Colts News

Colts' secondary absorbs more hits
Comment
November 7
Indianapolis Star
 
"Two years ago, it appeared the Indianapolis Colts had the makings of one of the NFL's outstanding secondaries. Two weeks ago, it appeared it was all about to come together. Not this year. Safety Bob Sanders has been placed on injured reserve and will require season-ending surgery to repair a torn biceps, and starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden is expected to miss up to four weeks with a knee injury, the club announced Friday. With the season-ending knee injury cornerback Marlin Jackson suffered in practice Wednesday, free safety Antoine Bethea will be the only member of the projected starting secondary on the field Sunday when the Houston Texans meet the Colts in a key AFC South game at ..."
Daniels' loss might be Walter's gain
Comment
November 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"Starting with Sunday's game at Indianapolis, receiver Kevin Walter could benefit the most from Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels being lost for the season because of a knee injury. Daniels had 40 catches for 519 yards and five touchdowns before he was injured. After missing the first two games because of a hamstring injury, Walter has been limited to 22 receptions for 261 yards and one touchdown. Walter is ready and eager to have more passes thrown to him, and the Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium would be a good time to start. "Owen's a warrior, and we'll miss him, but there will be more opportunities for the rest of us to make plays," Walter said. "Guys have to step up because more balls ..."
Colts lose Sanders, Hayden for extended period
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders will require surgery to repair an injury to his left elbow and miss an undetermined amount of time. Also, starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden is expected to miss up to four weeks with a knee injury. Coach Jim Caldwell confirmed the team will be without two of their starting defensive players, perhaps for at least a month, this morning. Sanders, who missed the first five games of the season while completing his rehabilitation from offseason knee surgery, suffered the injury in last Sunday's win over San Francisco. He sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, a noted orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Ala., and it was determined surgery is required."
Colts' injury woes mount: Marlin Jackson, Anthony Gonzalez, Bob Sanders
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indianapolis Colts have placed cornerback Marlin Jackson on injured reserve and filled his roster spot by signing free agent defensive end Josh Thomas. The club also announced that on Thursday wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery to "clean out loose particles" and safety Bob Sanders visited Dr. James Andrews to get an opinion on the left elbow injury Sanders suffered on Sunday against San Francisco. Jackson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a non-contact drill on Wednesday and will require season-ending knee surgery. Jackson also suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice last year. Gonzalez aggravated his injury ..."
Offensive line justice is swift and sure
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"Tony Ugoh was a raw rookie tackle when the Indianapolis Colts' offseason workout program began in 2007. His first day in the offensive line meeting room was instructive. It also was expensive. "The veterans were like, hey, rooks, go get us some water," Ugoh recalled. "I turned around and there's a water jug in the room. I didn't know any better, so I said, 'There's a dispenser back there.' "That was my first fine. I learned real quick to shut up. Then I got fined for not saying anything. I got fined for not having enough fines." Offensive line justice is swift and sure. Draw a penalty or blow an assignment, and it will cost you. Whiff on a block or allow a sack, and it will cost you. ..."
Sanders misses 2nd consecutive practice
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indianapolis Colts face the prospect of being without Bob Sanders - again - Sunday when they entertain the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The veteran safety missed his second consecutive practice Thursday because of an elbow injury suffered in last Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers. "He's getting it evaluated,'' coach Jim Caldwell said of Sanders prior to this afternoon's practice. Caldwell added the injury did not keep Sanders from finishing the 49ers game, but it flared up "a little while later.''"
Houston's defense finally turns the corner
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"It's hard to imagine a new defensive coordinator getting off to a worse start than Frank Bush. After three games, the Houston Texans were 1-2 and reeling. They had allowed 28.7 points a game and 437.7 yards, including 205 against the run. They were on a pace to allow more yards and yards rushing than any defense in history. Critics insisted Bush was in over his head, just another hire by coach Gary Kubiak because of his Denver Broncos background. Kubiak and Bush acknowledged they were terrible, but they also said they knew the reasons -- four big plays caused by players being out of position. The key, then, wasn't to change the strategy but to change the players. Over the past five games, ..."
