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December 22, 2011

Colts face another tough running test

Houston uses ground attack to win AFC South

Tom James Tribune-Star Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS — The credit for the Indianapolis Colts’ win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday can go in a couple different directions.

A rapidly improving running game was definitely one key. But so was a revamped defensive unit with interim coordinator Mike Murphy making some subtle but effective changes.

The Colts limited Titans running back Chris Johnson to 53 yards rushing, 35 of which came on one play.

Heading into tonight’s night’s home finale with the Houston Texans, Indianapolis desperately needs a similar effort.

Houston’s powerful ground attack — led by Arian Foster and Ben Tate — has been a crucial element to the Texans’ annexing the 2011 AFC South championship.

“It surely was [Colts football],” Colts vice chairman Bill Polian said this week of the defensive team’s effort against Tennessee.

“I’ve said before, five or six weeks ago, that one of our defensive players saw tape of another team and said to me, ‘They play like we used to.’ I said to that player [after the Titans game], ‘We played like we used to today.’”

Murphy, who has been Indianapolis’ linebackers coach since 1998, took over as the interim defensive coordinator prior to the team’s game at New England.

While the overall scheme hasn’t changed, some things have been tweaked.

“It was execution and tough breaks along the line [that were problems],” said Polian. “It never was integrity. It never was [lack of] effort. We’re playing without five defensive starters and I don’t know how many teams have played the kind of defense we played since the New England game.

“All it took as [former coach] Tony [Dungy] often said when things go wrong, ‘Go back to your roots. Go back to what you believe in.’ We did that defensively. Murph’s done it. The defensive staff has done it. They got rewarded [with the win over Tennessee], and they had a remarkable, incredible performance.”

That type of performance is needed over the final two games of the season. And that starts this evening against Houston.

“It’s a different [offensive] attack, and it’s certainly a different team in terms of the way they do things. Although they both run the ball extremely well, they do it different ways. [Houston’s] offensive line is as skilled a group, just in terms of operating a zone scheme, as anybody you will see. They do it as well as anybody in the league, so we’re not going to be able to do things exactly the way we did them last week,” coach Jim Caldwell said Tuesday.

“[The Texans] present so many other problems for you. They bootleg, they give you [play] actions that look exactly like their running plays and their passes can attack you, not only behind your linebackers when they step forward, but also deep in your perimeter as well. Whether [Pro Bowl receiver Andre] Johnson is there or not, they still have guys that can get down the field and catch it. So they give you some different problems, so you can’t just use a cookie-cutter and say, ‘Hey, we’re going to use the exact same thing we did last week against this team.’”

There are those who contend that the Colts should ditch the Cover-2 defensive system that the team has employed since 2002 when Dungy took over as coach. That and Indianapolis’ use of small, quick and athletic defenders has come under a lot of scrutiny in recent years.

Those kind of comments especially come into play when Indianapolis faces teams that favor a power running game like Houston.

Foster has rushed for a team-high 1,066 yards on 255 carries and has nine rushing touchdowns. Tate, meanwhile, has 846 yards on 153 rushing attempts and three rushing TDs. Houston has 16 rushing touchdowns as a team.

“We face great [running backs] every week and he is another one in that line. [Jacksonville’s Maurice] Jones-Drew is a great back. [Chris] Johnson is a great back. And [Foster] is unbelievable as well when we look at what he’s done to us previously,” Caldwell previewed.

“So we have to do a real good job of tackling and making certain that we stay in our gaps. But he’s a force to contend with. He’s the kind of guy that you’re just not going to stop them completely. You hope to slow him down. But he does present the exact same problems that all great backs do. They’re multi-dimensional, they pose different threats, they have different talents. He blends speed, power, balance, vision and athleticism all into one package. He makes it difficult to contain him.”

• Last home game — Tonight’s game is the final regular-season home contest for the Colts as the team will wrap up the year next Sunday in Jacksonville.

But it could also be the final home game for a group of veteran players who have meant a lot to the success of the franchise in recent years.

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne, center Jeff Saturday, middle linebacker Gary Brackett, defensive end Robert Mathis, safety Melvin Bullitt, offensive guard/tackle Ryan Diem and tight end Dallas Clark are among those who have contract issues that could prevent them from being back for the 2012 season.

“It could [be his last home game with Indianapolis]. I’m well aware of that. I’ve come to the conclusion that in every athlete’s career, they’re going to be faced with this decision at some point in time. Whether it’s long career or a short career. So have fun,” Wayne said after Wednesday’s practice.

“Maybe have a little bit more fun with the fans than normal. But just go out with a bang. Have fun, let loose. Don’t leave anything out there. No stones unturned. Just have fun and take it for what it’s worth.”

And after the game?

“Sign a couple things. Maybe give them a free helmet. I don’t know. Whatever comes to mind. I appreciate [the team’s fans]. They’ve been very supportive during my career. If this is my last game [with the Colts], they’ll have to find another Reggie to keep that chant going,” he said.

“I want to do something special for them, but I don’t know what I can do. It’s been such a short week to prepare for the team. I truly appreciate [the fans]. They come out with the ‘Reggie’ signs. No matter what the situation is, they’re always there cheering. Everybody said it will be a little emotional for me. But we’ll see. Like I said, just have fun with it. Enjoy it for what it’s worth and embrace everything.”

• Injury report — Clark (neck burner) and strong-side linebacker Philip Wheeler (foot) are not expected to play against the Texans.

Defensive end Jamaal Anderson (groin), rookie running back Delone Carter (forearm) and linebacker A.J. Edds (ankle) should be available.

• Tickets available — The Texans have returned more then 400 tickets for tonight’s game.

Tickets are available at the Lucas Oil Stadium ticket office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 or at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will be available while they last.

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