http://www.yardbarker.com/rss/team/37 Recent articles about the Indianapolis Colts en-us Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser takes a next-day look at the Indianapolis Colts’ 35-27 victory over the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas in Week 12 of the 2009 NFL season . .  .  As Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning sees it, consistency is the key. Professionalism is pretty big, too. Manning, in his 12th season as [...] Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:46:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Oehser_on_Examiner_Coffee_with_the_Colts_A_next_day_look_at_the_Indianapolis_Colts_8217_35_27_victory_over_the_Houston_Texans/1653014 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Oehser_on_Examiner_Coffee_with_the_Colts_A_next_day_look_at_the_Indianapolis_Colts_8217_35_27_victory_over_the_Houston_Texans/1653014 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Oehser_on_Examiner_Coffee_with_the_Colts_A_next_day_look_at_the_Indianapolis_Colts_8217_35_27_victory_over_the_Houston_Texans/1653014 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/d/b/db6755675e089d6e7cc99e91b7674c95ab22c427/small/New_England_Patriots_b01b.jpg The Indianapolis Colts needed to lose against the Houston Texans. By making yet another impressive comeback in the fourth quarter to beat the Texans 35-27 on Sunday the Colts have won the AFC South for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. With home field advantage throughout the playoffs only a couple of wins away [...] Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:50:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Too_Much_Too_Soon_for_the_Colts/1652231 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Too_Much_Too_Soon_for_the_Colts/1652231 On Saturday night, Hot Tub, Shortround and I went to the Bloomington South High School basketball game against New Albany. It was a match up of the #1 and #2 teams in Indiana Class 4A basketball and featured 5 division 1 college recruits. Four of those play for Bloomington South! Purdue recruit Donnie Hale is the lone standout in New Albany, and he has real promise in matt Painter's system. He is 6'7", long, and has a great sense of the block. He is advertised as having a bi... Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:46:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Sportstastic/1652459 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Sportstastic/1652459 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Sportstastic/1652459 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/e/5/e57aa52085b7c1c2830983038033f4a7435a712d/small/Indianapolis_Colts_2009_8add.jpg One thing is for certain about the Indianapolis Colts: they have seemed to be able to beat their opponents in just about every conceivable way possible – or so it seems. During Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium, that analogy was definitely put to the test. Down by 13 points at halftime, [...] Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:39:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Colts_Clinch_AFC_South_Hold_Off_Texans_35_27/1651789 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Colts_Clinch_AFC_South_Hold_Off_Texans_35_27/1651789 by Nancy GayFiled under: Colts, Texans, AFC SouthHOUSTON -- They are the Cardiac Colts, and their 35-27 victory Sunday over the fading Texans at Reliant Stadium looked more like the usual routine than divine intervention -- Indianapolis has a 15-1 series advantage over Houston, but played fourth-quarter catch-up for the fifth consecutive game.That 17-0 hole, the two Peyton Manning first-half interceptions and the 20-7 halftime deficit against a quick strike Texans' offense that seemed poi... Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:15:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Comeback_Colts_Capture_AFC_South/1651765 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Comeback_Colts_Capture_AFC_South/1651765 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Comeback_Colts_Capture_AFC_South/1651765 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/a/8/a8f56c8fd2d4c8fdc1fb0db72fac1626668487c8/small/Houston_Texans_v_6d77.jpg The Indianapolis Colts are still the NFL’s kings of the comeback, 2009 style. They’re also AFC South Champions. Again. The Colts, with QB Peyton Manning throwing three touchdowns passes — and with a defense that struggled in the first half playing big in the second — stayed unbeaten and clinched a playoff appearance Sunday afternoon by rallying from a [...] Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:02:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_clinch_sixth_AFC_South_title_in_seven_years_with_victory_in_Houston_photo_gallery/1651729 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_clinch_sixth_AFC_South_title_in_seven_years_with_victory_in_Houston_photo_gallery/1651729 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_clinch_sixth_AFC_South_title_in_seven_years_with_victory_in_Houston_photo_gallery/1651729 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/5/a/5af997ee6ad46fd6ee1461ea3e632aae98e79c1f/small/BRONCOSRAVENS_4f92.jpg The Indianapolis Colts have clinched a sixth AFC South title in seven years. The Colts, who needed to win and have Jacksonville lose Sunday to secure the division title and an eighth consecutive playoff appearance, beat the Houston Texans, 35-27, in Houston on Sunday. The Jaguars lost to San Francisco, 20-3, in San Francisco. The Colts have [...] Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:03:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_2009_AFC_South_Champions/1651730 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_2009_AFC_South_Champions/1651730 More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP about 2 hours ago: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Pierre Garcon (85) makes a 9-yard touchdown reception as Houston Texans safety Bernard Pollard, right, defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009 in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Browse more photos » Like so many games this year, this was a tale of two halves. The fir... Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:17:11 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Quick_Recap_Colts_35_Texans_27/1650344 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Quick_Recap_Colts_35_Texans_27/1650344 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Quick_Recap_Colts_35_Texans_27/1650344 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/6/1/6128796a65181481f021d1dca70f28cbbd05d968/small/Indianapolis_Colts_v_1901.jpg More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP Frenchy has some hands (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Browse more photos » The Colts play 60 minutes. After the Texans raced out to a 17-0 lead in the first 20 minutes and went into the half up 20-7 they were held without another point until a garbage time score in the final 20 seconds down 15. Meanwhile the Colts O put up 4 2nd half TDs. The Colts gained 114 yards on t... Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:12:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Quick_Recap_Colts_35_Texans_27/1650215 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Quick_Recap_Colts_35_Texans_27/1650215 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Quick_Recap_Colts_35_Texans_27/1650215 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/4/2/428b838e3da2d3b176ff95ac055c4d2a048a6f8a/small/New_England_Patriots_c6a5.jpg Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser offers five end-game thoughts on Indianapolis Colts-Houston Texans . . . 1. Colts experience paid off Sunday. Even down 17-0, you didn’t sense panic. Once it got to 14, it wasn’t as much comeback as just a regular game. 2. Big-time play by not only TE Jacob Tamme knocking out late [...] Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:04:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indy_Football_Report_Editor_John_Oehser_offers_five_end_game_thoughts_on_Indianapolis_Colts_Houston_Texans/1650261 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indy_Football_Report_Editor_John_Oehser_offers_five_end_game_thoughts_on_Indianapolis_Colts_Houston_Texans/1650261 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indy_Football_Report_Editor_John_Oehser_offers_five_end_game_thoughts_on_Indianapolis_Colts_Houston_Texans/1650261 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/2/e/2efdf1b3cfb142d68a3d588a53cd73e3534da5be/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f89727720.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D0A7A14ED4F1D8E3987E9147D5380DDED13A6F09696602C398.jpg The Indianapolis Colts’ game against the Houston Texans Sunday already was expected to one of the toughest challenges of what so far has been an unbeaten season. It got a whole lot tougher Saturday night. That’s because DE Dwight Freeney, the most important player on the Colts’ defense — and particularly important against the Texans — didn’t [...] Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:49:00 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Absence_of_Indianapolis_Colts_DE_Dwight_Freeney_makes_tough_matchup_in_Houston_even_tougher/1649363 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Absence_of_Indianapolis_Colts_DE_Dwight_Freeney_makes_tough_matchup_in_Houston_even_tougher/1649363 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Absence_of_Indianapolis_Colts_DE_Dwight_Freeney_makes_tough_matchup_in_Houston_even_tougher/1649363 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/f/1f62c4790b13416543a2c3ef79d173676d2f5295/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f72940952.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193DADD97B58D4678D0D42EFC88380147AC.jpg Indianapolis Colts LT Charlie Johnson will play Sunday against the Houston Texans. Johnson, a starter in nine of the first 10 games this season, missed two practices this week with a foot injury. He had said Friday he expected to be a game-day decision and was not among seven players declared inactive by the Colts Sunday. Indianapolis [...] Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:38:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_LT_Charlie_Johnson_will_play_against_Houston_Texans/1649364 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_LT_Charlie_Johnson_will_play_against_Houston_Texans/1649364 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_LT_Charlie_Johnson_will_play_against_Houston_Texans/1649364 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/7/a/7ad680f3f318741c3847adbc5fd8cbfed5fc9b4a/small/AFCNFC_Hall_of_dd06.jpg PREGAME: Charlie Johnson is active for this game, so I suppose that's some good news. FIRST QUARTER:   Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:26:03 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Colts_at_Texans_Game_Blog/1649200 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Colts_at_Texans_Game_Blog/1649200 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Colts_at_Texans_Game_Blog/1649200 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/e/cebe39f526179b28e34d97e9ae91a6b4c4c492c9/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f73204125.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193DADD97B58D4678D0094286768FC8639C.jpg Defensive end Dwight Freeney did not travel with the team to Houston and will not play against the Texans in week 12 with an abdomen injury, reports ESPN on Twitter. Freeney leads all Colts with 9.5 sacks. Freeney was selected by Indianapolis with the 11th selection in the 2002 NFL Draft out of Syracuse. Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:52:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Freeney_Does_Not_Travel_To_Houston/1646432 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Freeney_Does_Not_Travel_To_Houston/1646432 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Freeney_Does_Not_Travel_To_Houston/1646432 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/1/f/1f62c4790b13416543a2c3ef79d173676d2f5295/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f72940952.