The only seasons I’d say were we “burnt out quick” were 2005 and 2007, with 2005 being the one where it really stung. 2007, we lost Freeney for the year and Mathis was playing on one leg. As a result, we lose to the Chargers in a close one.

This year, for the first time, the fast start is much more about our defense than our offense. So, because of that, I’d say this start “feels” different than previous starts.

What have you guys noticed?

The secondary is one of our strengths right now despite the recent injuries. The main reason for this is the fact that most of the now IR’d players had lingering injuries all year and didn’t contribute much, if any, to our #1 ranked defense.

The O-line right now is horrible in run blocking and adequate in pass blocking. That’s our current weak point.

I think the Colts fanbase doesn’t feel as bad about losing Sanders as much as the media makes it seem. Yes, he is a great player and losing him hurts our depth, but Melvin Bullitt has pretty much been our starting safety the last two years. We are all very confident in his ability.

As for the rookies, it will be a big challenge, because they haven’t seen an offense like the Patriots yet. Last week, Andre Johnson burned out entire secondary on a play-action, but was over thrown. We’ll definetly have to pick our poison. Either we’ll try to shut down Welker, or we’ll try to stop the big play.

The rookies aren’t nearly as much of a concern as our nickleback, Tim Jennings. Jennings is Stampede Blue’s favorite player to make fun of. If an opposing team has a third and long, chances are that they’re going to throw to whoever Tim Jennings is covering. The thought of Tim Jennings covering Wes Welker gives me nightmares.

And our lack of depth is scary. If either of our rookie corners get hurt, we’re in trouble. However, I will say that the Colts have a really impressive rookie class. I never thought we’d have two rookie corners and I wouldn’t be worried.

I never understood why people thought the Colts would slump because ofthe coaching changes. Caldwell is a Dungy disciple who carries himself in a very similar manner, however, you can also see that he isn’t afraid to get mad. He’ll never display it publicly, but players commented during training camp that Caldwell was definetly louder.

Unlike McDaniels or Tomlin, Caldwell has been with the Colts for years. Last year he was our Assistant Head Coach, and was able to see all the little things Dungy did to make the team successful. Caldwell also didn’t have to reinvent the wheel. We had solid veterans and a solid philosophy, and shaking things up would have been a mistake. Instead, Caldwell tweaked the team.

Our improvement on defense and special teams can be contributed to Caldwell. He fired the coordinators of yester-year and brought in people that would be more agressive. The blitz at the end of the Houston game that resulted in an interception won us that game. Last year? that wouldn’t have happened.

Small things changed, but overall, it is still the same team. The players already knew Caldwell and trusted him. We were able to come into this season with a business-as-usual approach which has been key to our success.

That’s the easiest question I’ve been asked all year. Welker is a great slot receiver, but (as DZ of 18to88.com is fond of saying) Moss is the greatest offensive weapon since Jim Brown. The only thing that has stopped him from being one of the greatest players to ever play the game is himself. He scares me to no end.

we can stop moss going deep but then welker would have like 25 receptions or something. we can stop welker but then moss would burn us for like 5 touchdowns or something. the truth be told they both scare me. welker is by far my favorite non-colt player. this game will definitely come down to who has the ball last. i can feel it.

I know that Brady has looked like his old self, but in the Titans game, nobody was covering him. Against the Dolphins, Moss was beating man-coverage. We won’t be using man coverage, so I don’t see him putting on the moves like he did last week. Also, we normally do a good job of preventing the deep pass.

Welker freaks me out. I have no idea how we’ll stop him. They’ll use him to convert third downs and take time off the clock. We’re going to have to rely on Freeney and Mathis putting Brady on his back to get your offense off the field.

Moss is the better player, but Welker’s style and usage is better suited to beating Indy’s D. The big threat with Moss is the deep ball, which the Tampa-2 is built around stopping. It does this at the expense of forcing the OLBs and CBs to cover wider areas underneath, which means bigger holes. Some of this is countered by using LBs that are smaller, faster and better in coverage (which weakens the run D), but a quick guy with the football IQ of Welker finds those gaps very well.

he’s very good.

Welker obviously for what I talked about above. Moss is one of the greatest talents to play the game when he actually comes to play. Wilfork obviously got embarrassed on a key play against Jeff Saturday in 06, but he’s still the kind of guy that can muck up the middle for Indy.

I fear the slot possession receivers that are good after the catch and bring the defense up. Brandon Stokley, Wes Welker, and Austin Collie are good examples of players that I like when they are on my team and hate when they are on the opponent.

I also am very glad that Richard Seymour is gone. Overall the defense doesn’t really scare me besides Mayo.

1. Sorgi’s awesome. Thanks for asking.
2. Not since we got rid of Craphonso Thorpe.
3. Chad Simspon. That guy is a beast.
4. Tim Jennings.

Reggie Wayne WR:
LIKES: Burning your DB’s with his lightning speed, TD’s, stiff-arms, and the smell of victory.
DISLIKES: Being touched by other people (he avoids this at all costs) and the Pats.

Dallas Clark TE:
LIKES: Crossing routes, being covered by LB’s, close physical contact, and tractor pulls.
DISLIKES: People touching his stuff (that football is HIS, so don’t even think about it) and the Pats.

Dwight Freeney DE:
LIKES: Sacking your QB, sacking your QB, sacking your QB, and your shirt (I think you better give it to him).
DISLIKES: Everybody, but especially the Pats.

Robert Mathis DE:
LIKES: Strip-sack/fumble recoveries, sneaking up on you from behind, and that football in your hand (why don’t you save yourself some embarrassment and just give it to him?).
DISLIKES: Smiling, mercy and the Pats.

Peyton Manning QB:
LIKES: Breaking records, breaking down defenses, breaking your team’s spirit and breaking out the double fist-pump.
DISLIKES: Boston baked beans, Boston cream pies, New England clam chowder, crabs, lobsters, the entire New England area, Paul Revere and the Pats.

2007 got them very worried.

yes, yes, a thousand times yes! I would absolutely love to go 19-0 and be declared one of the greatest teams the league has ever seen. I keep hearing people say (seeing people type?) that they would rather drop one or two in the regular season and then win the Superbowl, but I disagree. I still have vivid memories about what losing feels like (3-4 with 2 beatdowns will do that for you), and I don’t ever want to feel that again. I know that’s not a realistic goal, but if we can go undefeated, I’d be the happiest person in the world.

Of course, I’d trade a loss in the regular season in exchange for a Super Bowl (I think we all would.), but there is no way to guarantee that. So, yes, I am happy about the prospect of going undefeated. It means I won’t have to feel the pain of a loss at all this year.

he’s off the Injury Report this week and is going through full practices. The guy is a stud. He will offer the Colts a great run game in the future…if this O Line was good Donald Brown would be unstopable. The only issue is the shoulder injury he has now, he said it was something in delt with at UCONN, so we are all hoping he wont be an injury prone back. We haven’t seen speed like his from a RB since James, maybe even Faulk. He can find holes even when they aren’t there. I believe the Colts are limiting him in games now so he will be healthy for a super bowl run. But I expect him to get a few more reps on Sunday than he usually does.