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A running list of Saturday cuts around the AFC South so far, per reports from people in the know…

Houston

• LB Xavier Adibi
• WR Dorin Dickerson
• DE Damione Lewis
• TE Anthony Hill

Indianapolis

• DT Tommie Harris
• DT Ricardo Matthews
• TE Michael Matthews
• WR Taj Smith
• DE John Chick
• QB Dan Orlovsky
• LB Kerry Neal
• G Kyle DeVan
• RB Javarris James
• P Travis Baltz

Jacksonville

• OT Daniel Baldridge
• DE Larry Hart
• DL Andrew Lewis
• CB Terrence Wheatley
• CB Jalil Johnson
• LB Mike Lockley

Tennessee

• WR Justin Gage
• DE Jacob Ford
• S Vincent Fuller
• S Robert Johnson
• OT Adam Terry

ANDERSON, Ind. -- Some quick, initial impressions from the first practice of Colts training camp I watched…

• Joe Reitz, who’s listed as a tackle, continues to work at left guard ahead of Jacques McClendon. He lined up with left tackle Jeff Linkenbach, center Jeff Saturday, right guard Mike Pollak and right tackle Ryan Diem to form the starting O-line.
• Justin Tryon ranks as the third corner right now, but count me among those who think he could wind up second. I watched him encourage and advise undrafted rookie Terrence Johnson during one-on-ones about being patient working against receiver Taj Smith. Good stuff.
• “Saturday,” a fan screamed and the center raised his fist before the rest of the line was delivered. “Thank you for the season.” He should hear that a lot based on his giant role in the CBA negotiations.
• It can't be a fun job to be the guy who holds up a three-ring pack of laminated sheets with the right package or play name on it to the camera before each play. But the coaches need to have some stuff labeled as “Alcatraz” of “Queso” when they review and look for landmarks of the sets.
• With Dwight Freeney out for the morning, the first-unit defensive line was, left to right, Jamaal Anderson, Fili Moala, Antonio Johnson and Robert Mathis.
• Special teams worked on punting out of the back of the end zone and the block team did well to get to one off of Pat McAfee’s foot. Special-teams coach Ray Rychleski didn’t care for close-but-no-cigar on another snap. Well, not even close, apparently. “Don’t go near the guy,"' he barked at one rusher. “You’re not even close. Block it or don’t go near him.” The broader point: Roughing the punter penalties kill.
• Watched some one-on-one pass rush and saw Tommie Harris win snaps against McClendon and Reitz. Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana looked good to me. Drake Nevis and Jerry Hughes didn’t have a great period from what I could tell.
• Linebacker Ernie Sims is out two weeks after an appendectomy, according to Jim Caldwell.

Taj Smith is a great example of the kind of fringe NFL player who needs a functioning league and the money it can bring him.

Buying 70 pairs of sneakers was not a wise way to use some of what he’s already made. He's saved little as he also took care of his family and paid rent.

Greg Bishop paints a telling portrait of the receiver, who has spent significant time on the Colts’ practice squad and has played in five games.

Smith’s agent, Wes Bridges, said Smith is in the second year of a three-year contract, little of which is guaranteed. His window of opportunity in professional football, which opened later than most, is small to begin with, so every paycheck, every workout bonus matters for his family and his future.

But of course Smith now resides in the limbo created by the N.F.L. lockout, hopeful but uncertain. No games. No organized practices. No paychecks. Nothing to be done that could secure his future in the game.

Back in Newark, as the sport’s labor dispute moves slowly through the federal court system, Smith has driven through the familiar, rough streets of his childhood, reacquainting himself with all that he wants to leave behind, including the building where he was robbed at gunpoint and the alley where his friend was killed. …

He admits to playing his own part in perpetuating the dead-end pathology of violence begetting violence. He says he is not looking for sympathy. Just work.

I didn’t know his background. I do remember being impressed by Smith in back-to-back training camps and thinking he could pan out into something.

Read the piece and you’ll know a lot more about why he needs the chance. I hope he and others like him are also mapping an alternative course.

