Dungy might rest some players Sunday

tk13 · 12-14-2005, 09:31 PM

http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=4245049

Dungy to rest some players

Indianapolis, December 14 - In a normal week, Corey Simon and Cato June might actually play Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. This week, the availability of the nicked-up defenders is being debated by Colts coaches.

By clinching a third straight AFC South title, first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs, coach Tony Dungy sees no reason to risk his hurting defensive starters to additional injuries, not even perfection.

Instead, Dungy believes it's more important to let some key players rest, relax and recover.

"That's one of the luxuries we have now," he said. "We don't have to put them back in if they're not close to 100 percent."

The unbeaten Colts (13-0) are likely to face this dilemma each week until they either lose, ending a quest to become the NFL's second perfect team, or the games start to matter again in January.

Players insist they'd like to chase both history and a Super Bowl title, but understand that Dungy must make decisions he believes are best for the team.

"You want to win because as a professional you always want to win," Simon said. "That has to be your ultimate motivation."

But in the case of Simon and June, the biggest factor may be their health.

Simon, a former Pro Bowl defensive tackle, showed up with a walking boot on his sprained left foot Wednesday, an injury incurred in last week's 26-18 victory at Jacksonville.

June, tied for the NFL interception lead among linebackers with Cincinnati's Odell Thurman, has played most of the second half of the season with a sports hernia and also has a sore knee and ankle. He missed Sunday's game.

While both were expected to sit out practice Wednesday, they said they felt good and were still hopeful they would play against the Chargers.

If Dungy sticks to his earlier statement, Simon and June may not have a choice. He appears leery about risking a Super Bowl run by exposing starters, especially those already hurt, and with good reason after Peyton Manning provided a brief scare early Sunday when he tripped while backpedaling.

"Edgerrin and I kind of collided, but it's OK," Manning said Monday.

Simon has endured this scenario before.

Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles started 13-1 and then rested their starters for the final two weeks. Some critics complained the Eagles would be rusty when the playoffs began, but Philadelphia still won the NFC title before losing to New England in the Super Bowl.

And Simon believes this Colts squad is savvy enough to do the same thin, if that's Dungy decision.

"Nobody goes out there thinking 'I have to come out healthy,' " Simon said. "When you go out and play cautiously, that's when you get hurt."

Wa-Z · 12-14-2005, 09:38 PM

At least it's only on defense...It'd be nice if they beat the Chargers.

KChiefsQT · 12-14-2005, 09:40 PM

Peyton Manning, EJames, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne... they'll be 14-0.

**Dunit35** · 12-14-2005, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kchiefsqt

Peyton Manning, EJames, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne... they'll be 14-0.

Agreed...They still have all of them.

jspchief · 12-14-2005, 09:50 PM

I hope Edge plays. I need him for this week to get in the money in my FF league.

**cdcox** · 12-14-2005, 09:50 PM

Dingy is going to create a distraction just by vacilating back and forth whether to play his starters.

tk13 · 12-14-2005, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

Dingy is going to create a distraction just by vacilating back and forth whether to play his starters.

That might be part of his plan. I almost bet he's half wishing for a loss this week so he doesn't have to mess with it anymore.

ROYC75 · 12-14-2005, 10:09 PM

One might think he would want to possibly eliminate the Chargers with a 6th loss ?

Naw....... Him and Marty are buddies.

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-14-2005, 10:15 PM

The Colts will still beat them.

Frazod · 12-14-2005, 10:16 PM

They should rest the starting offensive linemen and leave Manning in.

philfree · 12-14-2005, 11:22 PM

I don't consider keeping injured players who missed last week as not playing starters. They're injured or at least not 100% so an extra week of healing will do them good. It's not like they didn't win last week without them. Now sitting healthy key players while they are healthy is a different thing all together. The title of this article is misleading which makes it a bunch of crap.

PhilFree

Chiefs Pantalones · 12-14-2005, 11:59 PM

The players could get hurt at any time. I would play them and go for the undefeated season.

Lurch · 12-15-2005, 12:00 AM

I would if I were him.

**007** · 12-15-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

They should rest the starting offensive linemen and leave Manning in.

YES!!!!!!!!

tk13 · 12-15-2005, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philfree

I don't consider keeping injured players who missed last week as not playing starters. They're injured or at least not 100% so an extra week of healing will do them good. It's not like they didn't win last week without them. Now sitting healthy key players while they are healthy is a different thing all together. The title of this article is misleading which makes it a bunch of crap.

