COLTS FALL TO 0-2 IN PRESEASON

INDIANAPOLIS – When it ended and the Colts had fallen for the second time in the 2011 preseason, Coach Jim Caldwell took the podium with a dissatisfied look, but one loaded with resolve.
            "We did some things better, and then we did a lot of things not so well," Caldwell said after Indianapolis dropped a 16-3 outcome Friday night to the visiting Washington Redskins. "We've just got to pick up the pieces. We're going to be able to put together a football team here. It's just going to take us a little work."
Washington scored 16 first-half points under the direction of quarterback John Beck and made them hold up. It was a difficult opening two quarters for Indianapolis. The Colts were outrushed 160 yards to one. The Redskins rolled up 16 first downs to one for the Colts.
Big-gainers did the Colts in. Tim Hightower unleashed a 58-yard run to set up a Washington touchdown. Roy Helu, who totaled a game-high 101 rushing yards, broke a tackle and outran the Colts' pursuit for a 51-yard gain that set up one of Graham Gano's three first-half field goals.
"That was the key," Caldwell said. "Big runs are the things that made a huge difference in terms of flipping the field position in the first half. You have to give some credit. Their backs were running hard and well. But also we missed tackles. We didn't contain on a couple of situations. We missed a few tackles which, I think, changes the whole complexion of the first half."
Beck, the backup to starting quarterback Rex Grossman, completed 14-of-17 passes for 140 yards. Washington lifted its preseason mark to 2-0.
The Colts' only score came on a 55-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri in the third quarter. Quarterback Dan Orlovsky threw completions of nine, 13 and 20 yards on the Indianapolis scoring drive.
Overall, however, the Colts' quarterbacks turned in an uneven performance. Orlovsky was 7-of-17 for 67 yards with an interception. Curtis Painter hit 5-of-10 passes for 40 yards after starting the game in place of Peyton Manning, who continues his rehabilitation from off-season neck surgery.
Asked about the showing of Painter and Orlovsky, Caldwell said: "Inconsistent play is probably the best way to sum it up without really having an opportunity to look at the film. I have to look at the film and diagnose it before I come up with a decree."
The Colts have totaled one touchdown and two field goals in their two preseason games.
"Yeah, it's the preseason, but at the same time you still want to go out there and play well and compete," Painter said. "I think as a team we're disappointed we didn't get down there and have some drives that we could have put it in the end zone, but it is preseason and we're still working to get better."
The Redskins totaled 22 first downs to the Colts' eight in the game. The visitors had 415 net yards to the Colts' 150. The rushing yardage was 215 to 55.
The Colts were penalized eight times for 60 yards. Back-to-back false starts helped to sabotage one first-half drive.
"It's tough to overcome that," Caldwell said, adding that the penalties are "unlike us."
Indianapolis started 10 drives in the game. Eight were at or inside the Colts' 20-yard line.
"From an offensive standpoint, we just made it tough," Caldwell said.
Defensively, the Colts gained steam in their effort to pressure the Redskins' quarterbacks. They totaled four sacks, with Gary Brackett, John Chick, Drake Nevis, Jerry Hughes, Dwight Freeney and Antonio Johnson all getting into the action with a full or partial takedown.
Still, Caldwell left Lucas Oil Stadium wanting more for his team as it begins preparation for next Friday's visit by the Green Bay Packers.
"We have work to do," Caldwell said. "There were a couple of bright spots here and there, but certainly not nearly enough.'
 
            SCORING RECAP
           
            FIRST QUARTER (12:15 remaining)
            The Redskins got on the scoreboard quickly with a six-play, 80-yard drive that consumed 2:45. Tim Hightower burst in for the 1-yard touchdown, and Graham Gano connected for the extra point. The big play was a 58-yard run by Hightower, who slanted over left tackle and cut back across the field before Antoine Bethea brought him down. Redskins 7, Colts 0
 
            FIRST QUARTER (1:50 remaining)
            Washington expanded its lead when Gano booted a 28-yard field goal. The drive went 13 plays and 45 yards in 6:53. A 29-yard punt return by Terrence Austin gave the Redskins good field position. A 13-yard pass from John Beck to Santana Moss provided a key first down. Redskins 10, Colts 0
 
            SECOND QUARTER (10:11 remaining)
            Gano hit another field goal, this one from 27 yards. The drive went nine plays and 74 yards in 5:21. Running back Roy Helu provided the most impressive play, stopping on the sideline to avoid the Colts' pursuit and then totaling 51 yards. Redskins 13, Colts 0
 
           SECOND QUARTER (1:48 remaining)
            Gano nailed his third field goal, hitting from 26 yards. The drive consisted of 15 plays for 84 yards and consumed 7:12. Beck, a former BYU quarterback and the understudy to Redskins starter Rex Grossman, completed 5-of-6 passes for 60 yards on the march. Redskins 16, Colts 0
 
           THIRD QUARTER (8:30 remaining)
            The Colts broke into the scoring column with a 55-yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. The drive went 12 plays and 43 yards in 6:30. For Vinatieri, it was his 27th straight field goal in Lucas Oil Stadium counting preseason, regular-season and postseason games since 2009. Quarterback Dan Orlovsky contributed completions of nine, 13 and 20 yards on the drive. Redskins 16, Colts 3