Posted at 4:56 p.m., Monday, February 19, 2007
Dungy to return to coach Colts; Freeney franchised
By Erik Matuszewski
Bloomberg News Service
Dungy, 51, said the day after the Colts' Feb. 4 Super Bowl victory that he was likely coming back. He confirmed he'd coach next season during a news conference today in Indianapolis to preview this weekend's National Football League draft combine.
"I wouldn't say it was an easy decision, but it was the right one, and it didn't take overly long to make," Dungy said, according to comments on the team's Web site.
Dungy is under contract through the 2009 season and has a 67-24 record in five seasons with Indianapolis. The Colts' 29-17 Super Bowl win over the Chicago Bears made Dungy the first black coach to win a championship in the NFL's 85-year history.
"You want to defend the title," Dungy said. "We've got such a great group of guys, that's what eventually draws you back every year."
In tying up Freeney with the franchise tag, the Colts are required to offer the three-time Pro Bowl selection a one-year contract worth $8.6 million, the average salary of the NFL's five highest-paid defensive ends. Freeney was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent March 2.
Colts President Bill Polian said the team will continue negotiating a multiyear contract with Freeney's representatives. Freeney, who turned 27 today, has 46 1/2 sacks in five seasons with the Colts.
"We made it pretty clear that he wasn't going to go anywhere," Polian said at a news conference. "I've had a good talk with his agent today. We'll continue to talk with the idea of putting together a long-term deal."
