Siegfried: Colts quick to address needs in free agency
By PAUL SIEGFRIED
ISL Correspondent
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts were in middle of a seismic shift. Peyton Manning was gone, a new coach was coming in, and the team was staring at a lengthy rebuilding process after a 2-14 season.
Even with talented top draft pick Andrew Luck coming in to try and fill Manning’s massive shoes at quarterback, there were many reasons to believe Indianapolis might be years from getting back ” the offensive line had struggled, the running game was below average and the defense was aging.
No one could have predicted that the Colts would finish 11-5 and return to the playoffs. The drama of head coach Chuck Pagano’s battle with cancer and the job of interim coach Bruce Arians to quickly turn around the Colts became the story of the year.
The accelerated return to contention put extra emphasis on this offseason to continue to keep the Colts among the AFC elite.
General manager Ryan Grigson went right to work at the opening of free agency as he shored up the leaky offensive line with the signing of left tackle Gosder Cherilus (5 years, $34 million) and guard Donald Thomas (4 years, $14 million).
Those two signings were necessary upgrades to keep Luck upright and healthy for an entire season. The Colts did add a bit of insurance when they signed veteran quarterback Matthew Hasselback (2 years, $3 million) just in case.
Grigson gave Luck another big target when he signed big and speedy wideout Darrius Heyward-Bey on Tuesday to a one-year deal worth $3 million.
Heyward-Bey was drafted with the ninth overall pick in 2009 by the Raiders, but never reached the lofty expectations there. His best year was 2011, when he caught 64 balls for 975 yards.
During his stint with Oakland, Heyward-Bey played with seven different starting quarterbacks. The hope for the Colts is that he can revive his career catching passes from Luck, and by teaming him with future Hall of Fame receiver Reggie Wayne and flashy T.Y. Hilton, who is coming off a stellar rookie year.
The Colts parted ways with tackle Winston Justice and guard Seth Olsen and let quarterback Drew Stanton go to Arizona. Wide receiver Donnie Avery also left, signing with Kansas City.
On defense, the suspect secondary was addressed as Grigson inked Pro Bowl safety LaRon Landry (4 years, $24 million) and cornerback Greg Toler (3 years, $15 million). The defense also got some help with the signing of nose tackles Ricky Jean-Francois (4 years, $22 million) and Aubrayo Franklin (not disclosed), and linebackers Lawrence Skidbury (1 year, $715,000) and Erik Walden (4 years, $16 million).
The Colts also brought back cornerbacks Darius Butler and Cassius Vaughn.
Coming over from the Jets, Landry lends a veteran presence to the defense, especially in the backfield where the Colts were susceptible to the big play all year. Toler is a quality corner who had trouble staying healthy in Arizona. Jean-Francois and Skidbury still have untapped potential. Their best years might be ahead of them. Walden struggled with Green Bay a year ago, but a change of scenery may help.
The team let longtime sackmaster Dwight Freeney test free agent waters, and you can expect the 33-year-old to sign elsewhere. Also gone from the defense are linebacker Moise Fokou (signed with Tennessee) and defensive backs Jerraud Powers (signed with Arizona) and Tom Zbikowski (cut; signed with Chicago).
Overall, Grigson has made quick and decisive moves in the offseason, targeting the Colts’ biggest needs. He has made needed upgrades on the offensive line and given Luck another deep threat at wideout.
The secondary improved and added veteran leadership, and depth was improved in other areas.
Freeney’s departure still leaves Indianapolis without a bonafide player to rush the quarterback. Grigson could use the draft to find another pass rusher, but could also look to continue to shore up the secondary and offensive line. Another wide receiver is not out of the question in the draft, and despite a half-dozen running backs, the team is still searching for that bell-cow back.
