Colts take financial hit on Simon
Team fails to recoup $8 million bonus from injured player
By Mike Chappell
Regardless of how the Corey Simon saga is resolved, it will remain a hefty financial investment for the Indianapolis Colts.
Team president Bill Polian said Monday the team still is gathering information regarding the health of the veteran defensive tackle and has yet to make a decision on his status for the 2007 season. However, the Colts have been unsuccessful in an attempt to recover an $8 million option bonus paid Simon prior to last season as part of the five-year, $30 million contract he signed as a free agent in 2005.
Polian described the decision as a "procedural issue'' determined by a similar case involving former Denver wide receiver Ashley Lelie. Based on language in the new labor agreement, the Broncos were unable to recover an option bonus paid to Lelie. A special master ruled in Lelie's favor in November, and a March appeal affirmed that decision.
The Colts had filed documents seeking repayment from Simon, but the Lelie decision rendered the team's actions invalid. The Colts and the league had agreed to abide by the outcome of the Lelie situation.
Two additional grievances involving the Colts and Simon are expected to be heard in June. They center around the team's decisions to place Simon on the league's non-football illness/injury list last October because of an undisclosed illness and not pay him $1.9 million of his $2.5 million base salary.
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Colts take financial hit on Simon | IndyStar.com