The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that the team has released 10 players including linebacker Alex Bazzie, punter Devon Bell, long snapper Joe Fortunato, inside linebacker Deon King, safety Stefan McClure, cornerback Larry Scott, wide receiver Devin Street, cornerback Charles James, long snapper Matt Overton, and safety Duke Williams.
Obviously, the biggest name on the list is veteran long snapper Matt Overton, who has held snapping duties for the team since 2012–having started in all 80 games during that span.
Overturn turns 32 years old in July and was due a $900K cap hit and had some snaps that were slightly off target last season (that former punter/holder Pat McAfee adjusted for).
However, Overton was still largely pretty good during his 5-year Colts tenure–highlighted by a Pro Bowl in 2013. Not to mention, he seemed to be very well liked in the locker room and the Indianapolis community as a whole.
Now, the Colts former ‘4th down army’ will only have 44 year old kicker Adam Vinatieri returning, as All-Pro punter Pat McAfee retired earlier this offseason and Overton was just released–meaning that it will be unfamiliar territory for the Colts legendary kicker (who has had both McAfee and Overton since 2012).
It appears as though the Colts are currently comfortable going with ‘unofficially’ signed Duke undrafted rookie free agent Thomas Hennessy as their new long snapper, as well as veteran punter Jeff Locke–who was signed in free agency.
Next: Colts Shake-Up Scouting Department Following NFL Draft
It’s never a good thing to see players lose their jobs, but it’s just the ‘nature of the beast’ this time of year, and the NFL can be a cold-hearted business.
However, the Colts only had about 7 spots available on their 90 man roster prior to their undrafted rookie free agent (UDFA) signings, and it looks like the team is clearing additional roster room for what appears to be a fairly large UDFA class.