The Colts Are Releasing EVERYONE (Names Inside)

[PlayTheGame]

Okay, not literally. But since cutting Peyton Manning (not to mention releasing Head Coach Jim Caldwell, Executive Bill Polian, and a bunch of other executives and coaches), ESPN has reported that the Colts have released the following veterans: RB Joseph Addai, TE Dallas Clark, WR Reggie Wayne, C Jeff Saturday, S Melvin Bullitt, LB Gary Brackett, and QB Curtis Painter. Furthermore, here's another list of more players that are involved in trade talks that may be traded or released as well: DE Dwight Freeney, DE Robert Mathis, OL Ryan Diem, WR Pierre Garcon, and a few other unreleased names.

Here's a tweet by Indiana Pacers Guard George Hill that pretty much sums up the story: "What is wrong with the colts one bad season and you cut the whole team! I will never go to another colts game!! (hash)unhappycoltsfan."

Upon this news release, Owner Jim Irsay claims that it pains him to do this and that it's all because of the salary cap. That excuse worked for Peyton Manning, but to apply it here as well? Maybe it has a little to do with it, but c'mon, call a spade a spade- you're cutting anyone who underachieved last year in order to completely start over. That 2-14 season must have really got to the eccentric guy. One could certainly argue that he's going a bit too far. With the release of Manning, Brackett, and Bullitt, the Colts have released all 3 of their 2011 Captains.

It's obvious that "starting over" and that "rebuilding process" that Irsay's been talking about isn't just fancy talk- he was for real. He's blowing up the entire team, like it or not. He's literally erasing the entire chalkboard, and plans to start over with Andrew Luck. So what do you think about this? Good move? Bad move? Too much? Too little? Just enough? Discuss.

 

[Theo Mays]

Well Garcon and Wayne were free agents I believe. As was Saturday. Mathis they franchised, so he will likely be sticking around unless they find a suitable trade for him. The only name that shocks me is Dallas Clark and even that I'm not surprised about. Tamme seems like a solid TE and more fit for an offense that will likely be changing with Andrew Luck at the helm. No more Peyton Manning and TE's lining up in the slot. I expect a more conservative offense this season from the Colts. Why not just completely start over.

 

[Harthan]

All out rebuilding mode, I guess. Not a bad strategy. If Luck becomes the quarterback he has the potential to be, no reason it shouldn't work out as long as they build the right support system. It'll probably be at least three years before they have a chance at the postseason again if all of this works out. If it doesn't work out, the Colts will return to the seemingly endless mediocrity that they suffered through for years before Manning.

 

[JGlass]

Personally, I think this is a great move. These were guys from the Peyton Manning era, and that era is now over. This team has been playing under the same leader with the same mentality for over a decade. Get rid of the players from the old system, and bring in guys ready to work in the new system. I don't want to say that these players are damaged goods, but most of them don't know what it's like to play without Peyton Manning to guide them, and the team's record last season is an indicator of that.

All the cap room they are making will allow them to bring in new pieces and create a brand new Colts team: a total fresh start. This is why I never understand when fans hate rebuilding years, as this is the beginning of what may be a fantastic era of Colts football.

 

[Davi323]

Peyton Manning = Dread Pirate Roberts.

 

[Nev]

I agree with what they're doing. 0-13 start was unacceptable, even if some of those guys had nothing to do with it. You need a complete overhaul, image change, scheme change, organizational change, and (sadly) personell change. Irsay is handling this offseason wonderfully so far

 

[The Best]

Now the whole Colts team can take their talents to South Beach!

In all honestly, I don't like it. Especially guys like Dallas Clark and Jeff Saturday, who've meant a lot to their team sin Peyton came along. I think that this was a little too much for the Colts, as Andrew Luck has to have someone decent to play with. You can't build a whole football team around one single player, it's a game of 11 offensive and defensive players, and not one single guy can single handedly push a team to a championship, or even a playoff spot. Peyton didn't do it alone, Brady didn't do it alone, Brees didn't do it alone, and Rodgers definitely didn't do it alone. I just think that you can't bring in a rookie QB who is supposed to have all of the potential that Luck has, and not have experienced veterans (who have won a superbowl none-the-less) to help the kid out.

 

[The Bearded One]

Hey Jags, please sign Pierre Garcon. You need a wide receiver and he is a pretty damn good one. Also, if you're unable to resign Dwight Lowery, please pick up Melvin Bullitt.

As a Jags fan, I love this so much. I can't wait to see the bandwagon Colts fans fleeing from the team.

 

[Mr. HD]

*Sigh* here we go again...

Like someone said earlier, Dallas, Reggie, Saturday, Brackett, guys like that were all part of the Peyton Manning Era and that Era is over for controversial reasons, but I'm not getting into that again.

Anyway, they are in complete rebuild mode I see. Luck isn't going to have anybody to throw to at this rate. I think they only people that are staying are Gonzalez, Tamme, Blair White, Mathis (I'm not 100% on any of this.) But then again, there are guys like Burress and the "New and Improved" Randy Moss on the free agency market, so that could help.

