ESPN's Yates: "Erik Walden Signing Has Not Gone As Planned"

[BOTT]

Well, if Field Yates says so....

It's funny, the first thing Yates mentions is Walden's lack of sacks, when it's well known that he wasn't brought in to be a major pass rusher.

[BrentMc11]

Very violent today.  What could I have possible done to have drawn such angst?

 

Oh wait, I misunderstood the images.... you think I'm Batman.  Thanks buddy.

HA HA!!....just having fun Coffee.

[coltsfanatic24]

Walden was about average this year and was overpaid. He did bring a physical edge to this team that wasn't there the year before. That being said i still think that Werner should have got more playing time last year especially on passing downs. I know Werner got some snaps but i think Walden got most of them when he's really not a pass rusher.

[Superman]

Walden was about average this year and was overpaid. He did bring a physical edge to this team that wasn't there the year before. That being said i still think that Werner should have got more playing time last year especially on passing downs. I know Werner got some snaps but i think Walden got most of them when he's really not a pass rusher.

 

The only way Walden is overpaid is if bloggers get to determine what he should have been paid. Compared to the other 3-4 Sam backers with similar production, he was actually underpaid.

[Horse Shoe Heaven]

I wouldn't call Walden a bad sign. He was a OK sign. My hope is he is better next year. I personally wasn't over or underwhelmed. I thought his setting the edge greatness that was spouted out, was just OK, but I did think he rushed the passer better than advertised!! I would expect him to play better next year!

[RomanianColtsFan]

All I can say is that clearly Walden wasn't that overpaid bust that some élitists at Colts Authority have declared him to be before the season even started.

[HarassedOffTheSite]

It's funny, the first thing Yates mentions is Walden's lack of sacks, when it's well known that he wasn't brought in to be a major pass rusher.

 

THANK YOU!! This kind of uninformed crap should be dismissed out of hand. Pure nonsense.

[lollygagger8]

Besides the headbutt, I guess he can be counted an asset. Overpaid? Yes, but that's free agency for you. At least he didn't get hurt.

[USAFHoosier]

Walden did what he was brought here to do.  To many so called experts should go learn the game.  Also Walden had similar stats to Kruger for 26 million less.

[ProblChld32]

Here is an article by ESPN's Field Yates about how Erik Walden was one of the 3 bad signings the Colts made last offseason.

 

Personally, I liked Walden and he beat my expectations because on top of doing a good job of setting the edge, he improved as a pass rusher. Overall, I wouldn't call him a disappointment, but Field Yates says different.

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/4279/walden-one-of-nfls-disappointing-free-agent-signings-in-2013?src=mobile

 

I agree with you as well, I felt like Walden exceeded expectations. Most people forget he wasnt brought in to be a premier pass rusher and the fact that he was able to come in set the edge and also apply pressure on the QB while racking up a few sacks,is exceeding expectations in my eyes.

[ProblChld32]

Walden was about average this year and was overpaid. He did bring a physical edge to this team that wasn't there the year before. That being said i still think that Werner should have got more playing time last year especially on passing downs. I know Werner got some snaps but i think Walden got most of them when he's really not a pass rusher.

 

Werner saw a reasonable abount of snaps during the season. I think they kept Walden in on more passing downs because he was able to apply more pressure than Werner was. At times Werner seemed lost and didnt show much pass rush capability. Im hoping he makes a huge leap in year 2 because he does have the intangiables.

[HarassedOffTheSite]

I felt like Walden exceeded expectations. Most people forget he wasnt brought in to be a premier pass rusher and the fact that he was able to come in set the edge and also apply pressure on the QB while racking up a few sacks, is exceeding expectations in my eyes.

 

That.

[hoosierhawk]

I think this says it as well as anyone.  Walden didn't do anything spectacular all season but he only had 2 or 3 bad games and they were at the beginning of the season.

The plays in the Denver game were not spectacular, huh?

[Coffeedrinker]

The plays in the Denver game were not spectacular, huh?

he did a nice job forcing the fumble but then again it was Hillman carrying the ball.  Outside of that, he didn't do anything spectacular in the Denver game.  As I recall he played solid that game.

[Valpo2004]

What's PFF's rating on Walden.

 

Personally I thought he was better then I thought he would be, but I'm not sure that makes him worth the contract we gave him.  

[schwamm]

What's PFF's rating on Walden.

Personally I thought he was better then I thought he would be, but I'm not sure that makes him worth the contract we gave him.

