Mainly because what the Colts' President has seen the past three weeks is what he typically has seen during the past six early Augusts around the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.

No change in effort.

No change in attitude.

And certainly, Polian said, no sign that the Colts won the Super Bowl six months ago. That's how Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy designed it, and it’s what Polian and Dungy each said they expected entering the season.

Mission accomplished thus far, Polian said.

“This camp has been just like every other Tony Dungy Camp - business as usual,” Polian said Saturday evening in Cook Stadium shortly before the final night practice of Colts 2007 Training Camp.

“You can’t tell whether this team won the World Championship or finished out of the playoffs (last season). They come to work every day, do their job and they have worked as hard or harder than they ever have. I don’t think – other than the increased crowd and the autograph seekers – that you would know the difference between this team and any other we’ve had here. In that sense, it’s a good sign. . . .

“It’s a new year now, and no one’s the champions. You earn whatever you earn and you define yourself by how you perform.”

The Colts, who began camp on July 30, are scheduled to break camp after a short practice at Cook Stadium Sunday morning.

Polian, entering his 10th season as the Colts’ president, met briefly with the media before Saturday night’s practice, and said he was pleased with the past three weeks, particularly that the Colts avoided the rash of injuries that dominated the past two camps.

Anthony “Booger” McFarland, a veteran defensive tackle who started 11 games last season, was placed on injured reserve nine days ago with a patella tendon injury, but aside from that, Polian said the Colts have sustained no serious injuries.

“We’re really happy we haven’t had the rash of injuries we’ve had in the past,” Polian said.

As he prepared for 2007 camp’s final night practice, Polian said the focus for the Colts is on the final three preseason games, beginning with the preseason home opener against the Chicago Bears on Monday night.

“More than in a while, this preseason is going to tell us a lot, these preseason games,” Polian said. “There are quite a few players that are vying for jobs, and we’re going to need to see them play in games. I’m looking forward to that.”

Polian mentioned in particular the backup running back position, where second-year veteran DeDe Dorsey, Canadian Football League veteran Kenton Keith and rookie free agent Clifton Dawson are competing.

Dorsey rushed for 15 yards on six carries in the preseason opener against Dallas last Thursday and Dawson rushed for eight yards on two carries.

Keith missed the opener with an ankle injury, but practiced this past week and is expected to play Monday.

“A lot of players would fall into that category,” Polian said. “The running backs are the most notable. Kenton Keith will get his first opportunity to play, so we’re looking forward to seeing that, but there are a lot of players who I’m looking forward to seeing play against another team.’’

Polian said the importance of the preseason for the Colts is such that he would prefer there be five preseason games this season rather than four.

“This is a year where you probably could use five,” Polian said. “Normally, you wouldn’t even think about that, but this is one – with all the people we need to look at – you’d probably say, 'Well, that would be good.’ But four is fine and we’ll get a look Monday night at a lot of people.

“Some people jumped out last week and we want to see them continue that and we want to see if the graph is up.”

Polian also said the team does not have interest in trading for Denver Broncos defensive tackle Gerard Warren.

“We have no interest in a trade at all,” Polian said.

Although McFarland is out for the season, Polian said the team likes its tackle situation. Three rookies – third-round selection Quinn Pitcock, seventh-round selection Keyunta Dawson and free agent Ed Johnson – are working at the position, with Johnson currently starting. Veteran Raheem Brock is the other starter, with veteran Dan Klecko also in the rotation.

“There’s no help available right now,” Polian said. “Our sense is the depth is good and that our young players are going to be just fine. We’ll see as the preseason progresses.

“That’s one area we want to look at, get them a lot of functioning in the defense and feeling comfortable with it, but last week’s performance really by all three of the young ones was really good. Again, we hope the graph is up. Our feeling is that it will be.”

With the Colts’ contract with Rose-Hulman in its final season, Polian said discussions with the university are underway for an extension.

“I never anticipate anything,” Polian said. “You get it done and then it’s done. Discussions are cordial and they’ll continue and I suspect they’ll move along pretty quickly. They want us here, which is a good thing and we’d like to be here. We’ll try very hard to make it happen.”

Earlier in the day, Dungy had spoken of his preference for having camp away from Indianapolis, a preference Polian said he shares.

“I agree with him very much,” Polian said. “It’s good to get away. It’s good to have the time here, be together and be away from all the distractions that exist when you’re back at your facility.

“We’d like to come back and the (Rose-Hulman) president said they’d like to have us back, so we’ll work very hard to get it done.”