HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (Is the AFC South the most competitive division?) Monday, November 1, 2010
"The entire league is extremely competitive. There are a lot of good football teams in our league. But I can say this, it's a real challenge in our division. A lot of good football teams. That's a heck of a team and each and every week that we play in the division that's what it looks like. It's a fight to the end and a bunch of talented teams."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on some of the new faces on offense) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Jacob Tamme did a nice job out there. Obviously he got a few more reps and certainly did deliver. I'm not sure what his statistics were in terms of number of catches. But he caught the ball well. Mike Hart did a tremendous job. Any time you can get a guy to find holes and seams, which he did. Did a nice job. I think he rushed for something around 115 yards or so and averaged about 4.6, I believe. I think we were efficient in terms of running the ball. It was a pretty good day for a lot of young guys. Justin Tryon did a nice job for us. Obviously we had a guy punting for us that hadn't punted for us before and kicking off for us. I think they did a pretty good job.
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on Kelvin Hayden's interception being a turning point in the game) Monday, November 1, 2010
"No question about it. Just a great job on his part. A great job of reading the route and that was huge for us. Anytime you can get a turnover and it also turn into a score, that makes a tremendous difference."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (Is Mike Hart okay?) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Not certain yet. We'll have to see. He'll be evaluated. You know often times you can't tell until the next day."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on tonight's defense) Monday, November 01, 2010
"I am very proud of the entire group. What a great job of coming back and playing hard. They have a lot of pride. They don't take things that happen to them lightly. They come back and they work extremely hard and try to correct the problems that we have had. They do a tremendous job with that. That [Houston Texans] is a great team with a great running back and offensive line."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on Peyton Manning's block for Pierre Garcon and Peyton Manning's slide for a first down) Monday, November 01, 2010
"I wasn't able to see him since I was on the far side. I know he [Peyton Manning] got out there and tried to pave the way for him [Pierre Garcon], which was great. Being able to run for that first down was key. He [Peyton Manning] did a lot of things extremely well. He threw the ball well and didn't have any turnovers."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on the fight in the team to win) Monday, November 01, 2010
"Every week you have to go out and prove yourself and it's so tough in this league. You get by with a win one week and you can celebrate for a little bit and then you have another one coming up that is going to be equally as tough. I am already thinking about our challenges coming up for this week. But, I do think that our team is fighting back and getting ourselves in position to once again be close to the top, where we should be. It's a long season, seven down with nine to go and we have a tough battle ahead of us."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on protection for Peyton Manning) Monday, November 01, 2010
"Yes, but those are very good pass rushers that are tough to handle. Mario Williams and Antonio Smith are as good as they come. They knocked him [Peyton Manning] around a little bit and they hit him [Peyton Manning] a little bit too often. They [offensive line] gave him [Peyton Manning] enough time to move the ball."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on expectations of young players) Monday, November 01, 2010
"It's one of the things we talk about year in and year out, week in and week out. You are going to get an opportunity somewhere along the line and we need every guy on our team, the 53 and the practice squad, to always be ready. It showed today with Cornelius Brown, who came up from the practice squad and played a lot on special teams and a little at corner. It's something that we talk about and we expect. We certainly don't talk about drop-offs and insufficient play. We expect them to be able to go in and perform like the person they are replacing."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (on Anthony Gonzalez's performance tonight) Monday, November 01, 2010
"I think there is typically going to be a big play involved when he is on the field. He made a couple nice catches for us and it was good to see him out there."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on new players contributing) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Lot of change on this team. A lot of new guys playing. Jacob Tamme really playing his most extended playing time of his career. Big play to get us down near the end zone. His touchdown catch. Mike Hart always runs hard, but getting his first start also and made some huge runs. Some guys really stepping up and just a great team effort."