Fixable Problems and Wildcard Spots
by shake n bake on Oct 27, 2008 11:56 PM EDT
17 comments
Trailing 4 games without a tiebreaker with 9 to play the Colts hopes of a 6th straight division title are slim. But that doesn't mean the season is destined for failure, thanks to the wildcard. A wildcard is far from just an invitation to get steamrolled by a division champ, 2 of the last 3 titles have been won by wildcard teams (Steelers and Giants).
The Colts have struggled and have dropped two straight but the team's issues are fixable, don't believe me?
What have been the Colts problems this year?
Run D? They've given up only 3.1 yards per carry in back to back games.
Pass Pro? Peyton hasn't been sacked in back to back games after taking 9 sacks in the first 5, and LT Tony Ugoh has returned to the lineup.
Run blocking? Again Ugoh's return and Lilja coming off the PUP eventually will be a big help. Without Addai in the lineup the last two Dom has averaged 3.6 and 4.1 YPC
Peyton and recievers not on the same page? That's the definition of a fixable problem.
Pass D? Half the starting secondary was out and Bob/Kelvin are expected back next week.
The Colts are one game back from the AFC Wildcard and they have a head to head tiebreaker over one team ahead of them (Ravens). All the Colts have to do is gain one game on the Ravens and Jets over their remaining 9.
Update: WOW, a good level headed assessment from a ESPN talking head. (one commentator talks about the Colts running into a wall) "Not a wall, more like a hurdle that tripped them up."
That's what this was. It was a challenge that the Colts just didn't quite make it over. They weren't blown out. They didn't play awful. They came up just short against the team that's been the best in the league over the first 7 games.
Update2: Another good assessment of the game from KSK of all places. Xmas Ape says
The undefeated Titans got over the hump against their divisional nemesis, the Indianapolis Angry Pey-Peys, through a steady diet of stingy defense and Kerry Collins hate speech. The Colts were absolutely allergic to taking turnover opportunities seemingly gift-wrapped to them.
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fixable, yes.
I think what we’re seeing from the Colts at this point is a team that has turned into an average team with above average offensive players. The offense has not been firing on all cylinders yet, due to a variety of factors, mainly Peyton’s surgery. And, who knows how that has affected the mental make-up of this team? The offense could start clicking consistently and go on a long winning run at any point…..we all know that. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them win 5 or 6 straight. I’m much more concerned about the defense…..and I always have been. When our top defensive player is out half the season or more, this defense turns into something awful. Hopefully, Sanders will come back soon. Unfortuately, the ‘next man up’ theory doesn’t work on the defensive side of the ball.
by Ayrshire on Oct 28, 2008 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the surgery excuse has been proved to not be the issue since they had a great game vs. the ravens. They are capable, yet not executing.
Can someone throw the surgery crutch away, please?
by tapper on Oct 28, 2008 12:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, and that doesn’t mean put the rest of your weight on the injury crutch ;-)
by tapper on Oct 28, 2008 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hehehe yeah.
Some will use the manning surgery excuse all the way into week 14 if things don’t improve. It is amazing some just can’t accept the guy is having an off year as is the team.
For people to keep using the surgery excuse shit in week 8 is lame. Fact is the guy was practicing with the team before the reg season and has had over 2 months to work with them and it is PEYTON MANNING. Pretty sure he has the skill to quickly get back into things. Also, as you stated, he pimped of the ravens so clearly the ability is there.
People still using the injury/surgery excuse need to move on. Would be funny if in 09 they struggle and we hear about Manning’s 08 surgery…
by loregnum on Oct 28, 2008 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
one more thing….Manning and the passing game was BETTER earlier in the season than it has been the last two games. How can people be so blind to this? He had horrible pass protection then yet still did better than he has these two weeks.
by loregnum on Oct 28, 2008 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
IT’S ALL BECAUSE OF INJURIES!!!!!!!!!!!!
Once we get Roy Hall back we’ll be the dominate offensive powerhouse we should be again.
by tapper on Oct 28, 2008 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
for sure son. No other teams in the NFL have had any injuries and won games. Only Indy has suffered from injuries. New England isn’t 5-2 with thier best player gone for the season, an old ass defense, half their RBs gone, their best CB lost to free agency, etc. Giants aren’t missing their best pass rusher, etc.
Oh and Indy didn’t do well last year when they had IMO more serious injuries. They played the same last seaosn as they ahve this year so clearly injuries are the key.
Roy Hall is also the secret weapon. Once he’s back Peyts will make a run at Brady’s td record.
by loregnum on Oct 28, 2008 12:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are right.
I will say that Bullitt has actually been fairly impressive in Bob’s absence.
Getting the offense back on all cylinders would be nice. Manning has been off on many throws lately. I love our QB, and I am not ripping him. That surgery and the long recovery is taking a toll here. I believe it will get better. The question is, when.
by coltsfanawalt on Oct 28, 2008 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for a good article, Shake.
