{"id":16239,"date":"2017-03-17T17:00:37","date_gmt":"2017-03-17T21:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=16239"},"modified":"2017-03-17T17:00:37","modified_gmt":"2017-03-17T21:00:37","slug":"indianapolis-colts-free-agency-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2017\/03\/17\/indianapolis-colts-free-agency-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"Indianapolis Colts Free Agency Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"

The league year for the 2017 NFL season began on March 9th. \u00a0As teams have made big splashes in free agency, the Indianapolis Colts decided to change course. \u00a0Compared to the last couple of seasons, the franchise refrained from signing some of the bigger names on the market. The roster that newly hired GM Chris Ballard inherited is far from championship contention, especially on defense. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Indianapolis Colts Free Agency Recap<\/h2>\n

Ballard has assured Colts fans that he will do his best to make smart decisions, however a quick-fix mentality is not his approach. \u00a0When referring to free agency, Ballard has stated the goal of building and maintaining a positive locker room. \u00a0“You can’t buy a locker room; that has to be developed over time.” [IndyStar<\/a>] Ballard has kept his word so far. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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#Colts<\/a> fans want instant . New GM Chris Ballard pours some cold water on that idea. https:\/\/t.co\/jyKPSna4FY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 IndyStar Sports (@IndyStarSports) March 6, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Retain Talent<\/h3>\n

Some of the biggest decisions each offseason include which players to keep. \u00a0The Colts have re-signed tight end\u00a0Jack Doyle<\/a> and running back\u00a0Robert Turbin<\/a>. \u00a0The most notable of these is definitely Doyle, a hometown hero for the team, who led all NFL tight ends in reception percentage in 2016.<\/p>\n

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Highest Reception Percentage Among TE in 2016
\nJack Doyle<\/a> 79%
\nMartellus Bennett<\/a> 78%<\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 10, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Due to the breakout season of Doyle, plus the emergence of Erik Swoope<\/a> as a capable downfield threat, the Colts ended up trading Dwayne Allen<\/a> to the New England Patriots. The money used to keep Doyle, coupled with a lack of production led to Allen being expendable. \u00a0The Colts were able to shed Allen’s contract, while moving the 200th overall pick up to 137th overall. \u00a0That pick could hold very good value, as just last year Dak Prescott<\/a> and Devontae Booker<\/a> were selected with the 135th and 136th respectively.<\/p>\n

Retaining key depth is a goal for every GM in the NFL. \u00a0Robert Turbin<\/a> has proven to be a capable backup to starter Frank Gore<\/a>. \u00a0He led the team with seven rushing touchdowns in 2016, while adding another touchdown through the air. \u00a0His eight total touchdowns tied Gore for the team lead, therefore signing for two years at $4.1 million seems to be a great value.<\/p>\n

Defensive back Darius Butler<\/a>\u00a0is also in the plans for the Colts moving forward. \u00a0Butler played well in 2016, and is wanting to switch to safety<\/a> to prolong his career. \u00a0The veteran corner will be 31 entering the upcoming season. \u00a0His leadership will be an integral piece towards creating a “winning” atmosphere in the locker room.<\/p>\n

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Darius Butler re-signs with Colts https:\/\/t.co\/heX156HnJY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 17, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

“Hit the Road Jack!”<\/h3>\n

Ballard has not been shy when deciding how to shed the roster. \u00a0His first notable cut before the free agency period was D’Qwell Jackson<\/a>, an aging middle linebacker. \u00a0Releasing Jackson was a sign of things to come. \u00a0Acquiring youth is a huge team need, and Ballard will commit to the task. \u00a0Weekly starters from the 2016 season that were set free include: Mike Adams<\/a>, Trent Cole<\/a>, Erik Walden<\/a>, and Patrick Robinson<\/a>. \u00a0The most notable player that Ballard let walk is Pro Bowl safety Mike Adams<\/a>. \u00a0It is hard to argue with the new GM’s decision, as Adams will be 36 years old before the upcoming season starts. \u00a0He did have a great impact during his tenure with the Colts, and he feels his play will not regress.<\/p>\n

