SB Nation - Jeff Saturday

Monday "Practice Estimation"

shake n bake — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:20:19 -0000

Thursday night game means that to comply with the leagues requirement of 3 injury reports teams need to give a "Practice Estimation" on Monday, reporting which players they'd expect to hold out of practice if they were conducting a practice today. As you'd expect for the day after a game, the lists are long. Really it's more telling to look at who isn't listed. In the Colts case that list is actually shorter and we'll start with that.

Players Not Listed (count on them playing)

Curtis Painter, Mike Hart, Jacob Tamme, Gijon Robinson, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Hank Baskett, Micheal Toudoze, Mike Pollak, Jeff Saturday, Ryan Lilja, Antonio Johnson, Fili Moala, Erwin Baldwin, Philip Wheeler, Freddy Keiaho, Ramon Humber, Cody Glenn, T.J. Rushing, Jaime Silva, Devon Hall, Justin Snow, Pat McAfee, Matt Stover

Players that would've rested (likely playing)

Dwight Freeney, Antoine Bethea

The Injured (who knows?)

Joseph Addai (knee), Gary Brackett (foot), Raheem Brock (back), Donald Brown (chest), Melvin Bullitt (shoulder), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Kyle DeVan (shin), Ryan Diem (hamstring), Eric Foster (back), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Pierre Garçon (knee), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Kelvin Hayden (knee), Tim Jennings (ankle), Charlie Johnson (foot), Jacob Lacey (Biceps), Peyton Manning (glute), Robert Mathis (quad), Daniel Muir (hamstring), Jerraud Powers (Hamstring), Jamey Richard (Shoulder), Tom Santi (hand), Clint Session (calf), Chad Simpson (back), Tony Ugoh (hip), Adam Vinatieri (knee), Reggie Wayne (foot).

Colts.com link

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

Behind-the-scenes with Peyton Manning shooting his 2009 MasterCard commerical

BigBlueShoe — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:38:03 -0000

Posted earlier this week on YouTube, this behind-the-scenes shows how the recent Peyton Manning and Alyson Hannigan MasterCard commercial was made. You all might remember that the commercial also features Colts offensive linemen Jeff Saturday and Ryan Diem.

Funniest moment from the video: The crew needing to put Jeff Saturday on a box so he can stand eye-level with Peyton Manning... and then Peyton making fun of Jeff because he's, you know, so short. Enjoy.

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

New MasterCard commercial starring Peyton Manning, Jeff Saturday, and Ryan Diem

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:17:51 -0000

It also has that lady from Buffy and How I Met Your Mother. I think the face Saturday makes when Peyton gives him the gift is pretty funny. Nice sweater vest, Diem. Enjoy:

Jeff Saturday on Patriots v. Colts: "This is what you play football for"

BigBlueShoe — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:04:50 -0000

From Colts.com (transcribed from audio interview):

Question: Is it fun to play games like this [Against the Patriots]?

Jeff Saturday: Absolutely! I think the thing you do want to take away from this week is enjoy the week. Understand, this is cool. This is what you play football for. You don't play for the 0-5 teams, or the 0-8 teams. You play for the two best teams in the division, or in the conference, playing each other and battling it out. I mean, there's no hiding. We'll see where we are Sunday night. I think that's exciting. I think players that enjoy this game understand how fun these times are and how few times you really get this opportunity. So, you might as well go out and make the most of it.

Jeff has been there, done that. And yet, games like this are indeed what NFL players should play for. For the last five years, the Patriots v. Colts game has often dramatically shaped the playoff picture. These kinds of big regular season games, between two great teams, is what we fans should love as well.

I mean seriously, if you did not enjoy the lead-up to this week's game, get a friggin' pulse already. Games like this are what football is all about.

Go Colts!

