When last we heard from Colts owner Jim Irsay, he was touting the acquisition of a receiver that never happened. Now, Irsay is bragging about the moves that actually were made.
“We’re FIRED UP about our free agent pillaging and the potential for 5-7 new starters!!” Irsay said on Twitter. (The five-to-seven guys who’ll be losing their jobs are understandably less enthused.)
The “pillaging” included tackle Gosder Cherilus, linebacker Erik Walden, safety LaRon Landry, guard Donald Thomas, linebacker Lawrence Sidbury, cornerback Greg Toler, defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, and defensive lineman Aubrayo Franklin.
“Pillaging” may be a bit of an overstatement, but the Colts attempted to address various needs without spending excessively. The challenge now becomes managing expectations. The coaching staff won’t want to hear the owner talking up the talent level; any failure to build on last year’s unlikely success will make it more likely that the coaches will take the blame.
Still, that’s one of the realities of working for an owner with a thin filter. Many fans love it, but Irsay has a tendency to set the bar higher than he should.
For the 2013 season, the Colts may end up with the bar as high as it was during the Peyton Manning era.