Here are the statuses for the game Sunday and Friday practice participation

Questionable

LB Cody Glenn (Hamstring)---did not participate
WR Anthony Gonzalez (back)---limited participation
CB Jacob Lacey (Head)---did not participate
OT Charlie Johnson (Foot)---did not participate
C Jeff Saturday (Knee)---did not participate

I was listening to 1070 on the way home and it was reported that Saturday and Johnson were both held out today for treatment.  I hope this means there weren't any setbacks.  I actually anticipate that both will play on Sunday but that Glenn and Lacey will not.  Who knows what is going on Gonzo.

Here is the injury report for Thursday.  Looks like Gonzo has something ailing him again.  Sigh.  I am still keeping my fingers crossed that the offensive line is not a sieve on Sunday. 

Did Not Participate
LB Cody Glenn (Hamstring)
CB Jacob Lacey (Head)
DB Bob Sanders (Not Injury Related/Rested)

Limited Participation
OT Charlie Johnson (Foot)
WR Anthony Gonzalez (Back)

Full Participation
C Jeff Saturday (Knee)

Cut for Uselessness

OT Tony Ugoh (Foot)

If you didn't know, that last one is non-official (haha)

Not too long.  It is going to be rough though if both Charlie Johnson and Tony Ugoh are out for the game Sunday.

Did Not Participate
LB Cody Glenn (Hamstring)
CB Jacob Lacey (Head)
OT Tony Ugoh (Foot)

Limited Participation
OT Charlie Johnson (Foot)

Full Participation
C Jeff Saturday (Knee)

It is good to see Saturday back to full participation.  He will have to hold the line together while they work out the left tackle situation. 

Go Colts!

Colts.com link

The ESPN "experts" have put out their yearly predictions for the season.  There is good news and bad news for Colts fans.  The good news (I guess) is that all 16 picked the Colts to win the AFC South.  Further, 7 of the analysts picked the Colts to repeat as AFC Champions and 6 of them picked the Colts to win the Superbowl.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview10/news/story?id=5493278

The bad news is that last year only 1 out of 16 picked even one of the SB entrants correctly and none picked the correct SB winner.

The year before that was even worse with not one person correctly picking either SB team correctly.

Forbes did a study looking at the best fans in the nation across the four professional sports leagues.  Colts fans come in at #4 which is only behind the Steelers fans (at #2) within the NFL category.  This is how they graded:

For each team, we gathered three different metrics. First, we measured their home and away game attendance, which indicates a team’s drawing power in its home market and nationwide. Then we counted their merchandise sales (Numbers for the NFL, NBA and MLB were provided to us by Sportsonesource, a sporting good industry analyst, and the NHL gave us their own data). Finally, we ranked each team’s in-market popularity, based on surveys of American sports teams by Turnkey Sports and Entertainment. We ranked all of the teams, then took the top four from each of the four leagues.

 

Forbes ranking of best fans

Sorry, Pats fans.  Colts fans are better : )

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP)—Colts owner Jim Irsay says he still plans to make Peyton Manning the NFL’s highest-paid player, even if that requires putting the franchise tag on the four-time league MVP next season.

Manning has one more year left on his current deal. Irsay had hoped to give Manning an extension during the offseason, but the uncertain labor situation and the uncapped season have complicated negotiations.

At the team’s first training camp practice Monday, Irsay told reporters that Manning’s agent and team president Bill Polian have been discussing an extension.

Irsay gave no timetable for an agreement.

 Irsay on PM

That's great and I have no doubt that Peyton will retire a Colt.  BUT, I was really hoping that his contract extension would get done this offseason.  Now, reading this, I am really starting to think it will not be done until next year.  And if it isn't done before next year, there is a bigger chance we don't see football in 2011. 

