Indianapolis Colts

The comeback victory by the unbeaten New England Patriots over the Eagles earned the highest overnight rating for a Sunday or Monday night game in two years. The Patriots' 31-28 win Sunday (seen locally on NBC10) drew a 15.6 overnight rating in the nation's largest markets. It was another late November game involving an undefeated team - the Indianapolis Colts' 26-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on a Monday night - that received a 15.8 on Nov. 28, 2005. - Associated Press

Michael Vick was named NFC offensive player of the week for his performance against the Indianapolis Colts, the Eagles said Tuesday. Vick won NFC offensive-player-of-the-month honors in September. The quarterback, in his return from an injury-induced monthlong layoff, completed 17 of 29 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles beat Indianapolis, 26-24, on Sunday. He has not thrown an interception this season. Vick also ran 10 times for 74 yards and scored a touchdown.

The Soul yesterday signed defensive back/wide receiver Larry Kendrick, defensive lineman Tom Johnson, and offensive lineman/defensive lineman Harrison Nikolao. Kendrick, 28, joins the Soul after a successful season in the af2 with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. He was a multiple recipient of the Ironman award, finishing with 15 touchdown catches as a wide receiver and five interceptions (two returned for TDs) as a linebacker. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown and returned 24 kicks for a 19.4 yard average with a score.

NFL rushing champion Edgerrin James failed to attend the first day of the Indianapolis Colts' summer practice yesterday. "Edgerrin wasn't here and I don't know why he's not here," coach Jim Mora said. "We've tried to make some contact with him, but we haven't had much of a response. He should be here. " Receiver Reggie Wayne, a friend of James' since the two played for the Miami Hurricanes, said he was in touch with James last weekend and expected him to be in Indianapolis.

We'd like to file this dissent on the Eagles' demoralizing loss Sunday to the previously hapless Indianapolis Colts: From where we were sitting, the Eagles didn't blow it; the Colts, playing way over their heads, won it. If you look at it objectively - which is understandably hard for us Eagle fans to do - it was a thrilling football game. (Imagine how it played in Indianapolis.) The last drive said it all. With less than two minutes remaining, Colts quarterback Jack Trudeau took his team 90 yards to score the winning touchdown on the final play of the game.

THE EAGLES weren't surprised when player personnel director Ryan Grigson was hired as the Indianapolis Colts' general manager yesterday, Eagles GM Howie Roseman said. "We knew this time would come. He was too talented for it not to come. You're always preparing to lose good people. That's part of the NFL," Roseman said. "You know that at some point, they're going to be taking the next step. So, to say this has blindsided us, that wouldn't be truthful . . . Obviously, we have some idea of some of the things we're going to want to do here.

Tony Dungy treats the mounting questions like he's a politician. Everyone wants to know how the Indianapolis Colts cope with the pressure of staying perfect 1 more week. Dungy usually responds with a tactful touch. But there is one question that makes the Colts' coach groan: Will he continue playing starters if the Colts clinch the AFC South title, a first-round bye and homefield advantage this weekend? "I don't think too far ahead, but I do everything I can to win," he said with a chuckle.

Former Eagles defensive tackle Corey Simon reportedly has a new team. According to ESPN.com, Simon, who played five seasons with the Eagles, has reached an agreement in priniciple with the Indianapolis Colts. The Web site, citing sources close to the negotiations, reported the agreement could be finalized as early as today, and that two Colts players said they had been told by coaches that Simon would join the team. Simon became an unrestricted free agent on Sunday night when the Eagles rescinded their 1-year, $5.13 million franchise-tag offer.

Lest you think that the 0-3 Indianapolis Colts are sitting around the locker room with their fingers crossed, rubbing rabbits' feet and hoping or praying that malcontent holdout Eric Dickerson returns to save them, listen to Jack Trudeau. He prefaced his response to a question on a conference call by saying, "You might be asking the wrong guy, but . . . " And he continued: "As the quarterback and a guy who's been here a while, I'm not waiting for Eric to show up," said Trudeau, who is expected to start in place of injured rookie Jeff George Sunday against the Eagles at Veterans Stadium.

The Arizona Cardinals got off to a good start this season, just like the Indianapolis Colts. They are coming into Veterans Stadium on Sunday with a three-game losing streak, just like the Indianapolis Colts. They have a quarterback who has a history of playing well against the Eagles and are likely to start an unknown, undrafted running back. All together now: just like the Indianapolis Colts. In other words, if the Eagles learned anything from the 35-13 beating they took Sunday, they will have a chance to apply it right away.

