INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts should be in a lot better shape physically heading into Sunday afternoon’s National Football League road game with the St. Louis Rams.
Indianapolis is coming off a bye week in which it was able to get some much needed rest after a grueling five-game stretch to begin the year. The Colts have gotten off to a 5-0 start, but that included back-to-back nationally televised road games with Miami and Arizona.
Throw in the team’s game at Tennessee two weeks ago and Indianapolis has been involved in three nationally televised road games through the first five weeks of the regular season.
Injury-wise, safety Bob Sanders (knee) — who has yet to play in a game yet this season — has a shot at playing against the Rams. How well he practices this week will go a long way in determining if he takes the field at St. Louis.
“His activity level is increasing. And he was out there [at practice] last week and looked good. It will increase some this week, and we will see where we are toward the end of the week, but he’s coming along,” coach Jim Caldwell said Monday.
Indianapolis should be able to welcome back cornerback Kelvin Hayden (hamstring) and offensive tackle Charlie Johnson (knee). Hayden has been sidelined for the past three games. Johnson didn’t play against Tennessee two weeks ago.
The status of cornerback Marlin Jackson (knee) and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee) remain unanswered for the time being.
“I feel good about their progress. I feel good with where we’re headed, in terms of them coming back, but I’m not quite certain when that will be.
“Kelvin, I think, is going to end up practicing [Monday], so we’ll see where he is through the week,” Caldwell said.
“Gonzo and Marlin, I think those guys are working at their craft, trying to get a little bit better, but I’m not quite certain when they’re going to be available. Some of those things could change in the middle of the week, some may go on to the middle of next week.”
Team president Bill Polian likes where the Colts are, health-wise, six weeks into the season.
“I think the arrow is up on Bob [Sanders]. I don’t want to put a time frame on that, but he has been out taking some activity with the scout team. We’ll see if we can ramp that up. Marlin, I think, is a little bit away still. Kelvin probably is the closest. We’ll see where we are there,” Polian said recently.
“We came through the [Tennessee] game with little or no serious injuries for the first time in five weeks. That part of it was really positive. For St. Louis, we should have all hands on deck other than the defensive backs. And that will be a catch-as-catch-can kind of situation. So, we feel pretty good about that and we’ll just take it from here.”
n More work on tap for Colts — Despite that 5-0 start, there’s still a lot of work left to be done by Indianapolis heading into the final two months of the regular season.
“Here’s the good thing about our team. We analyzed the film [from the first five games] and took a good look at it. The thing you have to understand around here is we have very high standards. The standards we have in terms of excellence and play is pretty high. [The coaching staff and players] set that bar really high. We have a lot of things we could get better at, seriously. That’s the good thing. We believe that as a coaching staff, and the players do also. Our guys are hungry. They are always looking for ways to improve,” Caldwell said last week.
“That’s what counts. I looked at the five-week point from 2006, 2007 and 2008. There were a number of teams that were 4-1 at that time and playing pretty well. They ended up not making the playoffs. Some of them started at 6-2. Another team started at 7-2 and didn’t make the playoffs. As we look at that, we have to understand 5-0 really doesn’t get us anything. They are not handing out any trophies or bonuses for that record. We have a long way to go.”
Caldwell has point. Indianapolis has experienced long winning streaks before, both to begin the season and during the season. But all of that has produced just one Super Bowl championship.
“It’s not like we are doing something that is brand new. In 2003 we started out 5-0. Since then we went 7-0, 13-0 and 9-0 during the stretch between 2003 and now. They’ve [the players] had some pretty good experience with some [win] streaks. Right now, we are scratching the surface, and we have a long way to go,” the Colts’ coach said.
Polian agrees. Polian knows that as good as Indianapolis has played this year, it can play a whole lot better.
