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Indianapolis Colts News & Rumors

Colts Sign Carson Wiggs, Cut Zach Allen

March 18th, 2014 at 5:02pm CST by Luke Adams

The Colts have signed free agent kicker Carson Wiggs and waived guard Zach Allen, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).

Wiggs, a Purdue alum, went undrafted in 2012 and signed with the Seahawks in 2013. However, he was cut by the team in August and has yet to see action in an NFL regular season game. I’d be surprised if that changes in 2014, considering the Colts have Adam Vinatieri kicking field goals and Pat McAfee handling kickoffs.

As for Allen, he was signed to the Colts’ practice squad last season and then inked a futures/reserve deal with the club in January. Like Wiggs, he has yet to appear in an NFL game.

Colts Sign Hakeem Nicks

March 18th, 2014 at 12:20pm CST by Rob DiRe

TUESDAY, 12:20pm: Nicks’ deal has a base value of $3.975MM, which includes a $2MM signing bonus and a $1.6MM salary, tweets Mike Chapelle of the Indianapolis Star, noting that $2.25MM of the contract is guaranteed.

FRIDAY, 6:40pm: Nicks can earn up to another $2MM in incentives, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.

6:23pm: The Colts have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Nicks, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), and the team has since confirmed the agreement. Albert Breer of the NFL Network hears that the deal has a base value of $3.5MM with upside for more, via incentives (Twitter link).Hakeem Nicks

Although Nicks is coming off a down year in 2013, having failed to score a single TD on 56 catches, while accumulating 896 yards, he has plenty of upside and is still just 26 years old. As I noted when I examined Nicks’ free agent stock, the former first-round pick could turn out to be a No. 1 caliber receiver available for the price of a No. 2. The former Giant ranked 12th overall in PFR’s list of 2014’s top 25 free agents, beating out Eric Decker as our top-ranked receiver.

Nicks had reportedly been seeking a multiyear contract, so the fact that he settled for a one-year, make-good deal suggests that there wasn’t a significant market for him. Playing alongside T.Y. Hilton and potentially a healthy Reggie Wayne in Indianapolis, Nicks will benefit from catching Andrew Luck passes in 2014, and could play himself into a much larger payday a year from now if he produces next season.

Multiple reports indicated that the Panthers were also interested in Nicks, but as Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports points out (via Twitter), heading to Indianapolis gives the veteran receiver a better chance at a fresh start than signing with the Panthers would have. In Carolina, the Charlotte native would have faced the pressure of playing for his hometown team, not to mention filling Steve Smith‘s shoes.

Ian Rapaport of NFL.com (via Twitter) first reported that the two sides were nearing a deal.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Extra Points: DRC, Miller, Sanders, Saffold

March 18th, 2014 at 10:11am CST by Luke Adams

Following up on a piece he wrote about Jets GM John Idzik‘s deliberate – and perhaps questionable – approach to free agency, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News tweets that, after an initial low-ball offer, the Jets made an “11th hour” pitch to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. However, the Giants had essentially locked up the free agent cornerback by that point.

Here are a few more Tuesday updates from around the NFL:

  • In a series of tweets, Tom Pelissero of USA Today breaks down the details on Zach Miller‘s pay cut with the Seahawks, which will reduce the tight end’s 2014 compensation by $3MM and his 2015 pay by $2MM.
  • After missing out on Emmanuel Sanders, the Chiefs continue to target younger wide receivers in free agency, which rules out some of the older veterans on the market, tweets Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star.
  • Speaking of Sanders, his agents issued a lengthy statement suggesting that there was never an agreement in place with the Chiefs before the receiver agreed to sign with the Broncos, as Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post details.
  • In the wake of the Sanders controversy, former agent Joel Corry points out in a piece for CBSSports.com that both agents and teams can be guilty of reneging on deals.
  • Aaron Wilson (Twitter links) passes along the specifics of the Rodger Saffold contract with the Rams, which includes a $5MM signing bonus, a $3MM roster bonus for 2015, and a $3MM guaranteed base salary in 2014. As Joel Corry tweets, the Raiders‘ decision to void their agreement with Saffold will cost the offensive lineman a significant sum.
  • Daryl Smith‘s contract with the Ravens includes a $3.5MM signing bonus, and that appears to be the only guaranteed money in the deal, as Aaron Wilson details in a pair of tweets. According to Wilson, the four-year pact can be worth up to $16.1MM, as initially reported, but it has a base value of just $13.6MM.
  • Jack Bechta of the National Football Post identifies the Colts‘ signing of Hakeem Nicks and the Buccaneers‘ deal with Alterraun Verner as two of the best bargains in free agency so far. Among our top 25 free agents of 2014, Nicks and Verner are two who will earn markedly less than I anticipated.