PhilFree

Corey Simon played last week. Considering they have to face Tomlinson this Sunday, this could be a pretty big deal...

12-14-2005, 09:31 PM
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $2012500	Dungy might rest some players Sunday http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=4245049 Dungy to rest some players Indianapolis, December 14 - In a normal week, Corey Simon and Cato June might actually play Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. This week, the availability of the nicked-up defenders is being debated by Colts coaches. By clinching a third straight AFC South title, first-round bye and home-field advantage through the playoffs, coach Tony Dungy sees no reason to risk his hurting defensive starters to additional injuries, not even perfection. Instead, Dungy believes it's more important to let some key players rest, relax and recover. "That's one of the luxuries we have now," he said. "We don't have to put them back in if they're not close to 100 percent." The unbeaten Colts (13-0) are likely to face this dilemma each week until they either lose, ending a quest to become the NFL's second perfect team, or the games start to matter again in January. Players insist they'd like to chase both history and a Super Bowl title, but understand that Dungy must make decisions he believes are best for the team. "You want to win because as a professional you always want to win," Simon said. "That has to be your ultimate motivation." But in the case of Simon and June, the biggest factor may be their health. Simon, a former Pro Bowl defensive tackle, showed up with a walking boot on his sprained left foot Wednesday, an injury incurred in last week's 26-18 victory at Jacksonville. June, tied for the NFL interception lead among linebackers with Cincinnati's Odell Thurman, has played most of the second half of the season with a sports hernia and also has a sore knee and ankle. He missed Sunday's game. While both were expected to sit out practice Wednesday, they said they felt good and were still hopeful they would play against the Chargers. If Dungy sticks to his earlier statement, Simon and June may not have a choice. He appears leery about risking a Super Bowl run by exposing starters, especially those already hurt, and with good reason after Peyton Manning provided a brief scare early Sunday when he tripped while backpedaling. "Edgerrin and I kind of collided, but it's OK," Manning said Monday. Simon has endured this scenario before. Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles started 13-1 and then rested their starters for the final two weeks. Some critics complained the Eagles would be rusty when the playoffs began, but Philadelphia still won the NFC title before losing to New England in the Super Bowl. And Simon believes this Colts squad is savvy enough to do the same thin, if that's Dungy decision. "Nobody goes out there thinking 'I have to come out healthy,' " Simon said. "When you go out and play cautiously, that's when you get hurt."
Posts: 54,921

12-14-2005, 09:38 PM	#2
Wa-Z Veteran Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: O Casino cash: $10004900	At least it's only on defense...It'd be nice if they beat the Chargers. __________________ Lone Star
Posts: 1,748

12-14-2005, 09:40 PM	#3
KChiefsQT Kara G! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Casino cash: $9325122	Peyton Manning, EJames, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne... they'll be 14-0. __________________ ~Just a girl who loves football~
Posts: 4,070

12-14-2005, 09:50 PM	#5
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I hope Edge plays. I need him for this week to get in the money in my FF league. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

12-14-2005, 09:50 PM	#6
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2361769	Dingy is going to create a distraction just by vacilating back and forth whether to play his starters.
Posts: 45,536

12-14-2005, 10:09 PM	#8
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5709400	One might think he would want to possibly eliminate the Chargers with a 6th loss ? Naw....... Him and Marty are buddies. __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
Posts: 36,981

12-14-2005, 10:15 PM	#9
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $7928717	The Colts will still beat them. __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,630

12-14-2005, 10:16 PM	#10
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3155085	They should rest the starting offensive linemen and leave Manning in.
Posts: 119,484

12-14-2005, 11:22 PM	#11
philfree Indian Twitter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Free Agency Casino cash: $1676198	I don't consider keeping injured players who missed last week as not playing starters. They're injured or at least not 100% so an extra week of healing will do them good. It's not like they didn't win last week without them. Now sitting healthy key players while they are healthy is a different thing all together. The title of this article is misleading which makes it a bunch of crap. PhilFree __________________ [/SIGPIC]
Posts: 14,939

12-14-2005, 11:59 PM	#12
Chiefs Pantalones GO CHIEFS!!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $7928717	The players could get hurt at any time. I would play them and go for the undefeated season. __________________ Don't be fooled by my username, I'm white.
Posts: 26,630

12-15-2005, 12:00 AM	#13
Lurch You rang? Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Greenbriar, USA Casino cash: $10004957	I would if I were him. __________________ Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. -- Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 1,538