Colts Free Agents: Who Should They Sign and Who Should They Let Walk?

With the lockout lifted, a frenzy is upon the NFL. The Colts are in the thick of it, with GM Chris Polian saying yesterday that the post-deal resumption of action was "organized chaos." http://www.indystar.com/article/20110726/SPORTS03/110726016/1058/SPORTS03

As the free agency wheeling and dealing begins, I'd like to take a quick look at who the Colts would be wise to try to hold onto and who the Colts can afford to lose.

The Colts won't have much wiggle room to sign big-name free agents from other teams, but as has been their tradition, they are likely to try to hold on to the best of their own.

With the cap set at $120 million and a mammoth deal with Peyton Manning likely to be finalized soon, the Colts will have to budget carefully to put the best possible team on the field.

This slideshow will break down the free agents into four categories: the guys they should definitely re-sign, the guys they should definitely release (or already have), the guys who are on the fence and the guys from other teams who may be good fits with the Colts in 2011. Let the free agency madness begin! 

Free Agents Who Need to Stay in Indianapolis

1. Melvin Bullitt

Bullitt is a standout in a long line of successful undrafted free agent signings by the Colts. Since joining the team in 2007, Bullitt has proved his worth through a long succession of injuries to Bob Sanders that repeatedly thrust him into the starting lineup.

Bullitt will command a much better salary, but it will be worth it to the Colts to re-sign him to have peace of mind that the back end of their defense is in good hands. The tried and true Bethea/Bullitt combination is a good one.

2. Clint Session

Session has been the second-best linebacker on the team for the past few years. He is a hard hitter who brings the wood when he tackles. He moves well as an outside linebacker and has performed effectively on both the strong side and on the weak side.

The Colts don't have a good record of fighting to keep linebackers, though, so it wouldn't be too surprising if they parted ways with him. I, for one, hope that they try to hold on to him.

3. Eric Foster

 Foster, a physical defensive end, was just issued a one-year tender by the Colts, an indication that the team would like to keep him around. He brings versatility to the position and seems to get to the right place at the right time.

He's the type of player the Colts like due to his high motor and his ability to switch to different spots along the line.

4. Antonio Johnson

"Mookie" has been the most consistent defensive tackle for the Colts over the past couple of years. Defensive Coordinator Larry Coyer seemed to gravitate to the combo of Johnson and Fili Moala for the interior of the line toward the end of last season.

With Drake Nevis as a talented third-round draft pick out of LSU in the fold, if the Colts are able to re-sign Johnson, they would seem to be in a fairly good situation at tackle heading toward the 2011 season. 

5. Adam Vinatieri

It should be self-evident that the Colts will re-sign the most clutch kicker in the game. At 38 years old, Vinatieri can't consistently knock home kicks of more than 50 yards.

The Colts rarely ask him to do that, though, and there is no one they'd rather have kicking the football with the game on the line.

Free Agents Who the Colts Should Let Walk (or Already Have)

1. Mike Hart (already released)

Hart is a fan-favorite in Indy due to his tough running and his great attitude. He's a small guy who is able to find holes and squeeze through them. Unfortunately, he gets injured frequently and doesn't see the field enough to be a consistent contributor in the backfield.

With Delone Carter drafted to be a bigger, short yardage-style back, Hart just doesn't figure into the Colts 2011 plans.

2. Jamie Silva (already released)

Silva suffered an ACL injury in preseason last year and didn't see the field at all in 2010. A solid special teams guy, Silva probably won't ever be in a regular rotation at safety in the NFL.

Silva's unfortunate injury sidelined his career as a Colt and it's unlikely that he'll be back with the team this coming season.

3. Tom Santi (already released)

Santi had one spectacular game against the Ravens in 2009 when he caught six passes for 80 yards. He has been a marginal player since then. With the emergence of Jacob Tamme last year, Santi is seen as even more of a borderline option at tight end.

If the Colts can pick him up later (as they did with Gijon Robinson last year) as injuries occur, he would not be a bad back-up to have on the roster. 

4. Gijon Robinson (already released)

Robinson has never truly gained traction with the Colts. He is an all-around tight end who really does nothing exceptionally well.

He is a decent blocker, but his skills are not valued enough to warrant keeping him on the roster when other, younger players may be able to take his place.

5. Mike Richardson (already released)

Richardson is a veteran cornerback signed by the Colts in December 2010 in expectation of their playoff run. Although a sturdy and experienced corner, Richardson is not the type of player that the Colts should be throwing lots of money at.

6. Daniel Muir

Muir has been a solid role player at defensive tackle for the Colts. Newly minted draft pick Drake Nevis can easily fill his role, however, and can do it with a much better upside. At the end of the day, Muir is "just another guy" on the line.

7. Aaron Francisco

Ageless Aaron Francisco came back to the Colts after being cut early in 2010 when injuries to Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt ravaged the safety position.

