How the Colts were built: Amazing?

A Packers buddy of mine recently expressed surprise that former Packer Daniel Muir was starting for the Colts. It prompted me to look at their roster. And it was amazing to me to see where the Super Bowl Colts -- one of the winningest teams in recent memory -- especially got their DL and OL from. They've kind of built the team opposite of conventional wisdom. Other than the logical move of spending a #1 pick for a QB, almost all their high picks have been concentrated on the offensive skill positions and defensive backfield. Their OL and defensive front seven -- other than Dwight Freeney -- are basically mid-to-late round picks and undrafted free agents. Just interesting I think to keep in mind as we compare to how Thompson has built the Packers.

OFFENSE
WR Wayne - 1st round '01
LT Johnson - 6th round '06
LG Richard - 7th round '08
C Saturday - Undrafted FA '99
RG DeVan - Undrafted FA '09
RT Diem - 4th round '01
TE Clark - 1st round '03
WR Garcon - 6th round '08
QB Manning - 1st round '98
HB Addai - 1st round '06
FB Eldridge - 5th round '10

DEFENSE
LE Mathis - 5th round '03
LT Muir - Waivers from GB '08
RT Johnson - Undrafted FA '08
RE Freeney - 1st round '02
SLB Wheeler - 3rd round '08
MLB Brackett - Undrafted FA '03
WLB Session - 4th round '07
LCB Hayden - 2nd round '05
RCB Powers - 3rd round '09
SS Sanders - 2nd round '04
FS Bethea - 6th round '06

9/10/1011:04 AM

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

chickenboyTic Toc

Nice post Schuu. I will say that any team's approach to building a team becomes much easier when you have arguably the best QB in NFL history on your roster.

9/10/1011:10 AM

The GBP RulesMember

the year they won the SB I believe every starter had played for only the Colts. It is very rare that they venture off in free agency, but they do pay to keep their star players. Just like GB has been doing.

9/10/1011:19 AM

GoallineLarge Antenna

You mean they did all that without signing Haynesworth or Moss? I don't believe you!

9/10/1011:23 AM

Satori"...going where the climate suits my clothes"

Packers DL is:

1st round draft pick
*undrafted free agent
*unrestricted free agent

* Ted Thompson only builds through the draft

9/10/1011:55 AM

radmanMember

5 - 1st rounders and 3 - 2nd rounders in 12 years repesenting the starting 22.
I realize that they might not have had first and second round picks every year but that is less than 50% success rate for high draft picks.

That reflects that drafting is not a perfect science but it is the most important part of team development.

I am still pissed about cutting Muir as I thought he was a good Dlineman and I think that was one of TT's worst cuts.It hurts to lose starting caliber big guys on the Dline.

9/10/1011:59 AM

PackerRussDo I amuse you?!

quote:
Originally posted by The GBP Rules:
the year they won the SB I believe every starter had played for only the Colts. It is very rare that they venture off in free agency, but they do pay to keep their star players. Just like GB has been doing.

Well see how that works when they have to pay both Wayne and Manning a TON of $$$$. But your right they do pay and try to keep their best players.

9/10/1012:04 PM

JJSDSitzpinkler Schadenfreude

quote:
Originally posted by Satori:
Packers DL is:

1st round draft pick
*undrafted free agent
*unrestricted free agent

* Ted Thompson only builds through the draft

Packers CB's are an undrafted guy off the street and a UFA who just got a huge raise with three years left on his current deal. Not only does Ted only build through the draft, but he's also a tightwad.

9/10/1012:06 PM

FedyaMember

quote:
Well see how that works when they have to pay both Wayne and Manning a TON of $$$$.

They'll get the competition committee to change the cap rules to make paying both Wayne and Manning easier.

9/10/1012:06 PM

michiganjoeMember

Polian and TT share the same basic philosophy of building a team. One has the results and the other is a work in progress.

9/10/101:14 PM

"We"-Ka-BongYou ungrateful biscuit eating son of a bitch

how many full backs, punters and Havners on the Colts roster?

9/10/101:16 PM

The GBP RulesMember

quote:
Originally posted by PackerRuss:
Well see how that works when they have to pay both Wayne and Manning a TON of $$$$.

Manning will get paid and they probably will let Wayne walk. He's getting up there and his production dropped significantly in the 2nd half of the season.

9/10/101:45 PM

BlueshoundMember

Manning and Wayne should refuse to play until they get a contract extension like Revis. The star players with the leverage could do it every year

9/10/102:09 PM

HerschelMember

It's also a bit misleading when you consider the Colts offensive line.

Tarick Glenn and Tony Ugoh were first rounders (Glenn retired unexpectedly, Ugoh thrown to the wolves and flopped)) and Adam Meadows was a second rounder (also recently retired IIRC). Injuries have skewed the numbers recently.

9/11/1011:05 AM

TschmackMember

Bill Polian is also a fan of the Big Ten

Clark, Sanders, Hayden, Gonzales, M Jackson (former 1st rounder), etc.

I think 9 or 10 players from their roster played at Big Ten schools

9/11/1011:20 AM

ammoCheese Master

quote:
Originally posted by JJSD:

Packers CB's are an undrafted guy off the street and a UFA who just got a huge raise with three years left on his current deal.

Not only an UFA who just got a big raise but a UFA that nobody else but TT wanted 3 years ago. Thats right, Woodson came to Green BAy because that was the only contact his agent had from any team.

9/11/1012:34 PM

SwanyMember

quote:
Originally posted by Wile-E-Ka-Bong:
how many full backs, punters and Havners on the Colts roster?

The answer is exactly 1

They have NO Fullbacks. Many of their fans are pissed because they don't have a lead back for Addai or D. Brown in short yardage.

9/11/1012:34 PM