NFL Team Report – Indianapolis Colts – INSIDE SLANT
Just days after the end of the draft, the Colts’ roster shakeup continued.
In a move that didn’t come as too much of a great surprise, the Colts decided to part ways with defensive end/outside linebacker Jerry Hughes by trading the team’s 2010 first-round draft pick to the Buffalo Bills.
In exchange for Hughes, who has been something of an enigma the past three seasons, Indianapolis picked up middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard.
The 6-2, 244-pound Sheppard was a third-round pick by the Bills in 2011.
“We wish nothing but the best for Jerry in Buffalo,” Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said in a prepared statement.
“He’s a talented guy that did everything we asked of him. At the same time, we are very pleased to be getting a young linebacker who has been a productive starter in this league.”
Hughes was drafted with the idea that he would be the eventual replacement, or at least become a quality backup, for Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney.
He will cost $2.1 million in dead cap money, $186,250 more than he would have if he had been playing for the team, in order for the Colts to account for the full amount of his signing bonus.
An All-America selection at Texas Christian, Hughes never quite lived up to the high expectations of the fans and, more importantly, of the past two administrations (Bill Polian and Grigson) and head coaches (Jim Caldwell and Chuck Pagano).
In three seasons with the Colts, he registered 61 tackles (44 solo), with five sacks and one pass broken up.
In his first two years in the league, Hughes struggled both as a pass rusher out of Indianapolis’ base 4-3 defensive package and on kick coverage units.
Last season, with the Colts moving to Pagano’s 3-4 hybrid scheme, the general feeling was that he would be more comfortable in the system — which was somewhat similar to the defensive alignment he played in college — and have more success.
While Hughes displayed some flashes of his pass-rushing skills that had originally caught the eye of Polian and his player personnel department, he failed to win a full-time starters role heading into the 2013 season.
Indianapolis added outside linebacker Erik Walden from Green Bay through free agency last month and then drafted former Florida State defensive end/outside linebacker Bjoern Werner in the first round of this year’s draft.
“I talked to Jerry and he was just thankful for the opportunity to play in Indianapolis,” said Tracy Lartigue, one of two of Hughes’ agents. “He enjoyed working with the coaches and the new GM (Ryan Grigson) there. He loved Indianapolis. He’s looking forward to going to another great football town in Buffalo.”
As for the player picked up in exchange for Hughes, Sheppard has totaled 138 tackles (95 solo), 2.0 sacks, two passes broken up and one fumble recovery in 32 career games with Buffalo.
He has started 24 games over the last two seasons.
A three-year starter at LSU, Sheppard completed his collegiate career ranked ninth in school history with 311 tackles.
He posted 100-plus tackle campaigns in both his junior and senior seasons. In 2010, Sheppard was voted an All-SEC first-team selection after compiling 116 stops, which ranked third in the conference.
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NFL Team Report – Indianapolis Colts – NOTES, QUOTES
— The Colts announced the signing of six draftees picks Thursday — third-round guard Hugh Thornton, fourth-round center/guard Khaled Holmes, fifth-round defensive tackle Montori Hughes, sixth-round safety John Boyett, seventh-round running back Kerwynn Williams and seventh-round tight end Justice Cunningham — from the 2013 NFL Draft on Thursday.
The Colts also signed undrafted free-agent center Rick Schmeig.
–Colts general manager Ryan Grigson on seventh-round draft choice running back Kerwynn Williams: “Chuck and I both loved his tape. He’s another guy that’s fast, extremely quick and elusive. He brings a wrinkle to this team that could really help us and that’s as a returner. Our special teams coaches had him rated as one of the best returners in this draft and that got our attention.
“We studied him and we had scouts going to Utah State and were at his workout. He’s a great kid. He’s exciting to watch as a runner and as a returner. He’s got a lot going for him. We were a little bit surprised he was there. We’re happy to get him because he fills a tremendous need and he’s also got some real value on third down.”
–The list of undrafted rookies that have agreed to a contract: Boston College offensive tackle Emmett Cleary, Baylor wide receiver Lanear Sampson, San Houston State cornerback Daxton Swanson, Temple placekicker Brandon McManus, Montana fullback Dan Moore, Lindenwood running back Denodus O’Bryant, UCLA cornerback Sheldon Price, Kansas State cornerback Nigel Malone, Stanford wide receiver Jamal-Rashad Patterson, Wagner defensive end/linebacker C.O. Prime, Mount Union safety Nick Driskill, Idaho State wide receiver Rodrick Rumble.
