The Edge signs his franchise tender
 

I just picked this up off the wire looking for info regarding the Hartwell Eagles rumor I hope it helps in our pursuit of Surtain




Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts' career rushing leader is staying put -- for now.

Former two-time NFL rushing champion Edgerrin James signed a one-year franchise offer that will pay him a little more than $8 million this year, the Colts confirmed Wednesday.

The move comes one week after Colts president Bill Polian told James' new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, that the Colts could not afford to sign James to a long-term contract. Rosenhaus has since tried to work out a deal after Polian told him the Colts would not require a first-round draft pick in exchange for the three-time Pro Bowler.

A message was left Wednesday by The Associated Press at Rosenhaus' office.

James, 26, has said he wants a long-term deal, so a trade is still possible.

He is coming off his best season since tearing a ligament in his left knee in October 2001. James rushed for 1,548 yards and nine touchdowns, caught 51 passes for 483 yards and had a career-high average of 4.6 yards per carry last season.

The deal means Indianapolis could keep its triplets -- James, quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Marvin Harrison -- together for a seventh straight year. Together, they have led Indianapolis to three division titles and five playoff appearances in six years. The only year the Colts missed the playoffs was 2001, when James missed the last 10 games.

Indianapolis already has a backup plan in case it does trade James.

In February, backup Dominic Rhodes signed a two-year deal that will pay him $1.3 million in base salary in 2005 and 2006. Rhodes rushed for 1,104 yards -- an NFL record for undrafted rookies -- when he replaced James in 2001, but since then only has seen spot duty because of shoulder and knee injuries.

James has rushed for 7,720 yards and 51 touchdowns, and caught 312 passes for 2,502 yards in six seasons. He has topped 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season three times.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?...nfl&id=2014733

trade imminent, no other reason to cave and sign the tender

Agreed.

He is only staying for one year at 8 million, while he looks for another team that offers a long term contract.....The site I was reading had him implying he is doing the colts a favor.:rolleyes:

I can think of eight million reasons to sign. But in this case you are probably correct. Wonder where he will go next?

Possible or could have gotten a tough dose of cold reality that no other team wants to pay big bucks for a RB that has lost his lateral quickness.

I honestly think many teams have learned that if you have a good system that tons of RB's can perform at a high level and it is a position that doesn't warrant big money. The Donks and Washington trade last year has really driven that point home lately. But the fact that Seattle and the Colts haven't had a easy time dealing two young RB studs that most people would consider among the top 5 RB's in the league speaks volumes to that.