Miami and Arizona are my two candidates to get Manning. Both teams don't have the cap space, I don't think, to sign all of Peyton's buddies like Reggie, Dallas, Saturday, Freeney, and Brackett.

 

[PlayTheGame]

The biggest name I was surprised to see was Dallas Clark's. I never saw that release coming. When healthy, Clark is one of the best TE's in the league. He has a rare blend of speed, size, and good hands. He's also a serviceable blocker. I guess they deemed him either too old, too injury-prone, or too used to Manning, or a combination of those elements, to continue to be a Colt. Although that's probably where their head was at, I think he could have been a nice veteran to keep around and serve as a security blanket TE to Andrew Luck. Rookie QB's often benefit from having an etasblished TE has a security blanket over the middle on pass plays, so I thought they'd keep the sure-handed Clark for sure. I guess the Colts' overall plan very well could work out in the long-term, although it will be some time, but I don't agree with Clark's release.

 

[PlayTheGame]

However, one release that I will certainly agree with is RB Joseph Addai's. Addai may be one of the most overrated RB's in the league. He doesn't do anything particularly well, and has always benefitted from having Manning in the backfield to block for and catch passes from. Not to mention the pressure Manning takes off of him in the run game. It seems to me that most of Addai's TD's come from very, very short yardage on easy 2 yd runs where the defense is playing honest and Addai has the benefit of just walking in. In fact, I remember a stat that I saw after Addai scored something like a 25-yd TD that stated it was his first of such length in quite some time. Not a good stat to have. On top of all of that, he's been riddled with injuries the past few years and does not seem to be a tough runner. Although I will say that come playoff time, he does show up. But you can't rely on a spotty player like that. I think the only thing (besides Manning's presence) that's kept him around as the starter for so long is the fact that they are void of talent at RB. Carter, Brown, and others behind him have been disappointments, rendering him their best option. I agree that it's certainly time to part ways with him in hopes of trying to get a serviceable starting RB in either the draft or free agency.

 

[Theo Mays]

Anyway, they are in complete rebuild mode I see. Luck isn't going to have anybody to throw to at this rate. I think they only people that are staying are Gonzalez, Tamme, Blair White, Mathis (I'm not 100% on any of this.) But then again, there are guys like Burress and the "New and Improved" Randy Moss on the free agency market, so that could help.

Where's Austin Collie? Isn't he still around? I'm a fan of the kid and I think him and Luck could develop into a nice combo. Collie has good hands (from what I've seen of him) and is a solid WR. Obviously he isn't a go to guy, but if he can stay healthy he is a nice guy to have until the Colts find that new number 1.

 

[Mr. HD]

The biggest name I was surprised to see was Dallas Clark's. I never saw that release coming. When healthy, Clark is one of the best TE's in the league. He has a rare blend of speed, size, and good hands. He's also a serviceable blocker. I guess they deemed him either too old, too injury-prone, or too used to Manning, or a combination of those elements, to continue to be a Colt. Although that's probably where their head was at, I think he could have been a nice veteran to keep around and serve as a security blanket TE to Andrew Luck. Rookie QB's often benefit from having an etasblished TE has a security blanket over the middle on pass plays, so I thought they'd keep the sure-handed Clark for sure. I guess the Colts' overall plan very well could work out in the long-term, although it will be some time, but I don't agree with Clark's release.

I would go with that one.

As much as I love Dallas Clark, let's be very honest here. Peyton really made him. I understand he's a great tight end. I get all of that, but you're even better when you have a QB like Peyton Manning throwing the ball to you.

When Manning went down this season, Clark was virtually obsolete. At one point I had to look at the roster to see if he was still on the team and found out he was injured. But even before that, it's like he wasn't there.

If there's one person I really see going with Manning to his new team, it would have to be Dallas. Reggie is a BIG maybe. Manning with Fitz and Dallas, or Manning with Brandon Marshall and Dallas. Either way, it's a win-win.

Where's Austin Collie? Isn't he still around? I'm a fan of the kid and I think him and Luck could develop into a nice combo. Collie has good hands (from what I've seen of him) and is a solid WR. Obviously he isn't a go to guy, but if he can stay healthy he is a nice guy to have until the Colts find that new number 1.

Oh yeah, I forgot all about him too. That goes to show how much you notice guys when Manning isn't even there.

Collie is easily the #1 on that team now, especially Garcon leaves as well. His rookie year was really something special and he can be a real go to guy as long as he takes it easy and doesn't get anymore concussions.

Collie, Gonzalez, Tamme, White. Well, they aren't exactly an all star list, but hey this is what the Draft is for right?

 

[PlayTheGame]

I would go with that one.

As much as I love Dallas Clark, let's be very honest here. Peyton really made him. I understand he's a great tight end. I get all of that, but you're even better when you have a QB like Peyton Manning throwing the ball to you.

