INDIANAPOLIS —
Jeff Saturday is in a unique position when it comes to the National Football League and the consequences of a possible lockout next spring.
Saturday, a two-time Pro Bowl center for the Indianapolis Colts, is the team’s official player representative to the National Football League Players Association. He is also a member of the NFLPA’s executive committee, which will place him right in the middle of negotiations between the NFL and the league’s owners.
NFLPA President Kevin Mawae heads the executive committee. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Sean Morey, Kansas City offensive guard Brian Waters, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth, New York Jets fullback Tony Richardson, Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Mike Vrabel and Saturday make up the rest of the group.
At this point in the 2010 offseason, nobody really knows for sure what’s going to happen when the collective bargaining agreement with the NFLPA expires in March. Saturday isn’t sure that something will get accomplished before a lockout actually takes place. But he certainly hopes so.
“My hope is that we’ll all see this thing for what it is, that we’ve all got it really good [in the NFL]. Our owners are making a lot of money. Players are making a lot of money. And we can all continue to make a lot of money in this game and put the best teams on the field for our fans,” he said after the Colts’ final minicamp practice Sunday morning.
“Just continue the process. That’s what we’re doing now. And just continue to do it. And my hope is that everybody puts their egos down to the side at the end and we get it dialed it. As far as if I’m optimistic, not yet. But I’m hoping there’s pressure as fans and as people begin to say, ‘Let’s move this thing forward. We’re tired of hearing about it.’ That it brings more people to the table ready to get it done.”
It’s entirely possible that nothing will get done, negotiations-wise, until deadline pressures force some sort of action.
“For a guy like me, it’s not going to have a whole lot of effect on my career. I want this thing for our future players. I want it to be right. I want our game to be right. I think all the guys on the executive committee and involved in the NFLPA have a good attitude about it. Guys want to get it done. We understand there’s going to be negotiations and there’s going to be give-and-take on both sides. We’ve just got to get it done,” Saturday said.
“I feel like everybody’s just like, “Why are we negotiating now? What’s the hurry? We have until next March. Let’s just go play this [2010] season and see who balks first. Who gets scared first.’ I think all of us are going to wait until the end and then we’ll have to get it done in a short amount of time. I think the best work gets done then.”
n Pollack and DeVan first team — Mike Pollak and Kyle DeVan have worked their way into the Colts’ first-team offense at right and left guard, respectively.
Pollak was a second-round draft pick in 2008 who has battled injury issues the last two seasons. DeVan is an undrafted free agent who was signed by Indianapolis early in the 2009 season.
The pair of part of a reshuffled offensive line that will be under a lot of scrutiny heading into training camp. Indianapolis has struggled in the run game the last two seasons, although there was some improvement a year ago.
Short-yardage and goal-line situations have continued to plague the offense. Those are areas that both first-year offensive line coach Pete Metzelaars and offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen hope to improve on in 2010.
“We’ve changed a lot. Pete has a totally different way of coaching and one thing about Pete is that he’s gone back and made some tweaks. When you have change, I think the older players get criticized a little more than they’re used to,” Saturday said.
“I think as we’ve looked throughout the offseason at run game, in particular, there are things you have to do better. Clyde’s goal is to be 3/4th of a yard better than we were last year [in running the football]. You know it’s always tough when you’re the one getting criticized, but we have got to get better.”
While he wouldn’t go into detail into what is or has been changed in the way they do things, the Colts’ center said this offseason continues to be a learning experience.
“We’ve tweaked some things [technique-wise]. I’ve changed a lot of techniques and fundamentals in just eight days [of organized team activity workouts and minicamp]. I’ve joked with my wife that I’m 12 years in [the NFL] and I feel like a rookie,” Saturday said.
• Last week of OTAs — Indianapolis are scheduled to wrap up their pre-training camp workouts on Friday. The Colts will undergo the last week of voluntary organized team activity practices.
The defending AFC champions will then have the rest of the summer off until the team reports to Anderson University for the start of training camp on Aug. 1.
Sports
Colts’ Saturday will play important negotiator role
- Sports
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Longest: Terre Haute South's Tyler Seibert took just one jump, at 20 feet, 7 and three quarters of an inch, to qualify for the finals of the event in the boys track sectional Thursday evening.
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Big group of Wabash Valley boys head to Evansville looking for state berths
The top four finishers in each event from last week’s Terre Haute North, Evansville Central, Jasper and Princeton boys high school track and field sectionals will converge on Evansville Central today for regional competition.
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West Vigo comes up short against 19-9 Brown County softball
West Vigo got off to a good start but Brown County finished better in Class 3A high school softball sectional semifinal action Tuesday night at Edgewood.
The Eagles bested the Vikings 7-5 and will meet South Vermillion, a 12-7 winner over Owen Valley, for the sectional championship on Thursday starting at 6 p.m.
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Valley baseball teams have been keeping busy heading into sectionals
When high school baseball sectionals begin around the Wabash Valley today, one complaint that’s not expected to be heard from any coach is that his team has had too much time off.
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Northview powers way past Terre Haute South in sectional semifinal
Northview unleashed power rarely seen in high school girls softball Tuesday night to eliminate Terre Haute South 8-1 in the Class 4A Sectional at Martinsville High School.
The Knights hit three home runs in an eight-run third inning to reach the championship game. -
TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. -
Terre Haute North dominates field at regional
Keirra Porter took first place in two individual events and helped Terre Haute North win one of its relays as the Patriots captured the Evansville Central Regional team championship in girls high school track and field Tuesday night.
