Indianapolis Colts News

[TheGeneral+]

Let's be blunt. If the Indianapolis Colts repeat their opening-day offensive performance this Sunday against Tennessee, predicting the score will be no problem.

The Colts will have nine points, the Titans a lot more.

Wasn't that a touching love fest featuring formerly feuding quarterback Peyton Manning and "idiot kicker" Mike Vanderjagt in the 9-6 win over Cleveland? Almost touching enough to cover the Colts' end zone-challenged offense's hide.

How the Colts' offense arrived at this point, stuck in the red zone mud, remains a mystery. Given the skills of Manning, running back Edgerrin James and receivers Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Marcus Pollard, 21 points should be a given every Sunday, not an indicator of seven Vanderjagt field goals.

Shut out in the 41-0 playoff loss to the Jets. Held to three field goals at Cleveland. Two games, two seasons, too stifled. Eight straight quarters without a touchdown.

Coincidence or trend?

"It's easy to look at all the negatives, and you don't want to lose sight that the objective still is to win the game," Colts coach Tony Dungy said in his weekly communique with the fans via colts.com. "By the same token, you don't want to say, 'We won, so everything is fine.' But there were a lot of good things. Our first drive was textbook and we had a 1st-and-goal at the two. We had a couple of other drives that ended with a false start and some type of mistake. But we moved the ball well and did some things we wanted to do."

Sure, they did some things well. Just not that touchdown thing.

The current overriding image of the Colts' offense is Manning underthrowing a pass to an open Pollard in the end zone, which was intercepted by Kevin Bentley on the first drive against the Browns.

The drive was textbook, the ending awfully familiar.

Tennessee's offense is better than Cleveland's because of experience and the efficient direction of quarterback Steve McNair. The Oakland Raiders qualify for an over-35 league, but the Titans' 25-20 win came against a solid Raiders defense. McNair was 25 of 38 for 269 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

The Colts struggled to slow the ball-controlling McNair last season. In two games against Indianapolis, McNair completed 33 of 42 (.785) passes for 314 yards, two scores and no interceptions.

Manning threw for more than twice that many yards in those games (63 of 92, 624 yards) and had three touchdown passes, but also had four passes intercepted.

A lot rides on this game, especially so early in the season. The Titans beat the Colts twice last year to claim the AFC South title. The Colts' fickle fan base -- a streak of 32 consecutive home sellouts is in jeopardy -- waits for a reason to embrace the team.

Two things must happen and become habit this week for the Colts offense. James needs more than 15 carries and a return to his 100-yards-per-game form. And Manning must cut down on interceptions.

McNair's edge last year was his ability to keep the offense moving and avoid turnovers. He suffered a knee injury last week, but is expected to play Sunday.

"I thought we moved the ball well," Dungy said of the Colts' play against the Browns, "but we didn't finish our drives because of the turnovers and penalties."

Dungy's key phrase is "didn't finish our drives," which could soon be defined as "didn't win the game."

This column is the commentary of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of The News-Sentinel.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/6746917.htm

 

[TheGeneral+]

Tennessee

D played very well again, allowing just 7 points.

33-7

Colts 2-0

 

[TheGeneral+]

INDIANAPOLIS - Only 14 more games like Sunday and the Indianapolis Colts will be ready to make a Super Bowl run.

So check back in December.

There. I thought a little perspective might be needed before the Colts' 33-7 win over AFC South division rival Tennessee on Sunday in the RCA Dome took on premature epic meaning in a season that's only two weeks old.

The Colts have rarely looked better since someone other than Johnny Unitas was playing quarterback. In whipping the Titans, the offense was clicking with vintage Edgerrin James' runs, terrific Marvin Harrison catches and_not a misprint_no Peyton Manning interceptions.

Coach Tony Dungy's reputation for building quick, swarming attacking defenses seemed authentic as the Colts made Steve McNair hurry throws, run for cover and suffer a broken right ring finger. Colts' special teams, meanwhile, were almost worthy of the name.

It was as complete a game against a quality opponent as the Colts have played in Indianapolis since arriving on the Mayflower moving van.

Too bad it's still only Week 2.

"It's a nice win, but there's still a long season to go," James said. "Everybody put Tennessee ahead of us because of last year, but this year we're on level ground, and now is when you have to separate yourself."

James leads the way in the Colts' goal of permanent separation from the pack. He separated himself from a lumbering, disappointing season of a year ago, when his body never let him go where his mind demanded on the field.

He separated himself from his long dreadlocks this week_cutting his hair after being tackled by the locks in the Cleveland game.

And he distanced himself from the Titans' defense, running with more freshness, elusiveness and quickness than he has in two years on Sunday, carrying 30 times for 120 yards and a touchdown.

"After he cut his hair, he looked like the rookie I used to know," Manning said. "He ran like it, too. I don't think his hair's the reason he ran that way. He's felt good and moved better this season."

James called his haircut "a business decision," one of the more amusing analyses by an NFL player this season.

"Last week, when they grabbed my hair, that made me re-think," James said. "I instantly gave in right there. I can't go through that all year. It'd be best for me to go ahead and chop it off."

Symbolically, the Colts chopped off the grip Tennessee has had on this series. The Titans swept the two games last season and took the AFC South title. That recent history gave Sunday's game a level of importance beyond what it realistically carried. Without subsequent quality play from the Colts, beating Tennessee won't mean any more than beating Cleveland.

Still, it was obvious from the first time defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Chad Bratzke leveled McNair and Titans running back Eddie George on the second series that the Colts' defense was more emotionally charged than ever.

"Start fast, play fast," Freeney said.

Indianapolis held McNair to 138 yards passing, and briefly knocked him out of the game with the finger injury. It limited George to 46 yards rushing. Coming after a 9-6 win over Cleveland last week, the Colts' defense has allowed only one touchdown in two games. The Titans' only score came with the benefit of great field position, when Tennessee took over after a Colts punt at the Indy 38-yard line early in the second period.

Through two games, at least, there is less pausing to think and more pursuing to act in the Dungy defense.

Freeney credited the team's familiarity with the system for inspiring a freedom to play that was absent at times last season, most notoriously in a 41-0 playoff loss to the New York Jets. Linebacker David Thornton led the Colts with 13 tackles, and cornerback Nick Harper picked off his third pass of the season, returning the late Billy Volek throw for a touchdown.

"We trust each other and we know what everybody has to do," Freeney said. "When you know something so much, you can just go out and do it."

