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2009 NFL Pre-Season: Lions 18-Colts 17

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers (49) intercepts a  pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Bryant Johnson (80) during the second quarter of an exhibition NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

More photos » by Paul Sancya - AP

2 months ago: Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jerraud Powers (49) intercepts a pass intended for Detroit Lions wide receiver Bryant Johnson (80) during the second quarter of an exhibition NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Unlike third pre-season games of the past, this one is much harder to analyze. Even though players like Ed Johnson and Robert Mathis were dressed and could have played, they didn't. Dwight Freeney, Antonio Johnson, and Antoine Bethea played only a few snaps here and there. So, if the game was to judge how starters looked in a "tune-up," then this game didn't provide that.

I mean, do I need to say it? The Colts do not care about pre-season.

What the game did show was a BAD Colts team in the first half. The Lions were consistently placed in 3rd and long situations only to convert the down because of piss poor tackling. Also, the running game and pass protection in the first half was atrocious. The Colts came out in the second half and played much better. Peyton Manning lead them down the field for two TDs today; one was a strike to Dallas Clark, the other a goal-line run by Donald Brown.

The defense in the second half also stiffened with two impressive short yardage stops; one was on the goal line. I'm also very impressed with Curtis Painter. He's looked better this pre-season than Jim Sorgi has ever looked in any pre-season.

Finally, I know this is a shocker, but WR John Matthews is gonna get cut. He dropped two big passes with one deflecting off him and into the hands of a Detroit defender. The Lions took that late turnover and converted it into the (eventual) game-winning TD.

Other quick observations: Not major injuries to either team, so far; Jerraud Powers is better than Tim Jennings; Dante Hughes is in danger of getting cut; Pierre Garcon showed his speed today; Pat McAfee is a damn good punter.

Chit-chat away regarding the game here. We had over 700 comments for this pre-season game. Again, a pre-season game, and over 700 comments! I friggin love you people! Go Colts!

SB Nation Colts v. Lions gamelink

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for like the 4th or 5th time

the Colts dont give 2 shits (excuse my profanity) about preseason.

by metal_militia on Aug 29, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

repeat from gamethread 3

the 5 I think are going in the roster cutdown tomorrow

Cloherty, Mathews, McDermott, Mendenhall, Gill

Hardie and Paschal are very possible but I like them too much to say them.

It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.

by shake n bake on Aug 29, 2009 4:02 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Santi

The guy shows potential, but can’t seem to stay on the field (yet everyone loved to pick on Roy Hall)

by smonroe on Aug 29, 2009 4:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hall had 4 years to show he could stay healthy

this is only Santi’s 2nd year. But I agree that Santi is starting to worry me.

by HoosierHorseman on Aug 29, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

3 years

But I agree. Roy Hall was a wasted roster spot. He was the Jonathan Bender of the Colts.

"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg

by Colts Homer on Aug 29, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Although

Bender not panning out hurt the Pacers far more than Hall not panning out hurt the Colts. Nature of the game I guess in the NBA , with such small rosters.

by ctnyc on Aug 29, 2009 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This was Roy's 3rd year

When he was healthy he as a good gunner.

by smonroe on Aug 29, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What was that, 2 games?

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: I don't want this guy to get anywhere near me.

by Cassieper on Aug 31, 2009 12:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Today proved what an excellent draft we had this year

The Colts picked, what, 21st? And we got at least 3 future stars in Brown, Collie, and Powers, and I’m not even counting Moala, who has yet to distinguish himself.
Painter was very impressive today, he’s improving every game, which is all you can ask of a rookie QB.
Also, Garcon stepped forward today like we’ve all been hoping he would.

by HoosierHorseman on Aug 29, 2009 4:15 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Oh yeah,

I forgot to mention McAfee. And Tauiliili had two great stops on the goal line.

by HoosierHorseman on Aug 29, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

27th

not bad all things considered, he?

Man, I love Polian.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Aug 29, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

*eh, not he...

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Aug 29, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Moala

Polian said he wouldn’t come into his own until the end of the season at best. We might not get a good idea how good he can be until next year. You have to love his size and potential though.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Aug 29, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

McAfee had some punts that would have gone over the Cowboys videoboard

I think McAfee is going to be a pretty damn good punter.

"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg

by Colts Homer on Aug 29, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Wow!

I have to say, that was ugly. But, I do realize it’s pre-season. The initial drive was a thing of beauty. The rest of the game was disgusting…..crappy defense as usual. As long as they get it together by the games that count, I’ll be happy.

by Ayrshire on Aug 29, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

The first drive of the second half...

Was also pretty damn impressive.

"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...

by peytonsurdaddy on Aug 29, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it was.

Take much crap from your Pats’ lovin’ brother in law?

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Aug 29, 2009 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Naaah...

He pretty much shut up after I pimp-slapped him across the face. ;)

"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...

by peytonsurdaddy on Aug 29, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So should we start calling you A Pimp named peytonsurdaddy then?!?!

