Bob Sanders "may never play football again?"

Today, buried deep in a post about the washed up WR Tarrel Owens, NFL Analysts Mike Lombardi made this statement...."There is some concern Colts safety Bob Sanders might never be able to play football again, with his shoulder and bicep issues. He reduced his contract, but his rehab has been slow."

Now, lets take a look at this statement for a second shall we? First off it screams "PAGE VIEWS PLAESE!" For a writer, analyst or whatever, all they care about is how many people read/hear what they have to say. Even if it's not completely true or makes no sense whatsoever. This "story" has spread like wildfire on sites such as ProFootballTalk. So for that, I give Mike a pat on the back. Job well done. However I believe his "reporting" is about as false as they come.

Just yesterday on ProFootballWeekly this statement was made "Colts SS Bob Sanders is coming off his best spring ever after participating fully in OTAs for the first time in his career. Sanders looked like a "fresh colt," appearing very excited and energetic. A healthy Sanders bodes very well for the Colts, of course, and particularly for a secondary that has battled injuries of late." Hmmm....that sounds a lot like every other persons report that's not names Mike Lombardi. Lombardi has a history of reporting stupid, baseless things. Example just last week he reported that Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson was "unhappy" with his current contract. A contract that will pay him about 17 million dollars over the next 2 years. Peterson immediately came out and said the report was a load of crap.

A lot of people think just because Lombardi was the only one to report that Manning has not one but 2 surgeries before the start of last season, that he must know what he is talking about. Not the case. The Colts are keep injuries pretty quiet, so to know anything he would have to do some serious kissing up to Mr. Polian and I doubt that is the case.

Every other writer has said the exact opposite of Lombardi on Sanders. We have heard that he is much better and he is happy with being able to participate in OTA's and be able to go through full practices during mini camps. That's something Bobzilla hasn't done much of in the past.

What does Sanders have to say about his health? I give you the words from his own mouth, "I've been able to rehab myself back to pretty decent health where I can actually practice full time," Sanders said. "OTA's have really gone well for me. The knee has been doing great. The arm has been doing great. I feel great."

I'll take Bob's word over anybodies. But for Colts fans its probably safe to just stick with the words of people like John Oesher and Phil B. They are knowledgeable writers and have access to things involving the Colts. Both have good reports about Bob Sanders.

Colts Rank 4th In All of Sports in ESPN The Magazine Ultimate Standings

Ok guys, after taking an extended hiatus I have decided to continue writing. But! (There's always a but isn't there?) It will be up to you guys, the readers, if I continue. This blog isn't as big as some Colts blogs on the internet like Stampede Blue, 18to88, or Coltzilla, but I still try to provide quality info for you as a reader. So feedback is much appreciated from you guys! Also, I encourage you to go check out the above mentioned blogs. They are all top quality and keep up to date posts to keep Colts fans as informed as possible. The guys who run those sites are great people and they put a lot of time and effort into what they do.

Now, moving on to the topic at hand. We all know that the Indianapolis Colts are an amazing organization not only on the field, but off as well. On the field, the Colts strike fear in the eyes of their opponents, but off the field they are actively helping out in communities across Indiana. This kind of thing has earned them a top spot in ESPN the magazine's 8th annual Ultimate Standings, a measure of how Pro Sports organizations like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB give back to their fans.

The Colts with their 14-2 record and second Super Bowl appearance in 4 years, has earned them the number 4 spot in the 2010 Ultimate Standings. That's a 10 spot jump from last years number 14 spot. The Colts were one of three NFL teams who were in the top 10. The (ugh) Saints, took the coveted number 1 spot.

There are 8 categories that are considered when trying to come up with the Ultimate Standings list. The Colts scored in the top 10 of six of the eight categories. Those categories are:

Bang For The Buck- Wins during the last 3 years (regular season as well as the playoffs) per revenues directly from fans, adjusted for league schedules. The Colts ranked 8th in this category.

Fan Relations- The openness and consideration to fans by players, coaches, and management. The Colts ranked 6th in this category.

Ownership- Honesty and loyalty to core players and local community. The Colts ranked 9th.

Affordability- Ticket prices, parking, and concessions. Colts ranked 39th.

Stadium Experience- Quality of arena and game-day promotions as well as friendliness of environment. Colts ranked 8th.

Players- Effort on the field and likability off the field. Colts ranked 3rd.

Coaching- Strength of on-field leadership. Colts ranked 46th.

Title Track- Number of championships won in the lifetime of current fans. Colts ranked 3rd.

In 2008 the Colts were ranked number 1 and have remained in the top 10 since 2005. So I think it's safe to say the Colts are a pretty classy organization.

2010 Colts Free Agents

The 2010 season looks as though it will be uncapped. This will be the first time the NFL will have an uncapped season since 1993. Personaly, I don't like it, but I don't decide these things. Along with an uncapped season comes a bunch of new and confusing rules and regulations reguarding the Free Agency market. Luckily for the Colts, these changes should't have any negative effects. If the Colts play things right, they should actually help the Colts.

The Colts have 2 unrestricted free agents in Gary Brackett and Matt Stover. Gary Brackett is the one the Colts MUST try to keep. Bill Polian has already mentioned that keeping Brackett is a top priority for the Colts. If the Colts can negotiate a deal with Brackett this should be his final contract of his great NFL career. Brackett will retire a Colt and will go down as one of the best to suit up in Blue and White.

There are 3 different types of free agents. Restricted Free Agents, Unrestricted Free Agents, and Exclusive-Rights Free Agents. I will try to help readers understand the 3 a little more.


A restricted free agent is a player who has completed 3 seasons and whose contract has expired. The player has the right to negotiate contracts with other teams during the free agency period. If the player is offered a contract with another team, his old team has the first right of refusal, which is where the old team has 7 days to match the offer and retain the player, or refuse to match the offer and allow the other player to sign with another team.

There is an upside to having restricted free agents rather than inrestricted free agents. If a team refuses to match the offer the new teams contract, then the old team is compensated with draft picks

Unrestricted free agents are exactly that. Free Agents who can sign with any team at any time with no regulations.

Exlusive-rights free agents are players who have completed a maximum of 2 seasons and whose contract has expired. These players can not negotiate with other teams and if they refuse to sign with their current team, then they forfeit their right to play. Basically, they quit.

A list of Colts free agents-
Restricted: Hank Baskett, Antoine Bethea, Melvin Bullitt, Dan Federkeil, Aaron Francisco, Tyjuan Hagler, Marlin Jackson, Tim Jennings, Charlie Johnson, Freddie Keiaho, T.J Rushing.

Unrestricted: Gary Brackett, Matt Stover.

Exclusive-Rights- Antoniio Johson, Dan Muir, Mike Toudouze

Colts come up short in Super Bowl 44; Saints 30 Colts 17

This is a tough one. Not at all what any of us Colts fans expected. The Colts out gained the Saints in total offense through the ground and through the air. But the Saints fought back and made the plays when they needed to the most. Despite what you hear, see, or read in the media Manning DID NOT choke the game away. Anyone who tells you differently needs to be ignored because it's simply not true.

Manning threw for 333 total yards and a touchdown. But the defense could not hold the Saints offense in check. The Colts defense was playing very loose trying to avoid the big play down field and were not taking any risks. And against a team like the Saints you have to play tighter defense or they will eat you up with short yard passes all game long. Because the defense was not getting the job done it put the pressure on Manning to try to make something happen down 24-17 with just over 5:00 of clock left. When this happens, the chances of turnovers gets higher and guess what? That's exactly what happened. On a pass intended for Reggie Wayne, Saints DB, Tracy Porter, made an excellent jump on Wayne's route and picked Peyton off. Porter ran the interception to the house for a touchdown, all but sealing the Saints victory.

Saints QB Drew Brees had a fantastic game despite the Saints run game being shut down. Brees finished with 288 yards and 2 touchdowns. Saints head coach Sean Payton out coached Colts coach Jim Caldwell. The onside kick to start the second half took balls of steel and Payton showed he had them. The Saints recovered and took a possession away from the Colts. If you wanna beat the Indianapolis Colts, you MUST keep Manning on the sideline and that's exactly what the Saints did.

Congratulations to the Super Bowl 44 champs New Orleans Saints. The team had a heck of year. This city hasn't had a championship in its 42 years of existence. But Colts fans fear not. This Colts team is only going to get better next year and after seeing how good they were this year should scare rest of the NFL.

Colts place QB Jim Sorgi on IR

The Colts have placed back up QB Jim Sorgi on IR with a shoulder injury. Sorgi has been on the injury report for weeks now and Colts fans have felt he would land on injury reserve as soon as the Colts needed an open roster spot. And thats exactly what happened. Sorgi's roster spot has been replaced by Michael Toudouze, an offensive linemen who has been on and off the roster since he was drafted by the Colts in 2006.

This leaves the rookie out of Purdue, Curtis Painter, as the Colts lone backup QB. Painter looks like he could develop into a good QB, especially since he is learning from Payton Manning, one of the best QB's to ever throw a pig skin.

One has to wonder what happened to Sorgi. He never sees playing time with the Colts because he backs up Peyton Manning, who has never missed a start. During his six years in the NFL, Sorgi has thrown 156 passes, completing 99. He has thrown six touchdowns and one interception, for a passer rating of 89.9. I guess practice just got the best of Jim.

Colts Waive RB Mike Hart

Today at 11:30 EST the Colts waived RB Mike Hart. A lot of Colts fans thought this guy had some great potential, but unfortunately he sustained an ACL tear his rookie year that has kept him sidelined for most of his career. The Colts moved Hart up from the practice squad on Oct. 5th, but he has not touched the ball since then. Obviously the Colts are happy with Joeseph Addai and rookie Donald Brown. Chad Simpson, who has made quite a good impression when givin the ball, will remain the 3rd RB. Hart, if not claimed, will likely end up back on Indianapolis' practice squad.

Also today the Colts placed OT Dan Federkeil on IR with a concussion. I look for the Colts to fill these roster spots with CB's to fill in some much needed depth in the secondary. Former Colts Keiwan Ratliff and Adam Seward were also waived today, so I look for the Colts to give them a second look.

Colts go back "home" to face the Baltimore Ravens

On Sunday, the 9-0 Colts will travel to the city that basically forced them out... Baltimore, Maryland, to face the 5-4 Baltimore Ravens at M &T Bank Staduim. The last time these two teams faced off Indianapolis jumped out to a 24-0 lead and coasted to a 31-3 victory on Oct. 12, 2008. The Colts have won the last 6 meetings between these teams and have a 7-2 edge over the Ravens including the playoffs. After the jump I will talk about the things to keep your eye on and the things that could make or break this game.