Indianapolis Colts News and Notes for 2004/2005

[TheGeneral+]

The names will be familiar for longer, which is reason enough for the Colts to want a big-time performance Saturday night.

It’s the third preseason game.

That means the starters will play into the third quarter. That means the Colts game-planned more this past week than they did for the first two preseason games. And it means the Colts’ big-name players won’t play as extensively again until the regular season begins.

That means while a good performance is always wanted, it’s wanted this week a little bit more.

The regular season is fast approaching.

And that means things are starting to mean a little more.

“You want to have done something,” Colts wide receiver Brandon Stokley said as the Colts (1-1 in the preseason) prepared to play the Buffalo Bills (1-1) in a preseason game at the RCA Dome Saturday at 7 p.m.

“We all have confidence on offense, but you can’t be making mistakes. You want to get rid of those mistakes. When you come out of this game, you want to have accomplished something you can maybe build on a little.

“You want to look good on film and you want to feel good about yourself.”

The Colts, last season’s AFC South champions and the AFC runners-up, split the first two preseason games, beating San Diego, 21-17, in the opener, then losing 31-7 to the New York Jets in the preseason home opener last week.

“We really want to come out and play sharp,” Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said. “We want to reduce our penalties from last week. We want to move the ball a little more consistently, and really take away those big plays. If we do that, I think we’re going to be in good shape.

“My expectations are pretty high every week. The only thing that’s different is we’ll try to play our regulars more, and try to let them get more of a taste of things. From that standpoint, the execution should be a little sharper and a little crisper.

“But I’m always looking for our guys to play well.”

Players and coaches had mixed reaction to the Jets’ loss. While no one panicked, Dungy said such a loss — even one that doesn’t count in the standings — isn’t acceptable.

“You can say that, that it’s just preseason,” Dungy said. “You can say, ‘Well, it’s just training camp, and it’s just practice, and it’s just preseason.’ I guess you can keep saying that until it happens in the regular season.”

Which is a reason the Colts want to improve against the Bills. Another is that the starters will play longer against the Bills than in any other preseason game, and that the team spent much of the week game-planning for the Bills as opposed to their preparation for the opening two preseason games, when they game-planned late in the week.

“That’s kind of how we approach it,” said Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who — along with the rest of the Colts’ starting offense and defense — is expected to play into the third quarter against Buffalo. “We always take this third week and game plan, and try to give everybody an idea of what a routine game week is going to be like. I think we’ll play our most extensive time so far, and hopefully, we can come out and put on a good showing.

“It’s another chance for us to get better, to work on some new things and see some different guys in there. It’s another chance to improve and hopefully stay healthy against a good Buffalo defense.”

Defensively, Dungy said it’s a chance for the Colts to test themselves against a team that emphasizes the run. The Bills have rushed for 137 yards per game during the preseason, averaging 4.4 per carry. Second-year veteran Willis McGahee, the Bills’ 2003 first-round draft selection, is expected to start against the Colts. He has rushed for 86 yards and two touchdowns on 24 preseason carries.

The Colts have allowed 186 yards rushing in two preseason games, allowing 3.5 yards per carry.

“I hope that’s their plan,” Dungy said. “I think it will be. They’ve run about 70 times in their first two games. We want to be tested, and I think that will be a good test for us.”

Kicker Mike Vanderjagt likely will kick the majority of the placement attempts, Dungy said, while rookie David Kimball likely will get another opportunity on kickoffs.

Also, the Colts have announced that 15 players will miss Saturday’s game with injuries. They are:

Wide receiver Troy Walters, linebacker Kendyll Pope, defensive back Willie Miles, defensive back Corey Chamblin, defensive tackle David Pugh, defensive end Nautyn McKay-Loescher, tight end Ben Utecht, running back Brian Allen, defensive tackle Tank Reese, safety Idrees Bashir, linebacker Gilbert Gardner, wide receiver Aaron Moorehead, offensive tackle Patrick Venzke, defensive end Robert Mathis and wide receiver Elgin Hicks.

Questionable for Saturday are punter Hunter Smith and cornerback Joseph Jefferson, and Dungy on Friday said Stokley and wide receiver Reggie Wayne — previously considered questionable — likely will play Saturday.

Also on Friday, the Colts signed punter Jesse Nicassio, formerly of Eastern Washington University. Nicassio, who averaged 42.3 yards per punt in two seasons at Eastern Washington, was signed in case Smith can’t play, Dungy said.

Smith and Jefferson likely will be game-time decisions, Dungy said.

“It was just a matter we didn’t want to have to go for it on fourth down every time out,” Dungy said. “We think Hunter’s going to be all set to be able to punt. But since we had a spot, it made sense. We got the best young guy we like and we’ll give him a chance to kick if Hunter can’t go.”

http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=2193

 

[TheGeneral+]

Colts 30, Bills 17

The Indianapolis Colts didn't need Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James or Marvin Harrison to be at their best Saturday night. Special teams made sure of it.