Free Agency Notes: Visits, Jaguars, Patriots

March 16th, 2014 at 6:11pm CST by Ben Levine

A couple of notes from around the NFL to distract on this Selection Sunday…

AFC Contract Details: Jones, Smith, Davis

March 14th, 2014 at 8:10pm CST by Rob DiRe

Jacoby Jones has re-signed with the Ravens, on a modest four-year deal worth up to $12MM, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The deal includes a $3.5MM signing bonus, with no other money guaranteed.

Here are more details on contracts signed for players by AFC teams this week:

  • Details on Steve Smith‘s deal with the Ravens were released earlier, but Wilson adds that his base salary for 2014 will only be $1MM, and will increase to $3MM for 2015 and 2016 (via Twitter).
  • While Vontae Davis‘ contract with the Colts was originally reported as including $20MM guaranteed, according to OverTheCap.com only $15MM is fully guaranteed, with an additional $5MM partially guaranteed.
  • Jason Babin‘s contract with the Jaguars will be a three-year deal worth $8.275MM, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports (via Twitter). The contract is very incentive based (via Twitter).
  • Brandon Ghee signed a two-year deal with the Chargers, worth $1.65MM, reports Wilson (via Twitter). The deal includes a $230,000 signing bonus.
  • Richard Marshall‘s deal to re-sign with the Chargers is a one-year deal worth $855,000, reports Pelissero (via Twitter). The deal contains no guaranteed money.
  • Husain Abdullah‘s new deal with the Chiefs contains a $750,000 signing bonus, according to Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).

FA Rumors: 49ers, Tate, Rams, Melton, Bills

March 14th, 2014 at 11:47am CST by Luke Adams

News of signings and visits is gradually slowing down as we approach the 72-hour mark of free agency, but there are plenty of players still seeking contracts, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a number of those free agents find deals today. Here’s the latest on a few available players:

  • The 49ers are comfortable heading into 2014 with Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock as their starting cornerbacks, but are willing to offer Tarell Brown a three-year, $10MM deal to return, tweets Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com.
  • Free agent running back Ben Tate‘s visit with the Browns is continuing into today, reports Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link).
  • The Rams “aren’t quite done” in free agency, according to head coach Jeff Fisher (Twitter link). Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com notes that the team remains interested in free agent guards Daryn Colledge and Davin Joseph.
  • Speaking of Fisher, the Rams will host one of his former players from Tennessee, as wide receiver Kenny Britt is scheduled to visit St. Louis, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
  • Earlier today, we heard that Henry Melton was en route to Seattle to visit the Seahawks after spending the night in Minnesota. After his Seattle meeting, Melton will visit the Cowboys, tweets Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  • The Bills have confirmed that free agent running back Anthony Dixon and linebacker Brandon Spikes are visiting the team today, according to Chris Brown of BuffaloBills.com.
  • Chris Russell of ESPN Radio (Twitter link) hears that cornerback Walter Thurmond is no longer scheduled to visit the Redskins.
  • Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star explores the Colts‘ signing of Phil Costa and their rumored interest in Alex Mack, suggesting that Costa represents a solid fallback starting option at center if the team is unable to land Mack.

Contract Details: Munnerlyn, Dawson, McBride

March 14th, 2014 at 9:37am CST by Luke Adams

Here are a few extra details on contracts that have been agreed to and signed in recent days:

  • Captain Munnerlyn‘s three-year contract with the Vikings, initially reported to be worth $14.25MM, is actually worth $11.25MM, but another $3.3MM can be added through escalators and incentives, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). The deal includes $4.45MM guaranteed in guaranteed money, but Pelissero tweets that due to a small signing bonus, it could potentially just turn into a one-year contract if 2014 doesn’t go well.
  • According to Pelissero (via Twitter), the two-year contract Phil Dawson signed with the 49ers is worth a total of $6.134MM and came with a $2MM signing bonus.
  • The two-year deal Trumaine McBride inked with the Giants is worth $2.875MM, with a $100K signing bonus and $900K in roster bonuses, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Wilson (via Twitter) has Will Herring‘s one-year contract with the Cowboys as an $855K base salary plus a $65K signing bonus. That would seem to suggest it’s a minimum salary benefit deal, but Wilson says the total is $1.02MM, which indicates there’s another $100K in bonuses somewhere. Either way, $300K of the deal is guaranteed, says Wilson.
  • According to Wilson (via Twitter), Phil Costa‘s contract with the Colts features base salaries of $1.2MM (2014) and $1.5MM (2015), with no bonuses. $450K of Costa’s first-year salary is guaranteed.
  • Wilson adds (via Twitter) that Henry Hynoski‘s $1MM contract with the Giants includes a $250K signing bonus.
  • Although we heard yesterday that Chris Williams‘ contract with the Bills included a 2016 “trigger point,” when Williams was owed a significant roster bonus, the deal has been modified since being entered in the NFLPA system, says ESPN.com’s Mike Rodak. Instead of having a $1.5MM signing bonus and $2.5MM roster bonus in ’16, the deal now features a $3.5MM signing bonus and $250K roster bonus.

