INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The best clutch kicker in league history is staying put. So is Bob Sanders’ replacement.

On Wednesday, Adam Vinatieri and Melvin Bullitt both agreed to three-year deals, keeping them in Indianapolis. Details of the deals were not immediately available, and team spokesman Avis Roper said the Colts would not confirm any transactions until later this week because players cannot officially sign contracts until Friday.

Vinatieri’s agent, Gary Uberstine, confirmed the move in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Bullitt took to the local airwaves to confirm his deal.

“It was `Let’s get this done, let’s move past it, let’s get ready for the season,’ ” he told radio station 1070 The Fan Wednesday afternoon.

Bullitt has been a backup to the oft-injured Bob Sanders since joining the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2007, but is expected to become a full-time starter this season after Sanders’ release. Sanders, the 2007 NFL defensive player of the year, signed with San Diego before the NFL lockout began.

Getting both deals completed quickly at least provides some answers for a team scrambling to put its roster together before players report to training camp Sunday.

Still, the biggest concern — a new long-term contract for four-time MVP Peyton Manning — has not been resolved . Team owner Jim Irsay has repeatedly promised to make Manning the highest-paid player in league history. Tom Brady currently holds that distinction with an annual average salary of $18 million.

Indy placed the exclusive franchise tag on Manning in February, a move that prevents him from negotiating with other teams and would pay Manning about $23 million this season if he signed the deal. Clearly, the Colts would prefer a long-term deal that lowers Manning’s salary cap number for this season and clears enough room to sign more of their own free agents.

“I hope it can get done quickly and I think it should get done quickly,” Irsay said Monday night. “Under this system, you can’t pay a player $25 million or you won’t be able to compete.”

While the Manning negotiations continue, the Colts have been busy signing undrafted rookies and agreeing to deals with Vinatieri and Bullitt.

The 38-year-old Vinatieri is one of just seven players in league history to score 500 or more points with two different teams (Patriots, Colts).

He made the 48-yard field goal that gave New England its first Super Bowl win after the 2001 season He also made the tying kick in regulation and the winner against Oakland in the snow during the 2001 playoffs, a game best remembered as the “tuck rule” game. Two years later, Vinatieri made another Super Bowl winning kick against Carolina.

And he played an integral role in the Colts’ 2006 Super Bowl run, making five field goals in a 15-6 win at Baltimore, going 3 for 3 against New England in the Colts’ AFC title game comeback, and 3 for 4 on a rainy Miami day to help beat Chicago in the title game.

After missing much of the 2009 season following hip surgery, Vinatieri played in all 16 games in 2010 and made 26 of 28 field-goal attempts.

Bullitt came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 200, started 21 games in 2008 and 2009 and had five interceptions in his first three NFL seasons. Last year, after replacing the injured Sanders as the starter again, Bullitt had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder in October.

More roster moves should be coming by Friday night.

Irsay has acknowledged the Colts will have to cut some players, perhaps even a “well-known” player. Though he did not identify any individuals as potential cap casualties, speculation has centered on longtime right tackle Ryan Diem. He is scheduled to make $5.4 in base salary this season, the last on his current deal.

“I’m like everybody else, I suspect something is going to happen,” said Cliff Brady, Diem’s agent. “I know they’re trying to get Charlie Johnson done.”

Johnson has been the starting left tackle the last two seasons in Indy and is an unrestricted free agent.

Indy used its first two draft picks in an obvious attempt to upgrade the offensive line. But it’s unlikely the Colts want two rookie linemen protecting their high-priced franchise quarterback, who is still rehabbing from offsesason neck surgery.

In addition to Bullitt, Johnson and Vinatieri, the list of free agents Indy would like to retain includes running back Joseph Addai and linebacker Clint Session, both starters.

Another possible cap cut could be cornerback Kelvin Hayden, whose base salary this season is expected to be nearly $9 million. It was Hayden who picked off the pass against Chicago and returned it for a touchdown to seal the Colts’ Super Bowl win.

“We are talking to some of our own guys,” general manager Chris Polian said Tuesday. “We will not have the ability to retain all of our free agents. We will try to retain as many as we can, but I would not expect that to be 100 percent across the board.”

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Williamson: Sanders a key addition

If healthy, Bob Sanders is a substantial addition to this defense, which was ranked No. 1 in the NFL. But it’s a big “if,” writes AFC West blogger Bill Williamson. Blog

NEW YORK – Former Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders is visiting Wednesday with the New York Jets, aoccording to a league source and ESPN.The free safety, who was recently released, also has made visits with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, according to sources.Sanders played in just one game last season, leaving the Colts’ opener on the team’s first defensive series with a torn left biceps.

With safety Antoine Bethea signing a four-year, $27 million contract last summer; Melvin Bullitt, Sanders’ backup, emerging as a competent starter; and the Colts still trying to sign four-time league MVP Peyton Manning to a new long-term deal, there wasn’t enough room to keep Sanders.Sanders played in 14 games in 2005, helping the Colts go 13-0 and earning the first of two Pro Bowl selections. A knee injury limited him to only four regular-season games in 2006, but when he returned for the playoffs, the Colts’ run defense improved dramatically and was a key reason they won the Super Bowl.Sanders was healthy again in 2007, playing in 15 games, earning another Pro Bowl trip and becoming the first Colts player to win the league’s top defensive award.Injuries limited Sanders to only six regular-season games in 2008. He missed the first five games in 2009 following knee surgery, then in his second game back, tore the biceps in his left arm and missed the rest of the season.