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d17A4AD9FDB9CF193DADD97B58D4678D0D42EFC88380147AC.jpg The Indianapolis Colts will be without four-time Pro Bowl DE Dwight Freeney when they play the Houston Texans Sunday. Freeney, the franchise’s all-time sacks leader and the team leader this season with 9.5, missed all three practices this week with an abdomen injury. He did not travel with the team. With Freeney out, DE Robert Mathis — [...] Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:56:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_DE_Dwight_Freeney_to_miss_game_against_Houston_Texans/1646236 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_DE_Dwight_Freeney_to_miss_game_against_Houston_Texans/1646236 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Indianapolis_Colts_DE_Dwight_Freeney_to_miss_game_against_Houston_Texans/1646236 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/2/02c9bcde0b450b5d6ffa397ed65b0f19a454592a/small/AFC_Wild_Card_e643.jpg Colts.com says that despite all the hurts, the team is not going to cut Bob Sanders this offseason: Colts GM Bill Polian reiterated he has no plans to cut safety Bob Sanders, even though Sanders has played in just eight games of the last two seasons since signing a five-year, $37 million contract. “There’s no way [...] Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:37:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Polian_Says_the_Team_Wont_Cut_Bob_Sanders_This_Offseason/1645183 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Polian_Says_the_Team_Wont_Cut_Bob_Sanders_This_Offseason/1645183 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Polian_Says_the_Team_Wont_Cut_Bob_Sanders_This_Offseason/1645183 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/8/9871f9064bb27e3114aba6eb65db5be1bbf71182/small/GMC_Defensive_Player_352a.jpg Peyton Manning has returned to full practice from an injury to his backside and is probable for Sunday’s AFC South game at Houston. Manning had seen limited work Wednesday and Thursday before participating in the full workout on Friday. Also listed as probable are WRs Reggie Wayne (foot) and Pierre Garcon (ankle); safeties Melvin Bullitt (shoulder) and [...] Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:27:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Manning_Back_at_Practice_Will_Play_vs_Houston/1645184 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Manning_Back_at_Practice_Will_Play_vs_Houston/1645184 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Manning_Back_at_Practice_Will_Play_vs_Houston/1645184 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/0/6/06f7217d5893a4b9cc68418829088270f0ea0426/small/Houston_Texans_v_f710.jpg Being a fan of the team that's won more times this decade than any other team and currently holds a 10-0 record is reason enough to be thankful all year long.  But more than just the jaw-dropping results, there's always the little things that I'm thankful for as a Colts fan.  The great thing about being a Colts fan is that you get the chance to notice these things after weeks upon weeks and years upon years of watching this team.  Now I'd like to take some... Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:00:13 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Know_Your_Colts_History_Things_to_be_Thankful_for_Year_Round/1643136 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Know_Your_Colts_History_Things_to_be_Thankful_for_Year_Round/1643136 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Know_Your_Colts_History_Things_to_be_Thankful_for_Year_Round/1643136 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/9/e/9e73667a14bd8fd18bb2a19072b8a1e5ec717efe/small/GettyImage.ashx_url_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f93187388.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D059E7C369AFBEA2C08CD4A0A2B69DC21FA3DE903F4627CA25.jpg Anybody who didn't know who TE Tom Santi was before the Baltimore game, they saw enough to know the guy can make plays. And he's tough. Santi took three extremely nasty shots from Ravens defenders. The one most will remember, from middle linebacker Ray Lewis, caused a lost fumble at the 1-yard line. The Colts were that close to going ahead 21-12 if they score seven there. And while I've heard some criticize the second-year pro for the turnover, it was a brutal hit. Santi didn&#39... Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:47:41 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Santi_endures_school_of_hard_knocks/1642164 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Santi_endures_school_of_hard_knocks/1642164 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Santi_endures_school_of_hard_knocks/1642164 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/c/1/c1ad2e3f46165246143f28436e6096a15f8213c6/small/GettyImageProxy.ashx_requestUrl_http_3a_2f_2fcache.gettyimages.com_2fxc_2f89727735.jpg_3fv_3d1_26c_3dEWSAsset_26k_3d2_26d_3d77BFBA49EF878921CC759DF4EBAC47D0840DC469EDB727347E9147D5380DDED15659AEFD329DC3B2.jpg More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP 3 months ago: Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell, right, and team president Bill Polian chat as they watch practice during the NFL team's football training camp in Terre Haute, Ind., Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Browse more photos » For twelve NFL seasons, Bill Polian has managed all Colts front office duties, and it has been this ... Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:03:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Colts_extend_contract_for_Bill_Polian_name_his_son_Chris_Polian_as_General_Manager/1639277 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Colts_extend_contract_for_Bill_Polian_name_his_son_Chris_Polian_as_General_Manager/1639277 http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/Colts_extend_contract_for_Bill_Polian_name_his_son_Chris_Polian_as_General_Manager/1639277 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/8/3864e8f1b612e1a6ca9839c1fd8669604ba68245/small/BRONCOSRAVENS_3b09.jpg