Ryan Lilja released by Colts...

by CaliRamMan on Mar 8, 2010 10:59 PM CST

So coming to terms with the fact that the Rams will not be making sexy additions through Free Agency. How about a reliable, experienced player on the offensive line. One that could help on a line that is constantly decimated by injuries. Ryan Lilja, is only 28 years old, and has logged in some serious experience under the instruction of the NFL's best. Peyton has demanded more from his offensive line than any QB I have seen. I would believe those good habits would follow him wherever he goes. Anyway, he started all 19 games last season and due to heavy criticism from the Super Bowl the colts have decided to part ways. I thought playing next to Jeff Saturday really helped Lilja along with his development. Especially considering he was an undrafted FA picked up by KC. Seeing how Setts was not asked to return, I wouldn't mind seeing Lilja battle for a starting spot and possibly light a fire under Jacob Bell at the OG spot. This would allow us to only focus on the OT during the draft.

As a wise man once said..."I want winners!"

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I noticed that move also.

Lilja would seem to be a good fit for us. I’m not quite sure why the Colts cut him. We would need to find out for sure before making a move, but he has to be as good as Bell, doesn’t he?

by andyrose on Mar 8, 2010 11:32 PM CST reply actions

I'm not sure why they cut him

right after they paid him his $1.75 million roster bonus.

by CaliRamMan on Mar 9, 2010 12:57 PM CST up reply actions

Run blocking concerns

Apparently he was released for poor run blocking during the 2009 season. The claim is he was never able to get back to full strength after missing 2008 with multiple knee surgeries. With limited depth at the guard position he is worth taking a look at. However, if his run blocking is as bad as claimed, I would be surprised to see him signed.

by maybra48 on Mar 9, 2010 12:04 AM CST reply actions

Might not be

a bad idea for depth.
However, Indy was not much a running team. That was an offense that thrived on throwing the ball…rightfully so.

by CaliRamMan on Mar 9, 2010 12:58 PM CST up reply actions

If they paid him then cut him, maybe they found out he's useless

I bet he’s not anywhere near where he needs to be physically, and they only found out after they paid his bonus. I think they’d have kept someone they already paid 1.5 mil to, and with the season so far away, it must be pretty bad.

You know, a lot of athletes don’t rehab properly (hard to believe, I know) and they lose the competitive edge that kept them in the league in the first place.

by CoachConnors on Mar 10, 2010 11:33 AM CST up reply actions

That's

a pretty big MAYBE. If they were going to find out the guy was useless I would think that revelation would have came prior to starting him 19 games in a season.
My take on it is that they were not ready to let the guy go until they had an idea as to how they would replace him. I am guessing they were waiting for the combine and prob found someone they like and realized that Lilja is NOW expendable. I seriously doubt they paid the guy 1.5 mill and then woke up and realized “He is useless, lets cut him!”
His rehab must have went alright considering his durability throughout this entire last season.

by CaliRamMan on Mar 10, 2010 2:41 PM CST up reply actions