Schaub making a name for himself
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"The names, Manning and Brady and Favre, simply roll off the tongue. They are the triumvirate of current sure-fire Hall of Famers, and all of them are having great seasons. So who leads the NFL in passing yards so far this year? Can you guess? The answer, somewhat surprisingly, is Matt Schaub, the anonymous quarterback of the Houston Texans. Schaub comes to town Sunday with 2,342 yards, 115 more than the Indianapolis Colts' Peyton Manning, albeit with one more game played. New England's Tom Brady is fifth with 2,032 yards and Minnesota's Brett Favre is eighth with 1,925. Most importantly, Schaub has the Texans (5-3) off to the best start in the franchise's eight-year history. The sixth-year ..."
Snow still cringes over the snap that got away
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"Justin Snow is one of the NFL's best at performing a difficult task from an awkward position. He's the Indianapolis Colts long snapper, and has delivered 593 footballs through his legs for punts since 2000. He'd love a mulligan on one. "You know what's going to jump out at me," Snow said, smiling. Jan. 18, 2004. Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. AFC Championship Game versus the New England Patriots. Fourth-and-10, 4:13 remaining in the second quarter and the Colts trailing 13-0 en route to a 24-14 loss. "I remember we hadn't punted in two playoff games," Snow said, "and all of a sudden, in the biggest game of my career, I shot it over Hunter's head." Hunter Smith is 6-2 and athletic. ..."
Jackson tears ACL in practice
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"Marlin Jackson's comeback from one knee injury will be replaced by a comeback from another. The Indianapolis Colts' veteran cornerback confirmed Thursday evening that he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Wednesday's practice. Season-ending surgery is required. "I really don't want to talk about it now," Jackson said in a telephone interview with The Indianapolis Star. "I will at some point, but not now." It marks the second time in 12 months Jackson, a 2005 first-round draft pick, has suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice. On Oct. 29, 2008, he tore two ligaments in his right knee during non-contact drills. He missed the preseason while completing ..."
Kravitz: Wayne's the best, every day of the week
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 columnist Bob Kravitz
"Let the numbers do the talking. Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne is: Second in the NFL in receptions with 51, although the top pass-catcher, the New York Giants' Steve Smith, has played one more game and leads Wayne by just two catches. Second in the NFL in reception yards, although the No. 1 guy, Houston's Andre Johnson, has played one more game and has just eight more yards than Wayne. First in the AFC in TD receptions (six, and it would be seven if not for that oops against Tennessee), first in the AFC in receptions for first downs (29), tied for second in the AFC in third-down receptions (15) and third in the AFC in third-down reception yards (191). Wayne is on a pace to ..."
Williams has to answer questions at Indy
Comment
November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Texans drafted Mario Williams to get Peyton Manning, but considering the puny pass rush he's provided over the first half of the season, that doesn't seem possible when they play at Indianapolis on Sunday. Williams is supposed to be one of the most feared NFL pass rushers, but he has fewer sacks at the midway point than any season of his career. Williams has three sacks, one more than Jeff Zgonina, 39, who was the oldest defensive starter in the league until New England linebacker Junior Seau came out of retirement more than Brett Favre. Williams' injured shoulder must be much worse than the Texans are telling us. How else do you explain 39 players having more sacks than the top pick ..."
Making it look simple
Comment
November 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"When Peyton Manning is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he'll surely at least consider inviting the Texans' defense — circa 2002-08 — to the ceremony en masse. No one group has contributed more to Manning's mythic standing in the game's hierarchy. The Texans had the misfortune of joining the NFL just as Manning, entering his fourth season, was in full flower, having become a quarterback determined to finish his journey in Canton, Ohio. Worse, they got stuck in the same division with him, and it has been one bumpy ride, particularly when their (not-yet) rivalry makes its annual pit stop in Indianapolis. The numbers are even worse than you think. Manning, 33, has thrown 239 ..."
In a down economy, NFL viewership is up
Comment
November 6
Washington Post
 