On Antonio Cromartie's 47-yard kickoff return Saturday night that helped set up the Jets’ winning drive, Jerry Hughes of the Colts had the first and best opportunity to get the defensive back down.

Hughes could have had Cromartie at the 15-yard line or so, but his effort seemed halfhearted and it didn’t take much for Cromartie to angle a bit more to his right and run right past the first man on kickoff coverage.

The second-best chance at Cromartie was Nate Triplett, who had to dive about four yards later but didn’t even manage to slow the returner.

Would better people have been on the coverage team if the Colts were healthier? Absolutely. But those guys could have made a play and didn’t. Also on the field for the Colts at that point: defensive back Mike Richardson and receiver Taj Smith.

Triplett, Smith and Richardson all became part of the 53-man roster in December.

For Hughes, who showed very little as a rookie first-round defensive end, it’s the most memorable (non-)play of the season and the second most memorable thing about him as a Colt.

The first was Bill Polian’s radio lament about not taking Rodger Saffold, a player the Colts thought was a right tackle who played very well as a left tackle for St. Louis this season.

INDIANAPOLIS -- They trudged to the helmet painted on the turf at midfield, offering congratulations to the team that ended their season.

In time, the Colts might come to consider this pre-Super Bowl playoff exit the least painful and most dismissible of the seven they’ve endured during a nine-year run of postseason qualification. On Saturday night, of course, they were too close to it to think or speak that way.

They saw a blown opportunity in their 17-16 loss to the New York Jets in the opening round of the NFL playoffs.

So they’ll carry regret into the offseason, regret not so much about losing to the Jets, but losing to the Jets like that.

By blowing three leads.

The Colts were up 7-0, 10-7 and 16-14.

By watching the Jets convert five of seven third downs in the second half while they failed to convert two third-and-longs in the fourth quarter that left them settling for field goals.

The first, a third-and-7, produced only a 1-yard run by Dominic Rhodes against a heavy defensive-back set.

“They had seven DBs, they had 34, [cornerback Marquice] Cole at defensive end, it was 100 percent pass coverage,” Peyton Manning said. “That’s a lot of DBs. We just thought they’re not going to think we’re going to run it. We’ve got to be able to pick those up.”

The second, a third-and-6, was a Manning sprint out to the right and a throw to Blair White that looked to be a bit short on the right side. White couldn’t corral it as he went to the ground.

By allowing New York to keep the ball with a running-into-the-punter penalty, which resulted in two timeouts burned ahead of schedule and 34 fewer seconds on the clock when the Colts got the ball back.

Taj Smith was flagged despite trying to hold up Jets punter Steve Weatherford once he’d made contact.

“He did a good acting job and I should have played it more conservative, it just was a bad play on my part,” Smith said. “… They just said play it more smart and keep my head up.”

By allowing a 47-yard kickoff return with 53 seconds remaining that positioned the Jets for a quick drive and a field goal as time expired.

“It goes from putting a lot of pressure on the offense to putting a lot of pressure on the defense with that field position change,” Manning said.

The Colts aren’t used to watching that unfold with their offense on the sideline. They’re used to Manning and the offense making the other team’s offense squirm on the sideline, enduring a sense of helplessness.

“It’s just bad execution on our part,” left tackle Charlie Johnson said. “It’s bad because … I want to be careful here. You have to give them credit. They played a great game, but at the same time I feel like the better team didn’t win.”

It was the seventh exit in the Colts’ first game of the playoffs in Manning’s 11 trips to the postseason, the sort of context the Colts absolutely hate to have pointed out to them.

“We’ve been to the playoffs nine consecutive years. I don’t think this team has to explain itself to anybody as far as what we are doing in the playoffs,” linebacker Gary Brackett said. “A team’s pinnacle is to get to the playoffs and we’ve done that consistently.”

Said Johnson: “I think it’s bogus. I think there are some teams in the league that would love to have the success we’ve had, regardless of going to Super Bowls or not -- winning so many games over the years, winning 12 or more games however many years in a row, going to the playoffs nine straight years. There are a ton of teams that would take that and be happy with it.”

