Caldwell is steady in Dungy's absence

The assistant head coach is running the team while Tony Dungy attends to family matters.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Jim Caldwell is keeping things in perspective as he takes over as coach of the Indianapolis Colts while Tony Dungy deals with the death of his son.
"This game is secondary to life itself and, obviously, there are a lot more important things than this," the assistant head coach said Friday. "But sometimes life throws you a curveball, and you have to adjust."
Dungy flew to Tampa on Thursday after his 18-year-old son, James, was found dead in a Florida apartment earlier in the day. A preliminary autopsy report Friday indicated the teen took his life, but the cause of death won't be released until a toxicology examination is finished in four to six weeks, the medical examiner said.
According to police reports, James Dungy told a deputy who arrived at his home Oct. 21 that he was depressed and had taken pills. When emergency services responded to the call, he was taken to a hospital, Hillsborough County Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.
Caldwell, who has been shrouded in virtual anonymity outside the innermost NFL circles, now has the daunting task of taking over the NFL's best team in their most tumultuous week of the season.
The daily tests included Sunday's loss to San Diego, the Colts' first of the season; Monday's announcement by team president Bill Polian that two-time MVP Peyton Manning had a swollen knee, something the quarterback later denied; and the overshadowing of having seven players picked to the Pro Bowl on Wednesday when the NFL mistakenly listed left tackle Tarik Glenn on the roster, then retracted his name.
Thursday's news shoved aside the other story lines. Caldwell took over a shaken team that offered its prayers and heartfelt empathy for their coach's family even as team officials continued debating how much, or whether, to play starters against Seattle.
Quiet, composed
Enter Caldwell, a 28-year coaching veteran who took his first NFL job with Tampa Bay in 2001. He came, with Dungy, to Indianapolis in 2002 as the quarterbacks coach and was promoted to assistant head coach last season.
In his new role, Caldwell has been forced to balance the daily rigors of medical updates, game planning and critiquing practices with embracing his family, something he considers especially important under these circumstances.
And his quiet, unassuming personality and attention to detail makes Caldwell appear a Dungy clone -- even if he bristles at the suggestion.
"I'm not certain I'd put myself anywhere close to his category," Caldwell said. "He's a very special individual, and he'll be back in due time. I can tell you I pale in comparison to him."
His compassionate approach, though, has helped the Colts cope with Dungy's tragedy.
At Friday's practice, players laughed, joked and seemed more vibrant, a stark contrast to the stunned, nearly silent locker room from 24 hours earlier.
Still, they couldn't escape the reminders.
In the team's pavilion, players, coaches and Colts officials attended a morning memorial service, and Caldwell was asked whether the Colts would do or wear anything to honor James Dungy this weekend. The coach said no decision has yet been made, but at least football was part of the discussion again.
"The great thing about it is that this team is a great reflection of its head coach, they emulate him to a 'T' in certain respects," Caldwell said. "Especially when there's some adversity and this is a very tough time."
XSaturday's game between the Colts and Seahawks was not completed in time for today's edition.
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