"When this NFL season began with some franchises struggling to sell tickets, there were concerns about the impact that the uncertain U.S. economy would have on the nation's most prosperous sport. While those concerns have turned out to be justified in a few NFL cities and unfounded in others, there has been an unforeseen development: The NFL's television ratings are soaring this season, and some analysts say it appears to be the result of consumers cutting back on other, more costly leisure activities in favor of watching pro football on TV. "I think there's only one answer and that is the NFL and television are actually getting the so-called 'benefit' of the recession," said Neal Pilson, ..."
Colts' cornerback Marlin Jackson confirms season-ending knee injury
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"For the second time in 12 months, Indianapolis Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson has suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice. Jackson confirmed he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Wednesday afternoon's practice. Jackson, a 2005 first-round draft pick, tore two ligaments in his right knee during an October practice last season. He returned to the playing field for this season's opener and played extensively in the nickel package in the first four games. However, Jackson has missed the past three games after injuring his left knee against Seattle on Oct. 4."
Sanders may be out
Comment
November 6
Indianapolis Star
 
"It's uncertain whether Bob Sanders will be available when the Indianapolis Colts host the Houston Texans on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The veteran safety missed his second straight practice Thursday after suffering an elbow injury in last weekend's win over San Francisco. "He's getting it evaluated," said coach Jim Caldwell, who was unable to elaborate on the injury's severity. Caldwell noted the injury did not keep Sanders from finishing the 49ers game but became an issue "a little while later." If Sanders is out, Melvin Bullitt is back in the starting lineup. As has been the case whenever Sanders has missed time -- he was out for the first five games of the season while completing his ..."
Manning on record pace, but running game is still struggling
Comment
November 5
Indianapolis Star
 
"It's difficult to argue with the results generated thus far by the Indianapolis Colts offense, even though it is as imbalanced as ever. While the objective isn't necessarily a 50-50 split between runs and pass plays, the Colts' 7-0 record has been built more on Peyton Manning's arm than on the occasional handoffs to running backs. Despite having a virtual stranglehold on the AFC South heading into Sunday's divisional showdown with the Houston Texans, they admit it's not an ideal mix. "We're still trying to be balanced," said Manning, who's on pace to deliver a club-record 601 passes and a league-record 5,090 yards. "I guess the numbers are what they are. "We're probably throwing it better ..."
Gonzalez goes for 2nd opinion on knee
Comment
November 5
Indianapolis Star
 
"A couple of good guys, interview faves of mine, were missing from the locker room today. The news on one, SLB Tyjuan Hagler, is unfortunately the worst. Colts coach Jim Caldwell said a few minutes ago that Hagler has a ruptured biceps muscle and has been placed on injured reserve. So Hagler, who has been hurt before, is done for the season. Can't help but feel bad for a guy who has come back from injuries before, was re-signed in the offseason after it didn't seem like he would return, then he earns the starting job in camp and now this. Caldwell said second-year pro Philip Wheeler and rookie Ramon Humber would battle for playing time at the position. Wheeler had three tackles and was ..."
Colts LB Hagler out with ruptured biceps
Comment
November 4
Indianapolis Star
 
"Indianapolis Colts linebacker Tyjuan Hagler has been place on injured reserve with a ruptured biceps, coach Jim Caldwell announced today. Hagler suffered the season-ending injury Sunday against San Francisco. Philip Wheeler or Ramon Humber will replace him and start on Sunday against Houston at Lucas Oil Stadium. Wheeler was a third-round draft pick in 2008. Humber is an undrafted rookie from North Dakota State. Neither has started a game. Wheeler had the strong-side linebacker job during the preseason but was beat out by Hagler. Whether Wheeler is ready this time can't be a question. "He has to be," Caldwell said."
Colts safety Bethea eager to make his mark
Comment
November 4
Indianapolis Star
 
