Jim Caldwell: Bob Sanders will play against the St. Louis Rams

by Brad Wells on Oct 23, 2009 1:08 PM EDT in Colts News

OK, now we can remove the "likely" from "will play" when referring to Bob Sanders and his status for this Sunday's game. From John Oehser:

Indianapolis Colts S Bob Sanders will play against St. Louis Sunday, Head Coach Jim Caldwell said.

"He’s going to play," Caldwell said Friday morning.

So, unless Jim Caldwell is boldly lying to someone's face (which is unlikely), or Bob trips over his dog this weekend and re-injures his knee, we can expect to see #21 suited up and playing this Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome against the St. Louis Rams.

Just so people know, I am indeed a fan of Bob Sanders. What I am not a fan of is Bob Sanders on the injured list. I'm just plain sick of it. If Bob is healthy and ready to unleash his fury on opponents, great! However, for me, I cannot call Bob sanders a "great" player until I see him stay on the field longer and with greater consistency.

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ok tell me

would you rather have bob play through injuries and be average safety like bullit is or have him sit out the start of the season and get healty and be a GREAT safely like he can be. i rather have melvin gain some experience and bob get healthy than having bob play though injuries and not have him healthy all year. all your posts are rediculous INJURIES ARE A PART OF FOOTBALL get over it

by incoltswetrust on Oct 23, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

Melvin Bullitt

Is far from an “average” safety.

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by Brad Wells on Oct 23, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

no he isn't average but he isn't as dynamic as bob is. does bob have injury issures?

yes he does but i dont think that means he isn’t a very good and dynamic player if he is healthy he should play and will. melvin bullitt will still get plenty of playing time

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions

+33

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Oct 23, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions

good to here looking forward to seeing him play

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

I'm looking forward to it too. An interception would be nice.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Oct 23, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I'd rather see a blindside sack on a Blitz

DID SOMEONE SAY CHAMPIONSHIP

by BROWNdude on Oct 23, 2009 3:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Really?

I’d take the interception. It’s a change of possession. Even better is if he’s strolling into the endzone there.

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: The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. Wonder how long it would take to sing that before a game.

by Cassieper on Oct 23, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Some body with horns on their helmet.........

Is gonna get their bell rung…..with predjudice.

by tim55 on Oct 23, 2009 1:15 PM EDT reply actions

CAN'T WAIT!!!!

No really, I can’t – I might just have a hernia before Sunday because of the anticipation! PLUS, I can’t believe I have to go to a wedding on Saturday and can’t go to the Cal game, which won’t even be televised. ARGH! This is going to be a frustrating weekend until 10am Sunday!!

/thank you for letting me rant

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Oct 23, 2009 1:19 PM EDT reply actions

dont worry lovinBlue dont now who cal. is playing but im sure they will lose so you can say

at least i didn’t have to see that horrible game :) yes i cant wait to see what sanders does and how muir does on the line. this should be good chance to see where they are at right now

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't think that's what LovinBlue wanted to hear.

Go Golden Bears!

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Oct 23, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

haha im sure it is :) she nows it is true

actually i have no idea i am not even sure who they play i just now cal. has ben doing pretty bad at least from what i have seen

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

although they beat that not so great UCLA team and did well there

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

actually this week I expect the Bears to win

we play Washington State, who is really the Pac-10 doormat. They’re currently 1-5, having beaten Southern Methodist… in overtime. We are 35-point favorites, and beat them last year in Pullman 66-3. Sure, teams change – we’ve lost Alex Mack, Zack Follett and Worrell Williams… but we still have Jahvid Best (who ran for 200 yards and scored 3 TDs), Syd’Quan Thompson (who I think had 2 interceptions), and Shane Vereen.

But I don’t disparage what you say – I know Cal, too, and they are masters at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Oct 23, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

You HAVE to go to a wedding?

They can’t make you, can they? (Whoever “they” is)

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: The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. Wonder how long it would take to sing that before a game.

by Cassieper on Oct 23, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Going to put this here

Couldn’t you just have updated the other one? Dang, this is like the 10th different article. Anyway…

“And I dunno, maybe they kept rushing back Bob too early in the past and he was probably playing injured during the postseason but toughed it out to help the team and ended up doing more damage? And Caldwell finally had enough of that and decided to hold him out until he was completely 100% healthy as to avoid that constant cycle?

