Indianapolis Colts retain DE Robert Mathis & Dwight Freeney on long-term contracts-NFL News
Indianapolis Colts have confirmed retaining the pair of defensive ends, Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney, on revised contracts.
The term of the deals, their value and length of the contract are unknown.
Mathis was reported to have reached the deal few minutes after Colts placed their tag on the player.
Chuck Pagano, who recently deserted the Baltimore Ravens to join Colts as the head coach, said both players were crucial to the team’s defence and always on the priority of signing contract extensions.
Pagano said:
"First and foremost, we're going to make sure that we put both of those guys in position to make plays. I don't think it would be very smart on my part or anybody else's part to make sure that doesn't happen."
The players will be working with Pagano for the first time, as the team, following the worst season of the franchise history, has revamped the entire group of managers and coaches.
Now they have new general manager, Ryan Grigson, new head coach and many new assistant coaches.
It is not clear yet what sort of arrangement the new head coach is going to ploy on the defensive line, but Pagano is optimistic both players will have the leading and crucial role in the team.
Mathis and Freeney are on the top of the league’s defence ratings and have developed a sort of reputation of offence-wreckers, and probably it was their impressive performances that prompted the management to redo their deals.
Colts’ new general manager, Ryan Grigson said:
"We're going to do our best to keep everyone we can here. We've chipped away at one big thing after another and we're going to try to do our best to keep the talent in-house.”
He added:
“I have evaluated everybody, and I think there's a lot of talent here. We just have to find out a way and how to best manage it, do what's best for the organisation moving forward."
After this move, Colts’ management is facing one of the most challenging jobs on hand, and that is to come up with a decision on the future of quarterback, Peyton Manning, who missed the entire last season owing to a neck injury.
The QB is due an amount of $28 million optional bonus from the team and if they do not come up with their final choice on the payment, he is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Colts have the deadline of March 08, 2012 to reach a decision regarding the bonus payment. If they agree to pay the amount, it will activate the player’s deal for another four years or else he will hit the free agency which will open on March 13, 2012.
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