"Antoine Bethea is understated as NFL personalities go. It's easy to overlook the Indianapolis Colts safety on a defense with Pro Bowl stars Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders. But Bethea is playing the best football of his four-year career, by his account as well as teammates and coach Jim Caldwell. When asked how he made the 2008 Pro Bowl as a second alternate -- Sanders and Pittsburgh's Troy Polamalu withdrew with injuries -- Bethea acknowledges he would like to earn his way without the benefit of someone else stepping aside. "Most definitely," he said. "I'll still take it any way it comes, but of course, it would feel better if I was named to the Pro Bowl." One season after leading the ..."
Colts rest their golden arm
Comment
November 3
Indianapolis Star
 
"Eyebrows were raised all over Central Indiana on Friday when the Indianapolis Colts practice report listed quarterback Peyton Manning as a "limited participant" with the qualifier: "not injury related -- rested." Get used to it. "It's something we talked about before the season, in November, kind of easing back on Fridays a little bit from a rep standpoint; just try to be rested from an arm standpoint," Manning said after the Colts beat San Francisco 18-14 on Sunday. "I participated in the part of practice that I needed to, but I did take some rest, which is what we talked about starting in November." On the subject of injuries, Colts coach Jim Caldwell said Monday that he could provide no ..."
Rough road ahead for Colts
Comment
November 3
Indianapolis Star
 
"Nothing came easily for the Indianapolis Colts in their narrow win over San Francisco on Sunday. Consider it a precursor. The road ahead for the AFC's lone unbeaten team appears much more perilous than the road just traveled. "We're heading into the teeth of our schedule," quarterback Peyton Manning said after directing the 38th fourth-quarter/overtime comeback of his career in the 18-14 victory. The Colts have opened 7-0 for the fourth time in five seasons by taking care of business against teams with a combined 17-33 record. Only Arizona (4-3) has a winning record. The next four games are against teams that are 19-11. The tough stretch begins and ends against the Houston Texans (5-3), ..."
Texans down two for clash against the Colts
Comment
November 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"As if the Texans didn't have enough problems losing Pro Bowl tight end Owen Daniels for the season, they will have to play at Indianapolis without rookie James Casey, who had a knee scoped Monday. Daniels, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday's 31-10 victory at Buffalo, will undergo season-ending surgery once the swelling subsides in about two weeks. "It's a big blow to our team," coach Gary Kubiak said about Daniels. "I just feel bad for him. He was having a tremendous season, and we're going to miss him big time. "But he'll get well, and he'll be back better than ever." If everything goes according to plan and Daniels takes eight months to recover, he'll be ready for ..."
49ers down but not out after defeat
Comment
November 2
Oakland Tribune
 
"For a team that has adopted "Don't Tell Me Show Me" as a motto, the 49ers are relying more on words than actions these days. They lost for the third consecutive time Sunday, 18-14 to the Indianapolis Colts. But just as he did after a narrow loss to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season, coach Mike Singletary responded to the defeat by vowing that the 49ers would reach the postseason. "We're going to win enough football games to go to the playoffs," Singletary said. "It's as simple as that." Even after another gut-wrenching loss that featured potentially long-term injuries to left tackle Joe Staley (sprained knee) and cornerback Nate Clements (fractured scapula), the locker room echoed ..."
49ers undeterred by loss
Comment
November 2
San Jose Mercury News
 
"For a team that has adopted "Don't Tell Me, Show Me" as a motto, the 49ers are relying more on words than actions these days. They lost for the third consecutive time Sunday, 18-14 to the Indianapolis Colts. But just as he did after a narrow loss to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this season, coach Mike Singletary responded to the defeat by vowing that the 49ers will reach the postseason. "We're going to win enough football games to go to the playoffs," Singletary said. "It's as simple as that." Even after another gut-wrenching loss that featured potentially long-term injuries to left tackle Joe Staley (sprained knee) and cornerback Nate Clements (fractured scapula), the locker room echoed ..."
Smith gives 49ers hope
Comment
November 2
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Mark Purdy
"The product rollout of Alex Smith 2.0 hit some early glitches here in Sunday afternoon's 18-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Smith, the 49ers quarterback, found himself surrounded by madness and adversity. And it was only the first quarter. The undefeated Colts were across the line of scrimmage. The 49ers' best offensive lineman, Joe Staley, already was out of the game with a knee sprain. The noise of 66,229 hearty Hoosier throats, rested from an extra hour's sleep due to the time change, filled the air. Just then, Smith's helmet radio went out. Four years ago, he might have melted down under the circumstances. But this is not four years ago. Smith signaled to the bench that the radio ..."
QB handles communication breakdown
Comment
November 2
Sacramento Bee
 
