Colts

OUT: Kelvin Hayden, Anthony Gonzaelz, Adam Vinatieri, Aaron Francisco, Dan Federkeil,

Questionable (days of pratice): Dwight Freeney (1), Antoine Bethea (0.5), Eric Foster (1), Pierre Garcon (2), Gijon Robinson (0), Jim Sorgi (0),

Probable: Hank Baskett, Justin Snow

Colts.com

Ravens

OUT: DE/OLB Terrell Suggs, RB Matt Lawrence

Questionable: TE Todd Heap (no practice), DT Haloti Ngata (limited all week)

Probable: C Matt Birk, LB Tavares (T-Good) Gooden, QB Joe Flacco, LB Jarrett Johnson

BaltimoreRavens.com

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

FILE -- This is an Aug. 4, 2009, file photo showing Indianapolis Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez during the NFL team's football training camp in Terre Haute, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

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The silver-lining for Anthony Gonzalez's injury in Week One was the rapid, forced development of wide receivers Pierre Garçon and Austin Collie. And while many have expressed frustration that both Garçon and Collie have been erratic throughout the year, the reality is that inconsistency is the hallmark for all young receivers, good and bad. Also, factor in that it usually takes a receiver three years before they finally start looking like they are worth something. Call it the Reggie Wayne Scale, if you must. I remember from 2001-2003, Colts fans (stupidly) applied the "bust" label to Reggie Wayne, maintaining that the Colts should have taken a defensive player (Kyle Vanden Bosch, maybe?), or not traded down to get Wayne and taken a defensive tackle like Ryan Pickett.

This is why fans are fans and Bill Polian is god.

Today, I'm one of the leading schmucks on the Internets who thinks Reggie Wayne is the best wide receiver in football. And if you compare Pierre Garçon's second year numbers (26 catches, 403 yards, 3 TDs) or Austin Collie's rookie numbers (38 catches, 408 yards, 3 TDs) with Reggie Wayne's second year numbers (49 catches for 716 yards and 4 TDs) you see that both young receivers are well on their way to developing into good players.

Again, this kind of development likely would not have happened had Anthony Gonzalez not gotten hurt.

In a recent Mike Chappell article for the Indy Star, we get an update on Gonzo, who is recovering from surgery earlier this month to help heal his injured knee. Gonzo aggravated the injury (which he initially sustained against the Jaguars) during his rehab process. Now, Gonzo is saying he feels "close" again:

"I felt like I was close the last time," Gonzalez said. "So in that sense, it's a little hard to say. I do feel the 'scope I had helped a lot. Now it's just a matter of getting a little flexibility back and all my strength back.

"But I think I'm close."

In yet another season where key components of the team have gone down with injury, such as the oft-injured Bob Sanders (done for the year), the addition of an important cog like Gonzo to an offense as impressive as the Colts could provide a serious jolt during the December push for playoff seeding.

However, we Colts fans have been through this injury roller-coaster before with another wide receiver, Marvin Harrison. The constant "Will he? Won't he?" for Harrison in 2007 drove me nuts from week to week after Harrison sustained a seemingly career-ending knee injury. With Gonzo, I have no wish to relive that torture. If he does come back, he offers another potent weapon to stretch the field for Peyton Manning.

But, it is important to point out the Garçon and Collie have played well enough (overall) to retain their roles. These two guys have grown up as players right before our eyes. It will be interesting to see how the Colts work with them once Gonzo gets back into the fold.

Tip to Z.Pain

Troublingly long injury report today. Kelvin Hayden, Anthony Gonzalez, Adam Vinatieri and Jim Sorgi are still out. They were joined by Hank Baskett (Illness), Antoine Bethea (Foot), Dan Federkiel (concussion), Eric Foster (back), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Pierre Garcon (ankle), Gijon Robinson (concussion), Justin Snow (elbow).

Colts.com link

Kyle DeVan playing Arena Football in Boise last year. Image: via www.everyjoe.com

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In possibly the biggest game yet for the 2009 season, Colts coach Jim Caldwell left 2007 second round pick Tony Ugoh and 2008 second round pick Mike Pollak inactive for the game. They were not hurt. They were not disciplined for an off-the-field incident. They seemed to be left inactive because... well, they just plain suck right now.

Their replacements on the line (Charlie Johnson and Kyle DeVan, respectively) allowed only one sack and blocked for a running game that averaged 5.1 yards a carry during the game.

While most of you know that Charlie Johnson is a 6th round pick from 2006 while Kyle DeVan was playing Arena Football in Boise last year, the fact that essentially two "nobodies" can beat out two highly drafted young players speaks volumes as to how well managed the Colts are as a team. Yes, Ugoh and Pollak are busts. They are stains on an otherwise Hall of Fame drafting resume for Bill Polian. Their lack of production has cost this football teams wins in the past, and with them both being healthy scratches for the biggest game of the year (so far), I'm pretty confident in saying their futures with the Colts stand at "Not For Long."