That brings us to the man who continues to model consistent excellence -- Harrison. If the Colts were able to emulate Harrison's ability to turn the spectacular into the routine, they'd be Super Bowl favorites. Harrison's typically great play Sunday came on a 35-yard scoring pass just before halftime. He beat Tennessee cornerback Samari Rolle, pulled the football in over his shoulder and landed on an in-bounds tight rope in the end zone for the score and a 17-7 halftime lead.

"The ball is in the air and my job is to go get it and bring it down," Harrison said. "That's what I did."

Manning instinctively echoed Harrison's phrasing when asked about the catch.

"It's what we do," Manning said. "We've been doing that since 1998.

It was big to get that touchdown there."

Beating Tennessee is a big first step for the Colts' season. They've lost in their second game of the season three of the last four years.

But it clinched and assured nothing, other than the continued opportunity to build something special in 2003.

Two down, 14 to go, then we'll talk.

 

[TheGeneral+]

9/7 @ Cleveland Browns 12:00 PM

9/14 TENNESSEE TITANS 12:00 PM

9/21 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 12:00 PM

9/28 @ New Orleans Saints 7:30 PM

10/6 @ Tampa Bay Buccanears 8:00 PM

10/12 CAROLINA PANTHERS 12:00 PM

10/19 BYE 12:00 PM

10/26 HOUSTON TEXANS 4:15 PM

11/2 @ Miami Dolphins 1:00 PM

11/9 @ Jacksonville Jaguars 1:00 PM

11/16 NEW YORK JETS 4:00 PM

11/23 @ Buffalo Bills 1:00 PM

11/30 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 1:00 PM

12/7 @ Tennessee Titans 1:00 PM

12/14 ATLANTA FALCONS 1:00 PM

12/21 DENVER BRONCOS 8:30 PM

12/28 @ Houston Texans 1:00 PM

 

[TheGeneral+]

INDIANAPOLIS -- For the past three games, the Titans have left the Colts with more questions than they could think of answers for.

The Colts were winless in their last three meetings with AFC South rival Tennessee. But on Sunday, in front of a sold-out RCA Dome crowd, the Colts were able to finally figure out the solution to beating the Titans: playing their own game and staying out of holes.

And the strategy worked, as the Colts defeated the Titans 33-7 in their regular season home opener.

"We played our game, played hard, got 45 guys involved in a victory and that's always good," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "Much has been written about us dealing with Tennessee, but it's really about us playing our game."

After jumping out to a 10-7 lead behind a 29-yard field goal by Mike Vanderjagt on their opening drive and a two-yard touchdown run by Edgerrin James with 6:14 remaining in the second quarter, the Colts (2-0) held the Titans (1-1) scoreless for the remainder of the game.

This was the answer the Colts were looking for. In their previous losses, the Colts found themselves facing a deficit early.

"The last two times we played, we dug ourselves a hole. We didn't want to do that," Dungy said. "We held serve in a Wimbledon-type deal. We played here first, we won. We felt like we should win."

In the winning effort, James finished with 120 yards on 30 carries, surpassing 5,000 career rushing yards. Peyton Manning completed 14-of-21 attempts for 173 yards and one touchdown.

Half of Manning's receptions were targeted for the duo of Dallas Clark and Marvin Harrison. Clark finished with a team-high four receptions for 63 yards while Harrison grabbed three catches for 59 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown reception with 56 seconds remaining in the first half to put the Colts up 17-7.

With the Colts facing a first-and-10 from the Tennessee 35-yard line, Manning dropped back and found Harrison streaking up the right sideline toward the end zone. Harrison pulled in the ball while managing to get both feet in bounds.

Although the play was challenged and eventually upheld, Harrison said he knew he had to make the best of the opportunity presented to him.

"The ball is in the air and it's my job to go get it and bring it down. That's what I did," Harrison said. "It's a hunger. You've got to go up there and make the catch. You get the ball a limited amount of time, you have to make the best of the chances you get."

While the Colts' offense was on target during the entire game, the Titans found themselves going nowhere once the second half began.

After amassing 137 yards on eight first downs in the first half, the Titans failed to earn a first down until 6:16 was remaining in the game after Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair completed a 17-yard pass to Derrick Mason, who finished with a game-high 98 yards on 10 receptions.

McNair, who completed 9-of-11 passes in the first half, struggled after dislocating his right ring finger on the Titans' final drive of the first half.

McNair finished the day by completing 15-of-24 pass attempts for 138 yards and was sacked three times for a loss of 13 yards.

According to Titans tight end Erron Kinney, the reason for Tennessee's struggles in the passing game was twofold.

"It was a combination of their rush up front and Steve's limited mobility," he said. "They did a good job of covering at all times."

While the Titans' passing game was not producing, they were not producing with their rushing offense either.

Titans running back Eddie George finished with 46 yards on 15 carries. And according to Dungy, containing the Titans' leading rusher was part of the Colts' game plan.

"We wanted to stop Eddie George. Everybody's talking about Steve (McNair) and Steve's a great player, but Eddie George makes them go," Dungy said. "He had a couple runs, but for the most part, we were able to keep them in long-yardage situations."

The Colts scored 16 second-half points. Vanderjagt connected on field goals of 41, 23 and 48 yards to put Indianapolis up 26-7.

A miscue by the Titans led to the final Colts touchdown.

After beginning the drive at their own 21 yard line, backup quarterback Billy Volek completed five passes to drive to give the Titans second-and-10 from the Colts 30-yard line.

But Volek's pass intended Justin McCareins was picked off by Nick Harper at the 25-yard line. Harper returned the interception 75 yards to give the Colts their final margin of victory.

McNair completed a seven-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Calico on a third-and-7 from the Colts' seven-yard line with 8:52 remaining in the second quarter to give Tennessee a 7-3 lead.

While Manning agrees that earning a win against Tennessee feels good, he knows that there are still many more games left in the season.

"It feels good to beat a good team like that. Tennessee is definitely going to be a contender in the AFC this year," he said. "But we're just 2-0 and there are a lot of 2-0 teams and lot can happen."

And for the first time in four games against the Colts, it was Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher who was left searching for answers after the game.

"Today was a case of one team playing well and another team not playing well," Fisher said. "We just couldn't answer. We felt we were going to be in a dogfight today and we just couldn't answer."

 

[TheGeneral+]

Game Three: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
9/15/03

THIS WEEK: The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking for their first victory of the season when they travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts at 1:00 p.m. Sunday at the RCA Dome. The Jaguars are 0-2 this season after losses to Carolina and Buffalo — two of the eight undefeated teams in the NFL. The Colts are another one of those 2-0 teams, with victories over Cleveland and Tennessee.

The game is the first of two straight road games against AFC South Division rivals for the Jaguars, who are trying to end a four-game losing streak dating back to last season.