"In his second game against Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, Alex Smith had to act like, well, Peyton Manning. The communication system between the sideline and Smith's helmet broke down twice during Sunday's 18-14 loss to Indianapolis, forcing Smith to call the plays on his own. Coach Mike Singletary said Smith handled the job with aplomb. "All I know is that right now Alex looks very calm," Singletary said. "The game is not fast. The game has slowed down quite a bit. His mechanics are a lot better, and I think he has a better command of the offense. … He's only going to get better." Smith and the offense struggled at times. He threw one interception - the ball glanced off Michael ..."
49ers can't finish vs. the best teams
Comment
November 2
Sacramento Bee
 columnist Matthew Barrows
"Flawless. That was the word the 49ers preached all week as they prepared for the undefeated Colts. They would have to play mistake-free football to hand Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney their first loss of the season. They didn't. As was the case earlier this season in Minneapolis, the 49ers were tougher and hungrier and leading late in the second half. But in falling 18-14 Sunday, they continue to be the gutsy young track runner who comes close to winning the race but can't quite make it over that final hurdle. That kid gets a nice, warm ovation at the end of the race. But he walks away with a skinned knee instead of a shiny trophy. The 49ers are definitely bleeding. In ..."
Colts 'D' sacks 49ers in 2nd half
Comment
November 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"The Indianapolis Colts' penchant for timely defensive plays began with heroics from one Pro Bowl star and ended with another. In between, there were just enough to save a Sunday as the Colts edged San Francisco 18-14 at Lucas Oil Stadium. "This is what we live for," said safety Bob Sanders, whose first-quarter interception led to a field goal. "You want to be on the side of the ball where you've got to make the stop to win the game." The Colts blanked the 49ers in the second half. Ahead by four points in the final quarter, Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney stopped drives with sacks. Freeney's third-down tackle of quarterback Alex Smith with 5:57 remaining proved to be the clincher. "We want ..."
Manning pressured by 49ers
Comment
November 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"The numbers were out of whack and certainly not up to the normal lofty standards set by Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts offense. Yes, the bottom line numbers -- 18-14, Colts -- were all that really mattered Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium. It's how the Colts got there, at least offensively, that left many in a sellout crowd a bit befuddled. Ranked No. 3 in the league in red-zone efficiency coming in, the Colts offense managed just three field goals in four trips inside the San Francisco 49ers' 20-yard line. Normally proficient, it was limited to one touchdown, and that required a bit of trickery. While Manning was enduring his first game without a touchdown pass since Game ..."
Addai makes pass play work
Comment
November 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"When the call came in from the sideline, a play that asked for Joseph Addai to run left, then pull back and throw a pass to Reggie Wayne in the end zone, Indianapolis Colts left guard Ryan Lilja had this thought: "Uh-oh." Or something along those lines. "I hope this thing works, because in practice we're about 50-50 with it," he said after the Colts' 18-14 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. "I got excited because I didn't remember ever running that play in a game, although we practice it at least once a week. But still . . . '' Wait a minute: You have Peyton Manning and you're asking Addai to throw the football? That's like telling Tony Stewart, "No, I think I'd rather have my teenager ..."
Colts use trick play to beat 49ers
Comment
November 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"After spending most of his week in the trainer's room, Reggie Wayne felt a little off course again Sunday with the football overhead and the game on the line. "I felt like when I caught it, I was in there by the bathrooms," the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver said. Wayne chased down running back Joseph Addai's pass deep in the corner of the end zone for the 22-yard fourth-quarter touchdown that lifted the Colts to a bitterly contested 18-14 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. "Tuesday, I didn't think I was going to play," said Wayne, who was hobbled by a groin injury. "Wednesday, I didn't think I was going to play." Wayne didn't practice until Friday, but he was a man on a mission ..."
Caldwell's start best in NFL since '31
Comment
November 2
Indianapolis Star
 