AFC Contract Details: Talib, Bills, Conner

March 13th, 2014 at 5:11pm CST by Luke Adams

Aqib Talib‘s contract with the Broncos features a $5MM signing bonus, a $2MM roster bonus, a $4.5MM guaranteed base salary, and $500K in per-game roster bonuses, says Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter). Since Talib has a small signing bonus and his 2015 and 2016 salaries are guaranteed for injury only, the Broncos could essentially cut ties with him for no guaranteed money and a minimal ($4MM) cap hit even after the 2014 season, barring a major injury, tweets Pelissero. Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com has the breakdown in chart form right here.

Here are a few more specific details on deals signed this week:

  • Corey Graham‘s new contract with the Bills can be worth over $19MM, but on the surface, it’s a four-year, $16.3MM deal with $8.1MM guaranteed, says Pelissero (via Twitter). According to Pelissero, the deal includes $700K in annual incentives, plus an extra $100K bonus each season for making the Pro Bowl.
  • The Chargers‘ three-year deal with Kavell Conner is worth $2.7MM, with a $270K signing bonus and an escalator worth up to $500K in 2016, tweets Pelissero.
  • Jim Dray‘s contract with the Browns features a $900K signing bonus, says Pelissero (via Twitter).
  • Pelissero also passes along the details on Chris Williams‘ four-year contract with the Bills. According to the USA Today scribe (via Twitter), it’s worth $13.04MM with $3.025MM in the first year, and is only guaranteed for injury in year two. Pelissero adds in another tweet that there’s a $2.5MM roster bonus due early in 2016 that’s a clear “trigger point” for the deal.
  • The Colts signed safety Sergio Brown on Tuesday, and that one-year deal will be worth $1.4MM, with a $300K signing bonus, says Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).
  • While Keith Rivers‘ new deal with the Bills was reported as a two-year, $5MM contract with half of that amount guaranteed, it looks like it won’t be worth quite that much. Wilson tweets that it’s worth $4.05MM, with a $1MM signing bonus, base salaries of $1.25MM (2014) and $1.6MM (2015), and annual workout bonuses of $100K.
  • Michael Hoomanawanui‘s two-year contract with the Patriots is worth a total of $2.4MM, with a $360K signing bonus and $1.1MM in total guarantees, tweets Wilson.
  • The two-year, $5MM figure reported for Al Woods earlier today includes incentives, according to Wilson (via Twitter). The defensive lineman’s contract with the Titans features a signing bonus of $1MM, base salaries of $900K (2014) and $2.1MM (2015), and incentives worth up to $500K annually.

FA Rumors: Clark, Browner, Finnegan

March 13th, 2014 at 4:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Ryan Clark‘s visit with the Redskins went well, but there’s no deal yet, tweets Mike Jones of the Washington Post. However, Washington is still talking with the former Steelers safety. More from around the league..

  • The Saints are among teams looking at cornerback Brandon Browner, according to ESPN’s John Clayton (via Mike Triplett’s Twitter). The recently reinstated cornerback is also reportedly visiting with the Redskins and Patriots.
  • Former Rams and Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan will visit with the Dolphins tomorrow, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network.
  • Bears GM Phil Emery planned to speak with Henry Melton‘s agent after the defensive end met with teams and gauged his market, tweets Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com. However, the clock is ticking for Chicago as their cap room is dwindling.
  • The Redskins have had talks with Reed Doughty, but it doesn’t sound like anything is imminent, tweets Mike Jones of the Washington Post. It’s still a “work in progress,” a source tells Jones.
  • 49ers free agent running back Anthony Dixon tweets that he’s on his way to Buffalo to visit the Bills.
  • It sounds like Antonio Cromartie‘s meeting with the Cardinals was more of a feeling out than anything, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
  • The door isn’t shut on Alex Mack and the Colts, but the odds have gone down drastically, tweets Mike Wells of ESPN.

Colts Sign Phil Costa

March 13th, 2014 at 4:36pm CST by Luke Adams

4:36pm: Costa’s two-year deal is worth $2.7MM, with a max value of $3.5MM if he reaches playing time incentives, tweets Chappell.

4:25pm: The Colts have signed center Phil Costa, according to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star, who reports (via Twitter) that it’s a two-year deal. Before agreeing to terms with the Colts, Costa visited the Lions, and reportedly had meetings scheduled with the Bengals and Patriots.

Costa, 26, was the Cowboys’ full-time starter at center in 2011, but missed most of 2012 with an ankle injury and transitioned into a backup role in 2013. He has a decent amount of upside, and appears to be the favorite to take over as the Colts’ starting center in 2014.

Costa’s signing means the team is likely out of the running for Alex Mack, though Chappell (Twitter link) cautions not to rule out the possibility, given Costa’s lack of playing time over the last couple seasons. A report earlier today had suggested there might be some mutual interest between Indianapolis and Mack.

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