SB Nation - Tim Jennings

Early speculation on who will not play against the Jaguars

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:56:58 -0000

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

1 day ago: Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai (29) makes a catch during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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There are no injury updates from yesterday. So, don't even bother asking. We likely won't get any injury meaningful information until Bill Polian's radio show later this evening on HANK FM (a local Indianapolis radio station that, for some reason that defies logic, does not stream the show live on their website).

However, if I know the Colts, there are certain players who you just know will not play based on their recent history of injury, including the nixes and bumps certain players received yesterday against the Broncos.

Likely out:

Jerraud Powers (hamstring)
Jacob Lacey (hurt in Broncos game)
Charlie Johnson (foot)
Robert Mathis (quad)
Melvin Bullitt (shoulder)
Chad Simpson (hurt in Broncos game)
Dallas Clark (hurt in Broncos game)
Ryan Diem (hamstring)

With so many injuries incurred in the secondary, do not be surprised if Simpson, Tom Santi, or Jacob Tamme are cut to make room for another DB, perhaps even Keiwan Ratliff. Right now, only Antoine Bethea, Jamie Silva, Tim Jennings, Kelvin Hayden, and T.J. Rushing are healthy enough to play in the secondary. Aaron Francisco has sat out the last couple of games with an ankle injury, but he is more a special teams guy than a coverage safety.

If Santi, Simpson, Tamme, or anyone else is cut, don't fret too much. I don't think players signed now to shore up depleted areas will make the playoff roster.

The situation at offensive tackle is also a bit worrisome. Both Charlie and Ryan are hurt, and absolutely need rest to recover from these nagging issues. This means Tony Ugoh and newly re-signed Michael Toudouze might play extensive snaps against the Jaguars.

Regarding Dwight Freeney, look for him to get used on third down only. His snaps will be limited. Other than Peyton Manning, the Colts absolutely cannot afford to lose Dwight Freeney for any length of time.

And then, of course, there is the situations involving Adam Vinatieri and Anthony Gonzalez. Both have been out for extensive periods of time, and if both are in line to play in the post-season, we need to see them start working again in live games. Basicallly, we need them healthy, like, NOW!

Also, Donald Brown better be back and healthy this week. With Joseph Addai nearly decapitated on several big hits by the Broncos yesterday, I would not be surprised to see him limited against the Jaguars. Addai has cared this running game all season, and now is the time for Donald Brown to prove why he was drafted in the first round.

[UPDATE]: Jerraud Powers' Facebook page gives us an update as to his status (Tip to Z.Pain):

“Just a lil hamstring strain…nothing to be concerned about folks, but we definitely wanted to be safe than sorry. The trainers and staff here are already doing a great job getting me back to 1000%. All your support and words of encouragement certainly does help and I thank everyone of you for following me during this first rookie season.”

Also, for those of you looking to listen to the Bill Polian Show, but don't live in the Indy area, Indcolt18 offers some alternatives:

I have an iPhone and I have a couple of radio apps that I use to listen to stations in Indiana( I live in Florida). One is Wunder Radio and the other is “Pocket Tunes”. I like pocket tunes the best and I use it to listen to Hank FM. Also, PT has a record feature so that I can save the shows if I want to listen to them later.

Recap Week Fourteen: Colts 28 - Broncos 16

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:14:13 -0000

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

about 23 hours ago: Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Ryan Diem (71) celebrates with a fan after Indianapolis defeated the Denver Broncos, 28-16 in an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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When the game was over, after the players exchanged pleasantries, the coaches shook hands at midfield, and the media did their round of post-game interviews and pontifications, Colts owner Jim Irsay gathered the team in the locket room and asked them to do something they probably hadn't done all season: Reflect.

Sunday's win over the very resilient Denver Broncos was the Indianapolis Colts 22nd straight regular season win, breaking a record held by the arch-nemesis of this franchise: The New England Patriots. The win also gave the Colts more victories in one decade than any other team in NFL history. Consider these outstanding, absolutely mind-boggling accomplishments, and then recall (or reflect, if you will) in your own minds the days of Jeff George, Eric Dickerson, Mike Pagel, George Wonsley, and Art Schlichter. Recall the 1-15 team from 1991, which scored a total (A TOTAL!) of 13 touchdowns for the entire season. Recall the 3-13 1997 team, which saw the Colts start the season 0-10. For all you old-time Colts fans, I know these names and these years are still pretty sharp in that noddle upstairs. So, when you look back on those years, and then look at what these Colts this decade have accomplished...

