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Some thoughts on some thoughts that Peyton Manning shared with the media in Indianapolis today.

Manning: “I meet a lot of people that have had fusions, and (it is) kind of like ‘welcome to the fusion club.’ I don’t know if there’s dues or if there’s a rush that you have to go through. But I guess it’s good to be part of that club, because I know there are certainly cases where it doesn’t take. I had an unstable neck, and this means that it is stable. So that was comforting, just purely on the health side of it. So that was encouraging.”

Kuharsky: While we discuss and debate Manning’s future and what the Colts should do about his contract and the likelihood they draft Andrew Luck, this was a bit of a stark reminder. We’re talking about a guy’s neck, and his ability to turn it to watch his kids run by is really a more significant thing than any of the football elements. Some rushed to say to the news, “Yeah, but it doesn’t tell us anything about the nerve regeneration" with barely a pause to be happy about a benchmark in the healing from a very serious surgery.

***

Manning: “So now that we can do a little more throwing (we can make a better assessment). Throwing will be a part of this next progression, (and) that is somewhat critical to my job. I will be throwing, and have been doing some throwing, and we’re going to ramp that up a little bit and answer some more questions about where we are.”

Kuharsky: Manning’s been reasonable about offering the medical updates knowing the circus that would ensue if he didn’t talk and how many people would unearth bits of information or speculate without his comments. But I don’t expect we’re going to get any sort of feedback from him or the team on how he’s throwing and how his body is reacting to it until he’s ready to practice. And if he’s not ready to practice by season’s end, it could be well after that.

***

Manning: “As far as questions about (my) long-term career and about the 2012 NFL Draft, I think those are inappropriate frankly, given the fact that we had a coach get fired this week, we have players playing for jobs and we have changes being made. It tells you that this is a serious time for our team, and all we want to do is get a win on Sunday, and all I want to do is keep making progress. So anything beyond those two things isn’t really on my radar at this point.”

Kuharsky: As much as we’d like to delve into that stuff, imagine the conversations Manning would set off and the distraction they’d become if he addressed the draft or his contract at this point? Heck, the Colts might beg him to do it just to make us turn away from 0-11 very likely heading towards 0-12.

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Manning on whether he’s said he’s OK with the Colts drafting a quarterback, something Colts vice chairman Bill Polian has said on his radio show: “So I don’t know what was said on the radio show, but that’s just not a conversation that happened between he and I. But whatever Bill has to do for the organization, that’s what he has to do. I just play football. I really have been just the starting quarterback here for 13 years, and no other hat or role besides doing my job to do that. Whatever they have to do, Jim (Caldwell) and Bill, that’s what they have to do. I don’t really know what else to say besides that.”

Kuharsky: He and Polian are saying different things here. I can understand why. Polian saying Manning is OK with the Colts drafting a quarterback eases some of the pressure and tension regarding a potentially awkward scenario. But Manning can’t say he offered an OK, or it acknowledges he has a power or influence that goes beyond normal bounds for even a star of his magnitude. And the fact is, the Colts don’t need and shouldn’t seek his approval regarding drafting his replacement.

No matter how bad things go for an NFL team, radical change is rare.

We’re seeing it in Denver, where John Fox and his staff are doing what they can to shape an offense to fit Tim Tebow. It’s not so easily done elsewhere, because not everyone had a square peg to try to make fit.

Still, look at a horrible team like the 0-10 Colts, who now have a two-game lead in the Andrew Luck sweepstakes, and you have to wonder: What’s the benefit of staying the course?

As part of his Monday news conference, coach Jim Caldwell said: “We’re not going to deviate a whole lot from the way in which we do things. We have to stick to what we’re doing, and we’ll get a little bit better at it.”

Why? Why is that the way things have to be done? Sticking to what they are doing has them at 0-10.

There is no magic solution on the bench, for sure.

But why not hold a staff meeting and ask for the wackiest and most off the wall proposals you can collect and see if you don’t turn up something worth sprinkling into the game plan? Why is there some nobility in stubbornly staying the course no matter how bad things get?

It's somewhat of a football thing and very much a Colts think to believe that is the way to go. To stray from what you do is to concede it may have been a mistake. Which is silly. I want a staff willing to adjust, not fervently married to a method that fails repeatedly.

Why, for instance, on a rare occasion when the Colts are in fourth-and-short right near midfield does it remain the right call to punt?

Early in Sunday's game, the Jaguars and Colts had traded interceptions and it was scoreless. Indianapolis might have grabbed some momentum and created a scoring chance. But on fourth-and-1 from the Jaguars’ 49 yard line, the Colts punted.

Since you’ve lost everything, why not play more like you have nothing to lose?

Maybe Caldwell scores points with Bill Polian and Chris Polian by approaching the game like he’s coaching a talented team, but that doesn’t make it right.

The other thing that seems to have to happen with a bad team is repeated talk of how focused it is and what effort it’s putting out.

Caldwell obliged with that again.

“You lose your focus and preparation first, and we haven’t lost any focus and preparation,” Caldwell said. “Our guys have prepared, and I think they’ve done a nice job of improving as the days go on in terms of practice. I think they continue to give you the kind of effort that you look for. That’s the other thing that you may see wane if things get a little difficult, but our guys give the effort that we’re looking for and they fight and scratch.”

You lose your focus and preparation first before what? Before losing 10 games? If the focus and preparation are so great, the talent must be really, really bad, right? That's self preservation. A coach can't control the talent, but he can control the effort. And so a struggling coach will harp on the effort. Look, my guys are still giving me everything they have.

The fair question from them is are you giving them everything you have? I hope someone in the comments can point out an instance of creativity that has strayed from the norm from the Colts this season.

Caldwell is not a shakeup guy and the Colts are not a shakeup team and it’s not like I am looking down the depth chart and seeing players who should be elevated.

But how about something? How about a try on fourth-and-1 near midfield? How about showing an ability to stray from the script? How about taking a stab at writing a different sort of scene?

How about not telling us how things are improving at practice, but showing us how your thinking is improving and you don’t think that being steady is the answer for everything?

Colts coach Jim Caldwell and his offensive coordinator, Clyde Christensen, are about to face a very complicated stretch.

Once Thursday night’s preseason finale at Cincinnati is in the books and the Colts are home, they’ve got to make plans or revise them for their quarterbacks in preparation for the Sept. 11 opener at Houston.

With Peyton Manning off the physically unable to perform list, the team said it has started him with limited, scripted work.

But isn’t all practice work scripted? There aren’t really such a thing as freelance practice periods. We don’t know when Manning will be turned loose for full practice where he might see something more unexpected. They likely won’t give us any indication until next Wednesday when they will have to say they he was out, limited or participated fully in practice.

The game plan will be shaped or refined early in the week. It’s got to be a lot different than it would be for Manning if Kerry Collins is going to start. So how do you draw that up?

How do the coach and coordinator then divide practice reps when Manning is used to taking them all?

If he's free to further test himself, Manning will need reps to maximize his chance to be ready. And Collins will need them as he’s still very much a newcomer and needs every play he can get surrounded by unfamiliar people.

The hope is the Colts will know if Manning can or can’t be in the lineup and can plan accordingly. But even if they do, things can change with a guy coming off an injury like Manning’s. They’ll have to be able to adjust as the week pans out.

This all could have been easier if Collins had been signed sooner. The Colts, though, maintained unreasonable faith in Curtis Painter and Manning’s rehab for too long, and added Collins too late.

Now they face a preparation period for their opener that could be awfully difficult.

With Kerry Collins on the roster and poised to take over as the primary backup to Peyton Manning, Curtis Painter fared much better working with the Colts’ offense.

In a 24-21 loss to Green Bay at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday night, the Packers utilized one defensive element Manning typically helps Indianapolis avoid: the blitz.
Manning is masterful at making teams pay when they subtract from coverage to add to the rush. But Green Bay rolled out a steady stream of blitzes, many of which featured cornerback Charles Woodson, with no fear of such repercussions from Painter.

Indy’s offensive line is still being sorted out, and the group didn’t do particularly well or get particularly good help in minimizing the pressure. Painter didn’t get hit so much as he had to hurry, and he was hardly at his best in such circumstances.

