Colts Gab

From ESPN’s Hashmarks:

Player, Position, Injury: Bob Sanders, S, lingering issues with right shoulder.

Rehab status: The NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year underwent arthroscopic surgery shortly after a playoff loss to San Diego. He’s been held out of team activities throughout the offseason. Sanders has been staying in shape by running, but he recently said he needs to spend the time between now and training camp strengthening his shoulder.

Next step: The Colts have been tight-lipped about when they expect Sanders, defensive end Dwight Freeney (foot) and receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) to be at full strength. Sanders has been adamant that he’ll be ready for the start of the season, but he has stopped short of saying he’ll be 100 percent by the start of training camp.

Fantasy Spin: Sanders and Freeney are the main reasons the Colts’ defense is draftable in fantasy leagues. If either man misses extended time, the consequences could be dire both in terms of sacks registered and rush yards allowed. It sounds as if Sanders is a safe bet to participate in training camp, which is great news. ESPN.com currently has the Indianapolis defense ranked No. 7 for fantasy, so clearly we’re reasonably confident both Sanders and Freeney will return. But if Freeney is limited all the way into Week 1 — and it’s possible — rookies Marcus Howard and Curtis Johnson could work their way into the Colts’ speed-rusher rotation.

In celebration of the 25th Season of Indianapolis Colts Football and the grand opening of Lucas Oil Stadium, the Indianapolis Colts will host their first ever Fan Fest in Anderson, featuring hometown hero and national recording artist, Jon McLaughlin. The first 2008 Fan Fest will be held on Friday, June 6th at 5 p.m. at the Downtown Anderson Town Center. Admission to all Colts Fan Fests are FREE!

Colts Fan Fests will continue across Indiana and Kentucky through June 20 making seven total stops in cities including Anderson, Terre Haute, Evansville, Louisville, La Porte, Ft. Wayne and Indianapolis. Fan Fest elements include a “Colts City” set up with inflatables, meet and greets with Colts players, cheerleaders, Blue the team mascot and a free concert by recording artist and Oscar nominee Jon McLaughlin. Fans may also participate in the “Books for Youth” book drive by donating new or gently used children’s books, register their kids for the Colts Kids Club, register-to-win tickets to a Colts pre-season game, pick-up free Colts giveaways and experience the re-designed Colts In Motion traveling museum.

Special notes:
The Colts would like to encourage all fans to arrive early. The line for player and cheerleader autographs may be cut off at any time to ensure the Players schedule remains on time. Inclement weather or traffic may cause late arrival or early departure. All Fan Fests will take place rain or shine. Team practice schedules and meeting times may cause players to arrive late or depart early. Colts player names will not be announced prior to the arrival in each city. Fans will be allowed one autograph per person, however fans may get back in line for additional autographs. All Colts Fan Fest times are local.

Below are the 2008 Colts Fan Fest dates, locations and times. Please visit www.Colts.com/FanFest for an up-to-date listing of locations to be visited.

Indianapolis is still celebrating its win in securing the 2012 Super Bowl for Lucas Oil Stadium as coordinators start to plan for it.  Members of the Colts organization and the Indianapolis Super Bowl bid committee thanked supporters on Wednesday.  Quarterback Peyton Manning says hosting the big game is fitting for Indianapolis fans.  Harshman Middle School was chosen for the rally because it is in the Near Eastside area expected to see improvements as a result of the Super Bowl. 

An enclosed practice facility for one of the Super Bowl teams will be built on the campus of next door Arsenal Tech High School.  Indianapolis Public Schools will eventually operate the building, which organizers hope will spur neighborhood redevelopment.  Work to secure eight-million-dollars in funding for that project will not begin for a few months.  National and philanthropic organizations could be interested in pledging funds, according to bud committee chairman Mark Miles.

The bid package enabling the city of Indianapolis to host the 2012 Super Bowl includes pregame parties at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.  The public party on Saturday could draw 50-thousand fans downtown.  A National Football League gathering is planned at IMS the Friday before Super Bowl 46.  The event is expected to include displays of historic and current race cars, and legends from motor sports.  Bid planners have said there is a legacy aspect, which includes a multipurpose enclosed athletic center at Arsenal Tech High School. 

One of the participating teams would practice there, but the facility could spur other development.  The last eight Super Bowls have provided a direct economic stimulus of up to 300-million-dollars, according to bid committee president Mark Miles.  The committee also promoted the use of the dome on the new stadium and all-weather walkways that will connect the facility to several hotels.

The NFL has given Super Bowl XLVI to the great city of Indianapolis. The announcement was made earlier today, and as we reported on Friday the city was making a major push, putting another $25 mil towards trying to land the event. The following presser was sent out about the event coming to Indianapolis:

Congratulations Indiana! The greatest city and the greatest state are hosting the world’s biggest sporting event, Super Bowl XLVI! The National Football League owners have shown a great deal of faith in our state’s ability to host this prestigious event. Without a doubt, this will be one of the most memorable Super Bowls ever and have a lasting, positive impact on our state.

As more details become available we will keep the Colts family informed. This victory for our entire state transcends the Indianapolis Colts and speaks volumes about the commitment and vision which led to the construction of Lucas Oil Stadium, the league’s finest venue. This announcement is another example of the power of millions of Hoosiers following a determined path to success.

Not a big shock in the following, that being wide out Marvin Harrison at Colts minicamp, but not speaking to the media about the latest surrounding the incident at his bar in Philly.  Some of Marivn’s teammates did speak though about the WR – “Nothing’s been…I don’t think anything’s been figured out. Until then, it’s hard to make a conclusion. But for now, I just support Marv,” said Colts tight end Dallas Clark.

The Colts are at the start of a three-day minicamp, and all along it was expected that Harrison would be there, but at the same time you could almost bet he wouldn’t talk about the shooting or anything to do with it.  “Didn’t have a whole lot of reaction to it. I didn’t talk to anybody personally about it. I have text messages from friends but haven’t talked to coachDungy or Marvin. I’ve been around long enough to know until I hear from someone who truly knows, I don’t give it a lot of merit,” said Peyton Manning.

Police have said all along that Harrison is not a suspect in the case, but at the same time, there has been talk that the receiver is not as innocent as he seems.  There has been a lot of background dug up on him that is making him not look as squeaky clean as he may have seemed in the past.  Will Harrison talk at some point?  I wouldn’t hold my breath.

After losing him last offseason to free agency, the Colts have brought back running back Dominic Rhodes to the team.  Rhodes signed a one-year deal worth $650,000 according to the Indianapolis Star.  The back was released by the Raiders just after the draft in an expected move.  The 29-year-old ran for over 100 yards in the Colts Super Bowl win over the Bears two years ago, and worked well with then rookie Joseph Addai.  Rhodes that season started all 16 games, but came off the bench for the four postseason games before being the star of the Super Bowl win.

With the Raiders, Rhodes was a big letdown, playing in just 10 games and rushing 75 times for 302 yards and one touchdown.  In seven NFL seasons, Rhodes has run for 2,567 yards with 20 touchdowns and 101 catches for 719 yards and one TD.