"Jim Caldwell continued his dispassionate march into the NFL record books. Sunday's 18-14 win over the San Francisco 49ers pushed the Colts' record -- and Caldwell's -- to 7-0. He's just the third rookie coach in league history to open a season 7-0, the first since Potsy Clark of the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans opened 8-0 in 1931. Barney Lepper's Buffalo All-Americans got off to a 7-0 start in 1920. Asked his reaction, Caldwell declined. "None whatever," he said. "They're not handing out anything for whatever it is. We've got a lot of work ahead of us." Added team president Bill Polian: "He's done a great job. Leave it at that. There's a long way to go." Sacks pile upSo much for pristine ..."
WR Wayne, DE Freeney officially active for Colts
Comment
November 1
NFL.com
 
"Colts WR Reggie Wayne and DE Dwight Freeney are officially active for Sunday's game against the 49ers, as expected. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported earlier that both of the stars were expected to start. The Colts, however, will be without WR Anthony Gonzalez, RB Donald Brown and DB Marlin Jackson, who were all listed as inactive."
Linemen set high standards
Comment
November 1
Indianapolis Star
 
"Peyton Manning is the least sacked starting quarterback in the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts' meal ticket has been punched only twice this season. Yet things could be better. Should be better? "We've gotten him hit, man,'' guard Ryan Lilja said, shaking his head slowly. "If we have a game where we don't give up a sack but might get our quarterback hit five times, that's not a good game for us. "Sacks are the measuring stick everybody goes by, but we watch the film and we'd rather keep him cleaner.'' Case in point: Manning's 27-yard touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Clark in last Sunday's 42-6 win at St. Louis. Just as Manning feathered a pass to Clark in the end zone, Rams defensive end ..."
Caldwell nears NFL's best start for a coach
Comment
November 1
Indianapolis Star
 
"Jim Caldwell is a known commodity. He's the rookie coach of the Indianapolis Colts, and Tony Dungy's successor. How about Potsy Clark? Or Barney Lepper. Either name ring a bell? Neither conjures images of Lombardi or Halas, but they're the men Caldwell is chasing in the NFL history books. Caldwell has taken up where Dungy left off, directing the Colts to their fourth 6-0 start in the past five seasons. A win today in Lucas Oil Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers would be the Colts' 16th straight in the regular season, matching the fourth-longest streak in NFL history. On a personal basis, it would enable Caldwell to match the second-best rookie start of Lepper, whose Buffalo ..."
There are ways for 49ers to tame Colts
Comment
November 1
San Jose Mercury News
 
"A Colts victory today looks like a foregone conclusion. Indianapolis owns a 15-game regular-season winning streak and features the best passing offense in the NFL. The Colts average more yards through the air (310.8) than the 49ers' rushing and passing totals combined (272.0) For the 49ers, bringing home a victory from Lucas Oil Stadium appears to be unlikely. But impossible? "I don't want this to come out the wrong way, but we're not going down there (just) to compete," 49ers coach Mike Singletary said. "We're going down there to win a football game, and it's as simple as that." The 49ers are in need of a minor miracle. NFC West rival Arizona scored a coup last week with an upset of the ..."
Smallish pass-rush duo creates big problems
Comment
October 31
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Though it's not true that Joe Staley has had nightmares of Dwight Freeney and his famous spin move, the Indianapolis Colts' premier pass rusher is on Staley's mind. How could he not be? The man has made left tackles around the NFL look like stumblebums as he pirouettes away from their clutches on the way to the quarterback. Since coming into the league in 2002, Freeney has 77 1/2 sacks. "It's his go-to move," Staley said. "He does it every single game, multiple times. He does a great job of taking advantage of what you do. He presents a challenge. He's real relentless in how he plays. He's fast and he has that spin move." The spin is Freeney's signature move, and no one does it quite like ..."
Wayne at practice but 'questionable' for Sunday
Comment
October 31
Indianapolis Star
 
