Rookie Rob Hunt contract is a 3-year deal similar to what many of the draft class of 2005 signed, but that was the only detail his agent, Kevin Omell, would reveal. As to how the negotiation went, he said, "“I would describe them as standard negotiations for draft picks of the Indianapolis Colts. That’s not a bad thing. Every team has its own style."
And although he wasn't signed until over half of the draft class was squared away, Omell said there was no doubt that Hunt would be in camp on time.
"Rob wanted no part of holding out,” he said.
Colts undrafted rookie Lou Lombardo out of Maryland may have a tough time getting his family to cheer for his team this season. His parents and many of his relatives are old Baltimore Colts fans who are now Ravens fans. Even Lombardo had to find a window scraper en route to his rookie mini-camp when he realized that he had a Ravens sticker on his car.
"I was 2 years old when the Colts left," Lombardo said. "It pains me to see how my parents and aunts and uncles react to my Colts stuff. But I think they're getting used to the idea."
Jeff Legwold at the Rocky Mountain News takes a look at the teams in the AFC today, and he thinks the key to the Colts improving over last year hinges on "finding a way to play with a little more power, a little more edge, and they did not really do much to the roster in the off-season to get that done. That is their dilemma as they head into training camp. The Colts have to do all that on defense with largely the same players who were part of the problem in the first place."
Mike Vanderjagt took the high road on Wednesday as he met the media and they hit him with questions about rookie kicker Dave Rayner's addition to the roster. "It's nothing new," Vanderjagt said. "It's fine with me. I'll kick field goals and be happy to do it." The Indianapolis Star has more on his comments along with a few other quick hits on Bob Sanders, Peyton Manning and Brandon Stokley.
The debate about Edgerrin James' rumored plan to avoid the trip to Tokyo with the team has already begun. In response to questions from the media, the Star also reports that Manning believes James should be making the trip while Vanderjagt said he's fine with him missing it -- as long as the running back is ready to go against Baltimore in the regular season opener. Check out the Star's All Present And Accounted For" article.
One quote by Manning that isn't in the Star's article in regards to James' desire not to go to Tokyo was very much to the point. Ever the leader, Manning left no margin for error on where he stands on the issue.
"I want to play in the Masters, too, but you don't get everything you want," he said.
One of the classiest players ever to line up at tight end for the Colts was Ken Dilger, who spent the last three seasons in Tampa Bay. Dilger announced his retirement after ten years in the NFL and can be proud of the reputation he established as a player who would do whatever asked. Dilger became best known for the great balance he brought to his position, showing great skill in both his blocking execution his ability to pull in a pass. He finishes his career with 356 receptions for 4,099 yards with 24 touchdowns in 156 games.
The Colts cut former QB Mark Hermann from their radio broadcasting team after looking at research that indicated that radio teams of two announcers are more effective than a three-man booth. The Colts opted to keep Bob Lamey and former head coach Ted Marchibroda.
"I was just shocked I wasn't one of the two (to remain)," said Herrmann.
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