“There are lots of things we can improve. [Defensive line coach] John Teerlinck is fond of saying, ‘Don’t miss the layup.’ When you get a layup interception, you have to take advantage of it. In two of those cases, the defensive rush created the interception and we should have had it. That clearly can be improved. In terms of blocking efficiency and run efficiency, we can improve that pretty dramatically. That has not been what it should be, or can be, or will be. Some areas of pass protection can be improved, particularly one-on-one. We can improve that certainly. There are areas on defense we can improve, particularly in terms of all-out hustle all the time. We had some people like [defensive end] Keyunta Dawson that really stepped up and did a great job of that, but there are other people who can improve upon what they’re doing. It’s good enough, but it can improve,” he said.
“The message for our team this week is nobody stands still in the National Football League. You either get better or you get worse. Even though we’re in a position where we want to get healed up and we want to rest injuries and we want to give people normal rest, we need to do our work and make sure we do it in such a way that improves us. I will say this, Jim Caldwell has done a heck of a job preparing our team and getting them rested through this very difficult stretch [three night road games, two on consecutive weekends]. We’ve overcome that. We’ve fought through it. Jim has done a wonderful job making sure our team is focused and able to handle that. We now go into a little bit of a different phase, playing at home, playing in our own time zone. We have to concentrate on getting better now — not overcoming the obstacles of travel — so that’s our charge as we go forward. Nobody stands still. You either get better or you get worse. It’s our job to get better.”
Colts
Back to work for 5-0 Colts
Indianapolis doesn’t intend to slow down, will not take winless St. Louis lightly
- Colts
-
-
Colts have stocked up on tight ends
Just because Dallas Clark is now in Tampa Bay and Jacob Tamme has moved on to Denver doesn’t mean that the tight end position has become any less important to the Indianapolis Colts offense.
-
Colts working on rebuilding as Luck finishes at Stanford
With No 1 quarterback Andrew Luck finishing up architectural classes at Stanford, coach Chuck Pagano’s rebuilding project goes on as scheduled during the Indianapolis Colts’ organized team activity practices at the team’s West 56th Street headquarters.
-
Colts have no plan to move from Anderson
Apparently the Indianapolis Colts and Anderson University officials found a way to work out a few last-minute snags concerning the team’s summer training camp site.
-
Colts’ new QB has a lot to keep him busy
With three days of rookie mini-camp now behind him and a few more weeks of college class work still ahead, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has come to a crossroads.
-
Mr. Irrelevant may find home with Colts
Chandler Harnish might be Mr. Irrelevant to most of the National Football League, but the former Norwell High School standout — who grew up in Bluffton — has a real chance to stick around the Indianapolis Colts locker room for awhile.
-
All eyes on new Indy quarterback
Day One of the Andrew Luck era went off without a hitch Friday at the Indianapolis Colts’ West 56th Street practice facility.
-
Colts fill need at cornerback
While the Indianapolis Colts failed to add any cornerbacks among the 10 players selected during this past weekend’s National Football League draft, general manager Ryan Grigson and the team’s scouting department were able to snag three undrafted free agents to play the position.
-
New Colts GM, coach pleased with first draft
In a sense, first-year general manager Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano were rookies during the 2012 NFL draft.
-
Colts’ new look comes into shape tonight at MSG
A changing of the guard. That’s what fans of the Indianapolis Colts can look forward to when the NFL draft commences tonight at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
-
Colts confirm that Luck is choice
It’s official. The Indianapolis Colts will select former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first pick in the 2012 NFL draft Thursday night.
-
Colts know, but won't say who No. 1 pick will be
With the first round of the NFL draft just a week away, Indianapolis Colts first-year general manager Ryan Grigson admitted Wednesday that team officials know who they are going to select with the No. 1 overall pick.
-
New-look Colts open against Bears
While the Indianapolis Colts knew back in February who they would be playing during the 2012 regular season, there were plenty of questions about the dates, locations and times of those games.
-
Colts look nothing like team of old with workouts under way
For the first time since last month’s massive roster purge, Indianapolis Colts players — both those that are returning as well as some of the newer additions — were available to talk about the franchise’s immediate future during an open lockerroom session Wednesday.
