INDIANAPOLIS —
The Indianapolis Colts get to face an old friend Sunday when Jacksonville visits Lucas Oil Stadium.
No, it’s not an ex-player.
Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, however, is a familiar adversary after becoming a major thorn in the side of the Indianapolis defense since entering the league in 2006.
Jones-Drew has rushed for 1,212 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and has scored nine touchdowns in 12 career games against Indianapolis. He has 13 overall TDs against the Colts (including three receiving touchdowns and one kickoff return).
The former UCLA standout has registered seven 100-yard rushing games (including four of the last five games) and posted three games in which he had 200 or more all-purpose yards. He set the Jacksonville single-game record with 303 all-purpose yards against the Colts on Dec. 10, 2006.
Jones-Drew also had 244 all-purpose yards against Indianapolis on Sept. 24, 2006. He is second all-time in rushing yards per game against the Colts. He is averaging 101 yards in 12 games, second only to former New York Jets running back Curtis Martin (109.7 yards in 15 games).
But there’s more. Colts outside linebacker Justin Hickman was a groomsman at the running back’s wedding in April. Jones-Drew and Hickman were UCLA teammates and were once roommates in college. Hickman had to leave the wedding reception early in order to return to Indianapolis in time for the start of spring workouts.
And then there’s the fact that Indianapolis free safety Antoine Bethea and Maurice Jones-Drew are close friends. They share the same agent, Adisa Bakari, and the two rivals often spent time together in the offseason.
Bethea often called and texted the Jaguars’ running back during his extended contract holdout, reminding him of the time he stood Jones-Drew up at the goal line during last year’s game in Jacksonville.
“[Bethea’s] a good dude. The whole time I was out, he was texting me, making sure I was ready. We have a great competitive spirit amongst us. That’s my man. It’s always good to go against him,” Jones-Drew said during a teleconference with Colts media Wednesday.
“It’s going to be a dogfight. It’s funny. Every Fourth of July we get together and go out and all I heard was how he stood me up on the goal line last year. That was good fuel to the fire. We know it’s going to be a dogfight. Their defense is playing fast right now. They’re running to the ball. Obviously with that new scheme, they’re getting that new pass rush again with [outside linebacker Dwight] Freeney and [outside linebacker Robert] Mathis on the edge. They’re doing a great job. These first couple of games have been very tough [for 0-2 Jacksonville]. We have another tough one against us this week.”
For his part, Bethea is ready for the challenge. The Colts’ Pro Bowl defensive back, though, wouldn’t have minded if Jones-Drew had extended his holdout for a few weeks longer.
“He had to do what’s best for him. I’m not happy to see him back but I’m happy to see him playing the game that he loves. The best to him,” he said. “We spent some time in the offseason together. We have the same agent. We’ll poke fun here and there. I don’t really want to poke too much fun this upcoming week so he can kind of take it easy a little bit. It’s all in fun and games.”
Bethea says there’s no real secret to tackling the hard-running Jones-Drew. Getting the job done is something else entirely.
“Short-guy, low gravity to the ground, compact. He runs hard. He just runs with a type of nasty. That’s how good backs run. It’s going to take 11 hats to the ball like every time we play. They’re going to give him the ball and he’s going to try and make it happen,” he said, agreeing with a recent Freeney description of trying to tackle Jones-Drew.
The Colts’ all-time sack leader had said that it was like trying to stop a bowling ball.
“He’s a couple bowling balls going down actually. It’s tough. Trying to tackle him one-on-one, that’s a task. One thing that we harp on this week is 11 guys got to get to the ball,” Bethea said.
• Pagano’s thoughts on Jones-Drew — While Indianapolis’ run defense has done a pretty good job of slowing down the likes of Chicago’s one-two punch of Matt Forte and Michael Bush, as well as Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart, Colts coach Chuck Pagano knows that work gets a lot tougher Sunday when Jones-Drew — all 5 feet, 7 inches, 210 pounds — comes to town.
“Can’t see him. Can’t find him. He’s like a rolling ball of butcher knives running up through there. He’s got legs like tree trunks. It’s like two Sequoias, you know. I told our guys that if you try to hit this guy high and you don’t wrap up, you’ll bounce off him like BBs off a tin can,” Pagano said Wednesday.
