Colts Gab

The Corey Simon saga may be finally coming to a close.  Following up on a story posted at ColtsGab.com on Saturday, Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy confirmed that the defensive tackle failed a team physical in Indianapolis.  Apparently, this was news to Simon and his agent, Roosevelt Barnes.

Barnes, who was obviously not happy with the news, told Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star on Monday that, “No one has called to tell us anything.  The first I heard of Corey failing his physical was when (reporters) started calling me about it.”  Simon apparently was waiting at home in Tallahasse, FL; he was brought in to Indianapolis for his physical on Friday and was sent home on either Saturday or Sunday, according to Barnes. Barnes also added, “We don’t know what’s going on.  I just heard he didn’t pass his physical and I don’t know why.”

Barnes stressed that Simon is healthy, in great shape and still wants to play for the Colts. Of course you would, Mr. Barnes.  Any agent is going to say that unless there’s indisputable evidence suggesting otherwise.  Barnes also stated that if the team doesn’t share his feelings, the team should release him so he can find a team to sign him before 2007 season starts.  There’s several things going on here – one could be that Simon did indeed fail his physical.  A second theory being that the Colts, in order to obtain some salary cap relief, had had enough of Simon as he provided very little return on the hefty contract he signed with the team.

Or it could be a combination of both.  Regardless, the Colts, in my opinion, committed a faux pas by signing him in the first place.  But i guess that’s neither here nor there at this point as the team has ample personnel to replace Simon.  Depending on what the “true” results are of the failed physical, Simon may or may not have a difficult time obtaining a contract in his immediate future.  Which is a shame only because not long ago he was a stalwart on the Eagles highly touted defense.

Colts head coach Tony Dungy has spoken more than once about retirement from coaching.  Fortunately for the Colts, that never came to pass as the team went on to win Super Bowl XLI last February.  But that isn’t to say that retirement thoughts are far from his minds.  As he recently told Bob Glauber of Newsday, “The idea was to coach 10 seasons and then retire.  “I’m still enjoying this team very much, so it’s not the time to walk away.  But I won’t be coaching when I’m 60 years old, that’s for sure.”

This season will be Dungy’s 11th as a head coach in the NFL.  And as far as age is concerned, he is only 51 (young by NFL head coaching standards).  Another hint that he may retire?  He stated recently that, “I have a son that’s in high school.  I know I’m going to want to see him play ball.”.  A rather odd statement only because in the state of Indiana, high school football games take place on Friday evenings.  So I cannot see why the Colts would not accomodate Dungy and not allow him to attend those games.

For selfish reasons (hey I am a big Colts fan after all), I really would like Dungy to really consider his options carefully.  I know he has been through a lot personally (his son committed suicide), and he has hinted that motivational speaking was something he was considering.  But he has plenty of time to do that stuff (remember he is only 51 years old).  Fortunately he has all of his energies appllied towards the Colts attempting to win back-to-back Super Bowls.  Hopefully, he will continue doing that for many seasons to come.

The Colts came to a deal Sunday with a pair of players, agreeing to terms on four-year contracts with second-round pick Tony Ugoh and fifth-round pick Michael Coe. Ugoh was drafted to replace Tarik Glenn, a three-time Pro Bowl left tackle who announced last week for good that he was retiring.  Ugoh’s deal is for just less than $4 million with about 50 percent guaranteed.  Coe, a defensive back expected to add secondary depth, will receive a $138,000 signing bonus and league minimum salaries.  Third-round picks Daymeion Hughes, a cornerback; and Quinn Pitcock, a defensive tackle, remain unsigned.

Despite the uncertainty of his future playing for the Indianapolis Colts, defensive tackle Corey Simon has stated that he intends to report to the team’s training camp on Sunday.  Simon told Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star, “I don’t have any comment at this point. I’m just going to report and go from there.”  Simon’s status with the team has been in limbo since he missed the entire 2006 season with a knee injury and an undisclosed illness, which has been reported to be “polyarthritis”.  The Colts placed Simon on the  “non-football illness/injury” list back in October of 2006.

The Colts at this point have at least a couple of options:  they can release him, or, depending on his upcoming physical, be allowed to rejoin the team and reinforce their defensive line.  Releasing him would count for $9 million against the mandated salary cap of $109 million.  On the other hand, retaining him would count for slightly over $7 million.  From most indications, it appears that Simon will be released by the Colts.  As Colts owner Jim Irsay has said on more than one occasion, he is frustrated by getting so little return on such a major investment.  One would think that the upcoming physical that Simon will take will be a determining factor in Simon’s role, if any, with the team.

Another indicator is the fact that Simon was not invited to the ring ceremony in Indianapolis after the Super Bowl.  Typically players in good standing with their team are allowed to attend an event such as this.  In addition, Simon’s agent, Roosevelt Barnes, stated to the Star,  ”He’s in great shape.  “He’s ready to play football.  I don’t know what the Colts’ plans are.  I’m thinking they are planning on having him play, but I don’t know.  No one has returned any of my phone calls.”  Perhaps Mr. Barnes, that is because the Colts, in my opinion, have made up their minds already.  With so little contribution by a player who is making some major dollars, it would be understandable and not at all surprising if the team releases Simon.  Myself, I expect an announcement regarding Simon’s status with the Colts to be released early this coming week.