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on about the character of this team winning despite all the injuries) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It is a great team effort and a great team win. Everybody is dealing with injuries, I am not going to beat the point in. Whoever is in there has to somehow find the way to do the job. It is not always going to be pretty or perfect. You have to keep grinding. That is kind of the word we use, just keep grinding and keep trying to make some plays. Anthony (Gonzalez) made a huge catch down the middle of the field. Reggie (Wayne) did a great job of getting into the end zone. Jacob Tamme had a couple of big third down conversations. Offensive line fought hard all night through some adversity. And of course the defense with some critical plays. Kelvin Hayden, what an awesome play he made. (Dwight) Freeney, (Robert) Mathis doing their thing as usual. A great team effort."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the Colts next man up philosophy) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It is what you have to be able to do, right? The veteran guys have to hopefully, maybe raise their game a little bit. You try to be patient, you try to work with guys. I think hopefully we can improve with some of these new guys, depending on how healthy we are. I think we had some injuries tonight, so we will see who is available. The biggest challenge is practicing. Some guys that are injured, but are able to play, but don't get the reps in practice, you kind of fight through that, try to keep your timing sharp. Hopefully we can find some improvement with these guys if we can get the reps in practice during the second half of the season."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the play of Jacob Tamme) Monday, November 1, 2010
"I think you always want to see how a guy responds, right? It is one game. Certainly is a high pressure situation. A guy is being put into the starting role. Subing in for a guy that just defines the word versatility in Dallas Clark. It was nice to see a guy that had a calm, cool look to him the entire night. That is encouraging to see. We are just looking for improvement and consistency the rest of the year."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on the play of Mike Hart) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Mike ran hard. Mike always runs hard. You are kind of use to seeing that. He really had some explosive runs. Great job with ball security. He had a couple of catches out of the backfield. I was really proud of Mike. It was good to get Donald Brown back in the mix. He hadn't played in a couple of weeks. It was good to get him some game reps again. Hopefully we can keep getting healthy at that position. I am really proud of both guys. And then Javarris James, a couple of big runs there on those last couple drives. He almost really popped a long one on that one. Those are all good things to see."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on Tony Dungy being honored at the game) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It was great to see him. We didn't get to see the ceremony at halftime. Just asked him how that went. It was great to see him and his wife. Always feels good when he is back here in Indianapolis. He will always be a Colt in our book."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on avoiding being swept by Houston) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It certainly was a disappointing loss down there on opening day. Houston is playing good football right now. They were coming off a bye, they were fresh. You never quite know what to expect coming off a bye with different things. It was good to just get a win. This was a game we wanted to win. Hopefully we can find a way to put a couple victories together and find some consistency in our football, all three phases."
QB-PEYTON MANNING (on throwing a block on Pierre Garcon's catch) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It was a screen. Pierre has that ability to cutback. I was glad we could avoid a negative play. It is really the same play that Reggie (Wayne) scored on a couple plays later. I thought we had a good play, got a forced cutback. I think Pierre really did all the work. Let's take it for what it really was, a good run by Pierre."
DB-KELVIN HAYDEN (on if the team had this game circled on their calendar) Monday, November 1, 2010
"After the last game, we said when they come here we definitely have to make a statement. That's what we did today. We just wanted to go out there and play fast and physical on defense and get the job done."
DB-KELVIN HAYDEN (on being in first place in the division) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It's a great feeling, but we just want to build off this win. We just want to continue to grow as a whole team, continue to grow as a defense and move forward."
DB-KELVIN HAYDEN (on defense being up to the challenge) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Most definitely. It was huge. It was a must that we did not go to 0-3 in the division. Like I said, we just looked at it like it was another game, but it was a must win for us. We responded and responded well."
DB-KELVIN HAYDEN (on how big did the end zone look after he intercepted the ball) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It was huge. It was a great feeling. I hadn't been there in awhile. I just tried to celebrate for the moment and move on."
LB-CLINT SESSION (on the team needing the win) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It was definitely necessary. Division wise, we needed to win this game. A loss here could have a real downer for the rest of the season. Let's take it just one game at a time, and that's what we did and we got a victory."
