Published: February 22, 2006 11:14 pm            

Reports: Reggie Wayne to re-sign with Colts

Indy wide receiver could have filed for free agency

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts team president Bill Polian is apparently a man of his word.

Polian had vowed in recent interviews that unrestricted free agent wide receiver Reggie Wayne wasn’t going anywhere. A day before Wayne could have been designated as the Colts’ franchise player, the two sides have reportedly reached an agreement that should keep the 2001 first-round draft pick in an Indianapolis uniform for the foreseeable future.

According to a story Wednesday by Jay Glazer on FOXSPORTS.com, Indianapolis and Wayne’s representatives have come to terms on a six-year, $39 million deal that includes a $13.5 million signing bonus.

The proposed contract, which has not been signed and must be cleared by the NFL’s Management Council before it can become official, would make Wayne the third-highest paid receiver in the league, right behind teammate Marvin Harrison and Oakland’s Randy Moss. Harrison had been signed to a seven-year, $63 million contract extension in December, 2004.

When asked about a possible agreement at the National Football Scouting Combine Wednesday afternoon, Polian declined comment. Repeated calls to David Dunn, Wayne’s agent, were not returned.

The upside of re-signing the 27-year old Wayne to a long-term deal is that the Colts are now free to use the franchise designation on any of the team’s other unrestricted free agents, such as running back Edgerrin James.

Indianapolis, however, is not expected to franchise James for a second straight season due to potential future salary cap concerns. NFL teams have until 3 p.m. today to make a decision on which players they wish to franchise.

No movement seen in collective bargaining discussions — It appears as there has been little movement in the ongoing discussion regarding the extension of a collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the National Football League Players Association.

According to sources cited by ProFootballTalk.com, the major sticking point between the two sides concerns how the league’s owners intend to divvy up current unshared revenues among the NFL’s 32 teams and how such a division would effect future player salaries.

NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw spoke briefly to the media Wednesday evening following a series of day-long meetings with league officials.

“There’s no progress. We told them our points and they understand out points. It’s just not there and I’m not so sure we’ll get there. They think we’re asking for too much and we think they’re not offering enough,” Upshaw said.

        

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