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October 6, 2008

Dungy wants more passion from 2-2 Colts

By Tom James

INDIANAPOLIS — Passion.

That’s what Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy is looking for from his football team. He hasn’t seen it displayed for a full four quarters in any of the games that the Colts have played so far this season, which has been disappointing.

There have been snippets, of course. The final four minutes of Sunday’s wild 31-27 come-from-behind win over Houston was a prime example. Indianapolis trailed 27-10 but managed to score 21 points over a time span of 2:10 late in the fourth quarter, thanks to largely a revitalized defense that forced three turnovers (two fumbles and an

interception) and a pair of Peyton Manning

touchdown passes.

“It was difficult digging that type of a hole, but the one thing that was positive, our guys did continue to play even when, mathematically, it looked like we were out of it. We still played hard. Our offense went down and got a score, which helped us and gave us a chance to win it, and then we made some plays on defense,” Dungy said Monday.

“For three quarters of the game, we self-destructed. We didn’t play with the passion that you have to play in those types of games. We didn’t play sound, and it hurt us. We have to get those things squared away. I thought we had made progress over the bye week, and we did in a lot of ways, but it didn’t translate out on the field. Hopefully, we can build on what we saw in those last five minutes and grow from there.”

In some ways, and for whatever reason, the Colts have apparently lost some of their well-earned swagger for the short term. And that has translated into inconsistent performances on both offense and defense over the first month of the season.

Dungy has been somewhat at a loss to explain it, especially coming from a team that is seemingly loaded with players who should be used to performing at a high level.

“There’s a lot going on, especially with some of our young guys, with the thought process and thinking and trying to be right on your assignments and trying to be where you are supposed to be. You have to be able to do all that, but it comes to a point, too, where it’s just energy and making things happen and not being denied,” he explained.

“Two guys flying to get to the quarterback and the ball ends up coming loose, [Defensive end] Robert Mathis diving from six feet behind the guy and stripping the ball [to set up the game-winning touchdown pass from Manning to wide receiver Reggie Wayne]. Sometimes you just have to do that. You have to go get a second block. You have to run over people. Things aren’t going to go perfectly, and that’s what we have to get a little bit of also.”

• From last to second — Amazingly, Indianapolis came within four minutes of being in last place in the AFC South. The Colts’ win over Houston and Jacksonville’s home loss to Pittsburgh Sunday night, though, puts Dungy’s team in second place behind undefeated (5-0) Tennessee with a 2-2 record.

“That’s how the NFL is, and I think it’s going to be that way for most of the year. That’s why you can’t really look at how other teams are doing, or who’s where, who’s ahead of you, who’s behind you. We have to get ourselves playing good football and winning consistently,” the Colts coach said.

“It’s going to be the type of thing where you’re going to have teams up and down, and a win or a loss can make a big difference in how you feel for a couple of weeks. I think that’s just what we’re going to see.”

• Injury list update — Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez suffered a concussion in the second half against the Texans and did not return to the game. There won’t be an update on his availability for this week’s matchup with the Ravens until later this week.

Also, cornerback Kelvin Hayden hurt his left knee against Houston when he apparently suffered his injury when he stepped in one of the divisions between the sections of the grass playing field at Reliant Stadium.

There is no word on whether Hayden will be available to play against the Ravens this week. He underwent an magnetic resonance imaging test Monday but results aren’t expected to be announced publicly under Wednesday at the earliest.

Defensive end Dwight Freeney, meanwhile, incurred an apparent strained muscle in his leg in the fourth quarter Sunday. An update on his injury is expected Wednesday.

Offensive tackle Tony Ugoh saw limited playing time against the Texans after missing the Jacksonville game two weeks ago with a groin injury. Ugoh had returned to practice last week, but he was replaced on the Colts’ starting lineup by offensive lineman Charlie Johnson.

Rookie tight end Jacob Tamme practiced on Monday. Among those not taking part in the workout were offensive guard Dan Federkeil (ribs), rookie running back Mike Hart (hand), and rookie tight end Tom Santi (foot).

• Manning continues to climb NFL career records charts — Peyton Manning has now led the Colts to 107 career victories, tying him for seventh on the NFL’s all-time list with former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

Manning has also now led Indianapolis to 32 fourth quarter come-from-behind victories during his NFL career, including two this season (Minnesota and Houston).

• Game balls — Earning game balls for the win over Houston were Wayne (offense), middle linebacker Gary Brackett (defense) and rookie safety Jamie Silva (special teams).

Wayne caught a team-high seven passes for 97 yards, hauling in the game-winning touchdown on a twisting one-handed grab of a five-yard lob from Manning in the back corner of the end zone.

Brackett, meanwhile, returned a fumble 68 yards for a touchdown, bringing Indianapolis back to within 27-24.

• Colts-Texans game to be shown — The NFL Network will air a 90-minute rebroadcast of Sunday’s game with Houston at 8 p.m. today.

“NFL Replay” highlights the four most compelling games from the weekend, re-broadcasting them in a fast-paced 90-minute format on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. The Washington-Philadelphia game, which was won by the Redskins, will be re-aired on Wednesday.

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