It's Looking Like Dwight Freeney Will Not Be A Colt Next Year (Not Confirmed Yet)

[Happy2BeHere]

Don't be surprised if the colts don't make some kind of move on getting an extra draft pick or two THIS year....via a trade of some sort.

[Andy]

You know what I realized, the very probable departure of Freeney means that Jerry Hughes may finally get an opportunity to shine and prove us wrong. He's faster and a better fit as a 3-4 OLB than Anderson if you ask me. Going to be interesting how he takes the change. He is making 2M this year, so at least use him.

[kcusrotaredom]

NO ONE WANTS TO TRADE FOR HIM!!! Why do some people feel we have treasure when it's obvious we DON'T! He's old and overpaid, no one wants to give us a draft pick when they know we are cutting him anyway. We have zero cards to play.

[Fx Stryker]

Got to be a blow to Dwight's ego if they are not getting any offers. What happened to those days where this guy was considered maybe the best pass rusher in the league? Too steep a contract for other teams?

Was kind of thinking the same. If true, ouch.

Other FOs might just be playing smart. They know the Colts are cleaning house. Just wait for them to cut Freeney then go after him. They would gain Freeney, and not lose a draft pick.

[GoColts8818]

NO ONE WANTS TO TRADE FOR HIM!!! Why do some people feel we have treasure when it's obvious we DON'T! He's old and overpaid, no one wants to give us a draft pick when they know we are cutting him anyway. We have zero cards to play.

Just because no one will trade for him doesn't mean he can't play anymore.

We might be asking for too much. It could be teams are just waiting us out thinking we are going to release him and they can sign him and not have to give us anything for him. This is why you don't see players traded very often. If you shop someone you are probably going to release him if you can't get any takers so teams will just wait you out.

With that said I do think Freeney is on the backside of his career and once his speed goes away he'll be an undersized end who gets eaten up by linemen. I don't think that's going to happen this season but I do think it will happen sometime in the next two to thee years so you have to wonder is a contract extension worth it?

[presto123]

Just because no one will trade for him doesn't mean he can't play anymore.

We might be asking for too much. It could be teams are just waiting us out thinking we are going to release him and they can sign him and not have to give us anything for him. This is why you don't see players traded very often. If you shop someone you are probably going to release him if you can't get any takers so teams will just wait you out.

With that said I do think Freeney is on the backside of his career and once his speed goes away he'll be an undersized end who gets eaten up by linemen. I don't think that's going to happen this season but I do think it will happen sometime in the next two to thee years so you have to wonder is a contract extension worth it?

That is what a lot of people are not realizing. A lot of our players are on the backside of their careers. The window had already closed even with Peyton. What the FO is doing now is a smart and necessary step to try and get back to being a great team again. We flat out need to get younger and more talented on BOTH sides of the ball.

[Superman]

Sorry.... I don't consider the deals Kelvin Hayden, Ryan Diem and Bob Sanders got smart use of cap dollars.

Was Sanders a great player when healthy? Sure.... but he got a monster deal with a very well established history of being injured, a history that carried forward thru the entire contract.

And all the while we had horrendous run-blocking and to this day.... a revolving door at OG.

Polian was a good GM but we were cap strapped almost his entire tenure with the team.... and the interior of both lines suffered for it.

It's fun being an armchair GM who gets to grade every decision in hindsight.

[Balzer40]

I don't see why people are saying not not getting anything in return for him when we release him(which is inevitable). We are getting over 14 million in cap savings which could lead to a good couple of FA's. Seems like a nice trade off to me.

[BProland85]

You gotta be kidding! I would think we would at least get something for him. He is still a great pass rusher.

[pacolts56]

It's fun being an armchair GM who gets to grade every decision in hindsight.

Well.... I never said the man's job was easy.

Look.... there's no use getting into the weeds over Bill Polian, Freeney is gone regardless. For all his quirks his many contributions to the Colts as GM/Pres helped us win on a consistent basis, and yes, there were several FUBAR's he'd probably wishes he could have back.

Hopefully Grigson will do a solid job, because he's at the helm here and now. He'll have his highs and lows like Polian did.

No GM bats 1000.... even Forum GMs.

[Tark The Shark]

wow, if the cutting part is true then that is a massive blow. I know Freeney was getting up there in age but he still has a few more good years in him. This would be a bigger cut than the people we got rid of yesterday, but not as big as Peyton. I guess Freeney can't really fit into our hybrid defensive system.

[jwilli69]

It's fun being an armchair GM who gets to grade every decision in hindsight.

Not really hard to judge these contracts and some of the others from Polian quite frankly. I mean, how tough is it to negotiate paying a guy at the top of his position everytime a contract comes due. The only contract I feel Polian really took good advantage of was Reggie Waynes contract, everyone else seemed to get paid at the top of his position. Manning, Harrsion, Clark, Sanders, Hayden, Tarik, Diem (just paid too much not at the top) Bethea, Brackett, Simon on and on and on. Of the ones that should have been top paid would have been Manning, Harrison and Tarik the rest got just over paid to grossly over paid IMO. DOn't forget about 75 year old Kerry Collins windfall.