JAGUARS ON THE AIR THIS WEEK:

Monday — Jaguars Reporters, 6:00 p.m., WOKV Radio, with Brian Sexton, Vic Ketchman

Monday — The Jack Del Rio Show, 7:30 p.m., WTEV Ch. 47

Tuesday — The Jack Del Rio Show, 6:00 p.m., WOKV Radio

Wednesday — Jaguars This Week, 6:00 p.m., WOKV Radio

Thursday — THE Jaguars Show, 10:30 p.m., WAWS Ch. 30

Saturday — Jaguars Weekend, 7:30 p.m., WTEV Ch. 47


THE OPPONENT: The Colts began play in Baltimore in 1953 and were one of pro football's most successful franchises for the next two decades. They won world championships in 1958 and '59 behind legendary quarterback Johnny Unitas and six other eventual Pro Football Hall of Famers. They also won the 1968 NFL championship before losing in Super Bowl III. The franchise moved to Indianapolis in 1984 but advanced to the playoffs only one time in the first 11 seasons. In 1995, the Colts won a Wild-Card berth and advanced to the AFC Championship game, losing to Pittsburgh. The Colts made the playoffs in 1999 and 2000 under coach Jim Mora, but they slipped to 6-10 in 2001. Tony Dungy was hired as head coach in 2002 and led the Colts to a 10-6 record and a Wild-Card berth in the playoffs. This season, they are 2-0 and in first place in the AFC South.


THE SERIES: The Jaguars and Colts have played four times, with Indianapolis winning all four games. It is the biggest edge in any series involving the Jaguars. On December 10, 1995, in the Jaguars' inaugural season, the Colts won 41-31 in Jacksonville, and on September 25, 2000, the Colts won 43-14 at the Hoosier Dome. Last season, the Colts swept the series, winning the season opener 28-25 in Jacksonville and the season finale 20-13 in Indianapolis.


THE LAST TIME: The Jaguars lost their season finale 20-13 to the Indianapolis Colts in the RCA Dome on December 29, 2002 and finished their eighth season with a 6-10 record. Rookie David Garrard replaced an injured Mark Brunell and became the eighth player to start a game at quarterback for the Jaguars. He led the Jaguars to a 13-10 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Colts scored the final 10 points to win. On Jacksonville's final drive, Garrard led the Jaguars to the Indianapolis 38-yard line, but the game ended with an incomplete Hail Mary pass in the end zone. Garrard completed 13 of 26 passes for 135 yards and ran for 44 yards. Fred Taylor rushed for 73 yards and scored the Jaguars' lone touchdown, and Danny Boyd kicked two field goals, as the Jaguars lost their season finale for the third straight year. The Jaguars' defense held Colts All-Pro WR Marvin Harrison to a season-low 28 yards on six receptions, and Peyton Manning threw for only 146 yards on 28 passes. Once again, penalties and mistakes doomed the Jaguars. A roughing the punter penalty on Elvis Joseph led to the Colts' first score in the final period, and personal fouls on John Henderson and Akin Ayodele preceded Indianapolis' winning touchdown.


A JAGUARS VICTORY OVER THE COLTS WOULD: Snap a four-game losing streak dating back to last season and give them a 1-2 record in 2003 and their first victory under new head coach Jack Del Rio. It would also give them a 1-4 mark in the series with the Colts.


INJURY UPDATE: Injured in the Buffalo game were: LB Keith Mitchell (neck), WR/KR Jermaine Lewis (knee) and CB Kiwaukee Thomas (groin). Missing the game because of injuries were: DB James Trapp (ankle) and WR Micah Ross (ankle). The status of all injured players will be updated on Wednesday.


THE COACHES: Jack Del Rio was named Jaguars head coach on January 17, 2003, becoming the second head coach in Jaguars' history. At 40, Del Rio is the second youngest head coach in the NFL (four months older than Jon Gruden). Del Rio spent 11 years as an NFL linebacker and had a standout college career at the University of Southern California. He previously coached in New Orleans (1997-98), Baltimore (1999-2001), and Carolina (2002). He was the Panthers' defensive coordinator, and in his only season with the club the defense improved from 31st in the NFL to second, the biggest one season defensive improvement in NFL history. Del Rio was the linebackers coach for three seasons in Baltimore, where the Ravens' defense also ranked second each season. He helped the team win Super Bowl XXXV over the New York Giants and coached the Ravens' talented linebackers, overseeing the development of Peter Boulware, Jamie Sharper and Ray Lewis, the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2000 and the MVP of Super Bowl XXXV. Prior to coaching, Del Rio played 11 seasons in the NFL, with New Orleans (1985-86), Kansas City (1987-88), Dallas (1989-1991) and Minnesota (1992-95), playing in the Pro Bowl following the 1994 season. Del Rio was a starter at linebacker for Southern California (1981-84), where he earned All-America honors, was a runner-up for the Lombardi Award and co-MVP of the 1985 Rose Bowl. Del Rio has learned from some of the best coaches in all of football. He was recruited to USC and played for John Robinson, and in the NFL he played under Bum Phillips, Jim Mora, Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Green. As an assistant coach, he has worked for Hall of Famer Mike Ditka and Super Bowl winner Brian Billick, as well as John Fox. Drafted by baseball's Toronto Blue Jays, Del Rio batted .340 while playing catcher on USC's baseball team in 1983 and 1984 with future stars Randy Johnson and Mark McGwire. He was a third-round choice by the New Orleans Saints in 1985 and was named to the NFL's All-Rookie team.

In his first season as the Colts' head coach, Tony Dungy directed the club to a 10-6 record, his fourth career double-digit victory total and a four-game improvement from the Colts' 2001 record. Dungy compiled a 56-46 record during six seasons in Tampa Bay (1996-2001), leading them to the playoffs four times, including the NFC Central title and a trip to the NFC Championship game in 1999. Prior to Dungy's arrival, the franchise had not reached the playoffs since 1982, and had not won the NFC Central since 1981. Dungy quickly righted the franchise, earning Coach of the Year honors in 1997. Dungy was Minnesota's defensive coordinator from 1992 to '95. Dungy also coached Kansas City's defensive backs (1989-1991), and was an assistant with Pittsburgh (1981-88), including the last four as defensive coordinator. Dungy played quarterback at Minnesota (1973-76), finishing his career as the school's all-time leader in attempts, completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes. He played in the Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Game and the Japan Bowl. He signed with the Steelers as a free agent and played safety for two seasons (1977-78), totaling nine interceptions in 30 games, including six in 1978. Dungy played in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl XIII victory. He was traded to San Francisco in 1979, then retired in 1980.