... yeah, I get why Jimmy Irsay wanted his guys to reflect a bit. Colts head coach Jim Caldwell summed it up well:

When you can go 22 straight in this league, that’s an accomplishment. That’s difficult to do. Obviously, it’s built on the shoulders of several guys who aren’t even in that locker room. There were some guys last year who were on the team that weren’t part of it this year. But, never the less, they built a cornerstone. [Former Colts head coach] Tony [Dungy] included in that group. When you look at the 113, now 114 victories in a decade, that’s a lot of wins, and a lot of guys took part in that.

For such a key, historical victory to come at home against a worthy opponent like the Broncos makes the win all the more special. Yes, many people will talk more about Brandon Marshall's historic day catching the football (21 catches, 200 yards, 2 TDs). People will talk about Peyton Manning throwing 3 INTs. It's how things go. Press and other media enjoy focusing more on individual accomplishments than on what a team does collectively.

For us, we will look at this win from the historical perspective. We will look at this win and how it will define this team, and this franchise moving forward. For while it did place the Colts into the upper pantheon of great NFL franchises of all time, more critical for the here-and-now is that the win locked up homefield throughout the AFC Playoffs. It created a first round bye, which is so very critical now that the Colts are injured and need some guys to get back healthy.

It also pushed the Colts record to 13-0 (same record as the currently undefeated Saints), making this the first time in 89 years of the NFL that two teams have entered the mid-December point of the season undefeated.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The game itself was like so many Colts games this season: A tale of two different sets of quarters. In the first and fourth quarters, the Colts dominated the Broncos. In the second and third, its was the other way around.

However, consistently throughout the entire game, the Colts defense was there making big plays to secure the victory. During a post-game recap will Colts radio announcer Bob Lamey, Colts President Bill Polian likened this game's defensive effort, intensity, and execution to the Baltimore Ravens playoff game the Colts won back in the 2006 playoffs. Jim Caldwell, who was with the Colts during that playoff game as an assistant coach, took it one step further:

"I'm not certain I've seen a better defensive effort than what our guys put forth today," Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "They were very, very tough."

One of the key areas of weakness for this Colts team over the years was not red zone defense or limiting big plays, which is what Indy did to Denver's offense all afternoon. The weakness was short yardage, and allowing the opponent to convert on critical third and fourth down plays. In 2009, this new Colts defense, coached by former-Broncos assistant Larry Coyer, seems to excel when a critical stop is needed.

Despite Brandon Marshall's near-Herculean effort to catch anything and everything thrown at him, the Broncos never led in this game. The closest they ever got was five points, and that was in the fourth quarter. On two drives in the first half, the Colts defense stoned the Broncos on fourth down, including a very key fourth down stuff of Knowshon Moreno on the Colts 41 yard line. The Broncos went for it early on fourth down because the score was 14-0 Colts, and Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels didn't seem to have a lot of early faith in his defense.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

The Broncos would go for it again on fourth down; this time in the second quarter in Colts territory at the 45 yard line. Once again, they were stuffed.

In the second half, the Broncos clawed their way back into the game due in part to three second half INTs thrown by Peyton Manning. Granted, two of the INTs were off deflections. So, killing Manning for those seems a bit excessive. Regardless, prior to today, the Colts were 0-11 when Peyton Manning throw three or more INTs in a game.

The Broncos, however, were unable to capitalize fully on the Mannng INTs. One amazing stat that rarely gets discussed: The Colts have yet to surrender a TD off a turnover all season long. That stat alone is likely why this Colts team is 13-0.

Josh McDaniels maximized his team's offensive sets by isolating Brandon Marshall on the Colts new fan whipping boy, Tim Jennings. Jennings was playing because of a hamstring injury Jerraud Powers sustained earlier in the game. To Jennings' credit, he played and fought hard. He even got the better of the Denver offense by snagging an INT off Kyle Orton, who was clearly picking on him all game long. But, the reality is the Broncos wanted to isolate the 6'2 Marshall on the 5'8 Jennings, and it worked (somewhat) for them.

Tim Jennings (23) struggled against Brandon Marshall

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

However, while a lot of people want to bash Jennings, the reality is for a player of his talent, he played very well. Marshall grabbed 21 footballs out of the sky, but not one reception was what is often called a "big gain." Sure, some were for key first downs. Two were for short touchdowns. But, none were for 50-yard TD strikes, which is what Denver needed if they were to have any hope of taking the lead in that game.

