Right Off Russell

For a little more inofrmation on this weeks opponent, we were able to work with the guys over at the Colts Blog-18 to 88. Here are the answers we gave them.

Indy is unbeaten but they are not dominating. A win is a win, but there are few people predicting an undefeated season. Who trips up the Colts?
We predicted Indy to lose at Houston before the season. I like the Texans a lot, and while Indy has dominated the series, the games at Houston are always tough. That’s the game I think will tough to come away with. Beyond that, I suppose the game at Jacksonville could be tough. The Colts have started out with at least a 7-0 mark 4 times in 5 years now. We all know enough to realize that they’ll eventually drop a game. It will be to a good team who plays well. In 2007, it was the undefeated Pats by 4, in 2006 it was Dallas, and 2005 in was the Chargers. Someone will knock Indy off, but they’ll have to bring their best effort.

If you were game-planning against the Colts D. Where would you try to exploit?
I would run up the middle and throw lots of play action passes. I would go after third corner Tim Jennings whenever he is on the field. If you have exceptional O Tackles, a good QB will pick apart the Indy zone. Everything depends on blocking Freeney and Mathis. Do that you beat the Colts. Fail, and your QB will get killed.

Jim Caldwell is filling in nicely this season. What, if anything, has he brought differently to this team?
Nothing new. He’s been with the club since day 1 of the Dungy Era. He was brought in for continuity, not for change. He brought in a couple of new coaches, and sometimes hearing the same message from a slightly different voice can help it sink in. In most ways, this Colts team is similar to others. They never suffer ‘let down’ games. They make no stupid mistakes. They pull off incredible comebacks. This often ‘inflates’ the Colts’ record because they never beat themselves. Caldwell is steering this ship exactly how Dungy did.

Who are the other serious receiving threats outside of Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne?
Austin Collie has been competent in the slot (other than a couple of bad drops last week). Pierre Garcon is the real weak link right now. In truth, the player teams should be scared of is Joseph Addai catching the ball out of the backfield. If Indy can spare him from blocking duty on pass plays, the offense is much more effective. Indy’s offense has been greatly disrupted by the loss of Anthony Gonzalez. If he returns, the Indy offense should find a new gear.

Watching Peyton Manning bark out crap for 30 seconds may be effective at the line of scrimmage but does it get old to watch?
Never. He doesn’t always let the clock run down, and will quick snap repeatedly as well. Watching Manning control and alter the game before the ball is snapped is one of the great joys of watching him play. 5 or 6 years ago, fans whined about it more than they do today. Most people have accepted that this is part of Manning’s brilliance. Considering that the game winning TD pass last Sunday was an “at the line” adjustment made by Wayne and Manning based on hand signals (as was his other TD catch), I’m certainly not going to complain about Manning’s histrionics.