Reggie Wayne gets new contract

[AbeBeta]

They are going to look awfully funny trying to play without any running backs

 

[dbair1967]

Right now they are the odds on favorite to win it all. I think the Colts will still be a contender this coming season.

I'll be happy to bet against them as "odds on favorites"

they are the most overrated team of the free agency era, hands down

David

 

[Doomsday101]

I'll be happy to bet against them as "odds on favorites"

they are the most overrated team of the free agency era, hands down

David

I did not say they were not overrated and will be until they can get over the hump but the bottom line is they still have talent on that team and they will be in the thick of it this coming season.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

James is an above average back and that's about it. There's a reason that the Colts aren't overspending to keep him. No one really wanted him last off season and watch how little he gets on the open market. Rhodes put up almost James-like number the season he was injured.

RBs are replaceable, WRs who have "chemistry" with the QB aren't.


Besides there are four RBs graded highly in this draft. It might help Dallas if three of them are off the board by #18.

 

[ravidubey]

The Colts are more screwed if Wayne leaves than if Edeg leaves. They are a passing team first and though they need Edge's skills they can always find a running back.

There are no WR's to replace Wayne this year. The FA cupboard is all but empty and this is a weak WR year in the draft.

Santonio Holmes is sitting pretty right now because each WR that comes off the FA board probably jumps him up a draft slot in value.

 

[Bledsoe4MVP]

Manning is no fraud. I don't think he is the best QB ever or anything like that, but the guy can play. He is also asked to do a lot as the QB of the Colts. If you look at the QBs that were in the playoffs this season, he was the one that is asked to do the most for his team. Guys like Plummer, Delhomme, Grossman and Simms were asked not to lose games. Roethlisberger, Hasselback, Eli Manning, Brunnel, Palmer and Leftwich were asked to do a little more for their teams, but they weren't asked to win the games on their own. Brady gets even more responsibility, but is still not at the level of expectation as Manning. The Colts lean very heavily on Manning and I just don't think you can do that in today's NFL.

I don't think Manning can be leaned on to just carry a team, but I think he would do well in a system where he is asked to make some plays here and there. He will never live up to the expectations, but that does not mean that he sucks or is a fraud.

I don't like the move by Indy. That is a lot of money to tie into the wide receiver position. Reggie Wayne is nice, but he isn't that special.

Manning is most certainly a fraud, at least at the alleged "MVP" and "superstar" level. I'm not saying he's a bad QB either...I would still take him over 90% of the guys in the league right now...but he's definitely not the guy some make him out to be and he's no better than Drew Bledsoe...Yes that's a fact. But this is a topic I could debate in a whole other thread, let me just add a few things though:

Manning is 3-6 in the playoffs....look at the teams he's beat too: Overrated Denver team at home (x2) and a hideous chiefs defense on the road...bottom line: not very impressive.

Now looking at the losses, the last 4 seasons he hasn't even been close in his final or only playoff game in the season:

05' (divisional, #1 seed): horrendous performance against the Steelers, bad throws all game long except for a few big plays. He only had a chance late because of the referees 'gift' call with the Palomolu INT and also the Bettis fumble which will go down in NFL playoff lore.

04' (divisional, #3 seed) 3 points against the patriots in the 2nd round of playoffs, this after his record setting 49 TD season he accumulated against the some of worse defenses in league history.

03' (afc championship, #3 seed) 4 interceptions against the pats in new england. Yet another hideous performance.

02' (afc championship, #5 seed) blownout 42-0 at the meadowlands by the jets, speaks for itself

Now Ironically his best games came in 99' and 00' (in his 2nd and 3rd season) when the team actually had a chance to win:
1) at home against the titans (who went to the superbowl that year)
2) on the road against the dolphins in OT

So now the colts decide that wayne is more important than a running game, this will be a fatal mistake. The bottom line for any arguement against Manning, is what has he done with PRO BOWLERS at every position on offense?...NOTHING! Sure he will continue to put up big numbers in the regular season and will be a lock for canton. But he's nothing more than the Karl Malone of the NFL, fun to watch when it don't matter, but sad to watch when it does..that might be a little generous considering Malone at least made it to the championship round 3 times in his career.

