The Indianapolis Colts have been on a wild tear to sign free agents for top dollar contracts. The only problem has been that their free agent signings haven't been top tier additions to their team. The recent activity has many wondering exactly what is going on in Indianapolis. Below is a list of free agents signed so far by the Colts with contract details. [H/T to Rotoworld]
OT Gosder Cherilus: five year contract, $34 million
CB Greg Toler: three year contract, $15 million
OLB Erik Walden: four year contract, $16 million
G Donald Thomas: four year contract, $14 million
S LaRon Landry: four year contract, $24 million
Ricky Jean-Francois: four years, $22 million
DE/OLB Lawrence Sidbury: one-year contract
CB Darius Butler: re-signed to a two-year contract
The problem with the free agent signings above isn't that the Colts actually signed them, the problem is for the amount the Colts spent to bring in a number of "meh" players. The highlight was offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus' contract. Cherilus was a completely mediocre tackle for the Detroit.
Cherilus will help improve the Colts' offensive line, but the premium paid to him is less than ideal for the Colts. LaRon Landry is another example of woeful spending by the Colts that shouldn't go unnoticed by fans, especially in the coming years when these contracts become problematic for the Colts' front office.
Amidst the questionable moves, there is a silver lining. The players signed by the Colts represent upgrades to some very weak players that would have otherwise remained in prominent roles with the team. That's not to say that the Colts should get a free pass for spending big to bring in upgrades, and in some cases minor upgrades, but the signings will make them a better team in 2013 than they were in 2012.
