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Indianapolis Colts News & Rumors

Mutual Interest Between Alex Mack, Colts

March 13th, 2014 at 3:00pm CST by Luke Adams

We heard yesterday that four teams, including the Ravens and Colts, have been in contact with Alex Mack‘s camp about a potential offer sheet for the free agent center. Speaking to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star today, Mack declined to comment on which specific teams had expressed interest in him, but suggested he’d have interest in playing for the Colts.

“Anytime a player has a chance to talk with a team with a proven record like the Colts, (with) a quarterback and other weapons of the caliber Indy has, it certainly catches your attention,” Mack said.

Because he was designated by the Browns as the team’s transition player, Mack can negotiate with rival suitors and sign an offer sheet, but Cleveland will have the opportunity to match it and bring him back. The center’s agent has expressed optimism about constructing an offer sheet the Browns would be hesitate to match, and Holder suggests (via Twitter) that Indianapolis’ interest in Mack is “very real,” so it sounds like the two sides will continue to talk.

Hakeem Nicks Visiting Colts

March 13th, 2014 at 11:49am CST by Luke Adams

As we heard this morning, the Panthers have interest in Charlotte native Hakeem Nicks, but Carolina isn’t the only team in on the free agent receiver. Nicks tells Josina Anderson of ESPN (Twitter link) that he’s flying to Indianapolis tonight to meet with the Colts tomorrow.

With Eric Decker and Golden Tate off the market, Nicks looks like the top receiving option still available. However, after a pair of down years in 2012 and 2013, he may not see the kind of big-money, long-term offers signed by Decker and Tate. Nonetheless, it sounds like the former Giant is more interested in signing a multiyear deal than playing on a one-year contract to rebuild his value.

The Chargers are also believed to have interest in Nicks, writes Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk.

FA Rumors: DRC, Ginn, Whitehurst, Burleson

March 13th, 2014 at 11:21am CST by Luke Adams

As one of the few notable cornerbacks remaining on the market, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is still searching for a deal. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (via Twitter), the Jets are one team that has been in touch with DRC’s camp about the free agent, as New York remains in the market for cornerback help. Here are a few more Thursday free agent updates:

  • After missing out on receiver and return specialist Jacoby Jones, the Giants are eyeing Ted Ginn Jr., a player capable of filling a similar role, writes Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
  • Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean thinks there’s a reasonable chance the Titans and quarterback Charlie Whitehurst will work something out (Twitter link). Wyatt reported earlier today that Whitehurst was visiting with the club.
  • The Titans are also exhibiting interest in wide receiver Nate Burleson, who was released by the Lions before the start of the free agent period, tweets Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
  • The Steelers are “really interested” in defensive end Alex Carrington, and will host him for a visit tonight, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Pittsburgh has already lost Ziggy Hood in free agency and may part ways with Brett Keisel as well.
  • Linebacker Darryl Tapp is among the players visiting the Lions today, reports Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com (via Twitter).
  • Free agent center Phil Costa is visiting the Colts today and Bengals tomorrow, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.

Extra Points: Phillips, Lions, Tate, Ducasse

March 12th, 2014 at 10:09pm CST by Luke Adams

Free agent defensive end Shaun Phillips tells Josina Anderson of ESPN (on Twitter) that as much as he wants to return to the Broncos, he knows it’s not in the cards with the signing of DeMarcus Ware. “It’s definitely not mutual now just because they found a baller and we play the same position. DeMarcus (Ware) is a baller. He’s a great player and a great pick-up for them. More than likely I won’t be back there. You never know, but more than likely I will not be there.,” the veteran said. More from around the NFL…

  • The Lions officially signed unrestricted free agent Kevin Ogletree and exclusive rights free agents Kris Durham, Julian Stanford, and Matt Veldman, tweets Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com.
  • Golden Tate took to KJR Sports Radio in Seattle to discuss free agency and his decision not to return to the Seahawks (via Todd Dybas of the Tacoma News Tribune on Twitter). He spoke fondly of his time with Seattle, but also mentioned that the team “didn’t reward (him) enough.” He said that he gave the team an opportunity to offer a lesser contract, but the team didn’t bite. He also mentioned the 49ers interest, but claimed he “couldn’t do that to Seattle right after winning.” Tate signed with the Lions earlier today.
  • Free agent cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, who is meeting with the Vikings today, also has visits scheduled with the Jets and Buccaneers, reports Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer (via Twitter).
  • Free agent offensive lineman Vlad Ducasse is expected to visit with the Vikings next week, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Ducasse started off his Jets career as a skilled athlete with little polish, but he was able to round out his game over time.
  • Antoine Bethea told SiriusXM NFL Radio (Twitter link) that the interest between himself and the Colts “wasn’t mutual.” Before he signed with the 49ers, he says that he got some contact from the Packers, Chiefs, and Lions.
  • Cornerback Chris Cook will visit the 49ers tomorrow, a source tells Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (on Twitter).

