COLTS SIGN KEN HAMLIN, MADDEN HONORS COLTS OFFENSIVE LINE AND COLTS AMONG TOP PRO BOWL VOTE-GETTERS
COLTS ADD HAMLIN
The Indianapolis Colts placed wide receiver Austin Collie on injured reserve with a concussion on Wednesday and signed free agent defensive back Ken Hamlin to the active roster.
The move ended Collie's season.
"He certainly is a guy that will be missed, but from a medical standpoint we are concerned more about his health than anything else, and this is the right thing for him at this particular time," said Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell.
Hamlin, an eighth-year veteran and former 2007 Pro Bowler, joins the Colts after spending time with the Baltimore Ravens this season. Originally he was drafted by Seattle in 2003 and played with Dallas from 2007-09.
"We do have Ken Hamlin coming in obviously to help us at a spot where we need a little assistance, and he is a guy that has been around the league for a little bit and does indeed have some experience," Caldwell said. "We are happy to have him."
Said Hamlin: "I bring a guy that loves to make plays, loves to hit, loves to run around and I enjoy playing football," Hamlin said. "To be out there and play the game at a high level, regardless of how many years I've been here, I can still play at a high level and I am ready to get out there and play."
O-LINE HONORED - AGAINPro Football Hall of Fame Coach John Madden selected the Colts offensive line for the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award this week after the Colts' win over AFC South rival Jacksonville last Sunday.
Anchored behind the powerful protection of their offensive line, the Colts played one of their most complete games of the season, jumping out to an early lead and holding off a late Jacksonville rally for a 34-24 victory last Sunday afternoon at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts now join the list of this year's contenders for the 2nd annual Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award. The award honors the NFL's best offensive line and will be presented during the week of Super Bowl XLV, which will be played on February 6, 2011 in North Texas.
The Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award recognizes the fundamental role offensive linemen play in their team's success by providing consistent and reliable protection day in and day out.
"The Colts offensive did a fantastic job run blocking Sunday afternoon allowing their backs to break open several long plays throughout the game," Madden said. "If the Indianapolis offensive line is able to play with the consistency they have demonstrated over the last two weeks, the Colts could make a long run in the playoffs. The Indianapolis line is really coming together well here near the end of the season when you need your line to be at their very best."
The offensive line, which has allowed only 15 sacks this season (tied for fewest in the league), out-rushed the Jaguars 155 to 67, while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Running back Donald Brown rushed for a career-best 129 yards on 14 carries, including a 43-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave the Colts a 21-10 lead. Quarterback Peyton Manning completed 29 of 39 passes for 229 yards and two first-half touchdowns to Collie.
Backed by a strong performance from the offensive line, Indianapolis now leads the league in average passing yards (298.1), and ranks 4th in points per game (27.2) and average total yards per contest (298.1).
According to the New York Life Protection Index by Stats, Inc., Indianapolis' offensive line is ranked No. 1 in the NFL with a 90.7 rating.
New Orleans is second with an Index rating of 81.7. The Colts and Saints are the only teams in the league with a Protection Index rating above 80.
COLTS RECEIVING VOTESThree Colts players finished among the league's top Pro Bowl vote-getters among fan balloting, the NFL announced Wednesday. Fan voting ended on Monday, December 20.
Manning finished third overall in voting with 1,130,399 votes behind Tom Brady (1,877,079) and Michael Vick (1,522,437).
Jeff Saturday led all AFC centers in Pro Bowl fan balloting with 328,673 votes, while Dwight Freeney was the top vote-getter for defensive ends in the AFC with 501,021.
Pro Bowl selections will be announced next Tuesday, December 28th, at 7 p.m. on NFL Network's "NFL Total Access 2011 Pro Bowl Selection Show."
