The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - Jim Irsay said Thursday he wants to keep the Colts in Indianapolis even if it takes years, not months, to work out a deal with the city.

The Colts owner talked with reporters for the first time in more than 10 months Thursday, answering questions after he watched practice.

Irsay acknowledged negotiations with city officials had slowed but suggested that was more the result of timing than an impasse.

The Colts are preparing for Sunday's season opener at Cleveland and a city's mayoral election will be held in November.

"This is something that's going to be a journey that takes a few years," Irsay said. "I don't think anything should be read into that (pace). I'm very optimistic about our future here."

A telephone message seeking comment was left at the office of Mayor Bart Peterson's spokesman. Peterson has repeatedly said he did not want to be known as the mayor who lost the Colts.

Irsay has kept a low profile since November, when he admitted having a past dependency to prescription pain killers.

There has been speculation the team might pursue a move to Los Angeles if a new Indianapolis deal cannot be reached.

The team's current RCA Dome lease runs through the 2013 season but has a conditional escape clause that could take effect after the 2006 season if the Colts are not at the league's median revenue.

Irsay seemed more concerned with improving the team's ticket base.

"I think the thing we've always been concerned about, and it's not a directly financial aspect, but the pulse of the franchise is the season-ticket base," he said. "That's a key indicator."

The Colts, who moved to Indianapolis from Baltimore in 1984, drew small crowds to each of their two home preseason games, including an all-time low of 26,741 on Aug. 15 against Seattle.

Last week's crowd was only slightly better - 29,079 - against Cincinnati.

Even when paid attendance, instead of actual attendance, is counted, the Colts still sold about 4,000 fewer tickets to their preseason games than the Bengals, who have not had a winning season since 1990.

The Colts have sold out 32 straight regular-season home games but tickets still remain for their home opener Sept. 14 against division rival Tennessee.

Irsay said he believed part of the problem was increased competition within the city - and the size of the city. Indianapolis is the 10th-smallest television market in the 32-team NFL.

"This place is the size of Columbus, Ohio," he said. "We're trying to do our part."

BILLS: Rookie linebacker Mario Haggan was released by Buffalo, making room for safety Lawyer Milloy.

Haggan, a three-year starter at Mississippi State, was Buffalo's seventh-round draft pick. He became the odd-man out with the Bills carrying eight linebackers on their roster.

BUCS: Middle linebacker Shelton Quarles likely will be sidelined for several games after breaking his left forearm Thursday in the Buccaneers' final practice in pads before the regular season.

FALCONS: Outside linebacker Sam Rogers will not play in Atlanta's season opener Sunday at Dallas because of an injured left knee.

Rogers and starting safety Cory Hall were injured in the final preseason game against Cleveland. Hall will miss at least the first two games with a sprained ligament in his right knee. Michael Vick is expected to miss a month with a broken leg.

TEXANS: Center Steve McKinney, back this week with the Houston Texans after missing most of August with a groin pull and an injured left knee, left practice Thursday after twisting the knee.

Still, he hopes to play Sunday when the Texans open the season in Miami, adding that he can perform if it's only torn scar tissue from his previous injury or a slight sprain.

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