Indianapolis Colts re-load with highly debatable results

By Dan Salem | Mar 15, 2015

The Indianapolis Colts are re-loading their star quarterback’s rifle, but how much better are they, if at all? Any improvement is highly debatable. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

DAN:

The Indianapolis Colts made a few big splashes in Free Agency, but I’m teetering on the fence about whether they are actually a better football team then before hand.

Many sites are touting the Colts as early winners of Free Agency. They stole running back Frank Gore from the Eagles’ talons, snatched up wide receiver Andre Johnson before he truly hit the market, and helped solidify their defense. Very nice, but here’s the flip side.

Indy also released wide receiver and longtime Colt Reggie Wayne. They dispatched Trent Richardson as well. These early moves certainly helped Andrew Luck to re-load his rifle, but I’m not buying the hype.

Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne (87) waves to the crowd after the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Gore has had a very good career, but its hard to know what he truly has left in the tank. And swapping Reggie Wayne for Andre Johnson is trading a Granny Smith Apple for a Red Delicious. They are both very nice apples, nearly the same thing. Where is the improvement on the league’s number one passing attack?

Defense is where you’ll tell me they’ve made strides. And I hope you’re right. I like the Colts heading into 2015, I’m just far from convinced that these early moves make them a better team. They were already very good. What am I missing?

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TODD:

There have been so many moves this free agency period, it’s been hard to keep up with what each team has done individually. But Indianapolis has certainly been one of the more active franchises, whether for good or bad.

I personally am more bullish on what the Colts have done than you.

Sam Monson of ESPN Insider agrees with you and is actually even more derisive with his questions about Indy’s improvements, calling them the 2010 Pro Bowl roster…even though it’s 2015 now…get it?…Marco?

However, everyone Indianapolis has added is a clear upgrade in my mind over the player they are figuratively replacing, especially the offensive skill players. Trent Richardson was one of the worst running backs in the NFL. He was cut, and no one has as much as sniffed around about his services for this coming season. Although Frank Gore is on the decline, he was still a very effective runner last season. There is no way Gore isn’t a massive improvement for the Colts’ backfield.

Dec 21, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson (80) looks to make a move on Baltimore Ravens defensive back

Rashaan Melvin

(38) during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

And on the outside, Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne may have a few things in common: age bracket, position, alma mater, past success. The comparisons end when talking about production on the football field recently though. Wayne essentially had a lost season last year, with production resembling nothing more than a rotation sub. Johnson, on the other hand, was still exceptional, as we touched on in our debate before Houston went through with releasing him.

Despite being 33 years old, Johnson was clearly deserving of being a starting wide receiver in this league as recently as last season. The same couldn’t be said of Wayne.

Indy also added some depth along the offensive line as well as pass rushing on the defensive line. Trent Cole may also be on the backside of his career, but he’s an able replacement for Robert Mathis if the latter never makes it back.

The Colts were already good thanks to their quarterback. The rest of the roster is a little bit better now, making them a major contender, perhaps even a favorite, to grab a bye in the AFC playoffs in 2015.

Next: Colts Free Agency grades - Defense

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