Not sure if you’ve ever had a torn tendon, muscle, cartilage or whatever, but I have and currently do. I could go get a cortoisone shot and be able to play the sports I’ve played my entire life at about 80% even though my shoulder is less than 50% of how it should be. I would be in pain, but I could do it. I could do it for about 2, maybe 3 weeks before the pain started to get to the point where another shot wouldn’t be enough. If I were on a professional team and I knew what I meant to the team I’d do it. However, at some point forcing your body past the breaking point over and over you get to the point where rest, shots, pain killers do nothing. You simply can’t do it and surgery, physical therapy, and time are the only options. Now, if you follow everything you need to and put forth all your effort, you can recover and be back to 100% if not a even a little more than you were previously. And seeing as how I’m 100% positive Bob was putting in enough work to go out there and help us in the playoffs and probably playing with through a ridiculous amount of pain, I’m pretty sure that this is a career saving scenario for one of the hardest working, best safeties that has ever played the game.

How do you think Bob screwed up his knees, shoulders and ankle? Think he was just driving up to McDonalds and slammed on the brakes locking up his knee and twisting his ankle and then, in an attempt to keep his face from hitting the steering wheel, threw his shoulder into the wheel? Yeah, it’s one thing to say somebody is missing games because they had too much chipotle sauce and didn’t have any chipotleaway on hand so they sat, but Bob "keeps" getting injured because he was never NOT injured. Next time you tear a muscle, tendon, dislocate a joint, go outside in about a week and repeatedly sprint as fast as you can towards a brick wall and leap at it with your head and shoulders first.

By the way, don’t blame Bob. I’m pretty sure he could have played and would have played and not had the surgery. If you’re to "blame" anyone it should be Caldwell. However, in my eyes, Caldwell deserves praise and accolade for actually trying to make sure Bob was right. Is it frustrating? You bet. But now we’re dogging guys for playing with serious injuries because they help the team? Pretty sure the easy way out would to just say "Sorry coach, too banged up to play in the playoffs. I’m just going to wait until next year." I’m sorry but the entire rant against Bob should actually be the argument FOR Bob."

And you’re absolutely right, Melvin’s far from an average safety. That’s also why I have a feeling they’re going to resign both he and Bethea and let Marlin go. CB1 Hayden, CB2 Powers, SS Sanders, FS, Bethea, Nickelback/passing down WILL/ST captain Bullit. I dunno about you but if I were Melvin I wouldn’t be insulted by that situation.

Jim Sorgi runs a 4.6 40. That's all I've got to say about that.

by monstersbox on Oct 23, 2009 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 9 recs

Got to agree with you

and we’re not gonna see bob “taking melvin’s spot”. He’s on a limited play count, Bullitt will get most of the snaps.

by slash196 on Oct 23, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Classic

Think he was just driving up to McDonalds and slammed on the brakes locking up his knee and twisting his ankle and then, in an attempt to keep his face from hitting the steering wheel, threw his shoulder into the wheel?

You expressed well exactly what I have been thinking – that they want Bob to truly be 100%, and then some, so he can be effective for the rest of the year.

Nice to see you back, monstersbox!

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Oct 23, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Again monsterbox

The injury excuse is the same lame excuse used over and over again. We see good safeties like Melvin and Antoine go out there and play, and they do not get hurt with the same regularity Sanders does. And the reason we have been told that Bob gets hurts so much is because of his “style.”

So, my issue isn’t exactly with Bob’s toughness (though we have seen plenty of games where he was held out because of a minor ankle or shoulder issue, while guys like Dwight Freeney are battling back hard after suffering quad tears). My real issue with Bob is he cannot play consistent football because he is not consistently on the field. And the problem isn’t just because he’s snake bit a little bit with injuries. His playing style causes the injuries. Now, Bob is not lazy and I am not accusing him of laziness. This isn’t a case of a player not doing everything he can to rehab. This is a case of a player whose playing style is not conducive to staying healthy, and an injury-prone player is NOT a player a small market team can afford to pay top tier money to.

Like a QB who doesn’t throw the ball quick enough and takes too many big hits, Bob is a safety who is far to reckless with his body. The result is Bob spending almost as many games in street clothes than he does in uniform. Such a player is not “great,” in my opinion, and is not worth his bloated contract.

My other point is with Melvin Bullitt and Antoine Bethea back there, the Colts have given up only one meaningful pass TD in 5 games, and the run defense has been outstanding. Yet, combine both those guy’s salaries, and you still don’t equal what Bob Sanders is earning this year. That’s a lot of cap money sitting in the training room for large portions of the season, and when Melvin Bullitt’s contract is up, he’ll likely go somewhere where he knows he will start consistently. So, if we are getting roughly the same production from Bullitt at a substantially decreased salary and much more reliability in terms of staying healthy, what do we need Sanders for?