JACKSONVILLE-INDIANAPOLIS CONNECTIONS: The two head coaches are close friends, with Jack Del Rio having played for Tony Dungy when the latter was the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator from 1992 to '95. … The only former Jaguar on the Colts is FB Detron Smith, who spent the 2002 training camp with the team. … The only former Colt on the Jaguars is MLB Mike Peterson (1999-2002). … Colts assistants who coached for the Vikings while Del Rio played for Minnesota are TE coach Chris Foerster and DL coach John Teerlinck. … Colts special teams coach Russ Purnell coached special teams at Southern California while Del Rio played there from 1981 to '84. Purnell also coached Jaguars WR/KR Jermaine Lewis with the Baltimore Ravens from 1999 to '01. … Indianapolis' OL coach Howard Mudd held the same position with the Kansas City Chiefs while Del Rio was a Chief (1989-91). … Two Colts have ties to the state of Florida: RB Edgerrin James (Immokalee, University of Miami) and DE Chad Bratzke (Brandon). … Two Jaguars have ties to the state of Indiana: DE Paul Spicer (Indianapolis, Northwest High School) and LB Akin Ayodele (Purdue) … Players who were college teammates include: Jaguars LB Danny Clark and Colts WR Aaron Moorehead at Illinois; Jaguars QB Byron Leftwich and P Chris Hanson with Colts G Steve Sciullo at Marshall … Jaguars LB Keith Mitchell and Colts RB Teron Smith at Texas A&M … Jaguars DT Matt Leonard and Colts RB Brian Allen at Stanford … Jaguars OT Maurice Williams and Colts DT Josh Williams at Michigan … Jaguars LS/TEJoe Zelenka played for Colts QB coach Jim Caldwell at Wake Forest.


JAGUARS VS. COLTS: Here are the accumulated statistics for players in the Jaguars-Colts series:

Jaguars QB Mark Brunell – 3 games (0-3 record); 69 of 111 for 769 yards, 7 TDs, 4 INTs; 12 rushes for 73 yards; 1 300-yard game

Jaguars RB Fred Taylor – 3 games; 53 carries for 213 yards, 1 TD; 5 receptions for 49 yards

Colts QB Peyton Manning – 3 games; 62 of 95 for 797 yards, 8 TDs, 0 INTs

Colts RB Edgerrin James – 3 games; 63 carries for 274 yards, 1 TD, 8 receptions for 109 yards

Colts WR Marvin Harrison – 3 games; 12 catches for 165 yards, 2 TDs


LAST WEEK: The Jaguars lost their home opener 38-17 to the Buffalo Bills, suffering their biggest loss ever at ALLTEL Stadium. Buffalo jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead behind quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who passed for 314 yards, and running back Travis Henry, who ran for three touchdowns. Following Henry's two first-quarter scores, the Jaguars closed the gap to 14-7 early in the second quarter on Mark Brunell's one-yard plunge. But Buffalo struck right back with a 54-yard TD pass from Bledsoe to former Jaguar Bobby Shaw. In the third quarter, Seth Marler kicked a 44-yard field goal to make the score 21-10. The Bills then scored 17 straight points for a 38-10 lead. Jaguars first-round draft choice Byron Leftwich played the last series and led the Jaguars on a 90-yard drive, culminating with his first NFL touchdown pass of five yards to George Wrighster. The 38 points allowed was the most by the Jaguars since September 25, 2000 when Indianapolis scored 43.


NOTES FROM THE BILLS GAME: The Jaguars are 0-2 for the first time since their inaugural season of 1995. … The Jaguars and Bills each had 20 first downs. … Neither team had a turnover, leaving the Jaguars at plus-one for the season. … The Jaguars converted 4 of 14 third downs (29 percent), while the Bills were 8 of 14 (57 percent). … The Bills outgained the Jaguars 371 to 287 yards and controlled the ball for 31:10 to the Jaguars' 28:50. … The Jaguars held the Bills to 43 yards rushing, the fewest for an opponent since 12/23/01 at Minnesota. … QB Mark Brunell completed 19 of 32 passes for 122 yards and a 67.4 passer rating. Byron Leftwich was 7 of 8 for 92 yards and one TD for a passer rating of 154.2. … RB Fred Taylor rushed for 71 yards on 14 carries (5.1 average). … Taylor tied for the team lead with five receptions (for 10 yards) along with TE Kyle Brady (42 yards) and FB Marc Edwards (35 yards). … Chris Hanson punted four times for a 44.3-yard average, with no touchbacks, one inside the 20, and a long of 47. He had three kicks returned for 38 yards and a net average of 34.8. … The Jaguars had no sacks and allowed three sacks. … MLB Mike Peterson led the team with 13 tackles (eight solo), followed by SS Donovin Darius and SLB Danny Clark with eight tackles each. … Every player saw action. The inactive players were: DB James Trapp, FB Malaefou MacKenzie, OT/G Sammy Williams, OT Marques Ogden, WR Micah Ross, DT Matt Leonard, DE Brandon Green and QB David Garrard (third QB). … Jaguars captains were: QB Mark Brunell, OT Maurice Williams, S Donovin Darius and LB Danny Clark.


FROM COACH JACK DEL RIO ON THE BILLS GAME: “We went up against a very good football team and they were the better team today. My hat's off to the Bills and Drew Bledsoe. We didn't do enough to get him out of rhythm. The bottom line is, the opponent we had, the challenge we had in front of us, we did not step up and get it done. They came out and took the upper-hand right away. I know we were ready to play, and I didn't feel there was ever a lack of playing hard. It just wasn't good enough. They did basically what they do. Last week we talked about run defense and how it's a team game. I know that a cornerback's best friend is a sack. When you're not getting any, the kind of pressure that can help out, the corners are going to have to do a little better. It's a team game. We weren't strong enough against the pass today. We were physical against their run game. But when you force a team to pass, you have to be able to execute and get a team off the field. We were not able to do that.”

(on good points of the game) “There were, but I'd rather not spend too much time talking about good things out of a loss. I'd rather go to work tomorrow and make the corrections and continue to get better. The run defense was outstanding. They had 32 rushes for 43 yards. You can win with that kind of run defense.”

(on the future) “We will continue to get better as a football team, and we're looking forward to the next challenge, which is two divisional opponents on the road, so we have plenty of work ahead of us. We'll make the corrections. We have a 24-hour rule and win or lose we attack these problems and move on. Every week, all year, we will do what we think is the best for us as a football team to be competitive every week.”

(on the special taems) “I thought we did well on special teams. It wasn't suffocating like we want it to be and like it will be someday but it was an improvement over what we saw last week. There's no doubt about that. We have a lot of young guys who are working hard.”

