The top 5 reasons why I hope the Colts remain competitive

by standingpat on Jan 18, 2008 1:23 AM EST

1. Manning is a great quarterback. 2. The colts are a worthy opponent year after year. 3. You guys hate us. {I love it] 4. You make us a better team by providing top notch competition . 5. I have just grown to love to hate you guys. Football is the best game out there in my opinion. And none of our teams are an island, [we need each other,] We live in a country that provides the greatest sports talent and entertainment in the world. And I think this is one of the many roses that we smell along the way. You guys are still great and I look forward already to next year when we have our next game.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Time for the 20 minutes hate.

eom

by PaytonMenning on Jan 18, 2008 1:56 AM EST reply actions

everyone loves a good rivalry

... and annoying other fans to bash.... even the odd amusing troll...

here's to another good rivalry next year... i think the teams meet in the colts new stadium...

by bluegirl on Jan 18, 2008 9:54 AM EST reply actions

New Stadium

And I hope we christen it with it' first loss. lol

by standingpat on Jan 19, 2008 1:11 AM EST up reply actions

i'll second that

as much as we all hate the pats, it is that good kind of hate that you are glad to have. i mean, think about the jags: they hate the colts, but our energies are focused on our other rival (whose name shall not be mentioned). a lopsided rivalry is no fun.

i think we all look forward to the game these two play every year and we're all aware that we are lucky to see the two best quarterbacks in the nfl square off. that said, i hope cromartie returns five interceptions for touchdowns and upsets you guys OR one of those NFC teams rushes your asses into the ground. other than that, good luck.

by tenyardfight on Jan 18, 2008 10:02 AM EST reply actions

Hopes

Haven't your hopes been dash enough this season?

by standingpat on Jan 19, 2008 1:13 AM EST up reply actions

God needs the Devil

Jean: Do you know why I came to America, "Reecky Booby"?
Ricky: Public schools, health care systems, giant water parks, I mean, the same reason anybody comes to America.
Jean: I came here for you to beat me.
Ricky: What the hell are you talkin' about?
Jean: My husband Gregory and I wish for only that which every other couple wishes for: to retire to Stockholm and design a currency for dogs and cats to use. But before I can do that...
Ricky: That's dumb.
Jean: It's not dumb!
Ricky: It is dumb.
Jean: Why is it dumb?
Ricky: I don't know.
Jean: But before I can do that, I must be defeated by a driver who's truly better than me.
Ricky: So you're gonna lose to me on purpose?
Jean: No.
Ricky: No?
Jean: NO! I will battle you with the entirety of my heart, and you will probably lose, but maybe, juuuust maybe, you might challenge me. God needs the Devil. The Beatles needed The Rolling Stones. Even Diane Sawyer needed Katie Couric. Will you be my...Katie Couric?

Oh Patriots, you are our Katie Couric.

Check out my blog, Sports Circuits! - http://sportscircuits.wordpress.com/

by MonkeyBusiness on Jan 18, 2008 10:41 AM EST reply actions

Reeeky Booby!

Go Colts!

by KingRichard on Jan 18, 2008 10:46 AM EST up reply actions

What challenge...

Ahhhh... earth to MonkeyBusiness -

The Colts have to actually mount a challenge to the Patriots. You've left this year's heavy lifting to a whimpy west coast team. Hey - the Beatles could play, the Stones could play - what the hell happened to the Colts??

Repeat after me: the Colts need to win the big... the Colts need to win the big one... the Colts need to win the big one.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 18, 2008 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

Well

Let's see here... Prior to this seasons' contest, the Colts had won 3, or was it 4 straight over the Pats, including a 20 point beating during 2006. Before you start crowing about the Colts not putting up a fight, remember that if one of our guys doesn't drop a sure interception, the Pats lose that game. Oh yeah, and let's not forget Tom Brady, in the RCA Dome, with about a minute left on the clock with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. And what does he do? TOM BRADY PICKED OFF! IT'S OVER! IT'S OVER! THE COLTS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!

The Colts rallied to win from the largest deficit in conference championship history in a game already considered a classic. They defeated their hated rivals in a contest where they lead for only the last 60 seconds of the game, and went on to win their first Lombardi. The season after the current Pats won theirs, they went 9-7 and missed the playoffs. So, give them a little credit.

