NFL Football Betting: Indianapolis Colts Notable Offseason Moves

The Indianapolis Colts needed to give quarterback Andrew Luck more support on the offensive line while also creating a more robust defense. We’ll see how these moves look in a few months.

2013 Super Bowl Odds: +1,700

Online NFL Football Betting Notable Change #1:

Take this “change” as a pair of changes. The website Walter Football analyzes two pickups the Colts made this past offseason: “Two free agents were added on the defensive line: Aubrayo Franklin and Ricky Jean-Francois. Franklin was a cheap addition, but that’s because he didn’t see the field much in 12 games with the Chargers last year. He was still decent at stopping the run, but at 33, his best days are way behind him. He’ll start until either Josh Chapman or Montori Hughes (both mid-round selections in each of the previous two drafts) are ready. Jean-Francois was more expensive, commanding a 4-year, $22 million deal – an absurd amount, considering that he was just a rotational player on San Francisco’s defensive line. Jean-Francois and Cory Redding will be the two ends up front for the Colts; Redding was bothered by various injuries all year and consequently didn’t do much.”

Online NFL Football Betting Notable Change #2:

The Colts also changed the makeup of their offensive line, and Walter Football provides more details here as well: “Right tackle Gosder Cherilus was added this offseason to displace the injury-prone Winston Justice. Cherilus had a solid 2012 campaign, but he’s been very inconsistent throughout his disappointing NFL career. The two guard spots are also big problem areas. Donald Thomas, also acquired this offseason, has just eight career starts. He played well in New England last season, but there have been many Patriot players who have left that team and struggled elsewhere.”

One has to remember here that Andrew Luck threw a lot of interceptions in his rookie season. He made a lot of big plays, yes, but he still went through a learning process that included a lot of harsh lessons. The Colts lived on the edge last season and lived to tell the tale. They should expect to have a much tougher time making the playoffs this season, which means that the offensive line will have to play at a higher level against defenses who will try to pound Luck into so much ground meat. The extent to which the Colts’ offensive line moves work (or don’t work) will likely determine the trajectory of their 2013 campaign.
Online NFL Football Betting Notable Change #3:

The Colts also aimed to revamp their secondary. Walter Football points out the chess moves the Indianapolis organization made this past offseason: “Cornerback Greg Toler and safety LaRon Landry were brought over from the Cardinals and Jets, respectively. Toler, who signed a 3-year, $15 million contract, is just a decent, but very injury-prone reserve corner. He’ll be asked to start, as will Landry, who performed well for the Jets in 2012. However, like Toler, Landry is constantly hobbled.” If Landry can make it through this season with minimal stress and strain, the Colts could have something good on their hands.