(on Byron Leftwich's performance) “It was good to see, but we're not going to get carried away by what happened late in the game when it's been decided already.”


FROM QB MARK BRUNELL: (on the difference between last week and this week on offense) “I think it was a number of things. The passing efficiency wasn't there. The running game was better. We played a pretty good defense. We had some opportunities and didn't capitalize on them. I think we have a good offense, but we just didn't execute the way we needed to today. What made me unhappy was the production by the offense.”

(on Byron Leftwich playing the final drive) “There's no reaction. They told me on the sideline and that was it. The game was over. Bill (Musgrave) came and said we're going to give the kid the rest of it and that was it.”

(on missed opportunities) “Against a team like Buffalo, you don't get that many chances, so if you don't capitalize on those opportunities you lose games. We had five chances where we could have kept the drive going or get a touchdown and that's just the way it is. There's a lot of football to be played and I think we'll look at the film and make the corrections and move on.”

(was the game a step back from last week?) “I think it was a step back. The passing game wasn't as sharp as it needed to be. Fortunately it's early, I think guys' attitudes are going to be great. We'll still work hard and keep believing.”



NEXT WEEK: The Jaguars will travel to Houston to face the Texans at 1:00 p.m. EDT Sunday, September 28 at Reliant Stadium. It will be the third game between the two teams. In 2002, the Texans' first season, the two teams split the two-game series. Houston won the first game 21-19 at Jacksonville on October 27, and the Jaguars won the rematch 24-21 three weeks later in Houston. This year, the Texans are 1-1 after defeating the Miami Dolphins in the opener and losing last week 31-10 to the New Orleans Saints. They are coached by Dom Capers, who was the Jaguars' defensive coordinator in 1999 and 2000.


DOUGLAS IS EIGHTH-LEADING ACTIVE SACKER: Jaguars DE Hugh Douglas ranks eighth among active players in sacks.


LEWIS APPROACHING PUNT RETURNS RECORDS: Jermaine Lewis signed with the Jaguars in the offseason as a veteran free agent and is the team's primary punt and kickoff returner. A veteran of seven NFL seasons with Baltimore, Houston and Jacksonville, he is approaching several NFL records.

- Has led the NFL in punt returns two times (1997, 2000), one short of the NFL record shared by Speedy Duncan and Rick Upchurch

- Has 3,055 career punt return yards, 546 yards short of third place on the NFL's all-time list

- Has six touchdowns on punt returns, two shy of tying for third place on the NFL's all-time list

- Ranks seventh among active players with an 11.3-yard average on punt returns


TAKEAWAYS/GIVEAWAYS 1993-2003: In the last 11 years, the Jaguars have the third-best takeaway/giveaway difference in the NFL, a plus-35 total (they have played only nine seasons).


JAGUARS HAVE BALANCED OFFENSE: In the last six seasons, the Jaguars have rushed for 10,084 yards on the ground, the sixth most in the NFL. They were the only team to have more than 2,000 yards rushing each of the three seasons from 1998 to 2000 (an injury to Fred Taylor held them to 1,600 rushing yards in 2001), and they are one of only three teams to have rushed for 2,000 yards in four of the last five years.

And, over the past seven seasons, the Jaguars have the seventh-most passing yards in the NFL.


JAGUARS SCORE ON THE GROUND … In the last seven seasons, the Jaguars have rushed for 109 touchdowns, tied for the most in the NFL.


… AND STOP THEIR OPPONENTS: In the last seven seasons, the Jaguars have allowed only 82 rushing TDs, the NFL's fourth-best mark.


TAYLOR HAS SEVENTH-MOST TOUCHDOWNS LAST FIVE YEARS: Despite missing 24 full games and parts of nine others, Jaguars RB Fred Taylor is tied with the seventh-most touchdowns over the last six seasons among active players.


BRUNELL HAS 11TH-BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE: Jaguars QB Mark Brunell has the 11th-best career winning percentage of active quarterbacks (minimum 20 wins). Brunell also owns the NFL's third-best record in divisional games (37-21, .638), and in the last eight seasons, he has the most victories of any quarterback other than Green Bay's Brett Favre.


BRUNELL'S TOUCHDOWN TARGETS: Mark Brunell has thrown 144 TD passes in nine seasons with the Jaguars. Here are the 24 players who have caught them: Jimmy Smith (44), Keenan McCardell (26), Damon Jones (11), Willie Jackson (10), Kyle Brady (9), Pete Mitchell (9), James Stewart (5), Fred Taylor (4), Ernest Givins (3), Cedric Tillman (3), Alvis Whitted (3), Andre Rison (2), Elvis Joseph (2), Patrick Johnson (2), Kevin Lockett (2), Derek Brown (1), Ty Hallock (1), Desmond Howard (1), Natrone Means (1), R. Jay Soward (1), Stacey Mack (1), Bobby Shaw (1), Matthew Hatchette (1) and Jermaine Lewis (1).


JAGUARS AMONG THE LEAGUE LEADERS: The Jaguars rank 19th in the NFL in total offense (21st rushing, 12th passing), and they are 17th in defense (12th rushing and 23rd passing). They have allowed 62 points, the second-highest total in the AFC. … The offense is tied for sixth in the AFC with 37 first downs and is tied for 13th in the conference in third-down percentage (8 of 27, 29.6 percent). The defense is 12th in allowing 37 first downs and 14th in the AFC in opponent's third-down conversions (12 of 28, 42.9 percent). … The Jaguars are plus-1 on the turnover table, tied for eighth in the AFC. … The Jaguars are tied for first in the AFC with a 100.0 percent rate on scoring touchdowns inside the red zone (3 of 3). Defensively, the Jaguars are 13th in the AFC with opponents scoring touchdowns on 83.3 percent of red zone opportunities (5 of 6). … QB Mark Brunell is second in the AFC in passing with a 100.5 passer rating. He leads the NFL with a 71.2 completion percentage. … PK Seth Marler is tied for 12th in the AFC with 10 points (4 of 4 PATS, 2 of 4 FGAs). … RB Fred Taylor ranks sixth in the AFC with 142 rushing yards and is tied for 12th in the AFC with 10 receptions. He ranks 12th in the conference with 203 yards from scrimmage. … Chris Hanson is fourth in the AFC with a 45.8 gross punting average, but he ranks 15th with a 30.3 net average. … Jermaine Lewis is ninth in the AFC with a 9.0 average on punt returns. … LaBrandon Toefield is fourth in the AFC with a 27.3 average on kickoff returns, while Lewis is 18th with an 18.5 average. … DE Tony Brackens is tied for third in the AFC with two sacks.


