Jim Caldwell sets record straight on Jaguars game: Colts will play starters

by BigBlueShoe on Dec 14, 2009 1:23 PM EST in Colts News Comment 43 comments

Colts head coach Jim Caldwell does not strike me as an individual that likes to waste time. In his Monday press conference following the Colts 28-16 win over the Broncos, which clinched homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, Caldwell made is very clear how his staff and players will approach the Thursday night match-up with the Jacksonville Jaguars:

I want to set the record straight so we can kind of move on. What we are going to do is approach this fourteenth game exactly the way we did one through thirteen.

Caldwell went on to make answer the big question on seemingly everyone's mind now that homefield is locked up:

The only thing that will deter anyone from playing time is health issue.

So, there you go. If a player is hurt, he will not play. If he is healthy, he will. This is exactly how a coach should approach an utterly meaningless game like the one this Thursday night against the Jaguars.

And yes folks, it is indeed utterly meaningless for the Colts. It affects nothing in standings. It gives nothing to the Colts in terms of playoff seeding. The regular season exists to separate the playoff teams from the non-playoff teams. Once your team's playoff seeding is secure, all other regular season games mean nothing.

Now, if by some miracle the Colts defeat the Jaguars and Jets, and go into Week Seventeen still undefeated, that is the only instance where I can see (and support) our coach playing important players in a game that then "means something." However, we aren't there yet. For now, it seems healthy players will indeed play against the Jaguars.

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I like it

I’m on my phone, so I can’t make a fanshot about this but merril hodge (sp?) just said Phillip rivers is the best 4th quarter qb on sportscenter. ><

by AbroadColtsFan on Dec 14, 2009 1:26 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Rivers is a great qb and people should acknowledge him more.

With that said, there’s no one better than Peyton.

by diagenesis on Dec 14, 2009 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I hate Rivers but he is a great QB. Manning is better but Rivers is pretty darn good.

DID SOMEONE SAY CHAMPIONSHIP

by BROWNdude on Dec 14, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's my biggest knock on Rivers

The dude plays with the tallest WR corps in the entire NFL. His “accurate” passing skills wouldn’t be nearly as inflated if he weren’t throwing into such large windows for his receivers. Think about it, is it infinitely easier to throw the ball to a 6’5" WR with a 13’-14’ wingspan, plain and simple. I’m not saying he isn’t a good QB, but if he didn’t have those Behemoths catching his jump balls, his stats fall back to the middle of the pack.

by saurkrauter on Dec 14, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That is a rediculous knock...

Face it, Rivers is damn good. He was a stud through college (I am in NC and saw most of his games)…and he is playing very well in the NFL. I hate arguments that claim a player isn’t as good because he is surrounded by a good cast. That is the way it is…maybe his receivers are playing well because of Rivers. He puts the ball spot on and his accuracy is as good as anyone in the league. I personally HATE Rivers…but I got to give props when they are due. Now, the best 4th quarter QB??? I don’t know about that, but he is in the discussion.

"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado

by TRDean on Dec 14, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Did you watch the game against the Cowboys?

Every time he checked downfield to either Malcolm Floyd or VJax he was tossing the ball further vertically than horizontally. How accurate a passer do you have to be when you’re deep, downfield passes are nothing more than jump balls? Give him smaller receivers like Peyton works with and I guarantee his numbers will take a hit.

by saurkrauter on Dec 14, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

One might be able to make the argument that throwing good jump balls requires good accuracy. Still I believe there is not discussion of who is a better QB when comparing Manning and Rivers. Manning is the clear winner.

"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG

by LasEspuelas on Dec 14, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

13' - 14' wingspan??

That is impossible, but I get the point. I had to comment because I laughed to myself picturing a guy with 5-6 ft arms on each side!

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Dec 14, 2009 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The guys over on First and 10 also said that the Chargers were a little better than the Colts

Apparently having a Hall of Fame Runningback past his prime with a running game ranked even below the Colts definitely proves that the Chargers are better than the Colts :-/

Peyton Manning makes it Wayne on them hoes!!!!

by KMR24 on Dec 14, 2009 1:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Chargers are good

but Colts have more talent all around and have proven to be able to take it all the way in the past, something the Chargers haven’t (almost) done since 1994.

I say let everyone talk and we will see who’s better in January.

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Dec 14, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

I guess they’re saying that since the Bolts have knocked the Colts out ofo the playoffs the last two years. So if the Colts end up playing the Chargers, expect a lot of people to bet on the Chargers because of recent history…ugh!

Peyton Manning makes it Wayne on them hoes!!!!

by KMR24 on Dec 14, 2009 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, that's fine. Pats had knocked us out in the playoffs as well, until 06. Things change.