Do I believe in aliens?" Stephon Marbury asked. "I don't know, because I've never seen one. But I believe in Jesus because I saw him in the shower the other day."

by KMR24 on Aug 29, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let us pray the Pimp’s Prayer… Lord, please pray for the soul of this Pats-lover and guide my pimp hand and make it strong, Lord, so that he might learn a Pats fan’s place. Amen…

"Flying blind on a rocket cycle?" -Vultan, from the movie "Flash Gordon", for no particular reason...

by peytonsurdaddy on Aug 29, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LMAO

amen, brother!

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Aug 29, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Amen, chuuuch!

Do I believe in aliens?" Stephon Marbury asked. "I don't know, because I've never seen one. But I believe in Jesus because I saw him in the shower the other day."

by KMR24 on Aug 29, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

Nice… ;-)

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Aug 29, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, we had 2 beautiful drives. Not 1. And Painters long drive wasn't bad either.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Aug 29, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't know if there's anything to it

but due to family obligations I only tuned in sparingly – once for the first drive of the 1st half, and again for the first drive of the 2nd half. Peyton and Co. marched down the field on both of those drives for TDs…. coincidence?!?!

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Aug 31, 2009 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No coincidence.

You must keep watching!

by coltsfanawalt on Aug 31, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL, you're Peyton's little good luck charm.

Due to my family ogligations as well, I was in the car listening on the radio during the 2nd half TD drive. I was cheering so loudly, and bouncing up and down in my seat. My kids were embarrassed and kept saying it’’s only pre-season it’s only pre-season! I immediately disowned them.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Aug 31, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

That’s right!

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Aug 31, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Unfortunately

I was only listening to the radio broadcast (sneaked away from the family for a few minutes to log on from my laptop). I don’t want to have to listen to Colts games this year without watching!! What a dilemma… what do I do?!?! ;-)

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Aug 31, 2009 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Panic.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: I don't want this guy to get anywhere near me.

by Cassieper on Sep 1, 2009 7:42 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Move to Indy??????????

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Sep 1, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Never mind, I get the joke now.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Sep 1, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

channelsurfing.net

so far, its been gold for me. You MUST have your laptop with at all times during Colts’ games…

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Sep 1, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Defense?????????????

You are in big trouble when you can’t pressure, tackle, or cover. Lots of new players and coaches, same old story. Why?

by RvHauler1 on Aug 29, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Mathis, Brock, Sanders, Brackett, Ed Johnson and Hayden sat

Bethea and Marlin Jackson played severely limited snaps.

It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.

by shake n bake on Aug 29, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Defense?????????????

I understand what you say but we are in trouble if those guys can’t play . The backups can’t do the job. Also I am not a Brackett fan although if the J boys can stuff the middle he might be all world!!!!!!!

by RvHauler1 on Aug 29, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Brackett

I wasn’t a big fan of his before, but every snap he is out of the game makes me appreciate him more and more. Taulilili (or however you spell it) was making plays, but Keiaho looked horrible, especially for a guy with as much game experience as he does.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Aug 29, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm sorry to sound snippy but...

Umm… yeah… no joke rvhauler. You’re right. Like most teams in the NFL, if between 6-9 starters on one side of the ball are sitting, it may be a long night. There WILL be a drop off in performance. Not all football players will play with the same talent level or intensity. If the team is decimated by injuries, as it has been in the past, we’ll struggle to perform at optimum levels (as we have the last two years, particularly late in the season).

The greater and more important point is… getting too high or too low about the performance of your team when it a solid majority of the players on the field are not even going to be playing a lot of snaps during the regular season is a waste of stress. We’ll know what we have when the starters take the field together. Until then… shrugs.

by bamock on Aug 29, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Its going to be a looooong 2 weeks

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Aug 29, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Special Teams Grade?

C at best? Should be better once the team is settled.

by smonroe on Aug 29, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That was frustrating all day.....

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: I don't want this guy to get anywhere near me.

by Cassieper on Aug 31, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Brown and Garcon

These guys showed real speed and quickness. They will help alot if they can continue in reg. season.

by RvHauler1 on Aug 29, 2009 5:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What We Learned Today

1. The O-line is not the biggest unknown on this team. CJ is not an all world left tackle, but Peyton Manning is still Peyton Manning and the offense will be just fine.

2. This team has absolutely NO return game right now. It seems like whoever they put out there has zero confidence and almost zero ability. It’s getting a little absurd and is very discouraging.

3. Anyone who thinks Freddie Keiaho is a competent backup at MIKE is a fool. He looked terrible out there. He was out of position on most plays, made zero plays in what is the most important defensive position on the field and looked lost most of the time. I was screaming at the TV screen to him because he looked like he didn’t even care out there. He missed an easy block on the 2nd half return that sent a Lions player directly into Taj Smith, turning what might have been a decent return into another horrible starting field position. I don’t know what I was thinking when I said he would be a decent special teams player because even that is in doubt now. Seward may not have been the answer according to the coaches, but I am praying that Brackett stays healthy all year or else we are going to be in serious trouble unless they bring in a free agent.

