Report: Colts in talks for Alex Mack (mega-merge)

[IndyPhil]

I feel like they consider Holmes the starting center of the future and are not going to overspend on a free agent center.  Personally  I don't disagree with any of the signings so far. But the thought of another year watching the colts run right up the middle into a brick wall all makes me die a little inside.  I wish they had gotten proven talent for the oline and drafted defensively.  Our defense looked its worse in my opinion when the offense couldnt stay on the field.  But I am hoping they know something about Holmes we dont based off his performance in private last year while recovering from injury.

[That Guy]

Funny how some of you are screaming for Evan Dietrich-Smith.  He was signed by Green Bay as a college free agent, cut, signed by Seattle, cut, signed again by Green Bay, backed up a shot Jeff Saturday, and then finally got to play.  You make it sound like he is a word beater.  How is he much different than Phil Costa?

 

He rated higher on a website...

[BOTT]

Funny how some of you are screaming for Evan Dietrich-Smith.  He was signed by Green Bay as a college free agent, cut, signed by Seattle, cut, signed again by Green Bay, backed up a shot Jeff Saturday, and then finally got to play.  You make it sound like he is a word beater.  How is he much different than Phil Costa?

So? Jeff Saturday went undrafted and was cut by a team and was sitting at home in NC before an opposing player just happened to tell Polian about him. James Harrison was cut 3 times by the steelers, then cut by the ravens, before sticking with the Steelers the 4th time around.

Nobody is comparing EDS to Dwight Stephenson, but he is a better option than Mack and his ridiculous price tag imo.

[Superman]

Funny how some of you are screaming for Evan Dietrich-Smith.  He was signed by Green Bay as a college free agent, cut, signed by Seattle, cut, signed again by Green Bay, backed up a shot Jeff Saturday, and then finally got to play.  You make it sound like he is a word beater.  How is he much different than Phil Costa?

 

You make a very fair point; Costa could wind up being a good player, just like EDS is now. The difference is that we KNOW that EDS is a good player, and could collectively exhale about our center position with him in the fold. If we're going to roll with Holmes/Costa at center, it's still very much a question mark. Doesn't mean it can't/won't work, but it's more of a gamble than someone who has proven they can play at a high level.

[Modern]

I stand corrected. I read an article about him this morning that said he started all 16 last season and that they considered him fairly solid because Romo was able to pass for 4,000 yards behind him.

I think it was posted on Twitter, or yardbarker.

http://cover32.com/colts/2014/03/13/indianapolis-colts-sign-veteran-center-not-named-alex-mack/

Stupid misleading article

[IndyScribe]

For those of you worrying about having enough cap space, and enough money to sign Mack, here:

For those asking, yes, the Colts have the money to add both Hakeem Nicks and Alex Mack if they so desired.

— Josh Wilson (@Coltsfanwilson) March 14, 2014

[BlueCollarColts]

For those of you worrying about having enough cap space, and enough money to sign Mack, here:

For those asking, yes, the Colts have the money to add both Hakeem Nicks and Alex Mack if they so desired.

— Josh Wilson (@Coltsfanwilson) March 14, 2014

we already knew that! Or at least I did

[csmopar]

For those of you worrying about having enough cap space, and enough money to sign Mack, here:

For those asking, yes, the Colts have the money to add both Hakeem Nicks and Alex Mack if they so desired.

— Josh Wilson (@Coltsfanwilson) March 14, 2014

 

 

we already knew that! Or at least I did

 

 

I was too, I was seeing sources estimating us around 15-20 mil, even after the Costa signing. 

 

[Gavin]

I personally think Holmes has a very high ceiling do to his mobility, But we need a sure thing at Center and not competition for the starting job. You dont get competition to compete for starting jobs, you get competition behind established starters where that competition can earn the right to start when that established vet starter leaves via FA or otherwise....Otherwise you run the risk of having competition between 2 players that should not be starting

[IndyScribe]

 

I was too, I was estimating us around 15-20 mil, even after the Costa signing. 

 

 

The cap's been updated. We have 20 million.

[IndyScribe]

we already knew that! Or at least I did

Yep. I see a lot of people posting that we should cut player X to free up money and sign Mack.

[csmopar]

The cap's been updated. We have 20 million.

source? if so, lets break the piggy bank open and go get Mack and offer Cleveland something to get them not to match it

[grmasterb]

source? if so, lets break the piggy bank open and go get Mack and offer Cleveland something to get them not to match it

Per Mike Chappell on Twitter.

[IndyScribe]

source? if so, lets break the piggy bank open and go get Mack and offer Cleveland something to get them not to match it

http://overthecap.com/teamcap.php?Team=Colts&Year=2014

Plus a Mike Chappell tweet, and there's a thread about it.

[BlueCollarColts]

If we could get Nicks and Mack... damn what a good off-season this would be

[BrentMc11]

If we could get Nicks and Mack... damn what a good off-season this would be

Without even touching the draft.....Mack's agent needs to work it out so that Cleveland will not match.  Still a long shot...hoping here.

