Colts sign Brackett

The Indianapolis Colts have re-signed linebacker Gary Brackett to a five-year deal worth $33 million.

The contract includes a guaranteed $12 million for the seven-year NFL veteran.

Brackett had a big 2009 season that saw him help carry the Colts defense deep into the postseason.

Many have started to look at Brackett as not just a good player on his team, but one of the best linebackers in the game.

Being a starting middle linebacker and the team captain, Brackett was looking to get paid appropriately, and the Colts rewarded him.

Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 12:23 am by steve · No Comments

Manning has surgery on neck

Indianapolis Colts starting quarterback Peyton Manning underwent a procedure to relieve a pinched nerve in his neck.

The procedure sounds a lot more serious than it really is, and he is expected to be 100 percent for all offseason activities.

Manning has been dealing with the injury for the past four years, but it was starting to bother him more of late.

The team said the pinched nerve never interfered with his ability to practice or to play in games.

This is now the second time in the past three years that Manning has undergone offseason surgery.

Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 8:36 pm by steve · No Comments

Colts pointing fingers after loss

After a very disappointing loss to the New Orleans Saints in the Super Bowl, the Indianapolis Colts have let the finger-pointing commence.

Quarterback Peyton Manning already made it clear he was upset with some of the conservative play-calling leading into halftime.

President Bill Polian hasn’t been shy to dish out the criticism either, blaming the offensive line and special teams for the loss.

He said that the offensive line did not play up to their capabilities while the special teams made a number of mistakes that really cost them.

Polian said that the team was prepared well and knew what they had to do to win the game, but that it came down to poor execution.

Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 6:37 pm by steve · No Comments

Colts stunned by Saints, 31-17

The Indianapolis Colts saw a first-half lead evaporate and their Super Bowl hopes go up in flames in a 31-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

The Colts seemed to have complete control of the game for most of the first half, although a slight momentum shift seemed to start near halftime.

The game completely changed when the Saints caught the Colts by surprise with an onside kick to start the second half and recovered it.

They quickly drove down the field to score a touchdown to take a 13-10 lead, but the Colts then answered back again to go up 17-13.

The Saints then ran off 18 unanswered points, which included a field goal, touchdown, two-point conversion and then an interception returned all the way back that sealed the victory.

at 1:39 pm by steve · No Comments

Freeney Sits, Wayne Practices Day Before Super Bowl

One day before the Super Bowl, the Indianapolis Colts are facing a number of injury questions.

All-Pro pass rusher Dwight Freeney, who tore ligaments in his ankle late in the Colts’ 30-17 win over the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game, remains an uncertainty for the Super Bowl as he sat out of the Colts’ practice on Saturday.

Freeney isn’t the only injury question for the Colts—rookie cornerback Jerraud Powers returned to practice on Friday, three weeks after having surgery to repair a fracture in his foot. Powers participated lightly in practice on Saturday.

“He [Freeney] and Powers both are better than yesterday. It’s still day to day,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said.

Receiver Reggie Wayne appeared to put his injury concerns to rest; after tweaking his knee during Friday’s practice, as Caldwell sounded confident that Wayne would participate in the Super Bowl.

In the long run, these guys are football players. Presuming they’re risking no long term damage and/or they won’t be damaging their team by participating, they’ll all almost definitely be playing tomorrow.

Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 6:58 pm by bryan · No Comments

Super Bowl preview

The Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints are set for what could be a fantastic Super Bowl showdown.

These are the two teams that everyone wanted to see meet in the big game as the season progressed.

The Colts and Saints are probably the two best offensive teams in football, and both have aggressive, underrated defenses.

The Saints have a slightly more balanced offensive attack, but the Colts probably have the more dangerous offense because of Peyton Manning.

New Orleans is very aggressive defensively, but the Colts continued to fly under the radar despite all their recent postseason success. Colts 31, Saints 20.

at 11:16 am by steve · No Comments

Manning likely to become highest paid QB

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is likely to become the highest paid player at his position.

Owner Jim Irsay wants to sign Manning to an extension in the offseason to reflect his outstanding career.

Manning’s current contract expires after the 2010 season, which has to be a little bit concerning for the Colts.

It’s highly doubtful that Manning would leave for somewhere else, but you never know what could happen.

A new contract would likely keep the star quarterback in Indianapolis for the remainder of his career.

at 11:12 am by steve · No Comments

Wayne injures knee in practice

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne injured his right knee in practice and had to leave 20 minutes early.

With the Super Bowl now just hours away, Wayne certain has given the team a serious scare.

Apparently, it was a re-aggravation of an injury to the soft tissue above his kneecap. Wayne played most of the season with the injury.

Head coach Jim Caldwell said he is listed as probable on the injury report and has no doubts that he will take the field and start.

The Colts remain mum as to the status of injured defensive end Dwight Freeney, who appears to be closer to playing but is nowhere close to a sure bet.

at 7:03 am by steve · No Comments

Freeney has torn ligaments in ankle

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney has torn ligaments in his ankle and is questionable to play in the Super Bowl.

Freeney injured his ankle with two minutes to play in the AFC championship game when he stepped on an opponent’s foot.

The pass-rusher immediately started hobbling around, but he was able to finish out the game.

The Colts continue to say that Freeney just has a sprained ankle and that he is receiving treatment.

Losing Freeney would be a huge blow for the Colts in their effort to rattle quarterback Drew Brees and the explosive Saints passing game.

Friday, February 5, 2010 at 10:32 am by steve · No Comments

Freeney’s Ankle Continues to Heal

As Super Bowl Sunday creeps closer, Colts’ Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney continues to rehabilitate a torn ligament in his ankle, as he still hopes to play in the big game on Sunday.

“It’s better than yesterday, and yesterday was better than the day before,” Freeney said. “It’s a slow progression right now, but that’s where it is. Every morning I wake up, and it feels a little better.”

Freeney has been doing everything in his power to heal his torn ligament, which he suffered with approximately two minutes left in the Colts’ 30-17 victory over the Jets in the AFC Championship game. He’s been icing the injury, resting in a hyperbaric chamber, and walking around in sand around the Colts’ hotel to toughen up the ankle.

“Sometimes walking is good because it keeps things fluid,” Freeney said Wednesday. “You hear people say he should be in a boot or something. But sometimes it can get stiff, and you’ve got to get that motion back in the ankle. It gets the blood flowing, so I’ve been walking around barefoot and in the sand.”

Freeney remains questionable for the game, but there’s little to no chance he practices this week leading up to the game. He’ll likely be a game-time decision by Colts coach Jim Caldwell.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 8:19 pm by bryan · No Comments