Mike Doss recovered a fumbled punt and blocked another punt that went for a touchdown, and Dominic Rhodes had an 84-yard kickoff return to set up another score, leading the Colts to a 30-17 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

"I felt I had my quickness when I got on the field," Rhodes said. "It was just a matter of getting out there on the field and putting it into action."

Rhodes was one of the few who excelled in the Colts' third straight sloppy game. He carried 15 times for 58 yards with one touchdown.

Otherwise, misery abounded.

Manning was picked off twice, the Colts (2-1) fumbled the ball three times, losing it twice, and committed seven penalties, including three on the game's first series. The starting offense, which played until midway through the third quarter, managed only one legitimate scoring drive.

Although coach Tony Dungy liked the outcome, he was again displeased with the performance.

"We can't fumble the ball, have penalties and turnovers and protection problems," Dungy said. "We're just not clicking on all cylinders."

The Bills (1-2) weren't any better. They fumbled seven times, losing three. Bills quarterbacks also threw two interceptions and were sacked three times.

Running back Willis McGahee made his first start since sustaining a severe left knee injury in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, and looked tentative - at lead at the beginning. He carried six times for eight yards in the first quarter before warming up and finishing with 16 carries for 58 yards. He also botched a flea-flicker with a bad pitch to Drew Bledsoe.

"It was a lot faster than I'm used to," he said. "There are certain things I need to do to get better. I could have done a lot more than I did."

Buffalo lost more than just its second straight game, though.

The postgame injury list started with safety Lawyer Milloy, who broke his right forearm in the third quarter after getting his hand stuck in the turf when he jarred the ball loose from Colts receiver Brandon Stokley. Milloy is scheduled to have surgery Sunday, but Buffalo officials did not say how much time he would miss.

The Bills also lost another quarterback - Travis Brown, the projected backup to Bledsoe. He was carted off the field late in the third quarter after taking a hit in his left knee. It was the second major blow to the Bills' quarterback corps this week. In Tuesday's practice, first-round pick J.P. Losman broke his left leg.

"We'll take a step back and evaluate what we have there," first-year coach Mike Mularkey said. "Obviously, we have to do something."

The difference Saturday was special teams.

The Colts held the ball for the game's first six minutes, thanks to Doss' recovery of Nate Clements' fumble deep inside Bills territory. The Colts turned that turnover into Mike Vanderjagt's 23-yard field goal.

After a three-and-out on the Bills' next series, Doss delivered again. He blasted around the left side, blocking Brian Moorman's punt. Neither Moorman nor Indianapolis' Keyon Whiteside could handle the bouncing ball, which rolled into the end zone. Bryan Fletcher fell on it for his third TD of the preseason to make it 10-0.

"They only had 10 guys lined up," Doss said. "So I stood up just to make sure there wasn't nothing tricky going on ... and from then on, I said, `If no one's going to block me, I'd better not miss this block.' "

Buffalo then got a 41-yard field goal from Rian Lindell, but Rhodes negated it with his darting 84-yard return on the ensuing kickoff. The Colts settled for another Vanderjagt field goal.

Buffalo closed to 13-10 when Kevin Thomas returned one of Manning's interceptions for a touchdown, but Rhodes' 1-yard TD run with 2:31 left in the half gave the Colts control.

They closed it out with a 1-yard TD run from Daniel Davis and Vanderjagt's third field goal, a 43-yarder early in the fourth quarter.

"Special teams gave us a boost early and that was something we stressed this week," Dungy said. "We just have to be a lot sharper."

Notes@: James, who detests preseason games, sat out with what Dungy called "one of those mysterious preseason injuries that happens about five minutes before gametime." ... Bledsoe was 11-of-19 for 117 yards. ... Saturday's game was the Colts' first preseason sellout since 1986. ... Manning received his co-MVP award during halftime ceremonies. ... It was only the third preseason meeting between the former AFC East rivals. The Colts won both previous meetings, 20-7 at Buffalo in 1969 and 19-7 in Indianapolis in 2002. ... Three Colts players were knocked out of the game with injuries. Wide receiver Brad Pyatt left with a bruised thigh, running back James Mungro left with an injured wrist, and cornerback Nick Harper went out with a bruised shoulder.


@

 

[TheGeneral+]

INDIANAPOLIS — He waited a month to make an impact — a big impact, at least — and when he got a chance in the second half of the third preseason game, he took advantage.

Ran Carthon doesn’t figure that makes him special.

It just makes him a rookie in the NFL.

Carthon, a rookie running back who signed with the Colts as a free agent after this past April’s NFL Draft, is fighting for a roster spot, one of many players doing so as the Colts finish the preseason. He has played consistently well during the preseason, Colts coaches say, and made his biggest impact this past Saturday night.

When he got carries, he rushed well, but that’s not a big deal, he said.

It’s just what he’s supposed to do.

“It was a chance to get my feet wet,” Carthon said as the Colts (2-1 in the preseason) prepared to play the Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) in the preseason finale for both teams at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati Friday at 6:30 p.m.

