INDIANAPOLIS —
A week removed from a 34-7 season-opening National Football League loss to the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts didn’t fare much better in their home opener Sunday with the Cleveland Browns.
Despite a somewhat promising start to the game, the Colts sent most of an announced crowd of 65,035 home disappointed as Cleveland came away with a 27-19 win at Lucas Oil Stadium. The loss dropped Indianapolis to 0-2 for the first time since 1998.
With Pittsburgh coming to town for a nationally televised night game this week, the road doesn’t get much easier for the defending AFC South champions. The Colts are in struggle mode right now and need to find a way to get things turned around in a hurry.
“You know, obviously, we were disappointed in our performance. I think we did some things a little bit better. But that’s not what we’re measured by around here. We’re measured by winning and we failed to do so,” Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell said afterward.
“I think in the first half we did some things pretty well. We ran the ball a little bit better. And I think we were able to keep [Cleveland running back Peyton] Hillis under control there in the first half. The score wasn’t quite what we like to see in the first half … we had to keep kicking field goals rather than putting touchdowns on the board down in the red zone.
“But we were still in it, we had a chance. And in the second half the turnovers made a huge difference. We sort had a stretch there where we self-destructed in a couple situations. We just didn’t get off the field enough [defensively] on third down. Offensively, conversely, we didn’t convert enough on third down. So we have to work on those things and get better.”
The Colts marched 67 yards in 10 plays on the first drive, scoring on a 39-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. Indianapolis came out at the start of the game in a hurry-up offensive set with quarterback Kerry Collins setting up in the shotgun. But Collins failed to connect with wide receiver Austin Collie on consecutive passes at the Cleveland 21-yard line, forcing Vinatieri into the game.
Indianapolis added a 27-yard field goal on its third possession of the game, driving 78 yards in 10 plays. The Colts were knocking at the door with a third-and-1 at the Cleveland 9-yard line, but rookie running back Delone Carter was stopped for no gain.
The Browns finally got their offense untracked and scored on a 16-yard pass from quarterback Colt McCoy to backup tight end Evan Moore with 7:53 remaining in the second quarter.
Vinatieri’s third field goal of the game, from 52 yards out, put the Colts back on top 9-7 late in the second quarter. That wound up being the last time that Indianapolis would be in control of the game for the rest of the afternoon.
Cleveland added a 1-yard run by Hillis, the first of two touchdowns he had on the day, with 15 seconds left in the first half to put the Browns on top 14-9. Phil Dawson later had field goals from 20 and 23 yards out and Hillis scored his second TD on a 24-yard run.
The Colts’ only second-half scoring came courtesy of a 36-yard field goal by Vinatieri with 6:52 left in the third quarter and a 6-yard pass from Collins to tight end Dallas Clark with 24 seconds remaining in the game.
The Colts’ passing game, which accounted for 191 yards, sputtered in the second half. In fact, prior to the Colts’ final offensive possession of the day, Collins — who completed 19 of 38 passes — had misfired on nine straight throws and had one intercepted.
“I think [Collins] did some things better,” Caldwell said, referring back to the quarterback’s initial performance of the year at Houston a week earlier. “The other thing is you certainly can’t pin it all on one person at one time. This is a team game.
“[We have to] go back to work. That’s the thing we have to do. And that’s the tough thing about where we are. But it is going to take some resolve, take some focus and I think our guys are up to the challenge. We have to get that straightened away.”
Perhaps the biggest bugaboos for the Colts after two weeks of the season have been the team’s failure to convert on third down offensively and getting off the field defensively on third down. Indianapolis was 4 of 14 on third down while the Browns were 8 of 16. Cleveland also converted on its only fourth-down opportunity.
“Two weeks in a row not being able to concert on third down,” the Colts coach winced. “That is a crucial down. That’s where you make your money. We have to be better in that area.”
One of the few bright spots for Indianapolis was the continued development of the running game. Joseph Addai had 46 yards in 14 carries while Carter came off the bench to added 46 yards in 11 carries. The Colts averaged 4.2 yards on 26 carries as a team.
“I think Joseph had some pretty good runs and the offensive line created some creases,” Caldwell said. “Delone Carter also had some good runs as well. I think that’s a plus. And that’s what we’re going to have to be able to do. If we can’t run the ball, then we’re going to certainly fight an uphill battle consistently. We did show a little progress in that area. But certainly not nearly enough.”
The Indianapolis defense did a fairly good job on the hard-running Hillis, who finished with 94 yards in 27 carries and caught four passes for an additional 23 yards. McCoy completed 22 of 32 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown.
Strongside linebacker Kavell Conner had a team-high 10 tackles for the Colts. Defensive end Dwight Freeney had their only sack of the game, the 95th sack of his NFL career. He also forced the 42nd fumble of his career.
Colts
Related Photos
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Closing fast: Colts running back Joseph Addai (29) searches for an opening in Sunday's game against the Browns. (Kokomo Tribune)
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Kokomo Tribune Head on: Indianapolis cornerback Jacob Lacey (below) tackles Cleveland wide receiver Greg Little.
