Bobby K does a great job hitting the big story today. Excellent work.
The common-sense approach is to keep him at least through next season and hope he has better luck. First, the Colts wouldn’t save any money against the salary cap because there won’t be a cap next season. Second, the actual financial layout will be only $2.3 million in base salary. It seems a very small gamble to bet $2.3 million on the proposition Sanders can stay healthy for a season.
While the team’s regular-season record is virtually the same whether Sanders plays or not (37-9 with him, 32-8 without him), only a blind man can say he doesn’t make a difference, especially in the playoffs.
Now, if the injury problems persist, and some kind of cap returns for the 2011 season, that is when it gets interesting, especially with Sanders’ cap number going north. But until then, you keep him and cross your fingers.
His report card hit the right note as well. I apologize for doubting him.
RUSH DEFENSE: C+
I know, people are all up in arms about the way Steven Jackson ran on the Colts, especially in the second half, but that’s very misleading. Indy stuffed Jackson in the first half — 10 carries, 33 yards — when it mattered most. Come the second half, the Colts were fine with letting Jackson run while the Rams were trailing by three touchdowns. Jackson finished with 134 yards. Big deal. In a related note, you’ve got to feel for Jackson and Marc Bulger, two proud veterans who are playing exceedingly hard while being surrounded by almost no talent. It’s going to be a long rebuilding process.
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