BOOOO

While I don't like that all the players aren't accessable to the media on reporting day, I like less that everything has to be swirled in some conspiracy theory.  I love this site for all the news items, I just wish there were less black helicopters flying around all the time.  Anyway, I saw the first training camp arrival picture on yahoo and I am sure they will be coming in more the rest of the day.  Post any pics you can find of the players arriving. 

The first one I have seen is of Adam Vinatieri.  He is alive and walking around.  He even brought a bike to camp:

AP Image caption:  Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri unloads a bike from his truck after he arrived for the the team's NFL football training camp in Anderson, Ind., Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010.

Adam Schefter is reporting that Tom Brady and the Patriots have an extension deal within reach. 

http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=5409743

Further, Brady reported to the Patriots training camp on Sunday with the other QBs and the rookies despite some reports out there that Brady may be inclined to hold out because of ill will in contract negotiations.

So, what does this mean in regards to our #18?  I have felt all along that Peyton would have a new contract extension agreed on before the Colts training camp starts.  The players report to camp on Sunday and I still think I am correct that before the cars start pulling up to the facilities in Anderson, that the Laser Rocket Arm will be the best paid athlete in the NFL.

I just wonder sometimes about the dichotomy of reporting in regards to the two best QB's in the league this summer with their respective new deals.  The public has heard nothing from either of the players themselves but the media has portrayed an image that the negotiations for Brady and the Pats was bad and the negotiations for Manning and the Colts was good and that there was no question it would be done.  It is surprising that both negotiations have been so quiet (the Pats so much so that the "negative vibe" that has been reported is now suddenly "positive").  I keep expecting every time I refresh the SB homepage that I will see the blockbuster deal headline starring Manning.

Anyway, I am hopeful that Peyton will be re-signed by August 1 (or at worst, soon after) and that Tom Brady also gets his deal done.  It is good for the league to have its best and brightest taken care of and happy.  I also think that it is good for the CBA negotiations.  It represents the fact that the owners are taking care of the players that make the league go.  In my opinion, it also means there is less chance of a strike/lockout happening.  At least I hope so.

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2010/07/18/merling-lands-in-dolphins-doghouse

• Colts SS Bob Sanders is coming off his best spring ever after participating fully in OTAs for the first time in his career. Sanders looked like a "fresh colt," appearing very excited and energetic. A healthy Sanders bodes very well for the Colts, of course, and particularly for a secondary that has battled injuries of late.

• There is an "outside chance" the Colts could bring back LB Tyjuan Hagler to add depth if the injury bug bites the LB corps in training camp. The club always liked Hagler, but he was often battling injuries of his own during his tenure in Indianapolis.

If nobody caught the Espy's last night, there was a commercial by Peyton mocking the Blindside.  It is Peyton Manning and Sandra Bullock in The Darkside....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHNMS_22cyM

Archie Manning says it's terrifying.

Tony Dungy says it's spine tingling.

Bill Belichick says it's hilarious.

ha ha ha ha ha ha

Peyton should get an acting gig when he is done playing (which I hope is never).

Just to confirm what we already know...

CBSsports and Foxsports have put out their top (50 and 100 respectively) players of 2010 lists and our favorite Laser Rocket Arm is right at the top of both.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/13561670/top-25-no-changing-of-guard-with-peyton-brady-around?tag=headlines;nfl

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/lists/NFL-football-top-100-player-rankings-1-20#sport=NFL&photo=11350344

CBS other Colts listed:

10.  Dwight Freeney

23.  Reggie Wayne

43.  Dallas Clark

Fox other Colts listed:

19.  Dwight Freeney

35.  Reggie Wayne

57.  Dallas Clark

61.  Bob Sanders

68.  Antoine Bethea

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/colts/2010-06-03-steve-sabol-peyton-manning_N.htm

NFL Films president Steve Sabol says Manning is well on his way to another rarefied place — as in best ever.

"When he retires, he'll go down as the greatest quarterback of all time," Sabol says. "The only player I can remember saying that about while he was playing was Jerry Rice.

