Colts Make Qualifying Offers to Jerrell Freeman, Others
By Evan Reller
The Indianapolis Colts made a flurry of in-house moves as we inch closer to the start of free agency. The team made qualifying offers to a number of restricted free agents today.
Linebacker Jerrell Freeman was made a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent. Running back Dan Herron and outside linebackers Daniel Adongo and Cam Johnson also received exclusive rights tenders.
The @Colts have made a qualifying offer to restricted FA Jerrell Freeman and made tenders to Daniel Adongo, Boom Herron and Cam Johnson.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) March 5, 2015
Freeman was an undrafted free agent back in 2008 and was originally picked up with the Titans. He then played for three years in the Canadian Football League and led the CFL in tackles in 2011. The Colts signed him before the 2012 season.
Freeman had 73 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 12 games last season.
In his three years with the Colts, Freeman has 256 tackles, nine sacks, nine forced fumbles, and three interceptions. In his first NFL game in 2012, Freeman returned an interception for a touchdown against the Bears.
Herron was the third running back on the roster this season and didn’t get consistent snaps until Ahmad Bradshaw went down with a broken ankle. Herron proved to be the better of the two backs on the roster and was the starter by the playoffs.
Herron had 351 rushing yards last season, a 4.5 yard per carry average. He also posted a team record for most receiving yards (128) in the playoffs.
Adongo was signed off a rugby team in South Africa in 2013. He has only played in a couple games on special teams. Adongo was placed on IR during the preseason with a hamstring injury.
The Colts acquired Johnson in a trade with the 49ers prior to the 2013 season. He played in just one game last season before being sent to IR with a triceps injury.
As we mentioned earlier today, the Colts did not extend an offer to center A.Q. Shipley.
While these are all minor moves, signing Freeman was extremely important as he is clearly the team’s best middle linebacker. Herron helps to fill a clear need at running back, but the team will need to find another option to carry the ball as well.
Adongo and Johnson might be camp bodies, but both have shown that they could be talented players heading forward. They’re both extremely athletic, but need to stay healthy if they ever want to be successful.