Desmond Bishop got flagged for roughing on one blitz, and Painter threw a ball away when Woodson looped between left tackle Anthony Castonzo and left guard Joe Reitz untouched. Another time, the quarterback made a nice throw to Reggie Wayne, who had a favorable matchup as Woodson came untouched.

No. 2 running back Donald Brown actually did reasonably well in blitz pickups, I thought, managing to keep himself between rushers and the quarterback on a couple of occasions. Still that rusher frequently contributed to a closing pocket.

The right side of the starting line, guard Ryan Diem and tackle Jeffrey Linkenbach, struggled with Clay Matthews, whose speed was more than they could handle.

Not every team is equipped to blitz the way the Packers are. But if it’s Collins instead of Manning on Sept. 11 in Houston, odds are the Texans will blitz more often and with less fear. And the Colts and Collins will have to be prepared to handle it.

Some other thoughts on what was nearly a rare Colts preseason win:

• While Painter was better, it took a blown coverage that left Wayne wide open for a 57-yard touchdown to get him going. His second touchdown pass, to Chris Brooks, was very nice. Earlier Painter suffered because of a drop by Wayne and another by Pierre Garcon.
• Ernie Sims was active in a lot of first-half action, his first since he signed with the Colts. Tommie Harris played for the second time, and made some plays with a sack and a tipped pass.
• Jermichael Finley's touchdown catch on Pat Angerer was great. Angerer was tight but not turned. There aren’t many linebackers who could make a play against that.
• According to CBS, Robert Mathis injured his hamstring in the first quarter hamstring and did not return. His counterpart at end, Dwight Freeney, made things very difficult on Green Bay tackle Chad Clifton, bulling over him a few times before using the patented spin move.
• Diem, who false started too much last season at right guard, got called for one. An injury forced him from the game for a time, but he returned to action. Mike Pollak stepped in briefly. Jeff Saturday was the lone offensive lineman who didn’t play into the third quarter, as Pollak replaced him. Then the second-team offensive line was, left to right, Michael Toudouze, Kyle DeVan, Jamey Richard, Mike Tepper and Ben Ijalana. Richard was flagged for holding but it was declined.
• I expect good things out of rookie running back Delone Carter, mostly because I very much like the idea of Carter. This team needs a short-yardage goal-line back. He was hardly working against front line defenders, I understand. But he not only got a tough yard -- converting a third-and-1 when there was nothing there -- but he had a couple of nice longer runs. A lost fumble was overturned by challenge, and a wide run with a spin move suggested he can be more than just a between-the-tackles pounder. He did look lost in one pass-protection situation.
• Defensive back Chip Vaughn was waved off the field by Jim Caldwell after back-to-back penalties. After an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty worth 15 yards and a taunting penalty worth 11 yards, the Colts gave up a touchdown and a two-point conversion, lost an onside kick and saw Green Bay move to a game-winning field goal. Vaughn will not have a good weekend. And the Colts just about refuse to win in the preseason.

» NFC High Energy: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

A look at a player who gave his team a significant boost in Week 11.

Either the Colts were intent on feeding Austin Collie or the Patriots were willing to yield some yards to him while concentrating on taking away other stuff.

Either way, the receiver saw a lot of action before leaving the game in the first half. Whether he suffered a new concussion, had symptoms resurface or something else we are not certain.

But losing him looked to be a blow to the Colts.

Until Blair White showed himself perfectly capable of filling the role. White, an undrafted rookie out of Michigan State, caught two touchdowns from Peyton Manning, helping the Colts rally for a late challenge that fell short in New England.

“Blair has performed and performed extremely well under some circumstances that typically you would anticipate that a rookie may not be able to function at a high level, but he has been able to do that,” Jim Caldwell told Indianapolis reporters on Monday.

“He’s been able to create space and find openings and make outstanding catches. He’s a very, very integral part of what we do. He’s just worked himself into that position. He’s one of those guys that works extremely hard at his craft. He pays attention to all the little details and tries to find a way to get better. We certainly are glad that he’s able to step up and perform for us consistently.”

White has 14 catches, including three touchdowns.

