Colts defense aims for repeat

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable as well as posts that are attacking other users. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.

comments powered by Disqus

January 8, 2007

Tom James The Tribune Star Mon Jan 08, 2007, 08:38 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS — To put it mildly, the national sports media was stunned by the way the Indianapolis Colts defeated Kansas City in last weekend’s AFC wild-card game.

Indianapolis posted a 23-8 win over the Chiefs, limiting running back Larry Johnson — who ran for 1,789 yards and 17 touchdowns during the regular season and is widely regarded as the NFL’s second-best running back behind San Diego’s LaDainian Tomlinson — to 32 yards in 13 carries and allowing only 126 total yards for the game.

The Colts had come into the game with the league’s worst run defense, giving up an average of 173 yards on the ground each time the team took the field in 2006. Now, heading into this week’s AFC divisional playoff game with the Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis’ defense will be put to the test and under the microscope once again.

Baltimore’s run game will be paced by Jamal Lewis, who ran for 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns this year.

The Colts did a pretty good job of slowing Lewis down a year ago, limiting him to 48 yards in 16 carries en route to a 24-7 win in the 2005 season opener for both teams.

But there’s no doubt that the Colts will have to try to string together two straight weeks of good defense, something that that they weren’t able to do in the final weeks of the regular season this year.

“Every time that you play this game, you have to got to play with a lot of energy and you’ve got to play a lot with a sense of urgency. I think that’s what we did [Saturday against Kansas City]. We played with a lot of energy and obviously playing at home tended to energize us also. I think we were able to play faster and that was the key to us playing, playing fast,” Indianapolis defensive coordinator Ron Meeks said after the win over the Chiefs.

Meeks has been under a lot of scrutiny as the 2006 season has progressed for the perceived shortcomings of the Colts’ defense and the defensive effort as a whole. While Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy has given his solid backing to the veteran assistant coach, it’s safe to say that Meeks was pleased by the way the defense responded against the Chiefs.

“You’re always proud when your defense plays well. This team is a team that we do a good job on defense of managing the game, not letting the game get out of control. When we can dictate some things and not let the offense dictate some things, I think we’re going to be good,” he said, adding that he knows the Colts can’t rest their laurels on one game alone.

“You can’t judge it by one game,” he said. “You’ve got to make sure that you come back the next week and continue to do the same things and that you don’t have any letdowns. Like I said, you’ve got to manage the game. You’ve got to manage the game and you’ve got to play with a purpose, play with a lot of energy. And I think we did that [against Kansas City].”

• Harrison named to AP All-Pro team — Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison was named to the Associated Press’ 2006 NFL All-Pro team on Monday. He was the lone Indianapolis player named to the team, which is selected in a nationwide vote of sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the league.

Harrison caught 95 passes for 1,366 yards and 12 touchdowns, which were all team highs for the Colts during the regular season.

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, who played at Purdue, edged out Colts quarterback Peyton Manning with 25 votes compared to Manning’s 24. It’s the first time since the 2002 season that Manning was not named the AP’s All-Pro quarterback.

• Colts-Chiefs to be replayed on NFL Network — Fans can watch a replay of Saturday’s AFC wild-card win over Chiefs today at 10:30 p.m. on NFL Network.

The game will be rebroadcast, with the NFL Network adding sideline and on-field sound captured during the game and postgame press conference sound bites, on a 90-minute program

Text Only | Photo Reprints

CNHI News Service Originals

Colts will face Redskins in Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 3 The Indianapolis Colts, as a group, are going to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer.
February 10, 2008
Thanksgiving is a homecoming for Colts’ Mathis Robert Mathis is going home for Thanksgiving this week.
November 21, 2007
Indy's true safety valve Ever since he was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2004 NFL draft, strong safety Bob Sanders has been an integral part of the team’s young defensive unit.
September 22, 2007
Colts Camp: Simon still missing as Colts start practice The Indianapolis Colts went through their first two practices of training camp Monday, but veteran defensive tackle Corey Simon was no where to be seen. Simon’s status with the Colts for the upcoming season, which has been considered tenuous at best, remains an unanswered question.
July 30, 2007
Colts arrive ready to get down to business
Give Bill Polian plenty of credit. The Indianapolis Colts’ team president and general manager had said late last week that he was going to take all the time he needed in order to get the all nine of his draft picks signed.

July 30, 2007 3 Links
Welcome back champs: Indy begins its run for another Lombardi Trophy in Terre Haute Remember those guys who were hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in Miami almost six months ago?
July 29, 2007
Tanoos takes advantage of badge When Dan Tanoos rushed to the scene of a serious accident involving a school bus last week, he used red-and-blue police lights to help him get there more quickly.
March 5, 2007
Bear's Notebook Monsters of the Midway don’t need motivational speeches.
February 3, 2007
From the pressbox: From IU to the Super Bowl: Ogunleye appreciates trip Going into the 1999 season, then-Indiana University senior defensive end Adewale Ogunleye had the world at his feet.
February 3, 2007
Dungy proud to honor Indy Most of the time, Tony Dungy is not an emotional man. But for a brief moment Friday, just prior to his final pre-Super Bowl XLI press conference, the Indianapolis Colts coach showed a side of his personality that few people get to see.
February 3, 2007
Colts Notebook Back spasms limited the work schedule for defensive end Robert Mathis on Friday as the Indianapolis Colts wrapped up their final full practice prior to Sunday night’s Super Bowl XLI meeting with the Chicago Bears.
February 3, 2007
Bears Notebook The last time the Indianapolis Colts faced a running back tandem as prolific as Chicago Bears runners Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, Jacksonville rushers Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor scampered for nearly four football fields worth of yardage on the Colts.
February 2, 2007
Indianapolis keeps its composure during record comeback Coming back from an 18-point deficit against three-time Super Bowl champion New England to win an AFC championship Sunday night was old hat for the Indianapolis Colts.
January 22, 2007 6 Photos
Indy’s line ready for next challenge It’s a safe bet that the Indianapolis Colts offensive line will be severely tested when the New England Patriots come to town for Sunday’s AFC championship game.
January 16, 2007
Dungy already knows approach to take during practice Savor the moment and take advantage of the opportunity.
January 16, 2007
Dallas Clark may be the Colts biggest threat in a loaded offensive arsenal Mr. Versatility.
January 12, 2007
Colts defense aims for repeat To put it mildly, the national sports media was stunned by the way the Indianapolis Colts defeated Kansas City in last weekend’s AFC wild-card game.
January 8, 2007
Colts prepare for return to Baltimore On to Baltimore.
January 7, 2007
Colts’ Sanders resting, ready to play Saturday It’s looking more and more like safety Bob Sanders will be in the starting lineup when the Indianapolis Colts face the Kansas City Chiefs in Saturday’s AFC wildcard game at the RCA Dome.
January 5, 2007
Manning ready for familiar foes As Peyton Manning continues his videotape preparation this week for Saturday afternoon’s AFC wildcard game with the Kansas City Chiefs, two of the team’s veteran defensive players have grabbed his attention — cornerbacks Ty Law and Patrick Surtain.
January 2, 2007
Dungy: 'We're still the same team' Tony Dungy is scratching his head right about now, trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with the Indianapolis Colts.
December 25, 2006
Indy’s defense looks super The Indianapolis Colts knew that they would need a complete team performance if they were to register a win Monday night over the streaking Cincinnati Bengals.
December 19, 2006

CNHI News Service Originals

Search Results

Discussion

Colts defense aims for repeat

Site Map

Contact Us