It's been a tough bye week so far, and it's only Thursday. To briefly recap: P Pat McAfee has been suspended for one game following a public intoxication arrest, TE Dallas Clark is out indefinitely and possibly for the year, RB Joseph Addai is out for at least a handful of weeks, WR Austin Collie may be sidelined a few weeks as well and perhaps worst of all, there will be no new episode of AMC's 'Mad Men' this Sunday, as the fourth season finished last week.
I'll have a pretty solid case of the bye week blues by the time Sunday and the ensuing Tom Brady-Philip Rivers lovefest rolls around, but until then, here's a few links to get you through the week...
FROM THE SADDLE
Official Team News
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John Oehser (Special to Colts.com)
- The bye week is a time for both rest and improvement.
- The NFL's emphasis on policing helmet-to-helmet hits will not affect the Colts.
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Videos/Media
- The Caldwell Minute - 10/20/10
- Sounds of the Game - Indianapolis at Washington
GREEN APPLES AND ROAD APPLES
Positive and Negative Analysis
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Paul Kuharsky (ESPN)
- With Clark sidelined, opponents will likely defend with more defensive backs.
- Is Bob Sanders one of the NFL's most overrated players?
- McAfee's stock is falling while WR Pierre Garcon's stock is rising in the latest AFC South stock watch.
- McAfee is "that guy" as the Colts enter their bye week.
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Phillip B. Wilson (Indy Star)
- Phil B. shares his perspective on the state of the Colts and their current affairs during the bye week.
- RB Joseph Addai assures Phil B. that his shoulder injury is "just the nerve." (Editor's note: because partial paralysis is just a thing you know; Addai is a far tougher man than I could ever aspire to be, hopefully not at a long-term cost to his health.)
- Is McAfee's "drunk diving" arrest indicative of a lack of control on head coach Jim Caldwell's part?
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Mike Chappell (Indy Star)
- If the Colts don't turn to practice squad KR Brandon James for return duties, it's likely because they do not trust his ability to secure the ball
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John Oesher (Indy Football Report)
- The Colts will have to dramatically adapt their offense to the loss of Clark.
- A look back at what happened in last Sunday's Colts-Redskins game.
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Laura Calaway (Coltzilla)
- Calaway speculates that Clark has a sprained wrist and reports that he is seeking consultation on potential medical options.
- Calaway also speculates on the implications of Addai's nerve damage.
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Nate Dunlevy (18to88)
- The Colts sent a message to McAfee and the rest of the team by suspending their sole punter.
- Dunlevy charts a defensive stop that was essentially negated by a Kenny Moore fumble.
OUTSIDE THE STABLE
Around the League
- Jim Wyatt (The Tennessean) reports that the Titans will monitor QB Vince Young as the week progresses, though his playing chances on Sunday do not look good.
- John McClain (The Houston Chronicle) writes that the Texans' defense has been so bad that it is spoiling the team's winning record.
- Vito Stellino (The Florida Times-Union) claims that injuries to QB David Garrard and QB Trent Edwards may force QB Todd Bouman into a starting role this Sunday. (Editor's note: Good luck with that.)
- Paul Kuharsky offers a bye week report of the Houston Texans.