Ryan Grigson Makes Strong First Impresssion As Colts' New GM

Colts Owner Jim Irsay introduced Ryan Grigson as the team's new GM yesterday, and Grigson made a "strong first impression, tall, self-assured," according to Phil Richards of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. Grigson "has a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth year." He "admitted he has little experience in dealing with the salary cap," and said that he will "lean on Irsay and his people for support." Grigson also said that he will "attempt to strike a balance between humility and confidence and dive in." Irsay said that the Colts' structure will be the "traditional owner-G.M. model: the general manager will have control over the 53-man roster and the coaching staff with the owner retaining the final and ultimate vote." Irsay added that a decision on whether to retain or replace coach Jim Caldwell and his staff "probably won’t come until early next week" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/12). In Indianapolis, Bob Kravitz writes Grigson arrived yesterday with a "nice mix of confidence and humility, even if he was a bit uncomfortable under the klieg lights for the first time." Kravitz: "Irsay wanted a young, up-and-comer who could grow with a rebuilding team. And he got one." Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd, who previously worked for the Colts, said, "He has very definite opinions but he’s not unwilling to listen to other people. He’ll go in there, roll up his sleeves and get to work" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/12).

NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE HEAVY LIFTING: CBSPORTS.com's Will Brinson writes there are a "number of issues Grigson will face when he steps into his new role, but the two hardest decisions may not even be on him." Irsay has said that he will be "handling the call as to whether or not Peyton Manning is retained and it's believed that the Colts are all but locked-in on Andrew Luck as the No. 1-overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft" (CBSSPORTS.com, 1/12). NFL Network's Michael Lombardi noted Manning's future with the team “is on the owner’s level and only the owner’s level.” Lombardi: “This is going to be Jim Irsay’s call. Ryan Grigson is going to concentrate on the draft and improving the Colts’ roster moving forward” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 1/11).