ANDERSON, Ind. —
The March 8 deadline for the Indianapolis Colts to determine the future of quarterback Peyton Manning is quickly approaching.
And owner Jim Irsay fired off the most recent salvo in an ongoing public-relations standoff Tuesday.
Contradicting rampant speculation by the national media concerning Manning’s imminent departure, Irsay told the Indianapolis Star’s Mike Chappell the team would love to have the four-time MVP back.
At the right price.
“We can make it work if he wants to be here,” Irsday reportedly told Chappell. “We’d be excited to have him back and finish his career with us.”
Manning is due a $28 million option bonus by March 8. Payment of that bonus would trigger the final four years of the five-year $90 million contract Manning signed at Anderson University on July 31.
Indianapolis also can choose to forego the payment and make Manning a free agent or rework the contract. With the Colts tight against the 2012 salary cap, and teams needing to ensure the top 51 players on their roster are in compliance with the cap by March 1, Irsay seems to be interested in the latter option.
“There’s no question it can be worked out if he wants to be here,” Irsay told the Star. “It can work if he wants to come back and can get back to being the old Peyton.”
The annual NFL scouting combine begins a week from Thursday in Indianapolis, and the Colts likely will have their eyes on quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor.
Indianapolis is expected to use the No. 1 pick in April’s draft to select one of those players regardless of Manning’s status.
But the impending Manning decision and its inherent financial implications will have an impact on the team’s activity during the free agency period that begins March 13.
Several longtime Colts, including Reggie Wayne and Jeff Saturday, are eligible to hit the free market. And Indianapolis could have difficult salary-cap decisions to make involving veterans such as Dallas Clark and Dwight Freeney.
Speaking in the media center during the run-up to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said the Manning decision is just the first step in a long process.
“That is obviously going to have a major effect on things in how that all plays out,” Grigson said. “But, until that is resolved, we are going to go about business as usual, planning position-by-position to see what we can do and looking at the money that we have to do those things and who is available (from other teams).”
The Colts also cleared up the final openings on head coach Chuck Pagano’s staff with a press release Tuesday.
The team confirmed the hiring of nine new coaches and announced that former offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen will remain with the team as quarterbacks coach.
Assistant special teams coach Brant Boyer, defensive line coach Gary Emanuel, linebackers coach Jeff Fitzgerald, assistant offensive line coach Joe Gilbert, secondary coach Mike Gillhamer, offensive quality control coach Frank Giufre, tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts, defensive quality control coach Brad White and wide receivers coach Charlie Williams were Tuesday’s new confirmations.
They join previously announced special teams coordinator Marwan Maalouf, safties coach Roy Anderson and strength and conditioning coach Roger Marandino.
Bruce Arians will be the offensive coordinator, and Greg Manusky will run the defense.
The Colts also retained running backs coach David Walker and assistant strength and conditioning coach Richard Howell from previous head coach Jim Caldwell’s staff.
“We’ve assembled a group of coaches full of experience and success at all levels of football, who possess strong character and leadership traits,” Pagano said in a team release. “I’m excited to embark on the 2012 campaign with a tremendous group of men as we work to achieve our ultimate goal.”
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Related Photos
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning signals at the line of scrimmage during a 2007 playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens. Rusty Kennedy / The Associated Press
Discussion
Irsay throws ball into Manning's court
Owner says decision to stay with Colts is up to QB
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