INDIANAPOLIS COLTS News and Notes for 2007/2008

[The General]

2007 REGULAR SEASON

WK	DATE	OPPONENT
1	9/6	NEW ORLEANS SAINTS	41 - 10 W
2	9/16	@ Tennessee Titans	22 - 20 W
3	9/23	@ Houston Texans	1:00 PM

COLTS.com

[The General]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Colts got exactly what they expected Sunday.

This time, they got what they wanted, too.

What the Colts (2-0) expected was what Head Coach Tony Dungy said they expect whenever and wherever they play the Tennessee Titans (1-1) these days - a close game, a hard-fought game and one decided in the final minute.

What the Colts wanted was a victory.

They got it.

The Colts, in a matchup of unbeaten AFC South teams, led throughout the game against the Titans on Sunday afternoon, but it wasn't until 15 seconds remained that a relentless, dramatic defensive stand enabled them to hold on for a 22-20 victory in front of a raucous 69,143 at LP Field.

“Our defense saved the day,” Dungy said.

The Colts' defense limited the Titans – who rushed for a franchise-record 282 yards last week against Jacksonville in the season opener – to half of that total. Then, with the Titans needing a late field goal to win, a fierce pass rush forced quarterback Vince Young into an errant lateral on the Titans’ final offensive play.

“Defensively, we stepped up,” Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Colts within the AFC South. After 12 consecutive victories in the South, they lost their final three games last season within the division.

It also snapped a four-game regular-season road losing streak for the Colts.

The Colts’ last regular-season road victory came early last November when they beat New England in Foxboro, Mass.

One of those losses came in Nashville in early December.

In that game, Young engineered a late drive that led to a 60-yard field goal by kicker Rob Bironas for the winning points with seven seconds remaining in a 20-17 victory.

On Sunday, the Titans again got the ball late needing a field goal to win.

Young one possession earlier had driven the Titans 74 yards in 11 plays, pulling Tennessee to within two points with a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roydell Williams with 6:02 remaining.

This time, the Titans managed two first downs, and with :31 remaining, they faced 2nd-and-4 at the Colts 47.

“Those are the types of games you have in the NFL,” Colts safety Bob Sanders said. “They go down to the last minute. We know that and that’s why we prepare every week.”

Young threw incomplete twice.

On 4th-and-4 with :15 remaining, Young dropped again. Surrounded by Colts defenders, including defensive tackle Darrell Reid, Young lateralled to offensive lineman Jacob Bell

“I don’t know who hit him,” Freeney said. “Guys were all over the place. We just had to keep getting to him.”

The ball came loose and Reid recovered at the Titans 38.

Game over. At last.

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

[OutlawTitan]

Brandon Jones dropping the ball on the Colts 37 on 3rd and 4 with a time out left was a real bite in the ass. I actually thought we had done it again. Manning had some grass stains and spent some time on the ground but man did he make some perfect throws!

See ya New Year's Eve eve....hope it means something.

[The General]

I meant to contact you yesterday and got busy, but THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR OFFER OF TIX OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. I am sorry and it is not personal as I consider you a good friend, outlawtitan. Hope you don't get the wrong message from me when I don't come down my friend. I have a lot of respect for you. My daughter is having some medical issues and I cannot get away right now in case something worse goes wrong. Please accept my apology and best of luck with your Tennessee team this year and always.

[OutlawTitan]

Don't give it a thought....I understand and hope all is well with you and your family. Just know that if you ever get the chance, I'll be glad to help you out with tickets. Maybe by then we will be able to win more often.

[The General]

SANDERS HONORED
Colts safety Bob Sanders on Wednesday was named the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week. Sanders, a four-year veteran, registered 2.5 sacks in the Colts' 22-20 over the Tennessee Titans this past Sunday. ...MORE

[The General]

Even Without Johnson, Texans Solid and Capable, Dungy Says

INDIANAPOLIS – Tony Dungy heard the news Wednesday:
Andre Johnson, the Houston Texans’ wide receiver and their lone Pro Bowl selection last season, might not play Sunday.

