In a press conference today, Coach Dungy made it official that although the season closer in the Hoosier Dome against AFC South opponent, the Titans, on Sunday, it is essentialldy meaningless in terms of the postseason. However, he did say it’s very important that Peyton and the rest of the starters see some game time, hopefully with Marvin Harrison in the lineup so he and Peyton can get some passes in and maybe get back on the same page as the other. Talk about hitting the postseason “ground” running, eh? It’d be great to see No. 88 back out there!
Jim Sorgi will be getting “at least a half” under the Center, says Dungy.
But, going in to the last game of the regular season there are a few starters trying for some personal records and they will get some time to achieve these, though Dallas Clark just passed a franchise record 11 TDs for a TE in a season! Here are the team leaders as of Week 16:
Passing: Peyton Manning – 3,945 yards (55 yards short of another 4,000 yard season!)
* Week 16 saw Peyton throw for his 5th 30+ TDs/season in his 10 year career!
Rushing: Joseph Addai – 1,045 yards (55 yards short of his first 1,100 yard season!)
Receiving: Reggie Wayne – 1,423 yards
Sacks: Robert Mathis – 7.0 sacks
INTs: 2 players are tied with 4 apiece
This week though, look for names like Jim Sorgi, Kenton Keith, Clifton Dawson, Devin Aromashodu, Dylan Gandy, Ben Utecht, Bryan Fletcher, Craphonso Thorpe, Luke “The Punisher” Lawton, Melvin Bullitt and Matt Giordano. The funny thing is – or sad, considering the season they’ve had with injuries – we’ve already seen so much from so many of these names…Do you think we have an advantage over other teams who haven’t played near as many as our starters? It might be the case should teams like the Pats lose Brady to injury, Chargers lose Tomlinson, Vikings lose Peterson, Jags lose Taylor…on and on. Who knows what will happen in the playoffs, but it’s better safe than sorry.