5 Things the Indianapolis Colts Should Do Once the Season Is over

The Colts are facing there worst season in the Manning era, and are in danger of going 0-16 this season. Manning has been lost for the season due to a neck injury, in comes Curtis Painter. Painter has been a surprise this year. He has been great in games for the Colts with the exception of the fourth quarter. The Colts have been terrible on defense allow more then 20 points a game and have found it hard to force opposing teams into turnovers. 

This team is desperately in need of Manning to come back under center and take over. The Colts at times this year have looked lost and have had a lot of miscues on the offensive side of the ball. The coaching staff have come in with terrible game plans, and have made near to no adjustments coming out of halftime this year. This team has just seemed to be falling apart this season with the lose of Manning, and have been exposed. Here are a few ideas that the front office should think about.  

Fire Jim Caldwell and Hire Bill Cowher

Jim Caldwell is proving just how bad of a head coach he really is.

Caldwell was handed a Super Bowl caliber team, and took them to the Super Bowl in his first season as head coach. Now without his star quarterback, he and his team are "Sucking for Luck". Caldwell has never really had to coach, because Peyton has always called the plays for this offense. He has been terrible at putting game plans together, and has been just as terrible at making adjustments at halftime. If Bill Polian is smart he will fire Jim Caldwell at the conclusion of the season.

In comes Bill Cowher. Cowher has said that money doesn't matter to him, he just wants to join a team that has the best chance to win immediately. The Colts have arguable the best quarterback every to play the game, a good offensive line, great receivers and good play makers on defense. This is the situation Bill Cowher is looking for, with Cowher in at coach, this team could take the next step and Peyton could get another ring before he retires.   

Trade Gary Brackett

Gary Brackett has been the heart and soul of this defense for many years, but the last few years he has not been able to finish the season. Pat Angerer has come in and proven that he can be a dominating force at the linebacker position. Angerer was forced into the line up last year due to all the injuries and finished with 88 tackles on the season and 1 sack.

Brackett still has some value to him. If the Colts are smart, they will go ahead and send him to a team in need of a leader at the linebacker position (Eagles, Bills, Jaguars, etc.). They could get a fourth or fifth round pick for a great player like Brackett. 

Resign Important Players to the Team

Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, and Robert Mathis are free agents this upcoming season and should be top priority coming out of the season. 

Everyone keeps saying that Reggie Wayne is done and that he has nothing left in the tank, I guess I am just not seeing what everyone else is seeing. Wayne has been one of the most dominating receivers in the league, and most consistent the last few years. The last 3 years Wayne has 293 catches, 3764 yards receiving and 22 touchdowns while averaging 13 yards a catch. This should be a no brainier for the Colts.

Pierre Garcon has been a great deep threat for the Colts since coming out of Mount Union. Garcon has had a bad habit of dropping balls, but still has over 2000 yards receiving on 145 receptions. He has been a great surprise for this Colts team and should be able to be signed at a small price. 

Robert Mathis has been the Robin to Dwight Freeney's Batman, and they have been a killer combo off the edge. Mathis has 77.5 sacks in his career and 37 forced fumbles. Mathis and Freeney could go down as the best defensive end duo in NFL history. The Colts should bring back Mathis to pair him up with Freeney. 

Release Players Hurting the Team

Donald Brown, Anthony Gonzalez and Jerry Hughes have been terrible for the Colts. At times these players have hurt the Colts more then helped them. 

Donald Brown has been a complete and total bust for the Indianapolis Colts. Brown, a late first round pick in the 2009 draft, has been a below average player. Brown has shown some greatness, and then he does stuff that just makes you want to beat your head against the wall. Through three years, he has 820 yards on 220 carries and a terrible 3.9 career average. The Colts need to part ways with Mr. Brown. 

Anthony Gonzalez has the potential to be a great wide receiver in the NFL, if he can stay healthy. Gonzalez has not seen playing time since his sophomore year due to injuries. The Colts should get rid of Gonzalez, he is a waste of cap room. 

Jerry Hughes is another first round bust for the Indianapolis Colts. Hughes is another below average player on the Colts roster that they need to part ways with. Hughes has 8 tackles and 1 sack in 2 years of play. Hughes is a waste of cap space, and should be released. 

Adding Key Free Agents

The Colts are in need of a quality Running back, a dominating interior defensive lineman and a defensive back. Here are a look at a few players the Colts should consider this offseason. 

Ryan Grant- Grant has proven he can be a dominate runner, and can break a play wide open whenever he touches the ball. He could find himself without a job when the season is over with James Starks emerging and Alex Green on the Packers roster. Grant would be a nice fit for this offense. 

Jason Jones- Jones has proven that he is one of the league's better interior lineman. Jones has a great first step and the ability to push the pocket, and allow the edge rushers to make a play. Jones would go nicely with Mathis and Freeney. 

Brandon Carr- Carr has been great for Kansas City. Carr is not only good at defending against the pass but is good against the run. Carr in four years has five interceptions and over 60 passes defended. Carr would be a great number two corner opposite Powers, and should come at a reasonable price.