It was a welcome read.
by coltsfanawalt on Oct 28, 2008 12:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Surgery
I think it’s fairly obvious that the Colts offense starts with Manning. He had surgery which unfortunately made him miss the pre-season. He didn’t have the practice he normally does and it affected his sharpness and timing with his receivers. I think it directly contributed to the Colts losing some early games. And, as I mentioned, a team’s confidence and mental outlook is also probably affected once the losses come…..especially to a team that is used to winning most of the time. So, call it a crutch if you like, but it’s just a fact.
by Ayrshire on Oct 28, 2008 12:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Of course the problems are fixable but so what? That doesn’t mean they will be fixed this season. This is what annoys me with many people here….when will reality step in? How many more bad games does it take for the remaining diehards to accept this season is most likely a lost cause? If they lose to New England will it be the same tagline?
“the problems are fixable and there are still 8 games left in the season.”
then they lose to the Steelers:
“the problems are fixable and there are 7 games left in the season. they are still in it”
When exactly is the point people accept that the team is simply off and there are no full signs things will change?
People can go on all they want about how things are fixable and all that but they are running out of time and they have a pretty tough remaining schedule. There are 6 games that could be easy losses for them IF things don’t turn around ASAP.
That is what it’d be nice if people would start to accept. I know this team has the ability to play in sync and all that jazz and I know they could go on a run but time is running out. If it was 9 games vs shit teams then hey, not as big a deal but when you have some of these remaining games coming up they really need to right this ship quickly as in before Sunday night.
I think some Colts fans need to realize it is ok to accept that the team is having a fluke bad season. It doesn’t mean they need to clean house and rebuild although I do think they need to change the defensive scheme because it si incredibly easy to pick apart.
Some may criticize me for my stance but I am just seeing things in a unbiased and realistic way. For every step forward the team takes they take 2 steps back.
Maybe it will take a loss to New England for some of the remaining faithful to accept reality…and you can be sure I WANT them to start clicking and go on a run. I think if they start playing up to their ability then they could make a SB run HOWEVER i don’t see them playing that way. I have FAITH that they won’t start clicking just as people have FAITH they will.
by loregnum on Oct 28, 2008 12:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"am just seeing things in a unbiased and realistic way"
“i don’t see them playing that way. I have FAITH that they won’t start clicking”
Contrasting statements there.
Opinions are fine, but don’t pretend yours is the unbiased truth. It’s an opinion just like mine or the next guys.
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 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and what real fan
is such a downer… loregnum must have the most pessimistic outlook of any fan I’ve seen in the long time. He almost sounds more like Terry than a colts fan.
Realistic is you play the game. And with the past record of this team it isn’t unrealistic to believe they can turn it around. The ravens game proves they can still get it done when they need to.
People saying you can’t use the surgery … well in an offense that depends so much on timing, NOT having the training camp and the offseason probably means it takes 6-8 weeks of the season to make up for that lost time. And losing both your projected starters at DT now also means that has to be corrected. The biggest problem I actually saw last night was the lack of pressure on Collins which I think stems directly from that..
An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing...
by bluegirl on Oct 28, 2008 5:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
I think some Colts fans need to realize it is ok to accept that the team is having a fluke bad season.
You’re right. And you know what, acceptance does not mean abandonment (or in other words jumping off the bandwagon).
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Oct 28, 2008 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yet
I still have hope that something will go right soon.
I don’t have a problem with a wild card spot in the playoffs.
I want to be clear. Because when I read people accusing others of not being “real fans” it irritates me. Worry about your own opinions, and quit judging others for theirs.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Oct 28, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with loregnum!!
I have been on this board for the past couple of weeks trying to be a voice of reason. Comments prior to the Titans game stating that the Colts were a much better team talent wise etc.? How do you figure? What have the Colts done over the first 7 games this season to let you think they can make a serious playoff run? Beating a Ravens team that was playing a rookie QB? Please.
We need to face the facts…the Colts are having a down year. I don’t buy the injury stuff either…as was stated before, NE seems to be able to adapt to much more serious losses. I don’t think having Bob Sanders back is going to be that big a deal. Not this time. The surgery issue is also getting old…we are halfway through the season!!
I am as big a Colts fan as there is…but this does not seem to be our year. I also think it starts at the TOP…and by that I mean Dungy. I am not too pleased at the coaching this season.
Anyway, just wanted to put in my two cents. I hope the Colts can turn it around…but I will not hold my breath.
by TRDean on Oct 28, 2008 6:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
All about Manning
This offence lives and breathes by wor Peyton, and he still doesn’t look ready. If he can get his groove back, we’re every bit as good as we’ve ever been.
If we lost to the Pats, we have some serious questions though. I think we can only afford to drop at most 2 games the rest of the way home, and considering we still have some tough trips to come, I don’t know that we can afford to lose any more home games.
The ball’s in our court.
by eltharion_doa on Oct 28, 2008 7:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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