INDIANAPOLIS —
The Indianapolis Colts signed second-round draft choice Pat Angerer on Thursday, leaving team president Bill Polian free to concentrate on getting a deal done with first-round choice Jerry Hughes.
If Polian can also get things smoothed over with Pro Bowlers Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis the Colts should have everyone reporting to camp on time Sunday.
Seventh-round draft choice Ricardo Mathews also signed, leaving only Hughes and third-rounder Kevin Thomas without deals. Thomas is expected to miss the entire season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during a rookie mini-camp following the draft.
Angerer, a linebacker from Iowa taken 63rd overall, reportedly signed a four-year deal worth $3.14 million with $1.35 million guaranteed.
“I’ve heard many GMs say to me when you get an Iowa player, you’re getting a second-year guy because he’s going to come prepared,” agent Jack Bechta said. They come prepared as professionals and they come prepared to play.”
Hughes, a defensive end from TCU, was the 31st pick overall. He is a speed rusher, expected to make an immediate difference in the Colts’ defense.
And he could have a more significant role if Mathis doesn’t show up on time.
Mathis, a defensive end, and Reggie Wayne, the Colts’ top receiver, both skipped the Colts’ offseason workouts including June’s mandatory mini-camp. Both players have two years remaining on their contracts and are looking for new deals before next season. Polian has repeatedly said it would be difficult to negotiate now with Mathis or Wayne because of the uncertain labor situation.
But the earlier absences have many wondering whether one or both veterans may skip Monday’s opening practice at the Colts’ new training camp facility, Anderson University, a Division III school about 25 miles north of Indianapolis.
Wayne dropped hints about his plans in a journal on his own web site Wednesday night.
“I hope it’s somewhere good to eat in Anderson,” he wrote. “It’s raining everyday in South Florida due to hurricane season. So maybe it is time to play some football. Not much else to talk about at this point in time. I’m about to go sit by the pool with a glass of lemonade and enjoy my last few days of freedom. Talk to you soon.”
Neither Wayne’s agent, David Dunn, nor Mathis’ agent, Hadley Engelhard, returned phone messages left at their offices.
Meanwhile, the Colts are proceeding normally.
Mathews, a defensive tackle from Cincinnati, was the last of Indy’s three seventh-round draft picks to sign. He agreed to a four-year deal worth $1.83 million, agent David Lee announced on his Twitter page. Four-year contracts at league minimum salaries have been the norm for Colts players taken after the second or third round in recent years.
Colts
Related Photos
-
0630 coltsAU-training.jpg
Discussion
Colts sign second-round pick as camp nears
Hughes, Wayne, Mathis left on Polian's to do list
- Colts
-
-
Report: Peyton Manning cleared to resume playing
According to ESPN, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has been medically cleared to play next season. The report stated that Manning was cleared by two doctors, including Dr. Robert Watkins, who performed the most recent surgery on the quarterback's neck.
-
Irsay: Mathis, Garcon are priorities
Expect defensive end Robert Mathis and wide receiver Pierre Garcon to be priorities for the Indianapolis Colts during free agency. According to Colts owner Jim Irsay, Mathis and Garcon are both unrestricted free agents and appear to be the cornerstones for the team moving forward. Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne, meanwhile, may be suiting up for another team in 2012.
-
Manning: I have no plans to retire
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning made one thing clear Tuesday. He has no plans to retire any time soon.
-
Ravens hire Caldwell as coach
Jim Caldwell is back in the NFL, this time as the Baltimore Ravens quarterbacks coach. The 57-year-old Caldwell was hired on Monday by the Ravens. The appointment comes less than two weeks after Caldwell was fired as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts following a 2-14 season.
-
Anderson native instrumental in Colts' move to Indy
When Hoosiers look at those responsible for bringing Super Bowl XLVI to Indianapolis, they might well consider Paul R. Oakes.
-
Reports: Arians set to join Colts
Multiple media reports, including one by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, indicated Saturday that former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians will accept the same post with the Indianapolis Colts.
-
Irsay, Manning make nice in letter
Peyton Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay insist they are just fine after a week filled with complaints and comments suggesting a rift had developed following one of the most miserable seasons in team history.
-
Manning, Irsay insist they are on same page
Peyton Manning and Colts owner Jim Irsay insist they are just fine after a week filled with complaints and comments suggesting a rift had developed following one of the most miserable seasons in team history.
-
Pagano brings family feeling to Indianapolis
Chuck Pagano is a self-described “people person,” a trait that will come in handy if he hopes to accomplish his first goal as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Pagano, who officially was introduced during a more than 45-minute press conference Thursday afternoon at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, said he’d like to take his first 60-odd hours on the job and meet his players. One by one. One hour at a time.
-
Irsay scolds Manning
Jim Irsay met with a small group of media following Thursday’s press conference to introduce Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. The subject quickly turned to the status of injured quarterback Peyton Manning, and the owner’s demeanor took on the tone of a father scolding his eldest son.
- More Colts Headlines
-