We’re a better team than in 08 and 07 (we were great until all the late season injuries.) They might be a better team than 07 and 08 as well, but that’s the point. New season, new teams, new ball game.

by diagenesis on Dec 14, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Vegas would get rich then.

"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Finals suck.

by Cassieper on Dec 16, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why do you keep torturing yourself

by watching that show?

"I am in favor of censorship ‐ not against what is supposed to be sexy or dirty, but against what is idiotic." -Jean Renoir

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Finals suck.

by Cassieper on Dec 16, 2009 11:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That collective groan you just heard

Was from Northern Florida.

The cheer? From New York, Baltimore, and Miami.

Creator and developer of the Winning Stats.

by mgrex03 on Dec 14, 2009 1:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Jags didn't have a chance any way.

by diagenesis on Dec 14, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

anyway.

by diagenesis on Dec 14, 2009 1:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

wait until next week

might be more than a groan coming from new york lol

by Cubsrule21 on Dec 14, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Good to hear it. The right strategy and hopefully we'll come out with a W.

Then there’ll be the motivation to keep on home win streak going in the Jets game. Even if it’s not played by all the starters.

by diagenesis on Dec 14, 2009 1:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Peter King is going to be eating his words

anybody else read his MMQB today? He was going on and on about how the Colts were going to mail it in starting Thursday.

by coltus on Dec 14, 2009 1:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That's the key though . . .

. . . “health issues” mean something a lot different in a meaningless game. Anybody who has so much as a stubbed toe will be sitting, let along some of the walking wounded who have been suiting up and playing at a high level the least few weeks.

by Colt_in_NC on Dec 14, 2009 1:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Such as

A subpar qb we have that’s been ‘probable’ with a glute injury?

by AbroadColtsFan on Dec 14, 2009 1:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

This isn't really any different than Dungy

The starters played against SD in 2005 when HFA was locked up at 13-0. It wasn’t until the Colts had a loss that we sent in the 2nd unit.

by TheNoodleMan on Dec 14, 2009 1:54 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Right

as long as they don’t completely mail it in like they did in 2005 we will be fine. I still want to see Manning playing at least the first half of the Jets game and maybe the first series or two at Buffalo. He hasn’t exactly been lighting it up lately so I want him to be sharp heading into the playoffs.

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Dec 14, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They didn't mail it in against San Diego in 05. We're going to do the exact same thing on Thursday.

Really hurt players won’t play, everyone else will fight for 14-0.

by diagenesis on Dec 14, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Meaningless game? i think not

Think about it – playing the jags and jets the next weeks, we have a chance to significantly affect who gets the #6 seed. And the way Cincinnati looked against Minnesota yesterday, I’d bet on them getting the #3 seed; and honestly I dont have any confidence that they can win a wild card game. That being the case, there is a good chance that we could face one of the 4 teams tied at 7-6 right now, and I would much rather see miami than any of the other three right now. Miami really only has ricky williams now – i think they’re the weakest of the 4 teams. If the starters are healthy enough to play, I say play the next two weeks, and if the game turns into a blowout (either way), pull them. These next two games (at least in my mind) are in no way meaningless. If we have to face the jets or the jags in the divisional round, those matchups scare me a lot more than miami (and hope baltimore drops a game somewhere)

by Cubsrule21 on Dec 14, 2009 2:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I'm happy with what Caldwell said.

I want them to play to win on Thursday, so the whole NFL nation can see how the Colts play football.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
"As I grow older, the list of people who can kiss my ass grows longer"-Ancient Hoosier Proverb.

by Indy Lori on Dec 14, 2009 2:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Or at least the few that have NFL Network. :)

I wonder if we’re going to get it locally down in Southern Indiana. They put our pre season games on local tv here and half a NFL Network blackout.

by diagenesis on Dec 14, 2009 2:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Love his answer

Exactly what I wanted. Do not rest starters if they are healthy enough to play. Superbowl is the goal but if we go undefeated along the way then that’ll be nice too.
Can anyone see if the Pats still have those 19-0 t shirts? No need to let em go to waste.

As long as we have Peyton we will always have a chance to win.

by skywalker on Dec 14, 2009 2:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

ESPN did a story about those last year

said they were donated to children in Africa

by Cubsrule21 on Dec 14, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Happens every year

Every team that goes to the Super Bowl prints up a bunch of “Super Bowl Champs” shirts in advance. If they win they can make a bundle selling the shirts right away to emotional fans at a 3000% markup. If they lose they can donate the shirts and take the cost as a tax writeoff.