This exit will ultimately deserve a less harsh review than some others because of how deep the injury-riddled Colts had to dig along the way. They ended the game with Ken Hamlin at free safety. He signed Dec. 22 and was, at the very best, their fifth option at the position this season.

Coming into the game the question for Rex Ryan was, if his team couldn’t get past the Colts now, when might it ever?

Before Manning left the interview podium for the last time in what may be quite a long time, he offered a glimpse into how the 2010 Colts were looking at a potential playoff run, at how things might have been different this time.

“It would have been fun to have kind of gotten on a little run here, there would have been a different feeling,” Manning said. “I thought we would have been the underdog in every game. I thought we were the underdog tonight. We would have been the underdog going to Pittsburgh. That’s certainly a different feeling.

“Usually in the playoffs we’re always kind of usually the favorite to win, expected to win. This would have been a fun little run. This has been a fun little run, these last few weeks, we felt like they’ve all been playoff games. This was the best team we’ve played in some time. We certainly had a chance and just came up short.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Halftime thoughts from LP Field where it’s 21-7 Colts over Titans.

• Donald Brown is not the guy to solve the rushing problems for Indianapolis. Spins in the backfield provide time for defenders to tackle him in the backfield. That’s especially ineffective when it’s losing yards inside the 5-yard line. Javarris James is simple better in the red zone.
• My understanding of the Titans use of Randy Moss gets worse and worse. He played minimally in that half, and I don’t think he and Kenny Britt were on the field together for a snap. Meanwhile, a drop for Nate Washington and a good bit of action for Justin Gage.
• Kerry Collins can’t get nearly enough on the ball if he can’t step into it and the pocket rarely holds up. There are quarterbacks in the league who can make quality throws as they retreat. He’s not one of them.
• Rookie linebackers Pat Angerer and Kavell Conner were in the starting lineup, but the Colts are mixing and matching at linebacker beyond Gary Brackett. Tyjuan Hagler has played a lot. Philip Wheeler’s been out there some too.
• Two Tennessee giveaways led to two Colts touchdowns -- Dwight Freeney stripped Britt for one, Brett Kern couldn’t pull in a high snap from Ken Amato for a punt and Taj Smith recovered it for the other.
• Ryan Diem, two false starts. Not good. Manning, no picks, good. Still a couple more bad throws than you’d expect -- one where he missed an open Reggie Wayne on a scramble, one where he had James at the goal line.

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

The Texans are using the long break to get healthy, says John McClain.

It’s time for Bob McNair to hire a top-10 coach, says Jerome Solomon.

Indianapolis Colts

Despite their late rally, the Colts let this one slip away, says Phil Richards.

Late addition Taj Smith provided a spark, says Mike Chappell.

This isn’t even a poor facsimile of Peyton Manning, says Bob Kravitz.

Bob Kravitz’s report card.

The defense took its share of the blame, says Chappell.

It’s past time to worry, says John Oehser.

Look at Manning honestly and you have to conclude he’s playing terrible football, says Nate Dunlevy.

A game review from Brett Mock.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The final stats were as lopsided as the score as the Jaguars took sole possession of first place, says Tania Ganguli.

The Jaguars continued to run the ball very well, says Vito Stellino.

They’re morphing into a real team, one that is gradually becoming harder to ignore as a real threat to the Colts’ AFC South dominance, says Gene Frenette.

Jacksonville’s run defense is on a roll, says Stellino.

X-rays were negative on Courtney Greene’s shoulder, but he’ll have an MRI today, says Ganguli.

Maurice Jones-Drew answered Jack Del Rio’s challenge, says Rick Gosselin.

By all appearances, this is 2007 all over again, says Vic Ketchman.

The Jaguars are playing their best football, says Ketchman.

Pondering Jones-Drew’s case for MVP with Jonathan Loesche.

Four reasons this 7-5 teams is different than last year’s, from Brian Levenson.

Tennessee Titans

All signs point to nowhere for the Titans, says Jim Wyatt.

The Titans are fading from relevance in a mediocre division, says David Climer.

Chaos could end Jeff Fisher’s tenure, says Michael Silver.

