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.