“We have to gang-tackle this guy. But he’s strong as heck and he breaks a ton of tackles. He’s quick and he’s got good vision. I said the that basically the one thing that’s the same size on all these backs is their ankles. So if you wrap him up and you slide down and you get his ankles and you bring them together, you’ve got a good chance of bringing this guy down. But he’s just a physical, physical back. He’s got great talent. We’ve got another one this week that we have to tend to and do a great job gang-tackling him.”
• Roster moves — The Colts made some roster moves Tuesday. Indianapolis signed nose tackle Nicolas Jean-Baptiste and offensive tackle Tony Hills to the practice squad.
Jean-Baptiste (6-1, 337) was originally signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad as an undrafted free agent May 11 out of Baylor. He was waived Aug. 31.
Hills (6-5, 304) was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth round (130th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He saw action in five regular season games and one postseason game with the Steelers before being waived on September 3, 2011. He later signed with the Denver Broncos on Sept. 8, 2011. Hills saw action in one of the Broncos postseason games last season before he was waived on Aug. 31.
The Colts released defensive tackle Chigbo Anunoby and offensive tackle Darrion Weems from the practice squad. Indianapolis also released wide receiver Jabin Sambrano from the team’s injured reserve list.
• Injury list — Mike McGlynn is expected to work with the first offensive unit at center heading into Sunday’s game with Jacksonville. McGlynn had been the Colts starting right offensive guard but shifted over to center late in the second quarter of last week’s win over Minnesota due to a knee injury to starter Samson Satele. He has previous experience playing center in Philadelphia and Cincinnati.
Offensive guard Trai Essex will see work with the first offensive unit at right guard this week. Essex was signed early last week after beginning his career with the Steelers. He played most of the second half of last Sunday’s game with Minnesota before starter Mike McGlynn moved over to center.
Essex has been able to make a smooth quick transition to the Colts since he was familiar with the team’s offensive system and blocking schemes from his time in Pittsburgh, where he played for current Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians and offensive line coach Harold Goodwin.
Satele (knee) received a positive MRI report on his left knee. Satele, who was hurt in the second quarter of last week’s game with Minnesota and did not return, was diagnosed as suffering from a bone bruise. Pagano is anticipating the veteran center being available to play against Jacksonville on Sunday although it’s not known whether he would start. He did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.
Outside linebacker Dwight Freeney (ankle) did not take part in Wednesday’s workout. He remains listed as day-to-day. Freeney was hurt in the Colts’ opening game loss to Chicago and has not practiced since. While there have been reports that the injury might be a high ankle sprain, team officials have not yet made an announcement.
Wide receiver Austin Collie (concussion) fully practiced Wednesday. Collie was hurt in the second preseason game after taking a blow to the head against Pittsburgh. He initially was cleared to practice before the regular-season opener at Chicago but was a game-day inactive.
Collie practiced one day last week but was sidelined for the remainder of the week and did not play against Minnesota in the home opener. There has been no determination as to whether he will be available to play against Jacksonville on Sunday.
Offensive tackle Winston Justice (concussion) practiced Wednesday. Justice was hurt in the second half of the season opening loss at Chicago. He practiced most of last week but was a game-day inactive for last week’s home opener with Minnesota. A final decision on his availability for the Jacksonville game will be made later this week.
Defensive end Cory Redding (tricep) saw limited work in Wednesday’s practice. Redding is expected to start Sunday against Jacksonville.
Colts
Colts look to stop top back
- Colts
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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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Colts’ new offensive coordinator will offer variety
Quarterback Andrew Luck running the Pistol offense? Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton lining up in the Wildcat?
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Colts moving on to the off season
Moving on. That’s the immediate plans for the Indianapolis Colts as they head into the off season.
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Baltimore ends Indy’s playoff run early
The Baltimore Ravens want one long final ride for Ray Lewis. Having disposed of Andrew Luck and the Colts, they now face a more imposing challenge.
Next up, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. -
Switching sides: Colts-Ravens matchup includes old friends on new teams
Just as Baltimore Ravens players and coaches will be seeing some old friends returning to M&T Bank Stadium today, several Indianapolis Colts veterans will also have an opportunity to renew acquaintances with a familiar face.
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Pagano prepares Colts for tough crowd in Baltimore
As a former resident of Baltimore, Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows all about the hard feelings that still run strong about the move of the Colts franchise to Indianapolis in 1984.
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Luck having fun with his first OTAs
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