ESPN.com is reporting that Adam Vinatieri has agreed in principle to a deal with the Indianapolis Colts. I'll go over that again. The Indianapolis Colts. Adam Vinatieri. Working together. A Patriot hero is now a Colt.
It's like Michael Jordan in a Detroit Pistons uniform.
The Colts may have just replaced the most accurate kicker in NFL history (Vanderjagt) with the most clutch kicker in NFL history (Vinatieri), they may have stolen a Patriot leader and hero and they may have shocked the world with this move. None of that matters. What the Colts did with this deal was add a champion and a winner to the roster. The addition of a player like Vinatieri will have a greater influence on this team than any kicker has ever had on any team.
This is a man who won three Super Bowls. In two of them he kicked the winning field goal. He knows what it takes to win. He knows the pressure of playing in a big game. He knows how to compose himself in crunch time. That's contagious. The rest of the team will pick up on his attitude. He believes he'll hit that field goal if given the chance. He won't get rattled if things get bad. This will rub off on the rest of the team. He's the anti-Owens.
This is a better team with Adam Vinatieri.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
More Shuffling
Linebacker David Thornton and defensive tackle Larry Tripplett are no longer Colts. Both free agents decided to sign elsewhere this week. Thornton will be playing for Tennessee and Tripplett signed with Buffalo. Here's what the free agency tally looks like right now:
Gone
Edgerrin James, RB - Arizona
David Thornton, LB - Tennessee
Larry Tripplett, DT - Buffalo
Mike Vanderjagt, K - Unsigned
Kept
Reggie Wayne, WR
Gary Brackett, LB
Raheem Brock, DE
Jose Cortez, K
It doesn't look like the Colts will have the NFL's 11th best defense this year. Unfortunately, the offense took a step backwards as well with the loss of James.
What's that sound? Oh, that's the Jaguars knocking on the door. For the first time in a few years, it looks like it's going to be a dogfight for the division title. Of course, it's still early and Polian could work some draft-day miracles. I'm not holding my breath.
I can't say that I'm sad to see Vanderjerk go. He's the Terrell Owens of kickers. His replacement won't be as good, but he'll probably keep his mouth shut. Do you think Hunter Smith is sad that he won't have anyone to do the head swoop with after field goals?
Monday, March 13, 2006
James to Arizona
Sometimes it's all about the money.
The Colts just didn't have enough. Edgerrin James signed a 4-year deal worth $30 million with the Arizona Cardinals. It's no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. Polian has been bracing us for this all week with is talk about how little cap room the Colts actually have. Of course, that didn't stop us Colts fans from holding out hope that we might be able to retain the franchise's all-time leading rusher. No such luck.
You certainly can't blame James for taking the kind of deal that he deserves. He's put in seven fantastic seasons in the NFL and he deserves a big payday. Unfortunately, that was something the Colts couldn't provide him. We are all lucky for the opportunity to watch James play for the Colts and I wish him well in Arizona - unless they're facing the Colts.
Now what?
Obviously, the Colts don't have much ability to fill this gaping hole through free agency so they'll probably have to rely on the draft to find a new feature back. Polian is historically great at finding the right talent in the draft, but the tailback position is tough to fill. Even if Polian manages to find the next James in this upcoming draft, there will be the standard adjustment period for him to get up to NFL speed. The biggest concern will be the rookie's ability to recognize pass coverage and pick up the blitz. This will be the one thing that the Colts will miss most about James as they adjust to the post-James era.
Let's just hope that Polian has something up his sleeve.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The CBA
The NFL and Players Union finally agreed on a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). All hail Paul Tagliabue! The NFL is saved! The Colts won’t have to cut Peyton Manning!
What does it really mean?
