Before you even ask the question of how the Colts, a playoff team again after being left for dead without Dallas Clark, Austin Collie and Joseph Addai, somehow keep finding guys, you have to remember that Peyton Manning can find guys.
But there is more to it than that, just like there proved to be more to the Colts than 6-6 implied.
“We win with guys that when things look a little bleak from the outside, they pay no attention to that,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “They believe in themselves and have the wherewithal to put it all together . . . [it’s] part of who we are.
“The guys in our personnel office understand that and they know what fits and it might not be something everybody else values. Integrity and desire are all big for us, how we win, where it starts.
“Veteran players make certain younger guys are taken care of. They give them information they need.” Therefore, the fact that Clark, only the second tight end in history with triple-figure catches for a season, will not be available to the Colts tomorrow night, is information the Jets do not need. Jacob Tamme, who had a total of six catches in his first 21/2 seasons when Clark became lost to wrist surgery in Game 6, caught 67 passes for 631 yards.
With Collie, who wrecked the Jets (7-123, 1 TD) in the AFC title game, missing seven games with concussion issues, rookie Blair White has received 36 passes for 355 yards and five touchdowns.
Now that’s some serious walking on, and not on the eggshells the Colts trampled with four consecutive season-ending wins to keep a nine-year playoff appearance streak intact. They never miss a beat, although Manning claims they still miss Clark and Collie.
“We were kind of in a little bit of a lull at the end of the first half last year (of the AFC title game), and Collie, I think, caught three passes in a row and got a touchdown,” recalled Manning. “[And] it’ll be the first time playing against this style of defense without Dallas, so there is a change.
“You’re losing a lot of plays there. What Blair and Jacob have done, I don’t think anybody could be prouder of those guys for what they’ve learned this year. Both of them are beat up and continue to play tough. I truly appreciate their efforts.” Indeed, the emphasis is on the effort, especially in the case of White, an academic All-America and future dentist who walked on to an athletic scholarship at Michigan State before going undrafted in 2010. All teams like players without big bonuses earning their way into the NFL, but this seems the Colts’ way especially.
“Dallas was one of those guys, too,” Caldwell said. “A number of guys on our team have gone on that process.
“It has a lot to do with their willingness to take a chance, face some hardships and function within that realm. Often times the struggle during the journey is what really makes a difference.” Manning has become probably the only silver spoon White ever has had.
“The moment is not too big for him,” Caldwell said. “There are guys you look at and say ŒHey, that guy is a football player,’ and that is Blair White.” It’s Tamme, too, a fourth-rounder who has an MBA from Kentucky and, even as a special teamer, was all business.
“We always thought that he had some playmaking abilities, it was just when and why would you ever take Dallas off the field?” Manning said.
Then the Colts found out they could and resumed winning.
jay.greenberg@nypost.com