...I'm about to ask a question to which I DON'T know the answer... I'm honestly just curious, but don't have the time to investigate...

What other OLBs, not in their rookie contracts, put up similar or better stats for less pay?

[bertjones#1]

Walden did what he was brought here to do.  To many so called experts should go learn the game.  Also Walden had similar stats to Kruger for 26 million less.

Exactly ... He wasnt brought here to rush the passer. I think he did a good job and he`ll only get better.

[Valpo2004]

...I'm about to ask a question to which I DON'T know the answer... I'm honestly just curious, but don't have the time to investigate...

What other OLBs, not in their rookie contracts, put up similar or better stats for less pay?

 

I don't know, the problem is that defense is harder to break down by stats.  

 

However your root question is worthwhile.  Who out there (not on a rookie contract) has played OLB better for less or equal pay.  I honestly don't know the answer to that either.  But if someone does know the answer it would give us some prospective on Walden.

[schwamm]

I don't know, the problem is that defense is harder to break down by stats.

However your root question is worthwhile. Who out there (not on a rookie contract) has played OLB better for less or equal pay. I honestly don't know the answer to that either. But if someone does know the answer it would give us some prospective on Walden.

It would give us a prospective perspective.

[jvan1973]

he did a nice job forcing the fumble but then again it was Hillman carrying the ball. Outside of that, he didn't do anything spectacular in the Denver game. As I recall he played solid that game.

how about the hit on Manning that caused an int. Or falling on the ball in the endzone after the mathis strip sack

here is a breakdown of his play in that game

http://profootballnetworks.com/2013/10/31/breaking-down-erik-waldens-big-game-against-the-broncos/

[JoKeR]

Maybe Walden's production doesn't match his pay but it's not like he was a non-factor. I think he has more upside and will improve even more. If his salary isn't killing us then what's the problem?

[OffensivelyPC]

Which one of you had the awesome "do you write anything yourself" blast on the FB feed? 

That really made me laugh too.

[Coffeedrinker]

how about the hit on Manning that caused an int. Or falling on the ball in the endzone after the mathis strip sack

here is a breakdown of his play in that game

http://profootballnetworks.com/2013/10/31/breaking-down-erik-waldens-big-game-against-the-broncos/

Falling on the ball after a strip sack is not a spectacular play IMO.  I did forget he was the one that was hitting Manning on the INT.

[Dark Superman]

Did we over pay Walden? Yes.

But That's our own fault.. Not his.

He's simply a edge stopper. That's the main reason we brought him in.

Werner was drafted to come in and bat balls down and sack the QB..

Walden did his job and managed a few sacks as well.

Werner clearly did not.

[jvan1973]

Falling on the ball after a strip sack is not a spectacular play IMO. I did forget he was the one that was hitting Manning on the INT.

so being around the ball isn't a quality you look for in defenders?

[jvan1973]

Did we over pay Walden? Yes.

But That's our own fault.. Not his.

He's simply a edge stopper. That's the main reason we brought him in.

Werner was drafted to come in and bat balls down and sack the QB..

Walden did his job and managed a few sacks as well.

Werner clearly did not.

Some of you act like Walden got Haynesworth money. His contract is not a big one.

Werner was a rookie who battled injuries. His, like most rookie seasons, was for learning. A bit early to call him a bust

[Dark Superman]

Some of you act like Walden got Haynesworth money. His contract is not a big one.

Werner was a rookie who battled injuries. His, like most rookie seasons, was for learning. A bit early to call him a bust

I didn't call him a bust.

And Walden get a little over paid, but he's not as people point him out to be.

[Coffeedrinker]

so being around the ball isn't a quality you look for in defenders?

Ahh, so now you are trying to put words in my mouth.  Running to the ball after someone else makes a great play is not a spectacular play, no matter how you try to twist it around.

[BrentMc11]

Ahh, so now you are trying to put words in my mouth.  Running to the ball after someone else makes a great play is not a spectacular play, no matter how you try to twist it around.

If it was your fav Pat Angerer, it would have been the best play ever!  

 

A nose for the ball is huge.  Ask Leon Lett 

 

He Lett one slip away....

 

[BLUEx40]

 he still did not even perform enough to warrant the kind of money we paid for him I don't really know why we signed him to such a long expensive contract then we draft werner in the first round the front office better improve drastically or were for another horrible offseason and yes I agree with everything this article said. I see him as a backup.

