INDIANAPOLIS – The weather this week in Indianapolis rivals something you see at Training Camp in Anderson.
With temperatures in the mid-to-high 70s, the Colts were back to work on Thursday.
The two-hour practice was conducted with the Colts missing two of their top three safeties in Mike Adams (hamstring) and rookie Clayton Geathers (knee sprain).
Here are some sound bites from coordinators Greg Manusky and Pep Hamilton meeting the media on Thursday:Greg Manusky on the presence of Mike Adams and his propensity for takeaways:
"Tips and overthrows---that's the biggest thing we always talk about.
"It's great to see a guy who's functional back there, that can make the calls and then have vision on the quarterback."
Bowen's Analysis: The last time Mike Adams missed a game in the NFL was 2010. He's missed just six total games since his rookie season of 2004. Adams has been incredibly durable in his 12 NFL seasons but his status this week is definitely in jeopardy. If Adams and Geathers miss Sunday, Colt Anderson will be the starter next to Dwight Lowery against the Saints.
In his two seasons with the Colts, Adams' nine interceptions are tied for the NFL lead. There's something to be said for Adams always seeming to be in the right spot at the right time, and recently, he's made some spectacular interceptions. This will be the injury to watch going into Sunday.Greg Manusky on the challenge of facing Drew Brees:
"He's like a coach on the field, knows exactly where to go with it.
"We've got to try and harass him, off the edge, up in his face, to try and disrupt some of the things he wants."
Bowen's Analysis:* *If Manusky doesn't have Mike Adams on Sunday that's going to put even more of an onus on the Colts pass rush. The Colts have eight sacks in six games this season, which is 28th in the NFL.
Manusky did confirm on Thursday what Chuck Pagano said the day prior---more snaps are coming for Robert Mathis. Manusky said that the tempo of New England's offense restricted Mathis' total reps to just 19 snaps last Sunday night (28 percent of the defensive total). Against Houston, Mathis played 43 percent of the defensive snaps. I'd expect his number to hover around 50 percent on Sunday.
Pep Hamilton on the Colts offense reaching its peak heading into Week Seven:
"Not until we eliminate some of the penalties."
Bowen's Analysis: The first words out of Hamilton's media session on Thursday centered on the penalties issues for the Colts. The offense has definitely started to click in recent weeks, with the penalties being the only hindrance.
Where the penalties are hand-cuffing Hamilton is forcing the Colts into obvious passing situations. That gets the Colts offense off schedule and leads to the results we saw in the second half on Sunday. New Orleans is 32nd in the NFL in yards allowed this season. They did force three fumbles last week so if the Colts can stay away from the friendly fire, offensive success should be there on Sunday.
INJURY NOTES
Here is the injury report for Thursday:
- DNP: S-Mike Adams (hamstring), S-Clayton Geathers (knee)
-The two safeties, who left Sunday's loss to the Patriots, have missed back-to-back days of practice. If those two can't go on Sunday, look for Colt Anderson to be starting.
- LIMITED: ILB-Jerrell Freeman (groin)
-After missing Wednesday's practice, Freeman was limited on Thursday. Freeman did play this past Sunday, but was battling a groin injury all last week.
- FULL: ILB-Nate Irving (knee), CB-Vontae Davis (rest), WR-Andre Johnson (rest), OLB-Robert Mathis (rest)
-Irving was inactive on Sunday against New England. He's been a full participant at practice the past two days.
