Rookie rising

While most Colts fans are interested to see whether Dominic Rhodes or Joseph Addai ultimately win the job as starting tailback, an equally interesting battle is taking place in the secondary.

Rookie safety Antoine Bethea has been the most impressive newcomer to the roster -- Adam Vinatieri excepted -- and he's pushing Mike Doss for the spot alongside Bob Sanders. Doss' lingering lower leg problems have limited his practice time. But the Colts have also been taking a close look at Doss' effectiveness and whether he's the right player for the job. Bethea's strong camp has given them, if nothing else, the kind of healthy competition that should make the secondary stronger.

And speaking of injuries, the Colts had 25 players listed as "questionable" for the Giants game this Sunday night, including Dwight Freeney, Dallas Clark, Montae Reagor, Gary Brackett and Gilbert Gardner. Expect them all to play, and play well.

As Freeney said Wednesday, "That first game comes along, you're ready to go. I don't care if you have one leg -- you hop out there and try to play."