"The best defensive player is the sideline." - Trevor Pryce, on how to stop Peyton Manning

by szquirrel on Dec 14, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is really the way to do it

What you need in the playoffs is momentum and a healthy team. It makes sense to rest the people who need it and play the guys who don’t so they can continue making in-game decisions and playing at a high level. I think wholesale resting players after clinching is championship kyrptonite, unless you clinch in Week 16 and want to give your team essentially two bye weeks to healthy up. Also, it’s not fair to screw Manning out of the MVP race if he wants to win it. Shelving him now effectively gives Brees an MVP trophy for Christmas.

by ATX Colts Fan on Dec 14, 2009 2:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

MVP talk..

is for the fans. I highly doubt Manning is thinking MVP. To that end I am sure he would give it to Brees if it meant he was hoisting the Lombardy Trophy.

by TRDean on Dec 14, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Now, if by some miracle the Colts defeat the Jaguars and Jets, and go into Week Seventeen still undefeated, that is the only instance where I can see (and support) our coach playing important players in a game that then “means something.”

It seems to me that if the week 17 game for an undefeated team is “meaningful” then the week 16 game of an undefeated team has also “meaning” in that without a win you cannot get to a “meaningful” week 17 game.

"If an expert says it can't be done, get another expert"
- DBG

by LasEspuelas on Dec 14, 2009 2:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This is important and i like this news

What i was thinking earlier this week was that if the Colts were going to give up on the perfect season it will make lots of sense it will be in the jaguars game, short week on the road and many hurting players , now this tells me they are going for it but just dont want a media circus by openly saying so, what they say to the media(and opposition) is not what they say in the locker-room.

why not hang it on a short week on the road? after this game Colts will have 10 days til the jets at home, yes the13 wins in a row streak HOME, will you be hanging the perfect season in your home turf? dont think so and then after 15-0 it will make going for 16-0 a priority, So im going to say it , If we win the jaguars game the Colts will go for the 19-0 perfect season.

by thebossuzzi on Dec 14, 2009 2:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Most important game

will be the 17th game – Divisional playoffs. A win there and I will feel A LOT more comfortable about all of this.

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Dec 14, 2009 4:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Woohooo

Let’s do it!

God hates the New England Patriots

by Juri on Dec 14, 2009 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You see what I mean

if you are nicked, you arent playing or are going to play on a limited bases. If you are healthy, your going to go all out unless the Colts build and insurmountable lead (see Ravens in 2007 where the Colts won 44-20)

by metal_militia on Dec 14, 2009 2:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Contrary to popular belief

This game IS meaningful. You play to win everytime, you play to be perfect. Granted the super bowl is important, and if you’re going to be 18-1 you’ll want that one loss to be regular season, but the lombardi trophy is only part of the goal of any athlete. You play to be the best.

by the_situation on Dec 14, 2009 4:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Peyton made a very important point about playing thursday night

He states that he should start because playing Painter against Jacksonville would be like throwing the baby to the wolves. Painter needs the time in practice to get use to the
NFL conditions. The 10 days between Jacksonville and the Jets will help Painter a lot.
Makes sense to me.

by Indysawinner on Dec 14, 2009 4:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good point

Seems that Manning will play most, if not all of the game. If the game is out of hand either way into the 4th quarter, he will probably get pulled.

I’m not really concerned with who plays, but whether or not the team is committed to improving and playing at a high level. Dungy would always say that they were still trying to win, but let’s be honest….playing Sorgi almost the entire game wasn’t really playing to win.

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Dec 14, 2009 4:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I sure hope

Peyton’s ass injury doesn’t keep him off the field.

Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!

by coltsfan723 on Dec 14, 2009 4:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You say:

“And yes folks, it is indeed utterly meaningless for the Colts. It affects nothing in standings. It gives nothing to the Colts in terms of playoff seeding. The regular season exists to separate the playoff teams from the non-playoff teams. Once your team’s playoff seeding is secure, all other regular season games mean nothing.”

As the representative of our division in the playoffs, you will carry the AFC South Superbowl hopes.

Or not, as it appears the Colts will once again, put it in park, kill all momentum and bow out in the first round.

The idea that these games are meaningless is absurd.

These games are CRITICAL to Colts post-season success. You have to maintain momentum. You can’t take a few weeks off and then hope to go toe-to-toe with teams that are still on top of their game.

I mean this honestly as an AFC South fan, this is a formula for fail. Keep your foot on the gas.

You get 10 days rest after this one AND a bye in the playoffs. Just saying, going to be frustrating to see the AFC South rep bow out in the first round again because they went on vacation.

"An open mind is like a fortress with it's gates unbarred and unguarded."

The ROSENFAIL : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAKAKE-uq-8&feature=related

by TexansForever on Dec 15, 2009 11:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs