Luke Links: The "DE-FENSE!" Edition

Ok I'm going with a different tactic.  I'm dedicating this edition of Luke Links to trying to pump up our defense.  These guys need to shake off the disappointment, learn from their mistakes, and get back to the discipline and performance of just a couple of weeks ago.  Even their performance against the Broncos, while allowing far too many yards, was acceptable.

I'm also going to point out that Todd Haley hinted that if Cassel sees DaJuan Morgan on the field (a real possibility with Sanders out and Bullitt injured), he will be instructed to target him.  So DaJuan this is my personal plea to you, young man... please, please, please listen to what the coaches tell you.  Watch as much tape as exists of this Chiefs team.  And finally... just get an interception or two... great - thanks!

FROM THE SADDLE
Official Team News

• John Oehser (Special to Colts.com)
  • The team had lots of opportunities, but just couldn't seal the deal
  • A .500 team is what the record says, but Caldwell thinks the Colts are better than that
• Jake Thompson (Colts.com)
  • Colts Notebook for the game
• Videos / Media
  • Caldwell's post-game press conference
  • Post-game locker room interviews
  • Caldwell's Monday press conference
  • Sounds of the game

GREEN APPLES AND ROAD APPLES
Positive and Negative Analysis

• Paul Kuharsky (ESPN)
  • recounts what he liked about the game (Hint: it's mostly Jags-oriented)
  • Jeff Saturday recognized the Jags fans for their vociferous support
  • Jim Caldwell defends his time out
• Phillip B. Wilson (Indy Star)
  • The loss to the Jags is on the defense
  • This is a story the Colts have seen before
  • agrees that the loss is on the defense
  • Catch up with Phil B.'s blog
    
• Mike Chappell (Indy Star)
  • Blair White is but one of many undrafted players on the Colts
  • The Colts Defense just keeps on working at it
  • Antoine Bethea: "No telling what the offense could have done with the ball if they had it again"
  • Reggie Wayne would have foregone the individual record for a win
  • The Colts are meeting with WR James Hardy (Editor's note: I speculated previously that given Hardy's size, the Colts may be looking at him as a stand-in for Garcon while Garcon heals.  However, Eric Hartz tweeted yesterday that Garcon plans to be back out there this week... let's hope this is definite and not Garcon just wishing it so.)
• Bob Kravitz (Indy Star)
  • Manning isn't over the hill, but he is at the peak
  • The Colts may finally not be able to overcome their glaring weaknesses
  • gives coaching a "D" in his weekly report card
  • reminds Colts fans in his 2-Minute Blitz that it's December that matters
• John Oesher (Indy Football Report, AOL Fanhouse)
  • identifies lack of the usual red zone efficiency as the primary culprit in the Colts' loss
  • Manning continues to play at a high level, despite the loss
  • Caldwell claims to be aggressive
• Greg Cowan (Coltzilla) offers his quick thoughts after the game
• Brett Mock (Coltzilla) offers his thoughts after another review of the game
• TJ Higley (Coltzilla) publishes local coverage after the game
• Andrew (12th Horseman) welcomes us to Bizarro World

IN THE PADDOCK
News About This Week's Opponent

Looking left (last week's opponent):

• Paul Kuharsky
  • Josh Scobee was very proud of himself (and for good reason)
  • The Jags have faith in themselves again
  • A video with Scobee (in case you are a masochist)
• Vito Stellino (The Florida Times-Union) A pair of Jags safeties returned to make big plays against the Colts
• Tania Ganguli (The Florida Times-Union) The Jags are not dead yet

Looking right (next week's opponent):

• Kent Babb (The Kansas City Star)
  • With the options he has, Matt Cassel doesn't have to be perfect
  • The Chiefs' O-Line has improved from last year (Editor's note: hm... coincidence?)
  • People in Kansas City are paying attention to the Chiefs once again
  • The Chiefs rookies have each others' backs
• Adam Teicher (The Kansas City Star)
  • The Chiefs are confident they can hang with the Colts
  • Todd Haley hinted at the relative advantage of having a former player (Morgan) on your opponent's team (as opposed to the other way around with Lilja)
• Associated Press  Dear Mr. Metzelaars, Please do a cup check on Sunday.  Thank you, the O-Line's future children.

OUTSIDE THE STABLE
Around the League

• Jim Wyatt (The Tennessean) Titans' DE William Hayes blames himself for missing on a key play that resulted in their loss to the Broncos
• John McClain (The Houston Chronicle) The Texans welcome back Brian Cushing
• Paul Kuharsky
  • the AFC South looks different 4 games in
  • tries to guess what the AFC South teams are thinking