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HOT TOPIC
The recent additions of free agents Shaun King and Terrence Wilkins are viewed as no-lose situations by Colts coach Tony Dungy.
King and Wilkins both signed one-year $585,000 contracts with Indianapolis. If either one are released before the start of the regular season, their base salaries won't be a major hindrance to the team's salary cap.
"There's no risk," Dungy said recently. "You've got two guys who have been in a lot of big games, have been productive and know what it takes to function in the NFL."
While King is expected to battle for the Colts' No. 3 quarterback slot, Wilkins could move in to resume as role as Indianapolis' primary punt returner.
Signed initially by Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent in 1999, the diminutive Wilkins made an early name for himself returning punts and working as a slot receiver. With the decision not to re-sign Troy Walters (now with Arizona), the Colts now have an opening for a player to fill both roles once again.
In 41 career games with Indianapolis, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound receiver was responsible 10 touchdowns (seven receiving, one kickoff return and two punt returns). He had 43 catches for 569 yards, both career highs, and added three touchdown catches during the 2000 season.
After being traded to the St. Louis Rams in 2002, Wilkins also spent time with the Miami Dolphins. But he has not played in an NFL regular-season game since 2003, which includes his last appearance in an Indianapolis uniform.
Wilkins has averaged 9.1 yards on 123 career punt returns, 98 of those coming during two previous stints with the Colts.
PLAYER NOTES
--It looks more and more like second-year CB Marlin Jackson will remain at his current position. The Colts had contemplated moving Jackson to safety. But, for now, that appears to be on the back burner.
"Corners are hard to find," according to Colts coach Tony Dungy. "If you've got a good guy at corner, you really need some type of good reason to move him."
--With safeties Mike Doss (shoulder) and Bob Sanders (arm) recovering from off-season surgeries, youth is being served during the Colts' offseason workouts.
Second-year players Matt Giordano and Chris Laskowski, along with rookies Antoine Bethea and Antwan Marsh, are getting plenty of work behind veterans Gerome Sapp and Dexter Reid.
--Chris Laskowski, signed as an undrafted free agent after the 2005 NFL draft, appears to be making a smooth transition from linebacker to safety.
Laskowski was an undersized linebacker (5-9, 210) who has impressed the Colts with his hustle and ability to deliver a big hit. He spent a portion of the 2005 season on Indianapolis' practice squad.
--WIBC-AM 1070 will carry broadcasts of Indianapolis Colts games beginning with the 2007 season. The games will also be simulcast on 97.1 FM.
The home station for the team's radio network is currently WFBQ-FM, which will continue to carry the Colts for the 2006 season.
--A detailed model of the new Lucas Oil Stadium -- complete with a retractable roof and window -- was unveiled recently.
The approximately 4-foot long, 3-foot wide model, which cost $104,655, was constructed as a marketing tool to help lure vendors who might want to do convention business with the city.
"If we sell one convention because of this model, the return is about a thousand times that number," said David Frick, chairman of the stadium authority, about the model's cost.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
Most of the players who have been held out of all or portions of the team's offseason work also are expected to be ready for the opening of training camp.
That list includes WRs Marvin Harrison (hand/elbow) and Aaron Moorehead (back), safeties Bob Sanders (arm) and Mike Doss (shoulder), CBs Marlin Jackson (shoulder), Jason David (sports hernia) and Tim Jennings (ankle) and LBs Cato June (knee/sports hernia) and Keith O'Neil (shoulder).
Harrison's recent elbow surgery appears to have been successful, according to coach Tony Dungy.
"He (Harrison) told me if there was anything wrong, he'd let me know," Dungy said, adding that he hasn't heard anything to make him believe that Harrison won't be available for training camp.
MEDICAL WATCH: LB Gary Brackett underwent surgery recently to repair a slightly torn groin muscle. That ended his on-field participation in the team's voluntary summer school and added him to a long list of teammates who are recovering from offseason medical procedures.
Brackett is expected be available when the team reports to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute July 30 for the start of training camp.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--LB Rocky Calmus (not tendered June 1).
--S Joseph Jefferson (not tendered June 1).
--OT Kurt Vollers (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--LB Keith O'Neil proved to be a pretty good special teams performer last year after arriving from Dallas. Was sidelined with a shoulder injury midway through the year.
--LB Keyon Whiteside is recovering from a serious knee injury that has curtailed his career the last two seasons. Has shown some upside when able to practice.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--LB Gary Brackett: Potential RFA; $10M/4 yrs, $3.5M guaranteed.
--DE Raheem Brock: Potential UFA; terms unknown.
--OT Makoa Freitas: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
--LB Cato June: RFA; $1.573M/1 yr.
--OG Ryan Lilja: ERFA; $385,000/1 yr.
--DE Robert Mathis: RFA; $2.097M/1 yr.
--WR Aaron Moorehead: RFA; terms unknown, had been tendered at $721,600.
--LB Rob Morris: UFA; terms unknown.
--RB James Mungro: UFA; $585,000/1 yr.
--S Gerome Sapp: RFA; terms unknown, had been tendered at $721,600.
--TE Ben Utecht: ERFA; $350,000/1 yr.
--WR Reggie Wayne: Potential UFA; $36M/6 yrs, $12.5M SB; 2006 cap: $4.68M.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--QB Shaun King: FA; $585,000/1 yr.
--PK Adam Vinatieri: UFA Patriots; $12.5M/5 yrs, $3.5M SB.
--WR Terrence Wilkins: FA; $585,000/1 yr.
PLAYERS LOST
--QB Josh Brown (released).
--PK Jose Cortez (released; had been re-signed as UFA).
--OT Joaquin Gonzalez (released).
--RB Edgerrin James: UFA Cardinals; $30M/4 yrs, $7M SB/$4.5 RB.
--WR Brad Pyatt: Not tendered as RFA/Rams; $432,500/1 yr, $7,500 SB).
--LB David Thornton: UFA Titans; $22M/5 yrs, $8.5M SB.
--DT Larry Tripplett: UFA Bills; $18M/5 yrs, $5.5M SB.
--PK Mike Vanderjagt: UFA Cowboys; $5.5M/3 yrs, $2.5M SB.
--WR Troy Walters: UFA Cardinals; terms unknown.
--DT Josh Williams (released).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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