OFFICIAL NFL week 13 thread

[IndyColtsFan]

I think you have to entertain the option, what if Polian doesn't fix the holes in the team?

Peyton could probably get a huge payday somewhere else, with a better team around him. And the Colts could probably rob some team out of a ton of draft picks if they dangle Peyton out there.

Irsay will pay him whatever he wants. The fact of the matter is, outside of the Vikings, I don't think there are any teams you could legitimately call a contender where QB is their only missing piece. And I am only calling the Vikings a contender based on their talent level; obviously, they've underachieved this season.

I think my biggest frustration with Bill Polian is probably his bizarre obsession with Bob Sanders and to a lesser extent, Anthony Gonzalez. Now I may be missing something in terms of salary cap implications (when there was a cap), but there is no reason to keep those two any longer. Sanders' backup is very good (Bullitt, who is out this season) and they could use Sanders' salary and roster spot to fill a hole instead of having it occupied by someone who has played in less than 50% of the games in his career. Sanders is an awesome player, but if he isn't playing, it isn't helpful.

And Gonzalez -- don't even get me started on him.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

It's a complete over-reaction. Manning hasn't been playing well, but he hasn't turned into a pumpkin, the Colts have simply failed to adapt to their injury-ridden reality. Like I said earlier in this thread, Manning is simply throwing the ball too much. Yeah, they can't run it very well, but they'd be better off at least trying to retain some semblance of balance in their offensive output.

Oh, I agree. I'm not about to write Manning off over one bad season in much the same way I won't declare Vick HOF bound over one good season.

Right now, the formula for beating Peyton is to put a pass rush on him and sit back waiting for him to throw the ball into coverage. He clearly doesn't like being hit or hurried and defenses don't have to worry about draws, counters, or any type of run... so they sit back and have multiple players reacting to Manning's throws.

As the article points out, teams don't bite on play fakes, but it's not because the Colts can't run the ball, it's because they DON'T run the ball. Football players are instinctual guys and, even if you're running game sucks, linebackers and safeties will crash down on running plays because that's what they're conditioned to do. Yeah, teams aren't going to stack the box against the Colts, but at least they could get some play-action going and maybe, every once in a while, rip off a 10 or 15 yard run when they catch the defense off-guard.

The problem is that they do try to run, but get nowhere. The Colts then prematurely abandon the run and it becomes a shootout.

The other thing I've noticed (in my limited Colts viewing) is that Manning seems to be unaware that the guys he's throwing too aren't Dallas Clark or Addai out of the backfield. While great quarterbacks can make receivers look like all-stars, there's also something to be said for scaling back your offensive ambitions when you're starting a fifth-string RB and a hodgepodge of no-name receivers. Manning is having a lot of trouble adapting because, in the past, he hasn't had so many injuries to deal with.

Yeah, that's what I said above. They need to scale the offense back. You can't expect practice squad players to read the defenses and react the same way an All-Pro receiver with years of experience with Manning can.

IMO, the article is way too reactionary. Peyton hasn't suddenly lost his mojo for good, he's simply confronted with a situation that would be extremely difficult for ANY qb.

It is, but I do agree with the author in one respect -- you can't give Peyton a pass even with all the issues surrounding the team.

 

[BeauJangles]

Oh, I agree. I'm not about to write Manning off over one bad season in much the same way I won't declare Vick HOF bound over one good season.

The problem is that they do try to run, but get nowhere. The Colts then prematurely abandon the run and it becomes a shootout.

Yeah, that's what I said above. They need to scale the offense back. You can't expect practice squad players to read the defenses and react the same way an All-Pro receiver with years of experience with Manning can.

It is, but I do agree with the author in one respect -- you can't give Peyton a pass even with all the issues surrounding the team.

Mark this day in history. We agree 100%. It will never happen again.

You are spot-on about their premature pass-happy offense. Yesterday was a prime example.


So the question now is, do the Colts make the playoffs?

The schedule is favorable -- Titans (2x), Oakland, Jacksonville. I could see them going 3-1.

Then again, I could also see the Titans, Raiders, and Jacksonville lining up and ramming the ball down the Colts' defenses' collective throats. Hell, Oakland did that yesterday.

