March 2009 - Indianapolis Colts Wiretap
Vikings, Colts Have 14 Pro Bowlers
The Vikings and Colts dominated their conference's Pro Bowl rosters on Tuesday.
Brett Favre was one of eight Minnesota players on the NFC's roster, while Peyton Manning is one of six Indianapolis starters honored in the AFC.
Six teams didn't have a player, including the AFC North champion Bengals. The others were the Chiefs, Falcons, Lions, Seahawks and Buccaneers.
The Cowboys had six Pro Bowlers: wide Miles Austin, tight end Jason Witten, linebacker DeMarcus Ware, nose tackle Jay Ratliff, guard Leonard Davis and center Andre Gurode.
Two rookies made the AFC team, Houston linebacker Brian Cushing and Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd. Washington linebacker Brian Orakpo is the lone rookie on the NFC squad.
Colts Owner Defends Decision To Sit Starters
Colts owner Bill Polian defended coach Jim Caldwell's decision to sit his starters in the second half of Sunday's game against the Jets.
New York defeated Indianapolis, sending them to their first loss to the season.
"Football logic has to come into play, and that logic is it makes no sense to have guys out there with the potential for injuries," Polian said. "We played for 16 weeks, sharp as any team in football. The good thing is that none of this mattered in the standings."
Caldwell: Important Season Is Coming Up
Colts coach Jim Caldwell showed on Sunday that he was more concerned with being ready for the playoffs than he was an undefeated season.
With Indianapolis leading the Jets in the third quarter, Caldwell pulled a majority of his starters. The Jets dominated the game's final 20 minutes to hand the Colts their first loss of the season.
"The most important thing is to make certain that we are operating on all cylinders come the playoffs," Caldwell said. "The most important season is the one coming up."
Peyton Is Fourth To Pass For 50,000 Yards
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is the fourth quarterback in NFL history to throw for 50,000 yards in his career.
Manning entered Sunday's game against the Jets needing 159 yards to reach the mark.
He surpassed the mark on a 24-yard completion to rookie wide receiver Austin Collie, and joins Brett Favre, Dan Marino and John Elway as the only quarterbacks to do so.
Colts Pull Starters, Lose First Game
The Colts pulled a number of their starters, including quarterback Peyton Manning on Sunday, and lost their first game of the season.
The Jets beat the Colts 29-15.
When Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell pulled some of his starters, at the 5:36 mark in the third quarter, the Colts led 15-10.
The Colts had won 23 straight regular-season games.
Painter Could Make NFL Debut
Colts rookie quarterback Curtis Painter could make his professional debut on Sunday.
Peyton Manning will play in the team's game against the Jets, but how long he will be on the field is unknown.
"I'm still not going to assign any time period," Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell said.
The Colts have yet to lose a game this season.
Colts Place Gonzalez On Injured Reserve
The Colts have put wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez on the injured reserve.
Gonzalez sprained ligaments in his right knee in the season opener and later had arthroscopic surgery on the knee, which delayed his return.
On Monday, Indianapolis team president Bill Polian said he hoped Gonzalez would be able to return on Sunday against the Jets.
Gonzalez had 57 catches for 664 yards and four touchdowns in 2008.
Anthony Gonzalez Suffers Setback
Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez didn't practice on Wednesday and his status for Sunday's game against the Jets is in doubt.
Gonzalez hasn't played since spraining a ligament in his right knee in the Sept. 13 season opener against Jacksonville.
"Probably the best way I could put it is today, we'll see," head coach Jim Caldwell said. "But his road hasn't been an easy one, let me put it that way."
Peyton Surpasses Brees For Most Pro Bowl Votes
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has surpassed Saints quarterback Drew Brees for the most Pro Bowl votes.
In the final NFL.com fan voting announced on Tuesday, Manning received 1,545,642 votes.
Brees was in second with 1,485,397, just a few thousand votes ahead of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre.
Fan voting ended on Monday, December 21.
Colts Hoping Gonzalez Will Face Jets
The Colts are hoping that wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez will play against the Jets on Sunday.
Gonzalez injured his knee in the first game of the season and practiced on Monday.
If Gonzalez plays, it's possible that it'll increase the chances of Peyton Manning playing so that the duo can work on their chemistry.
Colts Haven't Decided To Rest Or Play
Indianapolis is 14-0 and two wins away from only the third perfect regular season in NFL history.
NFL Power Rankings For Week 16
The Steelers are one of 12 teams in the AFC to have a .500 or better record, but they will need help to reach the playoffs.
RealGM's Week 15 Rundown
The Colts are two wins from perfection, but the Saints fell to the Cowboys on Saturday night for their first loss of the 2009 season.
Manning Hopes Colts Play Starters
The Colts are two games away from perfection.
Risdon's Football Meteorology For Week 15
Drew Brees put their undefeated season on the line against Dallas.
Freeney Among Six Colts Held Out
Dwight Freeney may miss Thursday's game against Jacksonville.
Colts Could Sign Losman This Week
The Colts could sign J.P. Losman for the remainder of the season.
NFL Power Rankings For Week 15
Jim Caldwell's defense has been able to withstand the Bob Sanders injury and 21 catches from Brandon Marshall, here is how.
Caldwell: 'Healthy' Colts Will Play
Indianapolis will play their starters against Jacksonville.
Risdon's $.10 For Week 14
How the Colts and Saints remained undefeated, plus Sunday night's video game-like spectacle between the Eagles and Giants and the rest of the Week 14 action.
RealGM's Week 14 Rundown
The Colts and Saints continued to dominate, the Vikings locked down a playoff berth and the Chargers won their eighth straight game in Week 14.
Colts Win Record 22nd Straight Game
The Colts broke a tie with the Patriots for the all-time NFL mark.
Wayne Wants Colts To Go For 16-0
Reggie Wayne wants the Colts to try to go 16-0.
NFL Power Rankings For Week 14
While the Colts and Saints worry about remaining undefeated, the Chargers are a team nobody wants to play now, or in the playoffs.
Colts Still Hope To Get Gonzalez Back
Anthony Gonzalez is behind schedule.
Colts Can Clinch AFC's Top Seed With Win
The Colts will clinch the AFC's top seed with a win over the Broncos on Sunday.
Risdon's $.10 For Week 13
What we learned about the Saints and Colts this week, plus another December meltdown by Dallas and more.
RealGM's Week 13 Rundown
Drew Brees and the Saints barely got past the lowly Redskins in overtime to remain undefeated on Sunday.
Colts Tie Mark With 21st Straight Win
The Colts have won 21 straight regular-season games.
J.P. Losman Works Out For Colts
J.P. Losman could sign with Indianapolis.