"When he was playing, I felt comfortable saying, 'You're looking at the greatest receiver who's ever played.' "

In Sabol's mind, Manning ranks with Rice's former San Francisco 49ers teammate, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana, and three other icons as he enters his 13th season.

"Peyton's up there on the Mount Rushmore of quarterbacks with Otto Graham, Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana and Sammy Baugh," Sabol says. "He's up there on that mountaintop now. And because of longevity, the way he's such a field general and great passer, he's going to hold every record by the time he retires."

Here are the early 2010 NFL win totals from a couple Vegas sportsbooks:

Win totals from The Venetian and Lucky's:


New England Patriots 9.5 9.5
New York Jets 9.5 9.5
Miami Dolphins 8 8
Buffalo Bills 5.5 6

Baltimore Ravens 9 9.5
Pittsburgh Steelers 8 8.5
Cincinnati Bengals 8 8
Cleveland Browns 5 5.5

Indianapolis Colts 11 11
Tennessee Titans 8.5 8.5
Houston Texans 8.5 8.5
Jacksonville Jaguars 7.5 7

San Diego Chargers 10.5 11
Denver Broncos 7 7.5
Kansas City Chiefs 6 6
Oakland Raiders 5.5 6


Dallas Cowboys 10 10
New York Giants 8.5 9
Philadelphia Eagles 8.5 8.5
Washington Redskins 7.5 7.5

Minnesota Vikings 9 9.5
Green Bay Packers 9 9.5
Chicago Bears 7.5 8
Detroit Lions 5.5 5.5

New Orleans Saints 10.5 10.5
Atlanta Falcons 8 9
Carolina Panthers 7.5 8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5.5 5.5

San Francisco 49ers 9 8.5
Arizona Cardinals 7.5 7.5
Seattle Seahawks 7 7.5
St. Louis Rams 5 5

I was reading Football Outsiders for their yearly composite of draft grades for teams:

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/nfl-draft/2010/2010-nfl-draft-report-card-report

Anyway, in the comments there was a link to another SBN blog where the writer broke down drafting efficiency over the last decade.  I thought the blogger did an excellent analysis and it is worthy of a read if you have time.  There are also links within his article where you can get specifics about how the draft value numbers were calculated (using value stats from profootballreference.com): 

http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2010/4/20/1430373/the-nfl-draft-by-numbers-do-drafts

This really flies in the face of the ridiculous article put out by USAToday earlier in the week. 

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2010-04-29-nfl-executives_N.htm

I keep seeing coverage of other teams starting their offseason training this week.  I haven't heard or seen anything about the Colts.  I know that Indystar usually doens't mention the Colts much at all in the offseason but wanted to throw the question out there to see if anyone knows the Colts schedule for offseason training/minicamps this year.  If they have already started, what is the attendance like?  I am eager to get this new season started (as much as a fan can be eager :). 

Colts:  SB XLV Champions!!!

Friday, February 5

player (injury)--Friday practice participation

Probable:
Joseph Addai (shoulder)--full participation
Antoine Bethea (back)--full participation
Gary Brackett (knee)--full participation
Donald Brown (foot)--full participation
Melvin Bullitt (knee)--full participation
Ryan Diem (knee)--full participation
Aaron Francisco (hand)--full participation
Mike Hart (ankle)--full participation
Antonio Johnson (shoulder)--full participation
Charlie Johnson (foot)--full participation
Ryan Lilja (back)--full participation
Robert Mathis (shoulder)--full participation
Jamey Richard (shoulder)--full participation
Matt Stover (left calf)--full participation
Jacob Tamme (ankle)--full participation
Tony Ugoh (knee)--full participation
Adam Vinatieri (right hip)--full participation
Reggie Wayne (knee)--limited participation

Questionable:
Dwight Freeney (ankle)--did not participate
Jerraud Powers (foot)--limited participation

Here is the Wednesday, February 3 injury report for the Colts:

Full Participation:
Joseph Addai (shoulder)
Antoine Bethea (back)
Gary Brackett (knee)
Donald Brown (foot)
Melvin Bullitt (knee)
Ryan Diem (knee)
Aaron Francisco (hand)
Mike Hart (ankle)
Antonio Johnson (shoulder)
Charlie Johnson (foot)
Robert Mathis (shoulder)
Jamey Richard (shoulder)
Matt Stover (left calf)
Jacob Tamme (ankle)
Tony Ugoh (knee)
Adam Vinatieri (right hip)
Reggie Wayne (knee)

Did Not Participate:
Dwight Freeney (ankle)
Jerraud Powers (foot)

Probable (all full participation except Ugoh):
Joseph Addai (shoulder)
Antoine Bethea (back)
Ervin Baldwin (shin)
Gary Brackett (calf)
Melvin Bullitt (shoulder)
Dallas Clark (illness)
Ryan Diem (elbow)
Dwight Freeney (foot)
Cody Glenn (back)
Antonio Johnson (shoulder)
Charlie Johnson (foot)
Robert Mathis (shoulder)
Jamey Richard (shoulder)
Jacob Tamme (ankle)
Tony Ugoh (knee)--did not participate (rested)
Adam Vinatieri (right hip)
Reggie Wayne (knee)

Questionable:
Jerraud Powers (foot)--did not participate

Another healthy week.  Hopefully Powers will be ready to go.  Go Colts!!!

All players had full participation in practice:

Ervin Baldwin (groin), Raheem Brock (hip), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Dwight Freeney (foot), Robert Mathis (shoulder), Gary Brackett (quad), Clint Session (knee), Melvin Bullitt (shoulder), Aaron Francisco (quad), Tim Jennings (knee), Jerraud Powers (hamstring), Ryan Diem (elbow), Charlie Johnson (foot), Tony Ugoh (knee), Pierre Garçon (hand) Reggie Wayne (knee), Antonio Johnson (shoulder), Daniel Muir (shoulder), Curtis Painter (ankle), Jamey Richard (shoulder), Gijon Robinson (knee), Adam Vinatieri (right hip)

Good news that everyone is mostly healthy

The Colts are the current favorite to win it all and the Jets have the longest odds.  As a reminder, to start the season, the Pats were favored to win it all at 6-1, then the Steelers at 7-1.  The Colts and Giants were tied for third at 8-1.

Here are the current odds for all the playoffs teams:

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=aiUClGsz.WNg

Indianapolis          8-5
San Diego             5-2
New Orleans           5-2
Dallas                5-1
Minnesota             5-1
Arizona              10-1
Green Bay            12-1
New England          12-1
Baltimore            15-1
Philadelphia         15-1
Cincinnati           20-1
New York Jets        25-1

I know that most of Colts nation is disgusted with Coach Caldwell pulling the plug today and tanking the game.  How will the national media treat it?  You can bet it will be harsh.  Will this decision also affect how those 50 AP voters look on Peyton Manning and his bid for MVP #4?  I hope it doesn't hurt him, but with Rivers having an excellent game at Tennessee on thursday night and then Peyton getting pulled in the third quarter tonight for "rest" or "no injury", I think that the race just got closer.  What do you think?

Gill has been signed from the Colts practice squad and takes the empty roster spot left by Gonzo's IR

http://www.indystar.com/article/20091226/SPORTS03/91226004/Colts-sign-rookie-defensive-lineman

The Indianapolis Colts have signed rookie defensive lineman John Gill to their active roster. The 6-3, 305-pounder out of Northwestern had been on their practice squad.

Gill fills the spot created when the Colts placed veteran receiver Anthony Gonzalez on the season-ending injured reserve list earlier in the week.

Gill could see extensive action in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets in Lucas Oil Stadium. Defensive tackle Keyunta Dawson has been ruled out of the game with a knee injury and ends Dwight Freeney (abdomen) and Robert Mathis (quadriceps) are questionable.