Dungy wonders about Vanderjagt's comments
By Mike Chappell, The Indianapolis Star
INDIANAPOLIS ? If Mike Vanderjagt's career with the Indianapolis Colts is in question, it isn't because of what he said. The overriding issue, coach Tony Dungy insisted today, is whether the team's outspoken place-kicker meant what he said on an Canadian cable TV show Monday when leveling criticism at Dungy, quarterback Peyton Manning and the organization.
Colts' kicker Mike Vanderjagt beat Baltimore with this late field goal last fall. Hunter Smith holds. Vanderjagt has caused a stir in Indianapolis with unafavorable comments about his team.
By Darron Cummings, AP
Asked if Vanderjagt's future as a Colt was in jeopardy, Dungy replied, "Only if he wants it to be.
"It's not in doubt because of what he said. If he meant what he said, he shouldn't be here."
Criticizing Dungy and Manning for lacking emotion in their roles as team leaders, Vanderjagt also questioned the direction the Colts are headed. They were bounced 41-0 by the New York Jets an AFC wild-card game after a 10-6 regular season.
"I just don't see us getting better," Vanderjagt said.
Dungy contacted Vanderjagt at his home in Toronto on Wednesday to determine first-hand the strength of Vanderjagt's convictions.
"I wanted to find out where he is," Dungy said. "If that is truly what he thinks and he doesn't want to play here because he doesn't think we can win, then he shouldn't be here."
Dungy said that Vanderjagt didn't really react to the remark, and has not asked for a trade or to be released.
"He shared a few things with me that are kind of personal," Dungy said, adding the conversation lasted about 10 minutes. "The bottom line is we'll see what happens."
Attempts to reach Vanderjagt have been unsuccessful. He told the Toronto Sun on Wednesday that while Dungy wasn't "cool" with what he said, the two shared a productive phone conversation.
". .. one of the first things he asked me was if I wanted to win," Vanderjagt said. "He said, 'If that's what you want, that's fine with me.'
"And that's what I want. It's what I've always wanted."
Vanderjagt added that he regretted how his comments were interpreted and that he intended to contact Manning.
Manning, in Honolulu preparing for Sunday's Pro Bowl, told ESPN: "When I get back to the (Mainland) I'll deal with it."
Dungy noted it is understandable for players to have trouble with the transition when one coach (Dungy) replaces another (Jim Mora, who was fired after the 2001 season).
But he added it's imperative for players to "buy into" the new coach's philosophy.
The key, Dungy said, is to determine which players will join the program, and which never will.
If Dungy and president Bill Polian determine it's in the best interest of the team to release Vanderjagt, there will be salary cap ramifications.
Vanderjagt signed a five-year, $7.4 million contract extension in 2000. He will count $1.65 million against the league's projected 2003 cap of $75 million.
If the team cuts Vanderjagt before June 1, it will save his $1.4 million base salary but the unaccounted portion of his $1.5 million signing bonus ($750,000) will count against the cap. That will produce a cap savings of $650,000.
The team acquired place-kicking competition for Vanderjagt this month when it signed veteran Brett Conway.
"You're always looking for good people," Dungy said.
Vanderjagt remains the most accurate kicker in NFL history, converting 85.1% of his field-goal attempts (137-of-161). But he's coming off his worst season: 23-of-31.
A groin injury contributed to Vanderjagt's off year. But what if Vanderjagt's inability to buy into Dungy's leadership was a factor?
"If it's because he doesn't believe in what we're doing and doesn't think we can win, then it's going to be tough for him to kick here," Dungy said. "If it's because he had an off year or other things, hopefully those numbers will come back."
But will Vanderjagt?
"I don't have control of this one," Dungy said.
By Mike Chappell, The Indianapolis Star
INDIANAPOLIS ? If Mike Vanderjagt's career with the Indianapolis Colts is in question, it isn't because of what he said. The overriding issue, coach Tony Dungy insisted today, is whether the team's outspoken place-kicker meant what he said on an Canadian cable TV show Monday when leveling criticism at Dungy, quarterback Peyton Manning and the organization.
Colts' kicker Mike Vanderjagt beat Baltimore with this late field goal last fall. Hunter Smith holds. Vanderjagt has caused a stir in Indianapolis with unafavorable comments about his team.
By Darron Cummings, AP
Asked if Vanderjagt's future as a Colt was in jeopardy, Dungy replied, "Only if he wants it to be.
"It's not in doubt because of what he said. If he meant what he said, he shouldn't be here."
Criticizing Dungy and Manning for lacking emotion in their roles as team leaders, Vanderjagt also questioned the direction the Colts are headed. They were bounced 41-0 by the New York Jets an AFC wild-card game after a 10-6 regular season.
"I just don't see us getting better," Vanderjagt said.
Dungy contacted Vanderjagt at his home in Toronto on Wednesday to determine first-hand the strength of Vanderjagt's convictions.
"I wanted to find out where he is," Dungy said. "If that is truly what he thinks and he doesn't want to play here because he doesn't think we can win, then he shouldn't be here."
Dungy said that Vanderjagt didn't really react to the remark, and has not asked for a trade or to be released.
"He shared a few things with me that are kind of personal," Dungy said, adding the conversation lasted about 10 minutes. "The bottom line is we'll see what happens."
Attempts to reach Vanderjagt have been unsuccessful. He told the Toronto Sun on Wednesday that while Dungy wasn't "cool" with what he said, the two shared a productive phone conversation.
". .. one of the first things he asked me was if I wanted to win," Vanderjagt said. "He said, 'If that's what you want, that's fine with me.'
"And that's what I want. It's what I've always wanted."
Vanderjagt added that he regretted how his comments were interpreted and that he intended to contact Manning.
Manning, in Honolulu preparing for Sunday's Pro Bowl, told ESPN: "When I get back to the (Mainland) I'll deal with it."
Dungy noted it is understandable for players to have trouble with the transition when one coach (Dungy) replaces another (Jim Mora, who was fired after the 2001 season).
But he added it's imperative for players to "buy into" the new coach's philosophy.
The key, Dungy said, is to determine which players will join the program, and which never will.
If Dungy and president Bill Polian determine it's in the best interest of the team to release Vanderjagt, there will be salary cap ramifications.
Vanderjagt signed a five-year, $7.4 million contract extension in 2000. He will count $1.65 million against the league's projected 2003 cap of $75 million.
If the team cuts Vanderjagt before June 1, it will save his $1.4 million base salary but the unaccounted portion of his $1.5 million signing bonus ($750,000) will count against the cap. That will produce a cap savings of $650,000.
The team acquired place-kicking competition for Vanderjagt this month when it signed veteran Brett Conway.
"You're always looking for good people," Dungy said.
Vanderjagt remains the most accurate kicker in NFL history, converting 85.1% of his field-goal attempts (137-of-161). But he's coming off his worst season: 23-of-31.
A groin injury contributed to Vanderjagt's off year. But what if Vanderjagt's inability to buy into Dungy's leadership was a factor?
"If it's because he doesn't believe in what we're doing and doesn't think we can win, then it's going to be tough for him to kick here," Dungy said. "If it's because he had an off year or other things, hopefully those numbers will come back."
But will Vanderjagt?
"I don't have control of this one," Dungy said.
