A question about something other than the draft

by N Colter on Apr 18, 2008 9:29 PM EDT

For all you analysts out there: All bitching about New England aside, how do the Colts set up what the Pats offense had last year with Wes Welker? To me, he was easily their MVP because he was nearly automatic on third-down plays. On third downs when everybody watching knew Brady would go to Welker, how did he still manage to get so open every time? (I believe he also had a record for most receptions; again, I'm not here as a booster for the j_rkoffs, I just want the Colts to not miss out on a good thing.)

With our personnel, how can the Colts replicate this success? It'd be great if on every third down Manning had a receiver to whom he could just dump off a sure-thing pass.

Any details/opinions would be appreciated. I freely admit I don't know jack about pass receiver formations. But I can't believe the Colts don't have anybody of Welker's calibre either. Thanks.

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.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

More situation than talent

Welker's success was the result of a perfect storm of offensive conditions. Few guys have the skills of a slot WR learned better than Welker, but most of the WRs in the league are more physically talented. Welker needs space and mismatches to work his game.

Moss and Stallworth/Gaffney kept the corners and safeties deep. Benjamin Watson is a good TE with great speed that the LBs had to worry about. So Welker couldn't be focused on and definitely wasn't the D's main concern with Moss on the field.

Few teams have a quality nickelback (see Jennings, Tim) so if you have a good 3rd WR you can do some damage even if the D has the personnel they want in (see Colts, 2004). The Pats also used the hurry up to keep a team in a mismatch if they get one. Welker vs a LB is brutal for the defense. They got a whole TD drive out of Welker vs LB against the Eagles.

Welker's is also great at finding the holes in zones (Probably the best skill to have as a slot WR, after good hands) meaning if you don't have a quality CB to put on him you really can't cover him.

If Marvin can get healthy and just be a great #2 to Wayne, the Colts will have the same kind of "too many weapons to handle" offense. Wayne, Marvin, Gonzo, Clark and Addai.

Finally Welker tied (with T.J. Housh...) for the league lead in receptions last year. He fell well short of the record of 143 receptions. One of the now two major receiving record Jerry Rice no longer holds. Single season receptions were broken by Marvin Harrison in 2002. Single season TDs by Moss last year.

my blog <http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com>

by shake n bake on Apr 18, 2008 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks, shake n bake

Great analysis. I wonder if Roy Hall could also serve as a slot WR at times. As a speedy 6'3" and 240 WR, he'd most certainly give CBs fits; plus maybe if he was limited to short routes, his pass-catching ability wouldn't be a major issue.

And, I guess to your eyes, Tim Jennings has to go. In your opinion, is there another DB more suitable presently on the team to cover a Welker, or is that another draft concern?

Again, thanks.

by N Colter on Apr 20, 2008 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Jennings could improve, but

I like Dante Hughes better. Jennings isn't (much) worse than your average nickelback.

my blog <http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com>

by shake n bake on Apr 20, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

How the Colts can replicate this success,,,

Videotape.

by coltsfanawalt on Apr 18, 2008 10:44 PM EDT reply actions

Laughing my a$$ off

Maybe we should've been videotaping their offensive signals. oh, the irony. i love it.

"GO HORSE!"

by beester on Apr 19, 2008 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions

My question to you is....

Why would we want to try to duplicate what the Patriots did?

Personally... I don't want to drive around town and see "18-1" bumper stickers referencing the Colts.

We'll do what we do, only better this year.

by the21eraser on Apr 20, 2008 9:37 AM EDT reply actions

Since you asked.....

(1)Why would we want to try to duplicate what the Patriots did?

They went to the SB, we screwed the pooch at the Volek Bowl. Plus, the Patriots did beat the Colts in the regular season, remember? I was just asking how the Colts can maximize their passing game to match what was probaby the NFL's best passing game last year.

(2)Personally... I don't want to drive around town and see "18-1" bumper stickers referencing the Colts.

The Colts aren't j_rkoffs who cheat and run up scores on HOF coaches like Joe Gibbs. I don't think they'd create as much antipathy as did the loathsome Patriots, but even if they did, so what as long as the Colts are winning legitimately. Actually it'd be great if it was the Colts who had the perfect 19-0 season. Mercury Morris and Coach Bellishit be damned....

(3) We'll do what we do, only better this year.

As a final remonstration to me, you resort to hollow, brain-dead Tony Dungy cliches?

by N Colter on Apr 20, 2008 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Tony Dungy

is a great coach who will be inducted into the hall of fame one day. I am very glad that he is the coach for our Colts. This isn't your first jab at him, I've noticed, and I don't know what your problem is with him. I'm glad that he is staying around for at least this season, and I'll be sad to see him go when he retires.

by coltsfanawalt on Apr 20, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I've never understood how anyone can Dungy bash

Are we that spoiled, that we have to criticize an amazing coach like Dungy, just because we don't have much else to whine about.

my blog <http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com>

by shake n bake on Apr 20, 2008 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Special teams, for one....

Coltsfanawalt:

As far as making it to the SB, Dungy would've been 0-6 in the postseason if it hadn't been for the greatest postseason comeback in NFL history (thank you, Peyton). This from a coach with a rep as a defensive specialist...

However, I'll say this in his defense (no pun): Polian's drafts are undoubtedly great, but even he can't always find quality defensive linemen in later rounds (probably because they don't exist). That's why Polian risked so much to get Cory Simon and Booger McFarland outside of the draft; in that sense, during Dungy's tenure he's always been handicapped with having nothing better than at best adequate defensive linemen. And you can't win that way (remember the Chargers playoff game?); that's another reason it'll be interesting to see who Polian drafts next weekend.

So maybe you're right in that I'm too harsh...But it's not personal, I like the guy and it'd be great if he did make it to the HOF.

by N Colter on Apr 20, 2008 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope

that we see the special teams turn around for us this year like the defense did last year. I don't have confidence in Purnell, but Dungy will look like a genius if that happens. Almost everyone else I know would like to see a new special teams coach.

by coltsfanawalt on Apr 21, 2008 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

0-6?

When was that. The Colts won two playoff games Dungy’s second year (2003) and another in 04, to make the Colts playoff record 3-4 under Dungy. The record became a winning one and remains a winning record today at 7-5

my blog http://shakennbaken.blogspot.com

by shake n bake on Apr 21, 2008 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Clark/Gonzo

As far as a 3rd down go-to guy, you can’t ask for a better mismatch than Clark vs the unfortunate LB/DB that has to account for him. He’s got pretty sure hands and he’s not afraid to play the middle of the field. Gonzo would also be a good 3rd down go-to guy. Much like Clark, except in WR form. Then again, a dump off to Addai (after he’s drawn in the DL) isn’t a bad option either. We have a great team. We just need everyone healthy.

by TouchdownMonkey on Apr 21, 2008 2:35 PM EDT reply actions