NFL 2009 Week 2: Previewing Indianapolis Colts-Miami Dolphins with a final glance around the web

Indianapolis Colts RB Joseph Addai (AP Photo)

Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser takes a final-day look at the Indianapolis Colts-Miami Dolphins game, with news and notes from the Colts' Indianapolis training facility as well as a glance at what people are saying around the web/blogosphere . . .

It's a funny thing about Week 2 of the Indianapolis Colts' 2009 season. There was a ton of talk about the Colts' newest signee -- WR Hank Baskett. And just as much, it seemed, there was a ton of talk about the wife of the Colts' newest signee, reality television sensation Kendra Wilkinson. The thing is, neither Baskett nor his wife is likely to have much to do with the Colts' game against the Dolphins. New wide receivers don't often contribute quickly, particularly in the Colts' scheme, meaning the real stories of the game seemed to get largely overlooked this week. That story, to me, is not just the return of DT Ed Johnson or the absence of WR Anthony Gonzalez, but how the Colts' offense will fare against what appears to be an above-average defense.

The Colts last week scored 14 points in a season-opening victory over Jacksonville, but turned the ball over twice in the first half, looking efficient at times while struggling in some areas.

As a result, the Colts enter Week 2 against Miami with questions offensively. Can WR Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie go from players with potential to productive guys when it matters? Can the starting offensive line, which allowed five sacks in three preseason appearances, contain LBs Joey Porter and Jason Taylor? Can the line, which was unhappy in the wake of a 2.3-yards-per-carry rushing performance in the opener, clear enough holes to make play-action work? Critical questions, all, and Colts QB Peyton Manning said the Dolphins' defense is a tough opponent against which to start answering.

"They are a physical defense," Manning said. "They created a ton of turnovers last year. That was kind of their M.O. They had a lot of sacks. Our challenge will be protecting the ball, getting open on time and being solid in our run game and pass game.

"They are an excellent defense that really look to feast on your mistakes. We need to be solid in what we’re doing and not make mistakes that puts our defense in tough situations.”

A weekend look around at the Colts around the web/blogosphere . . .

* What are the chances QB Peyton Manning won't play out his NFL career in Indianapolis? Zero, correctly writes Indianapolis Star Colts writer Mike Chappell here. in his Colts mailbag.

* Jimmy Buffett will play outside Land Shark Stadium about an hour before kickoff, the Palm Beach Post reports here.

* The Colts aren't overly concerned about the Dolphins' Wildcat formation -- at least not enough to obsess or overpractice. Reggie Hayes of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel's story here.

* Colts fans may not like Dolphins LB Channing Crowder Monday, but a lot may like him for calling out Mike Fliorio of Pro Footbal Talk here.

* A look at Colts reserve QB Curtis Painter from Tim Ethridge of the Evansville Courier & Press.

* Another look at the Wildcat formation from Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star.

* Carlos Frias of the Palm Beach Post takes a look at the changes facing Colts QB Peyton Manning this season with some input from Archie Manning here.

* Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star ranks the Colts No. 6 in the NFL here.

* A breakdown of Colts-Dolphins at CBSSports.com here.

* Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com picks against the Colts here.

* Two of six "experts" pick the Colts here for Fox.

* Peter King of Sports Illustrated picks the Colts here.

* Mike Berardino of the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel breaks down the game and picks the score here.

That's it. We'll be writing Colts-Dolphins on Examiner shortly after the game Monday and filing live quarterly updates on Indy Football Report.

*** PREVIEWING THE COLTS-DOLPHINS GAME HERE

*** WHY IS DE DWIGHT FREENEY SMILING THIS WEEK? HERE

*** WHY THE SIGNING OF WR HANK BASKETT DOESN'T MATTER MUCH THIS WEEK. HERE

*** READ THE LATEST "MAGNIFICENT SEVEN: SEVEN THOUGHTS FROM IFR EDITOR JOHN OEHSER ON ALL THINGS COLTS HERE ***

*** READ POLIAN SPEAKS, THE NEXT-DAY THOUGHTS OF COLTS PRESIDENT BILL POLIAN AFTER COLTS-JAGUARS, PART I HERE ***