INDIANAPOLIS – Just how quiet has the Colts' offseason been?
They haven't made one roster move in the past month.
Since May 18, the Colts have had a single transaction---the signing of offensive tackle Mitchell Van Dyk on June 6, after undrafted rookie guard Isiah Cage was waived-injured.
For comparison's sake, the Colts had 10 transactions during the same time period of 2015.
So yes, the offseason in Indianapolis has been rather calm from a quantity standpoint of signings.
That doesn't totally discredit the past few months and how significant some of the decisions the Colts' brass has made impacting the future.
What were the Colts' biggest offseason moves of 2016?
1. Locking Down Andrew Luck *-June and July have been a virtual ghost town for the Colts. The end of June did have some early fireworks though, with the signing of Andrew Luck. The Colts and Luck wanted to secure something long-term before the start of Training Camp and they accomplished that on June 29. Luck's six-year, $140-million dollar deal will keep the former No. 1 overall pick in Indianapolis through his 10th NFL season. The Colts started handing out long-term deals for their offensive stars last offseason. Luck, 26, was the vital cog of that group though. By all accounts, Luck's six-year deal was a win for both sides, and will not handcuff the Colts from totally sitting out future free agencies.2. The Drafting of Ryan Kelly -For the first time in Andrew Luck's five NFL seasons, he goes into a Training Camp with zero doubt on who will be snapping to him in 2016. Centers don't often hear their name called in Round One of an NFL Draft, let alone in the teens. The need for the Colts though certainly matched the value Ryan Kelly brings from Alabama. This offseason, the Colts had to bolster the interior of their offensive line and they will do it with college football's best center. The pairing of Luck and Kelly is under contract through the 2019 season, with the rookie having a fifth-year option the Colts can exercise down the road.3. Picking Dwayne Allen over Coby Fleener*
-This was one of the major questions heading into the 2016 offseason in Indy, and really something that was brought up ever since 2012. How would the Colts handle the future of their tight end position? The choice was the versatile Allen. In Allen, the Colts believe they have one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, along with him being a more than capable receiver. Allen has battled injuries in recent years, but has shifted his offseason approach in 2016 thanks to a new Colts' strength and conditioning program (and, of course, more yoga). The four-year contract extension for Allen was a strong commitment from the Colts on who their No. 1 tight end will be going forward.4. Finding Patrick Robinson in Free Agency
-It was expected, but the Colts were not splashing their way through free agency in 2016. They did dive into the deep end on one occasion. Finding a second cornerback was a definite offseason key in 2016 and the Colts hope Patrick Robinson is the guy for the job. Coming off the best of his six NFL seasons, Robinson gives the Colts some flexibility on the backend of their defense. Robinson can play both in the nickel and on the outside, which is where he lined up during the team's offseason program. When the Colts' defense has played well under Chuck Pagano, the corners have flourished. If Robinson can prove to be steady opposite Vontae Davis, this defense should see its consistency rise.5. The Hiring Of Joe Philbin
-Putting the extensions for Chuck Pagano/Ryan Grigson aside, it's this coaching move that might have the most on-the-field impact. In an offseason where the Colts brought in two "new" coordinators, it's a position coach who has garnered several headlines. Even Jim Irsay sat down with Philbin during the interview process. That's how important the Owner and CEO views Philbin to the improvement of the Colts' offensive line. Under the tutelage of Philbin, the offensive line still needs to find a right guard in Training Camp, before they go into 2016. It's been a while since Philbin has been a position coach in the NFL, but he's extremely respected for his ability to develop offensive lines.
