Colts Bid on Addai and Bullitt

On the eve of the original expiration date on the NFL's current collective bargaining agreement, the Indianapolis Colts took the initial steps required to retain both running back Joseph Addai and safety Melvin Bullitt by tendering them contract offers as restricted free agents. This is not too surprising, but it's still an encouraging development for Colts fans, because this team needs to put the best possible players that it can on the field next season. Not only is quarterback Peyton Manning not getting younger, but Indianapolis has the chance to do something that Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys couldn't do this year: take home-field advantage into the Super Bowl.

Even though Addai is often maligned for his running skills, averaging just 4.1 yards per carry over his career, he is about more than hauling the rock. Indeed, Addai has been a de facto lineman for the Colts, offering protection to Manning when the offensive line has been a relative weak link. Think it's any coincidence that Manning reeled off all of those interceptions in 2010 when Addai was injured? Donald Brown couldn't pick up the slack, and Manning felt more pressure than he has in a long time.

Bullitt, on the other hand, has played very well in taking over for the mythical Bob Sanders, whom Colts released earlier this year. While Bullitt has also has had his injury problems, be is a bit more stout, at 6-1 and about 205 pounds, than the fragile Sanders. Because Bullitt wasn't drafted, he'll draw lots of attention from other teams since they won't have to surrender a future pick to get him.

The Colts are lining up their ducks for the coming season, but maybe they need to finally go all in and admit that the O-line is a big problem. It's time to draft a real left tackle, or better yet, trade the 2018-2023 first round picks to Miami for Jake Long. Manning won't be here forever, and fans deserve to see him as unmolested as possible as he charges toward, well, Lucas Oil Stadium, next February.