When Manning went down this season, Clark was virtually obsolete. At one point I had to look at the roster to see if he was still on the team and found out he was injured. But even before that, it's like he wasn't there.

If there's one person I really see going with Manning to his new team, it would have to be Dallas. Reggie is a BIG maybe. Manning with Fitz and Dallas, or Manning with Brandon Marshall and Dallas. Either way, it's a win-win.

I agree that Clark and/or Wayne going with Manning would be ideal for him because of their experience together. I think any team that brings Manning in would benefit greatly by also picking up Clark and/or Wayne, whoever would fit in better. But both would be nice. Jeff Saturday would be the icing on the cake, but that might be asking too much. However, if a team could bring in some, most, or all of these pieces, Manning could pretty much pick up right where he left off, plus having say a Brandon Marshall or a Larry Fitzgerald there as well. It'd pretty much ensure some immediate success. If your going for Manning, you're obviously trying to win in the short-term, so why not pick up these veterans as well that obviously fit very well with Manning? After all, he's won a SB with these guys in the past. If you add in Fitz/Marshall, I'd say that gives the team a great chance at the SB in the next few years.

 

[Mr. HD]

I agree that Clark and/or Wayne going with Manning would be ideal for him because of their experience together. I think any team that brings Manning in would benefit greatly by also picking up Clark and/or Wayne, whoever would fit in better. But both would be nice. Jeff Saturday would be the icing on the cake, but that might be asking too much. However, if a team could bring in some, most, or all of these pieces, Manning could pretty much pick up right where he left off, plus having say a Brandon Marshall or a Larry Fitzgerald there as well. It'd pretty much ensure some immediate success. If your going for Manning, you're obviously trying to win in the short-term, so why not pick up these veterans as well that obviously fit very well with Manning? After all, he's won a SB with these guys in the past. If you add in Fitz/Marshall, I'd say that gives the team a great chance at the SB in the next few years.

I'm not too knowledgeable about Cap Salary and all that noise, so I really have no clue if Miami or Arizona even have the space to afford not only Manning, but Wayne, Clark, and Saturday.

If Miami DOES get ALL those people.....look out New England, hell look out AFC. That team would already be a problem. Manning would actually have a line blocking for him and a solid defense that won't give up the lead right after a long scoring drive.

Arizona just seems easier. I mean, the only real challenge in that division would be San Francisco.

 

[PlayTheGame]

I'm not too knowledgeable about Cap Salary and all that noise, so I really have no clue if Miami or Arizona even have the space to afford not only Manning, but Wayne, Clark, and Saturday.

If Miami DOES get ALL those people.....look out New England, hell look out AFC. That team would already be a problem. Manning would actually have a line blocking for him and a solid defense that won't give up the lead right after a long scoring drive.

Arizona just seems easier. I mean, the only real challenge in that division would be San Francisco.

Peyton has stated that he'd rather stay in the AFC, meaning Dolphins, but I still think there's a good chance he goes to the Cardinals in the NFC, for many reasons. As a New England fan, I hope this happens, too. It was nice not having to worry about Manning this season, so if he goes to the NFC, we won't have to see too much of him, if at all, which would be very nice. However, if he went to the Dolphins, it'd immediately give New England a ton more competition, which I hope doesn't happen. It was nice to see the collapse of both the Jets and the Bills this year (with Miami not even close), so I hope it stays that way.

 

[Mr. HD]

Peyton has stated that he'd rather stay in the AFC, meaning Dolphins, but I still think there's a good chance he goes to the Cardinals in the NFC, for many reasons. As a New England fan, I hope this happens, too. It was nice not having to worry about Manning this season, so if he goes to the NFC, we won't have to see too much of him, if at all, which would be very nice. However, if he went to the Dolphins, it'd immediately give New England a ton more competition, which I hope doesn't happen. It was nice to see the collapse of both the Jets and the Bills this year (with Miami not even close), so I hope it stays that way.

I would love nothing more to see Dr. Eggman...er....Rex Ryan and The Jets crumble at the hands of Peyton Manning twice in the same season. And Miami could be quite the challenge for Mr. Brady and of course Peyton Manning vs Tom Brady twice a year? I'd pay to see that.

The only thing is Manning isn't quite familiar with the NFC, and I feel like he has a better chance of getting a ring coming from the NFC rather than the AFC.

All that said, I'd say Miami is the likely destination.

 

[Steamboat Ricky]

They franchised Mathis, but they locked him up to a long-term deal. He'll be the anchor of the new defense.

Garcon is quite overrated. They offered him a deal that he declined.

Most, if not all, of these players are past their primes and occupy a high cap space. The team is going in a new direction, whereas all of these players were in place based on Peyton Manning. With Peyton Manning not in the lineup...these players yielded a 2-14 season...the worst record in the league. Why not cut these guys and get some new guys in there since the record can't get any worse?