Colts’ Irsay: Simon’s Gone

As has been expected for some time, defensive tackle Corey Simon will no longer be a member of the Indianapolis Colts.  According to Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star, a financial settlement is in the pipeline which will sever all ties between the team and Simon.  Team owner Jim Irsay said that the investment in Simon was “a bad mistake”; he added that, “I foresee us basically coming to a settlement in terms of moving forward and him pursuing his opportunity if he chooses to someplace else.”  No comment was available form Simon’s agent Roosevelt Barnes.

An option that is available to the Colts is trying to recoup a portion of the $5 million signing bonus that was included in Simon’s contract (5-year, $30 million) that he signed back prior to the 2005 season.  Without considering what Simon may repay to the team in any settlement, it is safe to say that Simon, as Irsay stated, was a bad investment.  Simon received $14 million and for that investment, he played a whopping 14 games (started 14 games in 2005, missed 2006 season due to injury).  Kinda makes ENRON look like a blue-chipper, but I digress.

Irsay, as any good owner would do, kept head coach Tony Dungy abreast of the Simon developments to date.  Hopefully, the Colts do not repeat this mistake again.  Yes signing players such as Simon is a risky proposition BUT that’s what complete physicals are for.  Simon’s balky knee should have raised some red flags in the beginning.  But that’s neither here nor there as a resolution to this unfortunate saga will soon come to a close.