Colts trim cap hits on Mathis, Manning
Indianapolis Colts02/21/2007 8:00 AM The Indianapolis Star reports through some bookkeeping maneuvers with the contracts of QB Peyton Manning and DE Robert Mathis, the Indianapolis Colts lowered each player's 2007 salary-cap number and created more than $11 million in cap savings. The team lowered Manning's $16.533 million cap number to $8.2 million by guaranteeing a $10 million roster bonus he is due and converting it to a signing bonus that can be pro-rated over the life of the contract. An identical tactic was used with Mathis. By converting a $3.9 million roster bonus into a signing bonus and prorating it, the Colts lowered his cap number from $7.11 million to approximately $3.99 million. Neither player took a pay decrease. By lowering their '07 cap numbers, the Colts increased future cap obligations of both. The NFL's '07 salary cap is expected to be $109 million. Read more