Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
GOP Bill Would Strip Workers Of Overtime, Minimum Wage Protections
INDIANAPOLIS -- Jim Caldwell couldn't put a specific number on it.
But Caldwell, entering his second season as the Indianapolis Colts' head coach, said even if a specific number isn't known, there's little question that in a very real sense roster positions are at stake Thursday in the preseason finale.
As evidence, Caldwell offered up history -- a lot of it.
And he didn't just offer it to the media this week, he showed the entire team video evidence of the importance of the preseason finale.
"We went through a couple of scenarios and showed a few film clips of guys that had gotten to the last couple games of the preseason that made everyone stand up and take notice," Caldwell said Wednesday as the Colts (0-3 in the preseason) prepared to play the Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) in the 2010 preseason finale at Lucas Oil Stadium Thursday night.
"We worked our way back through the years, through the archives, and just touched on a few guys."
The Colts for more than a decade have been a team that relies heavily on collegiate free agents, and they have had such players make the roster with big efforts in the preseason finale.
Running back Dominic Rhodes, middle linebacker Gary Brackett, wide receiver Terrence Wilkins and defensive end Josh Thomas played in Super Bowl XLI after making the roster as free agent rookies. When the Colts played in Super Bowl XLIV this past February, Brackett was still on the roster, as were former free-agent rookies such as safety Melvin Bullitt, defensive tackle Eric Foster and cornerback Jacob Lacey.
"Justin Snow was a young long-snapper and short-snapper that did a very good job and certainly made people take notice," Caldwell said. "In 2001, Dominic Rhodes certainly did a tremendous job in those preseason games and found a way to make the team. . . . We just kind of went through a number of guys who did that. . . . There are a number of different people that we can identify and say 'Hey, take a look at the film' and see they went out and certainly did a great job. In the final game of the preseason they opened up everyone's eyes to say this guy has been doing it consistently and he can help us."
Caldwell said he didn't show players video of every play, but enough to make a point.
"Oftentimes you can talk about it, but as the old saying goes, 'A picture is worth 1,000 words,''' Caldwell said.
The Colts talk often each offseason and preseason about the importance of late-drafted players and rookie free agents. Their track record of getting major mileage from such players makes it evident it's more than just talk. It's also why when the Colts say preseason games are important, they mean it. Even the fourth preseason game.
Indianapolis Colts' History Shows Roster Spots at Stake Entering Preseason Finale
Sep 2, 2010 – 9:10 AM
House GOP Offers Deal In Big Fight
Washington Gay Marriage Legislation Signed Into Law By Governor Chris Gregoire
Afghanistan Base Named 'Aryan' Raises Objections From Soldiers
Gay Marriage Vote Puts Heat On Christie
New Poll: Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney Tied Nationally
Debt Ceiling Showdown 2: Coming This Fall, In Time For The Election, Only Worse
Paul Ryan, Jeff Sessions Warn Obama's Budget Could Make The U.S. Like Greece
Scott Brown's Pledge To Keep Out Third Parties Written With Help Of Third Party
Updates On Whitney Houston's Autopsy
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
It's Only Getting Worse: Economists' Latest Dire Prediction
Topless Protesters Target 'Gas Gangsters'
Huff TV: WATCH: Arianna Weighs In On Tony Bennett's Call To Legalize Drugs
Bomb Attacks Target Israeli Diplomats In India, Georgia
DNC Pushed To Incorporate Marriage Equality Into Party Platform
Message To Young Conservatives: Pursue Journalism
Pressure Mounts On Mortgage Giants To Pursue Principal Reductions
In One U.S. City, Budget Cuts Leave Homeless Without Bathrooms, Water Overnight
Obama Sending Ambitious Plan To Congress
WATCH: Anderson Cooper's Hilarious Adventures With Adele
Some AT&T Users' Download Speeds Could Slow By 99 Percent
WATCH: Bill Maher Rips GOP Concept Of 'Elites'