LB-CLINT SESSION (on if he played with a chip on his shoulder) Monday, November 1, 2010
"I'd like to say we weren't, but we were. They came out and ran for over 200 yards on us the first time we played against them, so we definitely had a lot to prove defensively. We got a chance to shut them down today."
LB-CLINT SESSION (on knowing the defense needed to step up with the offense banged up) Monday, November 1, 2010
"We came out and executed. It's a total team (effort). People say offense, defense, special teams, it's all a team. If you have a team that needs help in one area, you have to pick it up on defense. We were able to rally and pick it up on defense. The offense did pretty good today, too. It was a total team effort."
LB-CLINT SESSION (on the defense looking more aggressive tonight) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Yes. If you think about it, the last time we played them they ran the ball on us, and we couldn't even get any pressure on them. We were on our heels all game. So, we got a chance to stop the run early and the rest is history."
RB-MIKE HART (on it seemed that he got a little more comfortable the longer the game went on) Monday, November 1, 2010
"No question about it. That's the thing about it, running the zone scheme, running our offense, the more carries you get, the more comfortable you get with where the defense is going to be, how the line is blocking it. When you go in for one play and then go in 12 plays later for another play it's hard to get a rhythm. When you get to go out there and get a few things rolling it's a lot easier."
RB-MIKE HART (on if he learned a few things playing instead of being on the sidelines) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Not really. It's always a learning experience, I guess, when you play in the NFL. There are definitely some things I need to improve on, I know that. I just need to continue to get better."
RB-MIKE HART (on what it says about the Colts that it doesn't matter who goes down the team just keeps going) Monday, November 1, 2010
"I think it just starts at the top. Management, bringing great guys in here, great backups in here. Coaches get us prepared. We always have to prepare as if we're starting the game. We do that all year. We do it all offseason."
RB-MIKE HART (on where tonight ranks in his pro career) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Number one, obviously. It's the first game I've started, Monday night game, it was a big game. I had a lot fun."
RB-MIKE HART (on ) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It's been a long career with the Colts. Up and down, getting hurt my rookie year, last year was a long year, up and down on the team, it's just good, feels good for them to still believe in me, still play me and actually just let me play. To go from not playing to starting is a big deal. I had a lot of fun. I'm just thankful for that and for them to keep giving me the opportunity and sticking with me."
RB-MIKE HART (on running for 35 yards on his first carry) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It was a perfect play call for the defense they ran. They ran a stunt where they slanted that (defensive) end in. It was an outside zone play, so the tight end and the tackle got up to that linebacker and sealed him, so I just had to make one cut, and they did a great job blocking."
WR-PIERRE GARCON (on the Colts missing some offensive players today) Monday, November 1, 2010
"We have a lot of weapons. Losing WR-Austin (Collie) and TE-Dallas ( Clark) is tough, but the next man up. TE-Jacob Tamme did a great job for us today. RB-Mike Hart did real good today, and WR-Blair (White) stepped in and helped us out when we needed him too."
WR-PIERRE GARCON (on being on top of the division right now) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It feels comfortable, but it's still a long season. We're glad we got back up here, it's been a tough six weeks, but the job is not done yet. We're still fighting to stay up there."
WR-PIERRE GARCON (on why are the Colts so good at just plugging another guy in) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It's good coaching. When they are coaching WR-Reggie (Wayne), they are coaching all of us, all the receivers. When they are coaching QB-Peyton (Manning), they are coaching all the quarterbacks. When they are coaching TE-Dallas (Clark), they are coaching all the tight ends. Everybody listens, everybody takes notes and pointers, and they use them well. When we're up, we get our chance to shine. It's really good coaching and guys paying attention and doing well."
WR-PIERRE GARCON (on TE-Jacob Tamme) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Jacob's a real good player. He's used to it. He's been doing real good on special teams, and he's been waiting for his shot to play. I'm glad he did real well and got a touchdown. He showed up for us."
