The Colts claimed defensive back Antonio Perkins off waivers from the Browns on Thursday. A fourth-round draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2005, Perkins had two tackles in six games with the Browns the past two seasons. He also returned three kickoffs as a rookie.

Look for Dwight Freeney to become the highest-paid defensive player in league history. Preliminary talks have begun between the team and Gary Wichard, Freeney's agent. The key date is July 15, the deadline for a long-term contract to be reached. Failing that, Freeney must play under the one-year, $9.43 million "franchise" tag for '07. If that happens, he figures to be a no-show throughout the preseason. The absolute earliest Freeney would sign the one-year tender is the week before the start of the regular season. A long-term deal is in the best interest of both sides. It will afford the Colts room under the salary cap and allow them to lock up one of the NFL's most disruptive players (on the field) for the foreseeable future. It would also give Freeney long-term security.

Former Colts quarterback Jack Trudeau pleaded innocent Tuesday to a felony charge of obstruction of justice in the investigation of underage drinking at his home during a high school graduation party for his daughter. Trial was set in Boone Superior Court for Oct. 2. Trudeau also is charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and furnishing alcohol to a minor, both misdemeanors. "Contrary to characterizations of the events, we were not hosting an underage drinking party," Trudeau said, reading a statement outside the courtroom. "We were cooperative and helpful in every matter."

First-round draft pick Anthony Gonzalez is slowly getting comfortable working with quarterback Peyton Manning. "Comfort is something that comes with experience,'' Gonzalez said. "You hear the cliche there's no substitute for experience, and that's true to a large degree. In my situation, I'm just trying to get as many experiences as possible -- trying to get with Peyton as often as possible and go over signals, go over routes, how he wants certain things run.'' Gonzalez conceded he battled nerves when he first started playing catch with Manning two weeks ago. "You get over that pretty quickly,'' he said. "You'd better.''

Former Colts quarterback Jack Trudeau was arrested early Saturday and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Police found liquor being served at Trudeau's home for a high school graduation party, a release from the Boone County Sheriff's department said. Trudeau was taken to the Boone County Jail, where he posted bond and was released Saturday morning. He faces a maximum penalty of one year in jail and $5,000 in fines for the Class A misdemeanor.