-
Former Colts Saturday, Diem decide their NFL futures
The revolving door to the Indianapolis Colts locker room keeps spinning at the team's headquarters on West 56th Street.
-
Going to Denver: Manning’s move bound to shake up AFC
The Denver Broncos got their Man. Make that Peyton Manning.
Pending final contract negotiations, Manning will join John Elway’s Broncos with hopes of winning another Super Bowl.
-
Wayne surprises many with move
Welcome home Reggie Wayne.
-
Wayne stays put in Indy
After a week of bad news for Indianapolis Colts fans that included the release of quarterback Peyton Manning, tight end Dallas Clark, running back Joseph Addai, middle linebacker Gary Brackett, safety Melvion Bullitt and quarterback Curtis Painter, finally something positive.
-
Indianapolis puts team roster under knife
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay sounded the warning bell during Wednesday’s press conference announcing the release of 14-year quarterback Peyton Manning.
-
MARK BENNETT: Manning leaves great memories for Colts fans
The emotion behind the words was obvious.
-
Peyton-palooza: Manning will have significant number of suitors
Rex Ryan’s Jets need leadership in a lost locker room.
-
Irsay offers only ‘circumstances’
So if Indianapolis owner Jim Irsay wanted Peyton Manning to stay with the team, what happened?
-
UPDATE: Colts announce they’re releasing Manning
Peyton Manning’s record-breaking run as quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts ended today, when owner Jim Irsay announced the team would release its best player.
-
Colts, Peyton Manning prepared to part ways?
It looks very much as if an era will be coming to a close today.
-
Colts agree to deal with Mathis
After signing a multi-year deal on Monday, it looks as if Pro Bowl defensive end Robert Mathis will play his entire National Football League career with the Indianapolis Colts.
-
Colts defense about to receive overhaul
Changes are coming quickly for the Indianapolis Colts defense.
-
Luck may be ready to go from start
Talk about walking into a pressure-packed situation.
-
Choices at QB are plentiful for Indianapolis
Whatever decision the Indianapolis Colts ultimately make on who will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2012, the job will ultimately be in good hands.
-
Pagano ready to begin Colts' rebuilding process
With the Peyton Manning situation still unresolved, a pair of recently hired Indianapolis Colts — coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson — are moving on with plans to rebuild the franchise.
-
Colts welcome Manusky aboard as defensive coordinator
On Thursday, Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson, coach Chuck Pagano and potential No. 1 draft pick Andrew Luck led the parade.
Grigson and Pagano confirmed the hiring of several assistant coaches, including defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, Marwan Maalouf (special teams), Roy Anderson (safeties), Alfredo Roberts (tight ends) and Brandt Boyer (assistant special teams). -
Mathis, Garcon at top of Colts’ wish list; Wayne isn’t
Expect defensive end Robert Mathis and wide receiver Pierre Garcon to be priorities for the Indianapolis Colts during free agency.
- More Colts Headlines
-
Colts have stocked up on tight ends
Obama Honors Fallen Troops at Arlington Cemetery
Man in Crane at Texas College Says He's Armed
Raw Video: Deadly Explosion at Minn. Paper Mill
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Romney Promises World's Strongest Military
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Beryl Knocks Out Power in Florida
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Obama Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veterans
Raw Video: Memorial Day Aboard Intrepid
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Raw Video: Obama Lays Wreath on Memorial Day
Raw Video: National Mall Concert Shut Down
Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool
Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field
Justin Bieber Wanted for Questioning for L.A. Scuffle
Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game
Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts
Jet makes emergency landing after debris falls off
J.Lo and Marc's Friendly Reunion
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Cynthia Nixon Ties the Knot
Woman, 80, Falls Out of Skydive Harness Mid-Jump
Keira Reveals Engagement Ring
Dog runs alonside cyclists for 1,100 miles
Lady Gaga Cancels Indonesian Show After Threats
Long Story Short: Beyonce back on stage
Raw Video: Man Rescued From River in China
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