Mostly, it means that we don’t have to wade through boring columns with phrases like “salary cap”, “prorated” and “revenue sharing.” We don’t have to worry about Gene Upshaw for another eleven years. And we no longer have to pretend that we understand any of this.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t clear anything up for the Colts. Nobody seems to know if the Colts will be able to keep Edgerrin James or not. Most writers seem to think that the new agreement gives the Colts a better chance of keeping him. However, Polian insists that he has no idea if that will be the case. His strategy is to sit back and see how the market reacts. Hopefully, he doesn’t sit so far back that James waltzes his way to Arizona.
Polian also wants to re-sign David Thornton. He doesn’t know if this will happen, either. The Colts are about $8 million under the cap right now. That money needs to be allocated to James, Thornton and any rookies they want to sign. Eight million isn’t much to go around. To keep James and Thornton they’ll need to be creative.
I don’t know much about the cap, but it seems to me that many teams try to skirt cap issues by creating “incentive-laden” contracts. If that is the case, my suggestion is that you give James a ridiculously low salary and include a large amount of easy to reach incentives. For example, you pay him $1000 (minimum) per rushing yard. James easily knocks out 1000 yards a year (last year he had 1506 yards) so he’s pulling in an easy million there. Do the same for each catch and yard gained after the reception. Of course, this all goes straight in the toilet if he gets hurt, but so does the Colts’ season. Again, I don’t know squat about the salary cap or contract structure so this is all probably a huge waste of your time.
My point is that the Colts should do everything they possibly can to keep James and Thornton. Even if it means creating ridiculous contracts for a year or so until they can restructure enough contracts to make room for some serious deals for these guys. Or win a Lombardi Trophy. Whichever comes first.
What does it really mean?
Mostly, it means that we don’t have to wade through boring columns with phrases like “salary cap”, “prorated” and “revenue sharing.” We don’t have to worry about Gene Upshaw for another eleven years. And we no longer have to pretend that we understand any of this.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t clear anything up for the Colts. Nobody seems to know if the Colts will be able to keep Edgerrin James or not. Most writers seem to think that the new agreement gives the Colts a better chance of keeping him. However, Polian insists that he has no idea if that will be the case. His strategy is to sit back and see how the market reacts. Hopefully, he doesn’t sit so far back that James waltzes his way to Arizona.
Polian also wants to re-sign David Thornton. He doesn’t know if this will happen, either. The Colts are about $8 million under the cap right now. That money needs to be allocated to James, Thornton and any rookies they want to sign. Eight million isn’t much to go around. To keep James and Thornton they’ll need to be creative.
I don’t know much about the cap, but it seems to me that many teams try to skirt cap issues by creating “incentive-laden” contracts. If that is the case, my suggestion is that you give James a ridiculously low salary and include a large amount of easy to reach incentives. For example, you pay him $1000 (minimum) per rushing yard. James easily knocks out 1000 yards a year (last year he had 1506 yards) so he’s pulling in an easy million there. Do the same for each catch and yard gained after the reception. Of course, this all goes straight in the toilet if he gets hurt, but so does the Colts’ season. Again, I don’t know squat about the salary cap or contract structure so this is all probably a huge waste of your time.
My point is that the Colts should do everything they possibly can to keep James and Thornton. Even if it means creating ridiculous contracts for a year or so until they can restructure enough contracts to make room for some serious deals for these guys. Or win a Lombardi Trophy. Whichever comes first.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
The Next Level
We all know that the action on the field is the centerpiece to the entertainment that the Indianapolis Colts provide, but it is not the only ingredient in an enjoyable experience at the RCA Dome. We mustn’t forget the Indianapolis Colts Cheerleaders. These ladies are also an important piece to the “Colts Game Experience.” Now it is time for them to renew, refresh and hopefully improve upon their squad – just like the Colts should be doing during this time. While the Colts are forced to wait until the free agency period starts (it has been delayed for three days while they try to hammer out a CBA), the Colts Cheerleaders have already taken the first step towards improving their squad. Auditions have been scheduled.