STATS AND SUCH: There are 25 new players on the Jaguars' roster: eight of the nine draft choices (QB Byron Leftwich, DB Rashean Mathis, G Vince Manuwai, TE George Wrighster, RB LaBrandon Toefield, DE Brandon Green, OT Marques Ogden, FB Malaefou MacKenzie), four unrestricted free agents (DE Hugh Douglas, FB Marc Edwards, LB Keith Mitchell, LB Mike Peterson), eight veteran free agents (DE Lionel Barnes, RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, WR Matthew Hatchette, WR/KR Jermaine Lewis, G Jamar Nesbit, WR J.J. Stokes, CB James Trapp, OT/G Sammy Williams), three undrafted rookies (WR Cortez Hankton, DT Matt Leonard, PK Seth Marler), one trade acquisition (S Anthony Mitchell) and one waiver pickup (CB Brad Franklin). … The Jaguars have started the same lineup in both games so far.

The Jaguars have had two plays of 30 or more yards in 2003. They had only 16 plays of 30-plus yards in 2002, 11 in 2001, 26 in 2000, 23 in 1999, 29 in 1998, 22 in 1997, 26 in 1996 and 12 in 1995. The Jaguars have allowed three 30-plus plays this season… Of the Jaguars' 49 completed passes, 21 have been to wide receivers, 9 to tight ends and 19 to running backs. … The Jaguars are 3 for 4 on fourth-down conversions; their opponents are 2 for 3. … On three drives inside the opponent's 20, the Jaguars have scored three touchdowns. Their opponents have had six trips inside the red zone and have come away with five touchdowns and one field goal. … Jaguars opponents have begun two possessions inside their own 20 and scored on one of those drives (TD), while the Jaguars have begun four possessions inside their own 20 and scored on one of those drives (TD). … In nine seasons, the Jaguars are 17 for 27 on two-point conversions (0 for 1 in 2003), while their opponents are 7 for 25 (0 for 2 in 2003). … In nine seasons, the Jaguars have a winning record in every month except October (they are .500 in January). They are 1-0 in August, 16-15 in September, 13-19 in October, 19-12 in November, 18-15 in December and 1-1 in January. … In 2003, the Jaguars have outscored their opponents in the second quarter (21-7), and have been outscored in the first quarter (0-14), third quarter (6-21) and fourth quarter (13-20).

Mark Brunell is 63-53 in 116 regular-season starts, 67-57 overall. … WR Jimmy Smith has played in 127 of the 130 games in Jaguars history. Of the current players, next are QB Mark Brunell (119) and DE Tony Brackens (94). … The longest streak of consecutive starts is held by C Brad Meester (50), followed by TE Kyle Brady (48). … Seven players have played in 100 or more games during their careers: CB James Trapp (144), WR Jimmy Smith (134), TE Kyle Brady (126), QB Mark Brunell (121), WR J.J. Stokes (113), DE Hugh Douglas (108) and WR/KR Jermaine Lewis (102). … Brady leads with 120 career starts, followed by Brunell (116) and Smith (106).

 

[TheGeneral+]

September 17, 2003 (Indianapolis) — Indianapolis Colts running back Edgerrin James has lost a little weight -- he's gotten a haircut.

He calls it a business decision. James decided to get a trim after being yanked down by his dreadlocks in the season opener against Cleveland.

His hair was long enough to almost reach the name on the back of his jersey.

James is keeping his shorn locks, for now. But he jokes he's always willing to consider a good offer.

 

[KMAN]

General - Thanks for the Colts news.

KMAN

 

[TheGeneral+]

My pleasure. I tried to get a poster per team, but no one else was willing to play. I think a great idea for the forum in all sports.

 

[jaypaw]

not true - I've been trying to post pats news as I see it - but I havent been doing it in the same thread. Maybe I'll start doing it...

 

[Snick45]

General Thanks for the writeup & hpoe your looking forward to this wknd's game like i am.
Took over 8.5 for the season and have 2 in the bag already.Still have'nt figured out why the line is only -7.5 but i know I'm bustin open the piggy bank for this one.

 

[TheGeneral+]

Snick, you got a winner at 8½

Colts Team Report: Earning respect


Indianapolis put an end to a three-game losing streak to the Titans in impressive fashion, posting a 33-7 victory. Conquering the Titans was crucial in the standings, but even more important for the Colts' confidence.

"It was big," said Colts cornerback Nick Harper, who returned his third interception in two games 75 yards for a touchdown with 22 seconds remaining. "It was a division game. As far as them being the division winners last year, it was very big for us. It lets us know we can play with these guys."

Indianapolis used an impressive defensive effort to thwart the Titans and Steve McNair. The Colts surrendered just 14 first downs and 236 total yards en route to the victory. Indy's pass rush was the key as it registered five sacks for a loss of 36 yards, eventually sending McNair to the sidelines for two series with a dislocated ring finger on his throwing hand.

Rookie defensive end Robert Mathis led the way with a pair of sacks, while DEs Chad Bratzke, Dwight Freeney and Raheem Brock added a sack apiece. Freeney may miss this contest due to a sprained ankle.

"Dwight has kind of an ankle sprain and he's probably very doubtful for this week," said Dungy. "We'll just probably be taking it week to week from here."

The Colts' defense held Tennessee's running game to just 53 yards on 19 attempts (2.8 ypc). Young linebacker David Thornton tallied a team-high 13 stops in the contest.

"There's nothing soft about this defense," said Colts defensive tackle Montae Reagor. "We fly around. We play aggressive. We wanted to play physical with them. We knew Tennessee would try to smash-mouth us, but you know what? We took it to those guys. We beat them to the punch."

Indy won't be an easy target for Taylor and the Jags' running game, considering it is fourth in the AFC in run defense (75.5 ypg). Thornton and fellow linebacker Rob Morris are quick to the ball and have a keen ability of filling running lanes in a hurry. Rookie safety Mike Doss is a hard-hitting run stopper as well.

UP NEXT: The Colts head south to the Big Easy to face the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome next week.

!

 

[TheGeneral+]

Jacksonville

D played well again, but gave taylor 125+ yds rushing. Overall not bad. Gave the prevent TD at the end. Allowed only 122 passing.

23-13

Colts 3-0

 

[TheGeneral+]

Perhaps a few remaining skeptics were won over Sunday afternoon in the RCA Dome.

With his predecessor looking on from the Jacksonville sideline, David Thornton provided further evidence he's more than up to the task of replacing Mike Peterson as the Indianapolis Colts' starting weak-side linebacker.

