Luke Links: The "Buffalo Soldier" Edition

I'm BACK!  After driving 7300 miles through 5 states and provinces, seeing incredible scenery, fascinating wildlife and meeting interesting people, I am back in good old California and ready to resume my job as Luke Links writer.  I dedicate this edition to the buffalo because (a) we saw a herd of bison along the side of the road in British Columbia, and (b) apparently the buffalo steak is a favorite of Dwight Freeney's.

Ok so technically buffaloes are different from bison, but give me a break... I just got back from vacation!

One of the bison we saw on the route from Dawson Creek, BC to Watson Lake, YT.

FROM THE SADDLE
Official Team News

• John Oehser (Colts.com)
  • Antonio Johnson wants to continue to improve
  • Keyunta Dawson considers himself a veteran, and wants to remain versatile
  • With more experience and confidence, Philip Wheeler feels like a "whole different person"
  • Ryan Diem's background is not a prototypical recipe for success, but he's made it 10 years in the league already
  • Melvin Bullitt reinforces that once you've been given a chance to play, your story is more about improving and playing well than about overcoming the odds
  • Gary Brackett makes sure to conduct himself as a leader on and off the field
• Jeffrey Gorman (Colts.com) interviews Daniel Muir (Part 1, Part 2)

GREEN APPLES AND ROAD APPLES
Positive and Negative Analysis

• Paul Kuharsky (ESPN) answers readers' questions about the Colts' franchise and team
• Mike Chappell (Indy Star) breaks down the backup QB competition
• Jeff Rabjohns (Indy Star) looks at the Colts' ranking in terms of "fan fun" and franchise capability
• John Oehser (Indy Football Report) continues his 21 question series, focusing on whether Bob Sanders will make an impact and whether Dallas Clark can improve
• Nate Dunlevy (18to88.com)
  • compares the Colts' offense with the "K-Gun" offense, then follows up with commentary by legendary San Diego QB Dan Fouts
  • touches on what makes certain fans, fans; he then follows up with a few more stories
  • does an interview with Derek Schultz of XL 950
• Jesse Nocon (18to88.com) suggests the Myers-Briggs Personality Indicator types that match best to various football positions
• Brett Mock (Coltzilla)
  • profiles backup QB Curtis Painter
  • provides evidence of players' off-season fun
  • profiles WR Reggie Wayne
  • profiles 4-time MVP QB Peyton Manning
  • believes Robert Mathis and Reggie Wayne will be at training camp
  • responds to Florio's notion that Bob Sanders should be cut this summer
  • analyzes the state of the offense and defense going into training camp
• Brooks Busch (Colts Chatter)
  • wonders who will come out on top between Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie; he reveals later that he thinks Garcon has the better chance to succeed
  • doesn't like what he's seeing with Marvin Harrison
  • wonders how much Peyton Manning will get
  • is concerned about whether Curtis Painter is sufficient as a backup QB
  • starts a series looking at the AFC competition, starting with the Baltimore Ravens and continuing with the San Diego Chargers
  • looks at what the Colts stand to gain by relocating training camp
  • thinks we can expect to see Pat Angerer contribute on Special Teams
• Sam Farmer (LA Times) reveals a bit about Dwight Freeney's off-season habits and his three-a-week buffalo steak meal plan
• Dan Arkush (ProFootballWeekly) Tony Ugoh and Mike Pollak are getting second chances
• ProFootballWeekly Bill Polian discusses the upcoming negotiations with Manning

OUTSIDE THE STABLE
Around the League

• Paul Kuharsky thinks the Titans' 2009 seventh-round pick safety Nick Schommer is one to watch
• Vito Stellino (Florida Times-Union) highlights who looked good and who didn't during the Jaguars' abbreviated OTAs
• Richard Justice (Houston Chronicle) spells out why you should believe in the Texans this year
• Russ Pullam (Indy Star) Former Colts head coach Tony Dungy continues his coaching