"Wide receiver Reggie Wayne practiced for the first time this week on Friday, when the Indianapolis Colts listed him as questionable for the San Francisco 49ers' visit to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. Questionable means Wayne has a 50 percent chance of playing. He suffered a strained groin muscle at St. Louis last week."
Colts' Collie could bite 49ers
Comment
October 30
Sacramento Bee
 
"You don't need me advising you to start Peyton Manning or bench JaMarcus Russell. So I'll leave the obvious recommendations to the network bozos and focus on players typically on the bubble of most fantasy lineups. Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 8. Watch 'em roll David Garrard, QB, Jaguars at Titans. He still hasn't thrown a touchdown pass on the road this season, but two other trends are in his favor: He lit up Tennessee for 323 yards and three TDs in their earlier meeting, and the Titans stink no matter where they play. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles vs. Giants. Arizona can't run on anybody, yet the Giants allowed both Cardinals running backs to score last week. With Brian ..."
49ers have their hands full against the Colts' Manning
Comment
October 30
Oakland Tribune
 
"These are the quarterbacks who have started for the 49ers since Sept. 6, 1998, in alphabetical order: Ty Detmer, Trent Dilfer, Ken Dorsey, Jeff Garcia, Shaun Hill, J.T. O'Sullivan, Cody Pickett, Tim Rattay, Alex Smith, Steve Stenstrom, Chris Weinke and Steve Young. And these are the quarterbacks to have started for the Colts during that same span, in alphabetical order: Peyton Manning. For an idea of how much that quarterback continuity means to the Indianapolis offense, just watch Manning at the line of scrimmage Sunday when the 49ers visit Lucas Oil Stadium. Manning waves his arms manically as he roams from player to player. He looks like the mad maestro of an 11-piece orchestra. And at ..."
Spikes picks a good week to be injured
Comment
October 30
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Takeo Spikes picked a good week to come up with a shoulder injury. Even healthy, the inside linebacker wouldn't figure to play much Sunday against Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts' pass-first offense. The 49ers will send out defenses featuring five and six defensive backs (nickel and dime in football parlance) against Manning. That takes Spikes off the field, leaving Patrick Willis as the only true linebacker in the alignment since outside 'backers Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson function more as pass-rushers. Spikes strained his right shoulder in the Houston game. He did not practice Wednesday and Thursday. In addition to their base secondary of cornerbacks Nate Clements and ..."
Sanders critiques his season debut
Comment
October 30
Indianapolis Star
 
"After further review, Bob Sanders wasn't overwhelmed with his first appearance of the season. But it shouldn't come as a surprise his 2009 debut -- one tackle and one assist in 31 plays last Sunday at St. Louis -- didn't exactly measure up to his lofty standards. "I'm always real critical of myself," the Colts safety and 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year said Thursday. "I thought I played OK after the game, but when I go back and look at it, I felt like I missed some tackles. "I felt like I left some plays out there that I should have made." It was mentioned the Rams game essentially was a preseason game for Sanders, who missed all of preseason and the Colts' first five regular-season ..."
Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney is the game's most intimidating player
Comment
October 30
Indianapolis Star
 
