"Christmas Wish List" Commentary

Ah, that magical time of the year, when our thoughts turn to all those things we would love to see under the tree on Christmas morning. We may have compiled a wish list of all the cool stuff we want. You know -- the shiny new iPod, a lifetime subscription to the NFL Network, an Xbox 360. You get the picture.As Steelers 36 Bettis Jersey
for the , it's no doubt they have a list of their own. Because going into this year, the franchise certainly had lofty goals for the 2006 season.Now, because RealFootball365.com writers have no fear, we recently snuck into Tony Dungy's office at the RCA Dome, rifled through his paperwork and found the Colts' holiday wish list. Here's what we found:1. A fourth straight division title--With a win this weekend versus the Tennessee Titans, the Colts will get their first wish and a playoff game at home, too. Their hopes beyond that -- a first-round bye and homefield advantage throughout the postseason -- could come as bonus gifts during the following weeks.2. A solid running game to balance their offense--Well, after Sunday night's hammering of the Philadelphia Eagles, they can cross this one off right now.Joseph Addai set a Colts rookie record by scoring four touchdowns while rushing for a career-high 171 yards. Dominic Rhodes chipped in with a solid effort as well, giving the team a running game its remaining opponents must contend with in the games ahead.3. A healthy team--Santa may have a tougher time getting Dungy this one. Dallas Clark took a vicious hit to the lower leg against the Eagles and will miss significant time (and possibly the rest of the year) with a knee injury.Bob Sanders is practicing again this week, but it's safe to say that he will not be 100 percent healthy at any time this season. The Colts hope to have him back once again for this weekend's game at Tennessee.Montae Reagor missed the last six games after sustaining injuries in an auto accident on Oct. 22. He was officially lost for the year this week when he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list. At the moment, their injury list continues with the following players listed as questionable: safety Antoine Bethea (shoulder), defensive end Raheem Brock (chest), guard Ryan Diem (abdomen), linebacker Gilbert Gardner (rib), cornerback Nick Harper (groin), linebacker Keith O'Neil (ankle), wide receiver Brandon Stokley (knee) and tight end Ben Utecht (knee).4. Another receiver to replace Clark--The team's front office didn't wait for Santa to come through on this wish. Instead, Indy signed veteran receiver Ricky Proehl this week. Proehl will give the Colts another set of dependable hands to catch Peyton Manning's passes and, hopefully for Indianapolis, make clutch receptions; the ageless Proehl certainly has throughout his career.There is still over a month left for 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
Indianapolis, with its final two games versus Houston on Dec. 24 and Miami on Jan. 31. We'll have to wait to find out how many of the Colts' holiday wishes come true until after they finish the regular season. But then, isn't the anticipation the best part about the holidays?