INDIANAPOLIS — The honeymoon is over.
The real work for new Colts general manager Chris Ballard officially begins Tuesday. The NFL's "legal tampering" period opens at noon and allows teams to begin contacting the representatives for free agents outside of their own organization for the first time.
Indianapolis has more than $50 million in salary cap space and needs help across the board on a defense that ranked 30th in the league last year.
The turnover on that side of the ball could be heavy. Franchise sacks leader Robert Mathis retired after the season, and 2016 sacks leader Erik Walden is among a handful of players scheduled for free agency.