TE-JACOB TAMME (on difference between the first meeting with the Texans and tonight) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Well I think there are a lot of differences. We had a great crowd tonight and we got up early tonight. We got down early the first game so offensively, if we can get going early that's pretty big for us. Our defense played a great game tonight. Overall it was a good team effort."
TE-JACOB TAMME (on the Colts "next man up" philosophy) Monday, November 1, 2010
"We take it very seriously. We all prepare hard every week and I feel like tight end wise, we prepare hard every single week and whether we get a couple snaps in the game or a lot. It helps you out in times like this. Offensively, guys just pick each other up, keep moving the ball and keep scoring. The next man up thing is great when you can go down the field and score with the next man up motto going. Our offensive line just looks at us in the huddle and says 'let's go.' Everybody has confidence in everybody and that is the neat part about being apart of this team."
LB-GARY BRACKETT (on how proud of the defense he was) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Very proud. To hold this team to under 100 yards and obviously after what they did week one, rushing for over 200 yards, I think that's a big accomplishment. I think we made leaps and bounds from week one to where we are now. We have to continue to grow as a defense and to finish out games."
LB-GARY BRACKETT (on the biggest difference between week one and now) Monday, November 1, 2010
"I think coach came up with a great game plan. Obviously, I think Clint did a great job penetrating and being physical blitzing in there and getting key stops. Anytime you stop those guys on first down you have great success."
LB-GARY BRACKETT (on Dwight Freeney starting the game with a sack on the first series and ending it with a sack) Monday, November 1, 2010
"That looks like Colts ball. That's what we talk about when we talk about Colts ball—finishing the game, putting teams away and creating turnovers."
LB-GARY BRACKETT (on how bad the Colts wanted this game) Monday, November 1, 2010
"We did. One it was huge because it was a divisional game. If we would have gone two games down to these guys then it would have been tough to get back into the divisional race. Now, we still control our own destiny and that's the way we like it around here. We have to keep on winning. I like our chances. It's tough to win at this level but despite our injuries we still have to go out there and play winning football."
LB-GARY BRACKETT (on how the performance of LB Pat Angerer) Monday, November 1, 2010
"Another guy out there who plays my position and I think he can help me out when it comes to communicating. I think it's more natural for him to be out there communicating and not only that he is aggressive flying around"
COACH-TONY DUNGY (on watching the Colts win on Monday night) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It's what I preached when I got here and it's what Jim has carried on. There are so many guys that are still here: Jeff (Saturday), Ryan Diem, Reggie (Wayne), and Peyton (Manning), Gary Brackett, Dwight (Freeney), Robert (Mathis). They show the way. The veteran guys didn't play with any panic and they expected guys like Mike Hart to play well. And I think when you expect that then it happens."
COACH-TONY DUNGY (on if he expected the Colts to win) Monday, November 1, 2010
"I did. I picked these guys to go to the Super Bowl and I still believe they will."
COACH-TONY DUNGY (on the "next man up" philosophy) Monday, November 1, 2010
"It can't start on November 1st when you got a lot of guys hurt. Its got to start during off-season workouts and the veteran guys helping guys get ready. It starts with Peyton Manning driving to Columbus, Ohio to help Anthony Gonzalez learn what's going on while he is still in school. That is the mentality that all of these guys have had. There is no hazing, guys have to earn there way. Help everybody, be ready, and help all 53 guys go and when they have to step up then they do. It's the mentality that has been around here a long time."
COACH-TONY DUNGY (on if being back in Lucas Oil Stadium bought back any desires to coach) Monday, November 1, 2010
"No. It was a great feeling and it made me feel like I was in the right spot. You're with a group of guys for seven years and they're still out there. The way Jim does it—he has added his own little touch but he has built on what we have always done. They look so familiar, the way they play."
