Indianapolis Colts: 3 reasons Eric Fisher signing is a head-scratcher
Some Indianapolis Colts fans are happy. The team signed left tackle Eric Fisher to a one-year contract on Monday to give Carson Wentz his supposed blindside protector for the 2021 season.
Others aren’t exactly thrilled, though. Once again, general manager Chris Ballard has opted to bargain hunt instead of spend big (when he has the money) on paramount positions of need.
Left tackle become one of them after Anthony Castonzo retired, and Ballard passed on signing Trent Williams, who is arguably the best in the game, and trading for Orlando Brown Jr. (and then signing him to an extension) this offseason.
Fisher, who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs after suffering a torn Achilles in the AFC Championship Game, may not even be ready for the start of the season. He was let go for a reason.
We’re not saying this isn’t an opportunity for the Colts to capitalize on a premier talent who’s being overlooked at the moment because of a significant injury. We’re just saying that it’s perhaps a tad irresponsible to go yard sale shopping for someone whose presence is needed for every snap and whose play must be above and beyond what the opposing defense has to offer.
That’s why we’re sitting here a bit confused with the decision making.
Here are three reasons the Eric Fisher signing was a head-scratcher for the Colts.
3. Health Issues
Let’s start with the most obvious and pressing. Fisher is now 30 years old, which isn’t that big of a deal … until you consider the last two seasons.
Over that span, he’s been limited to 23 games and missed Super Bowl LV because of a groin issue, core surgery, and the most recent Achilles injury. Before that, Fisher had played in 94 of a possible 96 games. He was two games shy of being a literal Iron Man.
But an Achilles injury for an eight-year veteran who stands at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds is … not good. At the very least, it’s unpredictable. There’s no telling how Fisher will look upon his recovery or if he’ll be a semblance of his previous Pro Bowl self.
So why is that the risk the Colts are willing to take, especially with the quarterback position being another serious question mark?
There are plenty of teams out there who could use a tackle of Fisher’s caliber, which tells you all you need to know. There’s a reason he didn’t sign until May. It’s because the risk, at this very moment, outweighed the reward.