Preseason games do have some meaning for Colts
By Mike Chappell
The look spoke volumes.
Preseason football games? Meaningless?
Tony Dungy disagreed. First with a quick, fixed glance, then with measured words.
"They always mean something," the Indianapolis Colts coach said as he looked ahead to tonight's game against the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome. "We haven't won nearly as many preseason games as I would like to and people think that you don't care about winning. I think it's always important to win."
The Colts are 0-2 this preseason and have dropped 14 of their last 16 preseason games overall. That's hardly bled into the regular season; Indy is 21-0 in September and October since 2005. "It's hard to complain with that," Dungy said.
Still, after two spotty outings, the Colts hope it's time for the No. 1 offensive and defensive units to shore up in what could be extended work this evening.
Each still is operating without integral parts: quarterback Peyton Manning and guard Ryan Lilja on offense, end Dwight Freeney and safety Bob Sanders on defense. Yet the Colts' mantra is next-man-steps-in, so missing parts are not an excuse for missing a beat.
"We still don't have everyone healthy, but that's no excuse," defensive end Raheem Brock said. "We still should look good the first couple (of series)."
Added cornerback Kelvin Hayden: "We just want to be sharp, play fast, play physical, play our game and hopefully we can get that done. It'd be good to get a three-and-out."
There have been extenuating circumstances for the defense's uneven performance. It has been forced to defend a short field in the first quarter three times already, once because of an unsuccessful onside kick against Washington and twice because of Jim Sorgi turnovers at Carolina. But instead of limiting the damage, the Colts defense allowed three rapid-fire touchdowns.
The No. 1 offense has been similarly shaky. Filling in for Manning, Sorgi has been on the field for 30 plays and four series. The yield: two turnovers, two sacks, and two Adam Vinatieri field goals that punctuated long drives. The offensive line has struggled at protection and creating running room.
"It's time to get in a rhythm," said Sorgi, who will start his third consecutive game before giving way to Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen. "It's time to get a couple of solid drives going.
"It's time to put the ball in the end zone and get to celebrate a little bit."
By Mike Chappell
The look spoke volumes.
Preseason football games? Meaningless?
Tony Dungy disagreed. First with a quick, fixed glance, then with measured words.
"They always mean something," the Indianapolis Colts coach said as he looked ahead to tonight's game against the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome. "We haven't won nearly as many preseason games as I would like to and people think that you don't care about winning. I think it's always important to win."
The Colts are 0-2 this preseason and have dropped 14 of their last 16 preseason games overall. That's hardly bled into the regular season; Indy is 21-0 in September and October since 2005. "It's hard to complain with that," Dungy said.
Still, after two spotty outings, the Colts hope it's time for the No. 1 offensive and defensive units to shore up in what could be extended work this evening.
Each still is operating without integral parts: quarterback Peyton Manning and guard Ryan Lilja on offense, end Dwight Freeney and safety Bob Sanders on defense. Yet the Colts' mantra is next-man-steps-in, so missing parts are not an excuse for missing a beat.
"We still don't have everyone healthy, but that's no excuse," defensive end Raheem Brock said. "We still should look good the first couple (of series)."
Added cornerback Kelvin Hayden: "We just want to be sharp, play fast, play physical, play our game and hopefully we can get that done. It'd be good to get a three-and-out."
There have been extenuating circumstances for the defense's uneven performance. It has been forced to defend a short field in the first quarter three times already, once because of an unsuccessful onside kick against Washington and twice because of Jim Sorgi turnovers at Carolina. But instead of limiting the damage, the Colts defense allowed three rapid-fire touchdowns.
The No. 1 offense has been similarly shaky. Filling in for Manning, Sorgi has been on the field for 30 plays and four series. The yield: two turnovers, two sacks, and two Adam Vinatieri field goals that punctuated long drives. The offensive line has struggled at protection and creating running room.
"It's time to get in a rhythm," said Sorgi, who will start his third consecutive game before giving way to Quinn Gray and Jared Lorenzen. "It's time to get a couple of solid drives going.
"It's time to put the ball in the end zone and get to celebrate a little bit."