Ladies, I want to see a good turnout for these auditions. I attended the Colts game versus the Titans in week 13 and was able to see the Colts Cheerleaders live. I liked what I saw. They had a good energy and all of them seemed to really enjoy being on the field dancing, supporting the team and firing up the crowd (Of course, I don’t need to mention that they all looked great as well). However, I’ve seen better. The Colts Cheerleaders performed well, but they didn’t put on a show like, say, the Adrenaline Rush Dancers (of Arena Football’s Chicago Rush). These ladies really know how it’s done. On the sidelines they are always sharp and together with their dances, very professional. They really shine once they hit the field for their halftime performances and features. These aren’t just pretty faces, folks. These girls can dance (especially Dee – my girlfriend). Sure, I might be biased but these girls were a lot more fun to watch.
Anyone with any knowledge of professional cheerleading squads knows that I am comparing apples and oranges when I put the Adrenaline Rush Dancers up against the Colts Cheerleaders. The NFL squads tend to focus more on cheerleading than dancing and the AFL and NBA squads focus more on performance versus cheerleading. In fact, most of the dancers on the Adrenaline Rush Dancers are former Luvabulls. I’m sure you’ve noticed that the NBA squads focus most of their energy on dancing and performances during the breaks. The NFL squads tend to have smaller sideline routines and end zone features. There’s quite a difference between the two. It doesn’t have to be this way.
I’m calling for the Colts Cheerleaders to take the lead and mold themselves after the NBA squads and focus on really delivering spectacular performances during the breaks. Let’s break some ground here, people. The Colts Cheerleaders have got one hell of a great squad right now, but I’d like to see it improve. Just like the Colts, the Colts Cheerleaders need to take it to the next level. Let’s start with these auditions.
Ladies, I want to see a good turnout for these auditions. I attended the Colts game versus the Titans in week 13 and was able to see the Colts Cheerleaders live. I liked what I saw. They had a good energy and all of them seemed to really enjoy being on the field dancing, supporting the team and firing up the crowd (Of course, I don’t need to mention that they all looked great as well). However, I’ve seen better. The Colts Cheerleaders performed well, but they didn’t put on a show like, say, the Adrenaline Rush Dancers (of Arena Football’s Chicago Rush). These ladies really know how it’s done. On the sidelines they are always sharp and together with their dances, very professional. They really shine once they hit the field for their halftime performances and features. These aren’t just pretty faces, folks. These girls can dance (especially Dee – my girlfriend). Sure, I might be biased but these girls were a lot more fun to watch.
Anyone with any knowledge of professional cheerleading squads knows that I am comparing apples and oranges when I put the Adrenaline Rush Dancers up against the Colts Cheerleaders. The NFL squads tend to focus more on cheerleading than dancing and the AFL and NBA squads focus more on performance versus cheerleading. In fact, most of the dancers on the Adrenaline Rush Dancers are former Luvabulls. I’m sure you’ve noticed that the NBA squads focus most of their energy on dancing and performances during the breaks. The NFL squads tend to have smaller sideline routines and end zone features. There’s quite a difference between the two. It doesn’t have to be this way.
I’m calling for the Colts Cheerleaders to take the lead and mold themselves after the NBA squads and focus on really delivering spectacular performances during the breaks. Let’s break some ground here, people. The Colts Cheerleaders have got one hell of a great squad right now, but I’d like to see it improve. Just like the Colts, the Colts Cheerleaders need to take it to the next level. Let’s start with these auditions.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Lucas Oil Stadium
Yesterday, the Colts announced that the new stadium due to be complete for the 2008 season will be named Lucas Oil Stadium. Lucas Oil is based in California but has a plant in the former state capital of Indiana, Corydon. Lucas Oil’s website states that they are, “one of the fastest-growing additive lines in the consumer automotive industry, featuring a line of oils, grease and problem-solving additives.” Priority Number One: check Lucas Oil’s problem-solving additive list to see if they have one to create more cap room to re-sign Edgerrin James. Priority Number Two: find an additive to keep Peyton from choking in playoff games.
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