I think it was in the Denver playoff game, when Saturday moved over to guard to match up with Price.

I rather listen to facts, rather than speculation. From what Clayton mentioned, its speculation by him saying “he probably won’t have his starting center” and “could be out a few weeks into the regular season”. Notice the “probably” and the “could” part of his statement. I’m not saying he won’t miss any regular season games, I just do not want to assume or speculate. Like Colts Homer mentioned above, “I’ll Believe It When I See It” so lets not get ahead of ourselves quite yet. If it is until week 3, so be it, but the Colts are all about another man up and filling in the hole.

I would like to think that I have been active enough to be a part of “here at SB.” Speaking to people as though they are outsiders or don’t belong to your “club” isn’t exactly welcoming. Secondly, if you can’t see a difference between the injuries I listed from last year and the end of 2006 and the ones we have now during the preseason, I don’t know what to tell you.

Starting DT Booger McFarland went out for the year before the year started.
Starting WR Marvin Harrison went out for the year 4 weeks into the season.
Starting DE Dwight Freeney went out for the year with more than 1/4 of the season left to play.
Starting SAM linebacker Rob Morris went out for the year 3 weeks into the season.
Starting CB Nick Harper was out for the most important piece of Indianapolis Colts history.
Starting LT Tony Ugoh went out just a few weeks into his career for a significant portion of time without Tarik Glenn around because of a surprise retirement.
Starting DT Montae Reagor went out for the year because of a freak car accident on his way to one of our games.

You can list all 19/22 players who are on the injured list or were at some point during the preseason if you like. That’s fine. But only two or maybe three have injuries that will either a) potentially have an impact on the outcome of our regular season games or 2) spend more than a couple of weeks on the sidelines recovering.

1) Philip Wheeler – Underwent knee surgery to clean up a problem he brought with him from college, he may be available in October. Either way, Wheeler is a Rookie draft pick who hasn’t played a down against NFL competition. At best we don’t have a back-up for a few weeks. Compare that to the list above.

2) Tom Santi – One of two new tight ends brought in through the draft. Has not played a single down against NFL competition. Tamme and Robinson are both showing a lot of talent. Compare a first year TE who has not seen action against NFL competition, and who is actually coming off of the injury list before the season even starts to the list above. (he won’t start the season on the injury list or IR… unless he’s doesn’t make the roster)

3) Roy Hall – Hall suffered a hamstring injury which is frustrating because the fans and coaches were looking forward to the opportunity to see just how much he really has developed over the off-season. Either way, Hall’s greatest contributions to the team, particularly early in the year would be on ST and we don’t see to be hurting for strong ST players at this juncture. Is losing the 4th-6th WR, if he makes the team, really comparable to the list above?

4) Jeff Saturday – Recently injured and could miss a couple of weeks. If he misses more that would be disappointing but we have three former centers that project to be on the team which will help us out until Saturday returns. This is the kind of injury that reminds us of the last two years, a key part of our team to potentially miss significant time during the regular season.

5) Michael Coe – Out for the year. He may have potential but our secondary is hardly a weak spot on the team and I doubt he’d have made the team anyway. Compare that to the list above.

6) Tyjuan Hagler – Could be out until after the bye-week. Session is filling in until then. Tore a muscle lifting weights. Would be nice to have him on the field. Session may well be a better LB anyway. Hagler’s injury legitimately reminds us of the luck we’ve had w/ injuries the past couple of years. Something like losing Rob Morris… only getting Rob Morris back a few weeks into the season.

7) Peyton Manning – Returning to practice this week and very likely, imo, to play in the first game. Manning has been playing with bursa sac problems for awhile, the team opted to clean it up during the off season this year. But all the preseason dramatics will likely end with him starting week 1. Again, preseason injuries are not indicative of an injury prone “2008 Colts” team. The team hasn’t even been defined yet and until the regular season starts… all this time is meaningless if players are resting or recovering from injuries.

8) Ryan Lilja -Returning and will be playing in the first game. Another starter resting in the preseason as a precaution that gets all the fans panties in a bind. A non-issue in terms of the injury list of the 2008 Colts as when the 2008 Colts are formed, Lilja will be back in action.

9) Raheem Brock – Returning and will be playing in the first game. Same deal. He doesn’t even belong on the injury list… “precaution.”

10) Mike Pollak – Returning and will be playing in the first game. If he isn’t… Richard/Justice/Johnson are all available. Either way, he won’t miss more than one or two games and I’ll be surprised if he misses even that. One key thing to keep in mind, he was not projected to be a starter anyway until Saturday went down and he hasn’t spent significant time working as a Center so likely would not have took that position. This injury has an impact on our team MAYBE, but if he’s ready to go for the regular season it’s a non-issue.

11) Curtis Johnson – Returning and, if he makes the team, will be playing in the first game. A back-up, situational pass rusher. Compare that to the list above.

12) Jim Sorgi – Has a boo boo, could have easily played last week and will certainly be ready for the first game. If not, the only thing that sucks is that we might carry a 3rd QB which might mean we can’t hang on to some talent at another position. This could be important if it means we’re forced to keep 3 QB and lose another talented player as a result. If Peyton plays and doesn’t get injured, he hasn’t for 160 straight games so far, is an ailing back-up QB really something to get your blood pressure up about?

13) Robert Mathis – Will play in week one. More precautionary junk.

14) Ed Johnson – Will play in week one. More precautionary junk.

15) TJ Rushing – On IR. In my opinion, this is a gift, we can now keep a player like Roby, Ratliff or Silva who will ultimately bring the team more value. I say thumbs up. An injury forced the coaches and front office to make a decision I was all for anyway.

16) Clint Session – Played against the Bills and if held out moving forward it will be more precautionary junk.

17) Gary Brackett – Will be ready to play week 1. Any holding out is precautionary junk.

18) Eric Foster – Will be ready to play week 1, should he make the team. Projects to be a back-up at DT to start the season so we could be without a back-up DT if he’s not available but more likely… this is more precautionary junk.

19) Melvin Bullitt – Had an early injury in the offseason, returned against the Bills. No longer an issue.

20) Marvin Harrison – Has played three preseason games in a row. No longer and issue.

21) Dwight Freeney – Returned to action against the Bills. No longer an issue.

22) Bob Sanders – Returned to action against the Bills. No longer an issue.

So… let me break it down for you. Even ESPN realizes “the Colts go overboard on holding players with any injury concerns out of preseason games.” Understand that preseason injuries don’t mean anything until or unless it affects us in the regular season. Of the 22 injuries that have affected the team during the preseason… the ones below are the only ones we expect to affect us during the regular season.

Only Saturday and Hagler project to have an immediate impact on our team’s success. The others either have a minimal or non-existent impact on our games or are too easily replaced by other talented players on our team to be concerned about. When we open the season it is likely we have only 3 or 4 players inactive for the game… not 19. The worry stuff is unnecessary until we see it during the season for the reason ESPN recognized… “the Colts go overboard on holding players with any injury concerns out of preseason games.” If “here at SB” we worry about the 2008 Colts… how about we know who the 2008 Colts are until we freak out. 22 players on our roster right now aren’t even going to be a part of the 2008 Colts. Just trying to “keep it real.” But worry away… pats ClarkFan44 on the back.

Some rational, grounded insight. Thank you for encouraging the boys to relax until they have a real reason to get upset. No wonder so many men have problems with high blood pressure. sigh

Injuries not happening in preseason, will happen during the season – when players are playing “for real”.. however, preseason or no, IR is IR and that lasts the whole season…

I just hope that Saturday’s options keep him off IR, even if we lose him for a few games.