INDIANAPOLIS -
An elusive goal for the Indianapolis Colts is within reach-sort of.
"We don't really look at it that way," said quarterback Peyton Manning, shrugging his head a little bit at the mention of a particular statistic.
You see the Colts finished the 2008 season with nine consecutive victories, and have opened with six straight in 2009. That means that with a win over the 49ers Saturday, the Colts' will have won 16 consecutive regular season games.
Yes, in theory, 16-0.
"No," said Jim Caldwell when asked about whether he thought of it that way. "You asking me? No."
It is worth mentioning that it is the Colts' longest regular season win streak in history, surpassing their 13 consecutive victories to open the 2005 season, when they were going for the real 16-0 till they lost at home to San Diego. After reaching 15, the mark is far from Caldwell's mind.
"You really don't get out ahead of yourself, in terms of focus, in terms of your preparation," said Caldwell of winning streaks. "We like to add them up at the end."
A quick survey of the locker room on Wednesday afternoon would concur.
"Every week's a new challenge," said linebacker Gary Brackett. "This week its San Fran."
See: Colts Return Home After October Full of Road Games
Replace Bob With Anthony
Six weeks is more than up now, and with safety Bob Sanders back in the lineup, let the questions about Anthony Gonzalez begin.
Since injuring his knee during a play in the opener against Jacksonville, Gonzalez hasn't been seen or heard from since, but Caldwell believes that the receiver will be back on the field this week.
"I would suspect we're gonna get a little practice out of him this week, I'm not certain how much," said Caldwell of Gonzalez. "That will depend how he reacts once he steps on the field."
So far that hasn't happened, as the Colts' injury report states that the receiver did not participate in drills. Gonzalez entered the season as the No. 2 receiver behind Reggie Wayne, but suffered a freak knee injury on a play which he wasn't even hit against Jacksonville. Caldwell didn't say if he had a chance to go this week against the 49ers,.
"We'll kinda see how he does throughout the week," said Caldwell.
See: Colts' Donald Brown Mourns Loss of Former UConn Teammate Jasper Howard
Back to Bob
In the excitement of the return of Bob Sanders, many may forget it's Melvin Bullitt who returns to his backup role after starting the first five games of the season.
This comes after Bullitt was playing some of the better football of his young career in place of the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, making 22 tackles and forcing a fumble. His first week in the rotation for Sanders, however, went pretty smoothly.
"We don't really look at it that way," said quarterback Peyton Manning, shrugging his head a little bit at the mention of a particular statistic.
You see the Colts finished the 2008 season with nine consecutive victories, and have opened with six straight in 2009. That means that with a win over the 49ers Saturday, the Colts' will have won 16 consecutive regular season games.
Yes, in theory, 16-0.
"No," said Jim Caldwell when asked about whether he thought of it that way. "You asking me? No."
It is worth mentioning that it is the Colts' longest regular season win streak in history, surpassing their 13 consecutive victories to open the 2005 season, when they were going for the real 16-0 till they lost at home to San Diego. After reaching 15, the mark is far from Caldwell's mind.
"You really don't get out ahead of yourself, in terms of focus, in terms of your preparation," said Caldwell of winning streaks. "We like to add them up at the end."
A quick survey of the locker room on Wednesday afternoon would concur.
"Every week's a new challenge," said linebacker Gary Brackett. "This week its San Fran."
See: Colts Return Home After October Full of Road Games
Replace Bob With Anthony
Six weeks is more than up now, and with safety Bob Sanders back in the lineup, let the questions about Anthony Gonzalez begin.
Since injuring his knee during a play in the opener against Jacksonville, Gonzalez hasn't been seen or heard from since, but Caldwell believes that the receiver will be back on the field this week.
"I would suspect we're gonna get a little practice out of him this week, I'm not certain how much," said Caldwell of Gonzalez. "That will depend how he reacts once he steps on the field."
So far that hasn't happened, as the Colts' injury report states that the receiver did not participate in drills. Gonzalez entered the season as the No. 2 receiver behind Reggie Wayne, but suffered a freak knee injury on a play which he wasn't even hit against Jacksonville. Caldwell didn't say if he had a chance to go this week against the 49ers,.
"We'll kinda see how he does throughout the week," said Caldwell.
See: Colts' Donald Brown Mourns Loss of Former UConn Teammate Jasper Howard
Back to Bob
In the excitement of the return of Bob Sanders, many may forget it's Melvin Bullitt who returns to his backup role after starting the first five games of the season.
This comes after Bullitt was playing some of the better football of his young career in place of the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, making 22 tackles and forcing a fumble. His first week in the rotation for Sanders, however, went pretty smoothly.
