Realizing they will not reach a contract agreement with quarterback Peyton Manning before the Tuesday deadline for designating "franchise" players, the Indianapolis Colts applied the tag to the league's co-most valuable player on Sunday. Unless a long-term deal can be worked out, he will cost the Colts $18.3 million against the cap in 2004.
General Manager Bill Polian indicated to ESPN's Len Pasquarelli that even with the cap being stretched to $80.5 million this year, he might be forced to dump some veteran contracts to make room for Manning's cap hit.
Manning joins Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, and Orlando Pace as the only players in the league, thus far, to have the franchise tag affixed to their names.
General Manager Bill Polian indicated to ESPN's Len Pasquarelli that even with the cap being stretched to $80.5 million this year, he might be forced to dump some veteran contracts to make room for Manning's cap hit.
Manning joins Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, and Orlando Pace as the only players in the league, thus far, to have the franchise tag affixed to their names.
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