"It was toward the end of a wandering interview on Boston radio station WEEI last week that the question was posed: "Who is the most intimidating player you face?" "Dwight Freeney," New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady replied. "Every play with him is a game-changing play. "Every time you throw the ball, (Freeney is) a factor. As a quarterback, you probably have anywhere from a second and a half to sometimes four seconds to make your decision and throw the ball. "With Freeney, it's probably consistently around two seconds with sometimes being from the time the ball is snapped, a second and a half, you've got to throw that ball. There's no time for decision-making. "You're making your ..."
Colts wreak havoc on passers
Comment
October 29
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Maybe it was the World Series vibe in the air, but Dwight Freeney was in a baseball kind of mood Wednesday. In explaining his trademark spin move — the one has helped him rack up 77.5 sacks since 2002 — the Indianapolis Colts defensive end drew comparisons to a vintage Randy Johnson fastball. "Just because you know what's coming doesn't mean can stop it," Freeney said. The 49ers offensive line better start gearing up for the heat on Sunday. They rank 27th in the NFL in sacks allowed per pass play. That's before facing Freeney, who is aiming for his eighth consecutive game with at least one sack. And just in case left tackle Joe Staley is a good fastball hitter, Freeney says he has plenty ..."
49ers' Smith can show Colts how far he has come
Comment
October 29
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Alex Smith's first NFL start was a putrid affair. Looking jittery and overmatched, the 49ers rookie threw four interceptions, was sacked five times and had an 8.5 passer rating. When it was over, Indianapolis Colts cornerback Nick Harper said it was easy. "He stared down his first read," he said. "All we did was take it away." That's how they got four interceptions? "The goal was five," Harper replied. Sunday in Indianapolis, Smith gets a chance to show how much he has grown up. He is the starter again, just in time for a rematch with the team that tormented him in a 28-3 defeat Oct. 9, 2005. Asked Wednesday to look back at his first game against the Colts, Smith smiled. "A lot has changed ..."
Colts make certain they hold on to the ball
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October 29
Indianapolis Star
 
"Play after play, day after day, the Indianapolis Colts practice what Jim Caldwell preaches. It's called ball security. Practice hasn't made the Colts perfect, but no one in the NFL has been better at taking care of the football and, as a result, taking care of business. Since 2004, they've had a league-low 97 turnovers, including just six this season, and a league-best 69-17 record. They're 45-3 during that stretch when they've won the giveaway-takeaway battle. "When you don't beat yourself," Caldwell said Wednesday afternoon, "you've got a great chance to win." Everything starts with protecting the football. That was a point of emphasis during Tony Dungy's tenure, and remains one on his ..."
Brown, Wayne held out of practice
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October 29
Indianapolis Star
 
"At noon Wednesday, running back Donald Brown was not in uniform, but his game face was on. His words, his tone, his stare made it clear he would not be sidetracked; he would practice, left shoulder contusion be darned. "As coaches, we love to hear that," Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell said a little later, ". . . but today would be wishful thinking for him, to be honest with you." Neither Brown nor wide receiver Reggie Wayne practiced. Team president Bill Polian told NFL Network that while Brown is unlikely to play this week, Wayne probably would miss only a day or two of practice ahead of the San Francisco 49ers' visit to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. Like Brown, Wayne (strained ..."
Caldwell: Wayne likely out, Gonzalez back in for team practices
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October 28
Indianapolis Star
 
"Coach Jim Caldwell had two things to say today about wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who suffered a groin injury Sunday during the Indianapolis Colts' 42-6 victory at St. Louis. First, "He feels good." Second, "He won't practice today more than likely." Of Wayne's prospects of playing Sunday, when San Francisco visits Lucas Oil Stadium, Caldwell added, "we hope that he'll progress throughout the week and just kind of increase his activity and we'll see where he is come Friday or so." The outlook is the same for running back Donald Brown (shoulder) but Caldwell did expect wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez to return to practice this week. Gonzalez has been out since suffering ligament damage in his ..."
Obscure linemen perform for Colts
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October 28
Indianapolis Star
 
"In a league where a premium is placed on top draft picks producing at key positions, the Indianapolis Colts have been getting a lot of mileage out of three defensive tackles who weren't valued by other teams. Dan Muir and Eric Foster were undrafted. Tennessee selected Antonio Johnson in the fifth round in 2007, but he was waived and signed to its practice squad. Now they are rotation regulars for the Colts -- Johnson and Muir start and Foster often stands out for his backfield penetration. They have formed a bond as relative unknowns who took the hard road as pros. "We do feel like we have that in common, no-name guys really," said Foster, who had a sack in Sunday's 42-6 win at St. Louis. ..."