BDK
04-25-2006, 02:59 AM
INDIANAPOLIS (April 24, 2006) -- Colts Pro Bowl linebacker Cato June signed a one-year contract.
His agent said June still wants a long-term deal with the Colts.
"The guy's a young, ascending Pro Bowl player, and it would be in the team's best interest to get a deal done as soon as possible," Brian Mackler said. "If they don't, then there are 31 other teams that will value what Cato does."
June, who had five interceptions in 2005, became a restricted free agent last month and drew a lot of interest from other NFL teams, Mackler said.
"But people don't give up first-round picks that easily," he said of the compensation the Colts would have been entitled to had they decided not to match whatever offer June received elsewhere.
June was a backup in 11 games as a rookie in 2003. He started every game in 2004 and blossomed last season in his second year as a starter. He had 109 tackles (third most on the team), returned two interceptions for touchdowns and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
He was one of seven Colts players selected as Pro Bowl starters.
June has "a strong desire to stay in Indianapolis," Mackler said. "But you need two to dance. ... They haven't approached us about doing a long-term deal."
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Copyright 2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
His agent said June still wants a long-term deal with the Colts.
"The guy's a young, ascending Pro Bowl player, and it would be in the team's best interest to get a deal done as soon as possible," Brian Mackler said. "If they don't, then there are 31 other teams that will value what Cato does."
June, who had five interceptions in 2005, became a restricted free agent last month and drew a lot of interest from other NFL teams, Mackler said.
"But people don't give up first-round picks that easily," he said of the compensation the Colts would have been entitled to had they decided not to match whatever offer June received elsewhere.
June was a backup in 11 games as a rookie in 2003. He started every game in 2004 and blossomed last season in his second year as a starter. He had 109 tackles (third most on the team), returned two interceptions for touchdowns and was voted to the Pro Bowl for the first time.
He was one of seven Colts players selected as Pro Bowl starters.
June has "a strong desire to stay in Indianapolis," Mackler said. "But you need two to dance. ... They haven't approached us about doing a long-term deal."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved