HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on if he is excited for Friday's game) * *
"I am. But we have a lot of work to do between now and then. We have a real important practice this afternoon that we have to get good, solid work done. But we've been practicing well, so I feel good about where we are, and when the game rolls around we'll certainly take care of that when the time comes."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on Donald Brown so far)
"Donald has been very, very studious. He's done things in a very professional manner. He's a very mature for a guy his age. In terms of how he goes about his preparation on a daily basis is outstanding. And I think that's going to pay dividends. He has required a pretty broad sense of what we do from an offensive standpoint, and he's even been able to keep up the pace when the speed has been quickened a bit."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on what he wants to get out of Friday's game)
"I know we are jumping ahead pretty quickly, but we are looking for performance. We have a saying in our locker room that says, 'Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.' So we are trying to make sure they focus on their techniques and fundamentals, and the outcome of the game will take care of itself."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on if he is a proponent of the two-back system)
"Looking back at our history, it has always been a part of what we've done. The years when we've been really effective, we've had someone who could take a little load off of the guy who was carrying it a majority of the time. When (Edgerrin James) was here, obviously Dominic (Rhodes) sort of helped him with that part of the game, and obviously Joseph (Addai) and Dom teamed together and worked well and we anticipate the same thing will happen with the backs we have present as well."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on if he has a touches formula for his backs)
"It depends, week-to-week. It depends on who you face and the type of defensive structure that you have to deal with, so our strategy changes a bit on that. But one thing we know for sure is there will be some type of rotation."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on if he is happy with the way running game is coming along)
"The true test is when we get out on the field, but we've certainly made the necessary changes to help us. But sometimes the indication and the results don't show up right away. So I'm optimistic, and I think we are doing the right things, so we anticipate it is going to improve."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on how he wants the third wide receiver competition to play out between Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie)
"In terms of those two positions, whether (Pierre Garcon) is outside or inside it doesn't really matter for the most part (because) we do have so much flexibility amongst that group. If you see what we do formation-wise anyways, we move guys around the line in different areas and different spots, so we can adjust anyway it plays out. Both guys have their strengths and play very, very well, so I hope it continues."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on an update on Ryan Diem or Dallas Clark)
"Diem will be out for a few days. He twisted his back a little bit and we anticipate it's going to take some time and rest. How long that's going to be, I'm not quite certain. Dallas, we anticipate getting him back next Monday…Dallas had a slight concussion, so he's getting there and we think he'll be fine."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on the level of concern with Bob Sanders)
"One thing about Bob is he is making good progress. We are all pleased with how he is working and the results. Obviously he's not back there out on the field, but he will be in due time. How much time that will be, I'm not certain. I spoke with Dr. (James) Andrews and the rest of our staff, we all agreed on the prescribed methodology for what we are going to do with him, how we are going to go about it in terms of his workouts and rehab, and we've been pleased with that. It's just time."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on if he is confident Sanders will be available on opening day)
"I am not certain. I would say that if I felt that way, but I'm really not certain. The most important thing is to get him healthy, and when he's back, he's back. Obviously, he will be a big impact on our team when he returns."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on how close he is to determining playing time Friday night)
"That's something we'll talk about this evening. We typically do it a couple of days before the game, so tonight will be the night after we get through practice and see who we have."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on practice this afternoon)
"We are starting to work on Minnesota and some things with their offense, defense and kicking game. We really want to see the kind of effort we saw yesterday. We really had a good, sharp, crisp practice, and we are looking for the same thing. Even though we are emulating someone else's scheme, we need to keep up on our work as well."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on how he keeps his team fresh)
"That's the great thing about our team, we have a team of professionals. They understand how important camp is, they are here to get better, and that's why they are here. We don't have to spend a whole lot of time giving them things to keep them happy. There is work to be done, that's what (Colts Owner and CEO) Jim Irsay hired me to do, to win games. And so that is our course, that's what we plan to do, and I think our team is falling in line as well."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on if the rookies have any more bounce to them in anticipating their first game)
"I think you will see a number of excited young men to come out and play in a great venue and against a very, very talented team. And it's good for us too. We find out what we have. That's when you find out. When the guys hit the field and have an opportunity to play, we'll see how they measure up."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on if he has thought about walking into Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time as the head coach)
"I have not thought about that. Certainly, it is something that I'm appreciative of and feel blessed, but I have not dwelled on the fact as of yet."
