Report: Colts extend Harrison's contract to 7-year-deal

ItalianStallion · #1 (**permalink**) 12-08-2004

Well, with all the speculation of Marvelous Marvin being a free agent this year, this news eases the hearts of Colts' fans:

Quote:

BRISTOL, Connecticut (Ticker) - Peyton Manning apparently will not have to worry about losing his favorite target.
ESPN is reporting the Colts have signed five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Marvin Harrison to a seven-year contract worth $67 million. According to the report, Harrison is guaranteed $22 million between now and 2006. The deal also included a $6 million signing bonus.

One of the NFL's elite wide receivers, Harrison was in the final year of his contract. He also was one of the Colts' key free agents along with running back Edgerrin James.

Harrison, 32, is the top target for Manning, who has passed for 44 touchdowns this season, four shy of tying Hall of Famer Dan Marino's single-season record of 48 set in 1984. Selected 19th overall in 1996, Harrison holds franchise records in catches (826), yards (10,942) and touchdowns (95). He also holds the club record with 46 100-yard games and has at least one reception in 135 straight games.

Manning and Harrison have hooked up for 80 touchdowns in their careers, second all-time to Steve Young and Jerry Rice (85).

Earlier this year, the Colts signed Manning to a seven-year, $98 million deal, including a $34 million signing bonus.

In 2002, Harrison set the NFL record for receptions in a season with 143. He also is the only player in league history with four straight 100-yard catch seasons, although he had that streak snapped last season. Harrison has 67 receptions for 870 yards and 12 touchdowns this season for the Colts, who lead the NFL in scoring at 35.9 points per game.

credit to KFFL.com for this article

#2 (**permalink**) 12-08-2004

good...now they just have to get Edge back

#3 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by redskins8056

good...now they just have to get Edge back

Which would be straight up stupid. Edge could have been resigned after the gimpy 03 season he had. Now, in terms of money, he's untouchable. They can sign him, but it'd mean playing practice squaders on defense (and whatever the jokes may be, they need some sort of defense).

Personally I think this was a poor decision, Harrison is of a certain age right now and the price tag is straight up insane. Colts really must have had some space under the cap to sign both players to these meteoric numbers. I expect a big chunk of Harrison's pay will be squeezed out in the next 2 seasons. What bothers me is that there's no guarantee Marvin will be a Jimmy Smith and not a Jerry Rice (y'all know what I mean).

So, check the alternative - let Marvin go, keep Stokley and Wayne. Sure, productivity will decrease, but you dont NEED 50 passing touchdowns every season, this team has the luxury of OVERPRODUCTION. The important point however, is that with the space Marv now occupies, a free agent defensive player like Fred Smoot could've been signed. Heck they could've traded Marv away, why dont more people do that when the contract's expiring?

It's just silly, with Harrison still there, we're all set for Peyton Manning to have the greatest QB numbers (yardage, TDs) ever, but I dont believe it'll lead to many superbowls. This team will end up the being the airhead bimbo of the NFL - pretty, ocassionally phenomenal, never good enough to sustain winning beyond the divisional playoffs.

titansrule · #4 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

a team with no O but a great D doesnt advance far into the playoffs. but a team witha great O and no D can...curtesy of mike irvin and the other guy on MNF, forgot his name.

Dlove · #5 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by titansrule

a team with no O but a great D doesnt advance far into the playoffs. but a team witha great O and no D can...curtesy of mike irvin and the other guy on MNF, forgot his name.

What about the Ravens and Tampa bay. Both teams had great D's with no O"s. Irving must have forgotten these 2 teams.

I agree with this signing but it makes me wonder how long they figure that they can win without a Defense, or do they think that they have something solid to build on already. If this is what they are thinking then they see something that I don't. I also wonder where this leaves Edge. I really think they need him. He's part of the reason their playaction is so good. I guess that's why they make the big bucks, cause they see things that we don't.

titansrule · #6 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

yeah thats what i thought as i quoted it, but maybe he was referring to this year....

Dlove · #7 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

Sometimes he says things just to be saying things. U can give me a great D anyday!

cashpath · #8 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

Maybe he was referring to before the NFL made great defenses obsolete by impletmenting the new stresses on the illegal contact after 5 yards rule..

ItalianStallion · #9 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dlove

I also wonder where this leaves Edge. I really think they need him. He's part of the reason their playaction is so good. I guess that's why they make the big bucks, cause they see things that we don't.

I disagree. I don't think they need him. With Edge still in recovery in the last few seasons this team has gone 11-5 and 10-6, respectively. You can argue any numbers you want, but I watched the game and he was not running with heart at all, especially in 2002. Dominic Rhodes and James Mungro can handle the load, they're good backs. I think the Colts would be just fine with Edge not around.

Dlove · #10 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

I realize that the other two backs are good but to me Edge requires more attention. that's why I feel the playaction works better when he's in the game(when he's 100% like he's been this year). Plus I have never seen a team go to the big game playing runningback by commitee(Or a good Defense). When u have a top back like James I think u keep him. He's one of the keys to their offense and his yardage will be missed if he's not there. Just my opinion.

cashpath · #11 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

Well... Edge will be 28-29 next year.. I think he is to old for a long big deal.. I think as much as edge may be a large part of the play action pass that his 4.9 yards a carry has a lot to do with teams being deathly afraid of manning and that passing attack

Just my 3.14 cents..

Dlove · #12 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

I think they go hand n hand. When u play their o u have to pick which one to take away. If he's gone they'll be able to key on Manning a lot more then they do now. The run plays a big part in what they do. Put Kijana Carter back there and see how well the playaction works.

cashpath · #13 (**permalink**) 12-09-2004

Put Julius Jones back thier and see how it works

SlickRick1382 · #14 (**permalink**) 12-10-2004

They do have enough money to sign Edge and Stokley this offseason.

"The structure of Harrison's contract will allow enough flexibility for the Colts to try to find a way to keep running back Edgerrin James. There is a $7 million roster bonus that can be converted into a signing bonus in order to lower Harrison's cap number in 2005 to around only $3.2 million.

There also is a $10 million flexible roster bonus that can be converted into signing bonus to help the salary cap in 2006."

"Along with James, Stokley will be among the Colts' next targets for re-signing. He's a free agent after this season."

Finally about giving that money to Harrison