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September 26, 2009

Caldwell needs less bend from Colts' defensive unit

By Tom James

Indianapolis — In the wake of last Monday night’s performance against the Miami Dolphins, Jim Caldwell has heard all of the questions relating to the Indianapolis Colts defense.

Miami lost the game, 27-23, but controlled the football on the ground. The Dolphins used the Wildcat offense to near-perfection, rolling up 239 rushing yards. Running back Ronnie Brown burned Indianapolis for 136 yards on 24 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns.

To make matters worse, Miami held a commanding lead in time of possession by wide margin (45:07 to 14:53). Still, despite the defense’s obvious struggles, the Dolphins were forced to kick three field goals (and missed on a fourth attempt).

It’s safe to say that Indianapolis’ bend-but-don’t-break defensive philosphy was dented in a few places. But Caldwell asserts that the problem lies more with individual performances rather than deficiencies in the overall defensive scheme.

“It’s just taking care of your responsibilities and playing our techniques proper. It’s the basic fundamentals. I think, often times, you get carried away with an analysis because it was a particular type of offensive scheme. But if we were where we were supposed to be, and do what we’re supposed to do, I think you’d see a little bit different display of defensive play,” he said earlier this week.

“There are things we can work on and things we can improve upon and things we have to improve upon. Like I said, this is a long season. If we can continue to get better all along the way, obviously, we’ll feel pretty good about that. But not with a performance like we had last week. None of us were happy with that.”

So moving on to tonight’s (8:20 p.m., NBC) game at Arizona against a pass-heavy Cardinals team. Quarterback Kurt Warner and talented receivers such as Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston, running backs Tim Hightower and rookie Beanie Wells are expected to be a central part of the Arizona offensive game plan this week.

“Teams take a look at you closely and if it’s something within their system, they will do it. I don’t think [a Wildcat type of offense is] something teams will do strictly for us. Teams won’t all of a sudden work on something that is foreign to what they’ve worked on over the weeks,” Caldwell said.

“Some teams may have it in a modified version and are going to increase it. They may take a real good look at it if you look at the results of our game on Monday night.”

The Colts coach added that whatever the Cardinals will try to do offensively, Indianapolis will react to whatever happens.

“[Arizona runs] the ball extremely well, but they throw it well, also. It just depends on the situation, and as our defensive staff takes a look at it, they’ll make their adjustments accordingly. You never know what kind of game plan they are going to come out and play us with, so we’ll have to adjust accordingly,” he said.

n Injury report — Middle linebacker Gary Brackett, who suffered a sprained knee in the final minutes of Monday night’s game at Miami, has not practiced this week.

Cornerback Kelvin Hayden (hamstring) has also not practiced this week. Weakside linebacker Clint Session (ankle) returned to practice on Thursday and is expected to start against Arizona. Defensive end Dwight Freeney (back) practiced on Friday and will start against the Cardinals.

Rookie cornerback Jerraud Powers (groin) has practiced all week and could be in the starting lineup Sunday night. Powers, who turned in an impressive debut in the regular season opener against Jacksonville, missed the Miami game.

“I’m not certain there is any perfect time for any setback [such as Brackett’s injury]. We kind of look at it, that we have people in place that can step in and do the job, and we expect them to do so. That’s what we anticipate in this spot, as well,” Caldwell said.

If Brackett can’t play this week. veteran Freddy Keiaho will take over at middle linebacker against the Cardinals. Keiaho has played all three linebacking positions for Indianapolis since being selected in the third round of the 2006 NFL draft.

“That’s one thing about [Keiaho]. He is a guy that can play a number of positions and can play them well. That’s a great thing about him. He is going to help us quite a bit in all areas, in terms of our linebacker corps,” the Colts coach said.

“I don’t think there is one spot that [linebacker coach Mike Murphy] doesn’t feel comfortable that he can play. He can play them all. Then, what he does for us in the [kick and punt coverage] game, as well. He does give us a lot of flexibility.”



Colts re-sign

linebacker Senn

The Colts have re-signed linebacker Jordan Senn to the active roster. Indianapolis linebackers Gary Brackett and Clint Session both sustained injuries in the team’s 27-23 come-from-behind win at Miami on Monday night.

In order to make room for Senn, who saw work on special teams and as an outside linebacker as a rookie last year, the Colts released tight end Tom Santi. Santi, a sixth-round draft pick by Indianapolis in 2008, has been bothered by injuries over the last two seasons (knee, leg, ankle).

If Brackett can’t play this week at Arizona, the Colts may end up starting Freddy Keiaho in the middle along with strong-side linebacker Tyjuan Hagler. Should Session be unable to go, second-year linebacker Philip Wheeler could get the call. Interestingly, Keiaho, Hagler and Wheeler have experience playing all three linebacking positions.



Colts briefs

Caldwell changes practice routine

Colts coach Jim Caldwell, meanwhile, changed the team’s practice routine a bit this past week due to the unusual schedule of playing a Monday night road gamen in Miami, getting back to Indianapolis early Tuesday morning and then begin preparations for a Sunday night road game in Arizona.

“That’s something you better play close attention to. We have thought it out and, we certainly do have a plan in mind with all the travel. There are a number of factors that are at issue with the biggest [being] we have to get rest. That is so important, along with hydrating themselves. We are on the practice field a lot sooner than we would ordinarily be. That can take a toll on you," Caldwell said.

“All of those things in a short week you have to really monitor. I believe you have to adjust what you do accordingly. I’ll be watching that closely. I want to see the freshness and life come back in them. If I don’t, I will reduce what we are doing until I see that freshness come back. I believe in a fresh team. Oftentimes it’s better to sacrifice preparation in some cases for rejuvenation. We’ll look at that closely.”

… Hank Baskett saw limited work in his first game with the Colts. Baskett, who was signed by Indianapolis last week after starting WR Anthony Gonzalez suffered a knee injury against Jacksonville in the season opener, played on special teams in the Miami game. He could see his first playing time with the offense this week in the right situation.

… Punter Pat McAfee will continue to handle kickoffs as well as punts. PK Adam Vinatieri underwent knee and hip surgery in the offseason and has been limited to field goal work so far.

… Running back Donald Brown will continue to split time with starter Joseph Addai. Brown has been impressive so far in his rookie season and scored his first NFL touchdown last week at Miami. He also hauled in a 24-yard pass to set up a field goal earlier in the game.

… Defensive tackle Ed Johnson played relatively well his first game back with the Colts after missing the season opener. Johnson served a one-game league-mandated suspension for violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy in the Jacksonville game. He started against Miami and rotated inside with defensive tackle Eric Foster.

… Defensive end Robert Mathis forced the 31st fumble of his NFL career against the Dolphins last week. Mathis trails teammate Dwight Freeney, who has 35 forced fumbles during his career.

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