Some of the guys were joking about it, Reggie Wayne saying he’s up front and in the middle next to the “teacher” now, so close he can run the projector, while Joseph Addai and Dwight Freeney are a few rows back and on the ends.

Dungy let the guys sit where they wanted, but Caldwell wants to know who’s there and who isn’t, and will take account of it. Pretty amusing!

Meantime, Adam Vinatieri and Joseph Addai revealing leg surgeries that will slow them down, but should not affect their status for the regular season come September. Addai had a knee scoped and is taking it slow, while Vinatieri had hip problems corrected by the same Vail, Colorado doctor that operated on Yankee Alex Rodriguez’ hip. He’ll probably miss training camp, but with rookies Pat McAfee and Tim Masthay experienced in punting and place kicking, they’ll be ready to step in.

Good to see another receiver chosen, but I thought they would go with a speed receiver to help on the edges. Austin Collie is more of a possession wideout, so we’ll see how that goes. They also grabbed a pair of big, bulky defensive tackles to help stop the bleeding against the run. If you’ve noticed, officials are not calling offensive holding penalties as much anymore, which hurts speed rushers like Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney.

Since the Colts lost, Ballard made good on his promise.  But, Sanders impressed Ballard by sending the San Diego treats.  That was certainly not required by their deal.  Ballard said he’ll remember that when he makes other play-off wagers – that way he can be equally generous when the Colts win.

If the Colts meet the Chargers again, Ballard should send a little promotional material with the next shrimp cocktail.  After reading some web site commentary, people in San Diego couldn’t understand why Indiana would send “frozen shrimp”.    They could use a lesson in the culinary history of Indianapolis.

The one thing that I loved most about the Dome was the size of it. It had such an “Indiana” feel to it. Not too big and not to small….just right.

I could go down a list of some of my favorite moments at the RCA Dome…but I think ONE will do. It happened in 2006!

When the Colts made the biggest comeback in AFC Playoff history and beat New England to advance to the Superbowl! Thanks dome for all the great moments!

Coming from a 3-4 start, a patched up offensive line and nearly no running game, Manning has willed his team to this eight-game winning streak. Some of the passes of completed in Jacksonville were among the best I’ve seen, dropping them into tiny windows that only his receivers could get. And completing 23 straight passes over two games was one off the NFL record set by Donovan McNabb.

It’s been interesting to see this team deal with adversity and rally to gain a playoff berth, unlike all those other years when they ran away from the competition. Winning in trying times on the road time and again will only prepare this team for the post-season tournament. Players told me after the game that this playoff run has been extra special because of what they’ve been through.

1. Mr. Irsay for bringing him to Indy to coach players like Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Dallas Clark, Bob Sanders, etc…(let’s just say the TALENT was there!)
2. Bill Polian for really going out and getting the players Dungy needed to be successful.
3. Himself:  Dungy’s ability to have theses players buy into what he preaches and carry it over onto the field speaks volumes on how these players feel about him.

I must admit, I thought his streak of six straight years of 10 plus wins here in Indy was in jeopardy in mid October, but what a difference a month can make….a.k.a. NOVEMBER.

Dungy, should get his 10th win of the season later today against the pitiful Lions…but one of the biggest streaks for Coach Dungy could be just down the road. When the Colts make the playoffs.  Dungy,  will become the first coach to guide a team to the postseason 10 straight years…passing Former Cowboys Coach Tom Landry.

Dungy 10 wins again? Yep.

What’s up with Marvin? One of the all-time greatest receivers in NFL history is having issues. It began early last year when he was hurt in the Denver game. He missed most of the season with a knee injury, then came back for the playoff game and promptly fumbled in the red zone on the way to a loss to San Diego. Then, he had off-season knee surgery, a procedure that Hall of Famer Jerry Rice says he had and set him back a year and a half. The off the field issue with the shooting in Philadelphia where his gun was used is still not cleared up. He did look strong in training camp, but has not been close to the receiver he is. So many dropped balls, wrong routes, miscommunication with Manning, and what is even more alarming, an apparent lack of effort at times. Passes we’re used to seeing him dive for are dropping near him on plays he could make. One pass that he dropped near the Steeler goal line Sunday found him getting up slowly after what may have been a knee to the head. They announced in the press box he suffered a concussion, but was back on the next series. Afterwards, Tony Dungy says that injury report didn’t come from him, but Marvin rarely speaks to the media, so we will never know. The mysterious Marvin has become a question mark.

Manning is under throwing deep deeps he almost always used to make, and Harrison is dropping balls and not making the efforts he normally gives. Off-season health issues have to be the cause, but no one will ever admit it.

Hats off to the defense as well, coming up with a rare goal-line stand against one of the most physical teams in the league. Don’t count these guys out of the playoff race yet..it’s going to get very interesting.

Because of the urgency, don’t be surprised to see Bob Sanders and possibly Kelvin Hayden, both coming off knee surgeries give it a go. Their presence alone should help a defense that needs to stop the run.