It's more about new head coach Chuck Pagano and his 3-4 defensive front. Mathis is your ideal 4-3 defensive end and is simply too small as a 3-4 edge rusher. He's also never played outside linebacker, so allowing him to rush from a two-point stance...

They are over the salary cap and moving him would help free space and net them a draft pick(s) in return. Naturally, there are some reasons not to jump on this thought. While many would advocate the signing of Robert Mathis, an aging vet at age 31,...

(Getty Images) You've played the game already. Who is the best NFL free-agent match for each team? NFL coverage on the go It's not easy to do. Some teams need a ton of help, so picking one is tough. Others need specific needs, but who's the right guy? ...

They will likely lose Reggie Wayne to free agency, and Dallas Clark will likely go wherever Manning goes as he is owed $4.53 million by the Colts and will be 33 years old next season. Meanwhile other Colts free agents include DE Robert Mathis, Center...

The outside linebacker is one of the most talented defensive players in the NFL, and he could be an immediate game-changer. Williams will be very expensive if he hits the open market, but rumor has it that the Jets have the cap room to make a run at him.

That means he may recognize the team needs to go out and spend in free agency. “Big-time" players don’t come cheaply. Among the best pass-rushers potentially who may be available in free agency are be Mario Williams , Cliff Avril and Robert Mathis. In...

Luck is too good to pass on, and considering the Colts season last year, their roster isn't talented enough to win another Super Bowl even with a fully healthy Peyton Manning. Instead they will enter a transition period, likely letting veteran free...

A certain all-time great quarterback has been dominating Colts news of late, but dealing with Peyton Manning’s future is only one of the many issues that Indianapolis faces this offseason. Robert Mathis is a free agent and may not fit the team’s new...

Robert Mathis is a free agent and may not fit the team’s new defense. The team has no reliable receivers under contract next year and a lot of difficult salary cap decisions. 2012 figures to be a difficult transition year in Indianapolis, no matter who...

In free agency, the first order of business will be to re-sign Wes Welker. Vincent Jackson makes some sense as he’s a deep ball target as well as Brandon Lloyd and Laurent Robinson. If the Pats are going to stick with a 4-3, Mario Williams will be a...

Mario Williams , DE, Houston Texans Prisco: “The Texans used him as a 3-4 rush outside linebacker last year, but I think his best spot is as a 4-3 end.” Kuharsky: Likely gone. 12. Robert Mathis , DE, Indianapolis Colts Prisco: “He is coming off his...

If the Colts are striving for a balance on offense, they should turn their attention to this position. Although the two biggest stars of the Colts defense start at the defensive end position, it is still a need. Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney combine...

Mathis can still pressure the quarterback and is younger than John Abraham. (AP photo) But for the first time, I’m starting to think they may lose both Grimes and Abraham. The website ProFootballFocus, which keeps a nice statistical database, this...

Cam Newton proved the Carolina Panthers right when he was selected number one overall in the 2011 NFL draft. Newton set a rookie record with 4,051 passing yards and set an NFL record with 14 rushing touchdowns. He can run the ball about as well as he...

I’m taking the Bills at their word. However, a “splash” suggests the Bills will be able to get some big names to come to Buffalo, and that’s where it gets difficult. Of course I think players like Mario Williams and Robert Mathis would be great upgrades.

He was a natural fit for owner Jim Irsay, who wants to remold the identity of Indianapolis. Who he has: Good question. Familiar stars Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Robert Mathis all may be moving on, so Pagano likely will be the head...

Everyone already knew Colts owner Jim Irsay was eccentric, but after all the headline-stealing outbursts he’s let loose over the last six months especially, there’s now no doubt this guy really is out of his mind. Ever since Irsay learned quarterback...

Midday 180." “Dwight’s had his hand in the dirt for 11 years, now all of a sudden in Year 12 you want to ask him to stand up. I don’t know if that’s his answer, but that’s probably not far from it. I’m sure he’d do whatever he could do to help the team.”

I remember asking him about that near the end of the season, whether he might give the Colts a “blue-light special.’’ He said, ‘I don’t shop at Kmart.’’ From talking with Jim Irsay, I get the impression the top two priorities are Robert Mathis and...