If you still feel optimistic...
by KingRichard on Oct 27, 2008 11:33 PM EDT
47 comments
...about this season, you my friend, are a delusional nutbar. The Colts, even if they do make the playoffs via a wildcard spot, aren't going to be worth a shit in the playoffs. This is the worst Colts team I've seen in a long time. I'm the last person who is going to come on here and make a rant about the world ending, but it's time to face reality, the Colts suck this year.
I'm going to watch and pray they win each week but my expectations just flew out the window. It's almost a blessing really because if they do start to turn things around and start to play excellent, it'll be more exciting than in previous years. Oh well, go Giants?
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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I Agree
I’m seeing us go 6-10. I wish I was wrong, but I do not see us beating Pittsburgh, New England, Jacksonville, Tennessee, San Diego, or Cleveland.
http://naptownsfinest.com
by Colts Homer on Oct 27, 2008 11:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not beating a Brady-less Patriot team
The thought of that is depressing.
by Ayrshire on Oct 27, 2008 11:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The reality will be worst.
. A man doesn't know what hapiness is until he's married. By then it's too late. Frank Sinatra
by standingpat on Oct 27, 2008 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish
we wouldn’t have made the committment to Caldwell because I want Bill Cowher here to kick this team into shape. What I’m seeing on the field is not acceptable, especially on defense. It’s not the players. It’s the system. I’ve never been a fan of the 4-3 defense or the Tampa 2 or any bend but don’t break defense. A 3-4 defense would be a nice change for this team that needs anything and everything.
http://naptownsfinest.com
by Colts Homer on Oct 27, 2008 11:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
the personel is not here for a pittsburgh style 3-4
and the 4-3 is effictive when the whole team is healthy and executing
by torontocoltsfan on Oct 27, 2008 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
We don’t execute it and we are never healthy. We would need a few years to build into a 3-4, but the D can’t be any worse than it is right now. We would have a lot of people playing out of position for a while, but that would end after a few years.
http://naptownsfinest.com
by Colts Homer on Oct 27, 2008 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but is the D really THAT bad.
i seem to remember a jags game in 2006, 375 yards rushing allowed.
its not time to blow up the system mid season,
maybe for 2009 but right now it is what it is, and with bob and hayden back it can be an excellent defence
by torontocoltsfan on Oct 27, 2008 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it really is that bad dude. Here is why:
The Colts D is built on stopping long plays. This has worked in the past because
1) the offense would get good leads forcing teams to become one dimensional and this really helps in what coverage to run. ALSO, the colts players like this and get hyped for it so they play with a bit more emotion.
2) either because they were behind big or because nfl players/teams simply like long plays, teams would often try and go for mid-long range passes on Indy and again, they are design to stop that.
This season though the offense as we all see has been shit so the D isn’t getting that lead to play with. Furthermore, teams are realizing that it is far easier and more efficient to go for quick, short passes because they 2 of them gets you a first down and the way the Colts CBs play with the huge cushions these short passes are money. Furthermore, it is almost next to impossible to get pressure with your front 4 on a qb when he is dumping it off for a quick 5 yard pass.
Basically, the scheme is shit and teams are finally realizing that the smart choice is to do the above and dink and dunk the D down the field. This gives your team time of possession (keeping the Indy O off the field) and wears down the D. You may not get the big 20+ yard plays most of the time but who cares if you can play ball control?
As we saw tonight, even in 3rd and long situations if your line doesn’t get any pressure then the D is easily exploited too because the holes in the zones are easy to hit.
The biggest thing they need is for the CBs to press the receivers at the line rather than play 5-10 yards off. All the cushion does is make the Qb have an easy time to hit the receiver and takes away time for the DL to get to him.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that both the titans and Packers played a similar press/bump and run style with the Colts wideouts and both were successful. In fact, you view any top D in the nfl and they do the same.
Indy’s D is simply mediocre and the offense has been masking this mediocrity for years. If you don’t believe me then just look at defensive 3rd down conversion %s for the last few years and completion %. They are always some of the worst in the NFL.
I agree that it doesn’t make sense to try and change the scheme this season but it really needs to go in 09 because it isn’t working. Some can say it does but show me the proof. Indy’s D is up and down every damn year (05 decent, 06 crap, 07 decent, 08 so far crap) while other top teams have consistent D each season. It’s simple logic that the scheme is the problem and I believe the problem is that it is too basic. Now if the scheme somehow isn’t the problem then that’d mean the personnel is so it should be changed.
