We Sill Have Peyton

I just want to start by saying that this really sucks. However, I can't honestly say I am genuinely mad at the Colts organization or the players. I feel more let down than anything else. This kind of feels like getting tube socks for your birthday, you are happy to have some more socks but come on where is the big present at? OK, so I have a few topics I would like to discuss and would love to hear some actual Colts fans respond(I am stuck in California for the time being...)

First, I believe we just got outplayed. The Saints played better in every phase of the game other than running the ball. I am not sure how this happened. Going into the Super Bowl and looking at the records these two teams had and comparing them to their respective schedules I thought, "Wow, we got this one in the bag." The Saints really didn't have as tough a schedule as the Colts did and they lost during the regular season and it was not by choice. The Saints had a good year against some pretty mediocre teams that resulted in some huge stats for the QB and the offense. I really didn't feel they were as good as they were on paper. Not only that but the Colts always won no matter what, even against the Patriots, and the Saints dropped one to the Cowboys. So in my head we were already the Super Bowl Champs, big mistake on my part. The only real reason I see the Colts getting outplayed like they did is because they really hadn't had a game where they were really tested since the Patriots and Ravens games in November. After that we played Houston and Tenessee who haven't been a real challenge for a while now. Then we played the inconsistent at best Denver Broncos. After that game we had secured the number one seed. So our win at Jacksonville really meant nothing at all to our players, sure we won and it was a come from behind victory but what emotions were really attached to it. It wasn't a do or die game, the glitter kittens aren't a thorn in our side, and we didn't accomplish any real good by winning except giving our starters some playing time. Everyone knows what we didn't do for the next two weeks against the Jets and the Bills so I will leave it alone. Then a bye week we earned by securing the number one seed. Then we played Baltimore who really didn't even show up after smashing the Patriots. Then we played the Jets who put up a good first half then sat the second half out much like we did in the Super Bowl. So when did Manning and Company really come together last and power through adversity? A good two months and some change before they played in the Super Bowl. I still don't think resting our starters was a bad idea because of our record. I now think it was a bad idea to rest our starters because we helped the Jets get into the playoffs and didn't get a real good game before the Super Bowl to get our players sharp and make the Super Bowl as emotional as it was for the Saints. Remember when the Colts beat the Patriots before they played the Bears? The attitude was there is no way we can lose now to the Bears after beating our Kryptonite, this is our one shot we have to do it. We coasted to the Super Bowl this year, it only could have been easier if we had to face the Bengals instead of the Ravens. If we had played our starters I believe we would have had to play the Houston Texans and the San Diego Chargers instead. Who really knows though? I know I still believe in Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell and I hope you do, too.

Second, I am absolutely stoked about our recieving corps this next season. Wayne, Gonzalez, Garcon, Collie, Clark, and Addai/Brown for Peyton Manning to throw to. Holy Crap, I know if Tom Brady had a receiving corps this good I would be sweating it all year long. The production we received from Garcon and Collie this year was rediculous and speaks volumes of Peyton Manning. These two Colts were for all purposes rookies because Garcon really didn't have any experience in his rookie year and was still really green for a second year player. So, I imagine Peyton will continue to work all offseason long bringing the offense to a new level and these players are only going to be better next year! Look out 51 passing TD's here we come. I also feel like the lack of yardage in the running game was due to lingering injuries to Addai and Brown was a Rookie. They came alive this post season and with the improved passing game the running game can't get much worse. I will say however, the running game came through when we needed it to.

Third, I am concerned about the defense. Is Bob Sanders going to be able to make plays like he used to or is his time up? Do Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have thier best years behind them? They seem to get injured more/ slowed down a little bit over the years. What are we going to do to help solidify the pass defense? I really feel like defense is our weakest link even though it really isn't that bad compared to everyone else's defense. I would love to see some more turnovers this year and keep up the forced three and outs along with the amazing red zone defense. Larry Coyer was a remarkable aquisition for our team.

Fourth, don't take any of this for granted. We are extremely lucky to have had as many wins as we have and as many Super Bowl wins/appearances as we have. Dan Marino never won, and Brett Favre has won one lost one as well. Peyton Manning is already being acknowledged as the best QB ever. In my opinion he is and not just because he is a Colt but because of what he brings to the table. I can't remember who it was but during the Super Bowl coverage Sirius NFL Radio interviewed a Hall of Fame QB and asked if he considered Peyton to be the best. He answered yes, because of his work ethic alone. He went on to say after games he would go to the bar with his buddies, party, and that sort of thing. Not Peyton, he goes to work, the film room, or practices all off season to bring along the rookie wide recievers on his team. So, for any of you Colts "fans" who have any negative things to say about the Colts in any aspect I highly suggest you take a step back and look at what we have and others don't. Two Super Bowl appearances in two years is more than some teams have had since the merger. Some have never been at all. I still bleed blue and I know we have a Championship team in Indy as long as Peyton is slinging the rock downfield.