Down 21-0, playing a methodical, move-the-chains kind of game is not going to help you gain the lead. You need to score, and score quickly. Obviously, you don't want to panic, but taking nearly two and a half quarters to score 16 points is not going to help you beat a team like the Colts. By keeping all of the Broncos offense "in front of them," so to speak, the Colts defense was able to provide the offense a cushion of recovery, as they seemed to have fallen asleep during the third quarter.

When the fourth quarter rolled around, after the defense had contained Denver much of the day, Indy's offense woke up. They went on their seemingly patented, opponent throttling drives: 14 plays, 80 yards, consuming 7:19 of clock, culminating in a one-yard TD pass from Manning to Dallas Clark, who had three TDs on the day. The final drive iced the game, which concluded with yet another fourth down stop by the Colts defense.

(AP Photo/AJ Mast)

This game, probably more so than any other this season, summed up well these "new Colts." Teams in the past, perhaps even the stellar championship team of 2006, likely could not overcome a 3 INT performance by Manning, who also had 4 touchdowns on the day, I might add. These "new Colts" absolutely stoned the Broncos rushing attack, limiting them to 3.2 yards rushing for the game. Meanwhile, Joseph Addai continued to impress, averaging 4.2 a rush, while Mike Hart showed why he will likely get more playing time as this team moves closer to post-season play. On the foot-to-the-throat drive to ice the game, Hart made several key runs to move the chains and gain first downs. This kind of running was hard, physical, punishing running; the kind of stuff we don't often see from Donald Brown or Joseph Addai.

Credit goes out to the Denver Broncos, who never quit despite being down 21-0 early. We've seen a lot of teams quit this season. Heck, we likely saw Randy Moss quit on his team just yesterday. The Broncos didn't quit. Moocho respect for that. Hats off to their fan community at Mile High Report.

The Colts now enter the silly time, where the next three game have absolutely no meaning whatsoever. With so many players likely injured, and with the next opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars, scheduled for this Thursday night, it might not be possible for the Colts to "rest starters" as they prepare for post-season play.

But, there is plenty of time to discuss options on what they should do moving forward. Right now, we savor the win. We savor the history. We savor the greatness that is Indianapolis Colts football. Colts owner Jim Irsay says it best:

"The way we are around here, we love to win," Colts owner Jim Irsay said. "To have that type of greatness, it's something that's unprecedented. When you think about 20, 30, 80 years from now, people will be referring back to you, it's really special."

Go Colts!

Week 14: Friday Injury Report

shake n bake — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 23:27:37 -0000

No suprises, the only players ruled out have missed significant time, all the newer injuries have returned to practice (minus Diem who is backsliding after practicing Wednesday).

Out: Donald Brown (chest), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Adam Vinatieri (knee)

Questionable (days of practice): Keyunta Dawson (3), Ryan Diem (1), Charlie Johnson (2), Robert Mathis (1), Daniel Muir (1.5), Clint Session (2), Tony Ugoh (2),

Probable: Hank Baskett (baby), Gary Brackett (foot), Melvin Bullitt (shoulder), DeVan (shin), Hayden (ankle), Tim Jennings (ankle), Peyton Manning (glute), Jamey Richard (shoulder), Tom Santi (hand), Reggie Wayne (foot).

IFR relays Mathis, Diem and Dawson's strong beliefs that they will be on the field Sunday

Week 13: Friday Injury Report

shake n bake — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:49:09 -0000

Out: Donald Brown (chest), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Adam Vinatieri (knee)

Questionable (# of practices): Dwight Freeney (2), Charlie Johnson (0), Jim Sorgi (0)

Probable: Joseph Addai, Gary Brackett, Kyle DeVan, Kelvin Hayden, Ramon Humber, Tim Jennings, Peyton Manning, Robert Mathis, Jerraud Powers, Jamey Richard, Tom Santi, Jeff Saturday, Tony Ugoh, Reggie Wayne.

Colts.com link

Week 13: Wednesday Injury Report

shake n bake — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:01:12 -0000

10 players sat out practice and the Colts have once again listed some players who practiced fully on the report. Notably sitting was Freeney, Brackett, Don Brown and Charlie Johnson. Notable return from Kelvin Hayden.

