Colts and Ryan Grigson Remaining Patient Before Free Agency

Despite being linked to just about every single free agent this season, the Indianapolis Colts haven’t made a big signing heading into the official start of free agency. With all the big money being thrown at non-quarterbacks, Colts fans can sit back and relax.

So far, the Colts have quietly re-signed some of their own players and made one not so flashy signing to shore up the offensive line.

Among the solid in-house moves, the Colts managed to keep Darius Butler off the market with a new contract and handed out tenders and qualifying offers to Jerrell Freeman and others.

Those are all solid moves that the team really need to make, although they still need to work out a deal with safety Mike Adams.

The Colts one foray into free agency was to sign former Eagles guard Todd Herremans to a one year deal. This isn’t unlike the deal for Adams and is essentially a one year tryout for the veteran guard.

Among the moves that made headlines, but wasn’t of a positive note, was the news that the team would not be offering another contract to Reggie Wayne. While its clear Wayne isn’t the same player he used to be, he still has value to the team.

The Colts could have easily let him make the decision to leave or return with very little negative impact to the team. The NFL is a business, but Wayne’s value to the team has transcended the production on the field. The outpouring of support from his teammates, most of whom claimed to have learned more from Wayne than anyone else, proved how much the Colts need him in the locker room.

However, the Ryan Grigson and his staff decided to move on from Wayne and are doing so without a clear plan B. They missed out on trading for Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall and there haven’t been many reports indicating another veteran option.

The Colts were supposedly in the running for a number of big name free agents as well.

Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has clearly been the most sought after free agent this year, but will be signing with the Miami Dolphins. He’s reportedly going to make $117 million over six years. That is essentially quarterback money for a player that has a limited impact on the game.

While it sounds more and more like the Colts were just taking a passing look at Suh, there are other defensive tackles on the radar. Of the free agents the Colts are looking at, Terrance Knighton and Nick Fairley are at the top of the list.

The Colts have been linked to reports indicating that they are outbidding everyone for Fairley. As for Knighton, the Colts are among the teams that have serious interest in him.

There is also the possibility of bringing in recently released Vince Wilfork from the Patriots. The Colts would also be interested in Ravens DT Haloti Ngata, especially given their propensity to sign former Baltimore players.

The Colts also won’t be getting Patriots safety Devin McCourty, who is re-signing with New England. Reports indicate that he turned down larger deals to stay with the Pats and he’ll still be one of the higher paid safeties in the NFL.

Among those safeties still available, the Colts are in the running for former Raiders safety Tyvon Branch as well as ex-Bills safety Da’Norris Searcy. The Colts have already met with Branch and have inquiries out on Searcy.

The Colts are also set to meet with Eagles outside linebacker Trent Cole and former Rams defensive tackle Kendall Langford. Its clear that the Colts are trying to shore up the defensive front seven after being run over in the past two playoff losses.

Cole would address a clear need at the pass rush position and Langford would provide depth across the defensive line.

While many Colts fans are getting antsy after seeing so many big names fly off the board, its important to remember the mistakes of the past and know that free agency still hasn’t even started yet.

There is still plenty of talented players available and the Colts have done well not to massively overpay for a name. Free agency often ends with buyers remorse and so far Colts fans have nothing to be disappointed about.

Expect a flurry of activity Tuesday when teams can officially sign free agents.