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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 Wednesday that will pay him a little more than $8 million this year. But that won't slow James' efforts to get a long-term deal or seek a trade.
"We think by making the move, it will help facilitate either a long-term deal or enhance our chances of working out a trade,'' said Drew Rosenhaus, James' agent. "We've always stated we are not interested in playing out a one-year deal.''
The move comes one week after team president Bill Polian told Rosenhaus that the Colts could not afford to sign James to a long-term contract.
Rosenhaus has been trying to work out a trade ever since, a deal Polian told Rosenhaus would not require a first-round draft pick in exchange for the three-time Pro Bowler.
The Colts now are prohibited from reaching a long-term agreement with James before mid-July, or they would lose the franchise tag for the length of the contract.
"We are going to try and work something out, preferably with the Colts and if not, with another team,'' Rosenhaus said. "It does not preclude the Colts from trading him and working out a long-term deal with another team.''
The deal means Indianapolis could keep its triplets - James, quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Marvin Harrison - intact 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. James, 26, 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.
If James is traded, Indianapolis could move to Plan B.
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.
Rhodes' agent has said that he is looking for a starting job next season, and that could still come in Indianapolis.
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.
Source: AP
Former two-time NFL rushing champion Edgerrin James signed a one-year franchise offer Wednesday that will pay him a little more than $8 million this year. But that won't slow James' efforts to get a long-term deal or seek a trade.
"We think by making the move, it will help facilitate either a long-term deal or enhance our chances of working out a trade,'' said Drew Rosenhaus, James' agent. "We've always stated we are not interested in playing out a one-year deal.''
The move comes one week after team president Bill Polian told Rosenhaus that the Colts could not afford to sign James to a long-term contract.
Rosenhaus has been trying to work out a trade ever since, a deal Polian told Rosenhaus would not require a first-round draft pick in exchange for the three-time Pro Bowler.
The Colts now are prohibited from reaching a long-term agreement with James before mid-July, or they would lose the franchise tag for the length of the contract.
"We are going to try and work something out, preferably with the Colts and if not, with another team,'' Rosenhaus said. "It does not preclude the Colts from trading him and working out a long-term deal with another team.''
The deal means Indianapolis could keep its triplets - James, quarterback Peyton Manning and wide receiver Marvin Harrison - intact 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. James, 26, 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.
If James is traded, Indianapolis could move to Plan B.
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.
Rhodes' agent has said that he is looking for a starting job next season, and that could still come in Indianapolis.
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.
Source: AP