His inflammatory comments of last month notwithstanding, Indianapolis Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt will almost certainly be back with the team in 2003, all but guaranteeing his job security by restructuring his contract.

	Vanderjagt

The so-called "simple" restructuring, in which Vanderjagt dropped his '03 base salary from $1.4 million to the NFL minimum of $530,000 for a player of his tenure, makes it more prohibitive for the cap-strapped Colts to release him this offseason.

Vanderjagt is at least the fourth Indianapolis veteran in the past two weeks to restructure his 2003 contract to provide the team much-needed cap space.

Offensive tackle Adam Meadows, tight end Marcus Pollard and cornerback Walt Harris all completed "simple" restructurings, in which base salary is reduced, and the difference replaced by guaranteed dollars, in essence a signing bonus.

Appearing on Canadian television last month, Vanderjagt openly criticized the leadership skills of quarterback Peyton Manning and head coach Tony Dungy, suggesting both men lacked passion. The remarks set off a spitting match with Manning, who termed Vanderjagt an "idiot kicker" who made his comments while "liquored up."

The two players then apologized to each other in a series of phone calls.

The restructuring reduces Vanderjagt's cap value for 2003 to $1.07 million, a savings to the Colts of $580,000 against the spending limit. It increases his cap number in the final two years of his contract by $290,000 in each of the seasons, making his cap value $2.142 million in 2004 and $2.34 million for 2005.

It also means, however, the Colts would still have pay Vanderjagt $870,000 if they released him at any point before the season. The cap impact of such a move would also be increased.

Vanderjagt, 32, is the most accurate field goal kicker in league history, with an 85.1 percent success rate. He is coming off the poorest season of his NFL career, having converted just 23 of 31 field goal tries in 2002.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.