Luke Links: The "Well THAT Was Fun" Edition

This edition is dedicated to reminding Colts fans that the preseason, while the first glimpse of professional football, doesn't count.  It is more important as a tool for evaluating players on the roster bubble, and even though there are referees on the field and a score is kept, the good news is that it has no bearing on making it to the playoffs.

Also remember that the Colts were doing VERY well and handed a 10-0 lead to the second string early in the game.  I am not sure when the 49ers turned to their second string, but believe it wasn't for a little while after the Colts did it.  Either way, expect more of the same on Thursday night against the Bills.

FROM THE SADDLE
Official Team News

• John Oehser (Special to Colts.com)
  • Kelvin Hayden is quietly going about his business
  • Dwight Freeney likes what he sees from the defense
  • Antoine Bethea and Peyton Manning predict pre-game jitters from the rooks
  • puts a positive spin on the first pre-season game
• Lia Reich (Colts.com) Brody Eldgridge is making the most of the NFL experience
• Jake Thomas (Colts.com) The first team defense did outstanding against the 49ers
• Craig Hammel (Colts PR) summarizes training camp events of August 12, August 13, August 14 (with Jake Thompson)
• Videos
  • Interview with Jim Irsay
  • Interview with Melvin Bullitt
  • Jim Caldwell gives his post-game press conference
  • Players (including Gary Brackett, Joseph Addai, Robert Mathis, Jerraud Powers, Peyton Manning, Pat Angerer, and Curtis Painter) talk about the game

GREEN APPLES AND ROAD APPLES
Positive and Negative Analysis

• Paul Kuharsky (ESPN)
  • identifies three hot issues emerging from Colts camp
  • likely in preparation for negotiating a new deal, Polian stops shy of calling Manning #1 player
  • thinks the Colts' defense is better than last year
  • Peyton Manning Clyde Christensen will call plays from the sideline
  • offers his thoughts on the game
• Phillip B. Wilson (Indy Star)
  • gets to know Sam Giguere, Vuna Tuihalamaka, Marlon Favorite, and Dudley Guice
  • catch up on Phil B.'s blog, including why he thinks Brock left the team
  • The Colts squandered a lead to lose their first pre-season game
  • Phil B. gives his afterthoughts on the game
• Mike Chappell (Indy Star)
  • The defense was playing for reals in practice
  • The Colts are looking for a spark from Brandon James
  • The duration of pre-season is still under debate
  • Defenders may fill in at the fullback position
  • The Colts have a lot of safeties
• Phil Richards (Indy Star) Jeff Saturday will be out 2-6 weeks
• Bob Kravitz (Indy Star) is skeptical about the Colts relying on Painter as Manning's only backup
  
• John Oesher (Indy Football Report, AOL Fanhouse)
  • reviews the first two weeks of training camp
  • No news is good news for Bob Sanders
  • Gary Brackett is not a fan of a shortened pre-season
• Nate Dunlevy (18to88.com)
  
  • wonders if Saturday can make it back for Game 1
  • posts a camp report from coltsfanawalt
• Brett Mock (Coltzilla) compiles camp Twitter updates (Friday,) and offers observations (Friday,)
• Jacob Crocker (Coltzilla)
  
  • profiles WR Anthony Gonzalez
    
  • and summarizes notes from Friday's practice
  • summarizes his thoughts from the first pre-season game
  • recounts his day at training camp
• Travis Tango (Coltzilla) Coach Caldwell wanted efficiency against the 49ers
• Greg Cowan (Coltzilla)
  • identifies 5 things to look for in the first pre-season game
  • hits us with his quick thoughts post game
• TJ Higley (Coltzilla) has strong feelings about Painter; click the link to find out whether they're positive or negative
• Robert Itoh (Coltzilla) offers 5 things he thinks he knows from this game
• ColtPower.com
  • SportsXchange: Tony Ugoh wants to make the most of his second chance
  • Eric Hartz: The defense is taking shots in practice
    
  • Jim Irsay is pleased with the welcome at Anderson
  • Howard Balzer: John Gill's season is over
• Associated Press Curtis Painter wants a fresh start
• Chris Nelsen (Des Moines Register) Pat Angerer is making a smooth transition to the NFL
• Cliff Brunt (AP) The Colts are seeking to improve the return game
• George Bremer (Herald Bulletin) Coaches Caldwell and Christensen represent the Colts' philosophy of "next man up"
• Vito Stellino (Florida Times-Union) takes a shot at the Colts' protectiveness of Peyton Manning
• Rick Teverbaugh (The Herald Tribune) Tony Dungy will be installed in the Colts' Ring of honor on November 1
• Michael Marot (AP) Prepared Peyton still on top of details
• Tristan H. Cockcroft (ESPN) analyzes whether Pierre Garcon is a fantasy sleeper or bust
• CBS The Colts' young secondary is learning from the vets
• The Sports Xchange (CBS) Colts strategy and personnel
• Associated Press The Colts' miscues lead to loss to 49ers
• NFL.com summarizes the game

OUTSIDE THE STABLE
Around the League

• Jim Wyatt (The Tennessean)
  • The Titans had mixed results in their pre-season opener against the Pete Carrolls
  • On a more somber note, Stafon Johnson suffers another injury, but vows to return
• Vito Stellino (Florida Times-Union) The Jaguars have work to do on defense
• John McClain (Houston Chronicle) The Texans starters did well in their pre-season opener
• David White (San Francisco Chronicle) The 49ers are rusty, despite win