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Bob Sanders was worth every penny for the Indianapolis Colts.

That might seem like a ludicrous statement to some. Sanders sat out with injuries more often than he played. The last three seasons have been an absolute wash, with Sanders sidelined by too many ailments to describe without a medical dictionary nearby. We saw him fly into the action at safety only once last season, in the opener in Houston. He made about $700,000 per snap.

Sanders, who was released Friday by the Colts, was worth every penny because of the 2006 playoff run.

Ironically, 2006 was a year when he missed the bulk of the season, playing only four regular-season games, right up until the playoffs.

Then, in one magical four-game run, Sanders returned as Superman, turning the Colts’ pathetic defense into the NFL’s best. He transformed the unit overnight and the defense inexplicably took the lead in driving the Colts to their only Super Bowl title.

Everyone ran all over the Colts during the regular season that year. No one ran on them in the postseason, save for one breakaway run by the Bears’ Thomas Jones. The Colts were last against the run in the regular season; they were first in the postseason. The difference was Sanders. In four playoff games, he had 22 tackles, four passes defended, one forced fumble and two interceptions.

I don’t believe the Colts could have won the 2007 Super Bowl without Sanders.

So, yes, given the historical value of a Lombardi Trophy, I believe Sanders was worth every penny. I had no problems when the Colts signed him to a $37.5 million deal after his 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year season. That may be Monopoly money to the rest of us, but in NFL terms, he’d earned it.

When Sanders was on the field, he was an absolute terror on opposing running backs, receivers and coordinators. You couldn’t contain him. You couldn’t ignore him. He was a force of nature.

“He’s what you would look for if you were designing a safety for this system,” then-Colts coach Tony Dungy said. “I think it’s a mesh of a perfect guy playing in a system that’s designed for him. Every now and then you get that guy who really fits the job description. I think that’s what we have in Bob.”

Do I understand why the Colts cut Sanders loose Friday? Absolutely. They had paid him, handsomely, for delivering that Super Bowl title and following that with a monster year. But the pay didn’t stop when his health finally did. And 2010 was the point when all the Colts were paying for were memories.

Sanders was due to make a base salary of $5.5 million next season, assuming there is a next season. Considering he has played in only nine games in the last three seasons, there is no justification to continue to pay him as if he’s the league’s best safety. Over the course of his seven seasons with the Colts, he played in 48 games and missed 64. It’s not his fault; he can’t help it that his body couldn’t keep up with his reckless abandon. Neither could he change the way he played.

I’ll miss Sanders because he was thrilling to watch, captivating to listen to on occasions when he talked at length with the media and an inspiration to average-sized guys everywhere. (Note: His biceps were the average size of most men’s thighs.)

The Colts will miss the Sanders of 2005, playoffs 2006 and 2007. There was no more dominant defensive force in the league during that stretch.

Colts owner Jim Irsay thanked Sanders for his contributions as he announced his release via Twitter. (This is the world we live in.) Sanders, in a statement released by the team, thanked Irsay and said he would always consider himself a Colt.

I’m guessing the Colts made an offer to Sanders that would have allowed him to return at a substantially reduced salary. Rare is the great player whose pride will let him accept such a deal without trying for more elsewhere.

I have no doubt that some team, probably the Tennessee Titans – who constantly collect cut Colts – will give him a chance to prove that he has some games left in him.

The Colts have a number of players up for free agency and they can’t afford to pay Sanders millions on hopes and dreams any longer.

In retrospect, however, Sanders was worth every penny while he lasted. If you need proof, stop by the Colts complex sometime and ask to see the Lombardi Trophy.

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This column is the commentary of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of The News-Sentinel. E-mail Reggie Hayes at rhayes@news-sentinel.com and see past columns at hayes.news-sentinel.com

Colts safety Bob Sanders spent seven seasons with the team. (Michael Conroy/Associated Press)

The Indianapolis Colts have parted ways with one of the most recognizable names on their defence.

On Friday, Colts owner Jim Irsay announced via Twitter the team has released longtime safety Bob Sanders.

Irsay thanked him for his “incredible contributions,” which include winning defensive player of the year honours in 2007.

Sanders, who made a name for himself with his hard-hitting style, recorded 72 tackles, 3½ sacks and two interceptions to win the award that season. He was the first Colt in franchise history to accomplish the feat.

Indianapolis rewarded the two-time Pro Bowler (2005, 2007) with a five-year, $37.5 million US contract.

“I want to thank Mr. Irsay for the opportunity to play with the Colts,” Sanders said in a statement released by the team. “I appreciate all he and the organization did for me throughout my career, and I always will consider myself a Colt. I want to thank the fans also for their great support. They played a big part in making my seven years with the team very rewarding.”

The 29-year-old was drafted by the Colts in the second round of the 2004 NFL Entry Draft and has played his entire seven-year career with the team.

The Erie, Pa., native has totalled 216 tackles, 3½ sacks and six interceptions over 48 regular-season games.

Injuries have slowed him throughout the latter part of his career, as he played in just nine games over the last three seasons. In 2008 a high ankle sprain limited him to just six contests, while in 2009 an arm injury forced him to sit out all but two games.

In 2010, a torn biceps tendon ended Sanders’s season prematurely when the Colts placed him on injured reserve on Dec. 8.

With files from The Associated Press

The Colts released S Bob Sanders, owner Jim Irsay announced.