By Tom James, CNHI News Service
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts never have been major participants in the National Football League’s annual veteran free agent market, preferring instead to concentrate on re-signing their own players to lucrative deals.
That was proven to be the case once again Friday when the Colts announced that veteran middle linebacker Gary Brackett, one of the team’s two unrestricted free agents, had come to an agreement on a new contract.
While Indianapolis officials did not disclose any financial terms or offer any information on the length of the deal, ESPN.com reported that it’s for five years and worth $33 million (along with a $12 million signing bonus).
“As we stated going into this offseason, Gary was our No. 1 priority, and our hope was to retain, and we were fortunate enough to. So obviously we’d like to thank (team owner) Mr. (Jim) Irsay and obviously his continued commitment to putting a competitive, winning team on the field, which again is illustrated by Gary’s presence and his ability to stay with us. We look forward and would also like to thank and congratulate Gary,” Colts Vice President and General Manager Chris Polian said.
“Throughout the whole process it was very clear to us in our conversations with Gary and his representatives that Gary’s real intent and his true hope was to stay as a Colt, and both parties were able to work toward that end and get that done. And we’re very thankful to Gary and his desire to be a Colt and look forward to seeing (No.) 58 out there in the future.”
Brackett, who initially came to the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2003, registered 115 tackles in 2009. He has totaled 674 career tackles along with 11 interceptions, five forced fumbles and three recovered fumbles.
Heading into the free agency period, the former Rutgers linebacker had made it clear that he preferred to stay with Indianapolis if at all possible. While he was prepared to move on if the situation dictated, his first option was remaining with the Colts.
“I wanted to stay here. Obviously, my family, what I’ve been able to do in the community, I really think we have some unfinished business. We’ve got to win the Super Bowl this year, we’ve got to get the job done. I feel like we’re right there, we’re very competitive, and next year I think it’s the same thing,” Brackett said.
He added that with the uncertainly surrounding the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement heading into the 2010 season, and a possible league-wide lockout in 2011, getting a new contract worked out with the Colts was important.
“I’m confident that both sides will come to an agreement before it comes to a lockout, but obviously a good thing to get the deal done, and I hope to retire as a Colt,” Brackett said. “I knew it was going to take almost right up till March 5th just so we could negotiate and come to a situation.
“I think we got that accomplished. On Thursday, obviously Chris as well as (team president) Bill (Polian) were doing a great job working around the clock, putting the numbers together, making sure they worked.”
In past years, the Colts have not put a high premium on re-signing linebackers. Indianapolis has lost starters such as Marcus Washington, Mike Peterson, David Thornton and Cato June to other teams, preferring instead to replace them with younger players who had been drafted a year or two earlier.
Brackett, though, proved to be the exception. The team’s defensive captain, he has become the heart and soul of the Colts’ defensive unit.
“I’m honored to be one of those lucky guys who continues to stay and gets to finish my career with the Colts. It’s a testament to how they view me as a player, not only on the field, but what I bring to the team in the locker room,” he said.
“I spoke (Friday) morning with Cato and David. I’m still very close with those guys, and they congratulated me. Obviously this is a great place to play. When you get a chance to stay a Colt for life, you usually jump at it, and that’s why I wanted to do everything within my power to make this my home. I knew deep down where I wanted to be, and I knew we were close to getting something done. It took a little bit after that to secure a deal, but we got something done, and we’re both happy that we could secure a deal.”
Stover may retire
Indianapolis’ other unrestricted free agent, placekicker Matt Stover, is not expected to be re-signed by the Colts. Stover was added to the roster last season when starting placekicker Adam Vinatieri was sidelined due to hip and knee surgeries.
And unless he is picked up by another Super Bowl contending team, he may decide to retire.
“I’m willing to let this thing go at the drop of a hat if that’s what is best for my family,” Stover told the Baltimore Sun recently. “My heart isn’t in it to play just to play. It’s to make a difference for a team and create security in a position that maybe somebody else couldn’t give them.”
Stover, 42, is willing to wait and see if any offers come his way over the next few months.
“I will let it play itself out,” he said. “I’m not a first-day call. If I don’t get picked up by April or May, I’ll have to ask myself, ‘Do I really want to go through this again?’ No. But if I can help a team get to the Super Bowl, if it was a legit team, I would.”
The former Giants, Browns and Ravens kicker hit nine of 11 field goals with the Colts last season, missing from 32 and 52 yards. He made his first six postseason kicks, including one in the Super Bowl, before missing a 51-yard attempt.
While with the Colts, Stover would visit his family in Baltimore on the team’s off days while living in a rented condominium in Indianapolis.
“I’m not doing that again,” he said. “I won’t drag my family through another season just to play another year. It’s about what’s best for my family. I believe physically I can still do it. But it has to be the right fit, and I want to be able to help a team get to the Super Bowl. I feel I still add value to a team.”
Restricted free agents
Free safety Antoine Bethea, one of Indianapolis’ restricted free agents, was given a first-round tender by the team. Bethea is free to sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Colts have seven days to match it.
If they decline, the team making the offer must give them its first-round draft pick, making it unlikely Bethea, a two-time Pro Bowl player, will leave.
Second-round tenders were placed on offensive tackle Charlie Johnson, strong safety Melvin Bullitt, defensive tackle Daniel Muir and defensive tackle Antonio Johnson.
The Colts did not offer tenders to cornerback Marlin Jackson, cornerback T.J. Rushing, cornerback Tim Jennings, linebacker Tyjuan Hagler, linebacker Freddy Keiaho, offensive tackles Dan Federkeil and Michael Toudouze, safety Aaron Francisco and wide receiver Hank Baskett.
Brock gone?
Defensive end Raheem Brock, meanwhile, may not be back as well. Brock said on his Twitter page Thursday that he won’t be wouldn’t be returning to the team.
He reportedly met with Bill Polian earlier in the day and requested to be released. Team officials, however, have not confirmed Brock’s status.
“It’s a part of the game. I think in this game, you never know. Some guys aren’t able to come back. The team we had last year will never be that same team,” Brackett said of the possibility that there would be players leaving during the offseason. “Guys are going to move on, guys are going to go different places, guys are going to not make the roster next season. So you just have to do what you have to do to get in shape and get ready.”
Roster moves
The Colts confirmed several free agent roster additions on Friday.
Indianapolis has added offensive tackle Gerald Cadogan, defensive end John Chick, wide receiver Dudley Guice, defensive tackle Mitch King, cornerback Terrail Lambert, wide receiver John Matthews, running back Devin Moore, linebacker Brandon Renkart, wide receiver Taj Smith, offensive guard Jaimie Thomas and quarterback Drew Willy.
Lambert, Matthews, Renkart, Smith, Thomas and Willy all spent time on the team’s practice squad last season.