–At least four other undrafted free agents have been invited to participate in the May 10-12 rookie minicamp, without contracts: Indiana State defensive lineman Jordan Bright, Marian University placekicker Michael Josifovski, LSU offensive lineman Josh Dworaczyk, Southern Connecticut tight end Jerome Cunningham.
–Running back Alvester Alexander, fullback Robert Hughes and linebacker Shawn Loiseau have been released from the Colts’ offseason roster.
–Quarterback Andrew Luck, receiver T.Y. Hilton and a few others are expected to join wide receiver Reggie Wayne in Miami for a few days of concentrated passing drills. Wayne took part in the first few days of on-field work during the Colts’ offseason workouts.
–Wayne hopes to be the 13th NFL player 35 or older to have 1,000 receiving yards. He had 1,355 yards on 106 receptions last season. The 1,000-yard mark has been breached only 16 times by 12 players 35 years or older.
“I’m going to put that list in my locker,” he said. “I strive off that. That’s what fuels me, motivates me. Not everybody can do that.”
–Punter Pat McAfee on the NBA’s Jason Collins becoming the first active male athlete from a major sport to reveal he is gay: “I think it’s a generational thing. Our locker room, a younger generation, is very much more accepting because we’ve been around more gay people.
“In the recent years, gay folks have been much more open. A lot of us have gay friends and we kind of understand that they’re just like us, they’re just interested in different things.”
–Wayne on Collins: “I don’t know him per se, but if that was to happen on our team, I would definitely support him as a person first. I would definitely have his back and at the same time support him as a teammate.
“It’s definitely a step in the right direction in that aspect and I’m pretty sure it kind of took a little pressure off anybody else that wants to come in and take that path.”
–Inside linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, acquired from Buffalo, joined a Colts locker room with a few familiar faces. He played at LSU with defensive end Drake Nevis, safety LaRon Landry and defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois.
“I’ve got a lot of my guys back that I actually was on the same side of the ball with at LSU, so that’s exciting,” he said. “And I’ve known some of the guys like (cornerback) Vontae (Davis) and a couple of the guys, so I knew I was coming into a very good organization and a very good locker room.”
–Sheppard acknowledged he’s motivated to prove that the Bills were wrong to trade him.
“There’s definitely a chip on my shoulder,” he said, “and we’ll handle that in the fall.”
QUOTE TO NOTE: “The name of this game is longevity. There were times I would see Marvin catch a pass and take a nose dive. I was like, ‘What are you doing? You’ve got three more yards (to get). But if you sit back and think about it, that’s a lot less hits he’s taking. You’ve got to pick your battles.” — WR Reggie Wayne on lessons learned from Colts WR Marvin Harrison.
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NFL Team Report – Indianapolis Colts – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
A closer look at the Colts’ picks:
Round 1/24 – Bjoern Werner, OLB/DE, 6-3, 266, Florida State
High-motor player who should push for a starting role as a rookie. Good size, athletic skills. Plays faster than 40 time. Expected to be disruptive at the point of attack. Still raw in some areas but has a great upside.
Round 3/86 – Hugh Thornton, G/T, 6-3, 320, Illinois
Versatile offensive lineman who is expected to play guard. Started most of last season at offensive tackle for the Illini but will get a long look at guard for Indy. Colts targeted Thornton early. Was recruited to Illinois and coached by current offensive line coach Joe Gilbert.
Round 4/121 – Khaled Holmes, C/G, 6-3, 302, Southern Cal
Another versatile offensive lineman who can play all three inside positions. Primarily a center but can also be efficient as a guard. Played most of the 2012 season with a high ankle injury. Holmes will get looks at both center and guard during rookie camp and OTAs before a decision is made about where he will eventually play.
Round 5/139 – Montori Hughes, DT/NT, 6-4, 329, Tennessee-Martin
The Colts traded a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft to Cleveland for the opportunity to select Hughes. The Colts did not have a fourth-round selection prior to the trade. Hughes has experience in both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive schemes. Can play nose tackle and defensive tackle. Reminds Colts coaches of Ravens nose tackle Haloti Nagta. Began collegiate career at Tennessee.
Round 6/192 – John Boyett, SS, 5-9, 204, Oregon
Played in just one game during the 2012 season after suffering tears in the patellar tendons in both knees. Led team in tackles in 2010 and 2011, recording 108 tackles with 67 solos as a junior in 2011. Played through most of his junior season with his patellar tendon issues.
