FanPost

Thoughts from the DEN game (there happen to be 5)

McDaniels is a cheap Bellicheat that won't have his success. His (One trick) Ponies were going for the Colts' players heads all game. That is BS way to try to intimidate your opponent. Bronco players spent all day swiping at players heads bending people in half trying to injure them. DJ Williams is a punk and needs to be taken out by someone doing the same thing to him. I don’t know if he was “ordered” to head hunt or not, but he was attempting to injure maliciously and there is NO PLACE for that in the NFL.

The Colts played a lot more man coverage today than in previous days. Most of Marshall's catches where on quick slant routes. The Colts’ corners are cover 2 corners and you CANNOT as that kind of player to play man and expect good results. Marshall can get the slant quite easily against Zone coverage corners playing man. I would have thrown to it all day too. The best part about what happened to the Colts secondary today was that Marshall’s 21 catches were almost all underneath and tackling was strong. That is what cover 2 corners do when playing man. It was not a matter of injury in the secondary. Coyer decided that the only way the Broncos win is with the big play. Deny the big play and win the game. That was the reason for the switch.

The Colts D-Line has become much more aware of the screen and draw game. I can only remember one screen play where a D-Lineman wasn’t aware of the screen that the Ponies called. The best example I can remember is in the 2nd quarter when Muir did a double take when he realized it was a screen and shut the play down. It is nice to see that adjustment coming for a defense that has struggled with screens for a long time. No sacks from the line today, but I wonder how many passes came on three step drops. Anytime Orton looked deep he felt heat. That's what the Colts do!

A frustrated Peyton Manning played the 3rd and half of the 4th quarter. He was not frustrated by the Nolan gameplan, but by a lack of execution by the Colts’ offense. He was forcing the ball on early downs and getting drops or bat downs of third downs. It was as if the normally patient Manning got too impatient trying to put the final nail in the coffin. I do fault Manning for 2 of the three INTs. The one off Bailey’s helmet was too far in front of Wayne and I have rarely seen a misread as bad as the third INT. Once Manning settled down and stopped trying to force throws downfield, the offense started moving again.

A few thoughts on specific players: Pierre has the speed to be a deep threat, but not the hands. He has had too many balls tip off his hands and needs to make those plays. (Of course we are spoiled because Marvin could run underneath and deep. Pierre will get better!) Mike Hart is a tough runner. I see why the Colts kept his number on speed dial. I think he may be a better back than Simpson in the long run. That’s an interesting battle to watch. The Colts need to find a way to keep Bullitt, Bethea, and Brackett. All of their contracts are up at the end of the season (according to coltscap.net) and all of them are perfect for our system. I know I’ve said that about many a Colt defender, I just hope to see them make it happen this time.

BRING ON THE SUBS!!! HOME FIELD IS OURS!!!!



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.