“I just want to show I can make plays. That’s what it’s all about at this level — showing you can make plays in order to be on the roster. That’s one of my goals coming, in, to make the 53-man roster.

“That’s my job. That’s what they pay me to do.”

Carthon, who played collegiately at the University of Florida, said he doesn’t know if he will achieve that goal or not, but he made it through the Colts’ first round of cuts early this week, and Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said Carthon has played well thus far when given the opportunity.

“Ran, number one, had the benefit of playing in a real sophisticated offense,” Dungy said. “Nothing has boggled his mind in what we do. He’s been able to go in there and associate what we’ve done in practice into the game. He’s been very natural playing.

“He’s natural handling the ball. Now, he’s got to do some things when he’s not handling the ball a little better. But he’s played well and he’s produced when he’s had the chance to perform.

“He’s been kind of what we thought he’d be.”

Carthon agreed with Dungy, that playing in Florida’s sophisticated passing offense helped his transition. Not that it made it easy in any sense.

Carthon, who started for the Gators as a senior, rushed for 1,353 yards and 11 touchdowns in 47 career games at Florida, and he also caught 56 passes for 511 yards and a touchdown. Still, despite knowing a pro offense, learning the offense of Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore was an adjustment, Carthon said.

“It helps out a lot as far as pass protection,” Carthon said. “That’s one of the key things — being able to pick up the blitz, and I think playing at Florida helped out a lot there. But it’s still a very complex offense to grasp. When I first looked at it, it looked like a totally other language to me. The only thing that got me through that was taking the scripts home and studying them. After a while, I still wasn’t getting it — until I started trying to teach it to my fiancée.

“That’s when it really started going off in my head. If you’re trying to teach someone, you’ve got to know what you’re talking about. I think that helped out a lot — plus, the older guys have been there to answer questions.”

Carthon, who rushed for 14 yards on four carries in the preseason opener at San Diego, rushed three times for minus-1 yard in the team’s loss to the New York Jets the following week. Against the Bills this past Saturday, he entered the game in the third quarter, and rushed for eight yards on his first carry and 39 on his second.

He finished the Buffalo game with 46 yards rushing on four carries, and said beyond yards, he wanted to show he could make plays when needed.

He said he felt as if he did that, which he said doesn’t make him special.

It just means he’s doing his job.

“That’s what your focus is — you want to be fundamentally sound,” Carthon said. “You want to make sure your comfortable doing your assignments. When your number is called, you want to make the most of your opportunity. The NFL is about making the most of your opportunities. You don’t know when they’re going to come. Even if you’re not getting the reps in practice, you’ve got to take advantage of your opportunities.

“Each game, I wanted to establish myself and get better. Each game, if you look at film, I got better. Maybe not so far in the run game every week, but making sure I was in the right place on the field.

“Just working hard in practice, you want to make sure it carries over. So far, I think I’ve done that.”


http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=2210

 

[TheGeneral+]

Colts reserve quarterback Joe Hamilton has completed 14 of 24 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown in two preseason games, and has led three touchdown drives. He could miss Friday night’s preseason finale with a rib injury.

 

[TheGeneral+]

The priority Friday night is clear for the Colts’ first-team offense and defense.

Play well. Do it quickly.

Then get out of the game. Fast.

“Keep it short and play well,” Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said.

That’s the motto as the Colts (2-1 in the preseason) prepare to play the Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) in the preseason finale for both teams at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati Friday at 6:30 p.m.

The first half of the motto is because it’s the final preseason game. With the regular-season opener at defending Super Bowl champion New England six days away, the Colts want to play their starters as little as possible.

Not only is there roster evaluation to do, but injuries — particularly to key starters — are to be avoided at all costs.

But the second half of the motto — play well — is important, too, Dungy said, because although the Colts have won two of three preseason games, he has been disappointed in parts of the team’s play this preseason, particularly the offensive efficiency.

The first-team offense, in three games, has scored two touchdowns in 15 possessions, committing five turnovers, including three interceptions.

Entering a 30-17 victory over Buffalo this past week, the Colts emphasized playing well to establish momentum heading into the regular season. The first-team offense moved efficiently through most of the game, but managed just one touchdown while committing three turnovers — two of which came in Buffalo territory, including one in the red zone.

Dungy said he’s confident the Colts have more than enough talent offensively to be one of the NFL’s best units.

He also said he wants to see it before the season begins.

“The way we ended up the last game, it’s better not to go into New England having not played in two weeks and not having played then the way we want to play,” Dungy said. “The ideal would be to go in and play well and get a good feeling. Having done what you’re supposed to do, I think you always feel better that way. At least I do as a coach. Maybe players feel like, ‘Oh, we’ll have it no matter what. We’ll be ready.’

“As coach, I feel better than seeing the money as opposed to them telling me, ‘It’s in the mail.’”

No matter the outcome early, Dungy said the first-team offense and defense is scheduled to play one series — “whether that’s three plays or 20,” he said — before leaving.

