INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time since 2010, Mike Adams will miss an NFL game.
Chuck Pagano ruled Adams OUT for Sunday afternoon, after the 12-year safety missed the entire week of practice due to the hamstring injury he suffered in the first half against New England.
What else happened on Friday with the Colts hitting the practice field for one final time this week?
Here are some Friday sound bites from Robert Mathis, Chuck Pagano and Colt Anderson:Robert Mathis on the increased playing time this weekend:
"It was a steady progression from the beginning.
"It was a plan from the beginning of the season and we are just increasing it."
Bowen's Analysis:* *Mathis spoke to the media on Friday and sounds like a guy ready for some increased reps against New Orleans.
While the pass rush is a definite focus this week, Chuck Pagano reiterated on Friday that the Colts must force New Orleans into those obvious passing situations. The Saints run game has struggled in 2015, but they still want to get the ground attack going to set-up their deadly play-action. The interior pass rush has to be a key this week with the smaller Brees so often slicing defenses through passing routes inside the numbers.Chuck Pagano on the pitch count for running back Frank Gore:
"We had a number that we targeted at Training Camp.
"We said by the end of the year, this is the number that we would like to get…I think we got to stay close to that (number)."
Bowen's Analysis: We've heard a lot about the pitch count for Gore here in his 11th season. Yes, the Colts are going to stick to their plan, but when taking a closer look at Gore's history, this year's version isn't too different from what the load he carried in San Francisco.
In 10 seasons with the 49ers, Gore averaged 16.5 carries a game. So far in Indianapolis, Gore is carrying the rock on an average of 14.8 times per game. With averaging 4.5 yards per carry through six weeks, Gore is on pace to be the Colts first 1,000-yard rusher since Joseph Addai in 2007.Colt Anderson on starting Sunday after filling in for Mike Adams against New Orleans:
"Confidence is all about playing time, so anytime you get on the field your confidence is going to build.
"The more you play, the more confident you become."
Bowen's Analysis: After being a special teams stalwart with the Colts the last two seasons, Anderson will get his first start in Indianapolis.
This isn't the ideal time to throw out your fourth safety into a starting lineup opposing Drew Brees. However, Anderson got a half of run on Sunday against New England and was part of a Colts defense that played pretty solid in the final two quarters. Anderson said on Friday that the Colts have to try and hold their disguise for as long as possible against the Hall of Famer in Brees.
INJURY NOTES
Here is the final injury report of Saints week:
- OUT: S-Mike Adams (hamstring)
-Seeing Adams' name here is rarity. Since 2004, Adams has missed just seven games.
- DOUBTFUL: S-Clayton Geathers (knee)
-Geathers practiced in a limited role on Friday, after missing Wednesday and Thursday.
- PROBABLE: ILB-Nate Irving (knee), ILB-Jerrell Freeman (groin)
-Freeman played last week through his groin injury and that looks to be the case again on Sunday.