Johnson is a key to the Texans’ offense.

He’s a big, physical receiver with a history of making big plays.

All of that is true, Dungy said, and he said it may be true that Johnson won’t play, but the Colts’ head coach also said that doesn’t change much for the Colts as they prepared for Sunday’s match-up of AFC South leaders.

“You hate to say they’re not going to miss Andre Johnson,” Dungy said as the four-time defending AFC South champion Colts (2-0) prepared to play the Texans (2-0) at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, Sunday at 1 p.m.

“He’s a great player, so I’m sure they’re going to miss him, but he caught three balls against us last year and they controlled the game without him.”

Johnson, the Texans’ first-round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft and a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 and last season, has 14 receptions for 262 yards and three touchdowns in two games this season.

In a 34-21 victory over the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday, Johnson sustained a knee injury. Wearing a knee brace early Wednesday afternoon, Johnson addressed the media in Houston. Asked if he would play, he said, “Right now, looking at it, I probably won’t.”

“It’s frustrating,” Johnson said. “The stage is set. To have the World Champs coming in, the first time us being 2-0, they’re undefeated, so it’s a big game.

“I wish I could be playing. That’s all I can say.”

Said Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak, “How long he’s going to be out or how quick he gets back, we’re really going to know more probably (Thursday) as they start to take him out of the immobilizer and take a look and see how he’s feeling.

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

[The General]

Colts Ready for Emotional Game Sunday, Players Say

INDIANAPOLIS - The hype has begun.
And around the Houston Texans this week – outside their organization, anyway – there is expected to be plenty of buildup for this week's Colts-Texans game.

The Texans are 2-0. So are the Colts.

The Texans are in first place in the AFC South. So are the Colts.

The Colts, however, have spent 80 of a possible 87 weeks since the 2002 inception of the AFC South holding or sharing the division lead and have won the last four AFC South titles.

Houston has been in that position five weeks. Before this season, the Texans hadn’t been there since Week 1 of the 2003 season.

So, as Sunday’s showdown of AFC South leaders approaches, it’s easy to see why some in the Houston area consider it one of the biggest games in franchise history.

It’s a moniker Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak is downplaying, and Colts players said this week such pre-game buildup is expected, given their status as last year’s Super Bowl Champions.

“It’s the same thing we’re going to get all year,” Colts middle linebacker Gary Brackett said as the Colts (2-0) prepared to play the Texans (2-0) at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas on Sunday at 1 p.m.

“It’s a dogfight. That’s the mindset we’re going to have to have. I think if we go out there and execute our game plan, we’ll be fine.”

The Texans, a 2002 NFL expansion team, are at one of their high points in franchise history.

They are 2-0 for the first time in franchise history, and as such, they never before have played a game this late in the season between undefeated teams.

The 34 points they scored in a 13-point victory over the Carolina Panthers this past Sunday, was a franchise record for points in a game, and in overcoming a 14-point first-quarter deficit, they set a franchise record for largest come-from-behind road victories.

They have a new quarterback, Matt Schaub.

They have a new running back, Ahman Green.

Their last two first-round draft selections – 2006 No. 1 overall selection Mario Williams and 2007 No. 10 overall selection Amobi Okoye – are tied for the team lead with two sacks apiece.

They have won four consecutive games dating to last season.

Before their current streak, they never had won more than two consecutive games.

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

[The General]

2007 REGULAR SEASON

WK	DATE	OPPONENT
1	9/6	NEW ORLEANS SAINTS	41 - 10 W
2	9/16	@ Tennessee Titans	22 - 20 W
3	9/23	@ Houston Texans	30 - 24 W
4	9/30	DENVER BRONCOS	4:15 PM

[The General]

Colts Win Second Consecutive AFC South Road Game, 30-24, in Houston

HOUSTON, Texas – If the first three weeks of the NFL season have shown the Colts anything, it’s something they knew long ago, anyway.

