COLTS TRAVEL TO ST. LOUIS FOR PRESEASON OPENER
The Indianapolis Colts will open the 2011 preseason slate with a road contest at St. Louis. The game will feature the first action from Indy's rookie class, including offensive linemen Anthony Castonzo (first round) and Ben Ijalana (second round). Rounding out the preseason schedule are home games versus Washington (Aug. 19) and Green Bay (Aug. 26) and the road finale at Cincinnati (Sept. 1). Entering the season, Indianapolis continues to hold the NFL's longest playoff streak, which now sits at nine seasons. Following last year's 10-6 record, the Colts have also produced nine consecutive double-digit victory campaigns. Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell enters his third season at the helm. In his first two years directing the team, Indianapolis has produced a 24-8 record, which included a 14-2 mark and a Super Bowl XLIV appearance in 2009. Quarterback Peyton Manning, who returns for his 14th season with the team, owns the club career passing marks in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns. He recently signed a new contract which will keep him in a Colts uniform for the next five seasons. Manning also holds 399 touchdown passes and 54,828 passing yards, which both rank third in the NFL all-time.
40TH ANNIVERSARY FOR THE IRSAY FAMILY
This season will mark the 40th anniversary of the Irsay family owning the Colts. In July, 1972, the Colts came under new ownership as Robert Irsay acquired the club from Carroll Rosenbloom in exchange for the Los Angeles Rams. In 1997, Jim Irsay became the team's Owner & CEO. Since the Irsay family aquired the Colts, the team has recorded 297 victories while logging 17 playoff appearances, two Super Bowls and one Super Bowl win (XLI) in 2006.
COLTS PRESEASON WEEK 1 GAMEDAY STORYLINE
The Colts will open the preseason on the road in St. Louis as numerous rookies will see their first competition on the gridiron since starting training camp in Anderson, Indiana. Saturday's matchup is only the second between the two teams in its preseason history with the Rams claiming a 19-17 win back in 2006. The Colts will also look to break a streak of six consecutive preseason opening losses dating back to 2005
ALL-TIME RESULTS VS. ST. LOUIS
All-time preseason results: Rams lead, 1-0
Colts preseason home results: No meetings
Colts preseason road results: Rams lead, 1-0
Last preseason meeting: 2006, Rams 19 vs. Colts 17
All-time regular season record: Colts lead, 23-17-2
Last regular season meeting: 2009, Colts 42 at Rams 6
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL
On veteran leadership helping the young players during training camp (8/5/11)
"No question. I think that is very key. I think we have the right blend and the right mix because we have a number of guys that are at positions that have been around a while and so they can kind of disseminate information. Often times the coaches do a great job and are great teachers, but players can tell players about their position and little nuances from a different perspective, so I think that's vital."