Notes from the division on the eve of cut day:

Houston

• Jeremiah Johnson has a dislocated toe. The Texans worked out Derrick Ward and Justin Fargas and John McClain just tweeted the team is signing Ward.
• Gary Kubiak said the Texans will start off with two quarterbacks on the roster and that Dan Orlovsky is No. 2. Which means John David Booty is likely heading for the practice squad. The coach also confirmed that Jacques Reeves will be among the team’s cuts.
• Neil Rackers won the kicker job based on his kickoff abilities.
• Safety Dominique Barber (@34dombarber) tweeted that he’s made the roster.

Indianapolis

• Jim Caldwell plans to meet with every player the Colts cut, says Phil Richards. Veterans who could be in jeopardy include Gijon Robinson, Keyunta Dawson and Adam Terry.

Jacksonville

• I’ve seen not so much as a tidbit.

Tennessee

• Gerald McRath’s four-game suspension begins Saturday at 5 CT. He’s not allowed on the premises for a month after that.
• David Thornton will be placed on the physically unable to perform list and the Titans will be able to better evaluate his bad hip after six weeks, according to Jeff Fisher.
• Fisher said he will not contact cut players until Saturday.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts don’t generally say a whole lot. Last week while preparing for the Jets, they turned it down a notch. Now, with Super Bowl XLIV approaching, they’ll really scale things back.

Peyton Manning will lead a majority of his answers with “I can’t really get into that,” or one of several alternative versions of it, mixing in good humor in a way that helps offset the dearth of actual information.

We’ll try to ask the Colts about trends, matchups, X's and O's and philosophy.

And they will tell us only what they’ve predetermined is sufficient and allowable, leaving us wanting. It’s as much a part of their strategy as they head toward Miami as their plan to protect Manning or their methods for slowing down New Orleans Saints star Reggie Bush.

“I think you’ve probably gotten a little feel for me as time has gone on,” Colts head coach Jim Caldwell said recently when asked a question about the shaping of his philosophies. “I’m not certain you get a great feel for me, because we certainly don’t allow that at times.”

So reserved are the Colts, that admission amounted to news.

From my time around the team, I’ve concluded this sort of shutdown mode -- the shield they raise -- has four sources/purposes:

• It starts with Bill Polian. The team president is a great conversationalist on broad topics, league issues and player résumés. But try to walk him down the wrong avenue -- be it about a strategy or something he considers created outside team headquarters -- and he’ll respond with a quality scowl. Caldwell and Manning aren’t scowlers, but they are in line with the philosophy and help make sure it trickles down to everyone else. Nobody’s nasty about it. They generally have a polite way of not sharing.
• They fear giving away any useful information that could somehow be put to use by an opponent.
• The less they say, the more humble they come across. And it’s important to them that they not be viewed as brash in any way.
• Polian and Manning might be allergic to cork -- their team has severe bulletin board aversion. The Colts want to ensure nothing they say lands on a photocopy machine in New Orleans, then gets passed out in the Saints' locker room.

If you want to see the full effect of these elements in action, watch and listen to youngsters on offense over the next two weeks. This week will be somewhat normal in Indianapolis. Next week in Miami will be unlike anything they've experienced, especially at Tuesday's media day. Receivers Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, guard Kyle DeVan and running back Donald Brown might break a sweat as they attempt to be as bland as that dry toast and warm ginger ale you had after your last bout with the flu.

Center Jeff Saturday is a thoughtful, well-spoken veteran completely plugged into the plan.

“I think it’s common sense,” he said. “I think what we do offensively and what we do as a team is nobody’s business but our own until we get on the field. It doesn’t help us telling teams anything or talking about what we do or what we have done.

“They’ve got film. They can go watch it. That’s the way I’ve always looked at it. Go look at it and you decide what we’re doing. There is no reason for us to talk about it.”

So what are players advised to do in interview situations?

And how do the outspoken players walk the line between being a good interview and not crossing into territory that could get them in trouble with their quarterback or boss?

“You hear it whenever you get here,” left tackle Charlie Johnson said. “You have the meeting about how to talk to the media and it’s just one of those things you just kind of learn -- just be smart with what you say.