This year finally dispelled two other theories about manning and the colts as well:
1) Manning has to have homefield to get to the superbowl: Had that wrapped up by december but still didn't win a game.
2) A good defense will get the colts over the top: Not only was it good, it was in the top 5 and the pass rush was brutal.

Now what about our very own Drew Bledsoe? He has had subpar to average talent his entire career and has gotten his team to TWO superbowls. Manning will never get his team to the big game and the Colts will stumble big time in 06', especially with a younger, better Jags team ready to assume command of the AFC South.

 

[Bledsoe4MVP]

The Colts are more screwed if Wayne leaves than if Edeg leaves. They are a passing team first and though they need Edge's skills they can always find a running back.

There are no WR's to replace Wayne this year. The FA cupboard is all but empty and this is a weak WR year in the draft.

Santonio Holmes is sitting pretty right now because each WR that comes off the FA board probably jumps him up a draft slot in value.

I disagree, they are a run first team. And they will find out just how valuable the edge was, and how much better he made manning look. The colts are finished, and manning isn't going to win anything in Indy.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Your Bledsoe love is becoming borderline stalker status.

Not that I dont agree with most/some of your post.

 

[ravidubey]

I disagree, they are a run first team. And they will find out just how valuable the edge was, and how much better he made manning look. The colts are finished, and manning isn't going to win anything in Indy.

Not saying Edge's running and pass-protection wasn't important to them, but they are not a run-first team. I even agree that James is more talented than Reggie Wayne on his best day.

But look at the cold facts--

- James has played seven seasons (one hurt) which is a lot of wear on a RB. Wayne OTOH is in the prime of his career. Even more, James' running style is physical and he's absorbed a lot of punishment as a result. James is going to demand far more money than he is worth, and his role on the team is easier to replace.

- There are good RB's available in the draft. There is a history of good RB's found in later rounds and RB's as a position have the easiest transition to the NFL. Indy will have decent RB options in each round on the first day of this draft. Recall that we grabbed Marion Barber in the 4th round and he's capable of starting.

- There are also RB's available in FA or via trade. Guys who you wouldn't think of like Michael Bennett and Mike Alstott might shake free and I'm sure there are many others I'm not aware of.

- There are no surefire WR's available in the draft, especially where Indy is picking. The last time they reached for a WR, they chose Wayne and it took him three full seasons to become a player.

- Beyond Terrell Owens, there are few good WR's available via FA. Sure there's Randle El, but he's inferior to Wayne at this point in his career.

- The Colts' window is closing every day Marvin Harrison ages. Harrison is much less effective without a go-to #2 WR, and the past two seasons that's been Wayne.

- The Colts invested $34 million of guaranteed money in Peyton Manning and they have to above all ensure he has all the tools he needs to succeed. The Indianapolis Colts are Peyton Manning's team first and foremost, and without his arm they are going nowhere.

 

[mr.jameswoods]

No really, I thought the Commanders were going to sign him because it was a foregone conclusion the Colts would release him because they would never pay a number "2" receiver so much money.

Ho Hum

 

[mr.jameswoods]

James is an above average back and that's about it. There's a reason that the Colts aren't overspending to keep him. No one really wanted him last off season and watch how little he gets on the open market. Rhodes put up almost James-like number the season he was injured.

RBs are replaceable, WRs who have "chemistry" with the QB aren't.


Besides there are four RBs graded highly in this draft. It might help Dallas if three of them are off the board by #18.

Wayne is in the prime of his career and he is currently the better receiver on the Colts team. People don't want to hear that because Marvin Harrison is a stand-up guy and is one of the best receivers in the league but he isn't the same receiver he was 3 years ago. You will slowly see Wayne as Manning's first option. This is like TO overtaking Jerry Rice on the 49ers years ago.