The AFC South is a long way from easy.

Particularly on the road.

The Colts, a week after needing a late defensive stand to beat Tennessee, went on the road in the AFC South for a second consecutive week Sunday. This time, after building a 17-point second-half lead, they needed a clutch first down late before holding off the previously-unbeaten Houston Texans, 30-24, in front of the second-largest crowd in Reliant Stadium history.

“Another typical AFC South game,” Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said. “We had to fight all the way through. We’re excited. We knew this part of the season – a tough home opener and two road division games – was going to be difficult.

“We got through with our objective, and that was to get these two road wins.”

A crowd of 70,765 watched the Colts take sole possession of the lead in the division. The Colts and Texans each entered the game 2-0.

The Colts, who beat the New Orleans Saints, 41-10, in the season opener, beat Tennessee, 22-20, last week. They are 3-0 for a third consecutive season, and for a fourth time in five seasons.

The Colts, who are now 17-2 in September under Dungy, started 2005 with 13 consecutive victories and they started 9-0 last season. They started 5-0 in 2003.

“Any time you can come down on the road and win in a big-time atmosphere, you certainly appreciate it,” said Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who completed 20 of 29 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a passer rating of 110.3,

“You never take winning for granted. On the road, a tough game – it feels good to get the win.”

The victory gave the Colts, the four-time defending AFC South champions, a 2-0 record on the road in the division this season. They went 0-3 on the road in the division last season, including a December 24 loss at Reliant Stadium, 27-24.

“They’re a better football team than last year, so for us to get a win, I think we did play better,” Dungy said.

“You expect a great matchup and a great, physical game,” Colts tight end Dallas Clark said. “They were going to give us everything they had and they did. We had to match that.

“It’s tough on the road, especially in the division.”

The Texans, after trailing 27-10 entering the fourth quarter, outscored the Colts 14-3 in the period, with running back Vonta Leach catching a one-yard pass from Texans quarterback Matt Schaub with 2:49 remaining to make it 30-24, Colts.

The Colts took possession with just over two and a half minutes remaining, and picked up a key first down when Manning passed 12 yards to Harrison with 2:28 remaining

The Texans took possession at their 20 with 19 seconds remaining, but Colts defensive end Robert Mathis sacked Schaub on the game’s final play.

“We’re playing good teams,” Dungy said. “I told our team, ‘Everybody’s going to expect us to win these games by 10 or 15 points.’ It doesn’t always happen that way in the NFL. These teams are going to win a lot of games, so the fact that we only won by six or only won by two really doesn’t bother me.

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

[The General]

Extended Winning Streaks Critical to Colts Recent Success

INDIANAPOLIS – Winning streaks, the way Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy sees them, are many things.

They can be critical to a team’s success, and they can define a season.

They’re rare – and the longer, the rarer, obviously.

They’re better than the alternative – even more obviously.

Mostly, Dungy said, winning streaks longer than three or four games are difficult to attain. Very difficult.

More so, maybe, than many people understand.

“It’s certainly harder than people think,” Dungy said this week as the AFC South-leading Colts (3-0) prepared to play the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (2-1) at the RCA Dome Sunday at 4:15 p.m.

The Colts, who last season won Super Bowl XLI, currently have an eight-game winning streak, a streak that includes last year’s postseason and the kind of streak that has been atypically normal around the Colts since Dungy’s 2002 arrival.

The Colts over the past four seasons have had four streaks of eight or more victories, including their current streak. The others:

• Thirteen games: Weeks 1-14 of the 2005 season.

• Nine games: Weeks 1-10 of the 2006 season.

• Eight games: Weeks 9-16 of the 2004 season.

