It’s never a good thing to lose your top sack specialist, even if for a few games, but replacing him with one of the NFL’s top pass-rushers of all-time isn’t a bad trade-off. The Indianapolis Colts may have to do without All-Pro DE Dwight Freeney for at least a month, so they claimed Simeon Rice off waivers late yesterday to ease their pain. Simeon was just released by Denver last Friday and has experience playing for Colts Coach Tony Dungy. His 121 sacks are second only to the N.Y. Giants’ Michael Strahan among active players.

There are two ways to look at this. First of all, the Broncos released him for a reason. They wouldn’t part ways with a guy who would have done their team any good. So, on paper this looks good for Indy. But will it translate to the playing field? Secondly the Colts are desperate for help at D-end. Enter Simeon Rice who has most certainly lost a step, but could still be productive in a part-time role. I think Simeon will prove most beneficial if given select (rested) opportunities to create havoc in opposing backfields. This is a good move for the Colts, but only time will tell if Simeon will pay dividends.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Dwight Freeney Possibly Out For a Month, Indianapolis Colts Sign Simeon Rice

The elite shall meet. I’ve already described it as this season’s Super Bowl. Many others are claiming it will be the best game of 2007. It’s still too early to make a prediction, so I’ll join in on the week-long Colts/Patriots hype with some interesting factoids about the big game this Sunday:

• This will be the first-ever meeting between teams that started a season at 7-0 or better.
• The game will feature the two winningest head coach-quarterback combinations since 1970. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and head coach Tony Dungy lead the category with a .770 winning percentage. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick, who rank second with a .765 percentage, can surpass Manning-Dungy with a win this Sunday. Amazing.
• Of course, if the Colts win, they will join the 1929-31 Green Bay Packers as the only teams in history to start three consecutive seasons at 8-0.
• Not only will the Colts and Patriots put their undefeated records on the line, but Tom Brady will seek to continue a streak of his own. He has thrown three or more touchdown passes in all eight games this season, which matches Peyton’s record of eight such consecutive games in 2004. With three passing touchdowns on Sunday, Tom would own the longest such streak in history.

Fellow b5 blogger James Edwards is calling this game an “offensive showdown.” Check out his thoughts over at SquibKick.com.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Colts vs. Patriots: Excellence on Display as Two Remaining Undefeated Teams Meet

They brought Indianapolis its first major professional sports league championship when they won Super Bowl XLI. They are the winningest team in the NFL in the past five years (60 victories). They can become the first team in history to win at least 12 games in five consecutive seasons. But the Indianapolis Colts really have only one thing in mind –- matching the eight times NFL teams won back-to-back Super Bowls. Indy head coach Tony Dungy played (in 1978) for the only team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, to perform the feat twice, and he learned a lesson from Steeler’s coach Chuck Noll that he and his players will follow this year. Coach Dungy said:

“Chuck Noll’s attitude and the players’ attitude was that they put the rings away before training camp because they wanted to go win another one. Coach Noll and those guys were never intimidated by trying to win another title.”

The Colts will make a run. Yes, they’ll make the playoffs. But I’m sticking with the Patriots as my Super Bowl favorite.

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Can the Indianapolis Colts Repeat?

Did you catch Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy on The Late Show with David Letterman last night? Coach Dungy is making the rounds (5,650 miles) promoting his new book “Quiet Strength.” The Late Show was his last stop before the Colts open training camp July 29.

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Tony Dungy Appears on ‘The Late Show’

Tyndale House today released Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices and Priorities of a Winning Life, a memoir from Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy. Co-written with Nathan Whitaker, and featuring a foreword by actor Denzel Washington and his wife Pauletta, the book describes Coach Dungy’s upbringing, athletic career, family life, and coaching career, as well as his spiritual journey. He reveals the secrets to his success — principles, practices, and priorities that have kept him on track despite overwhelming personal and professional obstacles, including firings, stereotypes, and the tragic loss of a child. In the face of so much adversity, Coach Dungy has not only survived but risen to the very top of his profession in a way that’s won the respect of fans, players, and even his competitors. His thoughts on leading, succeeding, and attaining true significance will inspire you to take a long, hard look at the things that really matter in your own life.

People of all ages crave heroes. But it’s rare to find someone — especially someone in the media spotlight like Tony Dungy — whose life and work reflect positive, value-driven precepts. In Coach Dungy, many have found a role model. Sports fans admire the way he intensely pursues success without sacrificing his team members’ well-being. Parents point to his example when teaching their children about the importance of hard work, persistence, and graciousness whether they win or lose. Even his fiercest competitors acknowledge that Coach Dungy is a class act who knows how to get the job done and who keeps his priorities intact while he’s doing it. To all these people and more, Tony Dungy is a real-life hero — one who teaches us about the importance of quiet strength, fierce determination, and a humble heart.

“I really wanted to show people you can win all kinds of ways ….. For your faith to be more important than your job, for your family to be more important than that job ….. we all know that’s the way it should be ….. I’m not afraid to say it.”

Quiet Strength is now in stores along with an accompanying Bible study — or you may order the book and/or men’s Bible study online.

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Colts Coach Tony Dungy Unveils Memoir: ‘Quiet Strength’ In Stores Today