Colts Gab

By and large, the Indianapolis Colts have been an high-octane offensive team, with a bend-but-not-break defense. But with some astute signings on the defensive side of the ball (Gary Brackett, Antoine Bethea, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and a finally healthy Bob Sanders) totalling in the neighborhood of $242 million since 2006, the Colts should finally be able to reap some benefits.

Fortunately for the team, their defensive coordinator Larry Coyer has a system in place that will enable the defensive line and subsequently the secondary to be able to be more aggressive than in the past.

As in any professional team sports, with so much money invested in the defense, playing time will be hard to come by, save for the usual suspects.

Assuming that Freeney, Sanders and Mathis remain healthy through the entire 2010-11 season, the Colts’ defensive line can be lethal, especially in passing situations. And Sanders – we already know about his pass coverage abilities; that goes without saying.

The defensive line, for the most part, is set with Freeney and Mathis as bookends with wither Eric Foster and Daniel Muir spelling each other at defensive tackle.

Linebacker is likely going to consist of Brackett, Clint Session and either Phillip Wheeler or Cody Glenn starting. Fortunately, the Colts have many options at LB, so this is a position of strength.

The secondary, depending on the health of some players, will probably have Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt at safety and Jerraud Powers and probably Jacob Lacey at cornerback.

But when the smoke clears, there will be battles at all of the defensive positions, save for the DEs, a couple of the LBs and certainly playing time in the secondary. Suffice it to say, the secondary is deep. And let’s not forget about Jerry Hughes. Although one would assume he is a defensive end, there is the possibility that he can also do some pass rushing at one of the linebacker slots.

If Coyer can whip the defense into decent shape and resemble or even improve over last year, they will make Peyton Manning’s job that much easier.

After all, that’s what they’re supposed to do, right?

Photos: Colts.com

The Indianapolis Colts took a hit within their linebacking corps and secondary as it looks like linebacker Gary Brackett and cornerback Kelvin Hayden will not play in Sunday’s contest against the Arizona Cardinals.

Brackett injured his knee in last Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins while Hayden injured his hamstring – also against Miami. Look for Freddy Keiaho to replace Brackett at LB while it is still unclear who will replace Hayden – more than likely a game-time decision.

Matt Dollinger of Colts.com has reported that Gary Brackett is the winner of this prestigious award that recognizes one NFL Player whose contributions to the community and charity are especially noteworthy. Brackett is honored for his work through his own organization the IMPACT Foundation which gives opportunity to children suffering from cancer that might not normally be available. Congratulations to Gary on his recognition and his work.

Mike Chappell of the Indy Star wrote today a good article about linebacker Gary Brackett, and how he plans on being 100 percent and ready to go for the 2009 season. Brackett missed the end of the 2008 season with a broken leg. He also said today that he underwent an arthroscopic procedure a few months ago.

“I actually rehabbed to a couple of months ago and it was feeling good,” said Brackett, who has started 58 regular-season games at middle linebacker the past four seasons. “But it still wasn’t quite there yet.

“We went ahead and got surgery. We fixed up some things, got some things scoped. Now, it’s feeling good. I’ve got my motion back and (we’re) strengthening it so I’ll be back for training camp.”

Getting Brackett back is going to be a boost for the defense, as they could have used him against Darren Sproles in that wild card playoff loss in San Diego last January.

From: Tribune Star

Colts head coach Tony Dungy said LB Gary Brackett (fibula) could be available next week if the team were to win its playoff game versus the San Diego Chargers. “It’s hard to say,” Dungy said about when Brackett might return. “He still hasn’t practiced yet, so I don’t think it’s imminent. I think if he could get out and practice next week, we would certainly play him. I don’t know where he is. We’ll find that out, probably, on Tuesday if we win.”

From: Colts.com

Colts head coach Tony Dungy said he expects to have all of his starters ready to go for Week 18 when the Colts visit San Diego in the Wild Card round. The lone exception will probably be LB Gary Brackett, who will not practice this week while continuing to recover from a fibula injury.

From: NFL.com

Colts president Bill Polian told the NFL Network on Tuesday that LB Gary Brackett will not play Thursday night against the Jaguars. Brackett, who has missed two games since cracking a bone in his lower right leg, was one of four players who missed practice, joining WR Marvin Harrison(knee), DE Dwight Freeney (foot) and backup RB Chad Simpson(ankle). The Colts released a lengthy injury report on Monday — listing 15 players who did not practice — but everyone else took part in the full practice session on Tuesday.

Colts linebacker Gary Bracett will sit this week, as he will miss his second straight game Sunday with a cracked bone in his lower right leg. Brackett, the team’s defensive captain, leads the team with 113 tackles.  There was talk earlier in the week of him playing again this season, but it likely wouldn’t come till the teams first playoff game the first weekend in January.

From: Indy Star

Gary Brackett might miss the remainder of the regular season with a broken right fibula, but the veteran middle linebacker hasn’t given up on playing again this year. “I’ll be back when the doctors say I’m ready,” he said. “Right now I’ll just continue to rehab, and every week I’ll continue to get better. I’m optimistic about returning this season. There’s really about another 8-10 weeks left in the season if you look at the playoffs and how the Super Bowl ends up. . . . I’ll definitely be back before then.”

With Gary Brackett out two weeks with a broken bone in his leg, Buster Davis will be up next to start at linebacker this Sunday when the team takes on the Bengals at home. The rookie will get the start, and coach Tony Dungy says he will do just fine.

“I think Buster is going to be able to handle things fine,” coach Dungy said Wednesday. “We’ll see how practice goes. If he has any problems, we can put Freddy (Keiaho) in there (at middle linebacker). But right now our plan is to leave everybody where they are and just play the next man.”

Brackett was hurt vs the Browns Sunday in the 10-6 win in Cleveland, and reports say that he will be back for the playoffs if the team can get in as a wild card.