Thanks for letting me trash your blog Patriots fans

BigBlueShoe — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:00:43 -0000

Image (cropped) from: www.foxboroblog.com

View full size photo »

So, thanks for ~~being stupid enough~~ kind enough to let me run your blog for a few days, Patriots fans. Though your liquor cabinet is bare, your toilet seat is coated in piss stains, and the living room carpet as a nice, warm present waiting for you when you get home, I'm sure you enjoyed my two days of blogging here. I appreciate all the fine comments and the insight. This is a smart, intelligent Pats fan community here (well, except for andrew29910, but even Pats fans are making fun of him), and it has been a joy to see the Colts and Patriots blog communities really come together and enjoy this great sports rivalry.

I leave you with a great quote from Colts center Jeff Saturday, who was interviewed by Colts.com. You might remember him as the guy who pancaked Vince Wilfork into the endzone on Joseph Addai's game-winning TD in the 2006 AFC Championship Game. Saturday, who is likely a future Hall of Famer, has a great quote about this upcoming game that I hope both players and fans take to heart (emphasis mine):

Question: Is it fun to play games like this [Against the Patriots]?

Jeff Saturday: Absolutely! I think the thing you do want to take away from this week is enjoy the week. Understand, this is cool. This is what you play football for. You don't play for the 0-5 teams, or the 0-8 teams. You play for the two best teams in the division, or in the conference, playing each other and battling it out. I mean, there's no hiding. We'll see where we are Sunday night. I think that's exciting. I think players that enjoy this game understand how fun these times are and how few times you really get this opportunity. So, you might as well go out and make the most of it.

I hope you enjoyed this week as much as Jeff Saturday seems to have. Enjoy the game Sunday everyone.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Indianapolis Colts: A Prospector's Guide

Fooch — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:37 -0000

Well, as some of you pointed out, we've truly come full circle. Alex Smith makes his first start in two years, but more interesting is the fact that he made his first career start in the last matchup between these two teams. Smith was 9/23 for 74 yards, 0 TDs and 4 interceptions in that start. Let's hope for something just a little bit better than that.

The 49ers travel to Indianapolis to face the Colts in what will be the 42nd meeting between the two teams, dating back to 1953. The last time San Francisco traveled to Indianapolis was in 2001, when they defeated the Colts, 40-21. QB Alex Smith made his first NFL start the last time the two teams squared off in San Francisco, in 2005.

The 49ers look to snap a two-game losing streak after falling to the Texans, 24-21, in Houston last week. After trailing 21-0 heading into the second half, Smith entered the game and sparked the 49ers offense in what was his first action in 28 regular season games. He completed 15 of 22 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, all of which were
caught by TE Vernon Davis, who set a career-high with the three scores and became the first 49ers tight end to record 3 receiving scores in a game. Davis now leads the NFL in touchdown receptions with six.

The 49ers have a perfect 3-0 record against division opponents this season and enter this week’s game having won 8 of its past 13 contests, dating back to 2008.

49ers-Colts Connections
Coaching Connections
• 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye coached alongside Colts defensive line coach John Teerlinck with the Los Angeles Rams in 1991.
• Colts Senior OL Coach Howard Mudd was OL Coach for San Francisco in 1977 while Raye was WR coach. Mudd played for San Francisco from 1964-69.
• Special Teams Coordinator Ray Rychleski served as the position coach for TE Vernon Davis at Maryland (2003-05).

Players
FORMER COLTS - Offensive line coach Chris Foerster served as tight ends coach for the Colts from 2002-03 ... Secondary coach Vance Joseph played with the Colts during the 1996 season ... Director of college scouting David McCloughan was drafted in 1991 by the Colts with the 69th pick overall in the NFL Draft ... Director of Pro Personnel Tom Gamble was a college scout for the Colts from 1998 - 2004.

FORMER 49ERS - Colts DB Terrail Lambert spent training camp with San Francisco after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2009.

INDIANA TIES – 49ers WR coach Jerry Sullivan served in the same capacity at the Indiana University in 1983 ... 49ers tight ends coach Pete Hoener was an offensive coordinator at Indiana State from 1978 –1984. Hoener also served as offensive line coach at Purdue University from 1989 – 1991 ... 49ers QB Nate Davis played at Ball State in Muncie, IN.
from 2006-08.

CALIFORNIA TIES – Colts DB T.J. Rushing played for Stanford University from 2002–05.

TARHEEL BRED – 49ers CB Dre’ Bly played and Colts C Jeff Saturday were teammates for two seasons at the University of North Carolina (1996-97).

TROJAN TIES - 49ers G Chilo Rachal and Colts DT Fili Voala were teammates at Southern California from 2005-07.

PANTHER PRIDE - 49ers LB Scott McKillop played with Colts LB Clint Session at Pittsburgh from 2004-06.

Series Highlights
Matchups: 41
Series Record: Colts lead series 23-18
49ers Away Record vs. Colts: Colts Lead Series 1
First Meeting: 11/29/53, 49ers win, 38-21
Last Meeting: 10/9/05, Colts win, 28-3
Current Streak: Lost 1
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 5 (10/26/69-9/10/89)
Longest Colts Win Streak: 13 (11/4/62-10/13/68)
Most 49ers Points: 45 (12/13/53), 45-14, at San Francisco
Most Colts Points: 45 (11/22/59), 45-14, at Baltimore
49ers Shutouts: None
Colts Shutouts: None

INDIANAPOLIS 28, SAN FRANCISCO 3
At San Francisco, CA, October 9, 2005

The San Francisco 49ers stayed on par with Indianapolis for three quarters of the game before a 14-point 4th quarter pulled the Colts to a 28-3 victory. Rookie QB Alex Smith made his first start, finishing with 9 completions and 4 INTs. He was also sacked 5 times and lost a fumble on one of the sacks in the 4th quarter. The first of his three 1st half INTs was returned 24 yds. for a TD by LB Cato June early in the 2nd quarter. Head Coach Mike Nolan did credit Smith’s mobility as a factor in the 49ers ability to open up the running game. RB Kevan Barlow paced the 49ers with 99 of the team’s 133 yds. on the ground.

Indianapolis took its first possession and marched 72 yds. in 7 plays before RB Dominic Rhodes scored on a 6-yd. run for a 7-0 lead. The Colts had a chance to go up 14-0 early in the 2nd quarter, but LB Jeff Ulbrich forced Rhodes to fumble at the 1-yd. line. The ball rolled into the end zone where S Mike Adams recovered for a touchback. Smith was intercepted on the 49ers next three series, including June’s 24-yd. TD return. Down 14-0 with just over two minutes to play in the 1st half, LB Derek Smith intercepted a QB Peyton Manning pass to give the 49ers a first down at the Indianapolis 47-yd. line. The 49ers scoring threat ended when Smith was intercepted by the Colts when he attempted to hit WR Arnaz Battle at the Colts 15-yd. line.

The 49ers tried to swing the momentum in the 2nd half with a successful onsides kick that was recovered by RB Terry Jackson at the San Francisco 41-yd. line. A 2-yd. run by RB Frank Gore on a 4th-and-1 play from the 50-yd. line, combined with a 20-yd. run by Barlow, helped set up a 30-yd. FG by K Joe Nedney for the 49ers only points of the day. The 49ers failed to convert their second attempt at an onsides kick on the kickoff following the FG, allowing the Colts a first down at the San Francisco 39-yd. line. CB Bruce Thornton stayed step-in-step with WR Marvin Harrison on the next play and intercepted a pass in the end zone to prevent a TD. Alex Smith threw his 4th INT of the game on the next series after the 49ers reached the Indianapolis 37-yd. line. The Colts scored 14 points in the 4th quarter to put the game out of reach. RB Edgerrin James scored on a 4-yd. run to start the 4th quarter, and then Manning connected with WR Troy Walters on an 18-yd. TD pass to make it 28-3.

