By Tom James, CNHI News Service
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have done a pretty good job of keeping their focus through the first six games of the 2009 season.
Four road trips in three different time zones, ranging from one end of the country to the other, the Colts have been able to adjust and prosper. That’s why Indianapolis will take a 6-0 record into Sunday’s home game with the San Francisco 49ers.
“The thing that we try and do and have always done is that old cliche, ‘You really don’t get out ahead of yourself in terms of your focus and in terms of your preparation.’ You are just looking at one game. That’s it. We would like to just add them up at the end,” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said earlier this week.
“I do believe you don’t want to get to the point of looking out on the horizon and not focusing on what’s right there in front of you. For us, it’s the 49ers walking into our stadium on Sunday. We’d better be prepared to play.”
Caldwell knows the 49ers will be well-prepared to face Indianapolis this weekend.
“It’s very important that we focus in on a real good San Francisco team. They have a lot of weapons. They certainly have some firepower on offense with (running back Frank) Gore coming back. He’s a guy who can certainly run the ball. He will certainly be a factor in any ballgame. He can take it to the house at any point in time. He is a very capable runner. He also blocks well and can catch passes,” he said.
“There is obviously a little change in their quarterback situation. Looks like (Alex) Smith has done a tremendous job. He had three touchdown passes in the second half against Houston. He was very poised and under control. He threw the ball accurately. It’s going to be a real battle for us.”
Sanders ready to go again
Safety Bob Sanders came through last week’s game with the St. Louis Rams in pretty good shape.
Sanders made his first start of the season against the Rams and saw limited playing time (31 total plays). He had been sidelined since the start of training camp after undergoing knee surgery in the offseason.
“No swelling (in the knee). I just have to make sure that I continue to maintain and keep getting stronger,” Sanders said Thursday.
As for his overall performance in the St. Louis game, the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year proved to be his own worst critic.
“I’m always real critical of myself. I thought I played OK after the game, but when I go back and look at it, I feel like I missed some tackles. I left some plays out there that I should have made,” Sanders emphasized.
“Tackling should not be an issue for me, whether I haven’t played in a year or two years. It shouldn’t be an issue. It’s something that I’ve constantly worked on. I just have to make sure I get better.”
Since he missed so much practice time during training camp and the preseason, it would be logical to think it’s going to take Sanders a little time to get back up to speed during the games. But he rejects that notion.
“I do not want to look at it that way, because in preseason you make a lot of mistakes. You try to get ready for the regular season. So I do not want to look at it as a preseason game because it’s crucial. We’re doing well, but I still have to make sure I’m where I need to be making plays,” he said.
“To me, it’s not, but in all reality, yes, it’s kind of like my preseason. I haven’t been out there. I haven’t been practicing. I didn’t go through camp. This is like (organized team activities), slash camp, slash preseason. I’m trying to get it all together.”
Caldwell wasn’t concerned with Sanders’ play against the Rams.
“It’s certainly not the preseason. The fact of the matter is, he has not had a lot of reps. A guy that has been out there that has the instincts he has, you’ll see those things come fairly quickly. It’s not going to take him a long time to get up to speed,” the Colts coach said.
“He’s looking at playing at the optimal level. With 31 plays (against St. Louis), I’m not certain he has the opportunity to get in his groove. I do think that he looked good. I think he came through it extremely well. He’s working at it this week. I would anticipate you’ll see an even better showing from him (on Sunday).”
No decision yet on Wayne, Brown
Caldwell doesn’t expect a final decision on whether wide receiver Reggie Wayne (strained groin) or rookie running back Donald Brown (sprained shoulder) will be able to play Sunday until today at the earliest.
Neither Wayne or Brown practiced Wednesday. Also sitting out Wednesday’s practice were defensive tackle Eric Foster (knee), defensive end Dwight Freeney (knee), wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee), placekicker Adam Vinatieri (knee) and cornerback Marlin Jackson (knee).
Foster and Freeney are both expected to play against the 49ers. Freeney is usually given a day off during the week.
“(No updates on Wayne) as of yet. I think it will take a couple more days,” Caldwell said.
“(Foster) is going to take a couple of days. He’s been running around out there a little bit but we’ll see.”
