ANDERSON, Ind. —
As the Indianapolis Colts prepare to report for training camp Sunday at Anderson University, the focus remains on quarterback Peyton Manning and his ongoing contract talks.
Indianapolis slapped the franchise tag on Manning, guaranteeing him at least a one-year, $23 million deal and ensuring he can’t negotiate with other teams.
Owner Jim Irsay has repeatedly promised to make Manning the NFL’s highest paid player, but also said he’d stop short of $25 million per season.
The Indianapolis Star reported Friday that Manning told Irsay it is not a priority for him to become the highest-paid player, and that the $25 million figure never came from his camp.
Colts coach Jim Caldwell spoke to the media earlier in the day and said there is no timetable for Manning’s first appearance at AU.
“We have a couple days,” he said. “I anticipate his attendance, but there is still negotiating, as well. All of those things have a lot to do with what happens on the first day we open camp.”
Caldwell said he’s not in the least bit concerned about the lingering effects of neck surgery impacting Manning’s ability to prepare for the season.
“He works harder than anyone else on the planet and will get himself ready faster than most people,” Caldwell said. “He will work at it.”
The Colts officially confirmed the re-signings of kicker Adam Vinatieri and safety Melvin Bullitt that were reported earlier in the week. They also announced the singing of 15 undrafted free agents.
Missing was confirmation of the addition of former Ball State quarterback Nate Davis. Davis was cut from Seattle’s practice squad in January. The Muncie Star-Press reported Tuesday that Davis would sign a two-year deal with the Colts.
Former Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline was among the undrafted free agents signed by Indianapolis. But he and veteran back-up Curtis Painter currently are the only healthy quarterbacks in the fold.
The Colts are expected to add another veteran, which could be Davis, at some point.
“Everything right now is in the negotiating process,” Caldwell said. “We are looking to (general manager) Chris and (president) Bill (Polian), who are looking at every single avenue to try to make certain that we are in the best possible position come Sunday.”
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Peyton Manning told Colts owner Jim Irsay that he doesn’t need to be the highest paid player in the NFL on Friday. File photo
Discussion
Colts focused on Manning deal
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