I agree, Marlin’s in his last year as a Colt. But the Colts cannot lock up so much money into a player like Bullitt when they have someone like Sanders already on the books. Melvin is putting up Pro Bowl numbers, and unless Polian is willing to sink serious money into Bullitt, he’s a goner when his rookie contract is up. And even if Polian is willing to re-sign Bullitt, that a HUGE amount of salary invested in two players who play the same position. Financially, it isn’t viable.

by Brad Wells on Oct 23, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

but again

you are equaiting the health of a player to how good a player he is. he is a good player although injury prone i wont say it is his style because look at polamalu he plays the same style and doesn’t get injured as often but is open to the same risks as sanders is because of there style. the fact is it isn’t his style he is just more prone to injury and a slower healer than polamalu or freeny it is just how it is. also the fact that the defense is better this year should help as he will not have to make big hits every play.

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Equaiting the health of a player to how good a player he is

Yes, I am. Health is VITAL to evaluating how great a player is. If a player cannot consistently stay on the field, how are they “great?”

by Brad Wells on Oct 23, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions

because you rate the player on how they preform on the field. i can see you say

if he doesn’t consistantly stay on the field mabye he isn’t as effective in the long run of an entire season but to say they are not great/ good with players is inacurate i think. for example let us use brady he has done great in his career last year he got injured and know doesn’t play at the same level all the time and lets say he misses a few games a season does that mean he is no longer a good QB because he isn’t on the field consistantly?? i think not.

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

the whole salary cap thing

kind of a moot point right now, as all indicators point to a cap-less season next year. This also means bethea will be an RFA, as opposed to a UFA.

by saintnixon on Oct 23, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

how is that relevant

to a contract that was signed 2 years ago?

“Its okay to make a mistake in the past, because it seems like now, the end of football as we know it will happen, so its allll good!”

by SpazMo on Oct 23, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Im starting to think

that part of the problem is there are people that are Bob Sanders’ fans, and not Colts’ fans, getting involved in this discussion. Bob Sanders, the Tim Tebow of the Jacksonville Jaguars! (I’m sort of playing fortune teller, here)

by SpazMo on Oct 23, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I would rec this

21 million times if I could.

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: The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. Wonder how long it would take to sing that before a game.

by Cassieper on Oct 23, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Sorry,

that’s in response to monstersbox.

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: The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. Wonder how long it would take to sing that before a game.

by Cassieper on Oct 23, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Random Thought...

So, I’m forced to send my X-Box 360 in for repairs (having just purchased Madden10 and NCAA10) and I’m jonesin’ for some electronic football beats. I hook my X-Box and PS2 back up and proceed to start up NCAA Football 04 (PS2). After playing a couple of years of my IU dynasty mode I decide to do some of the challenges and earn some rivalry trophies. Yesterday, I was playing Iowa (Me) vs. Iowa State (CPU) (CY Hawk Trophy) and at about the end of the first quarter I realize that Iowa’s SS was playing fantastic. He was in on practically every tackle and he had a forced fumble (off a RB no less) (had an INT later). I checked his # (33) (keep in mind NCAA=No real names) and realized that this game is a simulation of the 03 season, not 04. It suddenly dawned on me that it was Bob in his last year…and it made me smile.

by vintagephoenix on Oct 23, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

Chill Stop overreacting

You are ranting and it’s starting to get a little embarrassing. Take a chill pill. Let the coaches do their job.

Oh no!

by Bluedude on Oct 23, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

Personally,

As long as we continue to win I don’t care if Bob misses the first 6-9 weeks of every season. We are about to add a former Defensive Player of the Year to the best team in football. Guess what? We just got better, even if Bullitt sits.

I like Bullitt but my first love is and always will be Bob Sanders. I don’t scan the screen to find out where Bullitt is on every play, I do that with Bob because Bob has entertainment value. I think he’s worth the salary because of the reckless way he plays. Fans love him and opponents fear his every hit. To me he’s worth every penny, even with the reduced number of games.

by ThirtyOne on Oct 23, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately

Bob has entertainment value for sure, but his playing style will only give us that entertainment value for a limited time. I hope he stays out of (health) trouble, but it isn’t likely.

