pointed out Thomas got injured that was beyond anyone's control. Heyward-Bey was a cheap gamble that didn't pay off; what WR was available in FA that was not resigned by their teams or ridiculously overpaid?

[SOMDColtsfan]

Sign Rex Ryan as the defensive coordinator!!!!!!

NO!! See/hear enough of that clown on the NFL channel and Sirius radio. Every week him making stupid predictions as a Colts fan would be unbearable!

[Tunggreat]

manning makes any line look good on pass plays! thomas got hurt, so that's not a fair comparison with vasquez. the colts big need wasn't at wr, so why sign welker?

 

denver is in a completely different situation than the colts, they have to win in the next couple years with manning. the colts thinking has to be the next 10-15 years with luck.

 

They Broncos were loaded at receiver with Thomas and Decker. But that did not stop them from trying to get Welker. The Colts mindset should be "we must win the super bowl this year" not "we'll win the super bowl in the next 10-15 years" I get what you're saying but I just don't want to see the Peyton era all over again and only win one super bowl.

 

The teams that Peyton had did not have much talent and Bill Polian did not help much. I don't want to see Luck get knocked out of the playoffs year after year because his team is not talented enough and General Manager doing nothing to help.

[AtlantaColtsFan]

Resign McAfee, Vinatieri and Davis. Cut Satele. Sign a Center, Guard a WR.

There may be a decent player in round two in either of those positions but I think after getting a solid center we need to load up on offensive linesmen and wideouts.

[husker61]

They Broncos were loaded at receiver with Thomas and Decker. But that did not stop them from trying to get Welker. The Colts mindset should be "we must win the super bowl this year" not "we'll win the super bowl in the next 10-15 years" I get what you're saying but I just don't want to see the Peyton era all over again and only win one super bowl.

 

The teams that Peyton had did not have much talent and Bill Polian did not help much. I don't want to see Luck get knocked out of the playoffs year after year because his team is not talented enough and General Manager doing nothing to help.

 

we completely disagree with the "win it now" thing. i want to be a sb contender every year!

 

the colts signed a lot of defensive players, unlike the manning colts spending more money on offense. your reasoning would have the colts spend the money on offense, not defense. but you don't want to repeat those manning era mistakes?

[Tunggreat]

we completely disagree with the "win it now" thing. i want to be a sb contender every year!

 

the colts signed a lot of defensive players, unlike the manning colts spending more money on offense. your reasoning would have the colts spend the money on offense, not defense. but you don't want to repeat those manning era mistakes?

 

My reasoning is that Polian rarely signed big name players so at the end of each season there are many holes on the team. Those small name guys didn't last very long unless they worked out which rarely happen. Big name guys could come in and fix that hole immediately like Welker is doing right now.

 

The Colts spend a lot of money on defence but not enough on offence. The defence is doing great while the offence is terrible. They should target a big name like Alex Mack who can come in and fill that hole at center or else that hole will still be there for another season.

[BOTT]

Sad thing is we might need a left tackle too lookin at ACs play

He would look much better if the interior of the line wasn't atrocious.....allowing Luck to easily step up and allowing AC to push the rusher wide

[Tunggreat]

Supposedly the Colts made an offer to Vasquez we can't force him to choose us.  As Husker pointed out Thomas got injured that was beyond anyone's control. Heyward-Bey was a cheap gamble that didn't pay off; what WR was available in FA that was not resigned by their teams or ridiculously overpaid?

 

They could have gotten in a bidding war for Vasquez. The Colts had a lot more money then the Broncos did but decided to settle for Thomas. I would have liked Vasquez because he is more proven than Thomas who was a backup at New England.

 

I also think they should have made a run at Welker, who would have made a much bigger impact on the team then Heyward-Bey. You have a lot of money, "why not take some gambles instead of playing it safe" as they say in Vegas (I don't know if they said that but you know what I mean).