The Patriots need the Colts as much as the Colts need the Patrots. Without the Colts, the Patriots don't lose the AFC Championship game, and Randy Moss is still in Oakland. Brady is still the QB with the rings but no stats, and is still throwing to Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell. Without the Colts, the Pats never go 16-0, and could have faced an early playoff exit of their own against a Jaguars team that played them very, very tough.

Remember this: if the Chargers win, the 07 Pats become the biggest choke job in sports history, joining Bill Buckner and the '86 Red Sox (for the record, I'm also a Mets fan). You have the opportunity for great success, but also horrible, horrible failure. Whatever Brady's accomplishments are, the history books will record that the Pats went through an undefeated regular season, and lost to a talented Chargers team that did just enough to win, thus forever ruining their perfect season. I don't know about you, but that's just a little scary.

The destinies of the Pats and Colts are intertwined. When healthy, these teams aren't just better than everyone else, they're in a league of their own. They need eachother. Be thankful for your success, and acknowledge the Colts' role in that.

Check out my blog, Sports Circuits! - http://sportscircuits.wordpress.com/

by MonkeyBusiness on Jan 18, 2008 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

or if the Pack beat them

which has a much better chance of happening.

Chargers IMO will get whitewashed on Sunday.

by Terry @ Stampede Blue on Jan 18, 2008 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

MB

Here are the sobering facts of the Colts & Pats in the games that really count - you may want to sit down for this.

2000 - Colts elim.'d by Miami in the Wild Card round, the Pats miss the playoffs

2001 - Colts miss the playoffs, Pats win Super Bowl.

2002 - Colts elim.'d by the Jets in the Wild Card round, the Pats miss the playoffs.

2003 - Colts elim.'d by the Pats in the AFCCG, Pats win Super Bowl

2004 - Colts elim.'d by the Pats in Div. round, Pats win Super Bowl.

2005 - Colts elim'd. by Pittsburgh in Div. round, Pats elim. by Denver in Div. round

2006 - Colts actually beat Pats in AFCCG, Colts win Super Bowl (finally)

2007 - Colts elim. by San Diego in Div. round, Pats win Super Bowl. (pardon my boldness).

See a pattern here?

These are the games that show the true meddle of a football team. Do they have what it takes to be a Champion? The Colts have managed to win the big one only once. You rant & rave about that sole bright spot, you're satisfied with that one win, fine. I give the Colts credit for that solitary win.

Now -
If the Chargers win... if the Chargers win - come on people, you're talking about the 2007 New England Patriots. This team does not lose!!!

Lastly -
You're right, the Colts beat up the Pats so bad in last year's AFCCG that they had to go out and get some reinforcements. A brutal beating is was: 24 - 21. You guys really took it to us. But, as you state, New England would never have considered adding Moss, Welker or Stallworth, without that whoopin' from the Colts. I guess I owe the Colts a thank you for that.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 18, 2008 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Um

38-34.

We beat your ass in the 2nd half, scoring 32 points.

by the21eraser on Jan 18, 2008 3:59 PM EST up reply actions

I'm sorry...

You're absolutely right - a hardy whooping nonetheless, 38-34. The Colts put the fear in the Patriots that day.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 18, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions

Your a Mets Fan?

That explains alot

by standingpat on Jan 19, 2008 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

whining team

Despite norv as their coach, this is still a Marty Schottenheimer team... and I'd never call a team he had a hand in building wimpy (whining yes... wimpy.. never)... And you get to meet a team that is probably as hopped on steroids as you are.

The chargers are a team with a lot to prove and a chip on their shoulder after the last two loses. Don't go beating your chest yet. In colts playoff history under manning, only one team (jets) that knocked us out failed to reach the superbowl, and of those only one team didn't win it all (titans)...

Says something doesn't it, when you are always getting knocked off by superbowl winners (since 2003)

by bluegirl on Jan 18, 2008 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

the Chargers...

EVERYTHING from the west coast is whimpy... the Chargers included.

I'm beating myself on the chest.. ouch!! Sunday afternoon, the Chargers are going down baby. In a heap.

And please don't recite the Colts dismal playoff history to me, it adds nothing to the conversation. This year you won't be able to claim that Colts were eliminated from the playoffs by the eventual SB winner. Sorry!

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 18, 2008 3:10 PM EST reply actions

Yeah...

Agreed. Brady's from San Mateo, CA.

