Colts making shrewd moves

Star receivers are headed to Miami and Denver.
The Browns and Dolphins have spent serious money to lure defensive players away from the defending Super Bowl champions.
Meanwhile, Indianapolis opened free agency by signing five players that don’t boast much name recognition. Colts fans should be happy about that.
In collegiate and professional sports teams too often ignore their needs in favor of “winning the press conference” — getting fans excited by bringing in big-name players, who are often high-priced or past their primes. Indianapolis clearly has a plan, and that’s good for the team’s future.
It might be tough to find anyone who owns a Gosder Cherilus or Donald Thomas jersey, but the Colts signed those players to help fill perhaps their biggest need. They must protect quarterback Andrew Luck, who was sacked 41 times last season, and do a better job in the running game after finishing near the bottom of the league at just 3.8 yards per attempt.
The 2012-13 Colts were also statistically one of the worst defensive teams to ever make the playoffs.
In response, Indianapolis opened free agency by signing linebackers Erik Walden and Lawrence Sidbury, and cornerback Greg Toler. They went a step further on Wednesday as they got their first high-profile free agent in former first-round pick LaRon Landry.
All four players will help improve the defense, with Landry leading the way after having his best professional season a year ago with the Jets as he recorded 99 tackles, four forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Toler had 90 tackles in his lone season as a full-time starter in Arizona, and Walden has been a key contributor in Green Bay in each of the last two seasons.
The Colts have addressed needs. What is even more encouraging is that they have done so with an eye toward the future, rather than signing aging stars that would only be able to contribute in the short term.
The six players Indianapolis has signed are all 28 or younger.
The Colts made a dramatic turn-around to reach the playoffs last season, but those who watched closely know they were still a long way from being real contenders. But if Jim Irsay, Ryan Grigson and Chuck Pagano continue to implement their plan, Indianapolis will have a chance to be back in the Super Bowl sooner rather than later.[[In-content Ad]]