The Jaguars didn’t mix an ounce of deception into their plan of attack and ran all over the Titans, says John Glennon.

It’s been 13 quarters since the Titans scored an offensive touchdown, says Glennon.

Randy Moss continues to be a non-factor, says Jim Wyatt.

Jacksonville just ran wild, says David Boclair.

The Titans’ time-of-possession deficit during their five-game losing streak is 190:35 to 116:08. That’s 74 minutes and 27 seconds over five games. That’s a game-and-a-quarter. That’s insane, says Bob McClellan.

The Titans say their soap opera isn’t the cause of their slide, says Terry McCormick.

Thoughts on the Cowboys’ win over the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

What it means: The Colts are at 6-6, in second place in the AFC South, a game plus a tie-breaker behind 7-5 Jacksonville.

What I didn’t like: Four picks by Peyton Manning, two were returned for touchdowns, two turned into field goals. With Dallas scoring 20 points off turnovers, the thinned out Colts simply couldn’t overcome things without a takeaway of their own. Tashard Choice had 100 yards rushing for a career day. The Cowboys had a 217-40 advantage in rushing yards and had eight third down conversions in 15 chances.

What I liked: An awful lot of fight to pull even after trailing 17-0 at the start and by 13 entering the fourth quarter. A ridiculous, 14-catch, 200-yards, one-touchdown day from Reggie Wayne. Two rushing touchdowns from Javarris James. A blocked punt and a resulting touchdown from Taj Smith.

Major gaffe: A leverage penalty against Eric Foster on a late Dallas field-goal attempt in regulation gave the Cowboys a first down and allowed them to ultimately score a go-ahead touchdown and 2-point conversion. The Colts offense bailed Foster out with a giant touchdown drive to force overtime. But they could have been in position to win it.

What’s next: The Colts have a quick turnaround and a Thursday night game in Nashville against the Titans in an AFC South matchup.

The Colts just sent out their weekly Tuesday injury update. Here it is in its entirety:

"Defensive back Bob Sanders (biceps) will be out this week against Dallas. Wide receiver Austin Collie is improving and his practice role will be determined as the week progresses. Collie suffered a concussion at Philadelphia on November 7. After being cleared medically to participate at New England on November 21, he encountered symptoms from his previous injury, though there was no recurrence. Running back Joseph Addai progressed to practice last week for conditioning purposes. Addai will do so again, but a timetable for a full return to action is uncertain. The club has waived wide receiver Brandon James and signed wide receiver Taj Smith. Linebacker Cody Glenn will be placed on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury last week against San Diego."

The lack of a mention of Gary Brackett and Clint Session suggest the linebackers could have a chance to return, which Bill Polian indicated in his weekly radio show. Same for Mike Hart, who practiced some last week.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Richard in Ann Arbor, MI writes: The shadows at the old Cowboys Stadium were at least as annoying as the shadows as Lucas Oil field. This should fall under the Jerry Jones rule: If it's ok for the Cowboys to do something, it's ok for any team to do it. The Colts have nothing to apologize for.

Paul Kuharsky: I didn't suggest they had anything to apologize for. I am sure they'd like for their games to look good on TV for the fans who are not at Lucas Oil Stadium.

---

Matt in Murray, KY writes: In response to "Further Review: MJD's 2-pt try," The Wildcat is a great change of pace set, but why would you run it at such a critical junction of the game? Had they just handed the ball off, there was a high percentage chance that he gets in. They could have run the EXACT same play they ran on the touchdown (which by the way was a beautiful display of patience by MJD) and as a Colts fan I can say, I feel like they would have gotten in. Fortunately for myself, they did not. But had the Jaguars pulled even with 11 minutes to go, the whole dynamic of how the Colts handled their next possessions would have been different. Did the Jaguars really think that the Colts would be more concerned with Nate Hughes (who?) than Jones-Drew who just burned them on a simple outside give?

Paul Kuharsky: I agree all around. It wasn't the best play-calling moment of the game.