 

I said in chat today we would have Nicks signed by 4:30...at least he was in the building at 4:30

[Tyler Shaw]

With 20.1 m left in cap. I believe we will sign nicks and try to use the rest to get ahold of alex mack. Costa would be brought in as insurance.

[BrentMc11]

I did not wish to go through 15 pages...I do like what Mack said in the IndyStar:

 

“Any time a player has a chance to talk with a team with a proven record like the Colts, (with) a quarterback and other weapons of the caliber Indy has, it certainly catches your attention,” Mack, 28, said in an exclusive interview with The Indianapolis Star.

 

I think it will be a few days on this one....

[NewEra]

I think unless he comes out and says I want out I don't know how we'll be able to sign him. They can just sit back and match

[Jaric]

So here's the deal, this is going to happen, and you all need to just go ahead and get on board.

[Tyler Shaw]

So here's the deal, this is going to happen, and you all need to just go ahead and get on board.

I honestly think its going to happen. Just a matter of time.

[buccolts]

I honestly think its going to happen. Just a matter of time.

 

Yeah, odd but, the more time passes, the more I'm starting to think this really could happen.

[Jaric]

Yeah, odd but, the more time passes, the more I'm starting to think this really could happen.

The war of the wills has begun. We will win.

[adamthyst]

Now that the Nicks deal is done.. let's see if we can get Mack.

[GoColts8818]

If we get Mack I think this would go down as a near perfect off-season in terms of free agents for Grigson.  At least on paper.  We'll see if they back it up on the field. 

[GoColts8818]

Yeah, odd but, the more time passes, the more I'm starting to think this really could happen.

Right, like I said if I am the Colts it's in your best interest to let time go by and let the Browns spend money and then sign him to a deal the Browns can't match. 

[adamthyst]

Right, like I said if I am the Colts it's in your best interest to let time go by and let the Browns spend money and then sign him to a deal the Browns can't match.

Who else is interested in Mack and how much cap do they have left?

[GoColts8818]

Who else is interested in Mack and how much cap do they have left?

no idea.  I think I saw something about the Ravens also having interest in him.

[IndyScribe]

Who else is interested in Mack and how much cap do they have left?

Ravens. 15.6 million in cap space.

[adamthyst]

no idea. I think I saw something about the Ravens also having interest in him.

Considering who they have at C, we've got some competition for him.

[Hamster360]

If we are truly going to make a play for Mack, we need structure a deal, that pays a modest 8M$ a year, with incentives like "if we don't win 9 games or more, have an extra 2M, if we miss the playoffs, have an extra 2M, "  Things that we will probably certainly do, so we don't have to pay, but Cleveland probably won't, so they will have to pay, and won't want to pay 12M$ a year for him.

[jmac_48]

Luck: Hey man, I'd really love seeing Mack with the Horseshoe!

 

Grigs: Yeah, me too, making the money work is a hard one.

 

Luck: Well, what if I only ask for 20 instead of 25M/yr. when we gotta deal?

 

Grigs: <almost faints> You are going to ask for WHAT?

 

Luck: Just kidding, sorry about that, lol, really though, get me Mack! We can work it out on my deal later.

 

 

Just fantasizing! 

[OffensivelyPC]

Without even touching the draft.....Mack's agent needs to work it out so that Cleveland will not match. Still a long shot...hoping here.

I said in chat today we would have Nicks signed by 4:30...at least he was in the building at 4:30

Poison pill the contract.

[Dustin]

Poison pill the contract.

Can't because of the new CBA.

[BlueCollarColts]

I think we have an actual chance at getting him.. not a great chance, but a decent chance none the less

[Kyle]

so....  16 pages is a lot...  is the latest news just that we are trying to get him???  

[BlueCollarColts]

so.... 16 pages is a lot... is the latest news just that we are trying to get him???

Pretty much, and Mack was quoted saying a team like Indianapolis certainly catches his eye

[PrincetonTiger]

so....  16 pages is a lot...  is the latest news just that we are trying to get him???

Yep

[Superman]

Can't because of the new CBA.

 

I'm a little confused about why people still have to say this. Should be common knowledge, especially for anyone who is actually familiar with the term "poison pill."

[AgentOrange]

Right, like I said if I am the Colts it's in your best interest to let time go by and let the Browns spend money and then sign him to a deal the Browns can't match. 

Will. Not. Happen. Browns still have over $40 mil in cap space.

 

If we are truly going to make a play for Mack, we need structure a deal, that pays a modest 8M$ a year, with incentives like "if we don't win 9 games or more, have an extra 2M, if we miss the playoffs, have an extra 2M, "  Things that we will probably certainly do, so we don't have to pay, but Cleveland probably won't, so they will have to pay, and won't want to pay 12M$ a year for him.

What you are suggesting is a contract that encourages a player to play poorly.