All I know is there is no way the Giants every fuggin week can get insane pressure and actually play pass defense while Indy is lucky to get 3 good qb pressures a game. The same for the Steelers, ravens, etc. SOMETHING is wrong with the Indy system. Anyone who implies otherwise is clearly high on something.
by loregnum on Oct 28, 2008 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bless you, loregnum
Very insightful post. Great work, dude.
by N Colter on Oct 28, 2008 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The defense
has always been somewhat lame. The offense is certainly struggling, but shows flashes of brilliance. The defense has some good plays too, but consistently seems to be out of position on pass defense. And, we’re still not getting much, if any, pressure on the QB. Collins had a lot of time to throw tonight…..way too much. Where’s the pass rush?
by Ayrshire on Oct 27, 2008 11:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Credit to the Titans, though.
They have protected Collins all season this well. They didn’t start tonight. Does someone have quick access to that stat, or do I need to come back later and back it up?
by coltsfanawalt on Oct 27, 2008 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
HOWEVER
It could be worse. I know a guy (bookie) who knows a guy who dropped 10k (yes $10,000) on the Colts to win tonight. : /
The King of anti-fail.
by KingRichard on Oct 27, 2008 11:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This just sucks
We get the greatest football stadium in history, and now we suck. Dear lord we need some changes at every position.
http://naptownsfinest.com
by Colts Homer on Oct 27, 2008 11:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Please stop the insanity...
Fitzgerald wrote that insanity is doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different outcome.
This Cover 2 philosophy doesn’t work. This year the Colts defense has beaten only bad quarterbacks or quarterbacks in training. Every other QB does great; tonight, 25 uncontested points after the offense gave them a lead. And tonight they couldn’t cover any receivers; Stephen Hawkins could’ve gotten separation from the LBs and DBs.
Please, Coach Dungy, go away and write your inspirational books. Mr. Polian, please modify your team defense philosophy; e.g., draft defensive help in the early rounds, don’t replace Marvin with the #1 pick.
And yeah, Marvin’s done, so it’s no big deal if we don’t renew him. BTW, unless Addai comes back strong, we’re probably going to also need RB help. Rhodes was good tonight, but he’s no answer. How many times in the open field was he brought down by the first tackler he faced? Not good. I hope Simpson plays more.
by N Colter on Oct 28, 2008 12:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice try
They ran cover-3, sometimes with 4 LBs in the game. This wasn’t a failure of the cover-2. This wasn’t doing the same thing.
Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.5 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Oct 28, 2008 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In the second half they couldn't get off the field
I.e., the outcome was the same old thing.
by N Colter on Oct 28, 2008 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but they did something different
doing the same thing and getting the same result was your indictment of Dungy’s D philosophy. They did something different and got the same result.
Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.5 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Oct 28, 2008 1:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, you win
Shake, you’re a prince and I know you’re invested in this blog, but gee whiz, doesn’t this season shake your homerism just a little bit? Am I so far off?
Hope you’re writing an appraisal of this game. Looking forward to it.
Here’s one thought: Was AG worth a #1 pick? Would we’ve been better off with some defensive help and drafting down to get a slot receiver?
by N Colter on Oct 28, 2008 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
large sample size over small
5 straight 12+ win seasons and AFC South Titles with a SB title on one side, a mediocre 7 game stretch while the team has injury problems on the other.
Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.5 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Oct 28, 2008 1:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude, how can it not have injuries?
The team is fucking microscopic!! They get hurt when they get trampled, which is often. Injuries are a constant. That’s one drawback of this hallowed “speed” philosophy.
As I’ve written elsewhere here, the other is goal-line or short-yardage stances. How do they imagine they can stop anyone when they’re so small? What’s the success ratio this year? I think they’ve failed every time this year. Again, dumb philosophy, dumb defense.
by N Colter on Oct 28, 2008 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Inspirational Books
See, I’ve seen this a couple times now. The real problem some people have with Dungy goes beyond football. They are quiet when he is winning and breaking coaching records. Then they quickly pile on him when things are bad (like this rare season), and take potshots about his “quiet strength” or faith or whatever.
He has been a remarkable coach. I looked back for your positive comments when he was very successful, but you had none. Because you have never liked him. Him.
Go ahead to the haters and pile on him and on my reply right now. I already know five posters on here (you’re the first) that will join in on the Dungy bashing. They do it often. But they are wrong. He is hall of fame, and ONE bad season doesn’t change that.
by coltsfanawalt on Oct 28, 2008 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and the crowd that ripped Dungy last week for not going for it on 4th and 1?