4. Preseason is still the preseason, but the defense is still not on the same page. It seems logical that if you plan on bringing a safety blitz or blitzing a LB, the coverage should be a little tight in expectation of a quick throw. Instead, our DBs gave as much cushion as ever and allowed several big 3rd down conversions….very frustrating.

I wish the starters got more time together, especially on defense. I have all the confidence in the world in our defensive starters, but they have not been on the field as a complete unit for one single play the whole preseason and there is still a question about how they will play together when the season starts in 2 weeks.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Aug 29, 2009 5:09 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Amen!!!!!!

I agree 100 %. If the front line players on the D line can stay healthy we will be better than last year. Also true for the D backs but I don" see any progress in the line backers. They can’t tackle and they are lost in coverage.

by RvHauler1 on Aug 29, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Freddy

my bad about not spelling his first name right…should have looked at the roster list a little closer.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Aug 29, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

His name

Is spelled both ways. I’ve seen it spelled “Freddy” and “Freddie”. I prefer Freddie because that is how it was when he first starter IIRC. It’s the same thing on how I pronounce Bethea Buh-Thay-Uh. The SB autolink thing has it as Freddy so I will usually call him Freddy in a post though.

"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg

by Colts Homer on Aug 29, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I still say Beth-Ay-Uh too

I just don’t like Be-thay so I will call him what I want because that’s what is important in the long run (me), right?

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Aug 30, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

disagree on the return game

they only got 2 returnable kickoffs and no returnable punts. I don’t think you can really get many conclusions from the game there, though I was impressed by T.J.’s return. Combine that with his great PR last week and I think Indy has a competent if not all that explosive returner.

It's not just your perceptions that can be wrong. Even your memory is often incomplete or possibly flat out wrong.

by shake n bake on Aug 29, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right

about PR, but the kickoffs are where I have a problem. I haven’t seen anything out of that yet. Rushing should be a fine punt returner and I am confident in that area.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Aug 30, 2009 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Like usual,

kickoffs are more a result of good blocking than returning. The blocking just wasn’t there. These guys were getting hit at the 15. No way you can blame the returner for that.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: I don't want this guy to get anywhere near me.

by Cassieper on Aug 31, 2009 1:02 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Painter

Knew you’d come around on the kid :-). He’s not big P but he’s handled himself pretty well for a rookie thrown into our offense very quickly

I'd donate a kidney in exchange for Pdiddy and my colts to get 2 more Super Bowl rings...That's LUV

by Bama Blue on Aug 29, 2009 5:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

yep....

“I’m also very impressed with Curtis Painter. He’s looked better this pre-season than Jim Sorgi has ever looked in any pre-season.”

Who said that would happen? =P

~SHaFF!~
The Little Sports Blog That Could:
http://www.thelittlesportsblog.blogspot.com/

by SHaFF87 on Aug 29, 2009 6:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I call Painter

my little P

Please, please draft a big Defensive Tackle. Please?

Enter Fili Moala. Thank you Polian

by skywalker on Aug 29, 2009 7:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Aug 29, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I thought it was a decent game for pre-season because,

Peyton looked damned good, that throw to Gonzo was a perfect strike he should have caught it to keep the drive alive, it looked like the sack on P was Saturday’s fault. Impossible to judge the D, too many starters out. Although that 4 th down goal line stand was great. Painter moved the ball all the way down the field, should have had a TD, but for the penalty.
  I think the problems today are fixable, and we have 2 weeks.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Aug 29, 2009 10:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That Gonzo drop

just sticks in my craw. His hands are usually so good, and that throw was freaking PERFECT.

by slash196 on Aug 30, 2009 3:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agree about judging the D with so many starters out

I just wish that we didn’t have so many starters out!! Nothing we can do about it and as long as they are ready for Jax it will be fine, but I expect rust in week 1 and the game will be a lot closer than any Colts fan wants to see.

Unfortunately I predict more long drives by Jax in week 1 because our D will not have it together yet so they will need a game to get their sea legs. It’s a shame really because I think they will be very good by the end of the year, but petty nagging injuries are now a permant fixture on Colts teams which takes Super Bowl potential and turns it into playoff potential (07, 08). It’s just too bad. I wish them all good health so we can bring another Lombardi trophy home this year.

"I'm looking for Ray Finkle....and a clean pair of shorts."

by AceOfSpades on Aug 30, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agree on JAX game

That is always a tough game for us, even last season when they stunk (we went 1-1, right?). I expect them to have some improvement, and we might still be working on continuity defensively. If so, that’d not be good.

by coltsfanawalt on Aug 31, 2009 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Peyton will out score them.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Aug 31, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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