2009 Statistics

49ERS (rank)		COLTS (rank)
3-3 (2nd NFCW)	Record	6-0 (1st AFCS)
22.2 (t-17th)	Points per game	29.8 (2nd)
272.0 (29th)	Total Offense	402.5 (4th)
98.3 (22nd)	Rushing Offense	91.7 (27th)
173.7 (24th)	Passing Offense	310.8 (1st)
29:32 (18th)	Possession Avg	28:57 (22nd)
20.3 (15th)	Points allowed/gm	12.8 (2nd)
291.7 (14th)	Total Defense	324.8 (9th)
88.8 (6th)	Rushing Defense	111.8 (19th)
179.8 (21st)	Passing Defense	236.0 (6th)
13 (t-20th)	Sacks	16 (t-8th)
47.6 (5th)	Punting Avg (Gross)	44.5 (17th)
+4 (t-8th)	Turnover Differential	+4 (t-7th)

Your turn! Vote for a Colts player to get into the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2010

BigBlueShoe — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:02:12 -0000

A longtime former Colts player is up for consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH.

Yes, that's right. The big place with all the metal busts (which apparently talk to each other at night, according to John Madden) is considering several major candidates this year. Players like Jerry Rice and Emmit Smith are sure to be first ballot selections.

But what about players like former-Colts center Ray Donaldson?

Donaldson played for the Colts from 1980-1992. He was drafted for the Baltimore Colts, and moved with the team to Indianapolis in 1984. For many years, he was regarded as a high caliber offensive lineman on a low caliber team. Before the emergence of Jeff Saturday, Ray Donaldson was arguably the best center in recent Colts history. He was second team all conference five times in his career, Pro Football Weekly's 1st Team All-Conference center in 1988, and Associated Press second-team All-NFL in 1987, the first year the Indianapolis Colts made the playoffs. After he left the Colts, he played two seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and two for the Dallas Cowboys. In 1995, he was the starting center for their Super Bowl championship team, blocking up-front for Emmit Smith and Troy Aikman. In 2006, he was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. He also one of 18to88's Classic Colts players.

Donaldson retired following the 1996 season after seventeen years as a starting NFL center (wow!). He's been eligible for the Hall for a number of years, and I think it is time we fans let the Hall know that if you are going to let someone like Michael Irvin in there, then a true tough guy like Ray Donaldson deserves a bust in Canton as well.

In order to do this, I wanted to let you know about the Van Heusen Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan's Choice campaign. For the first time, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is asking fans who they think should be inducted into the Class of 2010. Currently, ole Ray is ranked #118 out of 130 candidates, with a mere 51 votes cast at FansChoice.

Ray deserves better than that.

So, in my not-so-humble opinion, I think it is time we give good ole Ray some love, and let the Hall of Fame voters know that players like him deserve credit for the impressive careers they forged in the NFL.

Photo: www.18to88.com

The top 10 list as of this afternoon looks like this:

1. Jerry Rice

2. Emmitt Smith

3. Cris Carter

4. Shannon Sharpe

5. Ray Guy

6. Richard Dent

7. Tim Brown

8. Charles Haley

9. Randall Cunningham

10. Phil Simms

More about the Promotion --

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has teamed up with Van Heusen in search of the Fan's Choice for the class of 2010. This season long campaign empowers fans and provides them with the environment to:

Campaign for their favorite players
Interact and debate with Hall of Famers, experts and fans from around the country
Contribute their own analysis and commentary
Post video messages in support of their favorite players
View statistics and information for all 130+ candidates
Nominate and vote for the Fan's Choice Class of 2010
See how their picks compare to the Board of Selectors
Participate in daily polls and trivia

Although the fans vote does not count toward the official selection, the Hall will hear what the fans have to say and the Fan's Choice will be revealed on the NFL Network on February 6, 2010 in Miami.

Other former Colts listed as candidates are linebacker Cornelius Bennett (1999-2000) and Richard Dent (1996). While these men also deserve Hall of Fame consideration, they have not been eligible for the length of time Ray Donaldson has. and since Donaldson had such an impressive 16 year career, I think we Colts fans need to push him up that list a little bit.

So, please go to the Van Huesen Fan's Choice site and vote for Ray! I'd very much like to see him finally get a little credit for being such a great Colts player.