Discussion
Colts’ second week as painful as first
- Colts
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Colts not standing pat in looking toward 2013 season
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has quickly earned a reputation as someone who isn’t afraid to shake things up a bit.
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Landry believes he'll acclimate to Colts system
Many Indianapolis fans have questioned why strong safety Laron Landry decided to skip the Colts' OTA workouts, especially since he was joining a new team with a somewhat different defensive system than what he was used to playing with the Jets.
He understands their concerns, but isn’t worried about learning the intricacies Colts’ 3-4 hybrid package.
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Colts in harmony with new coordinator Hamilton
With new Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton now running the show, the Colts are in the middle of a metamorphosis from the downfield, big-play system that was utilized by former coordinator Bruce Arians to more of a West Coast scheme that will look to make more use of the short, controlled passing game.
According to Andrew Luck, so far so good.
- Pagano amazed by collection of veterans
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Opening Day: Terre Haute Rex host Quincy
In his first season at the helm, first-year Terre Haute Rex manager Ronnie Prettyman is going to be surrounded by men he knows and trusts.
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
A year ago, quarterback Andrew Luck was unable to attend the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices due to school commitments at Stanford.
Luck, though, went on to have a stellar year for the Colts despite the lack of summer work with the team. Still, in a sense, he is a rookie during this year’s OTA workouts.
“These are my first OTAs. I missed these last year, so I think it’s great. It’s great to get on the field with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff. Obviously, some of us ran some of this stuff [offense] at Stanford [under new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton]. But to get out there with the defense and trouble-shoot some stuff is good,” Luck said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its first week of on-field voluntary practice sessions. -
Colts' coordinators enjoying getting rookies acclimated
While the Indianapolis Colts put their rookies and a handful of second-year players through workouts this weekend at the team’s Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center, a pair of first-year coordinators are getting a chance to do some valuable on-field work as well.
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Werner, 36 others open Colts’ mini camp
The Indianapolis Colts welcomed 37 players to the start of the team’s rookie mini camp Friday at the West 56th Street headquarters.
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Colts hoping for more high marks on draft picks
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts received high marks for the impact players the team added through the NFL draft.
Of the 10 players selected, five ended up either starting or seeing extensive playing time (quarterback Andrew Luck, tight ends Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Vick Ballard) during the Colts’ 11-5 season.
While this year’s class may not rival that group in terms of name recognition and flash, it may produce just as many major contributors once the 2013 season gets underway. -
Werner at top of game
Bjoern Werner was a late comer to football. But after being selected in the first round of the 2013 National Football League draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Werner realizes that he has reached the pinnacle of the sport in a relatively short amount of time.
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Colts select pass rusher Werner in first round
The Indianapolis Colts selected Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner. The 6-foot-3, 266-pound defensive lineman can also play left outside linebacker.
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Colts in wait-and-see mode for tonight’s NFL draft
As the 2013 NFL draft gets underway tonight at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the Indianapolis Colts are continuing their wait-and-see stance in regard to the first-round pick.
The draft begins at 8 p.m. — televised by the NFL Network and ESPN — with the Kansas City Chiefs making the night’s first selection. Teams will have 10 minutes to make their decisions during the first round. Indianapolis will have the 24th overall pick in the first round.
There will be only one round tonight. The second and third rounds are scheduled for Friday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with seven minutes allotted per pick in the second round and five minutes allowed in the third. The final four rounds are slated to begin at noon Saturday with four minutes between selections.
As it stands now, Indianapolis does not have a second-round pick. It was traded to Miami last fall in exchange for veteran cornerback Vontae Davis. But second-year general manager Ryan Grigson has nut ruled out the possibility of trading down from the first round if the Colts aren’t satisfied with the players available. -
Direction clear for Colts in 2013 draft
The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2013 NFL Draft with some definite plans.
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Colts veteran among those excited to see Luck's growth in 2013-14
Veteran defensive end Cory Redding is a big fan — literally and figuratively — of Indianapolis Colts second-year quarterback Andrew Luck.
Redding, who has become one of the Colts’ lockerroom leaders after just one season with the team, thinks he has some reasonable expectations of Indianapolis’ former No. 1 draft pick. -
Heyward-Bey feeling fortunate to hook up with Luck
Add one more player to the list of veteran free agents signed by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason.
Former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey agreed to a a deal with the Colts late Monday evening. Bey, who played collegiately at Maryland, was the seventh player selected in the first round of the 2009 National Football League draft. -
Colts sign nose tackle
Another day, more player signings for the Indianapolis Colts.
Nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin agreed to terms with the Colts on Tuesday evening and officially signed with the team Wednesday. Franklin (6-1, 315) is a 10-year NFL veteran with stops in Baltimore (2003-06), San Francisco (2007-10), New Orleans (2011) and San Diego (2012). -
Colts sign Matt Hasselbeck to back up Luck
The Indianapolis Colts’ roster moves just keep coming.
While the Colts haven’t yet added that big-name wide receiver that team owner Jim Irsay hinted at in tweets over the weekend, Indianapolis has addressed one area on offense.
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck had agreed Monday night to be the Colts’ primary back-up to second-year starter Andrew Luck. He officially signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the team Tuesday morning.
