INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts have designated tight end Dallas Clark their franchise player, retaining him through at least the 2008 season.
Clark was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent March 1st.
Team President Bill Polian had said last week that the move was likely.
The move amounts to a one-year contract worth the average of the league's top five tight ends in 2007: $4.522 million. Clark still is able to sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Colts can match the offer or receive two first-round draft picks as compensation from his new team.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