---

Jahon in San Diego, CA writes: Let's just say that Dunta's shoe stunt and his comments afterwards have ticked off most if not all of the Texan fans. Speaking for myself, it makes me worried about what type of mentality is in the locker room. Instead of the other players laughing about his stunt and his comments, someone should have gotten in his face and told him to be professional and it is not all about him, this is a team. A team is supposed to be there to win.

Paul Kuharsky: Yes, I agree that a leader should have worked to set things straight. Maybe one did so behind the scenes. But once Robinson said what he did about it, someone else should have worked to drown it out with some volume.

---

Greg in Houston, TX writes: I was getting rather ill with the Dunta Robinson contractual issues and his hold out to prove his point. When he returned, I, like many others, thought that he would put his love of the game above everything else when the season started. His words and his preparation to return caused me to give him the benefit of a doubt. But now with the "Pay Me Rick" message written on his shoe causes me to believe that he can't get past this. I was wondering what possibilities were out there for trade considerations. What is his trade value for a draft pick? Is there another team that is need for a starting corner, such as DR, and would it be a player/player trade or a draft pick trade?

Paul Kuharsky: No one.

No one is trading anything for a guy whose contract worth nearly $10 million is guaranteed and who’s not under contract beyond this year.

I understand a lot of people are upset with him, but you'll have to come to terms that he’s going to be around. He can't be dealt or cut with that price. Also, more importantly he still rates as their best defensive back.

---

Roger in Nashville writes: Paul, Why is it that the Titans are soooo cheap. We were hoping they will go after Torry Holt or Hank Baskett but they rather settle for Paul Williams and Edison. We know is not a matter of money since they have the cap space but they just keep trying to get by with less. Have somebody explained to Bud Adams that these are his last years to get to a Super Bowl ring and that it is worth the investment.

Paul Kuharsky: I think you are wrong to assume it's about cost. They liked Holt a little bit at a certain value. The Jags liked him much more and at a higher value. I can't see that he'd rank ahead of Justin Gage, Nate Washington or Kenny Britt right now. They spent big dollars, by the way, on Washington, and a valuable first-round pick on Britt and a first-round contract on him.

With those three and Scaife and Cook, I don't believe they feel like they need Baskett and I tend to agree.

If they didn't play Edison in the opener even with Washington limited and if Paul Williams is on the practice squad, not on the 53-man roster, I'm not sure I understand the complaint about having them around. Edison is promising, and they should continue to try to develop young guys despite their failures doing so with receivers. Williams' time is up, in my opinion. But at least he is not taking up a roster spot any longer.

Also what makes you certain Baskett is getting any sort of significant money? It's a one-year deal, likely for the minimum, maybe with some incentives. The Colts were looking for a guy who could fill in as high on the depth chart as second, the Titans weren't. So what makes you certain Baskett would have preferred Nashville to Indy, anyway?

---

Fred Scheppele in Colorado Springs, Colorado writes: Who do you think would play more effectively for the Colts, or provide more game day value: 1) a veteran signed three days before the game that does not know the play book and has not practiced much with the QB (Hank Baskett), or 2) a rookie who was not talented enough to make the final 53 man roster, but was on the practice squad, knows the playbook, and went through the preseason working with the QB (Taj Smith or maybe John Matthews).

Paul Kuharsky: I think you're missing a third option, where they lean more heavily on Austin Collie, Pierre Garcon and Jacob Tamme and Hank Baskett maybe plays only in specific situations -- maybe in the red zone. Then his role can increase as he gets up to speed.

I think that's what they are doing. Bill Polian doesn't look outside often, so when he does I think it tells us where they stand on in-house alternatives -- in this case Smith and Matthews.

---

Peter in Nashville writes: Hey Paul, So my roommate and I were talking and had a question so I decided I would forward it to you. We both seem to remember there being some reason why LP Field is not eligible to hold the Super Bowl but neither of us could remember why. It is certainly big enough as it hold more than Tampa's field so I just wanted to see if I could steal from your bank of knowledge. Thanks.

Paul Kuharsky: Because it's cold and potentially wet in Nashville in January and February. Warm-weather cities or indoor venues only for the Super Bowl.

