Players for sale

A quick look at the Colts' remaining free agents.

Restricted free agents
Player	Stats	Where he fits	The future	What if he leaves?
Cory Bird	2003: 2 TK, 1 FF, 18 STT, 2 STA Career: 32 TK, 10 AT, 0.5 SK, 1 PBU. 1 FF	Bird doesn't have the coverage skills to play much on defense other than short-yardage situations and emergencies. However, he is one of the best and most dynamic special-teams tacklers I have ever seen.	Considering his limitations, history of injuries and the fact that he'd cost a third-round pick to sign, I think the Colts can safely assume Bird will be back with the team in 2004.	As I said, it's a very unlikely scenario. But still, I think soph Anthony Floyd or a rookie would be depended on to take Bird's place on special teams.
Rick DeMulling	2003: 16 GS, 2 SKA, 1 PEN Career: 30 GS, 3 SKA, 1 PEN	In his third year, DeMulling became the undisputed starter at left guard. Though not big or overpowering, he's a spectacular techician who uses his functional strength, leverage and intelligence to get the better of defenders.	Although DeMulling is considered a very good lineman by many, he's not the overpowering bruiser teams desire. It would be hard for a team to win over fans and media after spending a great deal of money and giving up a first-round draft pick for a 304-pound guard. Expect the Colts to sign him to a long-term contract soon.	If DeMulling stays, it appears that the right guard spot is up for grabs between Tupe Peko and Steve Sciullo. If he leaves, one of them would likely start on the left side and the Colts would draft a guard prospect in the middle rounds.
Ryan Diem	2003: 13 GS, 4 SKA, 6 PEN Career: 37 GS, 10 SKA, 13 PEN	Diem is sort of DeMulling's opposite — he's an overwhelming monster of man with unbelievable strength. But he doesn't have DeMulling's quick feet or football intelligence. Still, he gets the job done and is improving. He's a very bright kid, so he could develop into something special.	Although I'd rank Diem's value to the Colts (at least thus far) a hair lower than DeMulling's, I think his market value is far higher. That's not just because of his size and strength. Tackles normally get more attention than guards and Diem has plenty of room to improve while DeMulling is probably as good as he'll ever get. Is Diem worth big bucks and the first-round pick a team would have to give up to get him? Probably. But, luckily for the Colts, Diem does not have the potential to be an effective left tackle and most teams would prefer an expensive free-agent aquisition can protect their passer's blind side. Look for Polian to sign Diem to a long-term contract full of bonuses and escalator clauses, but don't be surprised if he has to match another team's offer sheet.	The Colts would probably replace Diem at right tackle with soph Makoa Freitas, who started there last year when Diem was injured. Sciullo, a natural tackle, is another possibility. Either way, it would be a big step down and would disrupt stability all over the line. And it would force the Colts to draft a tackle prospect, perhaps on day one.
Nick Harper	2003: 84 TK, 11 AT, 2 TFL, 4-121-1 INT, 14 PBU, 2 STT, 1 STA Career: 136 TK, 22 AT, 6-138-1 INT, 27 PBU, 1 FR, 1-0-0 PR	Ever wonder why Harper had 84 tackles in 13 starts while Walt Harris had just 38 in 15 starts on the other side? That's because teams were picking on Harper, throwing his way despite knowing he had good hands for the pick and was a threat to score if he got his mitts on the ball. Harper has some cover skills, but can get knocked around by big receivers and can get lost while the ball is in the air.	It's hard for me to understand why the Colts are giving so much money to a guy who's approaching 30 and lost his starting job to David Macklin. In these salary-cap driven days, I just don't think you pay a guy $1.3 mill unless you expect him to start. If a team did make a big-time offer for him, don't be surprised if the Colts take the first-round pick and draft his replacement.	The cornerback position is in such a shambles right now that if Harper were to go elsewhere, it would only mean the Colts would have to find yet another one. A first-rounder would help that search a great deal.
Dominic Rhodes	2003: 37-157-0 RSH, 6-62-1 REC, 16-411-0 KR Career: 270-1,261-9 RSH, 40-286-1 REC, 30-767-1 KR	Rhodes is by far the Colts' second-best back and fits the offense well as a runner, receiver and blocker. He's also a superlative kick returner. The problem is that he's had a long history of major injuries. He's bounced back, but you never know when it will happen again.	On one hand, Rhodes has demonstrated that he's a competent — though not spectacular — starting running back. But on the other hand, his history of injuries could scare teams off of a large investment in him. The Colts gave him a tender, but one that means they'd get no compensation if he were to move to another team. Clearly, there's a chance some team will offer him a big deal, but if that happens, the Colts may just have to wave good-bye.	If Polian is good at anything, it's finding underappreciated backs. If Rhodes leaves, his replacement could be found in the middle or late part of the draft or even in free agency.
Unrestricted free agents
Player	Stats	Where he fits	The future	What if he leaves?
Cliff Crosby	2003: 3 TK, 1 AT, 13 STT, 2 STA Career: 20 TK, 4 AT, 3 PBU, 5 FR, 0-6-0 PR	Crosby is a bit frail to add much to the base defense but fills in as an extra defensive back and is an absolute ace on kick and punt coverage teams.	The Colts would love to have Crosby back, but only at their price. It's unlikely any other team would offer him much, so he'll probably be back in Indianapolis.	The Colts will have to find another wedge-buster either from the current guys on the roster — maybe Brad Pyatt — or in the draft.
Joe Dean Davenport	2003: 3-23-0 REC Career: 11-93-0 REC	Billy Bob is the Colts' third tight end and something of a blocking specialist. He's not much of a receiver, but is popular with the team and fans.	Again, the Colts would like to have him back but would not stand in his way if another team wants to make him a rich man.	Even with Billy Bob on the roster, the Colts are likely to draft a developmental tight end, so ...
Jason Doering	2003: 6 TK, 16 STT, 8 STA Career: 40 TK, 13 AT, 1 FR, 1-2-0 KR	Doering is known as a smart, hard-hitting defensive back who doesn't have enough speed to be a regular solution at any spot. He's also a competent, not great, special-teams player.	Doering's just a guy, but he's a versatile guy who could get some interest, especially after the draft. Look for him to sign somewhere — perhaps back in Indy — in May.	The Colts will upgrade their secondary whether Doering is present or not.
David Macklin	2003: 28 TK, 4 AT, 1-0-0 INT, 8 PBU, 1 FF, 1-0-0 PR, 2 STT, 3 STA Career: 150 TK, 27 AT, 0.5 SK, 7-80-0 INT, 37 PBU, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1-0-0 KR, 1-0-0 PR	Say what you will about Macklin, but he was the Colts' most effective defensive back at the end of last season. He's tough and a hard hitter, but his best quality is his intelligence. Countering that is the fact that he simply does not have the speed for deep coverage or to nullify his mistakes.	At the very least, Macklin will be a very active third corner and has an okay chance to start if he continues to play like he did at the end of 2003.	Without Macklin, the Colts' cornerback situation goes from horrible to atrocious. A replacement would have to be found from the draft or free agency. Late note: Macklin has met with the Cardinals.
Jim Nelson	2003: 12 TK, 1 AT, 2-22-0 INT, 3 PBU, 5 STT Career: 50 TK, 23 AT, 3-22-0 INT, 4 PBU, 3 FR	Nelson can play any linebacking position well enough, but can be exposed if he stays in too long. He's better than most linebackers in pass coverage and is a darn good special-teamer.	It's unrealistic to think Nelson can step in for Marcus Washington if he departs as a free agent. Nelson's been replaced as the Colts' primary nickel 'backer and top sub by soph Gary Brackett, but he's still a valued spare part who would be welcomed back at the right price.	If Nelson leaves, soph Cato June would be expected to step up and fill his place. A prospect could also be acquired in the draft.
Donnel Thompson	2003: none Career; 1 FR	People rave about Thompson's special-teams prowess, but he wasn't really missed last year when he was out with an injury. He was so good a linebacker that he was moved to fullback.	Thompson will be invited to some camp for an opportunity to impress with his kick and punt coverage abilities. Whether he plays offense or defense in practice is largely immaterial, he's unlikely to hit the field either way.	Thompson missed the 2003 season, so the Colts have already moved on without him.
Marcus Washington	2003: 56 TK, 24 AT, 6 SK, 4.5 TFL, 4 PBU, 3 FF, 1 STT, 1 STA Career: 182 TK, 69 AT, 18 SK, 2-41-1 INT, 10 PBU, 7 FF, 2 FR	Washington is firmly entrenched as the Colts' starting strong-side linebacker and part-time rush end. He's a huge hitter, a good pursuer and a heads-up guy, but is totally lost in pass coverage.	Washington is the Colts' most desirable remaing free agent and the one they could least afford to lose. Other teams may be able to offer more money, but they would probably be teams farther away from Super Bowl contention than the Colts are. So it's up to Washington – does he want to win or make a few more bucks?	There's no realistic replacement for Washington on the roster, so the Colts would probably turn to the draft for a solution. Late note: the Redskins and Steelers are said to be interested.