[Thewholefnshow28]

It's amazing how the only time the major networks talk about the Colts is when they're bashing them, or when Peyton Manning is coming to town

Smh pitiful

 

Yeah that Andrew Luck guy never gets any coverage from the media. 

[BrentMc11]

 he still did not even perform enough to warrant the kind of money we paid for him I don't really know why we signed him to such a long expensive contract then we draft werner in the first round the front office better improve drastically or were for another horrible offseason and yes I agree with everything this article said. I see him as a backup.

This post exudes positivity....I feel rejuvenated and well informed now....        !!!!!

[DougDew]

He slightly overpaid for him and the other FA's in order to avoid cap heck, like what he walked into with the Polian leftovers like Brackett, Clark, and Freeney. Contract structure matters.

IMO, he also has a bit of an obligation to honor these contracts, not cutting him, toler, or RJF as some want. Why?...

Having a reputation of being somewhat loyal to his signings will allow him to pursue future FA's without having to put out a lot of upfront/guaranteed money. The Satele situation is different. He is in the last year of his contract and the market understands the need for the colts to upgrade the line. Cut Walden, Toler, or RJF, after only one year; when its debatable that they didn't live up to every last dime of their salary, and the market will see that as a knee-jerk GM and demand a lot of upfront money upon signing a contract with the colts as protection for themselves.

[Coffeedrinker]

If it was your fav Pat Angerer, it would have been the best play ever!  

 

A nose for the ball is huge.  Ask Leon Lett 

 

He Lett one slip away....

 

Not true.  Angerer made the INT on the play where Walden hit Manning.  He took advantage of a gift INT but I don't consider that a spectacular play on Angerer's part.  And I just went back and looked at the game book the play was a safety, so whether Walden didn't do anything on that play.  A spectacular play would have been if he had been able to recover in bounds.

 

Really not sure how something that happened to a different player 11 years ago fits with the conversation.  But I will say, despite this blunder and he had one in the SB agaisnt the Bills Lett was still considered one of the top DTs of his time.

[BrentMc11]

Not true.  Angerer made the INT on the play where Walden hit Manning.  He took advantage of a gift INT but I don't consider that a spectacular play on Angerer's part.  And I just went back and looked at the game book the play was a safety, so whether Walden didn't do anything on that play.  A spectacular play would have been if he had been able to recover in bounds.

 

Really not sure how something that happened to a different player 11 years ago fits with the conversation.  But I will say, despite this blunder and he had one in the SB agaisnt the Bills Lett was still considered one of the top DTs of his time.

Good point on not recovering.  Just a quick jab on Angerer.  You know I liked him too.

 

I could have gone more recent for sure, but that was a historic miscue by Lett.  And YES....he was a big bad man on the football field!!

[Jason_]

 he still did not even perform enough to warrant the kind of money we paid for him 

 

So tell us specifically what he should have done that he didn't in order to earn the money he was paid?

 

I don't really know why we signed him to such a long expensive contract

 

It's already been pointed out many times that Walden got paid in line with what other 3-4 SamLB's get paid so this was not an expensive contract.

 

then we draft werner in the first round

 

This says a lot.  Werner was drafted to play RushLB.  Walden was signed to play SamLB.  Not the same position.

[Coffeedrinker]

Good point on not recovering.  Just a quick jab on Angerer.  You know I liked him too.

 

I could have gone more recent for sure, but that was a historic miscue by Lett.  And YES....he was a big bad man on the football field!!

It's all in good fun.

[HtownColt]

Boy the ESPN title sounded like they had some juicy inside info from the organization itself. But Mike Wells just copied and pasted and linked somebody's opinion on the matter like he always does. Mike Wells never has his own articles he just links copy and paste links to other peoples articles and mislead you with the title like it came from the Colts organization

They should've kept Paul Kuhursky in charge of the AFC South like it was. Because ESPN's team coverage(colts in particular) has not been good since Mike Wells took over

[Gavin]

To me he did a serviceable job. The position could stand for an upgrade without question and I would be surprised if we didn't get an OLB this year to groom behind Walden in the draft at some point...There are just to many this year to pass up.......But again he did a fine job

[BLUEx40]

So tell us specifically what he should have done that he didn't in order to earn the money he was paid?

 

 

 

 

It's already been pointed out many times that Walden got paid in line with what other 3-4 SamLB's get paid so this was not an expensive contract.

 

 

 

 

This says a lot.  Werner was drafted to play RushLB.  Walden was signed to play SamLB.  Not the same position.

thank you for proving me wrong I see walden in a whole new light now, hope you feel better