How atypical is that in NFL terms? Consider:

Since 2002, only seven other teams have won eight or more consecutive games – New England (21 games, 2004-2005), Pittsburgh (15, 2004), Seattle (11, 2006), San Diego twice (10, 2006; eight, 2004), Kansas City (nine, 2003), Philadelphia (nine, 2003) and Chicago (eight, 2005).

Only one other team, San Diego, has accomplished it more than once.

The Colts since 2002 also have had winning streaks of five games once (2003, Weeks 1-5) and four games on two other occasions (2002 and 2004).

In 18 years before Dungy arrived in Indianapolis, the Colts had just four winning streaks of four games or more.

The Colts have parlayed their recent streaks into five consecutive playoff appearances, and the last four AFC South titles.

The key to the streaks?

More than anything, Colts players said this week, it’s the approach of Dungy, who stresses each week to players not to get too high after victories or low after losses.

“We’ve been around Tony for a while, and if you need to describe Tony, I’d say consistent is a pretty good description of Tony,” Colts outside linebacker Rob Morris said. “That reflects on the players. And it kind of rubs off on us.”

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

[The General]

Cutler Gives Broncos New Appearance on Offense, Dungy Says

INDIANAPOLIS - In a very real sense, the Colts' opponent this week is one of the more familiar they will face this season.

There is, however, a twist.

A deep, strong-armed twist from the state of Indiana.

The Colts have played the Denver Broncos five times since 2002, a match-up that typically either has been a postseason game or one with serious post-season ramifications.

This season, the Broncos are much the same team, Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said.

Same running philosophy. Same head coach, Mike Shanahan.

Same quality defense.

The difference, Dungy said, is at quarterback, where second-year veteran Jay Cutler – the Broncos’ first-round selection in the 2006 NFL Draft from Vanderbilt University – will start his ninth career NFL game on Sunday.

“They’re actually throwing the ball downfield a little more,” Dungy said Thursday as the AFC South-leading Colts (3-0) prepared to play the AFC West-leading Broncos (2-1) at the RCA Dome Sunday at 4:15 p.m.

Since 2003, the Broncos’ starter against the Colts had been Jake Plummer, a veteran whose ability to get outside the pocket and either run or pass was a major threat.

Plummer, who retired after last season, completed 91 of 132 passes for 1,123 yards and seven touchdowns with four touchdowns in five games against the Colts. The Broncos were 2-3 in those games, including postseason losses following the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

Cutler in eight career games has a record of 4-4, having completed 143 of 232 passes for 1,796 yards and 12 touchdowns with nine interceptions.

“He’s taking more opportunity to get big plays,” Dungy said of Cutler, who was born in Santa Claus, Ind., and played at Lincoln City (Ind.) Heritage Hills High School.

The Broncos in the last two seasons have added

wide receivers Javon Walker, Brandon Marshall and former Colts wide receiver Brandon Stokley.

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

[The General]

Clark Continues to Develop into Critical Component of Colts Offense

INDIANAPOLIS – Dallas Clark looks beyond the numbers.

When discussing how he knows he has improved in five NFL seasons, it’s not necessarily his receptions totals that the Colts’ tight end mentions first.

And it’s not touchdowns. Or yards.

It’s a glance at the tapes. First, there are the ones from this season.

Then, the ones from a while back.

Those in the last category, he said this week, not only show him the difference between a veteran NFL players and a young one, he said some of them are . . .

Well, a bit embarrassing.

“It’d be easier if you went back and looked at some things really early,” Clark said this week as the AFC South-leading Colts (3-0) prepared to play the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (2-1) at the RCA Dome Sunday at 4:15 p.m.

“You’re like, ‘Why did I did I do that? Why did I release inside when I know nothing good can happen there, when it’s all outside?’ ”

Clark, typically among the most friendly, easy-going players in the Colts’ locker room, smiled at the story.

So far this season, he has had more reason to smile than usual.

Because the situations such as that he described above – ones where he releases the wrong way, or when he’s not a factor in the Colts’ high-powered offense – occur far less frequently than before.

