Bears linebacker Urlacher retires after 13 seasons (Reuters)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

(Reuters) - Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher announced his retirement on Wednesday, ending a brilliant 13-year career with the National Football League team with a statement on Twitter. "After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made a decision to retire," wrote the eight-times Pro Bowl linebacker and Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 who will turn 35 this week. "Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards. ...

NFL-Bears linebacker Urlacher retires after 13 seasons (Reuters)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

(Reuters) - Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher announced his retirement on Wednesday, ending a brilliant 13-year career with the National Football League team with a statement on Twitter. "After spending a lot of time this spring thinking about my NFL future, I have made a decision to retire," wrote the eight-times Pro Bowl linebacker and Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 who will turn 35 this week. "Although I could continue playing, I'm not sure I would bring a level of performance or passion that's up to my standards. ...

Irsay, Colts join in tornado relief (National Football Post)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Irsay pledges to match up to $25,000 in contributions for victims in Oklahoma disaster.

Indianapolis Colts OTAs: Offensive Scheme Under Pep Hamilton Should Begin to Take Shape

Source: Stampede Blue by Tyler Brooke

The Indianapolis Colts began their first set of OTAs on Monday, kicking off the beginning of practices for the team and its new faces.

With OTAs now officially beginning, one of the bigger things for fans and media alike to start watching out for is how the offense will run.

The addition of Pep Hamilton brought in plenty of excitement and buzz around Indianapolis. Back when Hamilton was hired, there was plenty of talk about potential running plays out of the pistol or wildcat formations, and even potentially some read-option plays.

Now, a lot of that hype has died down and been replaced with talk of a "

AFC South links: Hopkins impressive early

Source: AFC South Blog

Houston Texans First-round draft pick DeAndre Hopkins, a receiver out of Clemson, is making a good impression in OTAs (organized team activities), writes Drew Dougherty of the team's website. “He has great size,” starting cornerback Kareem Jackson said of Hopkins. “He has great hands. He’ll definitely make the tough catches. He’s proven that. He’ll definitely be an exciting player and definitely be able to help us.

Is Bjoern Werner Really the Answer to Colts' Pass-Rushing Needs?

Source: Bleacher Report

After letting former All-Pro and possible Hall of Fame DE/OLB Dwight Freeney go in free agency, the Colts desperately needed to upgrade their pass rush.

Even with Freeney, the Colts finished 23rd in the league in sacks in 2012 and 27th in Football Outsider's Adjusted Sack Rate. Sacks aren't your preferred method of

Jim Harbaugh to drive pace car for Indianapolis 500 (NBC Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has been involved with the sport of IndyCar Racing ever since his playing days for the Indianapolis Colts in the late 1990′s. Now he gets a chance to play a part in one of motor racing’s greatest spectacles. According to Curt Cavin of the Indianapolis Star, Harbaugh will…

Super Bowl LII: Indianapolis poised to make bid for 2018

Source: NFL.com by Associated Press

It's never too early to plan your Super Bowl LII bid. Leaders in Indianapolis say they want to bid on the NFL's next big game. But does everyone support such a quick return to Indy?

Super Bowl LII: Indianapolis, New Orleans expected to bid

Source: NFL.com by Associated Press

The speculation about who will host Super Bowl LII already has begun. Will it be New Orleans, Denver or can Indianapolis make a surprise run?

Indianapolis Colts Visit Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Source: Naptown's Finest by J.M. Nicholas

There’s more than football in Indianapolis.

Considering the amazing success that the Indianapolis Colts have enjoyed over the last 15 years or so, it is sometimes hard to recall that this city has only had a pro football franchise for around three decades. Prior to the arrival (and eventual assention) of the Colts, Indianapolis was known worldwide for the Indy 500 race, which will have its 97th run this weekend.

Last Friday, some of the new faces of the Indianapolis football franchise got a chance to experience what their city has been known for. The 2013 Colts rookies to a visit to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and soaked in some of the sights around the home of

Indianapolis Colts do Organized Team Activities

Source: Naptown's Finest by J.M. Nicholas

The work may slow down in the offseason for the Indianapolis Colts, but it never stops.

As the temperature rises outside, the offseason efforts keep on rolling in the NFL. In the past month since the 2013 NFL Draft, the Colts have welcomed in their rookie class, and have gotten them on the field for a rookie minicamp. They have spent time getting their new blood acclimated to their new surroundings and system, and have also signed quite a few of them to their first pro contract.

Veteran players have been in and out of the weight and practice rooms throughout the offseason, and now things for the near future are beginning to take shape. Colts players, both new and veteran, are now getting ready for

Arians criticizes offense as Arizona resumes OTAs (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) -- First and foremost, Bruce Arians coaches the offense, even though he's got the whole team to worry about as new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

Indianapolis still pointing toward bid for 2018 Super Bowl

Source: Indy Star

Barring the unexpected, city officials will accelerate their push to bring Super Bowl LII to Indianapolis in February 2018.