---

Weller Ross in Knoxville, TN writes: Hey Paul, I was just wondering if you know of anywhere out there where I can find the statistics for number of times a receiver was targeted. I've read multiple times now that Reggie Wayne was targeted 14 times, and I was curious as to how that compared to other receivers in the league. Thanks.

Paul Kuharsky: Click on a score at NFL.com to get to the Game Center page. from there, look for the red link to the official "game book." That's the stat package from the game, and if you find the section that details catches, it starts with "targets." (Click here for the game book from Jaguars-Colts. Scroll to "Final Individual Stats" on the second page.)

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

The Colts made a couple of roster moves Wednesday. At least one more is coming -- perhaps in time for Thursday, which marks the start of their practice week in preparation for Monday night's game at Miami.

The team waived kicker Shane Andrus, who worked as a kickoff specialist in the season-opening win against Jacksonville, and linebacker Cody Glenn, who was inactive against the Jaguars.

Adam Vinatieri said Monday he envisioned ultimately taking back the kickoff duties, though he didn’t offer a hint that it would be soon.

One of the two open roster spots will be taken by Ed Johnson. The veteran defensive tackle was suspended by the league for Week 1 and the team’s roster exemption for him is up.

The second spot is yet to be filled.

Team president Bill Polian has indicated the team may look for a veteran wide receiver to help while Anthony Gonzalez (knee) is out. The team is only three deep at receiver without Gonzalez (Reggie Wayne, Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon).

If the Colts don't find a veteran they like, they could opt to promote Taj Smith or John Matthews from the practice squad.

UPDATE: Adam Schefter reported Tuesday evening that the Colts worked out three free agent veterans -- D.J. Hackett, David Patten, and Chad Jackson.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Paul Kuharsky

Houston

• Linebacker Buster Davis
• Running back Arian Foster
• Center Brett Helms
• Defensive end Tim Jamison
• Defensive end Jesse Nading
• Receiver Darnell Jenkins
• Cornerback Mark Parson
• Offensive tackle Adam Stenavich

Indianapolis (one spot to fill)

• Tight end Colin Cloherty
• Receiver Sam Giguere
• Defensive tackle John Gill
• Running back Mike Hart
• Receiver John Matthews
• Guard Jaimie Thomas
• Receiver Taj Smith

Jacksonville

• Receiver Tiquan Underwood
• Fullback Brock Bolen
• Guard Cameron Stephenson
• Center-guard Cecil Newton
• Running back Josh Vaughan
• Defensive end Jeremy Navarre
• Safety Michael Desormeaux
• Quarterback Richard Bartel

(Early version was courtesy of Michael C. Wright)

Tennessee

• Guard Ryan Durand
• Fullback Rodney Ferguson
• Defensive tackle Mitch King
• Receiver Phillip Morris
• Safety Nick Schommer
• Offensive lineman Fernando Velasco
• Receiver Paul Williams

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Here are the roster moves just announced by the Colts:

Waived:

RB Lance Ball

WR Sam Giguere

DT John Gill

DT Adrian Grady

RB Mike Hart

DE Marcus Howard

DB Dante Hughes

C Steve Justice

WR John Matthews

WR Brett McDermott

RB Walter Mendenhall

OG Tom Pestock

WR Taj Smith

LB Michael Tauiliili

DT Terrance Taylor

OT Jaimie Thomas

DE Josh Thomas

OT Michael Toudouze

Waived Injured:

DB Nick Graham

DB Travis Key

TE Jamie Petrowski

Does Not Count on Active Roster:

DT Ed Johnson (suspended Week 1)

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky


Houston Texans
Heading toward their third preseason game, the Texans are still thinking playoffs or bust, says John McClain.Sage Rosenfels' return is lost in Brett Favre spectacle, says McClain.Look at the team's makeup and Texans is an appropriate moniker, says Alan Burge.

Indianapolis Colts
Taj Smith survived Newark's mean streets, writes Phillip B. Wilson.Eric Foster's working to be versatile, says Mike Chappell.Antonio Johnson never lost faith he could play, says John Oehser.Thoughts on young receivers as Oehser takes questions.There is no verdict on whether Bob Sanders has a chance to play on opening day, says Oehser.Things to look for from the Colts on offense, from Oehser.Bill Polian talked to Doug Dakich.