He went for it twice today. Unsuccessfully. That’s some horrible coaching. Last week for not trying, and this week for foolishly trying. Right?
by coltsfanawalt on Oct 28, 2008 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
WAAH! Lighten up!
It’s only a game and it’s only my opinion. Big deal. No need to be so outraged. I don’t hate Dungy; I just don’t think he’s a great coach. If you think inspirational books are a slur (I said it because he’s been successful at it), then let him do something else.
And I still think the overall defensive philosophy is dumb; wha’ts more comical than the Colts D in a goal-line stance, when the D line is usually hundreds of pounds lighter? And when your heaviest hitter can’t stay healthy except for maybe eight games a season? And on the same tack, how do you expect this team not to succumb to injuries every year (as they do) when they’re so damn small?
by N Colter on Oct 28, 2008 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah.
Perhaps at least some attempt at innovation would help. “Doing what you do” is awesome when what you do works most of the time, but a little retarded when, week after week, the opposing teams seem to have an answer for it. Unless all of the players have suddenly regressed en masse, in which case the finger should still be pointed at the coaching staff.
by BlueU on Oct 28, 2008 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're winging it
Francis never wrote that.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/F._Scott_Fitzgerald
That’s usually attributed to Albert Einstein, but more likely it was an average Joe wanted to lend weight to his argument by throwing around names.
I’d like to see the Colts surge back. If it was just the defense and Manning was having to throw for 6 touchdowns in the last quarter to win everytime—I would have a lot of faith in the Colts. But its the offense. They stink.
by wcwills on Oct 28, 2008 6:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wrong. Going for it was totally the right call each time, it’s just that the plays called were kinda stupid.
by BlueU on Oct 28, 2008 12:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow, can we say bandwagon fans?
A long time? What is your definition of long? In my books long means more than 5-7 years. Like the announcers said at the beginning of the game, all of us fans have become spoiled with the Colts going 7-0 in three seasons. The Colts are 3-4 this season, and it’s only half way done.
So the bandwagon fans can get off now and we can catch up with you guys later in the playoffs when we win the wildcard. Why don’t you go with the “winning team” this season? You don’t have a lot to choose from.
by MarkFive05 on Oct 28, 2008 1:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OK, let's do it the homer way
Actually it’s the Colts that are 7-0, not the Titans, and everything’s perfect, and I’m going to be the flower girl strewing roses in Dungy’s path when he goes to Canton to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, which should be any day now after the wonderful job he’s doing this season. It’s the least I can do for such a great coach. Lombardi pales in comparison….
Everything’s wonderful, so there’s nothing to discuss. Bye.
by N Colter on Oct 28, 2008 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pointing out the team’s issues and not automatically dropping to one’s knees to fellate anyone dressed in speed blue does not make one a bandwagon fan. Reality rules, man. I think this team sucks right now and will do poorly this season, but I still expect them to get back on top next year or in 2010. Their problems are now mostly mental, I think, but they haven’t shown much progress toward overcoming them. This is mostly the same roster that was 2 plays away from being 15-1 or better last season while being (I think) the second-most injured team in the league; there’s no way they should be a lucky 3-4 this year without taking a lot of flack.
by BlueU on Oct 28, 2008 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Considering Manning’s rookie season was like 10 years ago I would consider that a long time. Does that qualify into your definition of "long?
Btw, being honest =/= bandwagon jumping.
The King of anti-fail.
by KingRichard on Oct 28, 2008 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep….there are many colts followers that seem to be refusing to accept reality. I am sure we all want this team to kick ass and wish they start but as the saying goes, I can wish in one hand and crap in the other and see which fills up first.
I KNOW Indy has the ability to play better and win games. Recent seasons have shown this. However, (and i feel like Obama as I say this) there is a fundamental difference between knowing something can happen and it actually happening. I simply do not believe the Colts are going to magically turn things around and have a good season. Nothing other than knowing it COULD happen says it will.
I think some need to grasp that it isn’t so much the record that is the issue but the play. Indy in 06 had horrible defense yet started out what, 9-0. Some people need to see that yeah, they are 3-4 but their play has been pretty bad and there are again, no signs it is going to simply improve. Every week we hear about how amaaaaaaaazing they practiced and for the last 2 weeks they have played like shit. Yes, some areas have improved each week but other areas have regressed. So if Dungy is saying they have practice well then wtf?