Did Not Participate: Antoine Bethea (rested), Gary Brackett (foot), Donald Brown (chest), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Dwight Freeney (abdomen), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Charlie Johnson (foot), Jim Sorgi (shoulder), Adam Vinatieri (knee)

Limited: Tom Santi (hand)

Full Participation (but injured enough for the report): Joseph Addai (knee), Kyle DeVan (shin), Kelvin Hayden (knee), Ramon Humber (calf), Tim Jennings (ankle), Peyton Manning (glute), Robert Mathis (neck), Jerraud Powers (knee), Jamey Richard (shoulder), Jeff Saturday (calf), Tony Ugoh (knee), Reggie Wayne (foot)

Colts.com link

The roster moves make some more sense now. Donald Brown has a new injury, causing the Mike Hart signing. Josh Thomas was replaced with another DE which means we know little about Freeney and Dawson's status and 2 O-linemen were added to the PS likely because 5 of the Colts 8 O-linemen appear on the report today.

Week 12: Wednesday Injury Report

shake n bake — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:40:08 -0000

It looks like the Colts have changed the way they use the report and are now listing some players who have injuries, but did not miss any practice time. This, along with a large number of players missing time makes for the longest Colts injury report I've ever seen. Unfortunately the list is not just long but star studded.

Did Not Participate: Antoine Bethea (foot), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Aaron Francisco (Ankle), Dwight Freeney (Abdomen), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Kelvin Hayden (knee), Ramon Humber (calf), Gijon Robinson (concussion), Jim Sorgi (right shoulder), Adam Vinatieri (right knee), Reggie Wayne (foot)

Limited Participation: Charlie Johnson (foot), Peyton Manning (glute)

Full Participation: Joseph Addai (knee), Raheem Brock (neck), Donald Brown (shoulder), Melvin Bullitt (shoulder), Pierre Garcon (Ankle), Tim Jennings (ankle), Robert Mathis (neck), Jerraud Powers (knee), Tom Santi (hip), Jeff Saturday (calf), Tony Ugoh (knee)

Colts.com link

Marlin Jackson done for the year, again

BigBlueShoe — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:11:28 -0000

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

Indianapolis Colts defensive back Marlin Jackson (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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I'm waiting for my ride last night. So, I take out my handheld (Sprint Palm Pre, but I still hold love for the iPhone), go to Stampede Blue, and see ctnyc's FanPost that Marlin Jackson tore his ACL in practice on Thursday and that he is done for the year. For Marlin, this is the second year in a row he has done this, and it comes at an unfortunate time for him. After this season, Marlin will either become a free agent (if 2010 has a salary cap) or he will become a restricted free agent is there is no cap in 2010. What this also does is give Marlin two major ACL injuries in only one year's time. Surgeries and rehab today are much, much better than they were even five years ago, but it is very tough for a starting cornerback to recovery fully from two ACL injuries. Marlin had seemed to not fully recovered yet from last year's ACL injury, which might have been why he lost his starting job to Jerraud Powers. The Star's PhilB elaborates:

Jackson had told me after the bye week that his most recent injury was to his left knee, that favoring his right knee put more strain on his left. That evidently led to this tear. Media member or fan, it's an understatement to say you just hate to see this.

So, from Marlin's own lips, last year's right knee injury directly contributed to this year's left knee injury. Both kness. Both with ACL tears in only one calendar year. That's not good for Marlin.

The other disturbing thing about this is Marlin was listed on the Thursday injury report, which is the official report sent to the league office, as NOT practicing. Yet, we see Marlin was hurt while practicing.

Aside from losing another great guy who had worked so hard to come back and contribute to this team -- starting SLB Tyjuan Hagler was lost for the season to a torn biceps this week -- it will be interesting to see the Colts' explanation on Jackson's injury. He got hurt in practice, or so he says. Yet the injury report listed Jackson as "Did not participate."
The Colts could say he was working out on the side, that his injury happened outside the framework of practice, I guess. But the way this was reported, first by ESPN and now confirmed by The Indy Star, certainly suggests the injury report was inaccurate.

The Colts have some explaining to do, and if they did try to fudge the injury report, or hide the fact that Marlin was hurt in practice, I hope Roger Goodell fines them. I just spent the first few days of this week blasting Mike Singletary for cheating, and falsifying an injury report (if indeed the Colts did that) would be in the same boat as players faking injuries during games.

So, if the Colts did fake that report, they cheated, and we fans should hold their feet to the fire on that. Bill Polian loves to lecture fans and press during his radio show about "the integrity of the game." Well, if they just got caught falsifying an injury report, Bill Polian and the Colts are hypocrites.