Although wily and savvy at the back end of the defense, Francisco is too slow to keep up with speedy receivers at this point in his career. The Colts need to start developing younger safeties for the 2011 season and beyond.

8. Dominic Rhodes

Rhodes is a gutsy back who has been a workhorse for the Colts over the years. He's not a solution for the future, however. It would be great to keep him around for sentimental reasons, but it wouldn't make practical sense.

At this point in his career, there is too much wear and tear on the tires for him to be consistently effective.

Colts Borderline Free Agents and Why They Should or Shouldn't Be Signed

1. Joseph Addai- Addai is a tough call for the Colts in the free agency situation this year. On the positive side, he is easily the most versatile back on the roster. His blocking is superb and he is a fantastic pass-catcher out of the backfield. In addition, he can break out for longer runs on occasion.

On the negative side, he can be too tentative at times and has a propensity to dance behind the line. Backs from other teams that can do the same types of things may be available for a better price. 

Parting ways with Addai would certainly shake up a running game that was 29th in the league last year. And that might not be a bad thing. [Recommended Status: Only keep him if the price is right. It may be time to go in a different direction at running back.]

2. Keyunta Dawson

Dawson, a five-year player out of Texas Tech, has been a mildly effective rotational guy at defense end for the Colts. With the expected improvement and increased playing time for Jerry Hughes, Dawson may find himself standing on the sideline in 2011.

He is a strong body against the run, however, and the Colts would be wise to stockpile guys like Dawson and Eric Foster. [Recommended Status: He's a good run-stopper, so let's keep him in the mix.]

3. Tyjuan Hagler

Hagler was a late season signing by the Colts in 2010. A frequently injured outside linebacker, Hagler is a mediocre player in the NFL. He should not be a high priority for the Colts. [Recommended Status: Pat Angerer, Clint Session and Gary Brackett should be the starters. If Hagler can hang around as a backup for the league minimum salary, that is just fine. Otherwise, it's time to cut bait.] 

4. Ken Hamlin

A nine-year veteran at safety, Ken Hamlin is the type of insurance policy the Colts like to have. He was an effective safety for the Cowboys for a number of years and even made the Pro Bowl once.

With Jamie Silva being released and Bob Sanders with the San Diego Chargers now, the Colts need some depth at safety. Hamlin is the type of steady presence that can fill out the roster nicely. [Recommended Status: Keep him around for a low price as a good veteran back-up.]

5. Charlie Johnson- Johnson is the Colts jack-of-all-trades on the offensive line. He was able to help out at left tackle when the Tony Ugoh experiment failed. He has been a great team guy during his stints filling in at left guard and right tackle.

However, the 2011 draft showed that the Colts are serious about upgrading the O-line. The additions of first-rounder Anthony Castanzo and second-rounder Ben Ijalana may signal the end of Johnson's career as a Colt.

Johnson is not a stand-out, and if Castanzo and Ijalana perform as expected, Johnson may be expendable. [Recommended Status: For what his services are expected to cost, it is probably time to move on. If this separation comes to pass, Colts fans will part ways with him with heavy hearts- Johnson has been a key player in the Colts' success the past few years.]

Possible Free Agent Signees for the Colts

1. Ronnie Brown

Thirty years old is generally considered to be over the hill for running backs. Despite his age, current Miami Dolphin Ronnie Brown may be a good pick-up for the Colts.

He is a hard runner and has extra skills that could come in handy for any offensive wrinkles the Colts may want to employ in 2011. If Addai leaves, Brown might also provide veteran leadership to a young corps of runners.

2. Ahmad Bradshaw

Bradshaw, the smaller and quicker of the New York Giants running back tandem, is a back in the mold of Addai. He is one of the best blocking backs in the league and he has good hands as a receiver.

He also seems to have a better burst than Addai. Due to his versatility, he may be a better option than Reggie Bush as a free agent running back pick-up.

3. Matt Leinart

Curtis Painter (although a cherished Purdue University product) is not a good solution at back-up quarterback for the Colts. With Manning's neck injury continuing to keep him sidelined, having a veteran second-string QB would seem to be prudent.

Leinart impressed the Texans last year as a back-up to Matt Schaub. He would be a far better option for the Colts than Painter, the recently signed Ball State University product Nate Davis or any of the other marginal QBs that the Colts have let hold clipboards since Manning broke into the league.

4. Mike Peterson

This is just fun speculation. Peterson is a former Colts stand-out at linebacker who is now a free agent with Atlanta after a successful stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has a hard-nosed attitude and hits with authority. It would be fun to see him in a Colts uniform again as he enters the twilight of his career.

The Colts are ready for the wild and woolly free agency period. Re-signing a few key holdovers and picking up a couple of pieces from other teams will prepare them to make yet another run to the Super Bowl in 2011.