Thornton's statistics from the Colts' 23-13 victory included a team-high 11 tackles and his first NFL sack.

"He definitely played well," middle linebacker Rob Morris said Monday. "If there were people comparing, I think they saw what David could do."

He chased. He covered. He closed. He finished.

After the game, Thornton and Peterson shared a few minutes on the floor of the RCA Dome. The former pupil listened intently as Peterson continued to offer tips on using the proper techniques.

"He was just coaching me up a little bit," Thornton said.

During the game, Thornton showed he's a quick study.

He snuffed out Jacksonville's game-opening drive by chasing down quarterback Mark Brunell for a 2-yard sack on third-and-5. In the third quarter, Thornton corralled running back Fred Taylor after a 10-yard gain, holding on until strong safety Mike Doss could administer a fumble-producing hit.

It would have been understandable had Thornton used Peterson's return to the RCA Dome as motivation for his influential game. One of the reasons the Colts didn't re-sign Peterson, their weak-side starter the past four years, was the promise Thornton displayed as a rookie in 2002.

The Peterson factor, insisted Thornton, was no factor at all.

"I'm just thankful I've got the opportunity to play," he said. "I think it's a win-win situation for both of us.

"I'm getting the chance here and he's getting the chance there and he's more financially secure."

Morris also dismissed the notion Peterson's presence inspired Thornton.

"I didn't notice anything different," he said.

"He just played up to his regular level."

After three games, Thornton leads the Colts with 34 tackles, including 23 solos. He generated a career-best 14 tackles against Tennessee.

"David's playing well," coach Tony Dungy said.

Which, again, isn't a surprise.

Heading into the 2002 draft, the team's scouting department locked onto Thornton as an ideal fit for the defensive scheme installed by Dungy and operated by coordinator Ron Meeks. He was quick, athletic, instinctive, bright.

A former walk-on and special-teams standout at North Carolina, Thornton emerged as an 11-game starter as a senior. That Tar Heels defense included end Julius Peppers and tackle Ryan Sims, a pair of first-round draft picks. Thornton was selected MVP.

"Watching him play," Dungy said of Thornton, "we felt he had a lot of the things that are needed to play the 'Will' linebacker position."

Dungy talked with colleagues in Tampa Bay and chatted with Lovie Smith, a former assistant and current defensive coordinator with the St. Louis Rams, regarding Thornton.

"We thought he'd do well," Dungy said. "They felt the same way."

In Dungy's scheme, the "Will," or weak-side, linebacker is the playmaker. The prototype is Tampa Bay's Derrick Brooks.

On any given down, Thornton can be found covering a wide receiver or a tight end. He's also essential in run support.

"It's a demanding position from the standpoint that's the guy you expect to make the plays," position coach Mike Murphy said.

"So far he's doing what we expected."

That isn't to say there weren't a few anxious moments.

A fourth-round draft pick in 2002, Thornton saw extensive work as the nickel linebacker. His range was invaluable in pass coverage. But Thornton had limited exposure in the base defense and he suffered a knee injury Nov. 24 at Denver.

He played sparingly thereafter, then was named Peterson's successor during the off-season.

"It's not like he's played a lot," Murphy said. "From a talent standpoint, he can run and he's tough. The guy has all the tools to do it.

"But you never know about a guy until he goes out and does it."

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/0/077143-2090-036.html

 

[TheGeneral+]

INDIANAPOLIS -- Edgerrin James did not practice Wednesday because of a bad back and the Indianapolis Colts running back could miss Sunday's game at New Orleans.

James also was held out of practice Monday because of the injury, and Colts coach Tony Dungy said the team was closely watching the two-time NFL rushing champ.

"Hopefully he'll be ready to go, but we'll see how it goes," Dungy said. "He was a little more sore today than we expected. We had hoped that he would be farther along. Right now it's 50-50, but we're hoping that he'll be back and we'll see if it loosens up in the next day or so."

James, who has 263 yards and a touchdown on 72 carries this season, was injured Sunday against Jacksonville. He had been listed as probable on the team's injury report, but Dungy said the injury was worse Wednesday, and James was downgraded to questionable.

James was slowed last season as he returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the 2001 season, and only gained 989 yards rushing.

The Colts, however, could see the return Sunday of running back Dominic Rhodes, who has not played since injuring his knee during last year's training camp.

Rhodes was the replacement for James in 2001 and went on to rush for 1,104 yards that season -- an NFL record for undrafted rookies.

Rhodes said Wednesday his knee felt the best it had in a long time and that he hoped to see playing time against the Saints.

"I did well on my stress test, my knee isn't sore and I've been able to take part in every practice for the last couple of weeks," Rhodes said.

"I've been able to make my cuts like I used to. So now I just have to wait and see what coach Dungy has to say about it,'' he said. "I hope that they feel like I'm ready to play."

Dungy said that with James' sore back, there was a chance Rhodes could return to the active roster.

"Dominic is closer and could play for us I think," he said. "James Mungro and Ricky Williams are ready to go and fresh, so we'll be fine no matter what. But our hope is that Edge will be ready to go."

The Colts also face injury troubles with defensive end Dwight Freeney and offensive tackle Ryan Diem.

The Colts on Wednesday downgraded Freeney to doubtful for Sunday's game, while Dungy said Diem could be out for a month with a high left ankle sprain.

Freeney, the team's top pass rusher, injured his ankle and abdominal muscle against Tennessee two weeks ago and did not play in Sunday's victory over Jacksonville.

Dungy had said Monday there was a good chance that Freeney would be able to play this week. But that sentiment changed after Wednesday's practice.

"It would be kind of miraculous if he played," Dungy said. "I think we're planning on more having him next week. But we'll see what happens."

Meanwhile, Diem, the starting right offensive tackle, likely won't return until after the Colts' Oct. 19 bye week, Dungy said.

Veteran tackle Adam Meadows, who was a starter for six seasons before he was unseated by Diem in training camp, is expected to return to the starting lineup against the Saints despite spraining a right knee ligament during the Jacksonville game.

"Ryan and I got hurt about three plays apart," Meadows said. "I'll be OK. I'll be able to go this week. My knee is a little sore, but I'll be fine."

Dungy is confident with Meadows on the field.