Contract Details: McCluster, Bradshaw, Cassell

March 12th, 2014 at 6:21pm CST by Zachary Links

The latest contract details from around the NFL..

  • Dexter McCluster‘s three-year deal with the Titans gets him $7.35MM guaranteed with a $3MM bonus, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. While he can earn $12MM over those three years through incentives, it’s valued closer to $9MM, tweets Jim Wyatt of The Tennesseean. The base salaries are as follows: $1MM, $2.35MM, and $2.275MM (link).
  • Ahmad Bradshaw‘s deal with the Colts is a minimum salary benefit contract, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. The tailback gets an $855K base which counts as $695K against cap. The deal also has an injury split.
  • Jacoby Jones‘ four-year deal with the Ravens has a base value of $12MM and a max value of $14MM, tweets Wilson. The wide receiver has a $2MM incentive clause for catches and $4.5MM guaranteed.
  • Matt Cassel gets a $3MM roster bonus Monday and a $2.65M base in 2014 in his new two-year, $10.5MM pact with the Vikings, tweets Pelissero. In 2015, it’s a $4.15MM base with a $500K roster bonus due in March. There’s also $100K without the bonus each year. He also has an injury waiver.
  • In Linval Joseph‘s five-year, $31.25MM deal with the Vikings, he gets $12.5MM guaranteed with a $3MM signing bonus, tweets Wilson.
  • Jon Asamoah‘s deal with the Falcons is a five-year, $22.5MM deal with $8MM guaranteed, Pelissero tweets. The total includes $500K in per-game roster bonuses each year.
  • T.J. Ward‘s deal with the Broncos is a four-year, $22.5MM pact with $7MM due in the first year, tweets Pelissero. Another $6.5MM is guaranteed for injury only in 2015.
  • DeMarcus Ware‘s three-year, $30MM deal with the Broncos is front-loaded, with $13MM due in 2014 and $23M after 2015, tweets Joel Corry of CBSSports. Ware’s cap numbers are: $9.6MM, $11.6MM and $8.6MM for 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, adds Corry (via Twitter).
  • Austin Howard‘s five-year, $30MM deal with the Raiders has $11.8MM guaranteed, tweets Wilson. The salaries are as follows: $2.9MM, $3.9MM, $4.4MM, $4.9MM, and $5.4MM.

AFC Rumors: Griffen, Soliai, Vick, Raiders

March 12th, 2014 at 1:03pm CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos were high on Everson Griffen and dangling a deal averaging $9MM per season, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports 1. That forced the Vikings to sweeten their offer to keep Griffen in house. Minnesota wound up giving the defensive end a five-year deal worth $42.5MM that includes $20MM guaranteed. More out of the AFC..

  • The Colts had interest in nose tackle Paul Soliai before he signed with the Falcons, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. Soliai got $33MM over five years from Atlanta with $14MM guaranteed over the life of the contract.
  • Michael Vick will likely wait until after the draft to sign with a team, tweets Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle. Meanwhile, the Raiders are waiting to see what happens with Matt Schaub and are also interested in Josh Freeman.
  • The Texans will try and trade Schaub before releasing him, writes Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. La Canfora adds that the Raiders are after a veteran quarterback and someone like Mark Sanchez could be a fit, if he becomes available.

Extra Points: Hawkins, Graham, Martin, Byrd

March 11th, 2014 at 10:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Aaron Wilson of National Football Post has the goods on Andrew Hawkins‘ $13.1MM offer sheet with the Browns. The deal would give the wide receiver a $3MM signing bonus and a 2014 base salary of $1.8MM guaranteed for skill and injury. In 2015, he has a $2.3MM base that is guaranteed for injury only. He has non-guaranteed bases of $2.5MM in ’16 and $2.6MM in ’17. More from around the NFL..

