Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell Focused on Moving
Forward
Jim Caldwell has been a Colts coach since 2002, and 2010 marks his second season as the head coach. And while losses during his tenure have been few, there have been some, enough the Colts head coach said Wednesday that he knows there doesn't need to be dramatic change.
In fact, Caldwell said he sees the team's preparation for Sunday's opponent, the New York Giants, needs to be just like any other regular-season week.
"I'd say for the most part what we try and do and focus in on is we do not do anything any differently in terms how we go about our preparation," Caldwell said. "We certainly want to have a different result. There is no question about that. We believe in the way in which we practice. We believe in the way in which we prepare. So, we go right back to work, understanding the mistakes that we made and get them corrected and keep moving forward."
Moving forward seems to be the mantra for the Colts this week, putting the past, win or loss, behind them.
Offensively, the Giants possess a strong running attack led by running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Indianapolis will face a test trying to contain that duo, coupled with Eli Manning and the Giants' passing game.
"Obviously, when you have not had a lot of success stopping the run, you know one thing about this league, they are going to try you until you stop it," Caldwell said. "Obviously, Bradshaw can run it. He's a guy that not only has some power, but also has the ability to make you miss as well. He's got some wiggle. Jacobs is another issue, a big, strong, powerful, downhill runner. So, we certainly are concerned about making sure we get them stopped."
Defensively, Giants' defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who was in the same position last season with Buffalo, has made studying for Colts offensive players quite complex while trying to ready themselves for what they will see Sunday night.
"Some of the things he did in Buffalo, certainly you can see that in the film," Caldwell said. "A lot of things you do according to your personnel. Their personnel is such that they have a number of guys very, very active up front that they get into the ballgame, so they use different sub packages that are probably a little bit different than what they were able to get accomplished at Buffalo just because of different strengths here and there. He is doing a little bit of everything."
And while much media attention has focused on quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning facing each other for the first time since the season opener in 2006, Caldwell's focus remained on the Giants when asked the challenges of facing Eli's team.
"Other than the fact that they have a good football team with good players on both sides of the ball? You look at them defensively, they are a tough group to handle," said Caldwell. "A real strong solid front four, the linebacking corps is good and solid and then a talented secondary, and that's a challenge enough. Then when you look at the opposite side of the ball, their offense has two really fine running backs, a good quarterback, good receivers and a veteran offensive line that has worked well together over the years. They present a lot of problems."
Caldwell did offer some insight into what Colts' fans might see come Sunday between the two Mannings, both former No. 1 overall draft choices.
"I could probably point out more similarities," Caldwell said of the two brothers. "They both are very accurate. They certainly both have a real good feel in the pocket. I think you see them both find ways to step around pressure that is up the middle and still keep their focus downfield and deliver the ball on time and accurately. I think you sense that both of them are certainly cerebral because both are aware of what is going on. You very rarely catch them by surprise. They both are extremely diligent and hard workers. Eli may escape out of the pocket a little more than Peyton does. He is going to get out on the edge and maybe run a little bit more.
"I think, all in all, both teams depend on them quite a bit to move the ball and help put points on the board."
COLTS UPDATE STATUS OF SANDERS
The Colts announced on Wednesday that defensive back Bob Sanders has undergone surgery by Dr. James Andrews for a torn biceps tendon. Any timetable for the possibility of a return remains undetermined. The club also stated Sanders will remain on the 53-man active roster as the club monitors his rehabilitation.
PERSONNEL UPDATE
The Colts also on Wednesday signed defensive back DaJuan Morgan and waived offensive lineman Joe Reitz.
Morgan (6-0, 203) is a third-year veteran who played two seasons with Kansas City. He originally was a 2008 third-round choice of the Chiefs. He has appeared in 28 career games and totaled 34 tackles, one fumble recovered and 16 special teams tackles.
