Published: October 25, 2006 04:15 pm            

Colts defenders rallying around fallen teammates

INDIANAPOLIS — With the anticipated return of All-Pro defensive back Bob Sanders, the thought was that this would be a week of celebration in the Colts’ locker room. But with defensive back Mike Doss now out for the year and defensive tackle Montae Reagor’s auto accident and subsequent orbital bone surgery, the unit still finds itself a man down.

The defense’s approach to the adversity is to rally around the fallen players and to play even harder for them.

“With Montae and Mike being out, they’d do anything to be out there,” linebacker Gary Brackett said. “You take things for granted until one of your good friends isn’t able to play. That’s why we need to go out and have a good week of practice and have a good showing on Sunday.”

The Colts travel to Denver Sunday for what is arguably the biggest game in the NFL to this point in the season. The Broncos come in with a 5-1 record and a defense that has only allowed two touchdowns. Offensively, they have the league’s second-best ground attack, averaging over 143 yards per game.

Coming off perhaps its best outing of the season against Washington, the Colts hope that trend continues when they visit one of the toughest road destinations on the schedule. Being able to overcome their injuries and answer the call is the unit’s goal going into the battle that will decide who is the AFCs best team — at least for a week.

“Whoever is out there has to be ready to go in and contribute,” linebacker Cato June said. “It’s an awful long season, and at times players are gonna get hurt, and people have to step in and make a difference. That’s what separates the good teams from the average teams.”

June visited Reagor in the hospital earlier this week prior to his surgery on Wednesday.

“He’s doing as good as he can being in the state he’s in,” June said. “He has very high spirits, he’s upbeat and very optimistic. We’re just glad he’s alive and well and that he’s gonna have a full recovery. When he comes back is secondary.”

With defensive tackle Corey Simon going down without seeing a single snap this season, the Colts received a boost last week when they traded for 6’0” 300-pound tree stump Booger McFarland. The run-stopper made a solo tackle on the first play from scrimmage against the Redskins, and made a noticeable difference as the Colts’ line was able to penetrate and limit running lanes for Clinton Portis — especially in the second half.

McFarland is not only getting accommodated to a new team and city. He’s also adjusting to a new climate. He’s used to Tampa’s consistent temperatures in the 70s and 80s, and he made sure to pack plenty of long sleeved shirts and warm socks when deciding what to bring on his flight to Indy. He said the welcome he has received made his transition easy. It’s also helpful that he’s playing in essentially the same defense he did with the Buccaneers.

The newcomer said he’s happy to be a Colt now, and that it’s time to go out and perform inspiringly for the guys who can’t be on the field.

“Unfortunately you have to (move on), especially in this league, you have a new challenge every seven days,” McFarland said. “This week the challenge is Denver. It’s gonna be a big game, a lot of people are anticipating it. We definitely feel for any of our teammates that can’t be there, but the ones that are out there playing have to get the job done.”

Sunday’s kickoff from Invesco Field at Mile High is scheduled for 4:15 p.m.

        

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