  • One team other than the Ravens to keep an eye on for cornerback Corey Graham is the Dolphins, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN. There’s an opening now that Nolan Carroll is unsigned and Dimitri Patterson has been cut.
  • The Dolphins will carry about $959K in dead money after the Jonathan Martin trade, tweets Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.
  • If DeMarcus Ware is still on the market after the initial wave of interest, the Packers could get involved, but that’s unlikely, tweets Rob Demovsky of ESPN. It sounds like the Broncos are the frontrunner for his services.
  • The Bills‘ best offer to Jairus Byrd was a yearly average of about $7.5MM, tweets Tim Graham of the Buffalo News.
  • The Colts had conversations with the Dolphins about Martin and the Vikings also showed interest, tweets Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
  • Tracy Porter is visiting the Giants tonight, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (on Twitter).

Colts Sign Arthur Jones To Five-Year Deal

March 11th, 2014 at 10:01pm CST by Luke Adams

10:01pm: A source with knowledge of the contract says that Jones’ absolute guarantee is $10MM thanks to a $5.5MM signing bonus and a fully-guaranteed base of $4.5 for 2014, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The $16MM guarantee figure is including his $6MM 2015 base salary, guaranteed for injury only.

5:58pm: Wilson reported more details of Jones’ new contract, which will be worth $33MM over five years, and will include $16MM in guaranteed money. Jones will also receive a $5.5MM signing bonus as part of the deal (via Twitter).

3:18pm: The Colts and Jones have agreed to a five-year deal worth about $6MM annually, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).

8:19am: There’s a strong chance that the Colts will sign defensive lineman Arthur Jones as soon as today, sources tell Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link). Jones’ new deal is expected to be worth $6-7MM per season.

Jones, 27, had been expected to draw significant interest from other teams on the open market, and was viewed as a good bet to leave the Ravens in free agency. The Titans, Redskins, Giants, Vikings, and Packers were among the clubs said to be interested in the former fifth-round pick, who I ranked as the 23rd-best free agent available this offseason.

Playing primarily as a part-timer on his rookie contract, Jones hasn’t accumulated a whole lot of mileage, but has exhibited plenty of potential when he’s played. In 529 snaps for the Ravens in 2013, Jones recorded a +15.7 PFF grade, performing very well against the run while also compiling 25 quarterback pressures.

Assuming the Colts can finalize the signing, it will be the team’s second major defensive addition of the offseason. The club also reached an agreement with linebacker D’Qwell Jackson last week. Next up on Indianapolis’ to-do list will be filling out a secondary that might lose cornerback Vontae Davis and/or safety Antoine Bethea.

Contract Tenders: Tuesday

March 11th, 2014 at 7:42pm CST by Rob DiRe

Cam Johnson has signed his tender that should keep him with the Colts in 2014, according to Craig Kelley of Colts.com (via Twitter). The linebacker was traded to the Colts from the 49ers last year.

Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune reports that Buccaneers returner Eric Page has also signed his tender, but awaits for the deal to be made official (via Twitter).

While Johnson and Page signed their respective one-year deals, here are some other players from around the NFL who were not tendered and are now free agents:

  • The Texans will allow three players to test free agency, as none of Bryan Braman, Terrell McClain, and Lestar Jean received tenders from the team, reports John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).
  • Dezmon Briscoe did not receive a tender from the Redskins, reports Zac Boyer of the Washington Times (via Twitter). The 24-year-old receiver did not play in a game for the Redskins last season, but caught 35 passes for the Buccaneers in 2011.
  • The Bills chose not to tender Thomas Welch, reports Mike Rodak of ESPN NFL Nation (via Twitter). The offensive tackle is now an unrestricted free agent.
  • The Lions did not tender tight end Dorin Dickerson, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).
  • Safety M.D. Jennings was not tendered by the Packers, reports Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via Twitter). Silverstein does leave open the possibility of the team still re-signing their starting free safety.

Colts, Fili Moala Agree To Terms

March 11th, 2014 at 5:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

TUESDAY, 5:52pm: Moala’s one-year contract is worth $1.4MM, with $300,000 guaranteed and another $600,000 in possible incentives, according to Tom Pelissero of USA Today (via Twitter).

MONDAY, 9:48pm: Moala’s contract is for one year, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan.

8:01pm: The Colts have agreed to terms with defensive end Fili Moala, reports Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star (via Twitter). The team has confirmed the transaction.

Moala, a second-round pick in 2009, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. He played 2013 under a one-year deal, after missing much of 2012 due to a torn ACL. He has started 45 games over the course of his career. Last season, he started only six games, accruing 19 tackles and 1.5 sacks, and ended the season on injured reserve.

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