Andrew’s Lucky Deal
The deal is $140 million over the next six years with an $87 million signing bonus and $47 million up front, due the day of signing. Number 12 is now the highest paid player in NFL history. As to the Colts and Jimmy Irsay, Andrew thanks you, the IRS thanks you, and every other starting quarterback in the NFL thanks you! The bar is now set higher for all the the leagues players. Every player’s agent is now chomping at the bit for client’s contracts to be negotiated. If Andrew Luck’s coming off a disappointing, injury filled season can command that kind of dough, just think what I can get for my guy and what my commission will be! Luck is now the league’s highest paid player, but probably won’t be for long. A number of high profile NFL players will be up for new contracts in 2017 and they will be looking at Andrew’s contract as a base for their own contract negotiations
Ever since the end of the 2015 season Jimmy Irsay has been proclaiming that Luck would receive an earthshaking, record setting contract and, of course, he came through. The sports world was watching as the negotiations continued through the spring and early summer with Irsay claiming he wanted to get the deal done before training camp. The Colts claim it is a team friendly deal which will allow the team extra money under the salary cap to pursue other free agents and rookies in the six year period. Luck even gave up a year of free agency — most contracts are for five rather than six years. But it’s hard to feel sorry for him and the feeling is that he had better produce a Super Bowl victory during that time.
For Colts fans and NFL fans around the league, the contract seemed outrageous and it appeared that the Colts overpaid for Luck’s services and he isn’t worth it. There’s an old adage, however, that says “ I am worth that money, because I can get it!”
Oddly enough there are now NFL player agents and media experts that contend that Luck may have gotten screwed just a little, that he could have held out for more money or better benefits. Tell that to a teacher, or a policeman, or nurse, or American soldier…. or a sports writer! However, what it comes down to is now the Colts have Andrew Luck’s services locked up for the next six years. Now it’s time to build a championship team around him.
Marvin Harrison & Tony Dungy in the NFL Hall of Fame
The Colts’ greatest receiver, Marvin Harrison, is a member of the 2016 NFL Hall of Fame induction class. Harrison was the Colts’ first round draft pick in 1996 out of Syracuse. He and Peyton Manning combined to become one of the all time great passing-receiving duos in NFL history. In 2002 Harrison set a single season receiving record that still stands with 143 catches. Harrison is the Colts’ all time leading receiver with 1,102 receptions. That number puts him in third place among the NFL’s all-time leading pass receivers. A native of Philadelphia, Harrison retired after the 2008 season. Jimmy Irsay, with help from Peyton Manning, will give Marvin’s induction speech.
Tony Dungy, the Colts’ greatest coach, is also in the class so it will be it will be quite a day for Colts fans. The Colts will be playing the Packers at the Hall of Fame Field in Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the NFL. The Colts will be playing the Packers in the first preseason game of the season there at Canton. The Hall of Fame game will mark the official beginning of the 2016-17 NFL season. The game will be played on August 7th, just a little over a month away.
2016 Time and Away
We have now entered the second half of 2016. By now your new year’s resolutions should be well under way and you should be dating things 2016 without even thinking about it Yep, you should really be into 2016 by now. But if you are like most people you simple can’t believe that July is here already.
The second half of the sports year will be really exciting. The Olympics, the World Series, the Brickyard 400, the beginning of the football season, the beginning of the basketball season and on and on. Get ready for some really exciting moments as the second half of 2016 unfolds. I can hardly wait!