DENVER - So much for Tebowmania. Pending final contract negotiations, Peyton Manning will join John Elway's Denver Broncos with hopes of winning another Super Bowl. Still to be decided is what happens to last season's quarterback sensation, Tim Tebow. The Broncos and Manning's agent Tom Condon spent Monday working out parameters of a deal expected to be worth about $95 million over five years after the NFL's only four-time MVP called Elway, the Broncos' revered QB-turned-executive, and told him he had decided to come to Denver.

INDIANAPOLIS - Now that Peyton Manning's 14-year run with the Indianapolis Colts is over, the only four-time MVP in NFL history will turn his attention to finding a new team. Manning and the Colts ended their successful partnership with a tearful goodbye Wednesday, when team owner Jim Irsay released the star quarterback rather than pay a whopping $28 million bonus while there are lingering questions about his health. "We all know that nothing lasts forever," Manning said.

THE EAGLES weren't surprised when player personnel director Ryan Grigson was hired as the Indianapolis Colts' general manager yesterday, Eagles GM Howie Roseman said. "We knew this time would come. He was too talented for it not to come. You're always preparing to lose good people. That's part of the NFL," Roseman said. "You know that at some point, they're going to be taking the next step. So, to say this has blindsided us, that wouldn't be truthful . . . Obviously, we have some idea of some of the things we're going to want to do here.

Michael Vick was named NFC offensive player of the week for his performance against the Indianapolis Colts, the Eagles said Tuesday. Vick won NFC offensive-player-of-the-month honors in September. The quarterback, in his return from an injury-induced monthlong layoff, completed 17 of 29 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown as the Eagles beat Indianapolis, 26-24, on Sunday. He has not thrown an interception this season. Vick also ran 10 times for 74 yards and scored a touchdown.

When: 8 o'clock tonight Where: Lucas Oil Stadium TV: Fox29, with Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa Radio: WYSP (94.1-FM), WIP (610-AM), with Merrill Reese, Mike Quick and Howard Eskin Preseason history: Eagles have beaten the Colts in both preseason meetings. 3 things to watch 1. Riding with the King: Somehow, the Eagles' convoluted offensive-line injury picture has left King Dunlap as the starting left tackle against the Colts. You might remember King as last year's interesting seventh-round project, a 6-8, 310-pound former Auburn enigma who has long arms and quick feet.

The Soul yesterday signed defensive back/wide receiver Larry Kendrick, defensive lineman Tom Johnson, and offensive lineman/defensive lineman Harrison Nikolao. Kendrick, 28, joins the Soul after a successful season in the af2 with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers. He was a multiple recipient of the Ironman award, finishing with 15 touchdown catches as a wide receiver and five interceptions (two returned for TDs) as a linebacker. He also returned a fumble for a touchdown and returned 24 kicks for a 19.4 yard average with a score.

The comeback victory by the unbeaten New England Patriots over the Eagles earned the highest overnight rating for a Sunday or Monday night game in two years. The Patriots' 31-28 win Sunday (seen locally on NBC10) drew a 15.6 overnight rating in the nation's largest markets. It was another late November game involving an undefeated team - the Indianapolis Colts' 26-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on a Monday night - that received a 15.8 on Nov. 28, 2005. - Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - In the end, they took a knee. It was fitting, really, given how improbable this incredibly hyped midseason Super Bowl played out. Nothing held to form, including the end, when instead of Bill Belichick directing his New England Patriots offense to shove it down the Indianapolis Colts' throat, the Hoodie called for mercy. Belichick played it safe. He was satisfied enough yesterday with the 24-20 victory. Or maybe Belichick just wanted to crush the gamblers who bet on the Patriots and gave the points.

Tony Dungy treats the mounting questions like he's a politician. Everyone wants to know how the Indianapolis Colts cope with the pressure of staying perfect 1 more week. Dungy usually responds with a tactful touch. But there is one question that makes the Colts' coach groan: Will he continue playing starters if the Colts clinch the AFC South title, a first-round bye and homefield advantage this weekend? "I don't think too far ahead, but I do everything I can to win," he said with a chuckle.

Sometime tomorrow night, be it during the 9 o'clock hour or, more likely, closer to midnight, we will know: Are the Indianapolis Colts really good enough to contend for a Super Bowl title or are they products of a forgiving schedule? And, more important, are they mentally strong enough to beat their nemeses, the New England Patriots? Yes, in the most eagerly anticipated matchup of the regular season, the undefeated Colts will be on the road at Gillette Stadium to face the reigning Super Bowl champs, who have carved them up of late.