The Colts locked up another starting offensive player on Tuesday by reaching a five-year deal with guard Ryan Lilja.
Terms of the deal weren't available, but the franchising of Clark and the re-signing of Lilja leaves guard Jake Scott and defensive end Josh Thomas, who started seven games in 2007, as the team's only unsigned unrestricted free agents.
Lilya, 26, is one of the great finds of the Colts over the past several seasons. He was cut by the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie in 2004. The Colts claimed him on waivers, and he's started 43 games at guard over the past four seasons. Re-signing either Lilja or Scott was considered one of the team's top priority this offseason. Scott and Lilja each played close to 100 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps in 2007
Personally, I thought we'd resign Scott over Lilja due to his ability to play tackle in a pinch, but we'll see what happens. Lilja is a good lineman for us and helps maintain continuity for Peyton and Co.