Category: Indianapolis Colts

Mr. Clutch

The most clutch kicker in the history of the NFL was signed by the Indianapolis Colts to replace the most accurate kicker in history. Usually, free agent Kicker signings don’t attract much notice but Adam Vinatieri is a special case. He has 19 game-winning field goals including two for Super Bowl victories.

It’s reported that his new deal averages $2.5 million a year and includes a $3.5M signing bonus. The contract is anywhere from 3 to 5 years. Not bad for a kicker.

Some reaction from the blogosphere:

[Onside Kicks]: I’d like to think the Patriots considered Vinatieri’s age, his (relatively) sub-par 2005 season and his history of back trouble while deciding not to franchise him or make him a substantial offer. But part of me wonders if the Patriots past success is working against them, and making them arrogant enough to think they can name their price regardless of the player. Maybe Paul Edinger or (gulp) Vanderjagt will come in and do a great job next season, but every missed field goal from here on is going to be blamed as much on Belichick and Pioli as on Vinatieri’s replacement.

[Boston Blood Sox]: Of all the teams, he had to go to the Colts. Indy signed away one of the biggest heroes in Boston sports history today. They needed a kicker and they got one of the best ever. This is just another player the Patriots have lost this year. Others such as Willie McGinist, and David Givens have left the team. There is some serious work to be done down in Foxborough to fill these holes for the 2006 season.

Related Links:
[Indy Star]: Colts don’t stand pat, land Vinatieri

[Boston Globe]: Kick in the teeth for Patriots

6 years $40 Million

At least that’s what the brass in Indianapolis think. Reggie Wayne got a six-year $40M contract, including a $13.5M signing bonus. This basically means the Edgerrin James era is over in Indy. Edge knew it was coming, even saying his time was over when he appeared on the NFL Network’s Super Bowl coverage.

To retain both James and Wayne, he added, would require significant changes in the roster. That probably would entail “drawing a line through” the names of several players, cutting them to make room for Wayne and James under the projected salary cap of roughly $95 million.
“And I don’t know if you can draw enough lines, even if you wanted to,” Polian said. “And you may not want to because it would weaken the team so much in other capacities.

[Indy Star]:
WR Wayne is Colts’ $40 million man

OLine’s fault

As expected, the “Peyton Can’t Get It Done” columns and blog entries are in full force today as the Colts QB (now 3-6 in the playoffs) choked away his best chance at a Super Bowl appearance. The worst part is that he came out in his post-game interview and threw his OL under the bus by saying they had “protection problems”. We’ll see how well they protect his $98M-whining-choking-ass next year.

• [IndyStar]: Amazing run gives way to ghost of playoffs past
• [MSNBC]: Face it — Peyton can’t win the big one
• [Sportscolumn]: Manning Just Doesn’t Have ‘It’
• [Twincities.com]: Manning can’t win a big one
• [MSNBC]: Peyton’s bigger loss was off field