ANDERSON, Ind. —
The five newest Indianapolis Colts have wasted little time stirring emotions within the team’s fan base.
Some appreciate general manager Ryan Grigson’s low-key approach and see a roster that has been upgraded at several positions of need. Others feel the NFL’s reigning executive of the year overpaid for lesser talent and has yet to make full use of a salary cap bounty.
On Wednesday, as they migrated to the team’s practice facility to sign their new contracts, the players hopped on a conference call with local media and grabbed hold of the opportunity to speak for themselves.
A capsule look at each player follows:
Gosder Cherilus
College: Boston College
Position, former team: Offensive tackle, Detroit Lions
Height, weight: 6-foot-7, 315 pounds
NFL experience, age: 5 years, 28
What kind of player are the Colts getting?: “I think they’re getting the full package. I don’t know if you watched the Detroit Lions last year, but we threw the ball more than anybody else in the league. The offensive line did a pretty good job protecting Matthew Stafford. When it was time to run the ball, most of the time they came to the right side when they needed a yard because I do my best to make sure we get it. So, at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what we do. Once they make a play call, I don’t care what it is, it’s my job to make it work.”
Greg Toler
College: St. Paul’s
Position, former team: Cornerback, Arizona Cardinals
Height, weight: 5-foot-11, 191 pounds
NFL experience, age: 4 years, 28
What kind of player are the Colts getting?: “I am a leader. I don’t do too much talking. I play hard-nosed football. I stick my nose in the fan if it’s a run. I’m going to cover up the pass. I’m not going to let them pick on me too much.”
Erik Walden
College: Middle Tennessee State
Position, former team: Outside linebacker, Green Bay Packers
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 238 pounds
NFL experience, age: 5 years, 27
What kind of player are the Colts getting?: “You’re getting an aggressive, high-motor guy that’s passionate and holds himself to a high standard. He’s going to make sure he’s prepared every week and be the best player he can be but also be productive and disruptive. Just week-in and week-out making plays, impact plays. Not just solid plays but impact plays, game-changing plays.”
Lawrence Sidbury
College: Richmond
Position, former team: Outside linebacker, Atlanta Falcons
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 267 pounds
NFL experience, age: 4 years, 27
What kind of player are the Colts getting?: “They’re getting a very explosive guy. I like to use a lot of my speed in my game. I like to get after the quarterback. I just want to play. I’m hard working, and I’m just going to do whatever I have to do.”
Donald Thomas
College: Connecticut
Position, former team: Offensive guard, New England Patriots
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 295 pounds
NFL experience, age: 4 years, 27
What kind of player are the Colts getting?: “I’m a hard worker. I haven’t had the glorified roles, so to speak. Everything that I’ve gotten so far in this league I’ve earned. I’ve had my setbacks and my injuries. What player hasn’t? But I’ve bounced back from them, and I’ve tried to capitalize on what God-given abilities I do have. I pride myself on being a quality offensive lineman and run blocking and pass protecting and opening up holes, and protecting the quarterback is the name of the game. That’s truly the thing I really pride my game on.”
Colts
Related Photos
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Then-Detroit Lions offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus enters the field before a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns in Detroit on Aug. 10, 2012. Rick Osentoski / The Associated Press
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Then-Arizona Cardinals cornerback Greg Toler (28) celebrates his interception for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in Glendale, Ariz., Dec. 25, 2010. Matt York / The Associated Press
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Then-Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Erik Walden celebrates a sack against the Minnesota Vikings during a wild-card playoff game on Jan. 5, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. Matt Ludtke / The Associated Press
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Then-Atlanta Falcons defensive end Lawrence Sidbury celebrates during the first half against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla., on Aug. 19, 2011. Reinhold Matay / The Associated Press
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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady throws a pass as then-teammate offensive guard Donald Thomas defends during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 24, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. Chris O'Meara / The Associated Press
Discussion
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