Luke Links: The "Stick With 4 Preseason Games" Edition

This edition is my personal plea to the NFL to stick with the current format of 4 pre-season games and 16 regular season games.  While as a fan I would love to see more games that "count," watching the Colts flounder through the first couple of pre-season games makes me want to give them all the time they need to pull things together.  I also really do want to see more of the rookies and what they can do - for example, how do you fairly judge Brandon James versus Devin Moore, when James faced a solid 49er team and Moore a Swiss cheese Bills coverage?

I know, I know... the answer is that the coaches are the ones who make the decisions, and they tend to do so based more so on performance at practice, but still... there's nothing like a real game to truly test these guys.  Oh well, enjoy today's links...

(Turns out I think like Peyton Manning.)

FROM THE SADDLE
Official Team News

• John Oehser (Special to Colts.com)
  • Coach Caldwell thinks the team did some things well against Buffalo,
  • but there is more to do
  • Devin Moore is not focused on the big play, but is trying to get on the team by making a solid contribution whenever he plays
• Jake Thompson (Colts.com) The Colts fall to Buffalo
• Jordan Hemby will miss the season with a torn ACL
• Videos / Media
  • Coach Caldwell's post-game press conference
  • Bob Lamey talks to Curtis Painter and Devin Moore
  • Sounds of the game, with Bob Lamey

GREEN APPLES AND ROAD APPLES
Positive and Negative Analysis

• Paul Kuharsky (ESPN) offers his thoughts on the Colts-Bills game
• Rich Eisen (NFL) chats with Peyton Manning
• Aaron Wilson (National Football Post) Jeff Linkenbach is being tried at various positions along the O-Line
• Phillip B. Wilson (Indy Star) gets to know Garrett Lindholm, Taj Smith, Mitch King, and Kyle DeVan
• Mike Chappell (Indy Star)
  • Manning is working behind a makeshift line
  • The Colts sign S Ashton Hall
  • There are encouraging signs, despite the performance against Buffalo
  • The Colts wear fewer protective pads than recommended
• Phil Richards (Indy Star)
  • Anderson was pleased with fan turnout
  • The Colts may have a run game
  • Time to join the Brody Eldridge fanwagon
• Bob Kravitz (Indy Star)  Painter and Moore were bright spots against Bufflo
• John Oesher (Indy Football Report, AOL Fanhouse)
  • looks at the aftermath of the Bills game from his own perspective,
  • then from that of Coach Caldwell
  • The Colts' rushing attack progressed in the 2nd pre-season game
  • Joseph Addai still has plenty to prove
  • explains why the Colts don't care about pre-season scores
  • Curtis Painter answered his critics against Buffalo
• Nate Dunlevy (18to88.com)
  • reviews the Ugh-inspiring performance against the Bills
  • posts a roster prediction from reader Westside Rob
  • looks at whether Wayne can catch Harrison
• Brett Mock (Coltzilla)
  • updates his roster prediction
  • evaluates the Colts' pre-season offense and defense
• Greg Cowan (Coltzilla) posts the 2nd edition of the Check It to Pancakes podcast
• Robert Itoh (Coltzilla) lists 5 things he thinks he knows after the Bills game
• Jacob Crocker (Coltzilla)
  • evaluates the performance against the Bills
  • profiles WR Taj Smith
  • profiles WR Blair White
• Brooks Busch (ColtsChatter.com)
  • looks at another pre-season defeat
  • wonders whether we should be concerned about the backup QB
• Anthony Stalter wonders whether the Colts should be worried about the DT position

IN THE PADDOCK
News About This Week's Opponent

• Anthony Lopopolo thinks the Bills should have stayed in Buffalo for last week's game
• Jim Olski The Packers' stellar offense may be overshadowed by issues on the defense and special teams
• Tom Silverstein (Milwaukee-Wisconsin Sentinal Journal) is not sure how to judge the Packers' running game

OUTSIDE THE STABLE
Around the League

• John Glennon (The Tennessean) The pressure mounts as roster cuts loom
• Tania Ganguli (Florida Times-Union) The Jaguars' Tyson Alualu liked the taste he got in the pre-season and is looking for more
• John McClain (Houston Chronicle) The Texans' defense has to get better
• Paul Kuharsky
  • Now that he's been responsible for 2 Patriots' knees, Bernard Pollard wants a shot at Peyton Manning
  • Paul gives his thoughts on AFC South fantasy picks
  • Summarizes camp for the Texans
  • Summarizes camp for the Titans