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INDIANAPOLIS –The roar rivaled that of Robert Mathis as the Colts defensive starters were announced on Saturday night.
Pat Angerer was back, and the Lucas Oil Stadium faithful showed their appreciation for one of their favorites.
In returning the favor, No. 51 delivered by tying for the team lead in tackles in the first half and setting the tone for a stout defensive performance.
"I felt healthy, didn't feel hurt and it just felt good to be back out there with the guys," Angerer said following the 27-6 Colts victory.
"Sitting on the sidelines and seeing people in the audience wearing your jersey and you're not playing, you feel terrible. You feel like you owe it to them to get back on the field and I'm glad to be back there and give them something to cheer about."
When going over the lineup prior to Saturday night's game, Chuck Pagano smiled at the starting defensive 11 knowing that the group was in tact with the regular season just two weeks away.
In the middle, he's got the Colts 2011 leading tackler back in the lineup.
"Pat (Angerer) obviously brings a ton of energy and playmaking ability. He added a spark. It was great to see him out there and I'm really happy for Pat (Angerer) that he's in the place that he's in. He feels better physically and mentally and the whole nine. He's not worried about anything right now so from an injury standpoint."
And in the backend he's got the intimidating LaRon Landry.
"LaRon (Landry) is, coming out of the tunnel, he's one of those guys that you make sure he's first off the bus when you get to the stadium. He brings a lot to the table so it was great to have that starting unit back there."
The defensive effort from the Colts was even more impressive considering the Browns came into Sunday night having scored on five of six first-team drives during the preseason.
The majority of the Colts first-team defense played into the early part of the third quarter and allowed just four first downs all night.
Andrew Luck took notice of what the defense was doing on Saturday night and the Colts quarterback wasn't surprised.
"They were a pain in the butt to go against in training camp and it's nice to see them go up against someone else," Luck said of the defense.
"They've been opportunistic---interceptions, guys getting hands on balls, sacks, you name it. They're playing their butts off, the ones, the twos, the threes all the way down."
For the preseason, the Colts first-team defense hasn't allowed a touchdown in roughly five and a half quarters.
On Saturday night, the Browns first-team offense ran just two plays (in six series) in Colts territory.
"The defense tonight was outstanding," Pagano said. "I felt like our first unit in particular, shutting them out in the first half and was great on third down. The rest of the guys that came in did a tremendous job keeping them out.
"Any time you keep someone out of the end zone and force a couple field goals, it was a heck of an effort on defense. Hats off to all those players. There was some spectacular individual performances. Great job by the coaches."