If Peyton tones down the costly turnovers, I think there is a good chance they'll make it despite all the injuries.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

So the question now is, do the Colts make the playoffs?

The schedule is favorable -- Titans (2x), Oakland, Jacksonville. I could see them going 3-1.

It is too close to call at this stage. You never know which Raider team will show up (hopefully the bad one for the Colts and the great one when they play the Jags) and I am not sure if Collins will be back for a game against the Colts or not.

Even if they do make the playoffs, I can't see them winning a game unless they catch someone asleep.

 

[thegimp03]

From the parts I saw on Red Zone, seemed like the Colts got screwed yesterday. Unsportsmanlike penalty on that FG try to give Dallas a first down? Seemed kind of ridiculous.

 

[bignateyk]

From the parts I saw on Red Zone, seemed like the Colts got screwed yesterday. Unsportsmanlike penalty on that FG try to give Dallas a first down? Seemed kind of ridiculous.

The best part is that if the colts had declined the penalty on the play before and just let the field goal stand they probably would have won the game.

 

[lupi]

Did you look at the slow replay from the end zone view, the dude literally used the back of the cowboy guy to propel himself further into the air.

 

[BeauJangles]

From the parts I saw on Red Zone, seemed like the Colts got screwed yesterday. Unsportsmanlike penalty on that FG try to give Dallas a first down? Seemed kind of ridiculous.

It's a rule. You cannot get on top of another player and extend yourself to try and block a kick. A Colts player did that and was penalized.

 

[lupi]

Don't think it's been posted here yet, but heard that don meredith died earlier.

 

[zinfamous]

Damn. i can't help but blame SD's loss on Rivers last night.

he wasn't awful, but clearly over-throwing his receivers on big plays, which he seldom does.

He was getting hurried and harassed quite a bit, but he has a habit of not letting those hits affect his accuracy.

I don't see him getting Marino's record after the previous 2 weeks.

 

[zinfamous]

It's a rule. You cannot get on top of another player and extend yourself to try and block a kick. A Colts player did that and was penalized.

I didn't watch that game, but that sounds like the "leaping" call?

I remember this factoring big in that huge Colts vs Bucks game several years ago, in which Peyton overcame a ~24 point deficit in 3 minutes to win it. lol.

"leaping!"

 

[hclarkjr]

broncos just fired head coach..

 

[zinfamous]

Anyone lose HD on the fox game?

maybe it was west coast thing, as that happened to me on the early game yesterday.

 

[hclarkjr]

fat albert haynesworth may be getting released this week from what shanahan said at press conference

 

[lupi]

just got home, turn on ESPN, and first thing across is mcdaniels got the boot.


someone want to go look back at the week6/7 folder form last year at that broncos guy who was all excited about being 6-0 and perhaps what I said in return

 

[MotF Bane]

broncos just fired head coach..

Whoa.

 

[lupi]

fat albert haynesworth may be getting released this week from what shanahan said at press conference

the entire haynesworth debacle is 1million percent shannahans fault, so I hope that pile of turd he's eating from it taste good.

 

[hclarkjr]

he is going to have 1 on 1 meeting with him wednesday to determine what is going to happen with him.

 

[geno]

I'm wondering if Peyton's going to want out of Indy, if things don't look like they'll pick up in the offseason, he have a year left on his contract or is this his last year?

Peyton has it good in Indy. I don't think he'd be able to have as much control over the play calling on any other team and you have to wonder if he'd be willing to give that up.

 

[geno]

broncos just fired head coach..

McDaniels is gone!? That was unexpected, but the Broncos ARE playing horrid ball and it would suck that McDaniels has to take that heat.

Just found the story on ESPN :

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5892528

 

[Capt Caveman]

Don't think it's been posted here yet, but heard that don meredith died earlier.

RIP. Taking a Nestea Plunge will never be the same.

 

[BoomerD]

Damn...Dandy Don is gone?
RIP!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/early-lead/2010/12/don_meredith_former_cowboys_qu.html

 

[lupi]

woot! only one in the pickem group to go NYJ, either i'll be dishing it good or it's not going to be a good night.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

RIP. Taking a Nestea Plunge will never be the same.

Especially since he was the Lipton spokesperson. :awe:

 

[MotF Bane]

Here we go!