[jjcolts]

As it's alleged he's unwilling to renegotiate his contract, it's just as well. We're scrapping a lot of players, what's one more? I know it's Freeney, but we are REALLY starting over here.

As someoe said once he is released he will get lots of calls. If I were Dwight, why would I take less cash for a rebuilding team, if I were going to take less cash then I will go elsewhere.

[chrisfarley]

As someoe said once he is released he will get lots of calls. If I were Dwight, why would I take less cash for a rebuilding team, if I were going to take less cash then I will go elsewhere.

Freeney is one of our best players all-time, I hate to see anything happen but Pagano might have his hands tied (by Grigson) on this one.

[MR. Blueblood]

Not really hard to judge these contracts and some of the others from Polian quite frankly. I mean, how tough is it to negotiate paying a guy at the top of his position everytime a contract comes due. The only contract I feel Polian really took good advantage of was Reggie Waynes contract, everyone else seemed to get paid at the top of his position. Manning, Harrsion, Clark, Sanders, Hayden, Tarik, Diem (just paid too much not at the top) Bethea, Brackett, Simon on and on and on. Of the ones that should have been top paid would have been Manning, Harrison and Tarik the rest got just over paid to grossly over paid IMO. DOn't forget about 75 year old Kerry Collins windfall.

When Reggie signed his deal in 06 it made him the third highest paid receiver in the league behind Harrison and Moss. Don't know that was taking advantage

[rockywoj]

If I am GM, my goal is to make the playoffs this coming season. If I make the playoffs, my goal is to win the Super Bowl.

At the same time, I must balance this immediate playoff goal with the long term need to build a "consistent" winner, so that the playoffs / Super Bowl goal is a realistic aspiration every year.

So, given those parameters, my thought is the Colts D would be best with Freeney ON the team. Hence, I keep Freeney for this year, unless I can work a trade that causes the long term good to out weigh the short term good.

At this point, salary cap impact of Freeney is not going to overly weigh on my mind, given all of the cap moves / cuts of the last few days. As for next year, there is no cap impact, as he's a free agent. Whether or not he can be re-signed is a matter for next year, given his apparent lack of cooperation in negotiating an extension now. Regardless, I think it fool hardy to simply release him now. I see no short term OR long term benefit to that kind of move.

[UndecidedFrog]

If I were GM, I would realize that the team would not be able to consistently vie for a SB victory given the composition of the team:

a) led by an aging, rehabbing QB with uncertain arm strength, who has not played at all last season, and who commands a huge part of the salary cap.

b) with aging declining veteran players who are often injured, and unproductive when they are on the field, and who command a huge part of the salary cap.

I would recommend and get the approval from the owner to blow up this roster and rebuild in earnest.

[bayone]

My league source is telling me that the Colts are preparing to release Dwight Freeney as they are not getting good offers for him. He says an NFC team was interested, but didn't give him a good deal. He said that the Colts will either try to trade him for a good deal or they'll just release him. It looks like the Colts will get some cap space, and that there will be an empty spot in our pass rush . Mathis will be the new face of pass rushing in Indy. I'll post a link once it is confirmed. You heard it here first.

**I posted this because this is not a rumour, it's more of a probable scenario. I'm not trying to go against the rules.**

Isnt any offer better than just releasing him, I dont understand ??? someone explain please

[bayone]

If I were GM, I would realize that the team would not be able to consistently vie for a SB victory given the composition of the team:

a) led by an aging, rehabbing QB with uncertain arm strength, who has not played at all last season, and who commands a huge part of the salary cap.

b) with aging declining veteran players who are often injured, and unproductive when they are on the field, and who command a huge part of the salary cap.

I would recommend and get the approval from the owner to blow up this roster and rebuild in earnest.

Isnt that what he is doing to a large extent

[UndecidedFrog]

Isnt any offer better than just releasing him, I dont understand ??? someone explain please

Yes, any offer would be better than just releasing him.

However, if the only offers that arise come with qualifications (such as the willingness of player to extend contract with XXXXX terms), and the player refuses to extend, then there really are no offers.

[21isSuperman]

Yeah get what you can for him. The real prize is the 14M you save which should be more than enough to get a guy like Carl Nicks or Mario Williams in Indy.

Mario Williams in Indy would be beautiful...but would cost a fortune

[UndecidedFrog]

Isnt that what he is doing to a large extent

Yes, and I am liking it. ;)

[tfunky14]

This is very simple, very simple.... Freeney does not fit the defensive sceme the way he did when Manning would get a big lead and let the fast pass rusher Freeney go get the QB. The Colts defence is going to be built differently now with bigger, more run stoppers than the light, smaller but quick pass rushers.

Simple Freeney doesn't fit ....and cost too much...

[bayone]

Yes, any offer would be better than just releasing him.

However, if the only offers that arise come with qualifications (such as the willingness of player to extend contract with XXXXX terms), and the player refuses to extend, then there really are no offers.

understand, thanks

[subvet]

Was Sanders a great player when healthy? Sure.... but he got a monster deal with a very well established history of being injured, a history that carried forward thru the entire contract.

