Colts choose quality over flash in free agency

Nick Laham

One of the Colts' newest additions, LaRon Landry, smashes Colts quarterback Andrew Luck in 2012.

I've been kicking around some free agency articles over the last few weeks and hopefully you have a) learned something about the business side of the NFL, and b) aren't tired of them quite yet because I need to get one more free agency article off of my chest.

This time, I'd like to discuss the nature of the signings made by a certain team that I blog about frequently. Yeah, you already know who I'm talking about -- the lovely Indianapolis Colts.

With roughly $46 million in cap space available for the Colts to dish out this year, many were expecting them to spend freely and they did.

Much was made of the contracts handed out by Colts general manager Ryan Grigson in his first year of managing the team with a juicy amount of cap space. Some called the moves confusing. Some called them smart. Me? I call them necessary.

Despite a surprisingly successful playoff season, the holes in the Colts roster were, well, glaring. Their secondary (defensive backs) was one of the league's worst, while the offensive line relied on depth chart fillers. The Colts also undoubtedly suffered when it came to attacking the quarterback.

In no particular order, here were some of Colts most glaring needs going into 2013 in list form:

Offensive line (aligns like this: Left Tackle - Left Guard - Center - Right Guard - Right Tackle) - The Colts have a franchise LT, but that's it. Yeah, it was bad.

Cornerback (part of the secondary) - The Colts lost starting cornerback Jerraud Powers to free agency, leaving a big hole.

Outside linebacker (part of the defensive front seven and a pass rusher in the 3-4 defensive alignment) - Legendary Colt Dwight Freeney, who was converted from defensive end to linebacker, was not offered a new contract.

Safety (also part of the secondary) - Tom Zbikowski, the Colts primary starter at strong safety, was, let's just say, not good last year.

Wide receiver - Receiver Donnie Avery moved on, as did the injury-plagued Austin Collie. The Colts need a receiver of the future with Reggie Wayne approaching 35 years old.

Fast forward to today, and Grigson made the moves necessary to improve a roster with starting talent.

USA Today Sports

Gosder Cherilus is a huge key to solving the Colts offensive line woes.

Tackle Gosder Cherilus was signed to a hefty, five-year, $30 million deal. At first glance, this seemed like a large chunk of change for a guy that could have some lingering health issues, but he's a proven tackle that was a vital signing. Why, you ask? Well, the o-line is responsible for protecting the Colts most important puzzle piece, quarterback Andrew Luck. Offensive guard Donald Thomas was also snatched up for $3.5 million a year. For a starting guard in the NFL, that's a solid deal.

Do you notice a trend yet? 

Necessity.

Cornerback Greg Toler came after Cherilus with a contract worth $15 million over three years. $5 million for a starting cornerback in the NFL? Not too dreadful. If the Colts didn't show Toler the money, someone else would have. Oh, and a starting cornerback was what? You guessed it--a necessity!

Pro Bowl safety LaRon Landry, which was my favorite signing of the Colts this offseason, got his payday in Indy with $24 million over four years. Once again, Landry deserved his big contract and safety was a huge hole in the Colts defense. That hole is now filled. See how this works?

The Colts signed/re-signed ten free agents in all, but I'll spare you the entire rundown, because I know you're probably wondering when I'm going to wrap this novel up.

Well, that part comes now.

USA Today Sports

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson (right) stands with Colts head
coach Chuck Pagano before a home game.

Analysts and pundits around the nation may have been confused by Grigson's willingness to "overpay" for a crop of somewhat unproven and unspectacular names (he definitely overpaid for a guy I didn't mention, outside linebacker Erik Walden), but when you're trying to improve your roster in the NFL, paying a little extra to fill a hole can be the difference between an AFC Championship and a first round playoff loss.

Don't get the wrong idea, though. Teams like to build through the draft. That's a fact, but it's not realistic to think a team can fill every hole in one year. Free agency allows a team to cut corners, which can sometimes be a very good, or very bad thing. Plenty of teams have spent millions and millions on splash names in free agency for years, but it doesn't always equate to winning. At the end of the day, it's about the coach's scheme and player's willingness to adapt and buy into that scheme. Oh, and their talent. Definitely their talent.

The Colts free agency signings might not have been incredibly popular, but this is why Grigson gets paid the big bucks. He has to make what he thinks is the best decision in hopes that it will pay off when his team takes the field, otherwise he'll be cut right along with his players. 

These moves were made in the name of, that's right, necessity.