Colts Close to Signing Eagles Pass Rusher Trent Cole
Fresh off of his recent visit, the Indianapolis Colts are reportedly close to signing Philadelphia Eagles free agent pass rusher Trent Cole:
The #Colts are signing pass-rusher Trent Cole
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2015
I'm hearing Trent Cole to #Colts is NOT done. They're in talks but still a ways to go. Get the sense other teams still involved. Who knows
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) March 10, 2015
It’s close to marking the second former Philadelphia Eagle that the Colts have signed in less than a week, as the team previously agreed with veteran offensive lineman Todd Herremans.
Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Trent Cole (58) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Eagles 24-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson has great familiarity with Cole, as he scouted Cole in Philadelphia as the team’s Director of Player Personnel in 2010-11. The 10-year veteran has consistently been one of the NFL’s more productive pass rushers with the Eagles, as the former 5th round pick of the Eagles in 2005 has 85.5 career sacks, which is the 48th most in NFL history.
Once a player visits Indianapolis, oftentimes both Ryan Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano don’t allow them to leave. This could mark just the latest visit that ends with a notable player inking a contract to play in Horseshoe Blue. With both Andre Johnson and Frank Gore on their way to visit the Colts, it looks as though they may potentially soon join Cole as the team’s newest members.
While the Colts remained dormant during the first few days of unofficial free agency, it looks as though they are starting to make some serious noise. Cole is coming off a season in which he had 6.5 sacks and figures to be a productive pass rusher to pair with both Robert Mathis and Jonathan Newsome off the edge.
However, this is likely just the tip of the iceberg, as far as noteworthy moves that the Colts could potentially make this week. The Colts typically stick to what they know and whether it’s ex-Baltimore Ravens, former Philadelphia Eagles, or now possibly Miami Hurricane alum, the team brings in players that are truly comfortable with from their past experiences.