Manning Is a Real Franchise Player

Peyton Manning has been the Indianapolis Colts’ franchise player for six years. Now he officially wears the title.

The Colts gave Manning their franchise tag Monday, a move that will pay him $18.4 million this year unless he agrees to a long-term deal.

“We’ll continue to negotiate until March 1,” team President Bill Polian said. “It’s going exactly as I anticipated it would.”

Polian said he hoped to meet with Manning’s agent this week to work out a multiyear deal that could lower his salary cap number for the 2004 season.

But the move, which came one day before the NFL deadline to designate franchise players, prevents Manning from hitting the open market March 3. The date is also the deadline for teams to be under the league’s $80.5-million salary cap.

Teams could still sign Manning to an offer sheet, but by giving him the franchise designation, the Colts would be able to match any offer.

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The Miami Dolphins gave quarterback Jay Fiedler permission to seek a trade after arranging a deal to acquire A.J. Feeley from Philadelphia as a probable replacement, Fiedler’s agent said.

The Dolphins have confirmed trade talks with the Eagles but declined to say whether a deal for Feeley was in place. Miami is expected to give Philadelphia a conditional second-round draft pick in 2005 in the trade, which can’t be completed until the off-season trading period begins March 3.

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The Denver Broncos are discussing a trade that would send running back Clinton Portis to Washington for cornerback Champ Bailey, a swap of two Pro Bowl players upset with their contracts.

In giving up Portis for Bailey, Denver also would receive Washington’s second-round selection in the April draft, the NFL source told Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Vinny Cerrato, Washington’s player personnel director, said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis: “We are talking to a number of teams, and Denver is one of the teams.”

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The 49ers designated All-Pro linebacker Julian Peterson their franchise player, keeping him with San Francisco and practically guaranteeing Terrell Owens’ departure. The 49ers also agreed to terms with running back Kevan Barlow on a five-year contract extension.

Peterson will be offered a one-year deal worth between $5.8 million and $7.2 million -- whatever turns out to be the average salary of the NFL’s top five linebackers after various contracts are restructured.

With Peterson having the franchise tag, Owens will be free to sign with any team if he chooses to void the final two seasons of his contract next month.

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Cleveland running back William Green began serving a three-day jail sentence at Westlake, Ohio, after reaching a plea agreement on drunk driving charges.

Green, recently reinstated by the NFL after his suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, reported to the city jail immediately after his sentencing.

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Defensive end Darren Howard was designated the New Orleans Saints’ franchise player.

The tag guarantees Howard $6.5 million next year in a one-year deal, the average of the five top-salaried defensive ends.