Clark, the Colts’ first-round selection in the 2003 NFL Draft, isn’t a young player anymore. Neither is he one with potential. Nor is he a nice complement in one of the NFL’s most-potent passing attacks.

He’s a full-fledged go-to receiver, and a key component in an offense that this season Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said may be as deep and dangerous as any Colts offense in recent memory.

The reasons for Clark’s ascension, Dungy said, extends far beyond one dimension.

Clark can block. He can make clutch third-down receptions.

He can make big plays downfield.

He can, essentially, make all of the plays necessary from an elite-level tight end, something into which he has developed steadily in five NFL seasons.

“He’s a tough match-up, especially if you’re doing things to take care of the outside guys,” Dungy said, referring to Colts wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. “He’s been really productive for us. He’s blocked well in the slot. He’s blocked well at tight end.

“He’s been an essential component.”

Not that Clark never hasn’t been important to the Colts’ offense.

Since joining the team as the No. 24 overall selection in the 2003 NFL Draft, Clark has been a key contributor, catching 121 passes for 1,618 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons. After catching one touchdown pass in his rookie season, he has caught no fewer than four in any season since.

Last season, Clark was critical to the Colts’ Super Bowl run. He sustained a knee injury in a victory over Philadelphia on November 26, and missed the next four games, a span during which the Colts lost three of four games.

He returned for the regular-season finale, and with slot wide receiver Brandon Stokley out for the season, Clark emerged as a hybrid receiver/tight end, moving to Stokley’s slot position when needed.

The result was one of the most productive postseasons by a tight end in NFL history.

Clark, after catching 30 passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season, caught 21 passes for 317 yards and no touchdowns in the playoffs.

First, he caught nine passes for 103 yards in Wild Card Playoff game victory over Kansas City, then he made two clutch catches in a Divisional Playoff game victory at Baltimore.

Against New England in the AFC Championship Game, his ability to get deep in the middle of the field helped produce six receptions for 137 yards.

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

[The General]

Improving, Young Colts Defense Making Strides Early in 2007

INDIANAPOLIS – Dwight Freeney knows not everyone is convinced.

The Colts’ defense, often criticized publicly last year throughout the regular season, thus far this season has been downright praiseworthy.

They’ve allowed four touchdowns in three games.

They’ve yet to allow a first-half touchdown.

One of those touchdowns came on a 15-yard drive.

Still, Freeney – the Colts’ three-time Pro Bowl defensive end – said while the defense has achieved some of the consistency it sought before the season, he also said he’s equally sure doubters still exist.

“I’m sure there are a lot of nonbelievers,” Freeney said as AFC South-leading Colts (3-0) prepared to play the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos (2-1) at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis Sunday at 4:15 p.m.

Yet, perhaps not as many these days.

The Colts, who last season surprised many around the NFL when a struggling regular-season defense turned dominant in the postseason, entered the regular season with many observers again questioning the defense.

Could Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden replace departed Nick Harper and Jason David at cornerback?

Could Freddy Keiaho replace Cato June at outside linebacker?

Could Ed Johnson replace Anthony “Booger” McFarland at defensive end?

Thus far, the answer is yes.

The Colts, who last year finished the regular season 21st in the NFL overall defense – 32nd against the run – through three games this season are ranked fifth in total defense, 14th against the run and 10th against the pass.

“We’re getting better,” said Colts defensive end Robert Mathis, who has 33.5 sacks since the beginning of the 2004 season, including two this season.

“Week in and week out, we’re trying to get better every week. I’m pleased with it. We’re jelling early and we’re just trying to do our thing.”

Since Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy arrived in 2002, the Colts’ “thing” defensively has been to stop the run, pressure the quarterback, and use that pressure to create big plays – i.e., sacks and turnovers.

The Colts, after allowing 173.0 yards rushing per game last season, have allowed 95.7 this season. Last week, in a 30-24 victory over Houston, they allowed 40 yards on 17 carries, the first time since the 2005 season they allowed under 100 yards rushing in a regular-season game.

