Bob Sanders extended 5 years: $37.5 million

[Scoot McGroot]

Looks like ol' Bobby Sanders won't be reaching free agency. This is definitely a great thing for the quality of our defense, but one has to wonder how many more big money deals we can take on our payroll.


http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3171368

[PR07]

We really couldn't afford to lose Bob Sanders. He's one of the best defensive players in the NFL and is one of the frontrunners for DPOY. He's is the heart of the Colts' defense, and I'm not sure there is anyone in the NFL that means as much to a defense as he does to the Colts. He's always all over the field and is always making plays. I just hope he can stay healthy, but the way he's stayed healthy this season, this looks like a good deal. Congrats to him on becoming the highest paid safety in NFL history history although that title will probably only last about a handful of seasons.

We're still going to have to pony up more money for Clark, but this is good because it enables us to slap the franchise tag on Dallas if we can't work out a longterm agreement. It is puzzling how the Colts have been able to continue to dish out big contracts, but I guess Glenn's retirement and Corey Simon's release savings have helped out quite a bit.

[FreeRon]

It seems that with Manning, Harrison, Wayne, Freeney, and now Sanders signed we'd be in a little financial trouble, but look at the Pats right now with Brady and Seau already, yet they went out this last offseason and traded for Welker and Moss, Wes makes decent money and Moss makes ridiculous money, then they signed Stallworth and Thomas even though they reportedly had to outbid a lot of other teams. I understand we have the highest paid quarterback, defensive end, and safety in the game, but you'd think with as many high-profile players as they have and the number of rookies we have to play because we can't re-sign players like Edgerrin and Cato that they'd be in a worse situation than we are.

[Latrell]

We really couldn't afford to lose Bob Sanders. He's one of the best defensive players in the NFL and is one of the frontrunners for DPOY. He's is the heart of the Colts' defense, and I'm not sure there is anyone in the NFL that means as much to a defense as he does to the Colts. He's always all over the field and is always making plays. I just hope he can stay healthy, but the way he's stayed healthy this season, this looks like a good deal. Congrats to him on becoming the highest paid safety in NFL history history although that title will probably only last about a handful of seasons.

We're still going to have to pony up more money for Clark, but this is good because it enables us to slap the franchise tag on Dallas if we can't work out a longterm agreement. It is puzzling how the Colts have been able to continue to dish out big contracts, but I guess Glenn's retirement and Corey Simon's release savings have helped out quite a bit.

Although I love Dallas Clark...one of the premiere TE's in the league. I find his impact on offense as overrated and replaceable...Im not saying that as a knock on Clark but more as testament to how great a QB Peyton Manning is and how he can turn anyone into a weapon...Like I've said many times, with Peyton at the helm it doesn't really matter who we have on offense...Which is why I am all for this extension of Sanders, he is our undisputed defensive leader and we really had no chioce but to lock him up....I just pray he can stay healthy for the majority of the term.

[PR07]

While I think Clark would be easier to replace than Sanders, I'm not sure it would be easy to replace a TE like Clark. He's such a mismatch nightmare for the defense because he runs and can catch like a WR but blocks like a TE. As a result, the average LB can't defend him in coverage and if you stick a CB on him, we'll just run the ball down the opposing team's throat. There are only 3 or four TE's that I think can do what he does: Gates, Shockey, Winslow, and maybe Vernon Davis.

[ajizzle]

I'm very, very happy to see we signed Demond to the extension, but do we always have to make every defender we re-sign the highest paid something?

I'm joking of course, but w/ a hint of seriousness... I know making whoever the highest paid at their position shows them how much we value them... but every time? Peyton got the fat deal (as he should), and I'll admit that big names like Marvin & Reggie didn't get the highest for WRs, and neither did Mathis or Brackett when we got them back in, but DFree and now Bob...

Just goes to show you how committed Irsay really is... and in a small market to boot! Congrats to Bob and many thanks to ownership. Maybe when we re-sign Dallas, we can hold up a tad, guys???

[PR07]

I really hope we don't make Dallas Clark the highest paid TE in football because although he's certainly one of the better TE's in football. I don't think he should be earning anything more than Antonio Gates.

I imagine Booger McFarland will probably get the ax after this season. I just don't see us paying him that kind of contract coming off injury when Ed Johnson is a more than capable of starting. The money is going to have to come from somewhere, and sacrifices will have to be made.

[ajizzle]

Well, remember, w/ Big Tarik retiring, that's quite a bit of cheese to go around. And w/ the signing bonuses that DFree and Bob have rec'd w/ their respective deals, we are probably saving a helluva lot on the cap. And isn't it supposed to jump a ridiculous amt. again t/y???

Dallas is definitely a product of this system as an H-Back/TE. But he also just had the best season that a Colts TE has ever had. I think his contract is gonna depend a lot on how he performs in the post-season, and how much Gonzo can do as well.

But just imagine an offense w/ Reggie and Marvin on the outside, Dallas and Gonzo in the middle, and Addai coming out of the backfield. IDK how Peyton does it, but he must be salivating at the opp to have those 5 guys in routes simultaneously...

The only other offense that would compare is NE, and that's only b/c Brady has JumpBall Randy to chuck it to in case of emergency.

P.S. While I give Brady props for his season, he did throw 46% of his TDs to one guy, on mainly jumpballs or Hail Marys. Not hating, just saying...

[PR07]

I'd imagine Marlin Jackson, Kelvin Hayden, Antoine Bethea, and even Jeff Saturday are also due for an extension in the not too distant future too though. I definately think the Colts can afford resigning Sanders and Clark, but I think Booger is likely gone as a result.