COLTS

Colts thank Robert Mathis with Lucas Oil Stadium banner

Nat Newell
nat.newell@indystar.com
A large banner thanking former Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis (98) hangs on the side of Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017.

The Indianapolis Colts added "THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIES" to the Robert Mathis banner that hangs on Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday in recognition of his long-time contributions to the team as he heads into retirement.

Robert Mathis Career Highlight: All 129.5 Sacks

The Colts provided similar tributes for the banners of Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne. The question now is, who will eventually take Mathis' place on the stadium, joining the banners of Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton and Adam Vinatieri?

Here are some options:

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (21) intercepts a Ryan Tannehill pass intended for Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) in the first quarter of their game. The Indianapolis Colts play the Miami Dolphins Sunday, December 27, 2015, afternoon at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.

>>Vontae Davis: It's possible the team will want to continue to feature a defensive player and Davis is the only serious candidate. As a two-time Pro Bowler, Davis would worthy of the honor. Erik Walden and Mike Adams are free agents. David Parry had another solid season (47 tackles, 3 sacks) but hasn't risen to banner-level. Clayton Geathers flashed promise but has only started 11 games.

Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee (1) gets his leg limber before the start of their game. The Indianapolis Colts host the Houston Texans in their NFL football game Sunday, December 11, 2016, afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.

>>Pat McAfee: He's perhaps the most popular punter in NFL history and backs it up with two Pro Bowls. He averaged an NFL-best 49.3 yards per punt, remains one of the best kickoff men in the game and even completed a 35-yard pass this season. It's possible the Colts would prefer to share the honor among units and not have a second special-teamer on the building, but McAfee is a legitimate candidate.

Indianapolis Colts running back Frank Gore (23) runs by the Jacksonville Jaguars defense n the second half of their NFL football game Sunday, Jan.1, 2016, at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20.

>>Frank Gore: He built his Hall of Fame-caliber career primarily in San Francisco but was the first running back in his age 33 season or older to top 1,000 yards since John Riggins in 1984, it was the first 1,000-yard season by a Colts' back since Joseph Addai in 2007 and he rushed for more than 100 yards on Oct. 16, the first Colt to do so since Vick Ballard in 2012, a streak of 61 games, the third longest in NFL history.

Indianapolis Colts tackle Anthony Castonzo (74) drops back to block Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali (91) in the second half of their game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, October 30, 2016, afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium.

>>Anthony Castonzo: He has started every game at left tackle for Andrew Luck and is clearly one of the team's building blocks after signing a four-year, $43-million extension in 2015. He re-established himself at the end of last season after a stretch of inconsistent play in 2015 and '16.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) finds time to pass behind the blocking by Joe Haeg (73) and Ryan Kelly (78) in the second half of their NFL football game Sunday, Jan.1, 2016, at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20.

>>Ryan Kelly: The first-round pick stepped into the lineup at center and solidified a perennial weak spot during the Luck era. It would be early, however, to bestow such an honor on Kelly and the team might prefer the veteran Castonzo if it wants to recognize an offensive lineman.

>>A pass rusher: The Colts could be a little more creative. With Mathis retiring and Walden a free agent, Parry is currently the leading returner in sacks (3), so adding a pass rusher in free agency seems likely. As part of the package, the Colts could offer to put up a banner of the player. It seems far more likely, however, that they'd honor a current player.