Simon and Colts parting ways
Irsay: Simon on way out | IndyStar.com
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- A settlement is in the works that will sever ties linking the Indianapolis Colts and defensive tackle Corey Simon.
Describing the multimillion-dollar investment in the former Pro Bowl selection prior to the 2005 season as a "bad mistake,'' owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday night the team and representatives for Simon are on the verge of a resolution that will make Simon a free agent and enable him to seek employment with some other NFL team.
"I foresee us basically coming to a settlement in terms of moving forward and him pursuing his opportunity if he chooses to someplace else,'' Irsay said after watching his Super Bowl champion Colts entertain a crowd of 3,253 with an evening workout at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
"We're moving forward and he wants to move forward. It's better to get it resolved instead of have it linger. I see it happening in the next day or two.''
Irsay did not elaborate on the negotiations with Roosevelt Barnes, Simon's agent. Barnes did not respond to a message left on his cell phone Wednesday.
One possibility is Simon agreeing to repay the Colts a portion of the $5 million signing bonus that was included in the five-year, $30 million contract he signed prior to the '05 season. The Colts failed in their attempt at recouping an $8 million option bonus they paid Simon last offseason. He is due to make a base salary of $3.955 million this season.
Without taking into account whatever Simon repays the team in any settlement, he has received more than $14 million. He started 14 games in 2005, including the postseason, but missed the entire '06 season with a knee injury and an undisclosed illness, reportedly polyarthritis.
Simon, 30, did not report to Rose-Hulman with the rest of his teammates Sunday. Barnes said his client took a physical in Indianapolis on Friday -- the Colts said he failed the exam -- and was sent back to his home in Tallahassee, Fla.
The Simon saga, Irsay indicated, only reinforces his belief that investing in the NFL's free agent market is risky business.
"We've made our success from great drafting and keeping our excellent players,'' he said.
When president Bill Polian and coach Tony Dungy approached Irsay about signing Simon, "I was for going for it,'' Irsay said. "But ultimately as an owner you know there's risk involved there.
"It simply didn't work out . . . but you still have to be aggressive and take opportunities when they come up. Free agency has proven to be a risky proposition when you're bringing in players that you didn't draft, that didn't come up in your system. Sometimes that mesh just isn't there.''
Irsay kept Dungy in the loop throughout the process.
"I didn't know how far along they were,'' Dungy said, "but I knew (a settlement) was a direction we were going.'''
Possible Cowboy Future?????