Pagano Called Donnie Avery: "you Don't Need To Make Anymore Fa Visits"

[HarassedOffTheSite]

From the Star: http://www.indystar.com/article/20120328/SPORTS03/203280305/Indianapolis-Colts-attracted-Donnie-Avery-s-speed-receiver

The game film must have looked good. The Colts, Minnesota, Chicago, the New York Jets and Miami expressed interest. Avery visited the Jets. He was at the airport on the way home when his cellphone rang.

It was "coach Chuck," as Avery refers to Colts coach Chuck Pagano. Coach Chuck was recruiting.

"He told me I didn't need to take any more visits," Avery said. "He said what would it take you for you to sign? Give me a verbal commitment on the phone."

Avery was intrigued. He visited. He committed. He signed.

Wow.

[schwamm]

fun story. now, if he can contribute, I'll be thrilled. i love low risk high reward pickups.

[Mameluc]

i love speed and he brings what we have lacked since harrison...hope he can stay healthy and stretch the field...and catch balls

[jvan1973]

Hopefully his knee is healthy... The guy can fly..

[SteelCityColt]

I'm no medical expert but I do think ACL recovery techniques have vastly improved (mainly fuelled by funding from sport I bet!), it certainly used to be a career ender in ahem "Soccer" :rolleyes:. They're soon going to be able to see where Avery is at speed wise, and I don't believe they would have made this move if he didn't still have the juice to be a deep threat. Question is how's his other skills after a long period out the professional game (Titan cameo aside).

Low cost, low risk, high upside, beating off reported interest from other franchises.... sound all good to me.

[Fr33UpFr33ney]

I'm no medical expert but I do think ACL recovery techniques have vastly improved (mainly fuelled by funding from sport I bet!), it certainly used to be a career ender in ahem "Soccer" :rolleyes:. They're soon going to be able to see where Avery is at speed wise, and I don't believe they would have made this move if he didn't still have the juice to be a deep threat. Question is how's his other skills after a long period out the professional game (Titan cameo aside).

Low cost, low risk, high upside, beating off reported interest from other franchises.... sound all good to me.

If they fixed Willis McGahe they can fix anybody.

[hawkeyes]

Sounds like someone really thought Avery was "the stuff" ...

[Captain Americolt]

Coach Pags is the man. The way he talked.

[Boiler_Colt]

So Coach Pagano gave him the Jedi mind trick? I like him more every day.

[KaylaD]

Ha,...I love Pagano! I just have had good feelings about him since we signed him! Hope Avery does well this year and proves to have what it takes! As others said though low risk so a great deal.

[Tony Sullivan]

Reggie and Avery with Collie in the slot. Depending on our TE situation our receiving corps can still be just as strong, if not better, than last years.

[NagelHausForge]

Me likey.

[Superman]

I really like Chuck Pagano.

But I'm not that impressed with this signing. Not until I see Avery stay healthy and contribute throughout the entire season. He can be a really good 2/3 receiver, and he's fast and quick, but the most important ability is availability. We learned that with Gonzo and Sanders. And even Addai and Clark.

I'd still like to see us draft a receiver.

[chad72]

I really like Chuck Pagano.

But I'm not that impressed with this signing. Not until I see Avery stay healthy and contribute throughout the entire season. He can be a really good 2/3 receiver, and he's fast and quick, but the most important ability is availability. We learned that with Gonzo and Sanders. And even Addai and Clark.

I'd still like to see us draft a receiver.

We will, maybe a couple. If there is a Mike Wallace, we will go after him, IMO. Look at Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, the other Steelers wideouts, the one common theme amongs all of them is that they are all speedsters.

Mike Wallace - 6'0", 199, Antonio Brown - 5'11", 186, Emmanuel Sanders - 5'11", 180

So, expect speed over size to be a factor in Arians' offense. Donnie Avery is 5'11", 183.

Based on these, they will probably be high on Kendall Wright of Baylor, and possibly Chris Givens of Wake Forest (look at the Antonio Brown comparison to him in this article - http://www.bloggersodear.com/2012/2/21/2813915/nfl-draft-combine-player-profile-wake-forest-wr-chris-givens)

The 6'1", 200, Jerrico Cotchery was signed for the slot. That is very close to Collie's size (6'2", 200 if I remember right).

[sbtwenty]

If they fixed Willis McGahe they can fix anybody.

you got that right.....that was a gruesome sight for sure..

[ColtsPRIDE11]

"He told me I didn't need to take any more visits," Avery said. "He said what would it take you for you to sign? Give me a verbal commitment on the phone."

Man I love Pagano!! The man doesn't mince words, nor does he waste time. When he said "Let's hunt!" he meant it! Dang! I love the choice of him as HC. He brings an aggressiveness that we sorely need.

I like what Avery brings to the table, but as always, it's up to him to bring his potential to the surface and make it a reality.

GO GET 'EM PAGANO!

[Smonroe]

I really like Chuck Pagano.

But I'm not that impressed with this signing. Not until I see Avery stay healthy and contribute throughout the entire season. He can be a really good 2/3 receiver, and he's fast and quick, but the most important ability is availability. We learned that with Gonzo and Sanders. And even Addai and Clark.

I'd still like to see us draft a receiver.