"Winning is not everything;the desire to win is" - Vince Lombardi

by rangerover76 on Jan 19, 2008 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

No because favre will win it all

and the pats will be in the news because of all the free agents that are going for big bucks after that spectacular loss in the AFC championship game and the 'undefeated season' goes down with an asterisk like Barry bonds record, and rodney harrison ends up in jail for dealing HGH

Moss meet Cromartie...

by bluegirl on Jan 18, 2008 3:17 PM EST reply actions

I beg to differ...

The Patriots win so many damn football games that most of the prime free-agents will play in New England for next to nothing. Oh the disadvantages of an undefeated season!

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 18, 2008 4:00 PM EST reply actions

Patterns

Let's look at something for a minute.

2003 - Pats beat Colts, go on to win Super Bowl
2004 - Pats molest Colts receivers, go on to win Super Bowl.
2005 - Steelers beat Colts, go on to win Super Bowl
2006 - Colts beat everyone, go on to win Super Bowl.
2007 - Chargers beat Colts, _______

I don't know what kind of standardized testing they have in New England, but in Indiana part of ours is pattern recognition. So, here are your options:

A) Pats beat Chargers, go on to win Supert Bowl
B) Pats beat Chargers, go on to lose Super Bowl
C) Chargers beat Pats, go on to win Super Bowl
D) Chargers beat Pats, go on to lose Super Bowl

Also, let's look at your prime-time free agents:
Randy Moss - Dogged it in Oakland for two years. Oakland stupidly gives him up for a fourth round pick. Moss performs admirably in New England until right before the biggest game of the season, where he's now become a distraction. Exactly like everyone predicted he would.
Wes Welker - Picked up from a Dolphins franchise that won ONE game in 2007. Would have made NFL history had they not upset the comically inept Ravens, who gave the Pats a game for about 58 minutes, until self-destructing and giving the Pats unlimited 4th down attempts.
Adalius Thomas - The youngest of the Pats linebackers at 30 years old. For the record, there are 8 players on the Colts roster 30 or older. That includes our punter and kicker. Our OLDEST linebacker is Rob Morris at 32. So, what phenomenal impact has he had this year?

So, you're going to tell me that the Colts had absolutely nothing to do with the Pats overhauling their wide receiver corps? Because Reche "Crazy Eyes" Caldwell was getting the job done? And Troy "Wrong route on 3rd and 5" Brown was your #1?

Face it: the Colts are responsible for the Pas success. The Colts force the Pats to be better and to make these moves. If you doubt it, look at the AFC South. Toughest division in football. But what do you expect from a group of teams that KNOW they have to play the Colts twice a year? What does it say when a team like Denver benches it's two starting DTs SPECIFICALLY because of Peyton Manning?

Enjoy your success. Revel in it. But remember that no ones run lasts forever. What happens when Moss and Stallworth's contracts are up? What about Asante Samuel? What about those linebackers? And how about your safeties? The Pats have a lot of issues to deal with this offseason. And if you think for a minute that Randy Moss won't see the dollar signs on the wall and go "The Redskins are willing to pay me HOW much?", you're just foolish. The Colts don't have those same issues. Really, we have our two starting guards and our starting TE to deal with. We'll keep a guard, draft a new one, and franchise the TE.

Don't worry about the Colts; we're going to be competitive long after the Pats aren't.

Check out my blog, Sports Circuits! - http://sportscircuits.wordpress.com/

by MonkeyBusiness on Jan 18, 2008 5:28 PM EST up reply actions

MB

Over the last eight football seasons the Colts have been booted from the Playoffs six times, missed 'em one time and won one Super Bowl. That is the sorry truth. I wish I change it for you but, I can't.

Over that same period, the Patriots have made it to won four Super Bowls and won them all. (I am taking liberty with this year's SB, but we all know that N.E. can't be beat this year) Again, for your sake, I wish this wasn't so but, the truth is the truth.

I'm am troubled by the logic you use when you argue that the Colts are to credit for the Patriots garnering their nifty new receivers in the off-season. It appears that you're trying to say that N.E. got sick of losing to Indy, so they went on a receiver binge. The facts simply don't bear this out. Don't you think it may be, that Colt fans have a tendency to overemphasize the importance of their football team in the NFL world order?? The reality is Belichick lusted after Wes Welker after he burned the Pats in a Dolphins win down in Miami. The reality is that Moss took very short money to come to new England and play catch with Tom Brady because he wanted to.