“I would not expect too much,” Dungy said. “That’s the tentative plan right now, that our first group would start the game, but they’re not going to play long. Hopefully, they’ll play well and play just a few plays.”

The Colts’ offensive players, while not thrilled with the first three preseason games, remain confident the production will increase come the regular season. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who has completed 20 of 34 passes for 251 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions in the preseason, said most of the problems have been typical preseason mistakes, and said it’s better to correct them now than in the regular season.

“The idea of this week is just really trying to get better,” Manning said. “We’re not really worrying about anything else besides that. We’ve got the Bengals on Friday, and it’s kind of a get better week. We’re not sure how long we’re going to play.

“We’ll try to be sharp and try to have good momentum coming into the opener.”

A key to momentum, Dungy said, is winning and Dungy said despite Friday’s game being the last chance to evaluate young players trying to make the roster, beating Cincinnati remains one of the priorities.

“Any time you win games in the NFL it means you’ve got a good team that’s playing well, so I think there is something to it,” he said. “I like to win. I think it’s very important.”

But mostly, Dungy said, Friday’s game is about roster evaluation. Dungy estimated this week that the Colts are relatively certain about 35-to-40 players, leaving another 13 roster positions undecided entering the season finale.

“It’s not necessarily how guys do in the game,” Dungy said. “It’s how they do in practice, how they fit in, how you think they’re going to do over the course of the year. Sometimes, that last game tells you something, but many times it’s what led up to that.”

The Colts will practice Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before playing in New England Thursday at 8 p.m. in a nationally televised game.

Also, the following players have been ruled out for Friday’s game:

Wide receiver Troy Walters (arm), defensive back Corey Chamblin (hip/quad), defensive tackle Tank Reese (knee), linebacker Gilbert Gardner (ankle), offensive tackle Patrick Venzke (shoulder), cornerback Joseph Jefferson (knee), safety Bob Sanders (foot), running back James Mungro (arm), running back Dominic Rhodes (ankle) and wide receiver Brad Pyatt (thigh).

Quarterback Joe Hamilton is questionable with a rib injury and running back Edgerrin James is not scheduled to play.


http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=2214

 

[TheGeneral+]

The Colts, entering Friday night’s preseason finale, had several goals. Most of them were intertwined.

They wanted to establish momentum. They wanted their first-teamers to play well.

They wanted to leave uninjured.

They also wanted to win.

Because the first-team offense and defense played effectively in limited first-quarter action, both units left early with momentum established. Most of the starters left the game in the first quarter, with Indianapolis leading by 10 points, which meant long before the end of the Cincinnati Bengals’ 16-13 victory, most of the Colts’ goals were accomplished.

They played well early, felt good about it and almost managed to win.

And no key players got hurt.

“I think we got accomplished what we wanted to,” Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said after the Colts’ loss in the preseason finale in front of 53,567 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. “I thought it was a good day’s work.

“I think it was a good game to get us ready for next week.”

The Colts, who finished the preseason 2-2, will play defending Super Bowl champion New England at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Thursday night in the NFL’s regular-season opener.

“We’re excited about it,” Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said. “Coach Dungy’s talked all week about focusing on the job at hand and taking them one game at a time.

“We feel good about where we are and we’re looking forward to the challenge next Thursday.”

The Colts will practice Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before traveling to New England.

“It’s going to be a challenge for our guys, but I think we’ll be able to get it done,” Dungy said. “We’ve got enough incentive and enough motivation – knowing we’re kicking the NFL regular season off. I think we’ll have three great practices and be ready to go.”

The Colts have finished .500 or better in every preseason since 1998, and in four of the previous six regular seasons, they have made the playoffs.

Offensively, the Colts moved effectively early against the Bengals, with the first-team offense scoring on the first series. Although Cincinnati moved well at times early – and although the Bengals out-gained the Colts for the game, 385-216 – the Colts’ defense allowed just one first-half touchdown, forcing three turnovers in the first two quarters.

The Colts – last season’s AFC South champions – led 10-0 after the first quarter, largely because of an efficient opening drive and a key mid-quarter turnover.

With the first-team offense having scored two touchdowns in the first three preseason games, Dungy said this past week he wanted the unit to play well early – preferably score – then leave the game quickly.

The starters did just that.

On the first series of the game, Indianapolis drove 60 yards on five plays, with Manning completing three of four passes for 56 yards and capping the drive with a 38-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne.

“It was kind of what we wanted,” Dungy said. “We wanted to be sharp early. Our first group talked about that all week. They came out and did the job and moved crisply down the field and scored. They knew they were going to be out after their series.

“They made it count and that was good to see.”

Said Wayne, “Quick and efficient. That’s what you’re always looking for as an offensive player. That’s something we’re thankful to have going into next week’s game. As a first unit, we wanted to go in and get a good start.”

For Manning, it was his first touchdown pass of this preseason to a starting receiver. His previous touchdown pass this preseason came against the New York Jets – a 3-yarder to first-year tight end Bryan Fletcher.

