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From Stampede Blue, SB Nation's Colts blog:
Last night on The Bill Polian Show, the Colts president offered no update on the status of injured wide receiver Austin Collie except to say that the team would evaluate him after 48 hours. Collie sustained his third concussion in seven weeks this past Sunday when he collided with a Jaguars linebacker in the second quarter.
There is still some debate as to whether or not the concussion Collie sustained against the Jaguars Sunday was his second or his third of the season. During the Colts' Nov. 21 loss to the Patriots, Austin Collie sustained a blow to the head and was lifted from the game in the first half. He did not return. After the game, the Colts refused to categorize Collie's injury as a second concussion (his first one was against the Philadelphia Eagles back on Nov. 7). Colts coach Jim Caldwell stated Collie was removed from the game for 'precautionary reasons.'
Stampede Blue's Collin McCollough doesn't buy Caldwell's explanation:
A concussion, and its related after-effects, hold a player out for multiple games. "Concussion-like symptoms" don’t. Collie obviously had to be cleared to play that game. Does anyone really think he was cleared, went out, got hit a few times and was pulled to the locker room because he DIDN’T suffer a concussion? And then went on to miss multiple games from there?
I just don’t buy that. If he was concussion-free (cleared to play) and did not suffer a concussion in that game, then he wouldn’t have missed all the games between New England and Jacksonville. Sources aside, I think common sense tells us he suffered a concussion. The only thing up for debate should be the magnitude of that concussion.
The Colts are currently 8-6 and tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars atop the AFC South division.
From Stampede Blue:
This game, just like the previous two, was a playoff game for both these teams. The Raiders, 5-0 in the AFC West, needed to win and have the Chiefs lose to keep hope alive for their fledgling playoff hopes. The Colts, who had just watched the Jaguars lose at home to the Redskins on an overtime field goal, needed a win to gain one game on the Jaguars.
As we saw at Tennessee against the Titans and last week at home against the Jags, the Colts and Peyton Manning know how to respond when pressure is on. With their 31-26 win today over the Raiders in Oakland, the Colts have a full game lead over the Jaguars for the AFC South crown.
Stampede Blue, SB Nation’s Colts blog, previews the game:
The Raiders, despite the fact they may be out of the playoff picture by kickoff, love playing the spoiler role. They always play hard, no matter the situation, which means the Colts will be in for a battle from the beginning. The numbers look very favorable towards the Colts, which is a good sign, and one that should get the Colts to 9-6 at game’s end. This team has looked very good each of the last two weeks with their backs against the wall, and I just don’t see a let down on Sunday. The Colts take care of business, and head into Week 17 one win away from the playoffs.
Colts 24, Raiders 20
From Raiders blog Silver And Black Pride:
This game is fascinating beyond the external circumstances. There are some really compelling matchups in this one and any time one of the top-5 QBs ever comes into to town, it’s interesting. As I was thinking about Peyton Manning and his strengths, it led me to hunch that has been somewhat verified (small sample size) with research.
Over the course of his career, Manning has thrived while being blitzed. He may be the best ever at pre and post snap reads and he gets rid of the ball quickly. This allows him to not only pick apart blitzes, but zone defenses. It is what pushes him from a great QB to in the GOAT conversation.
NFL.com is now confirming the earlier report that Colts wide receiver Austin Collie has been placed on the Injured Reserve list, ending his 2010 season. Taking Collie’s spot on the roster is former-Cowboys and Ravens safety Ken Hamlin.
Hamlin, a Pro Bowler in 2007, was released by the Cowboys back in April. He signed with the Ravens during the 2010 season, but had been used primarily as a back-up.
NFL.com is now confirming the earlier report that Colts wide receiver Austin Collie has been placed on the Injured Reserve list, ending his 2010 season. Taking Collie’s spot on the roster is former-Cowboys and Ravens safety Ken Hamlin.
Hamlin, a Pro Bowler in 2007, was released by the Cowboys back in April. He signed with the Ravens during the 2010 season, but had been used primarily as a back-up.
Twitter is buzzing with this bit of news from Colts owner Jim Irsay:
Austin doing well,needs long rest;signing veteran safety;roster moves and updates coming soon…raaaaaaiders week might involve monsoons!
No information yet on who the veteran safety is the Colts signed, but their recent loses at that position necessitated the move. Colts Insider writer Dan Graham has confirmed the move of Collie to IR (via Stampede Blue).
2010 NFL Playoff Picture: The Colts And The AFC South
It’s simple for the Colts next Sunday. Win, and they are in. From Stampede Blue:
Dec 27 9:16a by Brad Wells - 0 comments