Round 7/230 – Kerwynn Williams, RB/KR, 5-7, 196, Utah State
Speedy back who may end up returning punts and kickoffs for the Colts. Was an all-purpose back in college. Excels at running between the tackles. Shows good burst at the line of scrimmage. Was considered the best kickoff and punt returner remaining on the Colts’ draft board.
Round 7/254 – Justice Cunningham, TE, 6-3, 258, South Carolina
Mr. Irrelevant for 2013; the final player selected in the draft. Gives the Colts additional depth at the tight end position. He is the third tight end drafted by Indianapolis over the last two seasons. A strong blocker and receiver, Cunningham should fit in well in the Colts’ new offensive system. Aggressive as a receiver.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: P Pat McAfee (tendered at $2.977 million; signed tender April 2).
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (7)
–WR Austin Collie will not be re-signed when his contract expires on March 12. Collie missed most of the 2012 season with a knee injury. He has also suffered four concussions in the past three seasons.
–LB Dwight Freeney will not be re-signed when his contract expires on March 12. Freeney’s stats have lagged a bit over the past two seasons and he was asked to play a new position last fall, moving from a 4-3 defensive end to more of a 3-4 outside linebacker. He would like to sign with a contending team when he becomes a free agent.
–OG Tony Hills was a backup last season. Did OK when called upon to step in and play when injuries mounted up on the offensive line. Might be back.
–NT Antonio Johnson has played both defensive tackle and nose tackle since coming to the Colts. With the addition of Josh Chapman and Brandon McKinney, if both are fully recovered from knee injuries, Johnson might not be brought back.
–OT Winston Justice started all year at right offensive tackle. Played OK when healthy but was nicked up over the last half of the season. The Colts might decide to upgrade at the position through free agency.
–RB Mewelde Moore was brought in initially because he was familiar with former offensive coordinator Bruce Arians’ system. But with Arians now in Arizona, Moore is expected to be allowed to explore other options.
–LB Jamaal Westerman did a nice job as a backup late in the season. For the right price, Westerman might be brought back to help bolster the Colts’ outside linebacking depth.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)
–LB A.J. Edds (not tendered as RFA) incurred a season-ending knee injury in training camp last year. He saw some playing time two years ago before suffering a season-ending concussion. A local kid who grew up just outside Indianapolis, he might be brought back if the price is right.
–RB Deji Karim (not tendered as RFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
–CB Darius Butler: UFA; terms 2 yrs, unknown.
–CB Josh Gordy: ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–OG Jeff Linkenbach: RFA tendered at $1.323M with no compensation); $1.323M/1 yr.
–P Pat McAfee: FFA; $2.977/1 yr.
–DE Fili Moala: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–G Joe Reitz: ERFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–NT Martin Tevaseu: ERFA; $555,000/1 yr.
–CB Cassius Vaughn (RFA; tendered at $1.323M with no compensation); $1.323M/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
–T Gosder Cherilus: UFA Colts; $35M/5 yrs, $10M SB/$16.5M guaranteed.
–NT Aubrayo Franklin: UFA Chargers; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–QB Matt Hasselbeck: FA Titans; $8M/2 yrs.
–FB Stanley Havilui (trade Eagles).
–WR Darrius Heyward-Bey: FA Raiders; $3M/1 yr, $1.5M guaranteed.
–DT Ricky Jean Francois: UFA 49ers; $22M/4 yrs, $8.5M guaranteed/$6.5M fully guaranteed.
–S LaRon Landry: UFA Jets; $24M/4 yrs, $14M guaranteed.
–LB Kelvin Sheppard (trade Bills).
–LB Lawrence Sidbury: UFA Falcons; terms unknown.
–G Donald Thomas: UFA Patriots; $14M/4 yrs, $1M SB.
–CB Greg Toler: UFA Cardinals; $14.25M/3 yrs, $5M guaranteed.
–LB Erik Walden: UFA Packers; $16M/4 yrs, $8M guaranteed.
PLAYERS LOST
–WR Donnie Avery: UFA Chiefs; $8.55M/3 yrs, $2.25M SB/$2.55M guaranteed.
–LB Moise Fokou: UFA Titans; $2.8M/2 yrs.
–DE Clifton Geathers (traded Eagles).
–LB Jerry Hughes (traded Bills).
–G Seth Olsen: Not tendered as RFA/Vikings; terms unknown.
–CB Jerraud Powers: UFA Cardinals; , $3M SB.
–QB Drew Stanton: UFA Cardinals; $8.2M/3 yrs, $3M guaranteed.
