INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts have taken the unusual step of preparing for Saturday night's AFC divisional playoff game against the Ravens by having their first-string offense square off against their first-string defense in practice.
The Colts did this throughout the season, but coach Jim Caldwell said the intensity was ramped up during the team's three bye-week practices.
"We always do a little bit every week," he said Tuesday. "I think that's important. We have a period, even today, that we'll go some ones versus ones. But last week, we did a lot. All of the periods were based upon almost an early training camp kind of atmosphere in that regard. We were able to get a lot of work done, maybe the three best practices we've had in a long time."
Caldwell said the intent was to simulate game conditions, especially pace of play and speed on the field.
Wide receiver Reggie Wayne said the players benefited from the altered practices.
"We felt like we wanted to work on some things we needed to work on that we weren't doing well throughout the year, and we were able to capitalize on those things," Wayne said. "It kind of gave you the training camp mode going up against the ones, and whenever you're in training camp, everybody is flying around and everybody is happy. I really felt like last week helped us out a lot."
Unlike last week, Indianapolis knows its opponent this weekend and has adjusted its practices to prepare for the Ravens, Caldwell said.
"This week, we're obviously preparing for a football team in Baltimore," he said. "So we have to change and go back rhythmically to sort of put it all together. We always have a period during the course of the week where we still kind of get that speed work, but that's something we've always done."
Garcon concerned
The magnitude-7.0 earthquake that devastated the capital of Haiti on Tuesday has hit home with Indianapolis wide receiver Pierre Garcon, who is of Haitian descent. Although his immediate family lives in Florida, aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives are still in Haiti, he said.
"Haven't heard much from them," said a reserved Garcon, who is usually a cheerful voice in the Colts' locker room. "Still waiting to see. My mom is trying to call. Hopefully, I'll get some good news."
Haitian officials fear thousands are dead after the earthquake tore apart buildings, homes and streets in Port-au-Prince.
Caldwell said the anxiety of not knowing has been noticeable on Garcon's face.
"I'm sure it's weighing heavy on his heart," Caldwell said. "What we can do is support him and pray for him, and we'll certainly continue to do that."
Garcon visited Haiti last year (and missed a game) to attend his grandmother's funeral. Garcon said preparing for Saturday night has been difficult.
"It's tough, but you can't really do much," he said. "So I just have to try to do my best here and try to play for them. I'm going to try to represent them and maybe give them a little hope."
Looking for Reed
Amid all of the moving and shuffling the Ravens' defense will likely do in an attempt to confuse Peyton Manning, the quarterback said the one player he will be tracking is free safety Ed Reed.
"Well, you have to know where he is on the field," Manning said. "He has a great knack for the football. He covers a lot of ground. They said he was possibly injured before the game. You sure didn't see that on Sunday the way he was flying around. He can cover so much ground. You definitely have to factor in where he is on every single play."
Manning is 7-2 against the Ravens - including seven straight wins after an 0-2 start - but Reed has three of the seven interceptions Manning has thrown against the Ravens in their past four meetings.
Reed missed four games this season because of a strained groin but intercepted a pass Sunday.
End zone
Indianapolis listed 22 players on its injury report Wednesday, including 12 starters. Eight of them are on defense, but defensive ends Dwight Freeney (foot) and Robert Mathis (shoulder), defensive tackles Antonio Johnson (shoulder) and Dan Muir (shoulder), linebackers Gray Brackett (quadriceps) and Clint Session (knee), strong safety Melvin Bullitt (shoulder) and rookie cornerback Jerraud Powers (hamstring) practiced fully. The four starters on offense - Wayne (knee) and Garcon (hand) and tackles Charlie Johnson (foot) and Ryan Diem (elbow) - also practiced fully. ... Freeney and Mathis said they have not watched "The Blind Side," the film that chronicles rookie offensive tackle Michael Oher's journey from the streets of Memphis, Tenn., to the NFL. "No, I haven't seen it," Freeney said. "I heard he mentioned me in the book, which was funny." Added Mathis: "I haven't had a chance to see it yet. I was going to wait until the DVD came out."