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Mike Adams<\/a> asked multiple times about his age. “I don’t care about age…YOU guys care about age. Look at the tape.” pic.twitter.com\/sA3StS0yKJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) March 10, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Erik Walden<\/a> did have a career year in 2016, but Ballard needs to shape the roster for the long haul. \u00a0This philosophy includes correcting the mistakes the prior GM, Ryan Grigson, burdened the roster with; overpriced, patchwork players.<\/p>\n

Welcome to the Shoe<\/h3>\n

The addition of free agent players is a crucial step towards fixing roster shortcomings. \u00a0Some free agent signings bring teams closer to glory, while other signings do not perform as expected. Recent history for the Colts reveals more of the latter, as the team has regressed since their 2014 AFC Championship game appearance.<\/p>\n

The free agent signings so far for the 2017 season suggest that GM Ballard will not overpay for mediocre or overrated talent. \u00a0It also shows a commitment to developing players through the draft. Free agent signings for the Colts, as of this article include: linebackers Barkevious Mingo<\/a> and John Simon<\/a>, defensive ends Jabaal Sheard<\/a> and Margus Hunt<\/a>, punter Jeff Locke<\/a>, offensive lineman Brian Schwenke<\/a>, and defensive tackle Al Woods<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The best player of this bunch would appear to be Jabaal Sheard<\/a>, who outperformed the elite<\/a> Chandler Jones<\/a> as a member of the Patriots in 2015. \u00a0Sheard is a solid edge defender, although he did lose his starting gig for the Patriots at the end of last season. \u00a0John Simon<\/a> is viewed by many as a player on the rise, so getting him and Sheard without a large financial commitment is a seemingly nice move.<\/p>\n

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In one day Colts GM Chris Ballard has signed a LB from NFL’s best defense – John Simon<\/a> – and another LB from NFL’s 8th best – Jabaal Sheard<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike Wells<\/a> (@MikeWellsNFL) March 10, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The One that Got Away?<\/h3>\n

Leading up to the biggest names of the free agent carousel getting deals, social media was ripe with hype. \u00a0There were rumors of the Colts targeting players such as Alshon Jeffery<\/a>, Dont’a Hightower<\/a>, and\u00a0Dontari Poe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jeffrey went to the Eagles (thank goodness), and\u00a0Hightower re-signed with the Super Bowl champion Patriots (no surprise).<\/p>\n

Ballard’s roots with the Kansas City Chiefs added more weight to the potential of signing Poe. \u00a0The defensive tackle visited with numerous teams, eventually deciding to join the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year deal. \u00a0The Colts reportedly offered Poe a lucrative long-term deal.<\/p>\n

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There were talks including something in neighborhood of 5-yr deal worth up to $60M. Not only option. 1-year was discussed too, per source. https:\/\/t.co\/ZjyllnvrJZ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Josina Anderson<\/a> (@JosinaAnderson) March 16, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Stats do not always tell the story for interior defensive lineman, however Dontari’s numbers have regressed for three seasons in a row. \u00a0Colts fans should not worry too much, as the new GM has shown a willingness to be patient. The team will try to use newly acquired Al Woods<\/a> as a stopgap, while possibly drafting a defensive tackle or signing another in free agency. \u00a0The move also will make it easier to part with David Parry<\/a>\u00a0if need be, who has had a recent run-in with the law<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There’s Still Time<\/h3>\n

With Dontari Poe<\/a> set to join the Falcons, the potential cap space set aside for him is available to recruit other impact players. \u00a0The needs on the defensive side of the ball are still apparent. \u00a0Gore will be 34 this season, and the “heir apparent” is currently not on the roster. Protecting Andrew Luck<\/a> will always be a crucial factor when\u00a0filling out\u00a0the roster. Chris Ballard is molding this team with an eye on the future. \u00a0Fans of the Colts need to be patient. The upcoming NFL draft will be a key indicator regarding the trajectory of the team.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n