“That was a good drive for us,” Manning said. “That was something we wanted to do. Coach Dungy told us early in the week we were only going to play one series. It’s one of those things where you don’t want to get out of your game and force something because you’re playing one series. We were really determined to go out and have one good drive.

“It could have been one play. It could have been three. It could have been 10. As it was, it was four or five. That’s what we wanted to do offensively, and hopefully carry it into the opener next week.”

Wayne’s touchdown gave the Colts a 7-0 lead, a lead they extended to 10-0 with a 42-yard field goal by Mike Vanderjagt with 1:25 remaining in the first quarter. Colts outside linebacker David Thornton set up the field goal with a 77-yard fumble return, picking up a fumble by Bengals running back Rudi Johnson at the goal line and returning it to the Bengals 23.

“I was looking for someone to toss it to when I was tired,” Thornton said, smiling. “No one was in sight, though.”

Cincinnati pulled to within three on the ensuing drive when quarterback Carson Palmer passed seven yards to fullback James Lynch. Two possessions later, backup quarterback Cory Sauter drove the Colts 72 yards on nine plays, setting up a 21-yard field goal by Vanderjagt.

Sauter completed four of six passes on the drive for 51 yards, including a 37-yard catch-and-run pass to second-year wide receiver Aaron Moorehead. Sauter, who played the entire first half after Manning’s departure, completed 8 of 11 passes for 86 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Bengals cut the lead to 13-10 with a 47-yard field goal by Shayne Graham early in the third quarter then tied it at 13-13 with a 22-yarder by Graham with 2:11 remaining in the period.

Graham’s 29-yarder with 6:26 remaining gave the Bengals their first lead.

The Colts had two chances to win late. Rookie quarterback Jim Sorgi led a drive to the Bengals 48, but was intercepted at the Bengals 36.

One series later, taking over with 1:48 remaining, Sorgi drove the Colts from the Indianapolis 7 to the Bengals 21. But Sorgi’s pass to wide receiver Chris Bernard in the corner of the end zone was incomplete.

“I kind of look at it in a lot of different ways,” Dungy said of the end of the preseason. “You have to have a preseason because you have to evaluate. You have to get your team ready. I think all of us are ready to get the regular season started.

“I think it (the preseason) was just long enough to get done what we needed to accomplish.”


http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=2217

 

[TheGeneral+]

Manning, Colts seek redemption

FOXBORO - For Peyton Manning and now even Tony Dungy, the past might be easier to leave behind if it didn't keep repeating itself.

Manning, the quarterback who has never won a game in Foxboro, and Dungy, the coach who cleared just about every hurdle last year except for beating the Patriots, are back in town Thursday for the NFL opener to see if they can shake free of their frustration.

New England has actually won 12 of the last 14 games the teams have played dating back to 1996, and coach Bill Belichick is 5-1 against the Colts since he took over the Patriots.

Those recent trends were strengthened last season when the Patriots posted a pair of dramatic victories. First, they held on for a 38-34 regular-season victory at Indianapolis, thanks to a goal-line stand in the final minute. Then, they won impressively, 24-14, in last January's AFC title game at Gillette Stadium.

Manning was 23 of 47 for 237 yards and four interceptions in the conference title game, no doubt a bitterly disappointing performance for the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards in five straight seasons.

Moving on, though, is as much a part of sports as winning and losing.

"That is the one thing you have to learn, that in this league only one team is going to be totally happy at the end of the season," Manning said, "and that is the champions.

"It was very frustrating and disappointing to lose a game when you get so close like that, but I think it has cost a lot of teams in the past (when) they haven't been able to put the previous season in the past."

For Dungy, the greatest frustration was realizing that his team never gave itself much of a chance last January. There were the interceptions, including one in the end zone by Rodney Harrison which ended an early scoring opportunity, as well as a wild punt snap which turned into a safety.

"You always think you are going to play your best game in the biggest game of the year," Dungy said. "I think you have to give New England credit for forcing some of those things, but, yes, it was disappointing ...

"You get one chance in those situations, and you have to get the job done."

Despite the stability that Dungy and Manning bring, the Colts are at an interesting crossroads. They recently signed Manning to a long-term deal which included a $34 million guaranteed bonus, but his primary weapons - running back Edgerrin James, tight end Marcus Pollard and wide receiver Marvin Harrison - are among a host of Colts due to become free agents at the end of the season.

"There are a lot of rumors about next year, who is going to be here and who is not," Manning said, "but we are worried about this year. We feel we have a good team this year."

If the Colts are to prove a championship caliber team once again, then a youthful defense will have to come of age rather quickly. Certainly there is more speed, which should make it easier for the team to implement Dungy's defensive philosophy, but there is inexperience as well.

Whether or not Manning and his offense will again be left in the position of trying to save the day too often remains to be seen. Certainly, though, the ability of Tom Brady to rip up the Colts defense early and often the last four times the teams have played, all New England wins, has provided examples of the difficulties Manning has found himself in the past.

