Though many expected that Colts president Bill Polian would be calling it a career soon, the 65-year-old executive has a few years left to throw guys into a wall.

Polian has signed an extension that, per owner Jim Irsay, is for “another three or four years.” 

“I see him here hopefully for a long time, but certainly through 2011 or whatever it is,” Irsay said.

Polian has been the Art Vandalay of a franchise that has managed to keep plenty of big name players together, without suffering a full-blown salary cap implosion.  They have the highest-paid quarterback (Peyton Manning), defensive end (Dwight Freeney), safety (Bob Sanders), and tight end (Dallas Clark) in the league.

And Polian has made good decisions about players whom he has opted not to re-sign.  The team didn’t suffer at all from the departure of running back Edgerrin James or linebacker Cato June.

It’s widely believed that Polian eventually will be succeeded by his son, Chris.