Jacksonville Jaguars
Vito Stellino chimes in on an NFL Network report that the Jaguars have offered a fifth-rounder to Kansas City for Tyler Thigpen. It's good that they are being aggressive in trying to upgrade at No. 2 quarterback.Five Jaguars and one Eagle to watch Thursday night.The Jaguars signed defensive tackle Jervonte Jackson and waived defensive end Jeremy Mincey.Vic Ketchman of jaguars.com wonders why so many people feel they have to choose to like college football or the NFL.

Tennessee Titans
Receivers remain the big question for the Titans as camp closed, says Jim Wyatt.Kenny Britt finished camp with some gymnastics, write Gary Estwick and Wyatt.Stephen Tulloch is ready for his first preseason action, says Terry McCormick.Mark Jones is ready to work as the return man, writes McCormick.Kevin Mawae could play after only a couple days of practice, says Wyatt.Who were the winners of camp? A podcast from Titans Radio.

	Scott Boehm/Getty Images
	New coach Jim Caldwell has made a number of changes and the Colts appear happy with the alterations.

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

INDIANAPOLIS -- Dwight Freeney didn't shoo Tony Dungy out the door and wasn't begging for alterations to a formula that has brought the Indianapolis Colts great success.

But Freeney is content with new coach Jim Caldwell's changes at defensive coordinator and special teams coach. The Colts' star defensive end surveys a landscape that no longer includes Ron Meeks and Russ Purnell and feels just fine.

"I think that's one thing people need to understand: We had a lot of success in the years with Meeks and Purnell and, yeah, we are changing personnel as far as those coaching positions are concerned. But change is not always a bad thing," he said. "If you look at the end result, and I'm not saying it was their fault, but we only achieved the end goal once even though we were very successful.

"And I'm not saying it was because of them. But there is always room for improvement. You never know -- you change things around, it brings new energy, it brings new fire. We could see some bigger things."

Camp Confidential: AFC South • Titans: Mon., Aug. 3 • Jaguars: Sat., Aug. 8 • Colts: Sat., Aug. 15 • Texans: Fri., Aug. 21 • Training camp index

That energy was palpable early in camp from a team that overcame a lot to go 12-4 last year, then botched a big opportunity in a playoff game in San Diego.

The Colts have had a smooth transition because they anticipated the change and had Caldwell serve as associate head coach under Dungy. Caldwell removed Meeks and Purnell, replacing them with Larry Coyer and Ray Rychleski, respectively.

But the other key people in the organization who provide major stability are still in place -- Bill Polian is still the team president and Peyton Manning is still the quarterback.

Like Freeney, Polian believes some change can be a good thing.

"Sometimes that's good -- you hear a different voice, you hear a different approach, it gets the message across in a different manner," Polian said. "Both are excellent coaches, both are terrific guys.

"They're both organized and they're both good teachers, so I don't think there is any real change there. But maybe the way the lesson is taught might be a little bit different and it's probably, in the end, good."

Key questions

1. Can the third-down defense get Manning the ball back?
The Colts tied for second worst in the league in third-down conversion rate, allowing teams to convert on third down 47.4 percent of the time. Bend-but-don't-break is going out of fashion under Coyer, according to many of his players. And with third down as a focus, they hope to get the offense back on the field and allow their best people to spend more time working.

Only six teams fared worse in time of possession than the Colts (28:39) last year. No matter how opponents try to play keep-away, getting Manning and the offense on the field more must be a priority.

Gonzalez

Wayne

2. Does Manning have the weapons and protection?
Reggie Wayne has been the de facto No. 1 receiver for a while already. And Anthony Gonzalez is primed for a great year in his third season, with a lot more opportunities to come. Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie were both impressive early in camp and appear primed to be steady contributors, and Donald Brown provided a second running back with dynamic possibilities.

