Colts Place Franchise Tag on Clark, Agree to Terms with
Lilja
INDIANAPOLIS - Dallas Clark has been with the Colts for five seasons, developing into one of the league's top tight ends.
On Wednesday, the Colts moved to ensure he will remain with the team.
Clark, the team's first-round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year. The Colts on Wednesday announced they had designated him their franchise player.
The announcement regarding Clark came the same day the team announced it had agreed to terms with offensive guard Ryan Lilja.
Clark caught a career-high 58 passes for 618 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season.
Teams have until Thursday, February 21 to place the franchise tag on an unrestricted free agent, after which they can negotiate a long-term deal until July 15.
After July 15, teams may negotiate only a one-year deal with the player.
Lilja, originally acquired by the Colts off waivers from Kansas City in 2004, has started 43 of 50 games in four seasons. He started 16 of 16 regular-season games this past season.
