Colts Sign Edgerrin James

[Renz]

James signs franchise tender with Colts

By John Clayton, ESPN.com

Colts halfback Edgerrin James shocked the team Wednesday by signing his one-year, $8.081 million tender as a franchise player.

James, who has been given permission to shop his services, now would be fined if he holds out of training camp. There has been a limited trade market this offseason for veteran halfback. The Bucs, Cardinals and Dolphins are the three main teams looking to find a new featured back.

James rushed for 1,548 yards (fourth most in the NFL) and nine touchdowns last season, and also caught 51 passes for 483 yards.

For the Colts, this is great news because it gives them the confidence that James will be with the team this year unless they get the right trade offer.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2014597&CMP=OTC-DT9705204233

 

[SeattleCard]

Fine with me...

 

[Lex]

He's just a tradeable today as he was yesterday. By signing the tender, he may be MORE attractive to potential employers, since he is currently under an NFL contract. He won't hold out on ANYONE.

Edge never plays in preseason games anyway.

 

[MadCardDisease]

$8 Million is a ton of money for one year. I think that is more money than any other team would be willing to pay him at this point. I think James did the smart thing. He tested the waters and realized the Market wasn't that great for RB's this year so he signed the offer before the Colts could take it off the table. Now the Colts are stuck with his $8 million contract this year unless they trade him.

 

[40yearfan]

$8 Million is a ton of money for one year. I think that is more money than any other team would be willing to pay him at this point. I think James did the smart thing. He tested the waters and realized the Market wasn't that great for RB's this year so he signed the offer before the Colts could take it off the table. Now the Colts are stuck with his $8 million contract this year unless they trade him.

Does that whole $8 million go against the Colts cap for this year?

 

[Evil Ash]

Does that whole $8 million go against the Colts cap for this year?

Yes, it does.

 

[ajcardfan]

Does that whole $8 million go against the Colts cap for this year?

Yes.

Pretty shrewd move by James. It literally forces the Colts to give him the deal he wants to reduce his cap hit or trade him. By signing it before the deadline, the Colts can trade him any time now without losing the right to tag next year. So, he's greasing the skids to get traded.

 

[Mulli]

Yes.

Pretty shrewd move by James. It literally forces the Colts to give him the deal he wants to reduce his cap hit or trade him. By signing it before the deadline, the Colts can trade him any time now without losing the right to tag next year. So, he's greasing the skids to get traded.

Greasing the skids? That is just gross.

 

[ajcardfan]

Greasing the skids? That is just gross.

I guess that saying has a different meaning for you. There's nothing gross about it, as far as I know.

 

[Mulli]

I guess that saying has a different meaning for you. There's nothing gross about it, as far as I know.

Oops. Just kidding.

 

[Lex]

I think "greasing the skids" comes from the ancient Egyptian practice of using skids to transport those huge stones up to the pyramids during construction. The stones slid better if they "greased the skids."

Nowadays, there is a growing theory that they actually used sails to harness prevailing winds to lift the stones.

Carry on ...

 

[slanidrac16]

What it does mean is that the colts CANNOT sign him to a long term deal until after july 15th . If they did they would not be able to use the franchise tag for the length of the new contract.

Shaun Alexander on the other hand has said he WILL NOT play for the Seahawks at the tendered offer.

Teams are starting to come to grips that other teams are not going to give them 2 first round picks for ANYBODY that is tagged. They only value a the tag has now is to give a team more time to strike a deal just like the Bengals did with Rudi Johnson.

 

[Billy Flynt]

What it does mean is that the colts CANNOT sign him to a long term deal until after july 15th . If they did they would not be able to use the franchise tag for the length of the new contract.

Actually the Colts still are not in the position to sign him long term anyway regardless of the deadline. I still think that he will be traded before the draft.