Do we want him?
Can we use him for leadership?
Is he still any good?
Does he have MUCH left in the tank?
INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Sanders couldn't stay healthy and the Indianapolis Colts couldn't afford to keep investing in the oft-injured safety.
Team owner Jim Irsay released the 2007 NFL defensive player of the year Friday, announcing the decision less than 24 hours after he told reporters he would make a decision about Sanders' future before March 3.
"We thank Bob for all his incredible contributions, from his Super Bowl interception to his defensive player of the year honor," Irsay said in a statement.
The move was not a major surprise. After winning the league's top defensive honor, Sanders signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract but played in only nine regular-season games the next three seasons.
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.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6135553