INDIANAPOLIS — With the Indianapolis Colts confirming that Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday had agreed to a new three-year deal, the team also acknowledged that linebacker will most likely be a position of interest in the upcoming NFL draft.
The Colts opted not to offer a one-year $1 million contract tender to weak-side linebacker Freddy Keiaho, who became a restricted free agent at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Keiaho, who started 25 of 39 games for Indianapolis since being selected in the third round of the 2006 draft, is now free to sign with another NFL team.
Another outside linebacker, Tyjuan Hagler, is an unrestricted free agent and was not offered a contract. He can sign with another team. Hagler has played in 10 of 30 possible games for the Colts after being a fifth-round draft choice in 2005. His progress has been slowed by numerous injuries that have kept him out of the defensive lineup for the past three seasons.
Middle linebacker Gary Brackett, who is rehabbing from a lower right leg injury that sidelined him for the final four games of the 2008 regular season as well as the playoff game with San Diego, will be back along with strong-side linebacker Clint Session.
A pair of rookies from last year, Philip Wheeler and Jordan Senn, also return. Wheeler was a third-round draft choice last spring, while Senn was an undrafted free agent.
Joining Hagler as an unrestricted free agent are running back Dominic Rhodes, punter Hunter Smith, safety Matt Giordano, cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, defensive tackle/end Darrell Reid and defensive end Josh Thomas. Indianapolis did, however, offer one-year contract tenders to linebacker Buster Davis (exclusive-rights free agent), defensive tackle Daniel Muir ($460,000, exclusive-rights free agent), running back Lance Ball ($310,000, exclusive-rights free agent) and offensive guard/tackle Daniel Federkeil (restricted free agent).
Smith has most likely suited up for his last game with Indianapolis. A seventh-round draft choice in 1999, the Notre Dame graduate has played in 160 games and has a 43.4-yard average on 577 total punts. He had 193 career punts downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
Rhodes, though, may eventually return to the Colts. But he’ll take a long look at what kind of offers he may receive during the free agency period.
• Off-season roster additions confirmed — Former Indiana State tight Jamie Petrowski is one of 11 players who have been signed to Indianapolis’ 2009 off-season roster.
Petrowski, who spent most of 2008 on the Colts’ practice squad, joins linebacker Rufus Alexander, safety Brannon Condren, punter Mike Dragosavich, cornerback Brandon Foster, wide receiver San Giguere, offensive tackle Corey Hillard, cornerback Travis Key, linebacker Michael Okwo, wide receiver Taj Smith and cornerback Brandon Sumrall.
Alexander, Condren, Foster, Giguere, Hillard, Smith and Sumrall all spent time on Indianapolis’ practice squad last season.
Dragosavich, meanwhile, was claimed off waivers by Indianapolis earlier this month. An undrafted free agent who signed with the New England Patriots last season, he also spent time on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad in 2008. He attended North Dakota State.
Key, who played collegiately at Michigan State, saw work with the Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and San Diego Chargers as an undrafted rookie last season. Okwo, meanwhile, is a former third-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2007 out of Stanford. He spent the past two seasons with the Bears before being signed by the Colts earlier this year.
Colts
Colts may be searching for LBs
- Colts
-
-
Colts have stocked up on tight ends
Just because Dallas Clark is now in Tampa Bay and Jacob Tamme has moved on to Denver doesn’t mean that the tight end position has become any less important to the Indianapolis Colts offense.
-
Colts working on rebuilding as Luck finishes at Stanford
With No 1 quarterback Andrew Luck finishing up architectural classes at Stanford, coach Chuck Pagano’s rebuilding project goes on as scheduled during the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices at the team’s West 56th Street headquarters.
-
Colts have no plan to move from Anderson
Apparently the Indianapolis Colts and Anderson University officials found a way to work out a few last-minute snags concerning the team’s summer training camp site.
-
Colts’ new QB has a lot to keep him busy
With three days of rookie mini-camp now behind him and a few more weeks of college class work still ahead, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has come to a crossroads.
-
Mr. Irrelevant may find home with Colts
Chandler Harnish might be Mr. Irrelevant to most of the National Football League, but the former Norwell High School standout — who grew up in Bluffton — has a real chance to stick around the Indianapolis Colts locker room for awhile.
-
All eyes on new Indy quarterback
Day One of the Andrew Luck era went off without a hitch Friday at the Indianapolis Colts’ West 56th Street practice facility.
-
Colts fill need at cornerback
While the Indianapolis Colts failed to add any cornerbacks among the 10 players selected during this past weekend’s National Football League draft, general manager Ryan Grigson and the team’s scouting department were able to snag three undrafted free agents to play the position.
-
New Colts GM, coach pleased with first draft
In a sense, first-year general manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano were rookies during the 2012 NFL draft.