“You just really make sure you know what you’re saying. Make sure you think before you speak. After a game if you’re angry about something, just don’t speak off the top of your head. Calm down and think about it. Think about what you want to say and how you want to convey this team in the media.”

The contrast last week between the reserved Caldwell and his unabashed counterpart -- New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan -- was stark. Ryan’s confidence and swagger drew the headlines, even prompting one writer to hope it might be contagious, while Caldwell won a game bigger than any news conference.

Reggie Wayne would seem to rate as the most “dangerous” Colt. He’s productive and confident and doesn’t mind attention.

Like his teammates, he speaks purposefully. But he came to Indianapolis from the University of Miami. At The U, learning to not be shy in front of a microphone is not a piece of the core curriculum.

But he said the organization has never tried to handle him.

“I’m going to say what I feel, I’m going to have fun, I enjoy life,” he said. “So there is no sense in me sitting back with my mouth sealed when I feel like I’ve got something to say. I’m [31] years old, hopefully I can live 70 more years, but while I am here, I am going to enjoy it.

“Some guys may be soft-spoken, not say much. But I feel like if I have something to say, I’m going to say it. … I’ve never ever once in my nine years had them say, 'Don’t say this, don’t say that.' I don’t think I say anything bad anyway. So, I’m cool.”

There is a follow-the-leader system in most locker rooms. And the Colts’ biggest stars send loud messages: Manning is measured but funny and cordial, often calling questioners by name. Receiver Marvin Harrison, who was let go after the 2008 season, was beyond reserved, rarely talking to the media.

Ryan Lilja, another Indianapolis offensive lineman, said he simply follows the course set by Polian and Manning.

“That’s our leader up top and that’s our leader in the locker room, those guys set the tone for the locker room, no matter how big or small,” he said. “It seems to work. Smarter guys than I do figure that stuff out, I just do what I am told.

“Everybody knows how powerful the media is. Obviously you guys are a 24-7 deal and what’s the point of tipping your hand too much? They’ve found something successful, they’ve kept it and they want to hold on to it.”

The AFC South shows well in the standings for the decade.

Houston Texans

Joel Dreessen wanted desperately to go to the playoffs, says John La Porte.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts plan on using Matt Stover in the playoffs, not Adam Vinatieri, says Phil Richards.

What the Colts will watch in the first round of the playoffs, from John Oehser.

Assessing the playoff field with Pete Prisco.

The Colts are in three of Don Banks’ top potential matchups for the Super Bowl.

A Q&A with Jim Caldwell at the team’s Web site.

Phillip B. Wilson chats with Clint Session. I wrote about the linebacker Thursday, which you can find here.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Talk of a Jaguars’ move shows the league’s greed is insatiable, says Mark Woods.

The division needs some playoff wins to carry the best-division banner says Vic Ketchman.

Pondering the 2014 Jaguars, with Big Cat Country.

Big Cat Country looks over early mock drafts.

Tennessee Titans

Kenny Britt expects to do a lot more, says Gary Estwick.

Jim Wyatt expects Nate Washington to make a lot of progress next year.

Usain Bolt would kick Chris Johnson to the slow lane, says David Climer.

A defensive overhaul is an offseason priority, says Terry McCormick.

One-time Titan Jarrett Payton will play arena ball in Chicago.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Power Rankings: Preseason: 6. This week: 2.

2009 Schedule/Results

Where they stand: The Colts are the AFC’s lone unbeaten team and as they prepare for their showdown Sunday night against New England, they rate as the favorite to represent the conference in the Super Bowl in Miami on February 7, 2010.

	Andy Lyons/Getty Images
	Third-round draft pick Jerraud Powers has been a pleasant surprise at cornerback for the Colts.

They’ve got the league’s top passing offense led by the MVP frontrunner Peyton Manning and the league’s top scoring defense led by whirling dervish Dwight Freeney, who’s got a sack in every game. In Jim Caldwell’s first half season as Tony Dungy’s successor, things have gone as well as could possibly have been expected.