Super Bow LII: Indianapolis, New Orleans expected to bid

Source: NFL.com by Associated Press

The speculation about who will host Super Bowl LII already has begun. Will it be New Orleans, Denver or can Indianapolis make a surprise run?

Agent: No more forearm surgery likely for Gronk (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Rob Gronkowski's agent says the tight end's latest surgery is expected to be the last on his forearm.

Indy poised to make 2018 bid for Super Bowl (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indianapolis organizers appear poised to bid on hosting second Super Bowl.

Titans try out Winston Justice, Antoine Caldwell

Source: Scout.com

Hot News for OT Winston Justice

San Francisco wins bid for Super Bowl L (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

As expected, the 49ers' new stadium will host the NFL's championship in 2016.

Patriots, Cowboys and Rams spent the most guaranteed money on undrafted rookie free agents (Shutdown Corner)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and St. Louis Rams each spent over $100,000 in guaranteed money on their class of undrafted free agents this offseason, according to a source with knowledge of rookie salary data. NFL teams could spend a maximum of $78,170 in signing bonuses on undrafted rookie free agents this offseason, but there are no limits to the amount of guaranteed money teams can include in the standard three-year contracts signed by undrafted free agents. Seven NFL teams have spent more than the $78,170 signing bonus maximum in guaranteed money, with New England leading the way by spending $140,000 in guaranteed money on their undrafted free agents. The largest individual guarantee among the Patriots undrafted rookie

Former Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh to drive Indy 500 pace car

Source: Indy Star

Add the pace car driver to the list of Indianapolis 500 connections to the number four.

Rob Gronkowski's Mounting Injuries Should Concern the New England Patriots (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

COMMENTARY | The New England Patriots have enjoyed three excellent seasons from Rob Gronkowski since drafting the tight end out of the University of Arizona. However, the team has cause for concern about his mounting injuries and how they could impact his production going forward.

AFC South links: Brooks Reed at inside LB?

Source: AFC South Blog

Houston Texans Brooks Reed lined up at inside linebacker as the Texans started OTAs, writes Nick Scurfield of the team's website. For now, the Texans are giving him as many reps as possible at the new position while they look at Bryan Braman and rookies Sam Montgomery and Trevardo Williams in Reed’s usual outside linebacker position on the strong side. Quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson missed OTAs because of injuries in 2012, but are off to healthy starts in 2013, writes Scurfield.

Memo to the NFL: If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

Source: Sports Media 101 by Chuck Chapman

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell inherited from his predecessors, Pete Rozelle and Paul Tagliabue, the most successful professional sports enterprise on the globe. In fact it could be argued that the NFL is one of the most

2013 Colts Free Agent Profile: LB Lawrence Sidbury

Source: Stampede Blue by Josh Wilson

Just a few days ago, we looked at a free agent outside linebacker the Colts signed, Erik Walden. Today we look at another free agent linebacker also signed on the first day of free agency, Lawrence Sidbury.

Sidbury spent the past four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The University of Richmond product recorded 20.5 sacks in his career

Chargers' Freeney misses OTA, questions loom (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SAN DIEGO -- One San Diego Charger everyone was talking about wasn't at practice.

Colts Running Back Position Not a Huge Concern

Source: Stampede Blue by Josh Wilson

The Indianapolis Colts addressed many, many needs this offseason. Among the biggest overhauls were the offensive line, defensive line, and secondary. Those were the clear-cut, glaring needs the team had, but they also had several second-tier needs. One of those was the running back position.

Many people thought that the running back position needed to be addressed, and yes, it was indeed addressed. In the seventh round of the draft the Colts took Kerwynn Williams out of Utah State - although even then the move was to boost the special teams as well.

There has been a lot of

Champs Until Dethroned: Are the Baltimore Ravens the Best in the AFC? (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The race to represent your conference in Super Bowl XLVIII will hit the field in less than four months.

The Sophomore Slump: Fact or Fiction?

Source: The Colts Authority

Jan 6, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) sacked by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger (99) during the AFC Wild Card playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

As seasoned, and no doubt well-read, members of the NFL fan community, we have all likely heard the term “sophomore slump” bandied about in football discussions amongst so-called analysts and sports radio rhetoricians (just yesterday Dan Hope of Bleacher Report posted an article which has a Luck sophomore slump as the Colts' "nightmare

Super Bowl 50 site to be decided Tuesday (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

BOSTON (AP) -- Where the Super Bowl will celebrate a half-century of existence will be decided this week by NFL owners.