-
Colts’ new look comes into shape tonight at MSG
A changing of the guard. That’s what fans of the Indianapolis Colts can look forward to when the NFL draft commences tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
-
Colts confirm that Luck is choice
It’s official. The Indianapolis Colts will select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft Thursday night.
-
Colts know, but won't say who No. 1 pick will be
With the first round of the NFL draft just a week away, Indianapolis Colts first-year general manager Ryan Grigson admitted Wednesday that team officials know who they are going to select with the No. 1 overall pick.
-
New-look Colts open against Bears
While the Indianapolis Colts knew back in February who they would be playing during the 2012 regular season, there were plenty of questions about the dates, locations and times of those games.
-
Colts look nothing like team of old with workouts under way
For the first time since last month’s massive roster purge, Indianapolis Colts players — both those that are returning as well as some of the newer additions — were available to talk about the franchise’s immediate future during an open lockerroom session Wednesday.
-
Former Colts Saturday, Diem decide their NFL futures
The revolving door to the Indianapolis Colts locker room keeps spinning at the team's headquarters on West 56th Street.
-
Going to Denver: Manning’s move bound to shake up AFC
The Denver Broncos got their Man. Make that Peyton Manning.
Pending final contract negotiations, Manning will join John Elway’s Broncos with hopes of winning another Super Bowl.
-
Wayne surprises many with move
Welcome home Reggie Wayne.
-
Wayne stays put in Indy
After a week of bad news for Indianapolis Colts fans that included the release of quarterback Peyton Manning, tight end Dallas Clark, running back Joseph Addai, middle linebacker Gary Brackett, safety Melvion Bullitt and quarterback Curtis Painter, finally something positive.
-
Indianapolis puts team roster under knife
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay sounded the warning bell during Wednesday’s press conference announcing the release of 14-year quarterback Peyton Manning.
-
MARK BENNETT: Manning leaves great memories for Colts fans
The emotion behind the words was obvious.
-
Peyton-palooza: Manning will have significant number of suitors
Rex Ryan’s Jets need leadership in a lost locker room.
-
Irsay offers only ‘circumstances’
So if Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay wanted Peyton Manning to stay with the team, what happened?
-
UPDATE: Colts announce they’re releasing Manning
Peyton Manning’s record-breaking run as quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts ended today, when owner Jim Irsay announced the team would release its best player.
-
Colts, Peyton Manning prepared to part ways?
It looks very much as if an era will be coming to a close today.
-
Colts agree to deal with Mathis
After signing a multi-year deal on Monday, it looks as if Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis will play his entire National Football League career with the Indianapolis Colts.
-
Colts defense about to receive overhaul
Changes are coming quickly for the Indianapolis Colts defense.
-
Luck may be ready to go from start
Talk about walking into a pressure-packed situation.
-
Choices at QB are plentiful for Indianapolis
Whatever decision the Indianapolis Colts ultimately make on who will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2012, the job will ultimately be in good hands.
-
Pagano ready to begin Colts' rebuilding process
With the Peyton Manning situation still unresolved, a pair of recently hired Indianapolis Colts — coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson — are moving on with plans to rebuild the franchise.
-
Colts welcome Manusky aboard as defensive coordinator
On Thursday, Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson, coach Chuck Pagano and potential No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck led the parade.
Grigson and Pagano confirmed the hiring of several assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, Marwan Maalouf (special teams), Roy Anderson (safeties), Alfredo Roberts (tight ends) and Brandt Boyer (assistant special teams). -
Mathis, Garcon at top of Colts’ wish list; Wayne isn’t
Expect defensive end Robert Mathis and wide receiver Pierre Garcon to be priorities for the Indianapolis Colts during free agency.
- More Colts Headlines
-
Colts have stocked up on tight ends
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Obama Honors Fallen Troops at Arlington Cemetery
Man in Crane at Texas College Says He's Armed
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Raw Video: Deadly Explosion at Minn. Paper Mill
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Romney Promises World's Strongest Military
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Romney Campaigns Ahead of Claiming Nomination
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Obama Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veterans
Panetta: Asia the 'Project' for New Navy Grads
Beryl Knocks Out Power in Florida
Raw Video: Memorial Day Aboard Intrepid
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Los Angeles Bar Bans Bachelorettes
Hamster Plays Dead
Beyonce Shows Off 60 Pound Weight Loss at Concert
Drunk Women Breaking Into Houses: A New Trend?
LeAnn Rimes Rocks Short Shorts
Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field
Man Dies Getting Lap Dance
Kim Kardashian Claims Items Stolen from Her Luggage
Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool
Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts
Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game
Justin Bieber Wanted for Questioning for L.A. Scuffle
J.Lo and Marc's Friendly Reunion
Jet makes emergency landing after debris falls off
Cynthia Nixon Ties the Knot
Woman, 80, Falls Out of Skydive Harness Mid-Jump
Keira Reveals Engagement Ring
