Associated Press
The NFL notebook …
INDIANAPOLIS ó Marvin Harrison’s reluctance to take a pay cut could mark the end of his career in Indianapolis.
Colts president Bill Polian told reporters Sunday at the NFL’s annual scouting combine that the team was trying to rework Harrison’s deal to lower the receiver’s salary cap number from approximately $13.4 million, the highest number of any wide out in the NFL.
But a person familiar with the negotiations, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team has not made an announcement, later told The Associated Press that Harrison “probably would not be interested in” reducing his base salary.
If Harrison decides against a redoing his contract, the only other options for the Colts would be to keep Harrison at his cap number or to release him.
Harrison has been one of the Colts’ most identifiable players since their move to Indianapolis. He ranks No. 2 in the NFL in career receptions (1,102) and holds all of the franchise’s major career and season receiving records.
He is also 36 years old, coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career ó he missed all but five games in 2007 ó and with the Colts in a salary cap crunch, Polian may not be able to keep Harrison at his current price.
CRABTREE UPDATE
INDIANAPOLIS ó Michael Crabtree was quick on his feet Sunday, and if he does the same thing for NFL scouts next month the stress fracture in his left foot might soon be forgotten.
In an odd scene at the league’s annual scouting combine, Crabtree strolled quickly across the media room moments after Patriots coach Bill Belichick finished speaking. He walked up a couple of steps, smiled at reporters and then gave a 20-second statement confirming the decision to delay surgery so he could run in front of scouts during next month’s personal workout.
“It’s an old injury that I’ve been having, but I never had any pain in it,” he said. “I will run my 40, and after that I will have surgery.”
With that, Crabtree exited stage left, taking no questions.