Disappointments: Incumbent left tackle Tony Ugoh lost his starting job to Charlie Johnson and currently rates so low among the team’s offensive linemen that he’s not even dressed for the Colts’ last three games. Another lineman drafted high and expected to be a long-term answer, guard Mike Pollak, has shared time with journeyman Kyle DeVan, who played in 2009 with the Boise Burn of ArenaFootball2. The run game continues to struggle, with only 85.4 yards a game and just 3.4 a carry from lead back Joseph Addai.

Defensive tackle Ed Johnson was supposed to spur a run defense revival on his second chance, but word is he was lazy and not in shape and the team surprised a lot of people by cutting him after five games.

Surprises: As a result of injuries, the Colts have gotten four starts from Kelvin Hayden and none from Marlin Jackson, the two players the team expected to be locked in as their top cornerbacks. That’s a scenario that would undo the season for virtually every team in the league. But the Colts have gotten great play from third-round draft pick Jerraud Powers and undrafted rookie Jacob Lacey, with veteran Tim Jennings working as the extra corner.

Indianapolis ranks an impressive ninth against the pass even without those two corners and with only two games from another secondary starter, strong safety Bob Sanders who’s now out for the season along with Jackson.

Outlook: The Colts have a tough stretch coming, with New England Sunday night followed by trips to Baltimore and Houston for a rematch with the Texans. Their first loss, or two, will likely arrive in that span, but they should still wind up with the top seed in the conference and line up for two home games in the playoffs.

The question is whether Caldwell can jolt them out of the first-round funk that’s seen them bow out of the postseason quickly to San Diego two years in a row after winning Super Bowl XLI.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

Houston Texans

• In many ways, life has never been so good for the Texans, says Jerome Solomon.
• Ryan Moats got the carries with Steve Slaton benched and made the most of it, says Dale Robertson.
• Owen Daniels is out for the year, according to Adam Schefter.
• The defense gave a 60-minute effort, writes John McClain.
• Matt Schaub bounced back from early interceptions, says Robertson.
• McClain’s report card includes a chance for you to grade.
• It’ll be a fun week to be a Texans fan, says Richard Justice.

Indianapolis Colts

• A trick play and a big day from Reggie Wayne keyed the Colts’ seventh win, says Phil Richards.
• The Colts won a “grinder,” says John Oehser.
• The offense had a tough time in the red zone, says Mike Chappell.
• Bob Kravitz’s report card.
• Timely defensive plays were a big part of the win, says Phillip B. Wilson.
• Jim Caldwell is the first coach since 1931 to start his career 7-0, says Chappell.
• The 49ers pressured Peyton Manning as well as anyone has in some time, writes Oehser.
• Are the Colts the AFC’s best? Todd Golden asks and ponders.
• Breaking down the game into very small bits and pieces with Deshawn Zombie.
• Lucas Oil Stadium’s roof should never be open, says Demond Sanders.
• Joseph Addai made the most of a quarterbacking opportunity, says Larry Hawley.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Find a way to fix the inconsistency or you might not be part of next year’s team, says Gene Frenette.
• More shuffling on the offensive line didn’t help protect David Garrard, says Michael C. Wright.
• Jack Del Rio says the defense isn’t translating practice to games, writes Wright.
• How the game was lost, from Wright.
• Reggie Nelson knows he didn’t play well at corner where depth is a concern, says Vito Stellino.
• The run defense killed the Jaguars, says Stellino.
• Three F's on Frenette’s report card.
• The loss was a derailment of hope, says Cole Pepper.
• The line play isn’t there on either side to support a playoff run, says Terry O’Brien.
• Who’s to blame? Brian Fullford sorts through it.

Tennessee Titans

• At least for a day, the Titans and Vince Young were winners again, says Jim Wyatt.
• Bud Adams’ call for Vince Young worked, says David Climer.
• Chris Johnson’s record day sparked the Titans, writes Gary Estwick.
• A gorilla’s off the Titans’ backs, says Joe Biddle.
• Even with a couple of major lapses, the defense looked better, says Jim Wyatt.
• Young thought of Steve McNair during the game, says Wyatt.
• Wyatt’s report card.
• Asked about Jeff Fisher’s job security, Adams pointed to the coach’s contract, writes Terry McCormick.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky


Houston Texans

• Jerome Solomon says Monday night's preseason game against the Vikings should be a window into the team's soul.
• Sporting News talked with Steve Slaton.
• Twenty-seven Texans will be cut this week and Alan Burge looks at the process.

