HEAV
03-14-2006, 07:17 PM
Michael Marot, of the Associated Press, reports the Indianapolis Colts paid out a $1.45 million bonus Saturday, March 11, to keep RB Dominic Rhodes under contract next season, his agent, Mike McCartney, said Tuesday, March 14. The move, combined with the loss of free agent RB Edgerrin James to Arizona over the weekend, means Rhodes will presumably compete for the starting job during this summer's training camp. "Everything we've heard from them has been great," McCartney said. "Dominic's got his chance, and he's thrilled and chomping at the bit to get into the offseason program right now." With team president Bill Polian already saying the Colts are likely to sit out the first few weeks of free agency, it's more likely the Colts will use an early round draft pick on a running back in April who will compete with Rhodes for the starting job. With a base salary of about $550,000 next year, Rhodes will count $2 million against the $102 million salary cap.