Colts Trade Rumors

"Polian was quick to snuff out any speculation the Colts might have an interest in signing free agent running back Shaun Alexander or trading for Miami defensive end Jason Taylor. "We have no interest in either,'' he said. He wasn't so quick to dismiss linebacker Rosevelt Colvin."

"Klecko, a backup defensive tackle the past two seasons who became an unrestricted free agent last month, agreed to a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. Utecht, a veteran tight end and one of the Colts' restricted free agents, on Friday signed a multiyear offer sheet with the Cincinnati Bengals. "

"For his free-agent visit to the Bengals, Ben Utecht drove north from Nashville - where he was recoding a contemporary Christian album - with his wife, Karyn. Utecht, a Colts restricted free agent who signed an offer sheet with the Bengals Friday, had been in Cincinnati before, but he'd always come from the west, never from the south."

"The Cincinnati Bengals snared a pass-catching tight end Friday, March 14, but will they be able to hold onto him? Addressing one of their biggest needs, the Bengals signed Indianapolis Colts restricted free agent (RFA) Ben Utecht to a three-year offer sheet reportedly worth $9 million."

"Entering the draft in this liberated state could mean the Jets might, if McFadden available at the No. 6 overall pick, go after the Arkansas running back, who many believe could be a franchise player... Multiple sources familiar with the team's thinking say the next player high on their wish list is Colts tight end Ben Utecht, a non-compensation restricted free agent who could be a nice complement to Chris Baker Chris Baker , who had the best season of his career in 2007. Two other players the Jets are speaking to are Miami running back Jesse Chatman and Ravens running back Musa Smith. "

"The Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers are competing to sign defensive end Tyler Brayton. A 2003 first-round draft pick by Oakland, Brayton visited the Colts on Monday. He met with the Panthers over the weekend."

"A month after the New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl, rumors are swirling that they could lose a superstar. The Patriots have yet to re-sign All-Pro receiver Randy Moss, who broke Jerry Rice's NFL single-season record with 23 touchdown receptions last season."

"Potential free agents who fit his profile include Indianapolis guard Jake Scott, San Diego cornerback Drayton Florence and Arizona wide receiver Bryant Johnson."

"The Indianapolis Colts confirmed Tuesday night they designated Dallas Clark their "franchise'' player. That's tantamount to a one-year contract worth the average of the league's top five tight ends in 2007: $4.522 million."

"Thomas said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, has been fielding phone calls from interested teams. Rosenhaus has mentioned New England, Indianapolis, San Diego and Dallas as teams that make sense."

"Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder said yesterday he hopes to have a new coach in place by the end of the week and will select from a pool of two to three candidates... The three candidates are believed to be Jim Fassel, Ron Meeks and Steve Spagnuolo. Steve Mariucci could enter the mix after his interview today."

"The Washington Redskins are likely to formally interview Steve Mariucci for their vacant head coaching position this week, league sources said. As they headed to Arizona for Super Bowl XLII, owner Daniel Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, the executive vice president for football operations, stopped Tuesday in Indianapolis for a second series of talks with Ron Meeks, another candidate, as they seek a replacement for Joe Gibbs."

"Indianapolis Colts assistant coach Ron Meeks was scheduled to have a second interview yesterday for the Washington Redskins' head coaching vacancy."

"The Washington Redskins interviewed longtime NFL assistant Larry Brooks for their vacant defensive line coaching position yesterday, with league sources expecting him to be hired this week. Brooks spent the day at Redskins Park with his longtime associate Greg Blache, who was promoted from defensive line coach to defensive coordinator Saturday... The Redskins still plan to interview Indianapolis Colts assistant coach Ron Meeks today, league sources said. The team may interview candidates, possibly the New York Giants' Steve Spagnuolo or the New England Patriots' Josh McDaniels, after the Super Bowl."

"Indianapolis Colts assistant coach Ron Meeks will be interviewed a second time for the Washington Redskins' head coaching vacancy tomorrow, league sources said yesterday."

"Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay remains optimistic Tony Dungy will return as his coach, and anticipates a resolution today."

"I'm not terribly excited about the possibility of a lame-duck coach who is back for one year as part of a compromise with his family. I've written his before: You're all in or you're all out. If Dungy returns, his heart and mind will be conflicted."

"Make no mistake about the Indianapolis Colts' head coaching transition from Tony Dungy to Jim Caldwell. It will occur, sooner or later. Sooner might be Monday, when Dungy is expected to inform owner Jim Irsay whether he's returning for a seventh season or walking away to spend more time with his family."

"If Tony Dungy is out as coach of the Indianapolis Colts, Jim Caldwell is in, according to the team's owner. Jim Irsay, appearing Thursday night at a function at the New York Public Library, said he remains hopeful Dungy will return for a seventh season with 100 percent commitment. If not, he added, "Jim Caldwell would be the guy.''"

"The Washington Redskins completed the first stage of the interview process for selecting a head coach by meeting yesterday with Indianapolis assistant Ron Meeks, league sources said, and owner Daniel Snyder spent part of the day meeting with Seattle assistant Jim Mora as well...Many NFL agents and executives have believed (Gregg) Williams is the firm front-runner for the job."

"Yet having endured that maelstrom, Meeks — now the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts — could return to the Redskins. He met with Snyder as the fourth candidate to replace retired Joe Gibbs. Fellow defensive specialists Jim Schwartz of the Tennessee Titans, Jim Mora of the Seattle Seahawks — whose interview began Wednesday and extended into yesterday — and Redskins assistant head coach Gregg Williams also have met with Snyder during the past eight days."

"While Tony Dungy continues to ponder his future as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, speculation has focused on assistant head coach Jim Caldwell as his possible replacement. A Dungy-to-Caldwell transition would likely be smooth and involve little change for a franchise that will return the bulk of its roster for the 2008 season."

"Seattle Seahawks assistant Jim Mora became the third person to interview for the Washington Redskins' coaching position, and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks is set to chat with owner Dan Snyder today. Mora began meeting with Snyder around 3 p.m. All indications are that Colts assistant head coach-quarterbacks Jim Caldwell will not be interviewed to succeed Joe Gibbs. If Tony Dungy retires, Caldwell is the favorite to replace him."

"Seattle Seahawks assistant coach Jim Mora became the fourth person to interview for Washington's vacant head coaching job, league sources said, meeting with owner Daniel Snyder at his home yesterday. Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks is expected to meet with Snyder today in what could be the final interview."

"One of the five exceptions, tight end Dallas Clark, will return either with a long-term contract or as the team's 'franchise' player. Another, defensive tackle Ed Johnson, is the exclusive property of the Colts providing they issue him a contract offer, which is a foregone conclusion considering the impact he made as a rookie."

"G Ryan Lilja: Solid 48-game starter the past four seasons and worth re-signing if the price is right."

"So we wait for Dungy to decide if he will walk away as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and make his second coming in Tampa. Dungy said he will announce his plan Monday. No one will be surprised if he leaves the Colts and it seems he is leaning strongly toward doing just that."

"The Washington Redskins' coaching search moved into a second week yesterday with no sense it will end before Friday. Seattle Seahawks defensive backs coach Jim Mora, the former Atlanta Falcons coach, is expected to interview with Redskins owner Dan Snyder today with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks due in tomorrow. The Redskins have permission to interview Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, but it's unclear whether he will do so given that he's in line to move up in Indianapolis if Tony Dungy retires Monday."

"The fire to remain the Indianapolis Colts' coach burns fiercely in Tony Dungy. But so does the desire to be the best father possible to his kids."

"If Tony Dungy wants to walk, if he wants to leave this sultry Central Indiana weather and move back to his real home in Tampa, Fla., to start the next chapter in his life, let him."

"Tony Dungy will spend the next few days trying to decide whether he can be a good husband, a good father and a good football coach. If he decides he can't go 3-for-3, the NFL soon will lose yet another esteemed member of its coaching fraternity to the family life."

"It was a surreal scene. All around the Indianapolis Colts locker room, players busied themselves with cleaning out their cubicles. Shoes, clothing, tokens and odds and ends from a season past were picked from the floor and shelves and dropped into large, black trash bags."

"Washington will interview Colts assistants Jim Caldwell and Ron Meeks, the latter a former Redskins assistant, this week. Had Indianapolis beat San Diego on Sunday, the Redskins would not have been able to talk to them until next week at the earliest. Both would fulfill the requirement by the league that teams interview minority candidates."

"Williams and Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz are the only two confirmed coaches to have interviewed with owner Dan Snyder. Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks and assistant head coach-quarterbacks Jim Caldwell soon will join them."

"The Washington Redskins will interview Indianapolis Colts assistant coaches Jim Caldwell and Ron Meeks, possibly today, continuing a process that many NFL sources expect will end with Redskins assistant Gregg Williams becoming the team's next head coach."

"Tony Dungy remained non-committal about his future after a 28-24 defeat to San Diego at the RCA Dome, and Colts players said he didn't address the subject with them."

"Coach Tony Dungy sat shoulder to shoulder with team president Bill Polian near the end of the Indianapolis Colts' long day, talking quietly in a locker-room nook about what had gone wrong... If Dungy retires, his likely successor would be Colts quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell. But the Colts might not be able to keep Caldwell on hold for too long since he's a candidate for other head coaching vacancies around the league."

"The Washington Redskins are expected to attempt to interview Indianapolis assistant coaches Ron Meeks and Jim Caldwell this week now that the Colts have been eliminated from the playoffs, while NFL sources continue to maintain that Redskins assistant Gregg Williams is the front-runner for the job."

"Jim Caldwell and Ron Meeks, who are believed to be candidates for the Washington Redskins' coaching vacancy, both declined comment on that possibility after their Indianapolis Colts lost 28-24 to the San Diego Chargers in an AFC divisional playoff game yesterday in the RCA Dome."

"Jim Irsay hopes coach Tony Dungy is at the forefront when his Indianapolis Colts move into Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2008 season, and the team's owner is prepared to do everything within his power to ensure that's the case."

"Already this year, we have seen the retirements of Hall of Famers Marv Levy and Joe Gibbs. And a good chance exists we soon will see the retirements of potential Hall of Famers Tony Dungy and Mike Holmgren."

"Gregg Williams was interviewed for the Washington Redskins' head coaching vacancy yesterday, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, while numerous NFL executives and agents continue to say they believe he is the favorite to get the position. Williams, Washington's assistant head coach-defense, spent the past four years on Joe Gibbs's staff and has strong support from players and coaches at Redskins Park... The Redskins would like to interview two coaches still involved in the playoffs -- Indianapolis's Jim Caldwell (offense) and Ron Meeks (defense), according to a source with knowledge of the situation -- and will ask for permission to contact both."

"The Ravens have recently talked with veteran NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer about their head coaching vacancy, Schottenheimer's agent said yesterday... There has also been growing speculation that Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell - who interviewed with the Ravens eight days ago - might become the next Colts head coach as early as next season if Tony Dungy retires."

"This time, he doesn't come back. That's not a fact; it can't be a fact because Dungy hasn't yet made any decision, and won't until the season is over and he has talked with his family and with team owner Jim Irsay and president Bill Polian. That is a very, very strong opinion, based on what I've heard, what I've seen, and what I've sensed. I believe this is Dungy's last run with the Indianapolis Colts. Win or lose, he will walk away. And he will leave a giant hole in Indianapolis' civic heart."

"Dungy was given a three-year, $15 million contract extension in 2005 that takes him through the 2009 season, but the time will come when the Colts no longer follow his measured lead. It might come when Indy's latest postseason journey ends, after Dungy once again seeks counsel from Irsay and team president Bill Polian and, more important, his wife, Lauren, and family. It nearly came last February."

"The Eagles don't have much of a history bowing to the contract demands of players who try to hold them up, but if the Colts secure Dallas Clark as they are expected to, Smith might be the best tight end option available in the free agent market."

"The importance of finalizing Sanders' deal can't be overstated. It effectively ensured that another front-line player who will be an unrestricted free agent at season's end -- tight end Dallas Clark -- will remain with the team in 2008. That's because if a long-term deal can't be reached, the Colts will resort to Plan B: the franchise tag."

"Tight end Dallas Clark will be among the top free agents unless the Colts re-sign him and the Chiefs are pondering their options for defensive end Jared Allen."

"Along with the Atlanta Falcons, the Baltimore Ravens have been granted permission to talk with Colts assistant coach Jim Caldwell about their head coaching job. Colts president Bill Polian wasn't certain whether the Ravens will follow through and interview Caldwell, who was scheduled to meet with Falcons officials Thursday."

"The first candidates expected to be interviewed by the Ravens will be two Dallas Cowboys assistants - offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and assistant head coach Tony Sparano - and Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell... Also last night, Cleveland Browns general manager Phil Savage told the Associated Press that the club has granted the Ravens' request to interview offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski."

"Byrne would not specify where the team’s chief decision makers would interview candidates, which could start as early as today. But it is likely they’ll travel to Foxborough, Mass., to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, then travel to Indianapolis for a meeting with Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell. The group is expected to conclude the weekend by talking to Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and assistant head coach Tony Sparano."

"Acording to NFL Network's Adam Schefter, Falcons owner Arthur Blank has interviews scheduled with Heckert, personnel analyst to the general manager John Schneider and director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie of the Packers' front office (McKenzie's twin brother Raleigh is a former Eagles offensive lineman) and Colts assistant general manager Chris Polian."

"How The Sun projects the Ravens' coaching search: 1. Jason Garrett: Cowboys offensive coordinator. There are rumblings that he is the Ravens' target. 2. Bill Cowher: Former Steelers coach. Landing "The Chin" would make the biggest splash, but he has said he doesn't want to coach in 2008."

"Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders has signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract that includes approximately $20 million in guarantees, a person with knowledge of the situation said Friday. Neither Sanders nor his agent, Tom Condon, could be reached for comment. A Colts spokesman said the team had no comment."

"But word out of Indianapolis is that the Colts will use the franchise tag on Sanders the way they did on Dwight Freeney. Retaining Sanders and tight end Dallas Clark have been identified as the Colts' top two off-season priorities. The Cowboys also are likely to lock up Pro Bowl-caliber safety Ken Hamlin, another unrestricted free-agent. Other serviceable veteran options are on the list of unrestricted free-agents – Gibril Wilson do anything for you? – but it's not considered a top year for safeties on the open market."

"Top among Miami's list of players to chase in free agency should be Indianapolis safety Bob Sanders... So the Dolphins might look at either South Florida native Asante Samuel or Oakland's Nmamdi Asomugha as their game-changer at cornerback... That is the reason Tennessee's Albert Haynesworth glows in neon as a target."

"The Colts likely will do whatever it takes to retain Sanders and Clark. If they aren't able to sign both to long-term contracts, they probably will sign one to a multiyear deal and use the franchise tag on the other."

"Dungy dismissed a report the Colts have an interest in Grady Jackson. The veteran defensive tackle was released by Atlanta earlier this week."

"Clifton Dawson's latest excursion on I-74 delivered another running back to Indianapolis. Waived by the Cincinnati Bengals on Wednesday, the rookie out of Harvard said Thursday he had been signed to the Colts' active roster. The only announcement from the team was that it had Dawson in for a visit."

"The Dolphins obviously can't give away Taylor as if he was a discarded suit in an outlet store. So anything less than a first-round pick wouldn't make it worthwhile for Miami. It's a steep price but perhaps the Broncos, Colts, Seahawks, Cowboys, or even the Patriots, could be enticed into giving up such a pick for the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year."