But in 2006 when he came back from his injury, the defense gelled and became awesome! Seeing him flying down the field in kamikaze mode made for great memories and it was worth it.

[jwilli69]

When Reggie signed his deal in 06 it made him the third highest paid receiver in the league behind Harrison and Moss. Don't know that was taking advantage

And he deserved that paycheck too as he was always on the field and played to his contract before and after. His 3rd ranking was quickly erased and moved well down the list later that season if my old memory serves me right. It certainly did feel like a better contract for the Colts than many others did. The Sanders contract was a terrible contract based on the history of injuries and playing time. The Contract of Simon was also set up bad knowing his issues of the past. Eh, we could beat this second guessing crap to death so on to the next Colts phase and good solid qaulity players!!

[pacolts56]

But in 2006 when he came back from his injury, the defense gelled and became awesome! Seeing him flying down the field in kamikaze mode made for great memories and it was worth it.

Well.... I certainly can't argue with that point, and thank God he did come back for the SB run because that SB run would have been iffy at best had he not.

I just wish the contract Bob got after that had something resembling the escape mechanism that Peyton's did.... it would have helped after the injuries continued.

[mahagga73]

My league source is telling me that the Colts are preparing to release Dwight Freeney as they are not getting good offers for him. He says an NFC team was interested, but didn't give him a good deal. He said that the Colts will either try to trade him for a good deal or they'll just release him. It looks like the Colts will get some cap space, and that there will be an empty spot in our pass rush . Mathis will be the new face of pass rushing in Indy. I'll post a link once it is confirmed. You heard it here first.

**I posted this because this is not a rumour, it's more of a probable scenario. I'm not trying to go against the rules.**

Bears

[mahagga73]

Dwight beter hope his unwillingness to restructure doesn't haunt him

[mahagga73]

As someoe said once he is released he will get lots of calls. If I were Dwight, why would I take less cash for a rebuilding team, if I were going to take less cash then I will go elsewhere.

he isn't going to get it that's why

[colts8718]

Don't be surprised if the colts don't make some kind of move on getting an extra draft pick or two THIS year....via a trade of some sort.

I think teams are waiting for him to get cut

[dgambill]

There are several teams in the playoff hunt with cap space but Dwight is unwilling to extend his contract then no one is going to trade for him. They will let him get cut and then negotiate. His value continues to drop...we will be lucky for a third rounder or fourth the way it is going. I imagine he will end up being cut in the end.

[FireJimCaldwell]

Dwight beter hope his unwillingness to restructure doesn't haunt him

How can it haunt him? He's not going to see that 14 million base salary from the Colts. He'll restructure here or get released and go to a new team, with new money.

[Andy]

**NEW DEVELOPMENTS**

*Supposedly the Titans are talking with the Colts about trading for Freeney and the news is that the Titans GM is willing to overpay to get Freeney. The 20th pick in the draft is in play also. With these new developements, it means that the Colts will hold off releasing Freeney.*

[Andy]

Bears

Maybe, but the Bears have more interior trouble. They have Peppers and Idonje who are both more than capable starters (especially Peppers). I would think it would be Seattle or New Orleans.

[fireside]

Unreal!

We need good pass rushing or the offense is going to eat us up. This is becoming a circus in Indy.

[BProland85]

**NEW DEVELOPMENTS**

*Supposedly the Titans are talking with the Colts about trading for Freeney and the news is that the Titans GM is willing to overpay to get Freeney. The 20th pick in the draft is in play also. With these new developements, it means that the Colts will hold off releasing Freeney.*

I really hope this is the case. If we cant get that from them, Id be fine with a 2nd round pick for Freeney. I dont wanna see us just release him. If nothing else, keep him for this last year and next year he will be a free agent.

[Jules]

**NEW DEVELOPMENTS**

*Supposedly the Titans are talking with the Colts about trading for Freeney and the news is that the Titans GM is willing to overpay to get Freeney. The 20th pick in the draft is in play also. With these new developements, it means that the Colts will hold off releasing Freeney.*

lol figures it is the Titans.

So what. Do it. Who cares if it's in the division. The Titans take a lot of our guys anyway.

[Jules]

Cough it up Titans. Cough it up........

[PeytonIsTheOne]

CRAZY RUMOR ALERT:

I just got a call from a friend that lives in Stillwater OK, where he was in attendance and works security at the Oklahoma State pro day. He said that Manning arrived at the stadium and was greeted by Elway, Fox and Xanders and were then escorted into a meeting room. Shortly afterwards, Justin Blackmon was brought into said conference room and stayed for nearly 45 minutes. The doors opened and Blackmon ran down the hall back to the field with a huge smile on his face. The rest of the posse left shortly afterwards to escort Manning to their private jet heading to Denver.

He did not hear anything from anybody what was said, but one can only make a clear assumption of what was discussed in that room. Does Denver have the ability to move up to get Blackmon? Would it be like the Redskins Deal that just happened? What about a potential trade out of Tebow to move up to that spot in the draft? Blackmon is supposed to be top 5 right? Who would benefit from a Tebow trade?

I asked my friend if any of this was ^cowpatties^ he said no way!

Could this happen?