“We are very pleased to announce the signing of Matt Hasselbeck,” general manager Ryan Grigson said in a prepared statement. “His body of work, intangibles, and extensive league experience speak for themselves. Those factors, plus his familiarity with our offensive scheme, will make him a great asset to our team and its vision as we move forward.” -
Colts likely done signing free agents, for now
With the possible exception of adding a few lesser-priced players, the Indianapolis Colts’ big-time foray into the veteran free-agent marketplace is pretty much done.
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Landry, Jean Francois join Colts defensive unit
After adding five veteran free agent players to the Indianapolis Colts roster on Tuesday, general manager Ryan Grigson plucked two more plums late Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon.
New York Jets safety LaRon Landry and San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois both signed contracts with the Colts. Landry, a strong safety who appears to be a bigger version of former Indianapolis Pro Bowler Bob Sanders, and the versatile Jean-Francois are expected to make immediate impacts on the Colts’ defensive unit. -
Colts introduce free-agent signees
What the Indianapolis Colts accomplished last season — posting an 11-5 record and earning an AFC wild-card berth with a young team plus having that kind of success without its head coach on the sidelines for 12 games — didn’t go unnoticed by players around the NFL.
That was especially true for the five veteran free agents who were added to the Colts’ roster Tuesday. Offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (Detroit), cornerback Greg Toler (Arizona), outside linebacker Erik Walden (Green Bay), offensive guard Donald Thomas (New England) and linebacker Lawrence Sidbury (Atlanta) admitted as much Wednesday.
“I felt like this would be the best fit for me at this point in my career. I really liked what I saw was happening with the program here and the way things have taken shape. I feel like we have a really great team here and it’s on the rise. I really wanted to be a part of that,” Thomas said during a teleconference interview with the Colts’ media. -
Colts sign five free agents, filling needs at offensive line, cornerback
The Indianapolis Colts were a busy team on the opening day of the National Football League’s veteran free agent market, which got underway at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
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Jeff Saturday retires as a Colt
An Indianapolis Colt for life. Pencil in Jeff Saturday for that honor.
The 14-year veteran center in the NFL put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — when Saturday earned his greatest rewards. -
Saturday thrilled to retire as a Colt
The 14-year veteran center in the National Football League put an official stamp on a career Thursday that began in Baltimore in 1998 and ended in Green Bay in 2012. But it was those 13 seasons in-between — from 1999 to 2011 in which he played for Indianapolis — that Saturday earned his greatest rewards.
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Saturday to retire as Colt on Thursday
Former Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday will make his retirement from the National Football League official on Thursday.
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Indianapolis franchises punter McAfee
A week ago, Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano said it was a priority that the team retain the services of punter Pat McAfee.
McAfee, an unrestricted free agent who’s contract is due to expire March 12, was designated as the Colts’ franchise player Friday. The move allows Indianapolis extra time to work out a long-term deal for the team’s special-teams ace.
“He’s huge. He’s a major priority in free agency. Obviously, we’ve reached out and are working to get Pat re-signed,” Pagano said during the National Football Scouting Combine. “We saw what he did for us last year. He’s a great weapon, not only kickoffs and touchbacks. -
Colts GM enjoying time at combine
Indianapolis Colts second-year general manager Ryan Grigson makes no bones about it. He enjoys watching prospective football players strut their stuff.
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Colts keeping eye on large crop of talented linemen in NFL Draft
According to most National Football League draft observers, this year’s crop of prospects is deep with quality offensive and defensive linemen.
Among the offensive line candidates who have been showcasing their talents at the National Football Scouting Combine, which began in earnest Thursday and wraps up on Tuesday, the spotlight has been on the offensive tackles. Offensive left tackles in particular. -
Colts' Pagano back to full work schedule at combine
Back and ready to go.
That’s the attitude Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano is taking during the National Football Scouting Combine, which completed its second day of operations Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium. During a wide-ranging press conference at the combine, Pagano confirmed that he is back to a full work regimen after missing 12 games last fall as he battled a rare form of leukemia.
After undergoing cancer treatments that featured heavy doses of chemotherapy, the second-year head coach was able to return to the sidelines for Indianapolis’ final regular-season home game against Houston and for the team’s AFC wild-card matchup with eventual Super Bowl champion Baltimore. -
Colts looking forward to different approach to draft in 2013
A year ago, the Indianapolis Colts had the first overall pick in the 2012 National Football League draft.
It was a foregone conclusion that the Colts would select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the selection. While Indianapolis front office and player personnel officials certainly had to do their due diligence in preparing for the draft, the Colts find themselves this year in a bit different situation.
The team will have the 24th overall pick in the first round, which is a double-edged sword. Indianapolis picks lower in the round due to a successful season. But the pool of available can’t-miss talent isn’t quite as plentiful as drafting earlier in the round. -
Former Pro Bowl selection Freeney won't return to Colts
The news coming out of the Indianapolis Colts headquarters Friday afternoon was not totally unexpected. Team officials have confirmed that two veteran players – former Pro Bowl defensive end/outside linebacker Dwight Freeney and wide receiver Austin Collie — will not be returning for the 2013 season.
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