You know what's ironic - you tell me the Patriots went out and armed themselves to fight off the dreaded Colts and then the damn Colts couldn't even make it to the AFCCG!

I am happy to hear that the Colts will be fine next season. Lets hope they can start to around that dreadful history in big game play.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 18, 2008 6:15 PM EST reply actions

jajiajhijf

I think it's pretty retarded and extremely annoying that you along with a plethora of other Patriots fans are already calling the Patriots the Super Bowl champions. I can picture the fallout in my head when the get "upset" and choke away their perfect season. I just can't wait.

Go Colts!

by KingRichard on Jan 18, 2008 6:48 PM EST up reply actions

Don't hold your breath...

It's just that the current Super Bowl Champs are out of the tourney and the Patriots are ready to assume the title. But, I will refrain from calling New England the Super Bowl Champ. Until that is, we beat the livin' crap out the hapless Green Bay Packers.

I'm facinated by the choke talk here - where does this come from?? The Patriots have beat all comers this season... haven't lost a game. Why the choke talk?

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 18, 2008 7:00 PM EST reply actions

ojgopajhg

Perhaps you should get off of your knees and step back into reality.

Go Colts!

by KingRichard on Jan 18, 2008 7:26 PM EST up reply actions

Remember

The higher the pedestal, the longer the fall.

Pats win, congrats. It's the greatest season in pro football history, hands down. The argument who the better QB would be essentially over, unless Manning rattles off three straight Super Bowl wins. It's possible, but highly unlikely.

On the other hand, if the Pats lose, and don't even think for a minute that the Chargers can't do it, it's the biggest choke job in sports history. History will say that the Patriots cruised to 16-0 by virtue of weak competition, and lost to the first good, healthy team they faced.

And another thing; if you think the Colts aren't directly responsible for the Pats doing too many whippets and going wide receiver crazy, watch the AFCCG broadcast from last year, and pause it right when they show Crazy Eyes Caldwell and ask yourself "Am I willing to put a preseason game, much less a championship game, in the hands of THAT GUY?". The answer is, simply, no.

Also, remember that unless Polian "complains" to the Competition Committee about the Colts receivers getting mugged in 2004, Randy Moss doesn't get to push off nearly as much.

Check out my blog, Sports Circuits! - http://sportscircuits.wordpress.com/

by MonkeyBusiness on Jan 18, 2008 10:40 PM EST reply actions

eh

I still think the argument for "the best QB ever" is a moot argument. Everyone is completely biased when it comes to this. Peyton is and forever will be my favorite and the greatest QB ever imo. Unless another Colts QB comes around and wins a Super Bowl or two. Marino being #2 btw.

Tom Brady can go screw himself.

Go Colts!

by KingRichard on Jan 18, 2008 10:46 PM EST up reply actions

As can you

I can understand that you would be biased towards manny, but marino? When marino was miami's quarterback, he did not have very good defense or running game. But he always had good receivers, [thus the stats]. If manning and marino really cared about winning it all they would have done what brady did. Take less money than he has to so that the pats could afford more good players. How many millions do some of these freaking guys need? And don't forget about brady's legendary 4th quarter comebacks with mediocre receivers. There is an intangible that you are not considering, brady is a winner.

by standingpat on Jan 19, 2008 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

heh

As I stated before, it's a moot argument, and everyone is biased. You pretty much just proved me right.

Who tha faak ahm aaah? Aaaahm tha faakin guy who does his jowb, you must be tha otha guy!

by KingRichard on Jan 19, 2008 12:48 AM EST up reply actions

You're wrong

Quarterback play is not subjective. QB's are not works of art. You may prefer the way that Manning throws the football but, the results are not open to discussion. What they do on the field is measured and recorded. Their effectiveness is quantified for all to see.

Now, you may call Manning your all-time favorite QB but clearly he's not the greatest. Arbitrary opinions on QB's are a dime a dozen, but greatness is a measurable thing. And Peyton doesn't measure up.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 19, 2008 12:53 AM EST up reply actions

MB

Please... the Chargers are neither good nor healthy. Where have you been, out of the country? You know damn well that San Diego is gonna take it on the chin Sunday. The Colts may have choked last weekend but the Pats will take care of business this Sunday. Check out the game, watch how a real football team works.

Here's my question to you - what are the Colts going to do this off-season to get themselves competitive? They didn't even make it to the AFCCG. Maybe they could grab Caldwell, least he got the Pats to the AFCCG. LOL!!