[Colts_Fan12]

He would look much better if the interior of the line wasn't atrocious.....allowing Luck to easily step up and allowing AC to push the rusher wide

Well I hope so if that's the case if we got Mack and Asamoah they should help him correct

[esmort]

They could have gotten in a bidding war for Vasquez. The Colts had a lot more money then the Broncos did but decided to settle for Thomas. I would have liked Vasquez because he is more proven than Thomas who was a backup at New England.

 

I also think they should have made a run at Welker, who would have made a much bigger impact on the team then Heyward-Bey. You have a lot of money, "why not take some gambles instead of playing it safe" as they say in Vegas (I don't know if they said that but you know what I mean).

 

Getting into bidding wars in FA is a good way to cripple a team for years. 

 

Us getting Thomas instead of Vasquez is not the problem, the fact that he got hurt and we did not get any more guards in FA is the problem.  Even if we had we given Vasquez a mega contract he could not have played Satele's and McGlynn's positions; and if he had happened to get hurt we would still be in the same situation we are now.

 

As far as Wes Welker goes ... When Denver signed him we were looking good in the receiver department ... We had Wayne, TY, and Allen had not gotten hurt yet ... Fleener and Brazill looked promising ... and we were rolling the dice on DHB.  Welker did not really make sense, if we were going to get a WR we wanted one that could grow long term with Luck ... not one who would be winding down about the same time as Reggie.

 

Also not going crazy for the big names saved us from the likes of Kruger, Wallace, etc .... who many on this board were screaming for and whose contracts would have hurt us for several years.  The guys we got may not be big names, but we got several who will be solid long term contributors without locking ourselves into big guaranteed contracts and also leaving ourselves plenty of money to fill holes in 2014 FA.

[Deathiltis]

I believe Grigson will re-sign Vinatieri, McAfee, Davis, Bethea. He'll Sign 0 Offensive Linemen, I believe he thinks Thornton and Holmes will be sufficient next year. As much as I like Holmes, I don't think he should start next year. I'd like the Colts to sign Alex Mack but i assume the Browns will go after him hard. 

 

Grigson's Oline - Castonzo, Thornton, Holmes, Thomas, Cherilus

 

My dream scenerio is that we sign Mack, Byrd, and Asamoah or Nicks after we Re-Sign Vinatieri, McAfee, and Davis.

[CanuckColt]

he signed off on it, but i don't think he was calling around looking for a rb. this move is all on grigson.

Cleveland was the one who phoned us and offered Richardson for our 1st rounder.

Irsay went all ape on twitter about it and Grigson had to follow through.

[colts_mp]

Isn't Vinatieri 40?  How much cap space can we free up by letting him go and signing a rookie?  Seems like it's about time to part ways after this year or next.

[CanuckColt]

Supposedly the Colts made an offer to Vasquez we can't force him to choose us.  As Husker pointed out Thomas got injured that was beyond anyone's control. Heyward-Bey was a cheap gamble that didn't pay off; what WR was available in FA that was not resigned by their teams or ridiculously overpaid?

I read somewhere that Vasquez wanted to stay out west so he signed with a western div team.

[Deathiltis]

Cleveland was the one who phoned us and offered Richardson for our 1st rounder.

Irsay went all ape on twitter about it and Grigson had to follow through.

 

Cleveland basically abused us with that move. They knew Trent wasn't worthy of the third overall pick and they made a move to make up for it, good for them. I still think Trent will be solid for us starting next year, but he'll never be special and worthy of where he was drafted or the first round pick we gave up for him.

[mintor]

http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php?y=2014 2014 fa .

[dw49]

39 million, if they resign mcafee, veniteri, davis, and bethea (or his replacement), it would probably take at least 20 million. then another 3 million to fill the roster at nfl minimum and 2-3 million for wiggle room during the season, leaving about 13 million for free agents. not asmuch money as it seems.

 

 

I don't think you break the bank with the 2 kickers. Say 6.5 mill. Davis no more than 8 . Howell could be the Bethea replacement but if not draft one or a second tier guy for say 3.5. Thats's 18 and then subtract the 4 you save by cutting Satale. Then use your math and you get 20 mill. 

 

Also don't forget that many of this year's free agents can be cut without cap hits. Add to that the fact that Mathis and Wayne might not be around past 2015 and they take up about 18 mill in cap space. Plus you can make the 2014 cap hits for new free agents small for 2014 , so the Colts can spend a bunch if they so choose.

[dw49]

Isn't Vinatieri 40?  How much cap space can we free up by letting him go and signing a rookie?  Seems like it's about time to part ways after this year or next.

 Nothing as his contract is over this year. So you just have to decide if he's going to be part of the 39 mill we have and if so .. how much ?

[Superman]

Isn't Vinatieri 40?  How much cap space can we free up by letting him go and signing a rookie?  Seems like it's about time to part ways after this year or next.

 

 

 Nothing as his contract is over this year. So you just have to decide if he's going to be part of the 39 mill we have and if so .. how much ?

 

I don't see why people are so eager to get rid of Vinatieri. He's a really good kicker. Since his contract is up, it's likely that we don't bring him back. If he wanted to keep playing for vet minimum (which is something like $1.1m for a player as vested as he is), I'd probably bring him back. Wouldn't want to do the $3.4m again, but he's been worth it this year, that's for sure. Aside from some early misses, he's been solid as a rock. And still has distance. I don't care how old he is, so long as he's knocking his FGs through.

[mintor]

 Nothing as his contract is over this year. So you just have to decide if he's going to be part of the 39 mill we have and if so .. how much ?

Eric Decker ,Jared Allen , Brian Orakpo ,greg hardy , Jimmy Graham , Sean Lee ,Jared Veldheer  ,  Eugene Monroe ,  Alex Mack ,Jon Asamoah is fa ,

[Guest TeamLoloJones]

Eric Decker ,Jared Allen , Brian Orakpo ,greg hardy , Jimmy Graham , Sean Lee ,Jared Veldheer  ,  Eugene Monroe ,  Alex Mack ,Jon Asamoah is fa ,

Sean Lee isn't a FA.

[dw49]

I don't see why people are so eager to get rid of Vinatieri. He's a really good kicker. Since his contract is up, it's likely that we don't bring him back. If he wanted to keep playing for vet minimum (which is something like $1.1m for a player as vested as he is), I'd probably bring him back. Wouldn't want to do the $3.4m again, but he's been worth it this year, that's for sure. Aside from some early misses, he's been solid as a rock. And still has distance. I don't care how old he is, so long as he's knocking his FGs through.

 

 

Agree and I wan't saying not to sign him , I was just helping the poster understand the cap a bit. But ... that said ...I don't think you can devote around 10 mill to your two kickers and back up QB while Andrew Luck resembles a pin ball behind that O Line.

[Superman]

Sean Lee isn't a FA.

 

Not even close. They just locked him up for $7m/year for six years. Players like that don't often switch teams.

[Superman]

Agree and I wan't saying not to sign him , I was just helping the poster understand the cap a bit. But ... that said ...I don't think you can devote around 10 mill to your two kickers and back up QB while Andrew Luck resembles a pin ball behind that O Line.

 

You're right. I only included you in the response because you were a part of the discussion.

 

No way you can devote $10m/year to kickers. Not even close. Who's idea is that? I think the $6.4m we have for kickers this year is too much. But we have good ones, and it's only for one year, not a long term thing. I'm not sure if our front office even wants to make a long term commitment to McAfee. I'm sure they're not going to re-sign Vinatieri for $3m/year again. Not sure where the $10m/year comes from.

 

...

 

I just got it. AND A BACKUP QB. Didn't quite catch that before. Just to refer to the above, I'm not sure what we're going to do with McAfee and Vinatieri next year, but I don't think we'll keep them at $6.4m, combined. We have Hasselbeck at $3.75m, and I doubt he's going anywhere. We could pick up new UDFAs as specialists for less than $1m, combined. 

[dw49]

You're right. I only included you in the response because you were a part of the discussion.

 

No way you can devote $10m/year to kickers. Not even close. Who's idea is that? I think the $6.4m we have for kickers this year is too much. But we have good ones, and it's only for one year, not a long term thing. I'm not sure if our front office even wants to make a long term commitment to McAfee. I'm sure they're not going to re-sign Vinatieri for $3m/year again. Not sure where the $10m/year comes from.