Totally agree. If we're getting Donnie Avery from his first two seasons, it's a great signing. If we're getting the Avery who played for the Titans last year, it's kind of a waste unless he can contribure on ST's.

Just read that Alshon Jeffery had a solid, but not spectacular pro day. Mayock said he's not worth a 1st round pick, so maybe he's our 2nd.

However, Chad made a good point, it seems Pagano likes the smaller, quicker guys.

[Superman]

However, Chad made a good point, it seems Pagano likes the smaller, quicker guys.

That's Arians who prefers them. And I get that, but I'd also like to have a nice receiving option at tight end who demands attention in the red zone, and if possible, a super athletic receiver with some size who can bust the top off a defense.

[HarassedOffTheSite]

We will, maybe a couple. If there is a Mike Wallace, we will go after him, IMO. Look at Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, the other Steelers wideouts, the one common theme amongs all of them is that they are all speedsters.

Mike Wallace - 6'0", 199, Antonio Brown - 5'11", 186, Emmanuel Sanders - 5'11", 180

So, expect speed over size to be a factor in Arians' offense. Donnie Avery is 5'11", 183.

Based on these, they will probably be high on Kendall Wright of Baylor, and possibly Chris Givens of Wake Forest (look at the Antonio Brown comparison to him in this article - http://www.bloggerso...wr-chris-givens)

The 6'1", 200, Jerrico Cotchery was signed for the slot. That is very close to Collie's size (6'2", 200 if I remember right).

Great post.

[Moncrief]

Collie is 6'0"

[GrizzColt]

"A

We will, maybe a couple. If there is a Mike Wallace, we will go after him, IMO. Look at Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, the other Steelers wideouts, the one common theme amongs all of them is that they are all speedsters.

Mike Wallace - 6'0", 199, Antonio Brown - 5'11", 186, Emmanuel Sanders - 5'11", 180

So, expect speed over size to be a factor in Arians' offense. Donnie Avery is 5'11", 183.

Based on these, they will probably be high on Kendall Wright of Baylor, and possibly Chris Givens of Wake Forest (look at the Antonio Brown comparison to him in this article - http://www.bloggerso...wr-chris-givens)

The 6'1", 200, Jerrico Cotchery was signed for the slot. That is very close to Collie's size (6'2", 200 if I remember right).

Maybe one of the Arkansas receivers as well in the later rounds.

[chad72]

Maybe one of the Arkansas receivers as well in the later rounds.

Definitely possible .

[21isSuperman]

If they fixed Willis McGahe they can fix anybody.

That was an ugly injury. One of the most gruesome I've seen

[SteelCityColt]

The reverse angle doesn't look too bad but from the front...... Ouch.

[MLawRunner]

Love Coach Pagano, great choice by Irsay IMO.

[oldunclemark]

Got to have speed on the carpet...

..because the bad guys will..

[BOTT]

That's Arians who prefers them. And I get that, but I'd also like to have a nice receiving option at tight end who demands attention in the red zone, and if possible, a super athletic receiver with some size who can bust the top off a defense.

meh, i think people are making too much of who arians coached in pittsburgh. if the front office had drafted andre johnson/larry fitzgerald i'm thinking he could of made it work.

[Superman]

meh, i think people are making too much of who arians coached in pittsburgh. if the front office had drafted andre johnson/larry fitzgerald i'm thinking he could of made it work.

I agree.

[Moncrief]

The McGahee injury I can't remember

[BOTT]

The McGahee injury I can't remember

happened in the national championship game vs ohio st....not pretty.

side note..miami was robbed in that game.

[Moncrief]

Video please

[Tark The Shark]

[Tark The Shark]

ouch, that is gruesome. Imagine if he didn't have that injury.

[Dr. T]

The only thing I don't like about Avery is the showboating.

All that dancing in the endzone reminds me of Ocho-Stinko and it's got to stop.

Just score the TD and toss the ball to the ref like Marvin used to do.

[Tark The Shark]

back on topic, Pagano seems to have that Ray Lewis kind of mentality of being aggressive and not mincing words. I love how Pagano said," what would it take for you to sign, I need a verbal commitment." It is like he is a college coach recruiting guys, I personally like that mentality.

[GGW4Mike]

Good pick-up to replace Pierre "Stone Hands" Garcon. Hopefully the knee can hold up and he can contribute to our offense. I really look forward to see him blow by some cornerbacks!

[lollygagger8]

I hope this guy stays on the active list. We don't need another Gonzo riding the bench for years.

That would be sweet to see the 70 yard bomb from Luck's pro day.....

Luck dropping back on the 35 yard line......throwing a deep route to Avery......TD!!!

[mvbighead]

At this point, Avery was a can't lose type of signing. We needed a speedster, and we can't exactly pursue a proven commodity. Hopefully Avery works out, then the only issue becomes re-signing the guy.

But hopefully, the draft a receiver with good speed that can learn from the veteran guys, and fill in if/when Avery goes down.

[ReMeDy]

Coach Pags is the man. The way he talked.

Coach Pags is a beast! Someone needs to put him on a leash!

[ruksak]

It's good to see this. The offense is starting to take shape with the exception of the TE position. That looks to be addressed in the coming draft. RB is another area I am excited about seeing how it pans out. We could be set with Brown and Carter but I expected another FA guy to be brought in to shore that core up. So much to be tightened up yet but some of these pieces are looking good so far.