Please don't remind me of your whiny GM, he's an embarrassment to pro football.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 19, 2008 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

The Chargers

I'll be the first to say that Rivers is a scrub, but you apparently weren't watching the game. The Chargers defense is fast, opportunistic, and nasty. Cromartie is good for at least one pick, and he's fast enough to outrun just about everyone. Assuming there's no holding behind him.

I'm not saying I don't think the Pats will win. But I do think you're not giving the Chargers enough credit.

Truthfully, the Colts are in the position where they don't have to do anything to become more competitive. Their starters are there. No one is leaving, for probably the first time in as long as anyone can remember. There won't be the all-out roster raiding that so often happens after a Super Bowl win. I'm sure they'll work on a few contracts, maybe free up some cap room. And for the record, Peyton has done the exact same thing Brady did multiple times. Why did he do it? Because he didn't need the money, and it was used to sign guys like Reggie Wayne, Bob Sanders, and Dwight Freeney.

As far as Polian is concerned, you need to show a little more respect to a guy that built four Buffalo Super Bowl teams, took an expansion franchise and had them in a conference championship game in their second season, and built a perennial contender and Super Bowl winner in Indianapolis. Yes, he's a hothead. But he's our GM, and there isn't another one in football I'd rather have. Let's not forget that his son works down the hall, and his son is supposed to be an even better talent evaluator than he is.

Here's my question: how long can the Pats remain competitive? Bruschi is a free agent after this season. So's Moss and Stallworth. What happens when Scott Pioli gets a Godfather offer from a team like Dallas? What happens when Belichick retires? The point is, no one in New England knows. If Dungy and Polian retired tomorrow, the Colts wouldn't miss a beat. Think about that, and remember it when you're watching that ancient defense try and keep up with LT and the Chargers offense.

Check out my blog, Sports Circuits! - http://sportscircuits.wordpress.com/

by MonkeyBusiness on Jan 19, 2008 12:54 AM EST reply actions

Well said..

It's unfortunate that these are the same arguments that I make with my Pats fans co-workers (Don't have a friend who's a Pats fan ;))
but they refuse to see the writing on the wall.

"Winning is not everything;the desire to win is" - Vince Lombardi

by rangerover76 on Jan 19, 2008 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

Chargers...

I saw it. Rivers made some throws he doesn't usually make... great throws. All I can say is San Diego seems to have the Colts number. I give the Chargers credit for beating Indy but I don't give them a chance against the Pats tomorrow.

If the Colts stand pat in the off-season they will continue to play second fiddle to N.E. That's fine by me.

After the Super Bowl win, I think you'll see a couple of the Pats linebackers retire - Junior & Tedy for example. The Pats will take a skilled 'backer with the 7th pick in the draft. They also have a very good rookie LB, Oscar Lua who went on IR this pre-season with a broken right leg... he will certainly be a starter in '08. The Pats will probably have to let Stallworth go, he wasn't used enough to warrant a big contract. They may let Samual go too, if he wants a ransom. Pioli will find a juicy free agent or two to bring on-board... maybe a corner or a safety. Moss will stay because he loves to win, he enjoys playing catch with a superstar. Belichick will coach until he dies, he's not going anywhere, anytime soon. Pioli has had juicy offers, so far he's chosen to stay in N.E.

No.. I'm afraid Colt fans will have to wait another six years or so for Brady to retire before they can expect to reach the Super Bowl with any regularity. I guess it sucks for Indy fans to realize that their very capable QB will probably only get the one Super Ring ring. My guess is Brady & Manning will retire right around the same time.

I wouldn't worry too much about the Pats D tomorrow, they will hold their own. We know the N.E. offense is unstoppable so the D doesn't have to be as good as the Colts... err.. forget it.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 20, 2008 12:12 AM EST up reply actions

Moss

I'm not so sure that money won't be the bottom line w/ Moss. I've seen it happen more often than not. He does seem to be in an element that suits him right now so I hope your right.

by standingpat on Jan 20, 2008 12:20 AM EST reply actions

Moss

I guarantee you Moss will sign a three year deal with N.E. for reasonable money. Brady & Moss will be the most lethal combination the NFL has seen, since Montana & Rice.

by horseofadifferentcolor on Jan 20, 2008 12:29 AM EST reply actions