Five Things I Think I Know: Week 13 Edition

by metal_militia on Dec 6, 2009 8:17 PM EST Comment 16 comments

Now that win was a lot more more comforting today. Still there are some things that need to be cleaned up. Thats what December is for. Here are my five

1.) I think the defense missed plenty of opportunities to get stops. Im not saying that they played poorly. They played very well, but some of those points the Titans scored could have been avoided and some of the times the offense had bad field position could have actually been decent to great. The missed sack that would have resulted in a huge loss and the dropped interceptions were missed opportunities. When the playoffs come around, you have to make those kinds of plays.

2.) I think the Colts need to run the football more. Again, this is not a knock on the offense. Addai was magnificent today and Hart ran hard. I just think that with this stable of backs, we should run more to harness their talents and skills. If Hart can show more good things in the coming weeks, Simpson continue with some of his great runs he has had recently, and the return of Brown with Addai leading the way, the running game can finally help get the receivers in 1-1 matchups that Peyton Manning loves to feast on.

3.) I think I cant say enough about Pierre Garcon. He has been phenomenal these last few weeks and today he was just insane. 99 yards in one quarter? That is amazing. The more he grows the more matchup problems the Colts can create. I hope Gonzo gets back soon, not because I want Garcon off the field, but for the Colts to have an unstoppable group of receivers. Imagine it: Wayne and Gonzo are interchangeable at either slot or flanker as well as Clark (well he can play flanker, slot, or inline). The combination's the Colts will have with these players will have defensive coordinators scrambling for answers.

4.) I think that once Hayden gets back into his grove, the secondary is going to be very scary. Lacey, while good, has had some problems, but thats expected of a rookie. I think that once he moves inside to nickleback, we can eliminate two problems. One Lacey will be matched up with receivers that he matches up with better physically. The second is we wont have to worry about Jennings, though its not like he has played badly either. The coverage is good now, but will be even better down the road. Look out NFL...

5.) I think Tony Ugoh did an admerable job today. He struggled early, but after his name wasn't mentioned much. Normally that isnt a good thing, but in this case it is. It means that he wasn't responsible for blown blocks or pressure coming from his side "cough* Diem "cough*. Here is hoping that next year (or even sometime soon) he can find his place and be a solid contributor. Weather its shifting him to another position or having another shot at LT, I hope Ugoh can resurrect his career .

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.

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Great analysis.

Garçon is really stepping up in recent weeks. Let’s hope he can keep it consistent and not let it get to his head.

I wonder if the Colts couldn’t run it more if they really wanted to, but they are trying to save their backs and their line for the playoffs.

by shoein on Dec 6, 2009 8:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

My comments on your 5...

1) I do agree that the D missed a couple of plays today, but Pollian summed it up well during his postgame interview. The 3rd and 4th guys to the ball needed to play well today and they did. With CJ and VY handling the ball, you are going to miss tackles. That’s what they do. They make the first guy or two miss. The onus is on the rest of the D to pick up the slack. They did a good job of that today!

2) I don’t know that running the ball more is going to get us one on one coverage. I’m going on first glance here, from the actual stadium, so this may change when I watch the game again. Addai ran the ball 21 times today with Hart getting 4 carries. That’s 25 carries total. Manning was not sacked all game and was 24/37. The O ran 62 plays running at a 40% clip. I think that’s a good balance for a team with the best QB in the game. The thing that tells me this is the Titans stayed in a deep coverage scheme ALL DAY LONG. Even with Addai having success, the Titans only crowded the line when we were backed up near the goalline. They were DETERMINED to not give up the long pass. That is THE plan against the Colts. It’s what every D we play focuses on. I don’t think handing the ball off more will change that.

3) I second this thought! Pierre looks great! Pollian said he thought so too. He commented on the way that Pierre takes the best shot the D has and gets right back up. It gives his O life! With the lack of people blitzing the Colts, I think we will see more of the 5 wide set with empty backfield the rest of this season. All I want for Christmas is Wayne, Collie, Clark, Gonzo, and Garcon in a five-wide set!

4) My comment on this point is more about Jennings than Hayden. Hayden will be fine. He looked good today and will get his legs back quickly. I made the comment today during the game that I LOVE Tim Jennings on Special Teams Coverage and I HATE Jennings as a CB. The transition of Lacey to Nickel is welcomed by this fan. I think he will play quite nicely there and be able to cover any of the shifts someone like NO throws with their shifting personnel groups or MIN with Harvin and Taylor could throw at us (I know, I’m thinking ahead).

5) I have good thoughts for Ugoh as well. He seems like a good guy and I hope the best for him. The only time he stood out to me was when I felt he got away with a hold on one of Harts runs. That a fine time for me to say a lineman’s name, as long as a flag doesn’t follow. I’ll admit that when I saw CJ listed as inactive, I got a bit scared. Ugoh played great and negated a player that always gives us fits! Vanden-Bosch KILLS the Colts and I can’t remember one time that he forced an issue against our offense. Kudos to Ugoh on a well played game and I hope we see more like that! (Pending review of the game film for a final look!)

