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Indy probably not keeping running back James


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Colts' restricted free agents

(Generally speaking, the Colts retain the right of first refusal or, provided they offer the player a one-year deal, they would be given draft pick compensation.) LB Gary Brackett, LB Cato June, DE Robert Mathis, WR Aaron Moorehead, S Gerome Sapp, OT Makoa Freitas, WR Brad Pyatt, LB Keyon Whiteside.

What to do with running back Edgerrin James? How about wide receiver Reggie Wayne? James is likely to go and Wayne is likely to stay, but they are just two of 13 Indianapolis Colts who will become unrestricted free agents.

What areas need shoring up? What's atop the team's shopping list in the April draft?

Those issues will be addressed, as they always have been, when emotions aren't so raw and so apt to influence judgments that must steer the team into 2006 and beyond.

"You need to take the emotion out of it, which I'm not quite ready to do just yet,'' Polian said Thursday, the sting of the Colts' 21-18 playoff loss to Pittsburgh still fresh.

Once the mind clears, he added, the Colts must "make some informed judgments as to where the team is and where it needs to go.''

Personnel changes figure to be few but significant. Five starters and place-kicker Mike Vanderjagt are among the players whose contracts expire in early March.

"One thing I'm sure of is we don't need to do a lot of building or reworking,'' Polian said. "We don't have nearly the momentous problems that the emotions would make you think we do.

"This is a good team and will remain a good team. As I sit here now, there are probably some spots we're going to need to shore up. We'll have some losses due to free agency. You always do.''

The first order of business is determining which players are vital to the team's future, which ones can be replaced via free agency or the draft, and which ones are affordable.

The status of James and Wayne is the most intriguing offseason issue for the Colts.

James is the team's career rushing leader and coming off one of his best seasons (1,506 rushing yards, 1,843 total yards from scrimmage, 14 total touchdowns). He'll be 28 when the '06 season opens.

Wayne led the Colts in receptions in '05 with 83. He's gotten better each season, and is 27.

It's a given Wayne and James will seek lucrative long-term contracts. Wayne probably would draw the most interest on the free agent market. James found no takers last offseason when the Colts allowed him to solicit trade offers after they named him their franchise player, and there's no guarantee the interest will be there in March.

Polian declined to address specific players in Thursday's interview, but there are indications the Colts will retain either James or Wayne, not both.

If that's the case, it's Wayne. Polian has told The Star in previous discussions Wayne "isn't going anywhere'' and reiterated that stance on his most recent Monday night radio show.

Just how the team retains Wayne remains to be seen. The most likely scenario is under the one-year franchise tag.

The NFL and its players association have been unable to reach middle ground on an extension for the collective bargaining agreement. Without one, the 2006 season will be the final one governed by the salary cap; '07 will be an uncapped year.

"The clock's ticking,'' Polian said.

Minus an 11th-hour resolution, a new set of rules goes into effect for player contracts. Signing bonuses of new deals can be prorated for only four years. More concerning is the "30 percent rule,'' which states a player's base salary can increase only 30 percent each subsequent year from the start of the deal.

Previously, teams have kept a player's initial salary cap number relatively low with backloaded deals: a big signing bonus and low base salaries in the first couple of years that mushroom later.

That blueprint no longer will work. To satisfy the financial demands of a marquee player, such as Wayne or James, a team will have to "front load'' deals, paying big initial base salaries along with the big signing bonus. That will result in a big cap number right away.

One option to at least keep a cap number reasonable will be to greatly inflate the signing bonus, which can be prorated. That requires an owner with deep pockets.

Under the new system, cash in the form of guaranteed signing bonuses will be paramount.

Colts owner Jim Irsay already must dole out roster bonuses of $10 million to wide receiver Marvin Harrison and $9 million to quarterback Peyton Manning, and an $8 million option bonus to defensive tackle Corey Simon. Backup running back Dominic Rhodes is due a $1.45 million roster bonus. There's a chance the team will not pay that, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Given the huge payouts due and uncertainty regarding the CBA, the only realistic option with Wayne is the franchise tag. A likely byproduct is the exit of James.

"It could be anybody,'' Polian said. "It's somebody every year. I know the fans are frustrated when that happens, but they should understand I'm as frustrated as they are, maybe more."

"You always have a loss in free agency that breaks your heart -- Marcus Pollard, Marcus Washington, Rick DeMulling. You don't like it, but that's the system and you have to move forward.''

Colts' unrestricted free agents

(Player can sign with any other team with no compensation to the Colts):

Player Noteworthy Comment

RB Edgerrin James Club's career rushing leader It's probably James or Wayne, and we don't think Wayne is going anywhere. We're going to miss you, Edge.

WR Reggie Wayne Led team in receptions in '05 With all due respect to Marvin Harrison, Wayne's the future go-to guy.

PK Mike Vanderjagt NFL's most accurate kicker It probably was time for Vandy and the team to move on before the errant 46-yarder vs. Pittsburgh.

LB David Thornton Three-year starter Has developed into solid starter, and worth retaining if the price is right.

DE Raheem Brock Three-year starter Versatility makes him one of the unheralded members of the D-line. Bring him back.

DT Larry Tripplett Appeared in 60 games Coming off his best season, but depth along the line might make him expendable.

LB Rob Morris Veteran of 82 games Worth re-signing, probably at veteran's minimum. Reliable backup and good special teams player.

RB James Mungro 11 TDs in 43 games The team likes what he brings and likely will bring him back.

WR Troy Walters 3 TDs in '05 Would be an inexpensive punt returner and No. 4 receiver, again.

CB Joseph Jefferson Finished '05 on IR Has plenty of potential, but injuries have impeded his progress.

LB Rocky Calmus Spent '05 on IR Might return and provide veteran depth at position.

K Jose Cortez Kickoff specialist Probably worth taking to training camp, but a more reliable field goal kicker is needed.

OL Kurt Vollers Experienced option Not a priority. Might get a chance to show worth at training camp.

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