"Melissa, it's Ace. I'm in Psychoville and Finkle's the mayor!"

by AceOfSpades on Oct 23, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm just happy to have our boy back

It will be good to see the guy on the field. I love watching our defense and can’t wait to see how the improvements of ’09 translate with Bob on the field.

by sanders_murks_cats on Oct 23, 2009 3:43 PM EDT reply actions

How about

we find a way to incorporate a three safety defense. I know what we have going is great, and adding Sanders will just make it better. But, what if we took away one of our defensive tackles and had all three of our safeties in at one time? I think it could bring more blitzing packages and would just make our passing defense that much better. What are your thoughts?

by wardta on Oct 23, 2009 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

^^^this

i love the idea as i expressed in the other thread and it would work very well i think

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions

yea. i dont really want the 4-2-5 really. I think a 3-3-5 would be better for us. Mainly because I love our linebackers and couldn’t decide on which one we could take out to fit a third safety. I mean, we just released one of our starters from the beginning of the season and so we just do a 3-3-5, keeping all the linebackers in there.

by wardta on Oct 23, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

well i see it as being brackett and session. with hagler and wheeler as backup

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

a 3-3-5 would likely neuter the pass-rushing abilities of freeney and mathis. our linebackers are smallish. not a good idea.

by saintnixon on Oct 23, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions

yea thats true we need that 4th person on the line wise they could double both players

and would diminish the pass rush from the line

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 23, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions

NO

That would mean Sanders gets injured again, and now we would be dealing with Bethea and Bullitt injuries too. The safeties would be counted on to be major run stoppers, which isn’t going to work out (see: Colts 2008). Let the big boys do their job.

"Melissa, it's Ace. I'm in Psychoville and Finkle's the mayor!"

by AceOfSpades on Oct 23, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

CAN WE QUIT WITH THE NEGATIVITY!

Sorry guys, i’m just SICK of all this negative crap about sanders being injured get over it. We all know why he gets injured (he plays like he’s a human battery ram) and we just need to accept that he gets hurt. I don’t think you have any idea how much hard work it is to rehab those injuries! Yet he still doesn’t change the way he plays which I respect very much. The Colts accept that he may be hurt and we are lucky to have Bullitt as a great backup. When we really need Bob is in the post season. We all know Peyton would be still without a ring with people calling him the best player to never win one still if Bob didn’t come back in time for the playoffs. So quit the whining please thanks!

by ColtKing on Oct 23, 2009 6:01 PM EDT reply actions

Confused

I’m trying to following the train of thought that gets from “Bob Sanders is hurt too much of the time” to “Melvin Bullitt is better than a healthy Bob Sanders” but I get lost fast. What don’t I understand?

by BlueNorth on Oct 23, 2009 6:44 PM EDT reply actions

Please, all interested parties

There is an open thread posted in the FanPost section of the site. Please check it out and chat about whatever we feel like, maybe even the Colts!

I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation

by Bullard47 on Oct 23, 2009 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

can you please tell me if troy polamula who is considered his equal or better if his injuries are any less?? Im thinking no but would love to see an injury history list on him and then maybe I can reply in negativity about bob. but I WONT because I LOVE HIS all out play on every play. Im sorry but anybody complaining about a guy who goes flat out full speed on every play, hits like a tank, and gets the entire team UP like no other…Im not ever going to go on the side of bashing bob! ever!

by kinnickcolt on Oct 23, 2009 7:06 PM EDT reply actions

those of you who continue to dwell on his injuries and think hes not worthy because he is injured too much need to think about giving back the lombardi trophy. yes without bob we arent the champs. what short memories we have. and Im sorry but without bobs 3rd down tackle in the greatest game the colts have ever played…yes the new england-colts championship game. without that 3rd down stop by a game saving tackle by bob, we dont get the ball back and the pats run out the clock. if not just for that one play do I think some of you should stop bashing bob!

by kinnickcolt on Oct 23, 2009 7:10 PM EDT reply actions

neat

when you make statements like that, how can you even think to argue with them?

coooocooo

by SpazMo on Oct 23, 2009 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah isnt it neato when people only think in the moment and fail to look at the whole picture. very neat indeed!

this whole bob isnt worth it just trade him reminds me of the dallas clark threads of many in the past. get rid of him. he drops the ball too much. isnt worth the big contract

ooooooooooooooo and then he has a pro bowl year . again. and the talk disappears. thats the neat Im referring to

by kinnickcolt on Oct 24, 2009 7:50 AM EDT reply actions