Bears Game: Yep, it was as bad as you thought it was
Tony Dungy didn't mince any words when describing Indy's performance against the Bears:
"Looking at tape, usually on Monday you come in and you say, ‘Well, it wasn’t as bad after we looked at the tape – it wasn’t as bad as we thought."This was one of those exceptions."
On his radio show Bill Polian did not refute Dungy's observations. This game was as bad as the regular season loss to Jacksonville in 2006. Physically, the Bears attacked the Colts and beat them down. And even Bill Polian admitted that one of the reasons the Bears were able to wear Indy down was because their front 7 was bigger and more physical. Polian also went on to state that the Bears game planned extremely well for this game, and had done so for weeks.
Dungy, meanwhile, spent all of three days game planning the Bears. Boy, did it show.
Polian then contradicted himself by saying the team was not "rusty," but that the timing was just "a little off." Um, Bill, isn't that what being rusty means? As stated over and over again, the Bears won because they were more physical, executed better, and were better coached. In Super Bowl 41, the Colts battered, beat up, and out-coached the Bears. This time around, Chicago returned the favor. Bully for them.
BTW, we still got the rings. Just saying.
What is disheartening is how totally unprepared the Colts were to open their $720 million dollar stadium, and right now their PR department is in damage control mode. The Colts now head to Minnesota for Week Two, and both teams should treat this game as a must win now. Like us, their fans are pissed off. Starting 0-2 puts any team in a big, massive, gapping hole. The Vikes have a more talented roster than the Bears. Their running game is better. Their defense is just as good. They have better receivers. If Indy is not ready for this game, the Colts will return to The Lube with a black eye and a chorus of boos. I mean, no offense Colts marketing department, but fans do not shell out hundreds of dollars to attend games in a stadium they paid hundreds of millions to build just to watch a team that isn't ready to play.
There's just no excuse for that. None.
Obviously, people will blow things out of proportion, saying this is yet another sign that the Colts are done. And obviously, when they are proven wrong, they will retreat into their shells ala Bill Simmons after the 2006 AFC Championship Game. I always find it amazing that people think we are "done" when our roster is one of the youngest in the league. The simple fact of the matter is the Colts are very good and very young. Their roster is outstanding. They should show up ready and they should beat the Vikings because they are, top to bottom, better than the Vikings. But, then again, they were susppoed to be better than the Bears too.
the positives are the Colts know what they did wrong. Contrary to what Deshawn Zombie thinks, going for it on fourth down in that way late in the game was a dumb idea. Dungy apologized for it. He made the call and even called the offensive play. It was shuffed for a two yeard loss.
This next game is absolutely huge for the Colts, even though it is against a non-division, non-conference opponent. There is turmoil all throughout our division. The AFC is in total chaos. Now is the time to take advantage. We will learn very quickly just what kind of team we have when they travel to Minnesota.
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24 comments
Comments
We can beat the Vikings.
Green Bay just showed us how to do it. Ryan Grant is a maniac…and I think he runs alot like Addai does…the quick stops, changing direction. I don’t know what the pass/run ratio was last night, but Green Bay didn’t run a whole lot. Minnesota has a great run D. But I think if we mix it up and take the opportunities to run (however slight they may be) we can definitely win.
I’m sure they are looking at the tape from last night as we speak. I have a feeling they will take this game more seriously than they did Chicago. We should know by now, there are no automatic wins…every time they get their head in that mode, we lose.
April in CA
by peytonsthebest on Sep 9, 2008 11:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
pissed off
This stuff about the poor preparation really pisses me off. When you’ve got so many injuries, a banged up O line and a bunch of stars re-finding their feet after injury, these are reasons to plan better and longer, not to treat it like week 6 of frickin pre season. You knew the bears were going to bring it, you did not need to be a psychic. The manner of how we lost is what annoys me, there just seemed to be a lack of intensity (primarily from the coaches) and as admitted there was definitely no well thought out gameplan. The coaches owe the team and the fans this week and I expect them to deliver, TD is a top man and he will get it sorted. At least we should all be thankful we’re not raiders fans right now, i mean did you see that horror show last night! Great showing from Jay ‘no cake for me please’ Cutler and well, good luck to all raiders season ticket holders (at least your cheerleaders are hot)
by scottishcoltsfan on Sep 9, 2008 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Raiders
I still can’t figure out how the game got that one-sided. Russell has a 115 QB Rating and the team as a whole rushed for like 4.2 YPC. There was only the one tipped pass that was called a fumble as far as turnovers. It seems like Jay Cutler and Eddie Royal(whom I wanted the Colts to draft) were just in synch, and the young TE Scheffler had a great night. And the Broncos defense tighened up in the red zone. I wish I would have seen how that game really went.
I also blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Sep 9, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pass
The Raiders averaged 6 yards per pass. The Broncos averaged 12 yards per pass. That is why it was a blow out.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.
by BigBlueShoe on Sep 9, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Russell
That game’s defining moment for me was early. When Russell got sacked after having no one coming for a while and not throwing it away when pressure came is why he is an overrated QB. He is a poor decision maker.
http://naptownsfinest.com
by Colts Homer on Sep 9, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Going for it on 4th
BBS: I gotta totally disagree with you on the 4th down call. Your down, your defense hasn’t really stopped the Bears all night, you have a good offense that is suppose to be the strength of the team, your at midfield, you should go for it. The problem is the play call and the personnel. Dom has NEVER been a good short yardag runner in my opinion. SO either put in Hart and power foward or try a high percentage short pass. It was the play call that was bad not the decision in my mind. Of course I’m a believer in the TMQ “Rarely if ever Punt” philosophy.