The protection question may be a bigger conc
ern. Charlie Johnson has been inserted at left tackle. While he has been an effective fill-in, if he is the guy for 16 games, defensive ends named Mario Williams and Kyle Vanden Bosch are going to find the holes in his game. Perhaps Tony Ugoh responds to the demotion and seizes the job back. Either way, could Manning have to worry more about getting hit from a blind side rusher than he has in the past?

3. Can special teams provide a boost?
Mediocre to poor special teams have been the norm for the Colts, and under Dungy there seemed to be a level of tacit acceptance. Enter Rychleski, a fiery and passionate special teams coach who Caldwell hired from South Carolina. As in many of the departments where the Colts ranked poorly in the past, just a moderate improvement can make a big difference.

The return games have been the worst element. T.J. Rushing is the leading candidate right now, but rookies Collie and Jerraud Powers could provide a boost. Another rookie, Pat McAfee is slated to be the new punter.

Market watch
Working predominantly as the third receiver last season, Gonzalez had 664 receiving yards. Bumped up to No. 2, he should be poised to top 1,000 yards and improve on the four touchdown catches he totaled in 2008. He is typecast by too many as a slot guy, but in three wide receiver sets it appears more likely that Wayne or Collie will line up inside.

Gonzalez is a complete receiver who has established a great rapport with Manning -- so much so that Manning invited the receiver to serve as his caddy at a pro-am golf tournament in April.

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	The Colts are counting on Donald Brown to have a big impact in his rookie season.

Newcomer to watch
While most analysts figured the Colts would look wide receiver or defensive tackle late in the first round, Polian spent the 27th pick in the draft on highly productive UConn running back Brown. An indictment of Joseph Addai? Perhaps. An upgrade over Dominic Rhodes? Absolutely.

The Colts' plans for Brown and their opinion of Addai after an off year in which he struggled with with knee trouble are both unclear. But Caldwell has made it clear he anticipates significant work for his top two backs. Brown was effective in his first preseason action, even as it came against a mix of second- and third-string Minnesota defenders. High draft picks on offense are expected to help right away and rookie running backs regularly plug in and excel. It's what Addai did in 2006 as the league's leading rookie rusher and it's what Brown may well do in the same offense.

Observation deck
Kicker Adam Vinatieri (hip) isn't expected back until the very end of the preseason. When he's kicking again, he will work intensively with McAfee, his new holder, to get their rhythm and timing down. ... If everyone is healthy in the secondary, work as the dime won't be sufficient for safety Melvin Bullitt. Expect the Colts to creatively find other ways to get him on the field regularly. His development likely means Antoine Bethea won't be re-signed when he becomes a free agent. ... Ryan Lilja is the best run blocker on the line and will also help Jeff Saturday provide an additional veteran influence on the younger players in the offensive line meeting room. ... While Harrison was locked in to lining up in the right, Reggie Wayne will move from the left into the slot, making him tougher to predict and defend. ... Curtis Painter's preseason play could determine his fate. The team doesn't intend for the rookie quarterback to be Manning's backup this season -- that's still Jim Sorgi's job. But injuries and numbers at other spots could impact their ability to keep three signal-callers. Ideally they would have Painter on the practice squad, but what if someone else wants to sign him away? ... Gijon Robinson can block and catch and qualifies as a starter. Buy the development of two second-year right ends could cut into his time. Jacob Tamme runs good routes and has good hands, qualifying as more of a pass catcher while he's emerging as a better blocker. Tom Santi can be a combination guy but has had health issues. ... Because the Colts added three big bodies to the defensive tackle mix -- veteran Ed Johnson and rookies Fili Moala and Terrance Taylor -- two guys who contributed in the interior last year could see far less action. Keyunta Dawson has been moved to end and Eric Foster could get caught in a numbers crunch. ... If Philip Wheeler and Clint Session lock in the outside linebacker spots, then Freddy Keiaho and Tyjuan Hagler will give the Colts something they have not often had -- veteran linebackers available for a lot of special teams work. ... Dante Hughes looks to have fallen out of favor, which creates a lot of opportunity for Powers. ... Maybe I just caught him on a good couple days of practice, but receiver Taj Smith looks like a guy with real potential to develop. Look for him on the practice squad again.