We will see in the next couple of days if anything comes out of it.

Moving forward, Marlin was in and out of the lineup all year, and yet the Colts have still managed to have a great pass defense. Jacob Lacey and Jerraud Powers have come on, and Tim Jennings (despite his haters) is still a quality player. Like with the Tyjuan Hagler injury, it hurts to lose such a great person and tough-minded player, but the depth on the team is good enough to move forward.

Recap Week Seven: Colts 42-Rams 6

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:33:53 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

about 1 month ago: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie, top, is congratulated by teammate Hank Baskett after catching an 8-yard pass from quarterback Peyton Manning for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in St. Louis. The Colts won 42-6. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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This was not a case where the Colts went into someone's stadium and beat the snot out of a team that had quit on their season and forgotten how to win. As VanRam at Turf Show Times put it, this game seemed to highlight a big talent gap between the Colts and Rams. I have always liked Rams coach Steve Stagnuolo, and I think he will do a good job moving forward, teaching these Rams how to win again. But right now, they are searching. We Colts fans have been there as well, watching our team learn how not to commit penalties, turn the football over, blow coverages, etc. The Rams played with a lot of fight, but in the end the Colts simply overwhelmed them.

Surprisingly, the Rams are one of three NFL teams still without a win this late into the season. We're almost to the mid-point of the regular season (shocking, I know), and the Buccaneers, Titans, and Rams all are winless. Meanwhile, three more clubs (Lions, Chiefs, and Browns) all have only one win. That's six clubs with a combined record of 3-37.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the spectrum, for the first time in NFL history, three teams will hit Week Eight with undefeated records. The Colts are one of those unbeaten teams, along with the Broncos and the Saints. If the Vikings Chester Taylor could hold onto a friggin screen pass, we'd have four unbeaten teams in November, which would have been even more amazing.

Like several of Indy's games this year, the Colts have re-discovered their formula which eluded them last year: Start fast, overwhelm the opponent, pin your ears back, and sack the hell out of the QB. Oh, and they re-learned how to run the ball as well, which made this blogger feel much better about this very special, very well-coached team.

This game was an opportunity for the Colts to finally display some kind of ground game. They were ranked 30th in the league running the ball despite an entire off-season of work aimed specifically at fixing it. The Colts took advantage of St. Louis' "talent gap" and showcased a lot "WOW!" plays on the ground:

Indy ran for 156 yards on 26 carries, averaging 6 yards a carry. That, my friends, is what you want to see! Joseph Addai ground out the tough yards while Donald Brown continues to get better and better each week. That 45 yard run by Brown was exactly the reason Indy drafted him. The hole he was given off the left side was so big a cruise ship could have sailed through, but this is the difference between Brown and someone else (like Addai). Other backs get maybe 20 yards on that run. Brown gets 45.
I don't care about Peyton Manning not throwing for 300 yards, breaking some NFL record no one cares about. I'll quote AP writer R.P. Fallstrom:
It wouldn’t have been appropriate for Manning to try for the mark the way his unbeaten team was beating up on the woeful St. Louis Rams.
I agree. Maybe the Patriots would have continued to just "run their offense" by going for it on meaningless 4th and 6 opportunities so their QB could get the record, but Indy doesn't do that.
Daniel Muir is a better DT than Ed Johnson, and I can see why Ed was cut. Muir had 7 tackles and a sack today replacing Johnson as the starting under tackle. Eric Foster also had himself a nice game with 3 tackles and a sack. WE ARE GETTING SACKS FROM THE DTS! OMG! Again, the Colts weren't getting this kind of production from Ed. In one game, Muir almost had as much production Ed had built up over the course of four games. Muir and Foster = better.
Fili Moala is still figuring it out. One tackle. He looked lost out there, but that's expected.
Austin Collie; another game, another TD. 24 catches, 264 yards, and already 4 TDs as a rookie receiver. Wow. He is a serious Rookie of the Year candidate.
Bob Sanders is in the same boat. He looked rusty, unsure, and tentative. Again, that too is expected. Bob hadn't played football since January. He's in pre-season mode. Sanders left the field after 25 plays because he was on a "pitch count," not because of injury.
Jacob Lacey just leap-frogged Tim Jennings on the depth chart.
Dallas Clark is on pace to shatter the NFL record for catches and yards for one season by a tight end. His catch in the endzone was text book on how to look cool catching a perfect throw, with two defenders hanging curtains on the back of his jersey. Clark is the best tight end in football now.
Once again, the defense holds another team out of the endzone.
Once again, Dwight Freeney got a sack. That's a streak of seven games with at least one sack. Very quietly, it seems, Dwight is having his best season as a Colts player.
Reggie Wayne aggravated his groin (yee-ouch!) during the game, but came back. He racked up 7 receptions for 83 yards and a TD. With 542 yards, 39 receptions, and 5 TDs, Reggie is establishing himself as one of the best receivers in football. No, he doesn't have Andre Johnson's size or Larry Fitzgerald's speed. Reggie is just damn good as playin' receiver.