And it's the chicken and the egg as far as I'm concerned with Edge and the Colts. Sure, Edge made Manning's job easier but Edge had a much easier time running knowing the defese keyed in on the pass. I'd like to see James do wonders for a team like Arizona in which he won't have a nice offensive line to run behind nor as nearly an efficient passing attack in the red zone.

 

[big dog cowboy]

FOXSports.com has learned that the Colts agreed to terms Wednesday with wide receiver Reggie Wayne on a six-year deal worth nearly $40 million including $13.5 million in bonus money.

That's gotta really piss off TO.

 

[joseephuss]

Manning is most certainly a fraud, at least at the alleged "MVP" and "superstar" level. I'm not saying he's a bad QB either...I would still take him over 90% of the guys in the league right now...but he's definitely not the guy some make him out to be and he's no better than Drew Bledsoe...Yes that's a fact. But this is a topic I could debate in a whole other thread, let me just add a few things though:

Manning is 3-6 in the playoffs....look at the teams he's beat too: Overrated Denver team at home (x2) and a hideous chiefs defense on the road...bottom line: not very impressive.

Now looking at the losses, the last 4 seasons he hasn't even been close in his final or only playoff game in the season:

05' (divisional, #1 seed): horrendous performance against the Steelers, bad throws all game long except for a few big plays. He only had a chance late because of the referees 'gift' call with the Palomolu INT and also the Bettis fumble which will go down in NFL playoff lore.

04' (divisional, #3 seed) 3 points against the patriots in the 2nd round of playoffs, this after his record setting 49 TD season he accumulated against the some of worse defenses in league history.

03' (afc championship, #3 seed) 4 interceptions against the pats in new england. Yet another hideous performance.

02' (afc championship, #5 seed) blownout 42-0 at the meadowlands by the jets, speaks for itself

Now Ironically his best games came in 99' and 00' (in his 2nd and 3rd season) when the team actually had a chance to win:
1) at home against the titans (who went to the superbowl that year)
2) on the road against the dolphins in OT

So now the colts decide that wayne is more important than a running game, this will be a fatal mistake. The bottom line for any arguement against Manning, is what has he done with PRO BOWLERS at every position on offense?...NOTHING! Sure he will continue to put up big numbers in the regular season and will be a lock for canton. But he's nothing more than the Karl Malone of the NFL, fun to watch when it don't matter, but sad to watch when it does..that might be a little generous considering Malone at least made it to the championship round 3 times in his career.

This year finally dispelled two other theories about manning and the colts as well:
1) Manning has to have homefield to get to the superbowl: Had that wrapped up by december but still didn't win a game.
2) A good defense will get the colts over the top: Not only was it good, it was in the top 5 and the pass rush was brutal.

Now what about our very own Drew Bledsoe? He has had subpar to average talent his entire career and has gotten his team to TWO superbowls. Manning will never get his team to the big game and the Colts will stumble big time in 06', especially with a younger, better Jags team ready to assume command of the AFC South.

Sounds like you described Drew Bledsoe's career. Plays better in the regular season than in the playoffs. Although Drew has never really had a great regular season. There have been some good ones, but nothing spectacular. He is solid and not special. Then you look at his playoffs and he stinks up the joint. He has yet to have a good playoff game. He has played average in two games and very bad in all the rest.

I also don't consider Curtis Martin or Ben Coats to be average talent. Throw in Terry Glenn and Bledsoe had good talent around him.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

Wayne is in the prime of his career and he is currently the better receiver on the Colts team. People don't want to hear that because Marvin Harrison is a stand-up guy and is one of the best receivers in the league but he isn't the same receiver he was 3 years ago. You will slowly see Wayne as Manning's first option. This is like TO overtaking Jerry Rice on the 49ers years ago.

Wayne also shows up in big games, unlike Harrison.

For all the hype about Manning to Harrison, I can't think of many Playoff games where they were the clutch duo that Aikman to Irvin was.