Indianapolis Colts: 5 Veteran FAs the Colts Should Bring in for Training Camp

The Indianapolis Colts are in rebuilding mode. They have parted ways with almost every player that made the Colts who they are and are now going with the youth movement.

The Colts did keep some key veterans around like Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Reggie Wayne, but they're going to be like rookies in learning the new schemes that the new coaching staff brings.

The defense will move to a base 3-4 and the offense will no longer be the fast moving no-huddle perfection that we've grown accustomed to seeing.

The Colts need to bring some veterans in that are used to these schemes to help keep the franchise afloat while they build with future drafts. These are a few veterans I think they could bring in.

LB Keith Brooking

Keith Brooking is an aging defensive player and would be a risk, but with the new 3-4, he's a veteran that knows what to do.

Brooking has played in a 3-4 defense during the last several years with the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons. I think he can help the Colts starting alongside Pat Angerer in one of the middle spots.

The future drafts will eventually bring in some linebacking help for Indianapolis, but for the time being, you can't go wrong with a guy who has 15 years NFL experience with 942 career tackles and 21 sacks.

Brooking also brings health, playing in every game since 2001.

DE Andre Carter

The Colts lost two of their best defensive linemen to ever put on a uniform to the linebacking core. Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will take on new roles in the defense, both starting at the outside linebacking spots.

Freeney and Mathis had to make this switch for the sake of the new 3-4 scheme. The Colts need more beef up front and don't have many guys on the roster that can provide that.

I think Andre Carter would be a good fit since he played with New England and Washington, which both were 3-4 schemed defenses. Carter thrived in both and I think his 6'4" 255-pound frame can help the Colts upfront.

Carter had 31 tackles and 10 sacks last year playing for the AFC Champion New England Patriots. In 2009, he had 48 tackles and 11 sacks for the Redskins.

Carter has 371 career tackles with 76 sacks while playing almost exclusively in the 3-4. I think he could be a big help until the Colts can draft some guys for their system. Yes, he got hurt late in the year, but that would be a low risk as they can get him for an affordable price.

WR Plaxico Burress

This will be somewhat of a popular addition. It would be either loved or hated and I think it will go down as 50/50 on that front.

The Colts need another big receiver to help Andrew Luck. They will have Reggie Wayne lined up in his usual spot to the right of the quarterback, but as of now, Austin Collie will likely be the receiver lining up on the left side.

The problem is that Collie is a natural slot receiver and new edition Donnie Avery isn't a big threat for a No. 2 receiver.

Why not bring in Burress and take a look?

He has 550 career reception for 8,457 yards and 63 touchdowns. Last year with the Jets, he had 45 reception for 612 yards and eight touchdowns.

I think the 6'5" Burress would be a big target for Luck in the red zone as well as a downfield threat for the Colts' offense.

T Chad Clifton

Chad Clifton is the best offensive linemen free agent out there. At 6'5" 320 pounds, he could be a big asset for the Colts this season if the price is right.

Clifton has been a part of some of the best Green Bay Packer teams in his 13-year career. I think Indianapolis could play him at right tackle and shift last year's first-round pick Anthony Castonzo to protect Andrew Luck's blindside. This would give the Colts a much improved offensive front.

If Clifton is still jobless, the Colts should consider giving him a look.

LB James Farrior

James Farrior may be one of the riskiest guys on this list. He's 37 years old and has been in the league for 16 years, but Farrior has been a staple on the Steelers defense for many seasons and could be a big asset to rebuilding the Colts' linebacking core.

Farrior would be paired with Pat Angerer in the middle and help the Colts transition until they find a younger replacement.

The Colts have been building to a Baltimore or Pittsburgh type team this offseason, so why not bring in another guy from one of those teams?

Farrior had 54 tackles and two sacks last year. He's played in at least 14 games in every season since 1999 and has 837 career tackles, 35 sacks and 11 interceptions.