So my issue isn’t with them being 3-4 because I know 3-4 can easily turn into 10-5, 11-5 or even12-4. No, my issue is that their play is not improving and nothing logically says it will and they NEED to have improved play to get that winning streak going.
The brightside is if SOMEHOW they flip the switch and get on a run then and make the playoffs then the team should be scary then.
Anyway, i am sure that Sunday night after they lose yet again we will all have this same discussion and people will say they are in ok shape and people like me who are accepting reality will smirk and roll our eyes.
I’d like nothing more than to be proven wrong about this season but I am pretty confident I won’t be.
All i know is I look forward to 2009 as I expect them to pimp it then and this season will be written off as a fluke. Remember, every team and/or player has an off year and hopefully this is Indy’s. It annoys me because I had such high expectations but I can deal with it.
by loregnum on Oct 28, 2008 1:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
not improving
they at the worst gave the leagues only undefeated team a close game. If they get the TO on any of those near misses on D or convert either 4th down attempt they probably when the game. They did not play that badly.
Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.5 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Oct 28, 2008 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shake, you're unflappable
Your favorite song must be “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”
by N Colter on Oct 28, 2008 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
actually I if I had to pick it would be
this one (it even has a shout out to his fellow New Orleans native Peyton Manning), but point taken
Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.5 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Oct 28, 2008 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually...
Take away the turnovers and penalties and Indy had a statistically slightly better game, as far as I can tell. However, I’d say at the worst they gave the league’s only undefeated team half a close game and should have been able to win but instead collapsed in an all-too-familiar manner.
by BlueU on Oct 28, 2008 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you think we lost because I watched Remember the Titans
this afternoon? If so I apologize. It’s a good movie and I didn’t think about any possible jinxing.
Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.5 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Oct 28, 2008 2:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So it was YOU!
but then again, I wore my blue #18 during the whole game…maybe it was a combination of both.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Oct 28, 2008 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks a lot, April!
I think that is twice you’ve done that to us this season!
Wait. I wore my blue #18 the whole game, as well. Never mind.
by coltsfanawalt on Oct 28, 2008 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Initially
I was going to only wear it for the first half. If they were playing poorly, it had to go. Now, I thought they were playing well. So I kept it on. Everything just got so bad so quickly I was too busy yelling and forgot to remove it.
My bad.
;)
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Oct 28, 2008 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bill Cowher and the 3-4 Defense "WILL REALLY WORK"
I love Bill Cowher he doesn’t play conservative like Tony Dungy, don’t get me wrong I love Tony to but Bill Cowher will fit in perfect here! The 3-4 Defense will be great with Clint Session and Tyron Hagler as the outside linebackers and Freddy Keiaho and Gary Brackett as are middle linebackers will be KILLER and not to mention Freeney, Mathis, Brock and Thomas as are Defensive Ends and Brock or maybe we will sign a fat boy for the Defesnive Tackle! I mean look at the season Session Brackett and Keiaho is having and Hagler is just as good! It would be a great defense for us!
by PeYtoN2MaRviN on Oct 28, 2008 8:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3-4
They couldn’t do it with the current personnel. Freeney as a OLB is the only front 7 player that has the size for a 3-4. You need bigger players for a 3-4 than for a 4-3. The Colts are undersized for a 4-3, changing to a 3-4 would take a full overhaul of the front 7.
Shonn Greene for Heisman
144 yards per game
6.5 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Oct 28, 2008 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BTW
We can say Marvin is done but if Peyton would have hit him half the time he would be having a great season! Somethings wrong with Peyton either he is still injured or he is to scared to put pressure on his knee! If you look at Peyton in the past if he would have missed a guy he would have overthrown them not underthrown them like he is doin this year! I think Peyton is to scared to hurt his knee! Don’t worry we will make the playoffs! And does anyone know why we do play roy hall or pierre garcon more in the slot?
by PeYtoN2MaRviN on Oct 28, 2008 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
3-4 vs 4-3
For those of you “new” to the Colts world and who think a 3-4 would solve the Colts problems. The Colts deployed a 3-4 defense from 1984 until about the mid 90’s. Those teams generally speaking were HORRIBLE. A 3-4 would not solve anything, and in fact without WHOLESALE personnel changes would make things worse because we don’t have the right players for a 3-4 defense.
by Rob-Westside on Oct 28, 2008 8:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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