Quick thoughts on Baskett signing, and other musings

by Brad Wells on Sep 18, 2009 3:28 PM EDT in Colts Analysis

My spouse and I are hanging out in Montreal today and tomorrow. I've taken a break from eating fondue and cheese to read news and opinions on the Hank Baskett signing. I've also had time to listen to SIRIUS radio's NFL shows (we have SIRIUS in the rental car, much to my spouse's annoyance... hehe) and I have to say that the shows do more talking about teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars than the Indianapolis Colts. My favorite was listening to Pat Kirwan say the Jags "do not fear" the Colts, and that they have a "winning formula" against the Colts. Pat also had concerns about Indy losing Anthony Gonzalez until after the bye week.

First off, the Colts hold an 11-4 record against the Jags since the start of the AFC South division in 2002. During that seven year stretch, the Colts have swept the Jags three times. So, no offense to Pat Kirwan, but no one really gives a crap as to whether Jacksonville "fears" Indy. Indy OWNS Jacksonville, completely and utterly.

Indy has dominated the spotted kitties in the only stat column that matters: Winning. Also, I have no idea where Pat thinks the Jags have some kind of "winning formula," because to have such a formula the final result would have to produce WINS. A 3-12 record over seven years is not a winning formula, and Pat Kirwan doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to analyzing the Colts and Jaguars.

Now, regarding Pat's concerns on Gonzo, I think that is legit. The Colts seemed to share those concerns, which is why they signed Hank Baskett. Let's be clear, Baskett has been brought in as a back-up. Pierre Garcon will start while Gonzo is out. Austin Collie is the slot receiver. Baskett will play in relief, or if there is an injury. Right now, Hank's primary job is on special teams, where he is quite good. This was a signing to bolster depth at WR and improve special teams.

With Baskett signed, we turn our attention to the truly feared Miami Dolphins, who have an impressive 2-0 record on the Colts on Monday Night Football. The last time these two played on MNF, the Dolphins demolished the Colts 41-6.

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The good news is

That this year’s Miami Dolphins seem to kinda suck.

by eltharion_doa on Sep 18, 2009 3:39 PM EDT reply actions

so did last year's

They just had a really easy schedule.

But remember, they looked exactly like the 1-15 team of 07 in Week 1 of last year against the Jets too. The first game doesn’t matter that much. I’m sure this will be a tight game.

by willyduer on Sep 18, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree.

If Gonzalez wasn’t hurt, I’d feel much more comfortable going into this one.

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

by peytonsthebest on Sep 18, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I agree. Teams play about 3x better at home in primetime. Also, Pennington always plays really well against us. This won’t be easy.

by atg1 on Sep 18, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not so sure

this will be a tight game. I think the Colts will dominate. Peyton’s due for a game similar to Brees. I think he’ll throw three or four TDs minimum. And BBS, it’s good to hear from you. And, you’re right, the only stat that truly matters is winning!

by Ayrshire on Sep 18, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

The Dolphins might not win as many as last season, but they’re nowhere near as bad as Detroit either.

I have the Colts winning 20-13.

by eltharion_doa on Sep 18, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I say

27-20 Colts. 2 Peyton TD passes, Clark and Wayne, 1 Addai touchdown run. 2 chip shots for Vinny.

"Brett Favre was a man who thought he was retired, but he knew it wouldn't last."

by Colts Homer on Sep 18, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

You're right.....

but, then again, we have Peyton. He is better than Brees, and he’s absolutely due for a break-out, light-em-up game…..Gonzo or no Gonzo!

by Ayrshire on Sep 18, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

Got

A fight on our hands…DAMN where’s Bobzilla when u really need him.

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 Sep 18, 2009 4:35 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

The last time on MNF?

I’m just gonna take a guess and say that was back when Peyton was still in Tennessee and Marino was still lighting up secondaries.

by slash196 on Sep 18, 2009 4:36 PM EDT reply actions

Close,

but it was back in the lost season of 2001. Here’s my source.

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: My chemistry class decided to have their first test on Monday, September 21, from 8:00-9:00 PM. The Colts play the Dolphins at 8:30 that same night. I don't think I can be any more ticked off right now. I think I'm going to kill someone. No, really. I just haven't decided who yet.

by Cassieper on Sep 18, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Really?

After you posted the source, I had to go and click the “box score” to recap the game and that one horrible name popped on my screen. The pure sight of Mike Vandershank’s name brought back the gruesome images. I almost had blocked that day out of my memory, but alas it still remains as well as my hatred for the man we all once loved.

by BurtonSnol3order on Sep 18, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Why the heck was Kirwan still talking about the Jags?

Is it just me or did we not beat that team last week?

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Sep 18, 2009 4:46 PM EDT reply actions

Well,

the Jags still have 15 games left on their schedule. I guess you should be allowed to still talk about them.

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

Man, I need a life...

by Cassieper on Sep 18, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice one.

LMAO

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

by peytonsthebest on Sep 18, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha

I meant with respect to their fear – or lack thereof – of the Colts. I get that there is one more game coming up between the two, but it’s a ways off still.

How can you not love a team that does this?

by LovinBlue on Sep 18, 2009 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought our record against the jags was now 13-4?

Im so freaking fracking happy the jags superbowl game was week one. now that they lost there is no talk at all about their team. thats the only game they truely care about, with pittsburgh rendering a little talk, but with their superbowl game over its almost like their season IS over. oh yeah they can blah blah blah about the rematch but by the second to the last week of the season what few fans they have left they will be talking about gators and teblow this and teblow that. we crush them the last game because I imagine their only offensive weapon jones drew will be smashed to the ground about 6 games ago.

it is very sweet that game is done and through after week 1! the colts are moving on to bigger and better things.

they werent afraid of us. I hope they say that about all of their opponents. that laughable superbowl hype of last year has still taken over their brains

by kinnickcolt on Sep 18, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions

Being afraid of your opponents

Probably isn’t a healthy attitude for any NFL (or sports) team. So you’d expect them to say that.

by eltharion_doa on Sep 19, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Isn't the MNF series between the Colts-Dolphins tied at 2-2?

Pro-Football Reference has 4 Monday night games listed with each team winning two of them.

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 Sep 18, 2009 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

You're right.

Excellent catch. 2 from Baltimore, and 2 from Indy. 1 win and 1 loss from each city.

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

Man, I need a life...

by Cassieper on Sep 18, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Not so fast

I wouldn’t diss the Jags too much. They’ve beaten the Colts more than most teams. Since 2002, only the Titans (5) and Patriots (6) have beaten Indy more times than Jacksonville. Since 2004, only the spit Chargers (4) and Titans (3) have won more games against Indy than the Jags. More often than not, they split our season series (4 splits, 3 Indy sweeps), and they always play us tough (375 rushing yds ring a bell?). They’re not a power any longer (and it sickened me to see the team, as a whole, quit mid-game so many times last year), but they still hold their own pretty well. Most teams won’t finish within 2 points of the Colts this season.

by Teacher317 on Sep 21, 2009 6:47 PM EDT reply actions

comparisons

Since the 2002 season began, CLE is 0-4, CIN is 0-4, and seven teams are 0-2 against Indy. HOU is 1-13. Stronger teams like BAL (0-5) and DEN (2-6) similarly have trouble against the Colts. (The Jags, at 4-11 over that span and a .267 winning percentage, rank above Denver’s .250)

Since the 2005 season began, the Patriots are 1-4 against the Colts (.200), but the Jags are 2-6 (.250). Any team with a better winning percentage than the Patriots can’t be all bad!

by Teacher317 on Sep 21, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions