Colts add Matt Hasselbeck as backup QB
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Matt Hasselbeck started his career as a backup to Brett Favre. He could end it being the backup to Andrew Luck.
Less than 24 hours after being released by the Tennessee Titans, the 37-year-old quarterback signed with division rival Indianapolis. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
It looks like a smart move for the Colts, who lost last year's backup, free agent Drew Stanton, to Arizona last week.
Indy wanted a veteran backup to help mentor its two young quarterbacks -- Luck and Chandler Harnish, the first and last picks in the 2012 draft.
While Luck set NFL rookie records for attempts and yards passing last season and finished among the league's all-time rookie leaders in completions and touchdowns, he was sacked 41 times and hit dozens of others, something the Colts tried to fix last week by signing right tackle Gosder Cherilus and guard Donald Thomas. Hasselbeck now becomes Plan B.
"His body of work, intangibles, and extensive league experience speak for themselves," general manager Ryan Grigson said in a statement issued by the team. "Those factors, plus his familiarity with our offensive scheme, will make him a great asset to our team and its vision as we move forward."
This is not the first time Indy has turned to a former Titans quarterback for help.
In August 2011, after it became clear Peyton Manning would miss his first career start because of a nerve injury that caused weakness in his throwing arm, the Colts compelled former Titans starter Kerry Collins to come out of retirement. Collins started the first three games in 2011, then sustained a concussion against Pittsburgh and never took another snap. The Colts started that season 0-13 and finished 2-14.
Signing Collins was a desperation move.
Signing Hasselbeck, the Colts hope, is more of an insurance policy.
The Colts are getting a three-time Pro Bowler who led Seattle to its only Super Bowl appearance after the 2005 season. Though Hasselbeck started only five games last season for the Titans, he still completed 62.4 percent of his passes, threw for 1,367 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions and had a quarterback rating of 81.0. In 2011, his first season in Tennessee, Hasselbeck started all 16 games, completing 61.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,571 yards, 18 TDs and 14 interceptions.
Originally a sixth-round draft pick out of Boston College who backed up Favre, former Packers coach Mike Holmgren thought so highly of Hasselbeck that he traded for him in 2001. Hasselbeck went on to have his best pro seasons with the Seahawks, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and turning the Seahawks into a perennial playoff contender.
His track record was enough to convince this season's busiest team in free agency to give Hasselbeck one more chance.
"Shifting gears....insurance policies are VERY valuable...makes your pillow softer at night," team owner Jim Irsay wrote on Twitter late Monday night, alluding to the impending signing.
Hasselbeck is the eighth free agent to sign with the Colts this offseason. The first seven deals totaled more than $100 million all in an effort to speed up the rebuilding process that began with Manning's release 12 months ago.
With rookies starting at quarterback, running back and both tight end spots last season, the Colts made a remarkable turnaround going from 2-14 to 11-5 and back to the playoffs.
This offseason, the Colts have focused primarily on fixing a defense that has typically lagged behind the offense.
But finding a veteran backup was a rare concession that Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano both knew was needed.
"This is a rough game. It's a physical game and like I've always said in the past, you always have to have a doomsday scenario," Grigson said Friday when asked about needing a veteran backup. "You always have to think about those things. You always have to be prepared."
Less than 24 hours after being released by the Tennessee Titans, the 37-year-old quarterback signed with division rival Indianapolis. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
It looks like a smart move for the Colts, who lost last year's backup, free agent Drew Stanton, to Arizona last week.
Indy wanted a veteran backup to help mentor its two young quarterbacks -- Luck and Chandler Harnish, the first and last picks in the 2012 draft.
While Luck set NFL rookie records for attempts and yards passing last season and finished among the league's all-time rookie leaders in completions and touchdowns, he was sacked 41 times and hit dozens of others, something the Colts tried to fix last week by signing right tackle Gosder Cherilus and guard Donald Thomas. Hasselbeck now becomes Plan B.
"His body of work, intangibles, and extensive league experience speak for themselves," general manager Ryan Grigson said in a statement issued by the team. "Those factors, plus his familiarity with our offensive scheme, will make him a great asset to our team and its vision as we move forward."
This is not the first time Indy has turned to a former Titans quarterback for help.
In August 2011, after it became clear Peyton Manning would miss his first career start because of a nerve injury that caused weakness in his throwing arm, the Colts compelled former Titans starter Kerry Collins to come out of retirement. Collins started the first three games in 2011, then sustained a concussion against Pittsburgh and never took another snap. The Colts started that season 0-13 and finished 2-14.
Signing Collins was a desperation move.
Signing Hasselbeck, the Colts hope, is more of an insurance policy.
The Colts are getting a three-time Pro Bowler who led Seattle to its only Super Bowl appearance after the 2005 season. Though Hasselbeck started only five games last season for the Titans, he still completed 62.4 percent of his passes, threw for 1,367 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions and had a quarterback rating of 81.0. In 2011, his first season in Tennessee, Hasselbeck started all 16 games, completing 61.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,571 yards, 18 TDs and 14 interceptions.
Originally a sixth-round draft pick out of Boston College who backed up Favre, former Packers coach Mike Holmgren thought so highly of Hasselbeck that he traded for him in 2001. Hasselbeck went on to have his best pro seasons with the Seahawks, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2003, 2005 and 2007 and turning the Seahawks into a perennial playoff contender.
His track record was enough to convince this season's busiest team in free agency to give Hasselbeck one more chance.
"Shifting gears....insurance policies are VERY valuable...makes your pillow softer at night," team owner Jim Irsay wrote on Twitter late Monday night, alluding to the impending signing.
Hasselbeck is the eighth free agent to sign with the Colts this offseason. The first seven deals totaled more than $100 million all in an effort to speed up the rebuilding process that began with Manning's release 12 months ago.
With rookies starting at quarterback, running back and both tight end spots last season, the Colts made a remarkable turnaround going from 2-14 to 11-5 and back to the playoffs.
This offseason, the Colts have focused primarily on fixing a defense that has typically lagged behind the offense.
But finding a veteran backup was a rare concession that Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano both knew was needed.
"This is a rough game. It's a physical game and like I've always said in the past, you always have to have a doomsday scenario," Grigson said Friday when asked about needing a veteran backup. "You always have to think about those things. You always have to be prepared."
should have came back here here matt...at least that way you could at least have retired with a SUPER BOWL RING!! Go Hawks!
@bartle_doo Do you think he had that choice?
Whirlybird.Â
That was quick. I would have expected him to wait and see if there would be a bidding war, since so many teams have young starters and not much depth at the #2 position.
Good for Matt he is one of the good guys in NFL.
He can still play at least a few more years. He's a great backup. Nice move, Colts.
I think this is Matts last go-around. Make that money while you can Matt.
"Very cool!" - No one
Good job Hass, Take the money . if they are giving take take take.
I knew it wouldn't take Matt long to get snatched up. He's a great guy who's going to help make Luck a better QB.
I am an official member of the Hasselbeck H8ters Club and it warms my tummy that he's offered a BACKUP position to a much younger player. Haha Hasselbeck. Don't you think it is time to retire, old man? You will soon be irrelevant.Â
@Tattooed_Angel2 Sorry T.A. I have to disagree on this one. Matt was a damn good QB. Smart, quick, and a good team leader. It's hard to play that kind of role when your O line left you on your ass every other play. Ever try to throw a good pass sitting down? It doesn't work. Good on him. I'd take 8 mil in a heartbeat, and if it's left to him to help develop a couple of rookie QB's, I have a feeling the Colts will be a team to be respected in a couple of years.
@Tattooed_Angel2 I don't get the hate for number eight. He only helped get us to our only Superbowl and quite a few division titles. I'd much rather be him sitting on the sidelines making 8 million than whatever you make being an armchair QB.
@Hachee_Bungwhy @Tattooed_Angel2 Gave up on the team? He had ZERO talent around him during his last season with the Hawks. Not to mention, he played out of his mind against the Saints and Bears in the playoffs.Â
@Tattooed_Angel2  Wow, what's with the hate?  Anyhow, those tears you see raining on his clipboard this upcoming season will be tears of joy since he will be making a butt-load of money playing the role as a back up. With the good years he gave us Seahawks fans I say good for him.
@Tattooed_Angel2Â 2 years of training camp, no real expectation of playing, standing on the sidelines with a clipboard, 8 million dollars, keep laughing at him dummy. Â That's a dream contract for a 37 year old QB.
@oledawg @path_tech @Hachee_Bungwhy I was a fan of Hasselbeck until Holmgren left Seattle. After that it seems that Matt gave up on our team, when we needed him and his leadership most. He was constantly plagued by "injuries" and couldn't play, however I believe he just saw the Hawks as losers and didn't want to take the blame for a losing team so he opted to sit out as much as he could. The best thing Pete Carroll did for Seattle was getting rid of Hasselbeck. He was a drain on our team.
If Hasselbeck is content with being "second best" and ending his career like that, more power to him. I could care less how much money he is making to keep the bench warm and that is all he is good at... keeping the bench warm.
Good for him.