"All I have tried to do every time I get the ball is do my job at a high level," he said. "I think you have to worry about your side of the ball first, and that's how I've played in my seven years."

Dungy said he has stressed to Manning that the game has to be won with contributions in all phases of the game.

"To make that philosophy work, we have to be good on special teams, good on kick coverage, good on defense," said Dungy, 24-12 in two seasons with the Colts "We have to make sure we can run the ball and protect (the quarterback).

"My job is to make sure we can do all that, and I think he believes that."

But don't expect Manning, who has started every game during his first six years in the league, to hand off all that much of the responsibility. Last year, he won his first playoff games, beating Denver and winning at Kansas City. In the end, his team was stopped by this New England thing, by this inability to figure out how to beat the Patriots.

"Like coach Dungy said, it was a good year, just not good enough, Manning said. "We're trying to figure out how to be even better this year."


Story

 

[jaypaw]

General, what impact if any, did the change from

Sciullo at right guard and Saturday at center
- to -
Saturday at right guard and Peko at center

have on the remainder of the colts season?


Coincidentally - Sciullo's neck injury that initially knocked him out of the lineup occurred the game after his start against New England.

In his return two games later he apparently didnt do too well - as collectively the O line of Indy allowed 2 sacks and paved the way for only 47 total yards rushing, in their 31-17 loss to Denver.

Then he didnt start a game for the rest of the season - and I think he was out for at least one or two games, and played only sparingly in the others.

Apparently their starting line looks exactly the same as it did against the pats in the playoffs with Glenn, Demulling, Saturday, Peko, and Diem

What I am getting at is - the pats beat indy by 10 without Sciullo in the lineup, and earlier in the season they beat them by only 4 with him in the lineup. Was there something he offered (when healthy) that enabled them to do better (scoring 20 more points against the pats...)in that first matchup? Or do you think the reasons for the greater loss margin in those two games lie elsewhere?

Thanks for your comments

 

[TheGeneral+]

Those questions will have to be answered on the field. One thing that we must remember that the 1st loss to NE which determined home field in playoffs was a complete fuk up on indys part. 1st and goal from the 1 and ran straight up against the biggest guys on the field. Not taking away from the Pat D, but I think the Horse could have been a little more open minded on that series.

Looking forward to the game. A great opener.

 

[OutlawTitan]

I sure do hate that your boys will get 10 days to prepare for the wk 2 matchup here in Nashville. It is our home opener and ticket prices have gone way up for this one. Payback time!

 

[TheGeneral+]

Great to hear from you outlaw.

Hope you are doing well my friend.

Good luck to your Titans this year Sir.

 

[TheGeneral+]

2004 Schedule

1 Thu Sep 9 at New England 9:00 PM
2 Sun Sep 19 at Tennessee 1:00 PM
3 Sun Sep 26 Green Bay 5
Sun Oct 10 Oakland 1:00 PM
6 BYE WEEK
7 Sun Oct 24 Jacksonville 1:00 PM
8 Sun Oct 31 at Kansas City 1:00 PM
9 Mon Nov 8 Minnesota 9:00 PM
10 Sun Nov 14 Houston 1:00 PM
11 Sun Nov 21 at Chicago 1:00 PM
12 Thu Nov 25 at Detroit 12:30 PM
13 Sun Dec 5 Tennessee 1:00 PM
14 Sun Dec 12 at Houston 1:00 PM
15 Sun Dec 19 Baltimore 8:30 PM
16 Sun Dec 26 San Diego 1:00 PM
17 Sun Jan 2 at Denver 4:15 PM

 

[bblight]

General,

What are your thoughts on the defense? Is it as good, better or worse than it was last year?

Also - The offense is starting to age - is there enough depth there to get them through the year?

 

[TheGeneral+]

Defense is a question. I don't expect much better than last season. The same would not be that bad. The offense cannot lose Manning. All else will be ok. If Manning goes, then it is done in Indy.

 

[bblight]

Thanks General - That's more or less How I see it, although I see them as thin in the back postion - if James goes, the running game goes.

Thanks for the input!

Thanks, and GL

 

[TheGeneral+]

At Last, Colts to Play New England in Season Opener.


INDIANAPOLIS – The message has been heeded, and for the most part this past week, Colts players did and said the right things.

The season-opener is just another game.

It doesn’t matter that it’s nationally televised.

It doesn’t matter that it’s against New England.

It doesn’t matter that it’s a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship Game.

“We have different players,” Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said as the Colts – last season’s AFC South champions and the AFC’s runners-up – prepared to play the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in a nationally-televised NFL regular-season opener at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., Thursday at 8 p.m.

“It’s a different team. That’s how it works in the NFL. That’s our approach, that’s it’s a fresh season.”

Still . . .

“This is a game you’ll remember a long time,” Manning said.

The atmosphere, the buildup, the national stage, the hype – all factors that will make for a memorable night, Manning and other Colts players said.

“There’s no question this is a big game, a huge game,” Colts defensive end Brad Scioli said.

“We’re excited,” Colts defensive tackle Montae Reagor said. “We’ve been anticipating this moment a long time, throughout training camp and mini-camp and summer school.

“We’re very excited about this ball game.”

Said Colts linebacker David Thornton, “You want to start fast. You want to start the season off with a win. It definitely doesn’t determine the outcome of how you’ll finish out, but it’s a chance to go out and play hard and play well in front of a national audience. It’s a chance to show what the Colts are about. We want to take advantage of this opportunity.”

What Colts players agreed upon throughout the days leading to the game is a message sent by Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy, one echoed by Patriots players and coaches – that although the buildup for the opener has been intense, and while the emotions will be strong on Thursday, it’s just one of 16 games.

Which Dungy and Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick each said makes getting too high or low over the outcome a mistake.

“I think that’s pretty much of a stretch right now, since nobody’s played a game in this league,” Belichick said when asked Monday about the game possibly being a preview of this season’s AFC Championship Game. “Right now, we’re trying to win a game.

“Anything beyond that isn’t anything we’re thinking about.”

Dungy, speaking to his team this past Sunday, used last season as an example of how a team can get too hyped over an early result. Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – then the defending Super Bowl champions – beat the Philadelphia Eagles in their season-opener on Monday Night Football. The game was in Philadelphia, a rematch of the previous season’s NFC Championship Game from the previous season.

The Eagles went on to play in the NFC Championship Game in January; the Buccaneers failed to reach the playoffs.

Patriots cornerback Ty Law used a more personal example. Last season, the Patriots lost to the Buffalo Bills, 31-0, in the season opener. They won 17 of their final 18 games, including their last 15 in succession.

“I don’t think anyone wins a Super Bowl from the first game and I think we were a great indication of that last year, because we got blown out,” Law said. “It’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon.

“You want to get better and better as the season goes on.”

Manning, while understanding the value of getting better late in the season, said a quick start is important, too. The Colts have won their last five season openers, a streak dating to 1999, the longest such streak in the NFL.

In four of those five seasons, the Colts never slipped below .500, making the playoffs each season except 2001.

“It’s a great opportunity and a great challenge,” Manning said. “You’ll find out real quickly what kind of team we have. I think that’s important, to see where you are and it’s an AFC game, so it’s one you desperately want and need to win.

“It’s always nice to win the opener, so you can have some momentum going into the season.”

The Colts won their first five games last season, starting the season 7-1 and finishing 12-4 to win their first division title since 1999. They won two playoff games – the first two playoff victories of Manning’s career – but lost the AFC Championship Game to New England, 24-14.

“This game doesn’t determine whether of not we go to the Super Bowl like the last time we played them did,” Thornton said. “We just want to go out and play hard against a very good opponent.”

On November 30 of last season, the Colts rallied from a 31-10 second-half deficit in the RCA Dome to tie the Patriots, 31-31, but lost 38-34 when Patriots linebacker Willie McGinest stopped Colts running back Edgerrin James on 4th-and-1 from the Patriots 1 with 11 seconds remaining.

“We owe those guys,” Reagor said. “Both ballgames we played against those guys, we made some crucial penalties and some crucial miscues in the ballgame that allowed them to take advantage of it. We’re going to try to limit those mistakes and try to play a perfect game.

“It gives your team a great challenge. You get a chance to measure yourself against a well-coached team in all three phases. And I think we’re a well-coached team as well, so you’ve got to go man on man and see who executes the best.”

Said Scioli, “We want to start strong and get going in the right direction. New England was a team that held us from going to the Super Bowl. They deserved to win and deserved to go to the Super Bowl last season, but this is a new team, a new season.

“We have to go out and prove ourselves this season.”

The Colts, one of the NFL’s best road teams during Dungy’s tenure, haven’t won in New England since 1995, and Manning is 2-8 against the Patriots. Still, although the game is big, Manning said its importance has nothing to do with the past and everything to do with the coming season.

“Last season is over with,” Manning said. “There’s nothing we can change about that. Each player’s different, but certainly Coach Dungy has talked about that. It’s not a rematch of the AFC Championship Game it’s the opening of the 2004 season, and I think that’s really how you have to look at it. One thing we’ve always done here is move onto the next season.

“This is the 2004 season, but what a great challenge for us, getting a chance to play the defending Super Bowl champs at their place.

“We’ll find out real quickly what kind of team we have.”

Also Wednesday, Dungy said running back James Mungro (wrist) and safety Cory Bird (concussion) likely will not play against New England.

Pyatt was listed as questionable on the Colts’ injury report Tuesday.

The rest of the Colts’ injury report reads as follows:

Linebacker Gilbert Gardner (ankle, out), cornerback Joseph Jefferson (knee, out), safety Bob Sanders (foot, out), wide receiver Troy Walters (upper arm fracture, out), Bird (concussion, questionable), Mungro (wrist, questionable), wide receiver Brad Pyatt (thigh, questionable). wide receiver Aaron Moorehead (ankle, probable) and cornerback Donald Strickland (hip and shoulder, probable).