 

...

 

I just got it. AND A BACKUP QB. Didn't quite catch that before. Just to refer to the above, I'm not sure what we're going to do with McAfee and Vinatieri next year, but I don't think we'll keep them at $6.4m, combined. We have Hasselbeck at $3.75m, and I doubt he's going anywhere. We could pick up new UDFAs as specialists for less than $1m, combined. 

 

 

Agree with you.

[smittywerb]

we hit on 3 FA picks and we shoulod be good... my choices are Mack, Maclin and Byrd.

 

OL, OL, OL.

 

 

Grigson need to target big name guys instead of small name guys. There is a reason why guys like Heyward-Bey and Walden were small name players. They need to get people that will make an impact on the team, not people that are a hit-or-miss. They have the money, so why not be aggressive?

 

We targeted Vasquez & Levtrie last offseason.  Both were considered #1 & #2 when it came to OL in FA.  They both denied us.  Can't say Grigs isn't trying.  Also was a rumor and confirmed by some we went after Avril.  We kind of settled for the guys we got.

 

I think walden has actually been a pleasant surprise

 

Yup, he's doing exactly what Pags brought him here to do.  A bit overpriced but I love what he does for the defense.  Hard hat guy for sure.

 

it's hard to build through the draft when you panic and trade 1st round picks for average at best players.

 

Yeah, because Vontae was definitely not worth the 2nd we gave away.  Many people thought we overpaid for him also.

[husker61]

My reasoning is that Polian rarely signed big name players so at the end of each season there are many holes on the team. Those small name guys didn't last very long unless they worked out which rarely happen. Big name guys could come in and fix that hole immediately like Welker is doing right now.

 

The Colts spend a lot of money on defence but not enough on offence. The defence is doing great while the offence is terrible. They should target a big name like Alex Mack who can come in and fill that hole at center or else that hole will still be there for another season.

 

most of the manning years, the colts had cap problems trying to keep their own players. they really didn't have cap room to sign "big name" free agents. there were times the colts had to cut good players to get under the cap.

[husker61]

Cleveland was the one who phoned us and offered Richardson for our 1st rounder.

Irsay went all ape on twitter about it and Grigson had to follow through.

 

well if irsay is making the gm decisions, the colts are in BIG trouble!!!!

[husker61]

Isn't Vinatieri 40?  How much cap space can we free up by letting him go and signing a rookie?  Seems like it's about time to part ways after this year or next.

 

he's a free agent next year. whatever he is signed for would com off the 39 million cap space for next year. he is at 3.4 million this year.

[BOTT]

Cleveland was the one who phoned us and offered Richardson for our 1st rounder.

Irsay went all ape on twitter about it and Grigson had to follow through.

Cool story....but not true

[husker61]

I don't think you break the bank with the 2 kickers. Say 6.5 mill. Davis no more than 8 . Howell could be the Bethea replacement but if not draft one or a second tier guy for say 3.5. Thats's 18 and then subtract the 4 you save by cutting Satale. Then use your math and you get 20 mill. 

 

Also don't forget that many of this year's free agents can be cut without cap hits. Add to that the fact that Mathis and Wayne might not be around past 2015 and they take up about 18 mill in cap space. Plus you can make the 2014 cap hits for new free agents small for 2014 , so the Colts can spend a bunch if they so choose.

 

6.5 is the same as the kickers made this year, i'm sure pat wants more and will cost a lot  more if he is franchised again. if you cut satale, you would be signing someone for about the same amount to replace him. the highest pick the colts will have is a low 2nd, so i am not confident in filling any starting position with this years draft. with the injury history in the secondary, i think we need more than a 2nd tier safety. hopefully we get lucky with a couple players in the draft and can get rid of salary in 2015.

 

i don't think any of this years free agents were busts and will be released. richardson is the only bust, and his contract is guaranteed so cutting him only hurts the cap. wayne is a free agent in 2015, and mathis is 10.75 on the cap for 2015.

 

whatever happens, there really isn't as much cap space as the op implies.