2011 Indianapolis Colts discussion

[Sea Ray]

For how long? I would think Pagano would be able to bring in his own people. This isn't the Bengals after all.

Not just the Bengals. Word out of Pittsburgh is that their owner fired the O coordinator without the head coach's blessing:

Although the official company line on the departure of Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is that he retired, it’s been widely reported that he was actually forced out by Steelers owner Art Rooney II. In an interview on the team’s web site, Rooney declined to get into specifics, but didn’t deny that he’s the reason Arians is out.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...-for-a-change/

It's not just Cincinnati. The owners do call the shots on things like the hiring of coaches

[Eric_the_Red]

I don't think Forte leaves the Bears. I think when they get a new GM in they will pay him.

Its interesting to hear you say resign Wayne. I think I would let him walk and completely rebuild. I think Wayne is a very good WR but I think what made him even better was his rapport with Manning. Wayne would be starting all over with Luck which I think would be wasted money.

With Manning gone, I think the Colts are in a long term rebuilding mode. I think Forte would be fantastic to team with a rookie QB but don't know if he would be willing to bite the bullet for a couple of years.

Well, I know Forte is extremely upset at the Bears for not giving him a deal before he was injured. I think he'd be a perfect back for a young QB like Luck, since he is a could runner and can catch out of the backfield too. Plus he is still young.

The reason I say to re-sign Wayne is because he is the only receiver on the team I have confidence in. Garcon can be explosive but he is so inconsistent and drops too many passes. That could wreck havoc with a rookie QB's confidence. And I love Collie, but his concussion history scares me too much to rely on him as an every week starter.

Regardless, with Manning being gone, and likely one or both of Wayne/Mathis being gone, the team should have some money left for free agents. In the NFL you can rebuild in a year or two if done the right way.

[fearofpopvol1]

Seeing as they won't know whether he's 100% healthy by his March bonus deadline, I'd say he's gone. It all comes down to that bonus ($$). If he was just due a $12mill salary, it'd be one thing but the way things are set up, I don't see him as coming back in Indy

I wouldn't rule out Manning restructuring with the injury. Although if he's truly as upset with the Colts and Irsay as the media has made it out to seem, then maybe not. It'll be interesting to see what happens over the next 6 weeks.

[fearofpopvol1]

I know I'm probably dreaming but here is what I'd like the Colts to do this off-season, assuming Manning is gone.

- Draft Andrew Luck (duh)
- Re-sign Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon to 2-4 year deals
- Let Robert Mathis and Anthony Gonzalez walk
- Cut Joseph Addai and Gary Brackett
- Sign Matt Forte

That would give the Colts the following depth chart:
QB - Luck
RB - Forte, Donald Brown, Delone Carter
WR - Wayne, Garcon, Austin Collie
TE - Dallas Clark, Jacob Tamme

Use the rest of their draft picks to improve the defense with younger players that fit Pagano's system better (bigger, not as dependent on speed).

I'm still dreaming, but with the savings of Manning and the above moves I mentioned, I wonder if the Colts could afford a Mario Williams too.

I would not re-sign Wayne. He's older and expensive. I'd be open to keeping Garcon though. I would let Gonzo walk. Mathis is a tough call. I think I could see both the upside and the downside to keeping him vs. letting him go. If he would be willing to take a short extension, I would definitely keep him. Who would you be slotting in to replace Mathis if he goes elsewhere?

The problem with Addai is that he can't seem to stay healthy. He is effective when his health is right. All of the injuries though make this a possibility. Cutting Brackett would be okay, but since he's signed, who would replace him?

There is no way the Colts would sign Forte and that's because the Bears are planning to franchise tag Forte if he doesn't sign a long-term deal.

[Eric_the_Red]

I would not re-sign Wayne. He's older and expensive. I'd be open to keeping Garcon though. I would let Gonzo walk. Mathis is a tough call. I think I could see both the upside and the downside to keeping him vs. letting him go. If he would be willing to take a short extension, I would definitely keep him. Who would you be slotting in to replace Mathis if he goes elsewhere?

The problem with Addai is that he can't seem to stay healthy. He is effective when his health is right. All of the injuries though make this a possibility. Cutting Brackett would be okay, but since he's signed, who would replace him?

There is no way the Colts would sign Forte and that's because the Bears are planning to franchise tag Forte if he doesn't sign a long-term deal.

Would you be comfortable with Pierre Garcon as the team's #1 and Collie their #2 WR? I don't think I would. (Plus Garcon is a FA too, and would need to be re-signed.)

I think Mathis may have another year or two in him, but I'd rather get rid of him too early than too late. Use the money for a FA and draft another DE.

Brackett's replacement would be the same guy that replaced him this year and did a great job IMO- Pat Angerer.

Another FA RB I'd look at is Marshawn Lynch, although he is a big step down from Forte obviously. Still think he is better than Addai or Brown at this point.

Other FA WRs to look at (assuming Wayne is too old/expensive) would be Brandon Lloyd or Robert Meachem.

[fearofpopvol1]

Would you be comfortable with Pierre Garcon as the team's #1 and Collie their #2 WR? I don't think I would. (Plus Garcon is a FA too, and would need to be re-signed.)

I think Mathis may have another year or two in him, but I'd rather get rid of him too early than too late. Use the money for a FA and draft another DE.

Brackett's replacement would be the same guy that replaced him this year and did a great job IMO- Pat Angerer.

Another FA RB I'd look at is Marshawn Lynch, although he is a big step down from Forte obviously. Still think he is better than Addai or Brown at this point.

Other FA WRs to look at (assuming Wayne is too old/expensive) would be Brandon Lloyd or Robert Meachem.

I would be fine with Collie and Garcon being the #1 and #2 as the team is rebuilding. Keep in mind, the Colts can draft another receiver as well.

I don't dispute that long-term, the colts should try to find a better RB, but I'm not sure I'd make that a priority right now.

The problem with Mathis is he supposedly wants big bucks and his numbers would indicate he probably should get a good contract. The problem is his age. Not that he's that old, but I wouldn't be doing anything more than 3-4 years.

[George Anderson]

So far I am pretty impressed with Chuck Pagnano. I can't give any type of intelligent reason why but just my gut instinct tells me he is a good hire.

[fearofpopvol1]

So far I am pretty impressed with Chuck Pagnano. I can't give any type of intelligent reason why but just my gut instinct tells me he is a good hire.

I fully agree. I think this was a very good hire for the Colts. Better than I was expecting, even.

[Razor Shines]

So far I am pretty impressed with Chuck Pagnano. I can't give any type of intelligent reason why but just my gut instinct tells me he is a good hire.

I don't understand. I thought a head coach was only allowed to say "well we've reviewed the tape an the effort was there....there were execution mistakes that we have to correct...but the effort was there."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[George Anderson]

I don't understand. I thought a head coach was only allowed to say "well we've reviewed the tape an the effort was there....there were execution mistakes that we have to correct...but the effort was there."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LOL.....all the while keeping the same facial expression.

From what I hear Pagano is quite animated on the sidelines. Not that it matters in wins and losses but it has been sometime since we have seen that.

[Eric_the_Red]

Adam Schefter is reporting former Steelers OC Bruce Arians will join the Colts in the same role & Christenson will be offered another position in the organization.

Arians was Mannings' QB coach from 98-00.

[Slyder]

Adam Schefter is reporting former Steelers OC Bruce Arians will join the Colts in the same role & Christenson will be offered another position in the organization.

Arians was Mannings' QB coach from 98-00.

wrong thread

[fearofpopvol1]

Adam Schefter is reporting former Steelers OC Bruce Arians will join the Colts in the same role & Christenson will be offered another position in the organization.

Arians was Mannings' QB coach from 98-00.

Another really good hire for the Colts. I'm impressed with the direction they're heading. I'm still not sure about the GM, but the coaching staff is looking real good.

[George Anderson]

Another really good hire for the Colts. I'm impressed with the direction they're heading. I'm still not sure about the GM, but the coaching staff is looking real good.

My concern is the GM will be nothing but a lap dog to Jim Irsay.

[fearofpopvol1]

My concern is the GM will be nothing but a lap dog to Jim Irsay.

Well, Irsay wasn't that way much when Polian was around. I guess things can change, but I don't think they will. At least I hope not.