So far this season, they are tied for second in the AFC with seven takeaways, and their takeaway-giveaway ratio of plus-five is second in the NFL.

Dungy, long one of the top defensive coordinators in the NFL, was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2001, a period in which the Bucs had one of the NFL’s top defenses.

Dungy was asked this week of the Colts were what he considered a good defense.

“We’re close,” he said. “We have some errors that are youthful enthusiasm.”

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

[The General]

2007 REGULAR SEASON

WK	DATE	OPPONENT
1	9/6	NEW ORLEANS SAINTS	41 - 10 W
2	9/16	@ Tennessee Titans	22 - 20 W
3	9/23	@ Houston Texans	30 - 24 W
4	9/30	DENVER BRONCOS	38 - 20 W
5	10/7	TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS	4:05 PM

[The General]

Colts Rally to 38-20 Victory over Denver Broncos in RCA Dome

INDIANAPOLIS - Say this about the Colts:

They certainly know how to celebrate a homecoming in style.

A touch of drama.

A heavy dose of diversified offense.

A few big plays on defense.

And finally, a record-tying victory in front of a rollicking home crowd.

And, oh yes, most of that crowd got to leave early.

The Colts, who hadn't played at home since the season opener, returned home for the first time in 24 days Sunday. And while they didn’t make it easy, by the end, they made it convincing, rallying from a 10-point first-half deficit for a 38-20 victory over the Denver Broncos in front of 57,274 at the RCA Dome.

“I was joking watching these games (Sunday) – I said, 'It’s tough to get wins,’’’ Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said. “But it really is. People don’t realize how tough it is to win every week. We’re excited.

“We don’t take any of them for granted.”

The Colts (4-0), one of four remaining unbeaten teams in the NFL, provided the drama with a rush of a rally in the second and third quarters.

Dallas Clark, moving from his normal tight end/slot receiver role to outside wide receiver, caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter and another in the third. The Colts scored 14 points in each quarter, and by the end of the third quarter, they’d turned a 10-0 first-quarter deficit into a 28-20 lead.

Colts quarterback Peyton Manning added a third touchdown pass to wide receiver Reggie Wayne in the fourth quarter, during which Indianapolis outscored Denver, 10-0.

“They have been hard-earned wins,” said Manning, who completed 20 of 27 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions for a passer rating of 130.6.

“Guys have done a good job preparing each week, getting ready for each opponent. We truly take them one game at a time around here. You never take winning for granted. Wins are hard to come by.

“This is a good win today against a good football team.”

The victory gave the Colts a fourth 4-0 start the last five seasons. They started the last two seasons 13-0 and 9-0, respectively.

They also started 2003 5-0.

“It’s very important to get off to a good start in the NFL,” said Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson, whose third-quarter interception was one of two turnovers forced by a defense that also had a sack. “Coach Dungy always talks that wins are hard to come by in this league. To continue each and every year to get off to a fast start and be one of the only undefeated teams in the league is a great testament to our team.”

It was the Colts’ 11th consecutive victory in the RCA Dome, tying a franchise record for consecutive regular-season victories at home.

The Colts’ last loss regular-season loss in the RCA Dome came in December of 2005, when they lost to the San Diego Chargers, 26-17. Their last regular-season loss in the RCA Dome in a game with playoff implications?

October of 2004, a 27-24 loss to Jacksonville.

The game was hardly without worrisome news for the Colts.

Several starters left the game with injuries, including wide receiver Marvin Harrison (knee), outside linebacker Rob Morris (knee), safety Bob Sanders (shoulder) and running back Joseph Addai (shoulder).

“I really don’t know what the status is yet,” Dungy said. “We had a couple of knees. I don’t know the extent of them. Joseph was actually ready to come back in the game and told them that, ‘If we can hold then, if they don’t score, we will keep you out and that’s what happened.’

