Trade Talks: Who Is Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts Really Targeting?

Try to contain your amazement.  Jim Irsay is at it again.  The owner of the Indianapolis Colts has caused a spotlight of speculation to scan all corners of the NFL from his own Twitter trade chatter.

There were two initial logical trade targets: Steelers star wide receiver Mike Wallace and Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who led the league in rushing in 2011.

Nevertheless, both of them weren’t in the trade talks, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.  His report also ruled out a pair of cornerbacks in Mike Jenkins of the Cowboys and Cary Williams from the Ravens.

For those who might be excited about the prospects of Patriots star receiver Wes Welker potentially taking his talents to Indianapolis, you may not want to pay attention to Mike Florio’s piece at ProFootballTalk.com.

So is Irsay just blowing smoke?  Is this all just an effort to create attention or is there an actual trade on the horizon?

While there’s no reason to believe Irsay doesn’t like the attention, if something doesn’t go down, people will be less likely to take any of his future proclamations with anything more than a grain of salt.

Phil Richards of The Indianapolis Star also reports that the Colts are targeting a cornerback.

Photo Credit: MiamiDolphins.com

A player that makes some sense from both team’s perspectives (Indianapolis and it’s trade partner) would be Miami Dolphins CB Vontae Davis.  A former first-round selection (25th overall out of Illinois in 2009), Davis has played in 44 contests with 36 starts in three seasons with the Dolphins.

The 5-11, 205-pound cornerback registered a total of 51 tackles, four interceptions and one touchdown in his rookie campaign.  In his second season, he forced one fumble, one interception and 54 tackles in 16 games (15 starts) in 2010.

Despite missing four games last season, the Dolphins’ 24-year-old corner once again collected four interceptions with 43 tackles and 1.0 sack in 12 games (all starts) in his third year.  NFL.com Around The League Editor Greg Rosenthal refers to him as “a talented player who could use a fresh start somewhere.”

Secondary Should Be Primary Concern

This is a young, up-and-coming club with some pieces in place.  Quarterback Andrew Luck been looking good in preseason and he has some tools around him.  While wide receiver Reggie Wayne is one of very few veteran leaders on offense, running backs Donald Brown, Delone Carter and Vick Ballard also show potential.  Mewelde Moore has also been added to the mix.

In the passing game, Luck has bookend rookie tight ends at his disposal with Coby Fleener (No. 34 overall), who he knows exceptionally well for their days together at Stanford, as well as Dwayne Allen (No. 64 overall) out of Clemson.

There’s also Austin Collie.  Granted, he has a serious injury history with concussions, he’s been a very solid, consistent weapon for the Colts over his first three seasons.  In 2011, he was limited to just 54 catches for 514 yards and a score in 16 games (five starts).  However, in his first two years, he collected a combined 118 receptions for 1,325 yards and 15 touchdowns in 25 contests (11 starts).

While he has been irrelevant over the past two seasons, Donnie Avery was also a pivotal part of the St. Louis offense in 2008 and 2009.  The 5-11, 200-pound wide out collected 100 catches for 1,263 yards and eight scores in 31 games (28 starts) in his first two seasons, but clearly is rather rusty right now.

In addition, there are a pair of rookie receivers with plenty of potential in third-round pick T.Y. Hilton out of Florida International (No. 92 overall) and LaVon Brazill (206th overall) out of Ohio.

The young offensive line is less-than-impressive, but Luck certainly won’t be laying on his back after every play.

The defense is of course transitioning to a 3-4 front and will have plenty of kinks to work out over the course of the season.

Nevertheless, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis should see success on the outside at linebacker and be the leaders in the front seven.

Indianapolis’ biggest problem on defense looks to likely be in the secondary.

Opposite Jerraud Powers, the team has a glaring need at the left cornerback spot.

“Colts general manager Ryan Grigson has aggressively worked to fill the need, trading for Cassius Vaughn, D.J. Johnson and Josh Gordy, signing Justin King as a free agent and picking up Korey Lindsay off waivers,” Phil Richards of The Indianapolis Star writes.  ”All are cornerbacks, but none are of the quality Irsay is referring to when he speaks of spending a high draft choice.”

Maybe Miami’s cornerback will fit the bill.  Only time will tell.

In the meantime, you may want to think about following @JimIrsay on Twitter.

Verse of This Piece: “My son, keep your father’s commands, and don’t forget your mother’s teaching.  Keep their words in mind forever as though you had them tied around your neck.”—Proverbs 6:20-21

Michael Gartman is a College Football and NFL Senior Writer, the AFC South and NFC West Lead Writer and the Founder, CEO of GridironGrit.com.  He also writes for RantPolitical.com, where he reports on topics across all sides of the political spectrum and analyzes important issues in the liberty movement.  Follow @_MichaelGartman, @RantPolitical and @GridironGrit on Twitter!