Pyatt worked in practice this week and Dungy said he is expected to play Thursday.


http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=2232

 

[mrposte]

Hey General,
Just wanted to say Good Luck tonight with your boys! I think I just might take a little of that action with you. You do a great job here and keep up the good work!

 

[TheGeneral+]

Thank you Sir.

All the best to you

 

[TheGeneral+]

New England 27 Colts 24

Good game by both teams except 3 Red zone TO's for horse a big difference maker. Loss of Mike Doss was a big hurt for the Colt Secondary.

Colts 0-1

Patriots get the best of Colts again.

FOXBORO, Mass. - (KRT) - Tom Brady is in end-of-season form. So are the Colts.

The two-time Super Bowl MVP put on a playoff-type performance in Thursday night's thrilling NFL season opener, showing up Peyton Manning as the Patriots beat the mistake-prone Colts, 27-24, in a rematch of last year's AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium.

The game ended after Mike Vanderjagt, who had kicked 42 straight regular-season field goals, missed a 48-yard field goal attempt with 19 seconds left. It could have sent the wild contest into overtime. Wide right.

"This guy never misses," said Willie McGinest, who forced Vanderjagt back 12 yards with a sack of Manning on the previous play. "I'm happy he missed it finally."

"It seems like all our games against the Colts are like this, back and forth," said Bill Belichick, hardly upset that his team, which never gives up fourth-quarter leads, almost blew a 10-point bulge. "It was a good football game unless you coach defense."

The teams combined for 848 total yards. Brady threw for 335 on 26-of-38 passing and hit three different receivers for touchdowns as the Patriots won for the 16th straight time, including last year's playoffs. His only interception was on a wrong route run by tight end Daniel Graham.

The Colts, who turned it over five times in last year's title game, lost it three times in the red zone Thursday night to sabotage a strong performance from their potent offense.

The most costly turnover occurred with 3:43 left in the game when Edgerrin James, who otherwise had his way with the Patriots' interior defense (30 carries, 142 yards) fumbled at the Patriots' one with the defending Super Bowl champs clinging to a three-point lead.

James tried to go behind his left guard but was met squarely by safety Eugene Wilson, who had recovered James' other fumble at the Pats' 18 in the third quarter. This one was picked up by rookie Vince Wilfork.

The turnover spoiled a great chance after the Patriots had muffed a punt. Hunter Smith hit a punt 30 yards straight in the air but it couldn't have turned out any better. Deion Branch, not the regular punt returner but rushed into service because Troy Brown was inactive with an injury, called for the fair catch and let it bounce off his face mask as he tried to make a sliding catch.

The Colts recovered at the Patriots' 33 and got to the one when Asante Samuel was flagged for pass interference against Reggie Wayne. James fumbled on the next play.

However, Manning (16-for-29, 256 yards, two TDs, one INT), had one last chance. He got the ball back with 1:43 left. He moved the Colts 37 yards to the Patriots' 17 - a virtual chippie for Vanderjagt. But McGinest, the hero of New England's regular-season win in Indy last year, burst in on Manning's blind side. Vanderjagt's kick had plenty of leg but started sailing off line from the time it was struck.

"Romeo Crennel (the Pats' defensive coordinator) just made a great call," said McGinest, who was in coverage most of the night. "He just said, `we've got to be aggressive and go after them.' I was going to swipe at the ball and try to get the fumble out, but Peyton Manning gives up a lot of ground. I just wanted to get to him, because if he throws that ball . . . fortunately no one was open."

Although the defending champs showed some flaws - run defense for instance - Brady was able to overcome them.

Protecting a 20-17 lead, he made it look easy: a third-and-nine completion of 29 yards to David Patten, a John Elway-like, cross-field completion of 25 yards to tight end David Givens and a perfectly dropped in eight-yard fade for a TD to Graham. Seven plays, 72 yards for a 27-17 lead that were almost not enough to put the game away.

"No lead is safe with their offense," Belichick said.

Unless that offense can't hold onto the ball.

Unless their kicker finally misses.

http://www.mercurynews.com

 

[TheGeneral+]

2004 Schedule

1 Thu Sep 9 at New England 9:00 PM 24-27 L
2 Sun Sep 19 at Tennessee 1:00 PM
3 Sun Sep 26 Green Bay 5
Sun Oct 10 Oakland 1:00 PM
6 BYE WEEK
7 Sun Oct 24 Jacksonville 1:00 PM
8 Sun Oct 31 at Kansas City 1:00 PM
9 Mon Nov 8 Minnesota 9:00 PM
10 Sun Nov 14 Houston 1:00 PM
11 Sun Nov 21 at Chicago 1:00 PM
12 Thu Nov 25 at Detroit 12:30 PM
13 Sun Dec 5 Tennessee 1:00 PM
14 Sun Dec 12 at Houston 1:00 PM
15 Sun Dec 19 Baltimore 8:30 PM
16 Sun Dec 26 San Diego 1:00 PM
17 Sun Jan 2 at Denver 4:15 PM