Indianapolis Colts

• Jim Sorgi, who's been out with a hamstring injury, is solid as the Colts' No. 2 quarterback, according to Jim Caldwell. Phil Richards reports.
• John Oehser reviews Saturday's Colts-Lions game.
• On second thought, Caldwell said the interior defense was fine schematically and that the Colts' biggest issue was tackling, writes Oehser.
• Peter King thinks the Colts have a trust issue with Anthony Gonzalez.
• Deshawn Zombie sorts through the Colts' options with third-string QB Curtis Painter.
• Phillip B. Wilson checks in on all things Colts.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Mike Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas are back to practice. Do they still have time to position themselves to be early-season factors? Vito Stellino considers.
• David Garrard ranks in the middle third of NFL quarterbacks, but could move into the upper this, says Vic Ketchman.
• The Jaguars cut Paul Smith and signed Todd Boeckman as their third quarterback.

Tennessee Titans

• Jeff Fisher says the evaluation process for the return jobs is "a strategic, confidential situation." That's a good thing when it's clear no answer has stepped forward. I bet if and when one does, things will be a lot less confidential. Here's a notebook from Jim Wyatt and Gary Estwick.
• Fisher says Vince Young is the Titans' No. 2 quarterback, writes Wyatt.
• Dateline's piece on Steve McNair runs Monday night on NBC. Here's a preview. Hat tip to Estwick for the link.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Let's play some post-holiday weekend catch up...

Houston Texans

• With Antonio Smith out with a hamstring issue, Tim Bulman manned right defensive end like he owned it last week, writes Megan Manfull.
• Several former Texans remain unsigned free agents, writes Alan Burge. You can always take that as a sign -- the rest of the league didn't place much value on your guys.
• What sort of impact can Brian Cushing have? Jim McCurdy wonders.
• Rashad Butler needs to be ready to back up both offensive tackles, says Burge.
• A look at Houston's late-round draft picks, from Jesse Rios.

Indianapolis Colts

• Hard work and strict discipline paved the way for Donald Brown, writes Phil Richards.
• Among the five topics John Oehser ponders is how the offensive line's embarrassment over last year's performance will spur a big comeback.
• The top five issues still facing the Colts, from Oehser.
• Jim Caldwell talked to Marc Correnti. We found the link via Indyfootballreport.com.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• The offense got a makeover, the defense gets a do-over, writes Vito Stellino.
• Fred Taylor is taking a different training approach as a Patriot, says Stellino.
• A look at the charity Reggie Nelson set up to honor his mom, from Josh Salman.
• Looking at the Jaguars' options behind Maurice Jones-Drew with Daniel Shanks.

Tennessee Titans

• As he tries to regain his starting job, Ryan Fowler admits he became complacent when he lost it, writes Gary Estwick.
• A status report on the rookies after their first three practices with the veterans, from Jim Wyatt.
• Bud Adams talked about founding the Oilers and ultimately moving them to Tennessee in this piece by Joe Biddle.
• Leroy Harris is stuck as a backup for now, says Estwick.
• Jevon Kearse likes it when Chuck Cecil is loud, according to David Boclair.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

The Colts just announced that Ron Meeks, their defensive coordinator for the last seven seasons, has resigned.

It's the second major coaching departure since Jim Caldwell inherited the head coaching job from Tony Dungy. Special teams coach Russ Purnell did not get his contract renewed.

As is often the case with a coordinator on the same side of the ball as the head coach, it wasn't always clear how much control Meeks had under Dungy, who was brought to Indianapolis largely because of his defensive prowess and success with the Tampa 2.

We may not know exactly what change Caldwell is looking for with this move until we see who he hires.

Will the Colts move away from the zone scheme that has defined their defensive personality?

Will they move away from small linemen and linebackers, going a little bigger at some spots while sacrificing the qualities they've put a real premium on defensively -- speed and quickness?

Will they remain committed to strong safety Bob Sanders despite his propensity for injuries that cost him long stretches of games?