Published: October 30, 2006 11:46 pm         

Dungy: Colts defense still has work to do

INDIANAPOLIS — As pleased as Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy was about Sunday’s 34-31 come-from-behind win over the Denver Broncos and the production of the team’s offense in leading the second-half comeback, the ragged play of the Colts’ defense continues to cause a measure of consternation.

After limiting the Broncos to 47 yards in 15 carries in the first and second quarters, Indianapolis allowed 180 yards on the ground — including 135 to undrafted rookie running back Mike Bell — in the second half. Bell ended the day with 136 yards on just 15 carries and had a pair of touchdown runs.

Still, as shaky as the defense played against Denver, the Colts remain as one of the NFL’s two undefeated teams and will take a 7-0 record into this week’s nationally televised road game with the New England Patriots.

“We didn’t play perfect, but got a lot of things done. Our offense really rescued us. And, of course, Adam Vinatieri [was] kicking the ball well. But there are a lot of positives things from it. I like the way our team is responding to challenges. I like the way we’re winning in different ways. Our offense pretty much took the challenge, knowing what type of game it was going to be and how Denver was going to try and play us. It was really going to be a game for patience and poise. I thought we did that well,” Dungy said Monday.

“We had a couple of penalties and a couple of things we had to overcome. They weren’t going to allow us to throw deep balls and get quick scores, so we were going to have to drive the football. We had the confidence that we could do that. They executed really well, especially in the second half. We were able to finish off some drives and, of course, [wide receiver] Reggie Wayne had a big day. So that part was really good.”

And then there was the defense.

“We played pretty well in the first half. We gave up a couple of passes on some bootlegs, one dash throwback that [Denver] coach [Mike] Shanahan brought out from the old days and we hadn’t really worked on that one. That was a big play for them to get their first touchdown drive going,” the Colts coach said.

“The second half they came at us offensively, ran some plays that they have in their arsenal that they don’t run a lot. They changed some blocking things and we didn’t really respond quick enough. But we made a couple of plays, had a couple of stops early in the half to get our offense the ball. And we got the stop at the end of the game. But we’ll continue to improve. We have to. But as we improve and guys play a little bit more, we’ll get better.”

Despite the up-and-down nature of the defensive unit, though, Indianapolis has managed to become the first league team since the 1929-31 Green Bay Packers to register consecutive 7-0 starts to begin a season.

“All in all, we came through September and October the way we wanted to. Went to a couple of tough places to play. Played some first place teams and came through it okay. So we feel pretty good where we are right now,” Dungy said.

“The thing for us, people don’t always play us the way they play other teams. You prepare all week and you go in feeling like you have an idea of what you’re going to get. Some times we get that, some times we don’t. But the thing I like about our team is they don’t really panic. When we get in there at halftime, and we sit down and talk about what we’ve gotten, what we think we’re going to get in the second half and the plays we’re going to emphasize, we do a pretty good job of adjusting and doing that.”

n Reagor released from hospital — Colts defensive tackle Montae Reagor was released from Methodist Hospital early Sunday afternoon.

According to Dungy, Reagor — who had been hospitalized since his involvement in a traffic accident on Oct. 22 as he drove to the RCA Dome for a home game with the Washington Redskins — spent the day watching the Colts’ win over Denver.

There has not been a timetable set for deciding when the veteran defensive lineman might, or might not, be able to return.

“We’ll have our medical meeting and know a little bit more on how the surgery went and exactly what the prognosis is. But I know he’s feeling good and looking forward to getting back,” Dungy said.

Several Indianapolis players dedicated the win over the Broncos to Reagor, who had originally been a second-round draft pick by Denver in 1999.

“It was really a special time, because we knew how much he would have wanted to play against Denver,” Dungy said. “A lot of the guys went up to see him Thursday and Friday and he talked about how much it would mean to him for us to come home with a win.

“He’s doing very well. He’s on the road to recovery and will probably be in here before the week is out.”

n Injury update — Safety Bob Sanders’ availability for the New England game remains up in the air. Sanders has missed the last five games after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. He returned to full practice last Wednesday but was sidelined for the rest of the week.

Wide receiver Brandon Stokley continues to rehabilitate a sprained left knee. Stokley injured the knee against Tennessee on Oct. 8. Colts coach Tony Dungy indicated that the team preferred to not rush Stokley back to practice until the knee is completely healed and he has been cleared to return.

Cornerback Nick Harper suffered a shoulder burner in the Denver game. Harper returned to play in the game but was eventually forced to the sidelines. The injury is not initially considered to be serious and he is expected to play this week at New England.

Tight end Ben Utecht experienced some tightness in his lower back in the Denver game but was able to play. Utecht suffered a lower back contusion against the New York Jets on Oct. 1 and was forced to sit out a game with the injury. He is expected to be available for the Patriots game this week.

Running back Joseph Addai incurred a slight wrist injury in the Broncos’ game. Addai was able to play with the injury and is expected to play this week at New England.

Safety Matt Giordano suffered a strained calf against Denver. The injury is not thought to be serious and he should be able to play at New England this week.

n Time off — The Colts were given Monday off and did not practice. Indianapolis will begin preparations for Sunday’s game with New England on Wednesday.

Game ball award winners will be announced later in the week.

n Colts-Broncos replay — Sunday’s Indianapolis-Denver game will be re-aired at 8 p.m. today and at 1 p.m. Wednesday on the NFL Network.

The broadcast will air with CBS’ announcing team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms. NFL Network will add sideline and on-field sound captured during the game and postgame press conference sound bites.

Other enhancements will include exclusive shots and camera angles from NFL Films, allowing fans an inside look at game action they did not see during the broadcast.