"He's played a lot of football for us," Dungy said. "He'll step in there and be fine, and we're not going to miss a beat."



http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=1622990

 

[TheGeneral+]

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-0) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-2) - Indianapolis Colts: OUT: T Ryan Diem (ankle); CB Joseph Jefferson (pelvis). DOUBTFUL: DE Dwight Freeney (ankle/abdomen); WR Brandon Stokley (hamstring); CB Donald Strickland (groin). QUESTIONABLE: RB Dominic Rhodes (knee). PROBABLE: S Cory Bird (hamstring); S Jason Doering (finger); CB Walt Harris (knee); DT Brandon Hicks (knee); RB Edgerrin James (back); T Adam Meadows (knee); DT Montae Reagor (back); C Jeff Saturday (back); G Steve Sciullo (foot). New Orleans Saints: OUT: CB Dale Carter (eye); LB Sedrick Hodge (knee); DE Darren Howard (wrist); DT Johnathan Sullivan (knee). DOUBTFUL: LB Cie Grant (knee). PROBABLE: DT Henry Ford (ankle); LB Roger Knight (ankle); LB Derrick Rodgers (neck); RB Terrelle Smith (knee).

 

[TheGeneral+]

INDIANAPOLIS --
With the Indianapolis Colts off to a 3-0 start this season, Sunday night's game at New Orleans could help show just how good they are.

For New Orleans natives Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne, though, playing at the Superdome should not be such a big deal. After all, both grew up as rabid Saints fans.

Manning played at Isidore Newman High School and is one of three sons of former Saints quarterback Archie Manning. The elder Manning played 11 seasons in New Orleans and still holds all of the teams all-time career passing records.

Wayne, who had a career-high 10 receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 23-13 victory over Jacksonville, is a graduate of Ehret High School and was a big fan of wide receiver Eric Martin, who played for the Saints in 1984-93.

Both wound up with the Colts after being first-round draft picks.

Manning said Wednesday despite the homecoming, the names most on his mind this week were Grady Jackson, Charles Grant and Tebucky Jones - the leaders of the Saints defense.

"It's always fun to go home (to play). Everybody enjoys going home. I know that Reggie's real excited as well," Manning said. "I've been back twice in the preseason and just once during the regular season. It's a little different in the regular season, though."

While conceding that the Colts haven't fared well in previous meetings with the Saints - the franchise hasn't won a game in New Orleans since 1969 and hasn't posted a series victory since 1973 - Manning was able to joke about one recent game in particular.

"We had a really stellar game between two great teams here in 1998," he recalled. "We finished 3-13 and they were 4-12. They beat us in overtime. They hit a fourth-and-17 on us."

The Colts quarterback knows from experience how tough it can be on visiting teams to play in the Superdome.

"I've been to the Superdome many times and it can be as rocking a place as there is," Manning said. "And so Sunday night, in prime time, it's going to be a tough place to play."

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030924/APS/309241185

 

[TheGeneral+]

NEW ORLEANS -- Reggie Wayne grew up 10 minutes from the Superdome, an unconditional Saints fan.

Forget the paper sacks that were mandatory attire for so many years of "Aints" football. Wayne longed to wear the jersey of his favorite player, wide receiver Eric Martin.

"He kind of fit me," the Indianapolis Colts wide receiver said. "He didn't have great, super speed, but he was one of those guys who would catch balls in the clutch.

"I just have so many memories, listening to him on the radio when the games were blacked out. He was one of those names that always stood out."

Wayne returns home this evening, hoping to stand out against the Saints (1-2) before a national television audience (ESPN) as the Colts look for just their sixth 4-0 start in franchise history, the second in the past 26 seasons.

In the stands will be at least 60 family members and friends, eager to see if Wayne can emulate his boyhood hero. Martin played nine years for New Orleans and maximized his talents. He owns club records for receptions (532), receiving yards (7,854) and receiving touchdowns (48).

Wayne is in his third season and still is attempting to solidify himself as the reliable sidekick to Marvin Harrison, the Colts' four-time Pro Bowl receiver.

There have been glimpses of brilliance, most recently last Sunday's 10-catch, 141-yard, two-touchdown performance against Jacksonville. Too often, though, the team's 2001 first-round draft pick has been unable to sustain that high level of play.

There was a six-catch, 121-yard outing at Philadelphia last year, followed by three games that generated a total of seven receptions and 59 yards. After galloping for 104 yards on six catches against the New York Giants near the tail end of the 2002 season, Wayne faded the next week with three catches for 29 yards against Jacksonville.

Running back Edgerrin James has been one of Wayne's closest friends since the two were teammates at the University of Miami. He applauded Wayne's performance in the locker room after last weekend's Jacksonville game but said there must be a suitable encore.

"The thing about it is he's got to continue to do it," said James, who is questionable for tonight's game with a sore back. "He can't do it one time and be content with it. To be a good player in this league, you've got to do it every week."

Consistency from Wayne is critical. Once defenses consider him a realistic threat, week after week, they either will lessen their concentration on Harrison or pay the price in the form of another big afternoon from Wayne.

Moreover, consistency will translate into increased opportunities. Quarterback Peyton Manning doesn't hesitate to funnel passes to Harrison because he has unwavering faith that Harrison will be in the right place at the right time. He's getting a similar feel with Wayne.

"My confidence in him is extremely high," Manning said. "You try to go through your reads, but (offensive coordinator) Tom Moore has no hesitation calling Reggie's number and I have no hesitation throwing it to him."

The Colts' confidence in Wayne is evident in the fact they frequently look to him to move the chains. Of his 15 receptions this season, 12 have produced first downs. Over his 32-game career, 66 of his 91 receptions (72.5 percent) have resulted in first downs.

"It would be nice to go home and have a big game," Wayne said, "but if it doesn't happen, that's fine. I just have to play my role and do whatever it takes to help us win."

The Saints' defense will be at much less than full strength this evening. Five players projected as starters before the season began are sidelined with injuries: safeties Dale Carter (eye) and Mel Mitchell (knee), end Darren Howard (broken wrist), rookie tackle Jonathon Sullivan (knee) and linebacker Sedrick Hodge (broken leg).

Saints cornerback Ashley Ambrose struggled in last week's 27-12 loss at Tennessee. After being burned by unheralded Titans receiver Drew Bennett, the former Colt likely will draw Wayne this evening rather than Harrison.

Notes

Defensive end Dwight Freeney practiced for a second successive day Saturday, increasing the likelihood he will play against the Saints. He missed last Sunday's game against Jacksonville with injuries to his left ankle and abdomen.

The team will see how Freeney handles pre-game warm-ups before determining his status. Tight end Marcus Pollard also practiced Saturday and will play. He spent Thursday night in the hospital.

http://www.indystar.com/print/articles/7/078708-2817-036.html

 

[TheGeneral+]

Colts really crush New Orleans in week 4.

More to come

 

[Hardwaymoney]

General what happened to your pestimestic attitude about the colts? Told you they would take care of business tonight....