“But it was a physical game.”

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

[The General]

A Capsule Look at this Week's Colts Opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Synopsis: The Colts have yet to play a team this season that wasn’t in first place in its division entering game day.

That trend will continue for at least another week.

The Colts, one of the NFL’s four remaining unbeaten teams, will play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the RCA Dome Sunday at 4:05 p.m. in a game that will be televised by FOX.

It’s a matchup of Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy versus the team he coached to four playoff appearances from 1996-2001, but mostly for the Colts, it’s their fourth consecutive matchup of division leaders.

The Buccaneers, who finished last in the NFC South last season after winning the division in 2005, lost their first game this season, but with a dominant defense and an offense led by free-agent signee Jeff Garcia, the Buccaneers have won three consecutive games.

“They’re an outstanding football team,” Colts President Bill Polian said of the Buccaneers this week.

For the first time in the six-year history of the South, the Buccaneers have started the season 2-0 in the division. Two weeks ago, they won at home against New Orleans, 31-14, and this past Sunday, they won at Carolina, 20-7.

The victory Sunday was a costly one. The Buccaneers’ leading rusher, Carnell “Cadillac” Williams - the No. 5 overall selection in the 2005 NFL Draft – sustained a season-ending torn right patellar tendon in the first quarter. He will undergo season-ending surgery later this week, the team has announced.

Also, offensive tackle Luke Petitgout sustained a knee injury that will end his season. Petitgout started all four games at left tackle.

“That’s a big blow,” Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden said of the injuries. “We have some people who need to step up now.”

Earnest Graham and Michael Pittman played running back in Williams’ absence Sunday, combining to rush for 138 yards and a touchdown on 32 carries.

Garcia, 37, who signed with the Bucs as a free agent this past off-season after leading Philadelphia to the playoffs late last season, made the Pro Bowl three times with the San Francisco 49ers, 2000-2002.

In four games starting for the Buccaneers this season, he has completed 58 of 90 passes for 771 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He quarterbacked Philadelphia in a 45-21 loss to Indianapolis in late November, but led the Eagles to a wild-card playoff berth with five consecutive victories to end the season.

“He’s able to make plays with his feet,” Polian said of Garcia. “He’s an excellent passer. We saw him last year with Philadelphia. That’s one of those game films that you don’t want to put too much stock in, because that was his first start with Philadelphia and they were very conservative with him.

“They didn’t want him to get hurt and they didn’t want him to throw the ball down the field. We’re going to see a different quarterback, so we’ve got to pay attention to the Tampa Bay film, not what we saw with our eyes playing against him with the Eagles.”

Defensively, the Buccaneers long have been one of the NFL’s top units, and this season, they’re ranked fifth in the NFL. They haven’t allowed a point in the first half in the past three games, the first time since 1988 they have shut out three consecutive opponents in the first half.

“They’re a carbon copy of us -- we’re a carbon copy of them, I guess is a better way to say it, defensively,” Polian said. “They’ll do more probably more things in the way of blitzing and things of that nature with (defensive coordinator) Monte Kiffin than perhaps they did when Tony (Dungy) was there.

“Defensively, this is a very, very veteran group, especially in the secondary. They make a lot of plays. They’re very crafty. They know what to do. They get pressure on the passer.

“They’re leading their division. We’re leading ours. It has all the makings of a very good national television game, which is what it is.”

2007 Record: 3-1, 1st in NFC South.

Head Coach: Jon Gruden, 6th season as Buccaneers Head Coach (42-42, 45-43 including playoffs) and 10th season as NFL Head Coach (80-68, 85-71, including playoffs).

Last Game: The Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers, 20-7, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte,N.C., on Sunday.

2007 NFL Rankings: Offense – Overall, 18th (325.3 yards per game); Rushing, 8th (137.0 ypg); Passing, 24th (188.3 ypg); Defense – Overall, 5th (291.8 yards per game); Rushing, 20th (118.3 ypg); Passing, 6th (173.5 ypg).

