RESTING STARTERS? = Losing on playoffs
by 18to44 on Dec 8, 2009 9:30 PM EST
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PLEASE! i just read this from nfl.com
With one more win, the Indianapolis Colts can clinch the AFC’s top playoff seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. In terms of playoff positioning, another win would render the final three games meaningless.
That situation for the Colts — as well as the undefeated New Orleans Saints — is a topic of debate. Would the Colts rest key starters — namely QB Peyton Manning — during the final regular games to get healthy for the playoffs, or keep status quo to maintain momentum and take a shot at a perfect 16-0 regular season record?
No matter, says Colts president Bill Polian.
Polian is a believer in resting starting players in such games, and it doesn’t sound like he’s about to change his stance anytime soon.
“I don’t know how you get rusty when you practice four times a week. It’s pretty hard to be rusty in that situation,” Polian told NFL Network. “Secondly, momentum is an overrated situation. We didn’t have a lot of momentum going into the playoffs the year we won the Super Bowl.
“The fact is that at this time of year, you have very many players who are injured, playing hurt, who need rest because they have nagging injuries through which they’ve been fighting. That’s your first and most important consideration.”
Polian said the chance to go 16-0 doesn’t influence the decision, but it might take a loss to find out the real truth and what direction the Colts go.
THIS IS BULLSHIT!
We are going to lose if we rest starters.
At least dont rest Peyton Manning, and run MORE the ball, try to stablish a running game, try differents things , BUT DONT REST STARTERS.
this is my opinion...
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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I think any discussion of 16-0 and premature until you’re 15-0. As cliche as it sounds, the Colts should focus on the game against Denver, then the game against Jacksonville, then the game against the Jets and then the game against the Bills. If they reach the last game without a loss we can discuss 16-0.
Also, the idea that the Colts’ running game has been ineffective this year isn’t supported by the facts. No, they’re not rushing for huge totals but so what? The running game has been very good in goal to go and short yardage for first down situations, they’ve run well in the fourth quarter to run clock when they’re leading, the backs have been excellent receivers out of the backfield and Addai has been, as usual, very good in pass blocking situations. I realize the Colts don’t put up impressive numbers of total rushing yards and Addai isn’t ever going to challenge Eric Dickerson’s single season record but that’s not what the offense needs or is designed to do.
I would rest
C. Johnson, Hayden, Freeney, Mathis, and anyone else who has been battling tough injuries. Not Peyton or Addai or Wayne or Pierre or Saturday or Bullitt or any of those guys though.
"Brett Favre was a man who thought he was retired, but he knew it wouldn't last."
Sorry,
but I can’t take anybody’s opinion seriously if they can’t take the time to spell Peyton’s name right on a Colts blog.
"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.
And he spelled it correctly earlier in the post too.
That only magnifies the fail. But I do agree with him. Rest only the starters who need rest and try for 16-0. I’d hate for Peyton, after he retires, to think: “I wonder if we could have finished undefeated if we hadn’t rested our starters after Week 14…”
"Pressure is something you feel if you don't know what the hell you're doing."-Peyton Manning
by P0RKINS2 on Dec 8, 2009 10:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions
In my opinion
they will go for it. I would. It’s a chance to make history. Deep inside, the team and of course, the fans want an undefeated season and the Super Bowl. True, it doesn’t really matter if youre 16-0 or 11-5, as long as you win the SB, but to it being undefeated would be pretty nice. It’s more than just being undefeated, it’s a way to prove that you were simply the best. Even better than the media and all of those who put some pressure on.
To stop caring about the games (same as losing them) just because you want to take the pressure off is just pathetic. Resting players is ok, but using that as an excuse to lose some games and stop hearing that undefeated talk is not something I really like.
I don’t think they do, I really don’t, but if that’s the case, then its just pretty bad.
"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady
I guess it's time to exorcise this demon
Because no matter what we say they aren’t changing their minds. If the Colts rest their starters, it’s time that they come out and win the first playoff game. There is never a guarantee they will lose, only a trend. Buck it…
I hope they buck it too.
But, even though I may possibly be wrong, my thoughts are this: Timing and intangibles are important in football. Look how long it took Peyton to get in sync after his bursa sac issue? If Peyton only plays one series in the last two or three games, will it affect the post season play? Possibly. History would indicate it has and will. I realize Polian’s philosophy is keep the players healthy at all costs and stay sharp by practicing. I just don’t think practice is a substitute for actual game-time. We’re 12-0 and I would like to see us keep doing what we’re doing to stay undefeated, and not lose anymore games. In other words, don’t rock the boat. 19-0 would be talked about for decades. We all remember the 1972 Dolphins. But, off the top of your head, do you remember who won in 1973, 1986, 1991, etc? While I don’t often agree with Mike Florio, he makes a valid point, in my opinion, when he says, ‘if the Colts take the pedal off the gas, they may have trouble finding the pedal again’. It’s risk and reward. No guts, no glory. Yes, Peyton could get hurt, but he hasn’t yet in his career. I just think it’s worth the risk. If his timing is off even slightly, it could be enough to lose again in the first round. Oh well, I’ll be cheering for them regardless.
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