Colts Sign Cherilus (5y/34), Landry (4y/24m), RJF (4y/22m), Toler (3y/15m), Walden

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

Colts agreed to terms with OT Gosder Cherilus, formerly of the Lions, on a five-year, $34 million contract.

This is presumably one of the "big announcements" owner Jim Irsay teased on Twitter. Cherilus was stout on the right side for the Lions last season, but is recovering from another knee operation. He's missed just four games in five years, however, and is a strong addition for the Colts' porous line provided he's healthy. This shouldn't be the last move the Colts make with the intention of keeping Andrew Luck upright more often in 2013.

Colts agreed to terms with CB Greg Toler, formerly of the Cardinals, to a three-year, $15 million contract.

The Colts are aggressively addressing needs, signing Toler and OT Gosder Cherilus, while pursuing pass-rusher Cliff Avril. Toler should be in the mix for a starting job, but the injury prone four-year veteran could eventually end up in the slot. He has five picks in 38 career games.

Colts signed OLB Erik Walden to a four-year, $16 million contract.

27-year-old Walden is an outside pass rusher who managed nine sacks in Green Bay over the past three seasons. It's nothing short of stunning that the Colts are paying him $4 million a year, but Walden was told the club gave him "every expectation" he'll be the 2013 starter opposite Robert Mathis. The Packers didn't think much of Walden and tend to be awfully savvy player evaluators. This looks like one of the bigger overpays of the free-agency period so far.

Colts agreed to terms with OG Donald Thomas, formerly of the Patriots.

Indianapolis made it a priority to upgrade the offensive line, and they have added RT Gosder Cherilus and now Thomas to come in and help solidify things. Thomas started seven games for the Patriots last season and proved to be a top reserve. He can play any of the interior line positions, and the Colts need help at all three.

Colts signed DE/OLB Lawrence Sidbury, formerly of the Falcons.

27-year-old Sidbury was never given much of an opportunity across four seasons in Atlanta, though he showed some explosive rush ability at Richmond. Perhaps he'll be better as a stand-up linebacker in Indy's 3-4. Sidbury goes 6-foot-3, 261. Thus far, he has five career sacks in 47 games (zero starts).

Colts re-signed CB Darius Butler to a two-year contract.

The 26-year-old onetime second-round bust resurrected his career in Indianapolis last season, recording four interceptions as the slot corner between Vontae Davis and Jerraud Powers. The Colts now have a formidable top-three cornerback trio with Greg Toler and Davis on the outside, and Butler covering slot receivers. Indy could still afford to add a safety, upgrading on Tom Zbikowski.

 

[Cornelius]

Colts agreed to terms with OT Gosder Cherilus, formerly of the Lions, on a five-year, $34 million contract.

This is presumably one of the "big announcements" owner Jim Irsay teased on Twitter. Cherilus was stout on the right side for the Lions last season, but is recovering from another knee operation. He's missed just four games in five years, however, and is a strong addition for the Colts' porous line provided he's healthy. This shouldn't be the last move the Colts make with the intention of keeping Andrew Luck upright more often in 2013.

:jonesy:

Luck better have Luck with this guy blocking for him. He'll need it.

 

[Mogriffjr]

Colts sign Laron Landry too
4years, 24 mill, 14 guaranteed

 

[Influence]

Colts sign Laron Landry too
4years, 24 mill, 14 guaranteed

I was just about to post this.

 

[TheImmortalGoud]

Rotoworld

Colts signed DT Ricky Jean-Francois, formerly of the 49ers, to a four-year, $22 million contract.

Here's the move owner Jim Irsay assured fans they would be "FIRED UP ABOUT." It's just the latest deal from the free-spending Colts, and another questionable contract from GM Ryan Grigson, who had a nearly flawless first year on the job. Jean-Francois can play any spot on the line, but has never been a starter. Per The Sideline View's Adam Caplan, Jean-Francois has never played more than 27 percent of his team's defensive snaps in a single season. Grigson has earned the benefit of the doubt, but it seems like an overpay on the surface, much like Gosder Cherilus (five years, $34.5M) and Erik Walden's (four years, $16M) deals.

 

[mgoblue2290]

Gosder lacks discipline and is very mediocre on the line. That said if someone starts messing with his teammates, he's the first one in there backing everyone up, so he's got that going for him.

 

[BigBucs]

Colts sign Laron Landry too
4years, 24 mill, 14 guaranteed

Not sure how well he played with NY but if his play with Washington is any indication, that is an obscene amount of money for that bum ass mfer.

 

[Cornelius]

Not sure how well he played with NY but if his play with Washington is any indication, that is an obscene amount of money for that bum ass mfer.

I believe he went to the Pro Bowl. If that means anything anymore.