Ben Utecht

When the Bengals signed restricted free agent tight end Ben Utecht to a three-year offer sheet before the 2008 season, there was a chorus of fans singing "finally" after the Indianapolis Colts elected not to match. Cincinnati had just signed a tight end with the potential to stretch the field. Yet the Bengals in 2008 lost Carson Palmer for 12 games and Utecht was virtually negligible in a defunct passing offense that was highlighted with...  

+ MAKING FORBES LIST. Just in case you missed it on Wednesday, Forbes released a list of the Top 10 Influencers in the Business of Sports. The list they developed captured three categories, ranging from reach (size of the audience), resonance (activity that influencer creates when publishing) and relevance (to a particular online conversation based on frequency of keyword use). What's great is that there are five members of SB...  

CINCINNATI—Ben Utecht is writing songs for his next album at his ... At the same time, you want to try your best to make the game as safe as possible. So it's not an easy job for the NFL to figure this one out." Utecht pointed out that ...  

Several professional athletes have dabbled in hip-hop. The 30-year-old Utecht put out a Christmas album and toured with popular pianist/singer Jim Brickman last year, immersing himself in the next phase in his life. He returned to Cincinnati in ...  

Ben Utecht is writing songs for his next album, the latest step in making the rare transition from professional athlete to musical artist. The former Colts and Bengals tight end is doing it while still recovering from five documented concussions during his football career.  

CINCINNATI (AP) Ben Utecht is writing songs for his next album at his home in Minnesota, another step in his highly unusual transition from professional athlete to musical artist.  

Ben Utecht is writing songs for his next album, the latest step in making the rare transition from professional athlete to musical artist. The former Colts and Bengals tight end is doing it while still recovering from five documented concussions during his ...  

He was signed by Cincinnati before the 2008 season. His career ended a year later, when he sustained a severe concussion during training camp and had lingering problems. The Bengals released him during the season, prompting the grievance.  

This was followed by many others as a professional football player for the Indianapolis Colts. Utecht was a tight end and offensive player and took many direct hits that led to being knocked out and concussions though he only stayed out of the game for a ...  

All sorts of draft day rumors are swirling around NYC today (and yes, I admit, I LOVE THIS STUFF THIS TIME OF YEAR! LOVE IT!) The big rumors involving the Colts also involve defensive end Dwight Freeney, who is pegged to play outside linebacker in head coach Chuck Pagano's new 3-4 defense in Indianapolis. Freeney's never played linebacker at the NFL level. Ever. Peter King of SI is the one stirring the pot on the Freeney trade...  

Dwight Freeney isn't getting traded or cut, period. Ryan Grigson: Looking forward to DE Dwight Freeney being part of Colts defense in '12. He will be a Colt. — Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) March 26, 2012 Not too long ago, Robert Mathis all but confirmed the Colts desire to keep Freeney when he tweeted that Chuck Pagano plans to use Dwight as a 3-4 rush linebacker, similar to Terrell Suggs in Baltimore. It's also worth noting...  

"I'm more like the era of Magic (Johnson) and Lawrence Taylor, who stayed with that same team for their entire careers win, lose, or draw. They were married to the city they were drafted in. You go through the tough times and great times with them ...  

Guys can make plays. We’ll see what happens.” Freeney said he’s talked to Baltimore middle linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed about the 3-4 system that new Colts coach Chuck Pagano has brought from his days as the Ravens defensive coordinator.  

Asante Samuel may not be the only well-paid defensive star dealt during draft week. SI.com's Peter King reports that the Colts would "love to get a good pick" for pass rusher Dwight Freeney. The news isn't a shock because the Colts are ...  

LOS ANGELES -- A financial adviser for Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and the adviser's lover have been arrested on federal wire fraud charges that allege they swindled about $2.2 million from the lineman.Eva Weinberg, 48, of Los Angeles, and Michael Stern, 51, of Miami, were arrested last week by FBI agents who believe the couple were trying to flee the United States.Read More... More on Sports Crime...  

(LOS ANGELES) - A financial adviser for Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and the adviser's lover have been arrested on federal wire fraud charges that allege they swindled about $2.2 million from the lineman.  

Longtime Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney wouldn’t appear to be a good fit with the rebuilding program in Indianapolis, as an aging veteran due a $14 million base salary. But the Colts say Freeney will be there in 2012. Colts General Manager ...  

The Indianapolis Colts have the number one draft pick in the upcoming NFL draft. This will be a very important pick to determine the future of the franchise. Andrew Luck is largely expected to be the pick and the teams new quarterback. Looking back, the team has had a lot of success with first round draft picks. These five players are the best first round selections in franchise history.  

The Indianapolis Colts have a major hole on the roster at cornerback. Jerraud Powers is a capable starter but behind him there is nothing but unproven players. This is or position the team must address in the upcoming NFL draft. Listed below are five players I think the team may target at cornerback. Each of these players would be great additions to the team  

With the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts select quarterback Andrew Luck, Stanford University. These are the words Roger Goodell will announce when the NFL draft begins on Thursday April 26. While the selection of Luck has been suspected for a long time, the team made it official when general manager Ryan Grigson made the announcement on April 24.  

The Indianapolis Colts officially, if prematurely, kicked off the Andrew Luck era on April 24 when general manager Ryan Grigson announced that the former Stanford quarterback would indeed be the number one overall pick in the NFL draft on the 26th. ...  

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The 2012 NFL draft will likely be remembered for its leading men, with quarterbacks Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III the certain top two picks as players who will always be measured against one another. But after the Indianapolis Colts name Stanford's Luck with the first pick and the Washington Redskins follow by claiming Baylor's Griffin (nicknamed RG3) as the second overall choice, the next 30 first-round selections...  

Coby Fleener was the first tight end off the board at the NFL draft. He was taken by the Indianapolis Colts and reunited with Andrew Luck, his quarterback at Stanford. However, he wasn't picked until the second day, and that posed a problem for his mother. According to ESPNw , Michelle Fleener brought just one draft night dress with her to New York. Like many draft pundits, she expected that her son would be taken the first day, and...  

The future of the Indianapolis Colts is now much more clear after day two of the NFL draft. Andrew Luck is the new quarterback and was selected with the first overall pick in the draft. The next three picks from rounds two and three were used to bring in new weapons for the teams next quarterback. Indianapolis made important moves to ensure the long term success of their quarterback on April 27.  

The smoke from the 2012 NFL Draft is starting to clear, and the Indianapolis Colts' picks are all in the books. It's time for the team and their fans to start sorting through what happened over the last few days and figure out how this year's on-the-field product might shape up. While it may be too early to know exactly how the new guys will fit in, some early impressions can be gleaned. Here is my initial draft report card for the Colts:  

Andrew Luck is joining the Indianapolis Colts as the new face of the franchise. Luck is coming to a team that had the worst record in the NFL in 2011. Peyton Manning is gone and this is now Andrew Luck's team. The top two picks in the draft are clearly Luck and Robert Griffin III and the two have been compared throughout the whole process. Many think that Griffin is walking in to a better situation and said throughout the draft that Luck is...  

It was a tough year for Colts fans. Their team lost their best player, Peyton Manning, to injury for the season, and then took the field with a woeful team. Earning the league's worst record did have one huge benefit, of course, and that was the right to draft Andrew Luck. Now that fans are excited again, it's time to find Mom a great Colts gift for Mother's Day. Here are a few ideas for the Colts fan in your life.  

Quarterback Andrew Luck, the top overall choice in last week's NFL draft, will receive an initial four-year contract from the Indianapolis Colts that includes a signing bonus of $14,518,544, the exact amount awarded Cam Newton, the No. 1 selection last year.  

Poor Andrew Luck! Even on the weekend when he saddled up as the new quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts for his first official practices, the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft couldn't stand alone in the limelight without predecessor Peyton Manning wedging himself onto the scene. On May 5, right smack dab in the middle of the Colts' rookie mini-camp, Manning returned to Indianapolis for a fundraiser to benefit the Peyton Manning...  

The news has the same surprise quotient you'd expect from Andrew Luck getting all the reps right away with the Indianapolis Colts, or the idea that the Denver Broncos will be doing pretty much whatever the heck Peyton Manning wants. That said, you Rex Grossman and Kirk Cousins fans will have to shine it on. At the end of the Washington Redskins' rookie minicamp on Sunday, head coach Mike Shanahan made it clear that Robert Griffin III, the...  

If this keeps up, the Indianapolis Colts may be playing in the Super Bowl nine months from now! New Colts quarterback and the first overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Andrew Luck, wrapped up his rookie mini-camp with the team on May 6, and he was decidedly upbeat afterwards. When asked how much he improved during the three-day affair, Luck responded with "leaps and bounds." I'm sure that Luck is overstating the case, thanks to exuberance over...  

When Peyton Manning left the Indianapolis Colts, the organization added a note to the giant banner of Manning hanging on the front of the stadium. It read,  "THANK YOU, PEYTON!" Wednesday night, it was "Goodbye, Peyton." Or at least, "Goodbye, giant Peyton Manning poster." The banner was taken down , just hours before the Colts will make Andrew Luck the new face of their franchise. Manning, of course, is in Denver now, and the Colts will...  

The Indianapolis Colts have a lot of needs to fill during the upcoming NFL draft. The team has the first overall draft pick and ten total selections to fill those needs. After purging so many players, the team could use talent at multiple positions on both sides of the ball. Listed below are five players that the team should target that would fill their needs and ensure success in 2012 and into the future.  

To the shock of no one, the Indianapolis Colts took Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick of the NFL draft. After years of having no one but Peyton Manning lead the team, Luck will be tasked with bringing the Colts back to Super Bowl-winning form. According to our scouting report, he's up to the job : The term "pro-ready" is misused with quarterbacks more often than it is misused with any other position. Any kid who takes the majority of snaps...  

So much for the networks not showing players on the phone before they were taken in the NFL Draft. Not that Andrew Luck going to the Indianapolis Colts was any sort of surprise, but both ESPN and NFL Network showed the Stanford quarterback on his phone in the moments before he was selected No. 1 on Thursday night. The NFL made a big deal of saying that the television networks wouldn't be tipping picks in that way. Judging by that sweet...  

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Following is the order of selections made at Thursday night's first round of the National Football League Draft at Radio City Music Hall (tabulate under order of pick, NFL team, player, position, college): 1 Indianapolis Colts - Andrew Luck, quarterback, Stanford 2 Washington Redskins (from Rams) - Robert Griffin III, quarterback, Baylor 3 Cleveland Browns (from Vikings) - Trent Richardson, running back, Alabama 4...  

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Indianapolis Colts kicked off the 2012 National Football League (NFL) Draft by taking Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the No. 1 pick on Thursday at Radio City Music Hall. Luck, considered one of the most polished quarterback prospects in recent years, will be taking over the reins of the Colts' offense from four-time NFL Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning. The selection came as no surprise, as the Colts had...  

After the 2012 NFL Draft began as advertised, with the Indianapolis Colts selecting Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck first overall and the Washington Redskins naming Baylor's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III second, the intrigue finally began.  

Andrew Luck swung by "The Late Show with David Letterman" after the Colts officially made him the first overall pick Thursday night. Letterman is a noted Colts fan, and was particularly devoted to Peyton Manning, which makes him one of the Colts fans Luck's going to have to win over. It set up an interesting exchange. That seems fair. You crank up the pressure on the guy to start with, and then, to soothe things a little bit, you give him...  

Indianapolis Colts Defensive Side ExpectationsNaptown's FinestThe Colts do have Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney back to wreak havoc on offenses. But it will be in a different scheme. I believe the Colts want to move to a 3-4 defense. What does that mean? I'm not an X's and O's guy on the defensive side of things ...  

Naptown's FinestQuestions aboundIndianapolis StarMany offseason power rankings have the Colts ranked dead last. But with the major player acquisitions finalized and 21/2 months to the start of training camp in Anderson, The Indianapolis Star's Phillip B. Wilson and Zak Keefer take a look at the five ...#HorseBytes: Leaving on a Jet Plane?Naptown's FinestA look at the AFC South draftsNational Football PostIrsay on Manning: 'We want him back if...  

Kinnelon upsets top-seeded Chatham 10-9Dailyrecord.comThe Colts return to the MCT final after winning the title two years ago and will face No. 3 Mountain Lakes, which upset No. 2 Delbarton 10-8 in the other semifinal. The MCT final will be Tuesday at 7:30 pm at FDU-Florham. “I'm so excited, I'm pumped, ...  

Florida Baptist WitnessTony Dungy & James Brown share living legaciesFlorida Baptist WitnessBy JONI B. HANNIGAN JACKSONVILLE (FBW)—More than 2000 men gathered at Jacksonville's First Baptist Church April 20-21 to hear football coaching legend Tony Dungy and host of “The NFL Today” James Brown talk about how they hope to finish strong ...  

For a generation of Indianapolis Colts fans, Bill Polian will always be remembered as the architect of the first golden era of the NFL in our Circle City, and even the debacle of the lost 2011 season probably can't change that perception. Before he ever came west, though, Polian made his name as the general manager of the Buffalo Bills teams that won three straight AFC championships in the early 1990s. ...  

The Indianapolis Colts still have several holes to fill in their transition to a 3-4 defense. One of the biggest needs is at the outside linebacker position. The team needs players that know and are comfortable in the 3-4 scheme and can help the current players with the transition. One player who could fit that need is Travis Laboy who was released by the San Diego Chargers on May 7.  

The team waited for the market to die down a bit before they jumped back in the pool, but according a very reliable Big Cat Country source, the Jaguars have traded an undisclosed draft pick and running back Rashad ...  

The Indianapolis Colts' No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck isn't participating in the current on-going organized team activity (OTA), giving an early indication as to what kind of quarterback and teammate Luck is going to be in Indy: a smart one.  

The formality at the top of the draft became official at 8:06 p.m. ET, when the Colts named Andrew Luck of Stanford the first overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. Four minutes later, Robert Griffin III was selected No. 2 by the Redskins.  

Ryan Grigson couldn't have been any more direct had he been ... plug in the best guys possible and try to get as many guys in the fold as we can." Call Star reporter Phil Richards at (317) 444-6408.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts are keeping the focus on putting a solid supporting cast around Andrew Luck, adding massive offensive tackle Justin Anderson of Georgia with the first of their three seventh-round picks.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have made another move to shore up the defense, taking Vanderbilt defensive end Tim Fugger with their second pick in the seventh round of the NFL draft on Saturday.  

In their continuing preparations for the 2012 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts have signed defensive lineman Jerry J. Brown from the San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League.  

LATEST COLTS UPDATES: Check IndyStar.com's Colts page for the latest team news, photo galleries, blogs, interactive and more.  

The NFL won't allow Colts owner Jim Irsay to use his private jet to fly top pick Andrew Luck to and from workouts with teammates while he completes his final quarter at Stanford.  

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay reportedly said late Saturday the Colts have begun talks with first-round pick Andrew Luck and he expected the contract to be finalized soon.  

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay reportedly said late Saturday the Colts have begun talks with first-round pick Andrew Luck and he expected the contract to be finalized soon.  

The Patriots have agreed to terms with former Colts free-agent RB Joseph Addai, the Boston Globe reported Saturday, citing a league source. No terms were disclosed.  

The Indianapolis Colts selected Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft, just one month after releasing veteran Peyton Manning.  

The Indianapolis Colts confirmed Tuesday that the National Football League club will select Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL entry draft.  

Former NFL kicker Mike Vanderjagt may lose his job as a part-time middle school football coach after an alleged confrontation with a student.  

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The Denver Broncos have traded defensive back Cassius Vaughn to the Indianapolis Colts for fullback Chris Gronkowski.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have signed four of their 10 draft picks, including the last pick of the draft, Chandler Harnish.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Now that the Indianapolis Colts have decided who their new quarterback will be, they can start filling in other holes.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have signed fifth-round draft pick Josh Chapman, giving them six draft choices under contract.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have taken Mississippi State running back Vick Ballard in the fifth round of the NFL draft.  

David Legree joined the Colts' cast of young quarterbacks, with Indianapolis signing the undrafted rookie out of Hampton University.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have signed five undrafted defensive backs after taking none in last weekend's NFL draft.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have drafted a second rookie tight end, taking Clemson's Dwayne Allen in the third round.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have selected small, speedy receiver T.Y. Hilton in the third round of the NFL draft.  

The Colts have signed their third former Eagles offensive guard, claiming Zane Taylor off waivers from Philadelphia on Friday.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have made it official: Training camp will stay at Anderson University in 2012.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Colts players who are still around can't wait to see their new quarterback throw a few passes.  

After leading Stanford to success, Indianapolis' new quarterback expects similar results in the NFL – and fast.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts have cut tight end Brody Eldridge and brought in another quarterback.  

The Colts didn't waste the final pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, a prospect annually dubbed "Mr. Irrelevant."  

NEW YORK (AP) The Indianapolis Colts select Stanford QB Andrew Luck with the first pick in the NFL draft.  

The Colts have claimed RB Deji Karim off waivers after he was released earlier Friday by Jacksonville.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) It's official: Andrew Luck will be the No. 1 choice in Thursday night's NFL draft.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The changing of the guard is official in Indy: Andrew Luck is coming to town.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The Indianapolis Colts are finally starting to pay attention to the defense.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) The large banner of Peyton Manning has been removed from Lucas Oil Stadium.  

A look at the prospects that fit in Indy.  

The Colts made additions to their scouting department, the team announced this week.  

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Andrew Luck already has a blueprint for his month away from the Colts.  

INDIANAPOLIS -- They got their guy.  

Team official says is it coincidence that it happens the day before Luck is drafted.