HEAD COACH-JIM CALDWELL (on if the Colts win preseason games fans should fans be concerned)
"(Laughs) It is something that would be a little bit different for us. But nevertheless, our objection is still to win. We look at the preseason as an opportunity to get better and we are more concerned with that than anything else."
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WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on how training camp is going)
"Things are good. Just like (Head Coach Jim) Caldwell just told us, he likes where we are at. As a team, we feel pretty comfortable about where we are. We have gotten a lot accomplished in the first two weeks. It is about time we worked against somebody else, especially the defense. You can tell they are getting antsy, they want to tackle somebody."
WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on if the defense looks different)
"Very different. Guys are flying around, guys are excited about the scheme, you could even say they are playing a little reckless. But that's good to see, from an offensive standpoint to see the defense flying around. I think you'll see some new things from these guys."
WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on how much he thinks he will play on Friday)
"I have no clue. Every preseason, you go in with an idea of what you think you're going to have, but you have no clue. It's kind of like the draft. You think we are going to do something, and we do the total opposite."
WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on if he thinks he needs a certain amount of plays)
"Preseason? I need something. A little bit, but not too much. Go in there and break a sweat and burn some calories. But just to go out there and get a feel and get back in sync with Peyton…I'm just looking for a little bit, not too much."
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WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on if he likes moving around as a wide receiver)
"I do. I love it. Two years ago, best year of my career. Now, of course, we had Marvin (Harrison), but no one really understood where I was going to be. I was moving around in the slot, left, right and I racked up 1,500 yards, so got to love that."
WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on if it takes a special player to play in the slot)
"Oh yeah, because when you get those linebackers coming at you, you're going to find out who will block them and who will not, that is the main adjustment. On top of that, you have to know what everybody does, know the left receiver, the right receiver, at some point in time you need to know what the running backs are doing and know all your hot (routes) … It does take a special player, it keeps you on your toes."
WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on if he expects to play in the slot)
"I don't know, that is to be determined. I really don't know what the game plan is. If young guys come around then they can play it and keep me stationary, which I don't care much for, but I'm here to do my part, whatever that is."
WR-REGGIE WAYNE (on if it is easier to be double-teamed on the outside)
"It is. You're going the entire game with them knowing exactly where you are going to be, so that makes it that much harder. So hopefully we'll be a little creative, razzle and dazzle them a bit and get going."
LB-GARY BRACKETT (on if he is looking forward to Friday's game)
"I am very excited. Obviously, we get to beat up on somebody else. You kind of have to lay off on your own guys. We don't have the Colts on the schedule – so we'll see where we are at. We take is as another opportunity to get better. Minnesota, they have a very tough run game, so we'll see where we are at stopping the run."
LB-GARY BRACKETT (on if there is a buzz in the locker room)
"The game-time situations is a time where a lot of kids make the roster, so it is a great opportunity for guys to go out and show the coaches they can play at this level."
LB-GARY BRACKETT (on playing under Coach Caldwell for the first time)
"It will be slightly different. Obviously, for me, Coach (Larry) Coyer will be more different, having someone else in my ear, making the defensive calls and things of that nature. But Coach Caldwell has really come into his own, he's done a great job of communicating with the team…everybody has bought into what he's believing in."
LB-GARY BRACKETT (on if he is ready to face Minnesota's wildcat formation)
"(Laughs) The wildcat, the new phenomenon. We'll be ready. Obviously, that is something we go over and we practice all types of situations, so we'll be ready for whatever they throw at us."
