Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian long has said that barring unforeseen circumstances, S Bob Sanders will return to the Colts next season.
On Monday of this week, he reiterated that stance.
Sanders, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this season after playing just two games, is progressing well in his rehabilation from biceps and knee injuries, and will return to the Colts next season, Polian said.
“We keep him around hopefully through the end of his contract,” Polian said on his weekly radio show on Hank 97.1 FM in Indianapolis. “I spoke with our rehabilitation people Monday and they had nothing but glowing reports on Bob. Everything seems to be going smoothly, both with the biceps and with the knee.
“We fully expect that we're going to have a hale and hearty and healthy Bob Sanders back for next year. We'll welcome him back with open arms.”
Sanders, the 2007 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has played just seven games since that season – four in the 2008 regular season, one in the postseason following that season and two this season. He spent the 2009 preseason on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a knee injury, then played two games before sustaining a season-ending biceps injury.
Polian also on Monday discussed:
*The play of S Melvin Bullitt and S Antoine Bethea this season: “They've done a great job, both of them. Melvin had a phenomenal game Sunday. He really did a great job.”
*The status of DE Robert Mathis: “Robert had a quad strain [Sunday] and we don't quite know the extent of it yet. He had some tests Monday. It's not a knee, so there's no need to worry about that.”
*On the NFL future of University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow: “First of all, without reference to anyone let me remind everybody that what you hear on television and what you see on television is often not what we see and hear and look at it on tape as scouts. Two different worlds. Television, especially the sports channels, are in the business of creating stories and creating ratings. Many time they will construct players out of whole cloth who really have no reason to be stars. I can think of a couple that come to mind. They got very lucky with [NBA star] LeBron [James], but they created LeBron long before he was a star. That can happen. I'm not saying that's the case with Tim Tebow, but it can happen, so don't be swayed by that. I remind you – perhaps the greatest of all examples – that when [Colts quarterback] Peyton Manning when he was coming out in the draft did not win the Heisman Trophy. I don't know who won that year, but it wasn't Peyton Manning. And he was considered by the so-called experts, 'A product of the system,' a guy with a 'weak arm,' and a guy who's ceiling, who's growth potential as a pro, was severely limited. Ryan Leaf was considered by far the better prospect, by far the better athlete, by far the better leader. You know the rest of the story, so with that sort of caveat, I'll say this: 'I think Tim Tebow is a really good football player.' If you were going to run the Wildcat offense enough to say that you needed a specialized Wildcat quarterback to do it, who could both run the ball and withstand the pounding that you have to take in the National Football League and throw it effectively from the Wildcat, I think Tim Tebow would be a heck of a guy. If you're going to take your offense and say, 'We're going to do what the Miami Dolphins do; we're going to run this 45, maybe 50 percent, maybe 60 percent of the time,' then he's the perfect guy for you. I don't know where you'd take him in the draft, but he fits perfectly there. I've heard other people say he could be a great goal-line and short-yardage running back. I would believe that was the case. I've heard people say they think he can be a very good tight end. I would believe that would be the case. I don't know how he catches the ball, but I presume and think he's a good enough athlete that that would not be a problem. There's room for Tim Tebow – the most obvious place being if you wanted to install the Wildcat as a part of a specific and integral part of your offense. He'd be perfect for you.”
Highlighting Colts President Bill Polian's radio show:
Part One: WR Anthony Gonzalez may still contribute this season. Here.
Part Two: Roster size will dictate late-season approach. Here.
Part Three: S Bob Sanders' rehabilitation going smoothly. Here.
Part Four: Postseason approach won't change. Here.
MORE COLTS COVERAGE
CALDWELL: "I'M NOT SURE YOU EVER BENEFIT FROM A LOSS." HERE.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 27, TENNESSEE TITANS 17. HERE.
COLTS WORK OUT J.P. LOSMAN. HERE
COFFEE WITH THE COLTS: NEXT-DAY LOOK AT COLTS-TEXANS. HERE
MAGNIFICENT SEVEN: WHY THE COLTS MUST REST IF THEY CLINCH HOMEFIELD. HERE
FREENEY: No trophies for 16-0. Here.
MATHIS: AFC Defensive Player of the Month. Here.
CALDWELL: 16-0 not that important. Here.
DOES PEYTON MANNING GET TOO MUCH RESPECT? HERE
POLIANS' CONTRACTS EXTENDED. HERE
COLTS FANS OWE RB JOSEPH ADDAI AN APOLOGY. HERE
*** CATCH UP WITH ALL THINGS COLTS ON INDY FOOTBALL REPORT. HERE
*** READ JOHN OEHSER'S INDIANA PACERS COVERAGE. HERE.
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