I noticed some talk in our fan forum about Tarik Glenn after one fan asked
the question of whether or not the Colts should bring him back for the 2008
season saying, "I think we should get rid of him because he takes too many
penalties and he has a big-fat contract that has a lot of money."
Many fans jumped in to defend the big guy who has consistently done a fine
job protecting Peyton Manning's blindside. But the fact is that the Colts will
have some tough decisions to make due to impending cap issues once again despite
a $7 million increase in the cap for next season.
Based on figures estimated by our cap expert, David Whiteley, Glenn should
hit the cap for $8 million next year. The Colts could lower that through a
contract extension since next year is the final year of his current deal.
Starting right offensive tackle Ryan Diem's estimated hit for 2007 is $6.2
million, while rookie Charlie Johnson, who has played very well over the last
two games subbing for Diem, will only hit the cap for $455,000.
Okay, so you're still reeling from the fact that Jags rookie Maurice Jones-Drew
averaged over 11 yards per carry against the Colts defense on Sunday. Well,
cheer up. Did you know that he ran for over 9 yards per carry the two weeks
prior to that against Buffalo and Miami? At least it wasn't a fluke, the guy is
simply an up-and-coming talent in this league. Feel better? Well, I tried....
With Brandon Stokley evidently lost for the season (the Colts aren't talking
about it yet, go figure) reportedly with a ruptured Achilles tendon, the team
should be putting him on injured reserve, opening up an opportunity for a
practice squad player or perhaps even a new player. Teams are often active
holding tryouts on Tuesdays, so they could take a look at some players today. I'll
keep you posted if we hear anything. The Colts previously took a look at DT
Langston Moore, and he's still available. Or maybe they'll give John Standeford
a well-deserved promotion to the roster for wide receiver depth. Recently
released offensive guard Matt Ulrich is still available, but they don't really
need offensive line depth. Don't rule out the possibility that they could add a
safety depending on the status of Bob Sanders (knee), Antoine Bethea (shoulder)
and Marlin Jackson (shoulder). Right now the Colts only have two fully healthy
safeties -- Matt Giordano and Dexter Reid -- and no safeties on the practice
squad. The Colts gave some reps at safety to former cornerback Von Hutchins, but
he recently signed with the Houston Texans. Jamaal Lord, who showed some good
talent for the Cover 2 scheme in camp is still available. ColtPower Insiders can
check out last week's available free agents list from Scout.com here.
Speaking of Stokley, he seems to be a tremendous guy with the talent level
capable of producing a 1,000-yard receiving season out of the slot like he did
back in 2004 when he pulled in 68 catches and 10 TDs. But by our records, he
missed 10 games in 2003, the season he came to Indianapolis as an unrestricted
free agent. Then he missed just one game during the two years before this season
where he'll have been sidelined for 12 games with three different leg injuries
(knee, ankle, achilles tendon). That will be 23 out of 64 regular regular season
games that he's missed due to injury (36%) by the end of this year since coming
to the Colts. Based on numbers provided by our cap expert David Whiteley,
Stokley was projected to hit the Colts cap for a little more than $3.4 million
with a base salary of $1.5 million. If the Colts hold onto him, he's projected
to hit the cap for $4 million next year and over $4.7 million the two years
after that.. Unfortunately, if the Colts release him, they still have an
estimated $4.2 million in bonus money invested in him that they could reduce to
$2.1 million over the next two years depending on the timing of a release versus
taking the whole hit next year.
If the Colts release Stokley during the offseason, expect them to put a high
priority on a wide receiver in next year's draft unless they do the unthinkable
and sign that rare offseason free agent instead.
Did you folks see Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady's stat line from Sunday
against the Dolphins? He was 12-25 for 78 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions.
No, that's not a typo, Mr. Super Bowl Rings had a double-digit passing day. He
fumbled twice, losing one of them and was sacked four times. Backup Matt Cassel
came in for the Patriots' last series with less than 5 minutes to go. Maybe that
sore shoulder that has landed Brady on the weekly injury list as
"probable" for about 2 years running was bothering him a bit in Miami.
You know the last time Peyton Manning had a double-digits passing game? Never.
He's been in single digits twice, last year in the final regular season game
where he made a brief appearance against the Cardinals and the year prior in the
same situation against Denver with the Colts' playoff fate all squared away. His
lowest yardage output in a real game was last year in Week 2 against
Jacksonville when he had 122 yards. But unlike Brady's situation, the Colts won
that game 10-3.
Check back later for more updates. Talk about this update in our fan forum!