Sunday night, there was a noticeable difference with Kyle DeVan on the right side blocking on run plays. Chad Simpson had some hard runs, and (once again) Joseph Addai was masterful running the ball hard in the 4th quarter against a gased Patriots defense. Addai's 4 yard TD run and his 9 yard run to the goal line prior to Reggie Wayne's game-winning TD grab are the kinds of runs a team needs to beat a squad like the Pats.

By the way, the Addai TD run was to the right, with DeVan providing an excellent block on Vince Wolfork and Jerod Mayo.

In his weekly Monday press conference, Jim Caldwell confirmed that DeVan has won the starting job over Pollak, and then went on to praise DeVan's work ethic and ability to "fight" as a lineman. Clearly, Pollak did not play with the consistent toughness and tenacity DeVan has played with. This lack of toughness and fight is the same thing that cost promising tackle Tony Ugoh is starting job in Training Camp.

So, while I'm sure you all are upset like me that, essentially, two very high round draft picks were wasted on these two crappy players, the positive is we root for a team that (as Jim Caldwell states) will put ego aside to honestly evaluate their roster. As a result, the people who are playing the best actually play, as opposed to the people drafted the highest.

From Colts.com (transcribed from audio interview):

Question: Is it fun to play games like this [Against the Patriots]?

Jeff Saturday: Absolutely! I think the thing you do want to take away from this week is enjoy the week. Understand, this is cool. This is what you play football for. You don't play for the 0-5 teams, or the 0-8 teams. You play for the two best teams in the division, or in the conference, playing each other and battling it out. I mean, there's no hiding. We'll see where we are Sunday night. I think that's exciting. I think players that enjoy this game understand how fun these times are and how few times you really get this opportunity. So, you might as well go out and make the most of it.

Jeff has been there, done that. And yet, games like this are indeed what NFL players should play for. For the last five years, the Patriots v. Colts game has often dramatically shaped the playoff picture. These kinds of big regular season games, between two great teams, is what we fans should love as well.

I mean seriously, if you did not enjoy the lead-up to this week's game, get a friggin' pulse already. Games like this are what football is all about.

Go Colts! 

Hey Stampede Blue faithful, your friendly Patriots blogger carrying on with the switcharoo.  I thought I would make an attempt to write a "Luke Links" post that your fearless leader BigBlueShoe normally pens.  As you may figure out, I have no clue where he gets all of his links, so you could have a good laugh.  I'll also sprinkle in some Bahston stuff for your reading pleasure.  It is, after all, the center of the universe. ;-)

• Indy Football Report - Outlook improving for Indianapolis Colts RB Donald Brown.  Head Coach Jim Caldwell says, "Donald looks good."
• Indy Football Report - Indianapolis Colts-New England Patriots rivalry something to be savored while it lasts.  Oehser goes on to say, "...annual reminder of  just why the NFL has captured America’s passion like no other sport."
• Indystar.com - Phil Richards reports time for annual meeting of legends.  In their first meeting, Brady reports, "Peyton came over and said I'm Peyton Manning.  I said no (expletive)."
• Boston.com - Freeney carrying a sackful of expectations.  Dwight chats about the different things the Patriots have done to contain him.
• BostonHerald.com - Randy Moss: Rush not secondary.  "I think people are making too much out of their secondary being hurt," Moss said yesterday.
• NYtimes.com - A new cast doesn't slow Peyton Manning.  "This has been a different type of year," Manning said Wednesday. "This year was really curious."
• Indystar.com - Great debate: Manning's 2004 season, or Brady's '07.  Says former Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy, "The thing about it is neither guy is satisfied with it because neither of those seasons ended in Super Bowl wins. I don't know that either quarterback would say that was his best year."

New additions to the list were safety Aaron Fransisco missing part of today's practice with a shin injury and Tony Ugoh getting the day off. Jim Sorgi returned to practice on a limited basis while Vinny, Gonzo and Hayden missed practice for a 3rd day.

OUT: Kelvin Hayden (knee), Adam Vinitieri (knee), Anthony Gonzalez (knee)

Questionable: Aaron Fransisco (shin), Jim Sorgi (shoulder)

Colts.com

Over on the Pats side a wave of players returned to practice, all listed as limited participants.

OUT: DE Jarvis Green, RB Fred Taylor, WR Brandon Tate

Doubtful: LT Matt Light

Questionable: LB Eric Alexander, TE Chris Baker, LB Tully Banta-Cain, NT Ron Brace, WR Julian Edelman, C Dan Koppen, S Brandon Meriweather, RB Sammy Morris, S James Sanders, DE Ty Warren

Probable: QB Tom Brady, CB Shawn Springs, TE Ben Watson