I missed the Raiders game too but I think most of their offensive numbers came in the 4Qtr, when Denver was playing VERY soft definsively I suspect.
by Rob-Westside on Sep 9, 2008 1:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
It was the right call to go for it, but why run when it hadn’t been effective all day and they stacked the line? I kept waiting for Peyton to audible to the shotgun to give himself time to find an open man, but he just kept with the play. The only football I get to play at this point is Madden, but come on, It just seemed dumb to ask that of your o-line. I think it shows that Peyton didn’t have confidence in his own abilities that day.
Worse than the loss is having five Chicago fans text you about how awesome the Bears are…..ugh.
by hoosierdore on Sep 9, 2008 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah yeah yeah
I kept waiting for him to audible too. That run play was just bad…
I saw no “chicken dance” from him the whole game…was that because he was running the line, too – with Saturday out?
April in CA
by peytonsthebest on Sep 9, 2008 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Screw BS
I’d never ever wish Tom Brady’s injury on anyone including Brady…
EXCEPT Bill Simmons.
That said, I think the Colts and Minny are in for a slobberknocker this weekend.
Chicago took care of business in Indy. They suprised many with the win.
Did anyone else seem to think that Orton was making a ton of audibles that wouldn’t have been possible at the Dome? The guy was practically giving dissertations at the line of scrimmage.
The Colts will bounce back.
by Hoosier Stuck in New England on Sep 9, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Simmons would be my favorite sportswriter ever
if he wasn’t a Pats fan. He wouldn’t glorify the team I hate and hate on the team I love.
"I'm not racin', I'm just sprintin'
Cuz I don't wanna finish
they diminish, I replenish"
-Lil Wayne "Let the beat build"
by shake n bake on Sep 9, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
though sportswriter is a loose term there
he’s an entertaining writer who writes about sports. He’s not an insight guy. He’s fun to read (when he isn’t in full on insufferable Pats fan mode).
"I'm not racin', I'm just sprintin'
Cuz I don't wanna finish
they diminish, I replenish"
-Lil Wayne "Let the beat build"
by shake n bake on Sep 9, 2008 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
Simmons is a pop culture machine and I get a lot of enjoyment out of his writing regarding wrestling.
He’s used up the Karate Kid a bit though.
Bottom line is he “Really hates the Colts.”
I actually got a “Yep…these are my readers” out of him once.
You see Lonestart! Evil will always win because Good is dumb.
by Hoosier Stuck in New England on Sep 9, 2008 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You're vs. Your
Let’s all make a concerted effort to properly use the the correct form of “you are” or “you’re” as opposed to “your.”
I remember when my high school english teacher made me stay after class to punish me for that……Mrs. Debra Lafave…….school will never be the same.
by peterbones on Sep 9, 2008 4:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Peterbones
Was your teacher’s last name pronounced FARV?
Just kidding of course, I’d never poke fun at you’re…no wait…your post.
All in good fun.
You see Lonestart! Evil will always win because Good is dumb.
by Hoosier Stuck in New England on Sep 9, 2008 4:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Guess I need to learn
how to use the reply function as well.
Sorry folks newer to the boards and still feeling it all out.
I’d still grind Simmons hands into a power mulcher given the opportunity….at least that we he could still do his podcasts.
You see Lonestart! Evil will always win because Good is dumb.
by Hoosier Stuck in New England on Sep 9, 2008 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hoosier Stuck.....
That would be twice as hot!!!!
Kudos to good grammar!
Did anybody come away after watching that game, with a sense of dread? The NFL is upside down, cats and dogs are living together in harmony……..What is going on? I have a strange feeling about this season….especially after Dungy’s comments…..We are beat up…I am going to sacrifice a chicken tonight, for power, for our season…..where’s a KFC around here?
by peterbones on Sep 9, 2008 5:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Twilight Zone...totally.
April in CA
by peytonsthebest on Sep 9, 2008 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So are any of you guys the Indy resident
That sent him the HAHA SUCK IT email?
"I'm not racin', I'm just sprintin'
Cuz I don't wanna finish
they diminish, I replenish"
-Lil Wayne "Let the beat build"
by shake n bake on Sep 9, 2008 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Like the Moss comment...
I think he made that up too.
Of course he would.
I sent him one that said I’d only wish the Brady injury on him and maybe Ann Coulter…but she’d handle better than Simmons.
You see Lonestart! Evil will always win because Good is dumb.
by Hoosier Stuck in New England on Sep 9, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wish the injury on Simmons
not Brady.
You see Lonestart! Evil will always win because Good is dumb.
by Hoosier Stuck in New England on Sep 9, 2008 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think KSK
still has a bounty on Simmons’ hands
"I'm not racin', I'm just sprintin'
Cuz I don't wanna finish
they diminish, I replenish"
-Lil Wayne "Let the beat build"
by shake n bake on Sep 9, 2008 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You see there...
I’d make money doing what I’d enjoy doing for free…
Only in America.
You see Lonestart! Evil will always win because Good is dumb.
by Hoosier Stuck in New England on Sep 9, 2008 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about Bethea doesn’t suck this game. He was IMO the worst player Sunday night. Embarrassingly juked on that long run and out of position on each big pass play, especially that one that the guy caught at the 2 yard line. I have no idea what he was doing sunday but it wasn’t playing football.
Oh and going for it on 4th down…PASS THE FRIGGIN BALL. Seeing Dungy say he called it makes perfect sense since that is how dungy rolls. He seems to ALWAYS run the ball on 4th and short and gets burned most of the time.
If you o for it on 4th and short then playaction or call a slant. The slant is practically unstoppable in football and I can only guess teams don’t do it more often is because it is isn’t as fancy looking as long pass plays.
by go colts on Sep 10, 2008 9:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

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