We here at Naptown’s Finest have just awoken from our turkey-and-gravy-induced comas so let’s get back to business: Colts vs. Falcons, Thanksgiving night.

It may be too soon to say this, but the Colts may be back into something resembling rhythm. Marvin Harrison’s still questionable for the Jags game this coming Sunday, but it was great to see the o-line backups (Tony Ugoh and Ryan Diem were still out) were able to step up their games and deliver decent pocket-protection for Peyton Manning.

Speaking of Manning, coming off a horrendous three-game stretch (including a record six INTs in one game) he finally found some rhythm with a somewhat rejuvenated receiving corps, connecting on TDs with Reggie Wayne for 23 yards, Dallas Clark for 8 yards and even Ben Utecht for 5 yards. Anthony Gonzalez really stepped up from being there for the short dishes to making big plays (35-yard and 32-yard catches, respectively) to set up two of Manning’s three Q2 TDs, finally claiming that coveted “3rd receiver” he’d not quite earned so far this season with injury and Clark’s demanding presence on the field. He had only one INT on the night (ATL’s DeAngelo Hall), but still finished with a solid 272 yards passing.

The rushing game kept improving Thursday night as both Joseph Addai and Kenton Keith put up good numbers, Keith leading with 74 yards on 17 carries; Addai with 44 yards on 10 carries and a rushing TD. Addai did receive a neck injury in the Q2 but returend shortly afterwards.

Special teams didn’t do anything wrong, so we couldn’t ask for more from them. Adam Vinatieri even made some of those FGs he forgot how to make over the last few weeks.

And the defense was its same ole self, especially when Antoine Bethea‘s wtf-hit on Atlanta’s Laurent Robinson resulted in a Kelvin Hayden INT-dish-off to Bob Sanders. Also, Gary Brackett had 13 tackles (11 of them solo), Raheem Brock and Simeon Rice got a sack apiece, and Rocky Boiman also contributed an INT with a 26-yard runback.

All-in-all, it was a great outing for a squad that looked like some car in Bruce Willis’ Last Man Standing, riddled with bullet holes. The 10-day R&R should be great for injuries, especially since Tony Dungy‘s not having them even think about putting pads on until Wednesday.

LINKS:

• Topix‘s take on the game in Atlanta.
• Indystar‘s report on how the Colts are spending their much-needed 10-day rest period.
• More game stats on ESPN.
• Take a look at our young and increasingly-dangerous defensive line.

Dungy had the boys begin the week with a no-pads practice, which he says is not indication of their gameplan against the Chiefs at home this Sunday. No, no! Practicing without pads this week, unlike any other week this season, is no indictment of the Chiefs play. We got you Tony…I know, I know! We get it. No, really. We know it wasn’t anything against the Chiefs.

Are you sure Croyle has to start though? There’s absolutely no way you can bring Captain Concussion back? Damn! Can you at least send his wife, Julie Green, to Indy this Sunday because we’ll need something to look at by halftime – the lead the Colts will have will be enough to just send local fans into the game against the Chiefs.

You know, in an effort to save what few players we have left.

LINKS:

Raheem Brock’s rare night off. (Colts.com)
Simeon Rice’s first practice with the team on Wednesday. (Colts.com)
Take a look at your young front… (Colts.com)
Let’s hear ya, Jeffri Chadiha! (Espn.com)

And…

Leadership is found in Indianapolis and nowhere else in the league! (Indystar.com)

Say it ain’t so!!!

Freeney’s out because a Chargers linemen rolled over his left ankle during the 4th quarter last Sunday. He’s set to miss upwards of 4 games or so.

What will the Polian-Dungy connection do to remedy our backup woes? How about sign Pro Bowler Simeon Rice for a conditional agreement to take over our beloved Pro Bowler Defensive End while he heals?

Just prior to preseason, Rice was dismissed from his Tampa Bay contract due to a nagging shoulder injury, but Rice maintains it’s because he adamantly refused to take a pay cut. Denver picks him up, healthy and almost back to form, and then barely plays him in six games this season. We’re talking Simeon “Freight Train” Rice, a man who hits harder than most DEs and might give Freeney a run for his money regarding speed. This Bobby Bowden-trained elephant gun is No. 13 on the NFL’s all-time sack leader list with over 121 sacks in 172 career games!

Did I mention that Rice left Tampa with a Super Bowl ring? Yeah, he knows how to win big.

I say we got a steal while Freeney gets back to 100 percent. I wonder, when Freeney’s back, will Dungy try to keep his old defensive student and try him out at the left side for Robert Mathis or even try to place him at linebacker? Both unfamiliar positions, but Rice has the size, strength, intelligence and speed to give it an honest shot. I’m just spitballing here, though…

Also, Rice requested his release from the Broncos (this past Friday of all times!) as he was extremely unhappy with his playing time and that they were severely misusing him at an unfamiliar left defensive end position (so maybe Mathis’ position is safe). He replaces Freeney at the right side, which works out well.

NOTES:

- To acquire Rice, the Colts had to let go successful special teams Return Man T.J. Rushing and fullback Luke Lawton. No word yet on who will replace Rushing.
- Rice played under Tony Dungy when Dungy coached the Bucs in 2001.
- In 172 career games, Rice has 590 tackles, 37 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries, five INTs and 60 pass deflections.
- Rice only missed 1 game in his first 10 years in the NFL.
- Rice has played in six games for the Broncos this season.
- He is 2nd in the league in current sack leaders only to Michael Strahan of the NY Giants.
- Rice is well-accustomed to sacking league leaders, including Brett Favre, John Elway, Tom Brady and our own Peyton Manning.

Links:

Two key plays on Sunday night’s game, and the Colts are demanding the NFL to fess up. (IndyStar)
Original article for above information on Freeney and Rice. (IndyStar)
Here’s ESPN‘s look at the deal between Rice and the Colts.
Only their fourth two-game losing streak in 81 games, and now they face a new QB snapping for the Chiefs this Sunday. (IndyStar)
Bob Kravitz is dead-on about the Special Teams and dead-wrong about the Coaching. What do you think about his midseason Colts report card? (IndyStar)