Colts News

"The names had changed as the Indianapolis Colts held their rookie minicamp last weekend, but coach Tony Dungy's introductory message remained the same. So do the expectations. Show us you belong, Dungy told an audience of approximately two dozen NFL aspirants that ranged from second-round draft pick Mike Pollak to undrafted free agents such as Jamie Silva and Curtis Johnson, and we'll find a place for you."

"The Indianapolis Colts have put their tag-team runners -- Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes -- back together. The tandem that helped Indianapolis win its first Super Bowl title has been reunited after Rhodes agreed on a one-year deal to return to the Colts. Rhodes' agent, Mike McCartney, confirmed the signing Wednesday in an e-mail to the Associated Press, although he did not disclose financial details."

"In one quick move, 14 months of constant frustration gave way to sweet anticipation for Dominic Rhodes. The veteran free agent running back agreed to a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday worth approximately $650,000, reuniting him with the team that gave him his first NFL break, and one he helped lead to a Super Bowl championship. "I can't even share with you the excitement I'm feeling right now,'' Rhodes said in a telephone interview from Arizona."

"In celebration of the 25th season of Indianapolis Colts football and the grand opening of Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts will kick off their Make It Personal Tour at Meijer in Lafayette 4 to 6 p.m. May 19. This is the fifth straight season the Colts will host a summer traveling road show featuring players and cheerleaders."

"News reports say bullets came from Colts star's gun; weapon owner can be charged in Pennsylvania even if he wasn't shooter and Mike Chappell Bullets found at the scene of a shooting in Philadelphia on April 29 came from a powerful handgun owned by Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, according to reports on ESPN and the Philadelphia Daily News, both citing unnamed police sources. But Philadelphia police are not calling Harrison a suspect. "He's not a suspect at this point,'' police spokeswoman Tanya Little told The Star on Tuesday, declining further comment."

"Six of the bullet casings found after an April 29 shooting near Marvin Harrison's car wash and garage came from a gun that belongs to the Colts wide receiver, Philadelphia police sources told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio. Police returned to the scene of the crime Monday to examine bullet holes in two residences after new information was provided to police by an alleged third victim of the shooting. Harrison's representatives say Harrison was not present during the shooting incident, and that his gun was not involved."

"Philadelphia police said there were no new developments in the case involving Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison on Sunday as they focused on another case involving the fatal shooting of a police officer. Harrison was questioned by police about a shooting Tuesday near a car detail shop he owns in the North Philadelphia neighborhood where he grew up."

"One day after practice during the 2006 season, Tony Dungy was telling me how little he knew about Marvin Harrison, a man he had coached in Indianapolis since 2002. It wasn't a negative, and it wasn't for lack of trying on Dungy's part. Harrison simply is relentlessly private, a man few know or understand outside of his family and close circle of friends. "I think I know his mother better than I know him," Dungy said at the time, "and I've talked to his mom probably four times. . . . I respect his privacy because that's the way he wants it.""

"Known for his smarts at the University of Kentucky, Jacob Tamme studied enough to earn a degree in integrated strategic communications in three years. A couple of preseasons ago, the tight end started studying a half-dozen NFL players at his position and became a fan of the Indianapolis Colts' Dallas Clark. Selected by the Colts in the fourth round of last weekend's NFL draft and participating in this weekend's rookie minicamp, Tamme was only too happy to make the short drive from Kentucky to learn first-hand from the league's highest-paid tight end."

"Marvin Harrison is not the target of an investigation into a shooting in Philadelphia earlier this week, according to the agent of the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver. Refuting Internet reports that cited unnamed sources, Tom Condon, Harrison's agent, told ESPN's Chris Mortensen: "I've spoken with Marvin and I've spoken with his attorney, and they say the reports are erroneous. Marvin was not involved in any shooting, and he is not the subject of this investigation.''"

"The Indianapolis Colts have waived offensive lineman Dylan Gandy and tight end Bryan Fletcher in a pair of cost-cutting moves. Each player had recently signed a one-year, $927,000 contract as one of the team's restricted free agents."

"Marvin Harrison is part of an investigation into a shooting Tuesday that left two people injured outside a Philadelphia bar owned by the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, police said this afternoon. Philadelphia police said Harrison was one of several people they had talked to, and that “we have no suspect at this time.” An incident report was not released. “A gentleman was shot and this is an open investigation,’’ said Lt. Frank Vanore, public information officer for the Philadelphia Police Department."

"Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison is under investigation in his hometown of Philadelphia in a shooting that took place earlier this week, a source close to the investigation told Anthony Gargano of Philadelphia's WIP Radio. The shooting reportedly occurred early Tuesday afternoon outside a North Philadelphia bar owned by Harrison. Harrison has yet to be arrested or charged with the crime."

"A smile crept across Mark Richt's face when the University of Georgia football coach heard that one of his prized players, linebacker Marcus Howard, had been drafted by the Indianapolis Colts. It widened when he learned the Colts planned to convert the 6-0, 237-pound Howard to a pass-rushing defensive end... The Colts selected Howard in the fifth round and let him know from the outset their intentions to relocate him."

"The Indianapolis Colts agreed to contracts with 13 undrafted rookies. The list includes Curtis Johnson, a 6-3, 237-pound pass-rushing defensive end from Clark Atlanta University."

"The main means for shoring up an NFL roster -- the draft and the first two months of veteran free agency -- are over. Now the real work begins. Between now and July 24, when the Indianapolis Colts report to training camp in Terre Haute, the fresh talent must be introduced to a roster that was already primed for another Super Bowl push."

"With no glaring needs and nine picks in hand, they invested one-third to upgrade their offensive line. It marked the first time since the draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994 the Colts picked three O-line prospects."

"The NFL wait became too much for Mike Hart on Sunday. So the Michigan running back took a break from staring at a TV and went outside his Syracuse, N.Y., home for a relaxing stroll alongside his niece in a motor cart."

"Wide receiver Pierre Garcon, the John I. Leonard graduate, got a quarterback upgrade Sunday as he went from Greg Micheli to Peyton Manning when Indianapolis drafted him in the sixth round."

"Mike Pollak was shocked when the Indianapolis Colts called as the second round of the NFL draft was winding down Saturday evening and informed him they were taking him with their first pick. Shocked, in a good way."

"Far away from the hubbub at the top of today's NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts will sit, watch and wait. And wait some more."

"The Indianapolis Colts have finalized plans for another summer in Terre Haute. Team president Bill Polian confirmed Friday that a multiyear contract has been struck for the Colts to continue holding training camp at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, their summer home since 1999."

"Dwight Freeney's golf game is progressing nicely. More important, so is his rehabilitation following surgery five months ago to repair an injury to his left foot. Strange as it seems, the two go hand-in-hand for the Indianapolis Colts career sack leader. "I try to play at least three times a week,'' Freeney said Thursday evening after completing another 18 holes at Prairie View Golf Course in Carmel. "It's actually good for my foot because I've been off of it for so long."

"The Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots are more than bitter rivals. They've been the NFL's measuring stick for success over the past decade. The primary reason, analysts agree, will be on display this weekend in the NFL draft. "The two people that have done it the best are (coach) Bill Belichick in New England and (Colts president) Bill Polian,'' said NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock."

"Indianapolis Colts running back Kenton Keith pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a criminal trespassing charge stemming from an incident outside a Northwestside nightclub over the weekend. A pre-trial date was set for May 13. Marion Superior Court Judge Rebekah Pierson-Treacy gave Keith, 27, permission to travel outside the state."

"Indianapolis Colts running back Kenton Keith was charged with a single count of misdemeanor criminal trespassing, the Marion County prosecutor's office said Tuesday."

"The top franchise in all of professional sports is . . . the Indianapolis Colts, according to the current issue of ESPN The Magazine."

"Kenton Keith allegedly informed anyone who would listen outside a Westside night club early Sunday morning that he was a member of the Indianapolis Colts. Police officers were not moved."

"The Indianapolis Colts' three remaining restricted free agents have re-signed with the team. Guard Dylan Gandy, tight end Bryan Fletcher and defensive tackle Darrell Reid signed one-year, $927,000 tenders they were issued earlier this year."

"Lambuth University is in Jackson, Tenn., a 90-minute drive from Memphis and five hours from Knoxville. Suffice to say the NAIA school with an undergraduate enrollment of about 800 isn't in the NFL's fast lane in terms of producing talent. That caused Eagles running back Allen Ervin to question where he was, and more important, where he should be."

"Tony Dungy, Bill Polian and Jim Irsay are headed to the Hall of Fame -- the Indiana Football Hall of Fame, that is."

"Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, president of the PeyBack Foundation, said the foundation has distributed a record $606,000 to 125 youth-related agencies in Indiana, Tennessee and New Orleans."

"The Indianapolis Colts will face the Carolina Panthers, not the Detroit Lions as originally scheduled, in their second preseason game."

"In a rare preseason schedule change, the Carolina Panthers will open their exhibition schedule at home against the Indianapolis Colts instead of the New York Giants. The NFL announced two preseason changes today to accommodate stadium availability and local television partners, the Panthers said in a press release. New York will visit the Detroit Lions on Thursday, Aug. 7, instead of playing at Carolina."

"Five national prime-time television match-ups, including a Nov. 2 meeting with nemesis New England in Lucas Oil Stadium, headline the Indianapolis Colts' 2008 schedule."

"Wide receivers Mario Manningham of Michigan and Early Doucet of LSU have visited the Indianapolis Colts as part of the pre-draft evaluation process."

"The Indianapolis Colts re-signed safety Matt Giordano, one of their restricted free agents."

"Indianapolis Colts broadcaster Bob Lamey is one of three men who will be inducted into the Indiana Sportswriters & Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame during the group's annual banquet at 6 p.m. today at the Adam's Mark Hotel."

"As a three-time Pro Bowl center, Jeff Saturday's leadership skills are on full display as the Indianapolis Colts offense attacks defenses. He and quarterback Peyton Manning work in tandem, making the necessary pre-snap checks and adjustments. They gesture, point, fidget."

"There are hundreds of ways to grade first-round picks, but here’s a good one: Pro Bowls. By that measure, it’s hard to imagine anyone has drafted better than the Indianapolis Colts over the past 12 years. In that time, the 12 players Indy has selected with its first pick have made 31 Pro Bowls."

"The Indianapolis Colts will play their first three preseason games on the road, then inaugurate Lucas Oil Stadium on Aug. 24 in prime time against the Buffalo Bills. The first game to be played in Lucas Oil Stadium, which replaces the RCA Dome, has an 8 p.m. kickoff and will be broadcast on NFL Network."

"Taking another technological step forward, NFL owners approved a communication device for defenses Tuesday. The vote was 25-7 in favor -- 24 yes votes were required. The Indianapolis Colts backed the move."

"Tony Dungy's Q rating among Browns fans is not very high. It might even be subterranean."

"Lucas Oil Stadium's official introduction to the NFL will occur on a national, prime-time stage. The league has announced the Indianapolis Colts will open the 2008 season, their first in the state-of-the-art facility that will replace the RCA Dome, at 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Chicago Bears."

"The respite is over. It's back to work for the Indianapolis Colts. What amounts to the start of a new season for the players commences Monday with the team's offseason conditioning program. It's voluntary, 14 weeks in length and the time during which the foundation for another championship push is poured."

"Roosevelt Potts was one of about 20 former NFL players who underwent extensive cardiovascular screening Friday at the Eastside office of physician Daniel Stock. It's a pity it didn't happen eight months ago, before Potts suffered a mild stroke. His condition might have been detected and treated and the stroke prevented."

"Looking back at what the team's owner described as a "decade of excellence," which was capped by a Super Bowl title 13 months ago, the city's upcoming bid to host the 2012 Super Bowl and the anticipation of a veteran, championship-caliber team moving into Lucas Oil Stadium, Irsay is eagerly anticipating the 2008 season. "It's as good as it gets in terms of excitement," Irsay said, rocking back in his chair."

"Team owner Jim Irsay knows the value president Bill Polian brings to the Indianapolis Colts. That's why Irsay opted to guarantee Polian's continued leadership for the foreseeable future. Several months ago, Irsay quietly signed Polian to a contract extension for "another three or four years. "I see him here hopefully for a long time, but certainly through 2011 or whatever it is," Irsay confirmed this week."

"The Indianapolis Colts lost another free agent Monday when linebacker Rocky Boiman signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. In two seasons with the Colts, Boiman appeared in 32 regular-season games, eight as a starter."

"If the Eagles' newest acquisition at linebacker turns out to be any kind of catch at all, figure on hearing a lot more of that Rocky theme music. "There's definitely some irony there," Rocky Boiman, a six-year veteran, said yesterday after signing a one-year deal with the Eagles. Terms were not disclosed."