I'm starting to think Bob Sanders will play against the Titans

by Brad Wells on Oct 10, 2009 9:56 AM EDT in Colts News

According to Phil Richards of the Indy Star, and the updates from our own shake n bake, Bob Sanders practiced three times this week. He even practiced on Friday, and if you know the Colts you know that when people practice on Friday, chances are they play on Sunday. In addition, if players do not practice on Friday, it is often a pretty safe bet they will get scratched Sunday.

For the Colts, it looks like both Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden are out for Sunday. Marlin's knee is acting up and Kelvin is still battling his hamstring pull. This means Tim Jennings starting (again) and Jacob Lacey playing nickel back.

With such injuries, the return of Bob would give the secondary, and the defense in general, a big lift. Already, even without Bob, the defense is having fun again. Larry Coyer has added some interesting wrinkles that have many Colts veterans buzzing around like kids wired on candy. From the Indy Star:

"I feel like a rookie right now. I'm running around and having fun," said left end Robert Mathis, a seven-year veteran.

"I'm moving from linebacker to D-tackle to defensive end," defensive lineman Raheem Brock said. "I'm moving all over the place and it's fun for me. The whole D-line is having fun with it."

Now, I realize I've been a bit of a grump with Bob Sanders of late. I don't "hate on Bob." I've just grown tired of the injuries. And not just little bumps and bruises, but injuries that force him to miss significant time. Meanwhile, players like Melvin Bullitt play the exact same position and (shock!) don't get hurt to the same degree as Bob does. In addition, Bullitt's production is on par with Bob's, and the defense overall hasn't missed a beat.

So, yeah. Bob consistently getting hurt is just plain friggin annoying.

But even though I am annoyed with Bob's frequency in the training room, I'm not stupid. Bob Sanders is a difference maker on the field, and if the Colts can get him into a big game, he almost always has a big impact. And if Jim Caldwell has him practicing three times in one week, I think it is likely we will see Bob Sanders make an appearance on Sunday.

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PLEASE pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Oct 10, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

one concern

I know it’s not wholesale change, but is anyone else worried that Bob might end up out of position sometimes with minimal practice and no training camp with Coyer’s new system?

by jedye on Oct 10, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions

I don't think Bob will miss a beat

and I think he’ll be a huge weapon in stopping Johnson. Even though Tennessee hasn’t won yet, they have a great runner and we need Sanders for run control….more than ever. I want us to have as many 3 and outs as possible when we’re on defense, so Peyton can run up the score.

by Ayrshire on Oct 10, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Bob Sanders in 2007 was the best defensive player in the NFL. He made plays in the
opponents backfield, at the line of scrimage and 30 yards downfield. Troy P. of the
Steelers is the only player close to Sanders in my opinion. I’ll take him back this week
or next week or in a month if that’s what it takes.

by Indysawinner on Oct 10, 2009 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Bob Sanders is injured half the time, so they should only pay him half of what the average DPOY makes. Let’s say Melvin Bullitt plays at a level of a 7 and Bob plays at a level of a 9, but Bullit plays all the time and Sanders only plays half the season, Bullit should make more $$ cuz he contributed more production.

In a merit based system u should be paid based on your production, not on past achievements.

by deron williams on Oct 10, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

Talk about playing "half the time"

Sanders has played in only 45 of 84 career games because of injuries, but said he is feeling better.

by Colts Syndrome on Oct 10, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

To be fair,

that’s actually 3 games more than half.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: I'm pretty sure there was a whole lot of swearing when this gem was first produced.

by Cassieper on Oct 11, 2009 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Blame

I don’t get how you implicity keep blaming Bob for being injured, like he somehow is being irresponsible. You bash Bob, say that Bullitt is nearly as good a player, then spend your last paragraph tempering your opinion with crap like ‘clearly he’s a difference maker’ that totally contradicts the whole article. Weak

by ian1432 on Oct 10, 2009 3:10 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I agree

We should be blaming Melvin Bullitt for hiring Tonya Harding to “Kerrigan” Sanders. We need accountability.

by SpazMo on Oct 10, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

All-Pro Bob

Bob Sander’s injuries are not his fault. He should not be blamed for being a slow healer. When Bob is healthy the defense rises to a new level of play. Melvin Bullitt is great, but he is not on the same level as Bob Sanders. I don’t think he deserves to be bashed for missing a few games. What is important, is that Bob is healthy for the playoffs and ready to play. For those who think the Colts are better off without Bob, I would think twice before entertaining that idea! Careful what you wish for.

by baller3 on Oct 10, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions