Thursday, May 11
BACK TO WORK
By John Oehser - Colts.com

Saturday Says Motivation Never a Problem
INDIANAPOLIS – Months later, the moments are still fresh in Jeff Saturday’s mind.

One is the moment in January, when the Colts narrowly missed making a second trip to the AFC Championship Game in four seasons.

The second moment was more pleasurable.

It came several weeks later, when Saturday – an eight-year NFL veteran and the Colts’ starting center the past six seasons – made his first trip to the Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Not that Saturday, one of seven Colts players to start the game, needed added motivation. But those memories, he said, were more than enough to provide plenty this off-season.

The chance to go further in the playoffs?

The chance to return to Hawaii?

What more do you need?

“I haven’t ever finished the goal I’ve set before us, and that’s winning a championship,” Saturday said recently during the Colts’ voluntary off-season workout program, which is continuing this month at the Union Federal Football Center.

“We haven’t done it yet, so there’s definitely an attitude of coming back, knowing how close we’ve gotten for so many years. We’re trying to force ourselves over it to finally get it.”

That attitude, and the Colts’ approach to the off-season program, is something Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy often has discussed as a reason for the team’s success.

Each season, Dungy said, no matter how the previous season ended – a playoff loss to the Jets in 2002, playoff losses to New England in 2003 and 2004 or a playoff loss to Pittsburgh last season – the approach to off-season conditioning has been focused.

“As a veteran player, I think this is the time for leadership,” Saturday said. “This is when guys see you and they understand how dedicated you are to this team winning. By being here, and by doing the things that make you a better football player, this is one of the better times you can lead.

“As players watch you do this, they understand when you come out on the field how much you put into it, and how much effort and energy you have tied into it.”

Saturday said the off-season approach stems from an understanding not only of the importance of the time, but of how it translates to regular-season success.

“The guys understand how close we are to doing it,” Saturday said. “It’s not because of a lack of effort. It’s one of those things where you keep getting close, keep getting close and you know at some point you’re going to push through and finally get to what you want.

“That’s going to make it that much sweeter.”

Being discouraged by something from the previous season, Saturday said, isn’t an alternative.

“We have a lot of guys who have persevered in their careers,” Saturday said. “There are a lot of guys who have really fought for what they have in the NFL. I think guys translate that over to the field.”

Saturday, in recent seasons, has emerged not only as one of the Colts’ top players on the field – he was one of eight Colts players in the Pro Bowl – he also has become a locker-room leader. He is vocal in off-field issues, and said he values his role as a team spokesman.

“The nucleus of guys I’ve been here with so long – we’ve all kind of grown together,” Saturday said. “Being here with the same guys, it makes it that much more fun. The relationships keep getting closer and closer, and you have more fun together.

“That’s one of the disappointing things in losing a guy like Edge (former Colts running back Edgerrin James) or (former Colts linebacker David) Thornton. You work for so long, so hard together that you wish it would have paid off for all of us together. That’s the disappointing thing. You’re happy everyone went out and did well and got what they wanted, but you do wish that as a team you could have done it together.”

Despite the loss in recent seasons of players such as tight end Marcus Pollard and guard Rick DeMulling, the Colts have won three consecutive AFC South titles, and finished last season with the NFL’s best regular-season record. Saturday said similar success is possible despite this off-season’s losses.

“We have great football players on our team,” Saturday said. “Guys are looking for opportunities to step up and be the starter, or be the player each Sunday. When somebody leaves, it gives people the opportunity.”

One area in which the Colts sustained no losses this off-season:

The offensive line.

Last season, the Colts started the same line – tackle Ryan Diem, guard Jake Scott, Saturday, guard Ryan Lilja and tackle Tarik Glenn – in the first 14 games. All of those players return, as does guard Dylan Gandy, who started last season’s final two games.

The Colts recently selected two tackles – Michael Toudouze and Charlie Johnson – on the second day of the 2006 NFL Draft.

“Since I’ve been here, that’s the model they use,” Saturday said. “It has worked. They have good players who keep coming in. Some leave and become good players other places and some guys stay here.

“When you play together a while like we have, guys start understanding their roles on the field and their position. Guys feel more comfortable and it becomes a little easier.

“Because of that, I think it will be an even better year.”

And throughout the year, as is the case throughout the off-season, Saturday said motivation won’t be an issue. Before all else, he said, there is the goal of getting the Colts to a Super Bowl.

But then there’s also that week in February, a week in Honolulu that provides inspiration if any is ever needed.

“You get there, and obviously it’s a dream for every player to get there,” Saturday said. “Once you get there, you see how enjoyable it is, and the guys you get to play with, and the amount of fun you get to have doing it, it’s definitely a celebration.

“It’s definitely an honor you want to fight to get again. It’s a lot of fun to be out there, and it’s one of those things you pursue outside of your team getting to the Super Bowl.”

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