AFC South links: Tebow the 'great debate'

Source: AFC South Blog

Houston Texans Texans linebacker Brooks Reed revealed on Sunday he had surgery on his groin in late January, but says he is "100 percent" and ready for OTAs. Five things to watch at Texans OTAs, from Nick Scurfield of the team website. Indianapolis Colts Former Colts standout Dwight Freeney has signed with the San Diego Chargers. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars' decision not to sign Tim Tebow continues to be the "Great Debate," writes Vito Stellino.

Crazy Colts Fan - Former Indianapolis Colts Great Dwight Freeney Gets a Job

Source: Yardbarker

Crazy Colts Fan - Former Indianapolis Colts Great Dwight Freeney Gets a Job  Dwight Freeney is not ready to be put out to pasture just yet. The 33-year old defensive end/linebacker is no spring chicken anymore, but he still has a few good seasons of football left in his bones. He just needed to find someone who believed that enough to sing him to a new deal. Over the weekend he finally found someone willing to bite--the San Diego Chargers. See ya' Naptown! The Colts Week 6 opponent (a Monday night game in San Diego) found themselves in need of some help after Melvin Ingram tore an ACL during OTA's recently. While it sucks that it took someone getting hurt, the injury was just the break that Freeney needed. Up to this point in the off-season there had been rumored interest in Freeney from several teams. Rumor had the Saints thinking about bringing him to the Big Easy, a potential reunion in Denver with Peyton Manning, and more recently his Dad m

Indianapolis Colts: What to Watch for at OTAs

Source: Bleacher Report

As the offseason progresses, each possible opportunity to see the team in action or glean some updated information and tidbits is cherished by NFL fans. 

The last such opportunity came during the second weekend in May, during rookie minicamp. While the camps are held without pads and their value shouldn't be overstated, there were a few things we learned about the Colts. 

This week, the Colts will be beginning their annual organized team activities (OTAs),

Happy Monday! 2013 Colts OTAs Begin Today

Source: Stampede Blue by Brad Wells

With the beginning of organized team activities (or, OTAs for short), the 2013 campaign has officially begun for the Indianapolis Colts.

In the long-gone days of yester-year, training camp marked the official "beginning" of the seasons for players and fans alike. Not anymore. NFL football is a year round event, with only the month of June serving as a true offseason with little to no news or discussion points.

In case you aren't clear what OTAs are, they are team-controlled sessions that allow all players under contract to come to the Colts facilities and train together. This includes rookies. It's a time for veterans to bond with younger players, and for

It was a busy weekend in Las Vegas (National Football Post)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

2013 NFL season win totals surface at Cantor and LVH, along with Games of the Year lines.

‘Legends of the Wings’ Indy 500 quilt deserves second look for mistakes

Source: Bounce It Off Phil B. by Phillip B. Wilson

Kellyrae Loveall intentionally made the mistakes on many of the 117 names on special quilt to be auctioned off in Wednesday’s Racing to Recovery Gala to benefit the Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation. It’s not that she can’t spell. It’s that the 51-year-old Anderson woman who has “had a needle in her hand since grandma raised... Read More

2013 Colts Free Agent Profile: LB Erik Walden

Source: Stampede Blue by Josh Wilson

Shortly after free agency begun on March 12, the Indianapolis Colts agreed to a deal with outside linebacker Erik Walden. A whopping 4 year, $16 million deal.

Walden is a guy entering his 6th season, and the Colts are the 5th team he has been on. The Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the 6th round of the 2008 draft out of Middle Tennessee State, but they waived him during the final roster cuts in training camp. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him, but they also waived

On A New Frontier

Source: Scout.com

A well-known Syracuse alum moves his gridiron work, but remains in the AFC, as he looks to continue writing his own positive history in the NFL. More inside.

History Shows “Sophomore Slump” not a Factor Among NFL Quarterbacks

Source: Sports Media 101 by Chuck Chapman

With three of the greatest rookie seasons ever turned in 2012, the question this off season has been, “What about the ‘Sophomore Slump’”? That question is on the mind of Indianapolis Colts fans as we all wonder what our own wunderkind can do for an encore in 2013.

A look at the history of rookie quarterbacks who came in and started for their teams right away shows that there’s really no trend at all toward a letdown in the second season. For the purposes of our study, we looked at 12 quarterbacks during the Super Bowl era who started at least the majority of their team’s games their rookie season: Byron

Dwight Freeney Signs 2 Year $8.75 Million Deal With Chargers

Source: Yardbarker

I hope Freeney does well, but it is my experience, that once speed pass rushers get old, they lose it quickly and I wouldn’t expect much out of Freeney this year. Per a source with knowledge of the deal, Freeney’s two-year contract with the Chargers carries a base value of $8.75 million. The deal pays $5.25 million in 2013, via a $3.25 million signing bonus, $1.5 million in guaranteed base salary, and a $500,000 roster bonus tied to Freeney’s presence on the weekly 46-man roster. (It works out to $31,250 per game.) Freeney is due to earn $3.5 million in 2014, $500,000 of which is linked to weekly roster bonuses.

