INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts returned to work on Monday for an on-the-field corrections period, after dissecting Sunday's tape.
During his Monday press conference, Chuck Pagano reiterated on several occasions, "Thank God it's Week One," referring to a regular season that will extend into January this season.
The Colts marathon now heads into its second phase with the New York Jets coming to Lucas Oil Stadium next Monday.
Improving field position (three first-half drives started inside the Colts 10-yard line on Sunday) and being more consistent in the run game department are keys for the Colts heading into Week Two.
Here are a few sound bites from Chuck Pagano, Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton
Injury News
-T.Y. Hilton (knee): X-rays were negative. Day-to-day.
-Frank Gore (cramps): Both Pagano and Gore said the running back will be fine.
-Greg Toler (neck): Still week-to-week. Was inactive for Sunday's opener.
-Vick Ballard (hamstring): Day-to-day. Was inactive for Sunday's opener.
-D'Joun Smith (knee): Day-to-day. Was inactive for Sunday's opener.
-Robert Mathis (Achilles): Will continue to practice. Will have his reps amped up. His status for next Monday will be evaluated later this week. Was inactive for Sunday's opener.T.Y. Hilton on his knee injury:
"It's doing better. The swelling went down a little bit last night. I'm feeling good."
Bowen's Analysis:* *Chuck Pagano said on Monday that there is no structural damage to Hilton's left knee. Hilton will be listed as "day-to-day" with the Colts having an extra day of preparation this week, playing on Monday night in Week Two.
Hilton said he came straight to the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center once the team plane landed on Sunday night. With Hilton's status up in the air for Week Two, Phillip Dorsett is the likely option to see more playing time. Andrew Luck does have a decent amount of experience with Donte Moncrief and especially Griff Wahlen, so that should help things out if Hilton does indeed miss game action.
Chuck Pagano on the play of rookie defensive tackle Henry Anderson against the Bills:
"I don't think we've had a defensive lineman, since I've been here, end up with (nine) tackles. He did a great job."
Bowen's Analysis: It's not often you look at a box score and see an interior defensive lineman leading any team in tackles. That was the case for Henry Anderson on Sunday with his nine total tackles (eight solo) pacing the Colts.
Anderson and NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt were the only two defensive linemen to reach that number on opening weekend. It's still early, but it's pretty clear that Anderson is going to be a major, major piece of the Colts defense, not only in 2015, but beyond, as well.Andrew Luck on attacking the Bills defense:
"We didn't make them pay enough."
Bowen's Analysis: Heading into Sunday, Luck and Matt Hasselbeck talked about the need to stay aggressive against a Rex Ryan defense. The Colts had their early chances to strike but self-inflicted mistakes limited the offense.
It was tough sledding early on, too, with three first-half drives starting inside the Colts 10-yard line. Having to drive any part of the field is difficult against the Bills. Having to go 90-plus yards is the tallest of orders. This week, the Colts offense will see another active defense, a Jets unit that led the NFL with five forced turnovers in Week One.