Fantasy Football site KFFL.com has come out with their list of “Overvalued Fantasy Players” for the 2007 season.  Colts RB Joseph Addai is the #4 RB on their list of Overvalued Players.  Below are the comments on Addai:    

Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts

Addai finished off his rookie campaign by becoming the first running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards while not starting a single game during the season. Now that the player who was ahead of him on the depth chart, Dominic Rhodes, has signed with the Oakland Raiders, the running back chores lie mostly in Addai’s hands. While owners may be excited to see what he can do as the starter, they also need to be wary of the toll that all the new work will take on him. Part of his strength last year derived from the fact that he got frequent rests and was able to conserve his energy. Additionally, not being the starting back meant that teams did not pay as much attention to him when he was in. Running back DeDe Dorsey should spell him, too, to keep him fresh. While playing with quarterback Peyton Manning is beneficial to any running back, Addai will have to prove that he can stand an entire season of full-time NFL work. Taking him as a high-end No. 1 back is a risk; he’s better serving fantasy owners as a low-end No. 1, which would allow them to grab a quality No. 2.

After the Colts tried to talk him out of it, offensive tackle Tarik Glenn has now officially retired.  Glenn had been Indy’s starting left offensive tackle since 1998.  He started 154 regular season games and missed only six contests during his career.  The 31-year-old Glenn was originally selected by the Colts with the 19th overall pick in the 1997 draft.  He also appeared in the last three Pro Bowls.

According to reports, long-time offensive tackle Tarik Glenn will be leaving the team before the start of the season, announcing his retirement.  The Indy Star is stating that Glenn has told several people that he is going to walk away before the start of the season. Glenn’s agent, Ralph Cindrich, told the paper that any comment would have to come from Glenn.  That type of response from an agent seems to lead me to believe that Glenn is actually going to walk away.  The 10-year vet is a solid piece on the O-line, and him leaving is going to hurt the team as camp starts very soon, on July 29th.  Coach Tony Dungy also has spoken to Glenn, saying that “probably the best person to speak to on that his him”

The Colts picked Glenn with their first pick of the 1997 draft.  Only wide out Marvin Harrison, who came to the team with their first pick of the 1996 draft, has been with the Colts longer than Glenn.  Glenn has started 154 regular-season games during his career. The last 138 of those games have come at left tackle. With Glenn at left tackle, the Colts’ offensive line has been among the NFL’s best at not allowing Peyton Maning to get sacked.  Charlie Johnson, a sixth-round pick in 2006 could be the answer for Indy at the position that Glenn leaves behind. Another answer could be Tony Ugoh, their second-round pick in the April draft.

The Colts have signed Pro-Bowl D-lineman Dwight Freeney to a six-year, $72 million deal according to ESPN’s John Clayton. The new contract includes a gigantic $30 million signing bonus. The Indy DE was ready to cash in as Freeney’s new deal is going to be worth $12 million a year. The Syracuse alum is a monster on the defensive line for Head Coach Tony Dungy, and the champs were well aware of his presence on the gridiron, as they made sure to make him one of the highest paid players in the league along with his teammate QB Peyton Manning.

Freeney is worth his big-money deal, and I expect him to have a big year on the field in ‘07 like he did in ’04 and ’05 (16 and 11 sacks, to go with a combined 10 forced fumbles), not the ’06 season – only 5 ½ sacks. He will rebound this season and the extra “green” will be an added extra incentive to produce at a high level. The Hartford, Connecticut native, picked 11th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, has only missed only a single game in his career of five seasons, 79 games played. At 6-foot 1, 268 pounds, he has a rare knack for knocking the football loose (more than five forced fumbles a year average), he forced a career-high nine in his rookie year, and has a total of 27 during his continued run of dominance in the NFL.

Freeney’s spin move is as devastating as a guard driving to the hoop attacking the rim, and rivals the one of former Minnesota great RB Chuck Foreman ~ but he does it on D, intimidating the one who blocks – or at least tries to block him– and the defensive coordinator who shakes his head in disgust, and is shaking also in fear watching the destruction Freeney makes, creating havoc on the field against his squad. Every Sunday he is a joy to watch, posing mismatches to anyone that tries to block or defend his moves; Dwight is truly worth the price of admission.

A recent ranking of running games by Scouts Inc. says that the Colts ground game in 2007 is not going to be all that good.  With losing Dominic Rhodes and having to depend on 2nd year back Joseph Addai, the report says the team is going to have their issues. Below is the recap of the Colts #25 ranking heading into 2007:

25. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts finished the 2006 regular season 18th in rushing yards per game. This might seem a little low for the defending Super Bowl champs, but they lost Dominic Rhodes and have marginal depth behind Joseph Addai. Addai is coming off a solid rookie campaign and likely will have to handle more than 90 percent of the load this season. The Colts see Addai in that Edgerrin James mold; he will rarely come out of a game. Addai is a good runner, and he catches the ball well out of the backfield. He is more than capable of carrying the load, but if he gets injured, the Colts’ backfield would be a disaster with only DeDe Dorsey and Kenton Keith as backups.