Chargers, Freeney agree on contract

Source: Yardbarker

The San Diego Chargers agreed Saturday to a two-year deal with aging star pass rusher Dwight Freeney that could be worth $13.35 million. The deal to bring Freeney to the Chargers came four days after outside linebacker Melvin Ingram tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a padless practice. The addition of Freeney also helps cushion the loss of outside linebackers Antwan Barnes and Shaun Phillips to free agency. Freeney is 33 and entering his 12th season. He will make $5.25 million this season. He was Indianapolis' career sacks leader with 107 1/2 but the Colts decided not to re-sign him in the offseason. After recording 13 1/2 sacks in 2009, his totals declined each of the past three years. He had five in 2012. Freeney, a seven-time Pro Bowler, never seemed comfortable after moving from a 4-3 defensive end, where he spent his first 10 NFL seasons, to a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Chargers run a 3-4 defense. Freeney was the 11th overall selection in the 2002 draft. During his time w

NFL Roundup: Freeney headed to Chargers, Williams in lawsuit with former fiancee (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The San Diego Chargers agreed to a two-year, $8.75 million contract with free agent defensive end Dwight Freeney, according to multiple reports. Freeney also reportedly has incentives in the contract tied to the number of sacks he gets that could make the deal worth up to $13.35 million.

Pass rusher Freeney agrees two-year deal with Chargers (Reuters)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

(Reuters) - Veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, has agreed to a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers, the National Football League (NFL) team said on Saturday. Freeney, a free agent after being released by the Indianapolis Colts in February, will help fill the gap left by outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during team in practice on Tuesday. Though the Chargers did not reveal financial details, local media estimate Freeney's deal to be worth $13.35 million over the two years. ...

Chargers, Freeney agree to $8.75 million deal (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The San Diego Chargers agreed to a two-year, $8.75 million contract with free agent defensive end Dwight Freeney, according to multiple reports on Saturday.

NFL-Pass rusher Freeney agrees two-year deal with Chargers (Reuters)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

May 18 (Reuters) - Veteran pass rusher Dwight Freeney, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, has agreed to a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers, the National Football League (NFL) team said on Saturday. Freeney, a free agent after being released by the Indianapolis Colts in February, will help fill the gap left by outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during team in practice on Tuesday. Though the Chargers did not reveal financial details, local media estimate Freeney's deal to be worth $13.35 million over the two years. ...

Chargers Bolster Front Seven With Addition of Dwight Freeney

Source: Yardbarker

Dwight Freeney has finally found a new home after more than two months on the open market, as he agreed to terms to sign a two-year contract with the San Diego Chargers, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Photo Credit: Colts.com The lethal 6-1, 268-pound pass rusher revealed back in February that he had high hopes of retiring with the Indianapolis Colts, where he’s spent his entire 11-year NFL career after the team selected him in the first round (No. 11 overall) in the 2002 NFL Draft out of Syracuse.  It didn’t take long before Freeney started singing a different tune, though. While he struggled to make the transition to 3-4 OLB in 2012—collecting a career-low 12 tackles with just 5.0 sacks (which was also the lowest sack total from Freeney out of the 2007 season that was cut short due to injury)—the Chargers have already stated they can tweak their defense to better suit Freeney. Moreover, his experience last season may have actually been a good thing in Chuck Paganoâ...

Jakesy Nation boosts British Indy 500 driver

Source: Bounce It Off Phil B. by Phillip B. Wilson

The debate was inevitable as party hearty race fans got together two years ago at Mid-Ohio in Lexington, Ohio, and eventually entered into the spirited arguments about favorite drivers. Sure, there are the Penskes, the Ganassi guys, the Andrettis. It’s not the kind of conversation that’s going to reach any kind of resolution with someone... Read More

Stampede Blue Podcast: Ideas for a Name?

Source: Stampede Blue by Evan Sidery

This time of the year is the "dead" period of the NFL off-season. Brad Wells, Tyler Brooke, Josh Wilson, and I have thought of doing a podcast or Google plus hangout soon. We have thought of multiple names such as Stable Talk and Stampede Blue Crew Podcast. We are looking for a creative and fun name relating to the site. Also, with obvious ties to the Colts as well.

The podcast or Google plus hangout (whichever one) will last 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the length of topics and guests. I am looking forward to this, as are all the other writers on Stampede Blue. The dates and times are

Freeney agrees to deal in San Diego (National Football Post)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Chargers get pass rush help they needed

Chargers, Freeney agree to 2-year deal (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Chargers have agreed to a two-year deal with star pass rusher Dwight Freeney that could be worth $13.35 million.

Chargers agree to two-year deal with Freeney (The SportsXchange)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The San Diego Chargers have agreed to a two-year contract with free agent defensive end Dwight Freeney, according to USA Today.