Posted on 10/06/2006 2:36:36 PM PDT by mainepatsfan
Irsay: Colts won't pay Simon Defensive tackle out for year with unspecified illness
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indianapolis Colts will not pay the balance of defensive tackle Corey Simon's salary -- about $2 million, team owner Jim Irsay told a newspaper Friday.
Simon, who has not practiced or played since injuring his left knee the first full week of training camp, was placed on the National Football League's non-football injury list Thursday. The team said it was because of illness, not injury, but cited federal privacy laws for not disclosing the sickness.
Irsay told The Indianapolis Star that the team would not pay the balance of Simon's base salary.
The Associated Press left a message with the Colts seeking comment on the report.
The Colts already have paid Simon approximately $14 million since he signed a five-year, $30 million contract before the 2005 season. He counts about $5.5 million against the salary cap this season, which Irsay said would not be affected.
Coach Tony Dungy says the team plans to scan the waiver wires and rotate their defensive line to try to fill in for the 6-foot-2, 325-pound run stuffer.
(Excerpt) Read more at sportsillustrated.cnn.com ...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2615447
The union will probably fight Indy if they try not to pay him.
Is that ESPNspeak for illegal substance in his latest drug test? It just seems rather unusual for a team to try and dodge paying a contract unless there's a sound reason, and a bad knee doesn't fit that bill.
Reading too much into it. The Colts contend that polyarthritis was not caused by a football related activity. This is far different than just a "bad knee".
The same thing would happen if a player developed cancer or heart problems.
I think this underscores the misconception that many have about NFL players and NFL contracts in general. The NFL is not like the NBA or MLB - in the NFL if you don't perform you don't get paid.
This is the main reason why NFL players are so intent on getting paid NOW.
I'm not sure who Indy can find on the waiver wire. It's getting a bit late for a trade but they might not have a choice.
Reggie Wayne for Jonathan Sullivan?
They're not that desperate.
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