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
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PREP ROUNDUP: South tennis cruises into regional final
Terre Haute South didn’t lose a game en route to blanking Seeger 5-0 in girls high school tennis Tuesday to advance to today’s championship match against Crawfordsville in the Greencastle Regional.
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Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
South Vermillion’s Tim Terry is the longest tenured coach in Wabash Valley high school baseball as his Wildcats are set to begin sectional play Thursday against Owen Valley.
But on the Yankees, a 35-and-over team in the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League, Terry is “just a youngster” if you ask Larry Roesch, his 68-year-old teammate on the Volkers Group Yankees. -
ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
When Indiana State starting pitcher Sean Manaea slumped on the mound in obvious pain after he took his warm-up pitches, red flags raised for ISU’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament hopes.
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Big group of Wabash Valley boys head to Evansville looking for state berths
- Local Interest
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Coach: Tim Terry is the South Vermillion baseball coach and plays in the senior league on Sunday afternoons.
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Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
South Vermillion’s Tim Terry is the longest tenured coach in Wabash Valley high school baseball as his Wildcats are set to begin sectional play Thursday against Owen Valley.
But on the Yankees, a 35-and-over team in the Terre Haute Men’s Senior Baseball League, Terry is “just a youngster” if you ask Larry Roesch, his 68-year-old teammate on the Volkers Group Yankees. -
Softball sectionals up for grabs
All three Vigo County high schools and Northview appear to have a realistic chance of winning sectional championships in softball this week.
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Indiana State baseball series canceled
Heavy rain from Thursday through Saturday has forced Indiana State and Tennessee Martin to cancel their three-game weekend baseball series in northwest Tennessee.
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METRO ROUNDUP: Rose-Hulman baseball to play DePauw on Thursday after Tuesday's rain
The Rose-Hulman baseball team has rescheduled its non-conference game with DePauw to Thursday night.
The start time remains 7 p.m. for the single nine-inning game that was originally scheduled for today. Tuesday’s scheduled Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference game at Anderson was moved to Sunday because of rain. -
Vigo County Youth Soccer Association to host Indiana Soccer Cup Games
The Vigo County Youth Soccer Association will welcome more than 7,000 people to its Springhill Drive facility through two tournaments in the next five weeks.
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Terry enjoys strong year with Wildcats, and still enjoying suiting up to play
- High School
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Big group of Wabash Valley boys head to Evansville looking for state berths
The top four finishers in each event from last week’s Terre Haute North, Evansville Central, Jasper and Princeton boys high school track and field sectionals will converge on Evansville Central today for regional competition.
- West Vigo comes up short against 19-9 Brown County softball
- Valley baseball teams have been keeping busy heading into sectionals
- Northview powers way past Terre Haute South in sectional semifinal
- Terre Haute North dominates field at regional
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- College
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
Indiana State pitcher Sean Manaea has battled through so many aches and pains during the 2013 season that it can be hard to discern the serious pain from the pain he pitches through.
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ISU's Negele answers call in big way in wake of Manaea injury
When Indiana State starting pitcher Sean Manaea slumped on the mound in obvious pain after he took his warm-up pitches, red flags raised for ISU’s Missouri Valley Conference tournament hopes.
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ISU baseball hoping Manaea can get its MVC Tournament moving in right direction
Indiana State’s baseball team has been waiting all season for its stars to align.
But this is the 2013 Sycamores, after all, and after a season in which seemingly little has gone right, it appears its stars will remain crossed at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. -
ISU track sending record 22 to postseason
On the heels of their thrilling double victory at the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships both the Indiana State men and women moved up in the national rankings which were released Tuesday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
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ISU's athletic treasure trove
Think of every championship that Indiana State has won in each of its sports, past and present. Think of every tournament — postseason or regular season — which the Sycamores have claimed as their own.
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Manaea's shoulder causing him latest pain
- Sports Columns
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. - Shooters compete to fight cancer
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
- Pro Sports
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. - Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
- Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
- Colts introduce free-agent signees
- Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Terre Haute Rex
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Consultation: Rex manager Brian Dorsett talks with his pitcher and players during a time-out Sunday, July 15, at Sycamore Field. (Tribune-Star file/Bob Poynter)
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
The Terre Haute Rex went through plenty of trials and tribulations during the summer of 2012.
The team got off to a sluggish start to settle for third place during the first half of the Prospect League race, but manager Brian Dorsett rallied the troops to a second-half title. - Metro Roundup: Dorsett, Rex players honored in Prospect League postseason awards
- Rex out of playoffs
- Rex mix, match their way to win
- Rex turn eye to Prospect playoffs
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2012 an up, down season for Rex
- Colts
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
- Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
- Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
- Werner at top of game
- Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
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Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
- Auto Racing
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
In its rich 43-year history, the Tony Hulman Sprint Car Classic has long carried on a strong local racing tradition.
From its early beginnings starting in 1971, the U.S. Auto Club-sanctioned event has been the annual centerpiece of the racing calendar at the Terre Haute Action Track as well as a key stop on the USAC sprint schedule and one of the most sought after wins in big league sprint-car racing. - Carpenter arrives as Indy 500 threat
- Carpenter wins Indy 500 pole
- TRACKSIDE: Rain still a pain for Wabash Valley racing organizers
- TRACKSIDE: Tough to rise from sprint-car racing, especially in challenging financial times
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TRACKSIDE: Local drivers, owners looking to have strong night at Tony Hulman Classic
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