PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles Tuesday acquired offensive guard Ron Solt from the Indianapolis Colts in an attempt to bolster their faltering running game.
Team officials said Solt, 26, was obtained for undisclosed future draft picks, including Philadelphia's No. 1 pick in 1989.
Last Wednesday, Solt signed a 5-year, $2.6 million contract with the Colts, ending a 70-day holdout that began when he refused to report to training camp. After agreeing to the pact, which made him one of the 10 best-paid offensive linemen in NFL history, he made demeaning comments about Indianapolis management. Colts General Manager Jim Irsay denied the trade was retribution for the remarks.
Solt was in uniform for Sunday's game at New England but did not play. Irsay said Solt was not held out of the game because a trade was imminent, but that Solt became expendable because of the emergence of Randy Dixon, a second-year guard, and the solid play at the other guard spot of veteran Ben Utt.
Solt apparently was hoping for a trade when he criticized management last week. Much of his anger was aimed at Irsay's father, Robert Irsay, owner of the team.
'It's strange what goes through the heads of people like that,' Solt said in one reference to Robert Irsay. 'He's made some weird decisions in the past and he will continue to do so. It's unfortunate the club has an owner like it does.'
Solt said he signed the contract reluctantly, claiming he was worth more money.
'There's only one way to make me happy,' he said after signing. 'Either compensate me the way I deserve or trade me.'
Solt, a five-year pro, earned numerous honors in 1987, including selection the AFC Pro Bowl squad, and a berth on United Press International's All-AFC first team last season.
The Wilkes-Barre, Pa., native helped the Colts win the AFC Eastern Division title last year, clearing running lanes for Eric Dickerson, who ranked second among NFL rushers and gained 1,011 of his 1,288 career yards after joining Indianapolis.
'Ron is an All Pro who will come in here and start immediately at right guard for us against the Giants and really help us,' Eagles Coach Buddy Ryan said. 'That's not a knock on (Eagles starter) Reggie Singletary,' Ryan added. 'He's an excellent football player who is a year away. Ron Solt is an All Pro. He is a young guy who has only been in the league a short while, and I think he'll come in and really put us over the top.'
Solt, who never has been named to the NFL All Pro team, has missed only one game because of injury in his career.