I could be Mr. Frowny Face Poop Head and complain about that run defense giving up 155 rushing yards to a winless Rams team, but that would just be frowning that the serving platter for your Baked Alaska is sterling silver and not gold. Some fans and media idiots might complain that the departure of Ed Johnson caused a run defense "lull" this to happen.

Sorry, but no.

Daniel Muir , Eric Foster, and Antonio Johnson were outstanding Sunday. Fili Moala will come around. The DTs are fine. In the first half, the Rams were unable to run the ball with effectiveness while Indy built a two touchdown lead. In the second half, Indy came out playing two-deep safety, thinking the Rams were going to throw to get back in the game. St. Louis had tried a successful flea flicker earlier in the game, and likely had more tricks up their sleeve.

However, St. Louis responded to Indy's two-deep safety look by running at it. Why? I don't know. Down two TDs, and matching up against an offense like the Colts, running the ball is near close to conceding the game. You have to throw to win in this league.

So, by running the amazing Stephen Jackson at a two-deep safety look, the Rams padded some rushing stats and only scored 3 more points the entire game. The Colts run defense is fine. We've seen them stone the Titans (better rushing team than Rams) and the Seahawks. We've seen them contain Maurice Jones-Drew. We've seen them kill Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower of the Cardinals (something the Giants struggled with last night). Larry Coyer knows how to get these guys focused on the run, and with Bob Sanders slowly rounding into form, worrying about this is just not worth your energy or effort.

At 6-0, the Colts continue to show they are one of the elite in the AFC. They seem to improve each and every week, focusing on weaknesses and working to make them strengths. The running game was the one area where we had not seen any kind of dramatic improvement over last year. Now, that question is answered. The only thing now is how bad is Donald Brown's sprained shoulder, which he injured in the game. Brown says it is a re-occurring thing from college (oh boy) and that he is fine. We'll see.

Remember last year this time? Indy was coming off a thrashing by the Packers and we were all wondering "What the hell is going on?" Never take an undefeated start for granted, folks. Go Colts!

Colts vs Rams coverage

Turf Show Times

Poll

Week Seven game balls

RBs Donald Brown and Joseph Addai: 22 carries, 134 yards, 1 TD

78 votes

WR Reggie Wayne: 7 catches, 83 yards, 1 TD

21 votes

Colts offensive line: 5 offensive TDs, 155 yards rushing, no sacks allowed

404 votes

CB Jacob Lacey: 35 yard INT return for a TD

108 votes

QB Peyton Manning: 67% completition, 235 yards, 3 TDs

111 votes

DT Daniel Muir: 7 tackles, 1 sack (actually, .5 sack, but we'll round up)

95 votes

817 votes | Poll has closed

Week 7: Friday Injury Report

shake n bake — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:01:33 -0000

The Hurt: Anthony Gonzalez, Marlin Jackson and Adam Vinatieri were ruled out. Bob Sanders practiced fully.

The Sick: Chad Simpson back from an illness that sat him out of yesterday's practice. Both Jamey Richard and Tim Jennings missed a 3rd practice battling illness, and Freddy Keiaho joined the injury report sitting out sick today.

FInal Status

OUT: Gonzalez, Jackson, and Vinateiri

Questionable: Sanders, Simpson, Richard, Jennings and Keiaho.

Week 7: Thursday Injury Report

shake n bake — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:49:41 -0000

Kelvin Hayden remained at practice, No one that missed practice yesterday (Anthony Gonzalez, Marlin Jackson, Adam Vinatieri, Jamey Richard, Tim Jennings) returned today, Chad Simpson is now sick along with Richard and the Colts are being creative about Bob Sanders' listing.

via Colts.com

Now what is that suppose to mean? The Colts seem to be acknowledging that Bob has a knee issue, but are also claiming he was not held out for injury reasons. To me is seems like they are intentionally making it unclear where Bob's knee is at after his first full day of practice.