2007 Leading Passer: Jeff Garcia (58-90, 772 yards, 64.4 pct., 2 TD, 0 INT, 98.9 rating).

2007 Leading Rusher(s): Cadillac Williams (54 carries, 208 yards, 3 TD); Michael Pittman (30 carries, 170 yards, 0 TD).

2007 Leading Receiver(s): Ike Hilliard (15 receptions, 246 yards, 0 TD); Joey Galloway (14 receptions, 256 yards, 2 TD).

2007 Leading Sacker(s): Jovan Haye (2).

2007 Turnover Breakdown: Plus-4 (8 forced, 4 committed).

First-round draft choice: Gaines Adams, defensive end. With the No. 4 overall selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers selected Adams, a defensive end from Clemson. Adams (6-feet-5, 258 pounds) has played in all four games this season as a reserve, registering six tackles, four solos. Considered a perfect fit as a pass-rusher in the Cover 2, one-gap defense, he also has a pass defensed. Adams was the first defensive player selected in the 2007 NFL Draft after a career in which he tied the Clemson record for career sacks with 28. He was the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, registering 12.5 sacks.

Key free agents acquired: B.J. Askew, FB (New York Jets); Kevin Carter, DE (Miami); Patrick Chukwurah, DE/LB (Denver), Sammy Davis, CB (San Francisco); Jeff Garcia, QB (Philadelphia); Cato June, LB (Indianapolis); Matt Lehr, G (Atlanta); Luke Petitgout, OT (New York Giants); Jerramy Stevens, TE (Seattle).

Key free agents lost: Cornell Green, CB (Oakland); Sean Mahan, G (Pittsburgh); Tim Rattay, QB (Tennessee); Dewayne White, DE (Detroit).

2007 Review: The Buccaneers, after a season-opening loss, have surged to the top of the NFC West with three consecutive victories.

The Buccaneers, after losing at Seattle, 20-6, in the season opener, beat the New Orleans Saints at home, 31-14. The Bucs trailed Seattle, 13-6, with seven minutes remaining before a late touchdown pass clinched the victory for Seattle.

Tampa Bay has dominated from the start in its last three victories, leading New Orleans 21-0 at halftime of a game in which the Buccaneers did not allow a sack or commit a turnover. For the season, Garcia has yet to throw an interception and the Bucs have committed just four turnovers.

The Buccaneers led the St. Louis Rams, 3-0, at home the following week, pulling away in the second half for a 24-3 victory. The Buccaneers limited Rams quarterback Marc Bulger to 116 yards passing and no touchdowns.

This past week, the Bucs were equally dominant against division rival Carolina. With sole possession of first place in the NFC South at stake, the Buccaneers took a 17-0 lead en route to a 20-7 victory at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Veteran wide receiver Ike Hilliard caught seven passes for 114 yards and the Panthers didn’t score until 23 seconds remained.

Last time in Playoffs: 2005.

Last time in Super Bowl: 2002.

Super Bowl Championships: 2002.

2006 Pro Bowl Selections: Ronde Barber, CB; Derrick Brooks, LB; Dave Moore, LS.

Quotable I: “To see a guy have a serious injury is hard to swallow. It’s hard to take. But we’ve got a lot of resolve as a team. We can’t look at this as a season-ending situation. The season’s just beginning. We’re excited about what we have left.”

--- Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden

Quotable II: “We (the members of the Buccaneers’ defense) are playing aggressive. We have a great effort and we're playing together. We're not making many mistakes. We're hitting and running; getting a good push from our defensive line. We're just playing together. We worked hard in the off-season. We have great leaders. It's not a surprise to me. We expect to be great. When you have an expectation to be great, anything less than that is going to be disappointing.”

--- Buccaneers Linebacker Cato June

--Colts.com

[The General]

MORRIS LIKELY OUT