Firesale in Indy?

Added on Mar 09, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

In the wake of Peyton Manning’s exodus from Indy, which saved the franchise $28 million, the Colts are now debating whether or not to part ways with other big name, high salary players. One such player is Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney, who is rumored to be on the trading block. With the Colts in full-on rebuilding mode, a handful of veterans could find themselves following Manning out the door.

Freeney’s $19 million cap figure is off the charts. If he doesn’t agree to restructure his contract, the front office might have no choice to to ship their all-time sack leader elsewhere. Complicating matters further is the new extension awarded to Freeney’s pass rushing compadre Robert Mathis. Mathis will receive a reported $36 million over four years, a hefty price for a 31-year-old defensive end.

In addition to Freeney’s tenuous situation, Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Dallas Clark and Gary Brackett could all be wearing different uniforms in 2012. Wayne and Garcon are both free agents and neither seems to be a priority on the Colts offseason to-do list. Garcon could be brought back at a modest price, but the 33-year-old Wayne is likely gone, especially since Manning won’t be back.

Clark’s high cap number ($8 million), age (32) and injury history (15 games missed last two seasons) are all working against him. After posting 100 catches for 1106 yards and ten touchdowns in 2009, he amassed only 699 yards and five scores in 2010 and 2011.

Brackett’s future in Indy is also cloudy. He’ll be 32 next season and is coming off a shoulder injury that caused him to miss all but one game in 2011. He also carries a fat cap figure at $7.4 million. With Pat Angerer a rising star at middle linebacker, Brackett is expendable.

New general manger Ryan Grigson faces a lot of difficult decisions n the coming weeks. Making the right moves in free agency and the April draft will go a long way in laying the groundwork for a new era of football in Indianapolis.

Source: ESPN.com