Nice work metal_militia! I love these posts and think they can generate some great discussions!

by emiller17 on Dec 6, 2009 9:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I agree with #2 wholeheartedly

More (successful) running leads to more efficient passing

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by MrNFL on Dec 6, 2009 9:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

More SUCCESSFUL...

Running, not just more running. I that if the Colts could run the ball more efficiently we would get the shift in coverage and see more long balls go for TDs. I think 60-40 split is fine for us is fine. I would love to see more yards come out of that 40 percent of plays, but that’s plenty of balance to keep the opposition on their heels. A couple of Addai’s runs today were REALLY good! I think we may be starting to get more success from these runs. I think that is the key!

by emiller17 on Dec 6, 2009 10:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like that your post started with constructive criticism rather than WE RULE!!!

The Titans’ 2 minute drill before the half really bugs me. That’s not Colts football!

I think the reason our running game is… for lack of a better word, “weird,” is that we tend to leave a guy in for a whole series, and not substitute play-in and play out. That means he has to be able to master all phases required, running, receiving, and blocking (very significant). We can’t say “we’re gonna run so let’s put Chad in.” That would tip our play-call hand, no? It’s more like 18’s gonna call what looks right, so the RB better be able to handle it. So while they can look great when they run, and do often enough to surprise folks, it’s probably not as simple as saying “let’s get these guys in to run more” because of the at-the-line adjustments. And I think that Addai is far-and-away the best at mastering the whole RB package right now.

On the rest, yes, yes yes.

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Dec 6, 2009 11:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I like to start off with the bad and then escalate to good

Also, im not saying the Colts are bad (well duh, MM) or insinuating that you believe im calling the Colts bad, its just that I know the Colts are capable of playing better. Its nitpicky since the defense and offense played very well today, but the game could have been over a lot sooner had they made some of those plays. .

by metal_militia on Dec 6, 2009 11:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My Response and My Five

1. I agree. They played well, but that missed sack was HUGE and a little embarrassing. That is not a mistake the Colts make.
2. I am fine with our ground game. Addai is making the defense respect the possibility of a run and the backups are playing very well.
3. Agreed. I just want to know how we can get Wayne, Gonzo, Collie, Garcon, Clark, and Addai on the field at the same time. LOL What a great problem to have!
4. Agreed. Hayden had a couple of plays yesterday where he was right on the ball – unlike Jennings.
5. I saw Ugoh get manhandled a couple of times. I would prefer CJ at LT and for Ugoh to be taught how to play LG, RG, RT and be the main backup for all three spots.

My Five:
1. I was glad to see 18 NOT throw and INT. He was making me nervous. The Titans have a pretty good secondary (i.e. they shut down Wayne), and Manning had a really good dame. To watch Manning in the pocket, it is like he has 18 eyes!
2. I love Joseph Addai, I always have, and I always will. Check the threads, not a complaint from me ever.
3. Did Mathis go out of the game yesterday? If so, what’s up?
4. I am loving Clint Sessions. I was extremely concerned about LB this year, other than MLB. But Sessions is so fun to watch.
5. With Bullitt, do we lose anything when Sanders can’t play?

by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on Dec 7, 2009 9:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good Five...

1) The Titans rolled extra coverage to Wayne all day. Manning, of course, looked to other receivers because of this. Once we started moving Reggie around, he got some opportunities. It was nice to see an INT free day.

2) Second! Nice game from Joe today. Best all around back for our scheme.

3) tip to Cassiper – Pollian said he’s getting an MRI and it looks like soft tissue damage. He doesn’t think it’s "too long term."

4) Session is playing great. I hope we can hold on to him at not a huge cost. Looking at coltscap.net, He is locked up for next year, but that’s it. Gonna be tough to keep Bullitt, Bethea and Session.

5) We lose some of the “Wow” factor, but that doesn’t normally put points on the board. I am fine with Bullitt as our starting saftey.

by emiller17 on Dec 7, 2009 9:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My Five

Addai was awesome.
Garcon was equally awesome.
Peyton was overly awesome.
NO SACKS!!!!!!!!!
Going to a Colts game with LovinBlue was awesome.
I USE THE WORD AWESOME WAY TOO MUCH.

"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 7, 2009 11:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Awesome.

"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: In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

by Cassieper on Dec 7, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm going with my dad and brother next week and I'm scared.

I went to the Rams game, but that was away, so I don’t think it breaks my curse. We have lost every single Colts home game I’ve attended. These include the game against San Diego in 05, the game against NE in 07 and the game against Chicago last year to open the season. Maybe I shouldn’t go!

by diagenesis on Dec 7, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

A Colts fanatic can't jinx a game by going.

It says so in the rule book. Go and have a great time!

"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 7, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs