INDIANAPOLIS – With an extra day of preparation this week, the Colts adjusted their schedule on Friday.
A morning walk-through was the Colts on-the-field work for the day. They will have one final practice Saturday before heading to Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
Here is what Chuck Pagano, Robert Mathis and Matt Hasselbeck had to say to the media on Friday morning:Chuck Pagano on this team dealing with adversity:
"These guys will respond. They always have."
Bowen's Analysis: Winning cures a lot of ills. That definitely applies to the Colts right now as they are 3-4 near the midpoint of the 2015 season. Under Chuck Pagano, the Colts have never lost three games in a row.
In Pagano's final media availability of the week, the Colts head coach stressed how his team just needs to give themselves a chance. The last two weeks, the friendly fire hasn't let the Colts have an ideal opportunity to record a win. That's the first step needed Monday to be within striking distance come fourth quarter.Robert Mathis on getting more playing time last week against the Saints:
"I worked hard to get back out there with the guys so to get more playing time, I enjoyed it."
Bowen's Analysis:* *Last Sunday, Mathis played 60.7 percent of the defensive snaps, a massive increase in his previous playing time this season. Mathis also got his first start of 2015 against the Saints.
In 2011, Mathis recorded a sack of Cam Newton, in the only game the Colts have faced the 6-5, 245-pound quarterback. Mathis spoke on Friday just how difficult it is to get Newton wrapped up and on the ground. While the read option is rare in the NFL, those that do run it are smaller and shifty quarterbacks, compared to the freakish athleticism of Newton.
Matt Hasselbeck on the challenge of a scout team when Cam Newton is on the schedule:
"It's probably one of the more exciting offenses to play scout team for.
"They ask Cam to do more than probably any other quarterback in the league."
Bowen's Analysis: Matt Blanchard, the Colts practice squad quarterback, has played the role of Cam Newton this weekend. Blanchard is 6-3 and 225 pounds so he at least has some size to try and replicate the massive frame of Newton.
Blanchard also spent over a year on the Panthers (2013-2014) practice squad so he knows the system very well. Of course, no scout quarterback can compare to the rare traits of Newton and the variety of looks the Colts will see from him on Monday night---the pass, the zone read and the power run from the quarterback position.INJURY NOTES
Here is the injury report for Friday:
- DNP: WR-Phillip Dorsett (ankle), S-Winston Guy (shoulder), C-Khaled Holmes (neck), ILB-Nate Irving (knee).
-Holmes has missed practice all week, so Jonotthan Harrison appears to be the guy in line to start on Monday night at center.
- FULL: S-Clayton Geathers (knee), S-Mike Adams (hamstring)
-Adams has gone from limited on Thursday to a full participant on Friday.
