Colts make offer to DT Ed Johnson, 5 other restricted free agents

2/29/2008 2:14 PM

By STEVE HERMAN
AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -Defensive tackle Ed Johnson, who was undrafted out of Penn State but started all 16 games as a rookie last season, received a one-year offer as an exclusive rights free agent with the Indianapolis Colts.

Johnson was bypassed in last year's draft in part because of discipline problems at Penn State, where he was suspended and dismissed from the team. But the Colts gave him a tryout, and he moved into the starting lineup after veteran Anthony McFarland sustained a season-ending knee injury in training camp. Earlier this week, the Colts waived McFarland, who was due to receive $6.9 million this season.

The 6-foot-2, 296-pound Johnson started every game at tackle and led all Colts defensive linemen with 63 tackles. Without the exclusive rights offer, available to players with expiring contracts but fewer than three years of NFL experience, Johnson would have been free to sign with any team.

Receiver Craphonso Thorpe also was in that position, but did not receive an offer by Thursday's deadline and was released.

The Colts on Friday also announced one-year qualifying offers were made to tight ends Ben Utecht and Bryan Fletcher, offensive lineman Dylan Gandy, defensive back Matt Giordano and defensive tackle Darrell Reid, all restricted free agents.

Qualifying offers allow restricted free agents to sign with other teams through April 20. The Colts may then either match the offer or receive compensation from the new team.

The club also signed kicker Shane Andrus off waivers from the New York Giants, and QB Josh Betts, DT Joe Bradley, OL Mike Elgin, OL Tala Esera, RB Justise Hairston, DE Ben Ishola, WR Onrea Jones, TE Gijon Robinson, WR Courtney Roby, C Pat Ross, LB Kyle Shotwell and P Chad Stanley, all free agents. The Colts also released linebacker Brandon Archer.

Indianapolis also has six unrestricted free agents - linebacker Rocky Boiman, defensive tackle Dan Klecko, receiver Aaron Moorehead, guard Jake Scott, tight end Mike Seidman and defensive end Josh Thomas.

This is the third straight year the Colts have signed Andrus, who was waived in training camp in 2006 and 2007. He signed as a free agent with New York in January but was waived on Feb. 13, 10 days after the Giants' Super Bowl win over New England.