Luke Links: 'Reg-gie! Reg-gie!' Edition

by Stew Blake on Dec 23, 2011 12:01 PM EST in Luke Links

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The Mike Murphy-led Colts defense impresses... Jim Irsay believes in Peyton Manning... Robert Mathis is proud of his team... and Reggie Wayne got the royal treatment from fans on Thursday night...

FROM THE SADDLE (official team news)

The Texans were 1-for-10 on third down last night, with the lone conversion coming on a lucky grab which bounced off the back of a Colt defender. I know it was against T.J. Yates, but I think we might have found our man in Mike Murphy.
"Reg-gie! Reg-gie!" The Colts legend served up a night that we will never forget, which also could be his last in a Colts uniform at the Luke.

GREEN APPLES AND ROAD APPLES (media analysis)

Jim Irsay made it quite clear on Thursday night: If Peyton Manning is healthy, he will remain an Indianapolis Colt.
Reggie Wayne delivered some great quotes in his interview with the NFL Network crew, following his huge game. On life without Peyton Manning: "It was pretty rough. On top of that, we had Kerry Collins, who really couldn't get the play out in time." Zing!
Bob Kravitz doesn't seem to be taking the Colts latest victory too well. Surprised? I didn't think so.
Colts v. Texans -- A finish to remember, writes Phil Wilson. Indeed, Phil. Indeed.

"That's as much of a team victory as you're going to get," said Robert Mathis after the Colts' second victory. "Proud of everybody."
Even before the stunning victory on Thursday night, Don Banks gave the Colts some love in the form of NFL power rankings.
The Texans remain winless at the Luke, losing in all ten match-ups.
Mike Freeman believes Tony Dungy is finished coaching. Forever.

APPLE PIE (SB Nation goodies)

With Matt Barkley announcing that he will stay at USC, what kind of impact will his decision have on the 2012 NFL draft?

Whew... I am just so proud of this team.

I was at the Luke to witness this game (Best Christmas present. Ever.) and I think it's safe to add this game to my collection of most cherished memories as an Indianapolis Colts fanatic. No matter what was thrown in the way of their path, no matter what the odds said, week after week -- it didn't matter to these guys. They further proved tonight that they indeed have the heart of lions and a spirit that will not be broken.

Corny sounding? Sure. But oh-so-true.

Many of us may not like the job Jim Caldwell has done, but it's clear that he maintains an extremely high degree of respect from these players, specifically Peyton Manning, that is not easy to find in the NFL. That should be appreciated. He may not be the greatest coach, and may be lacking some serious judgement at times, but you have to give it to him for being able to weather the storm. These guys not only play hard for themselves, but they play hard for him.

And if anyone still believes this organization is 'tanking' it, or 'sucking for Luck', they're a certified idiot.

Yeah. I said it.

FYI: Peyton Manning looked like a man that was ready to take on the world last night, in my opinion. Here's what Ashley Adamson of WISH-TV had to say via Twitter, regarding Manning's upbeat 'tude:

I have never seen Peyton Manning look happier than he did in Colts locker room tonight. Didn't know God even made smiles that big.

Look out 2012, here come the Colts!

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Question from a Lions fan

Since a win next week might give the Colts the #2/#3 picks, do you guys want a win. I mean you can get a player like Blackman, Jeffery, Kalil.

Datsyukian Deke, Detroit Red Wings Blog
Follow @cnsportsblogs

by Detroitnr1 on Dec 23, 2011 12:11 PM EST reply actions

Absolutely want a win

Since they have made it clear they would draft Luck at #1, my opinion is the best way to reload this team on the fly would be to get an impact playmaker in the first round and keep Manning who will obviously be ready to go in 2012.

Blackmon would be great, Claiborne would be even better. I would not like Kalil because they already have the future tackles on the roster. The team needs playmakers, specifically on defense.

A few impact players (S, CB, DT, WR, TE) in that order, a healthy Manning, and better offensive and defensive coordinators and this team will be back in the Super Bowl hunt for several more years.

Drafting a QB in round 1 would be good for the long run, but other QBs will continue to come around and this team needs to continue to maximize the Peyton era because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I don't always drink beer....but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.

by AceOfSpades on Dec 23, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

I'd

Go Blackmon if I was the Colts. Sure the team needs a major overhaul on defense but Peyton needs some quality playmakers.

Datsyukian Deke, Detroit Red Wings Blog
Follow @cnsportsblogs

by Detroitnr1 on Dec 23, 2011 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. I’ve watched Blackmon play a lot of good football and if we end up at #3 he’s the most sure thing at WR. He could step in day 1 and give the offense a big boost.

by ruseriousclark? on Dec 23, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

no

by JCub3d on Dec 23, 2011 12:37 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

just WIN, baby. Damn the consequences.

I’d love to rip off wins against all 3 divisional opponents. Put them on notice for next year.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Dec 23, 2011 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

truthful answer for many Colt fans

want a win, BUT WANT THE #1 PICK MORE!!!!!!! 2-14 with the #1 pick is better than 3-13 without that pick

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 23, 2011 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

What a great game.....

Has to be one of my favorite Colts games ever too.
Very proud of my team for its hard work and dedication.

by 67ChevILL on Dec 23, 2011 12:26 PM EST reply actions

agreed that it was a great game!!

AND the defense came to life in the past two games…. i can “sense” the difference without even analyzing the x’s and o’s… :) that is a very nice surprise!

by Manning4ever on Dec 23, 2011 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

I love you attitude

But be careful as your employers might not like it.

Yeah, I'm Shure.

by Music Man on Dec 23, 2011 1:05 PM EST via mobile reply actions 3 recs

Question?

“And if anyone still believes this organization is ‘tanking’ it, or ‘sucking for Luck’, they’re a certified idiot.”

Did you clear this with the owner of this blog? ;-)

by JTBLA on Dec 23, 2011 2:39 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Lol.

This wasn’t directed at anyone, specifically. There have been a ton of people that have speculated the Colts were tanking it, from sportscasters to loyal fans. After this game, if they still believe that to be true, they are idiots.

And I’m sure BBS would agree with me on this. He’s not as twisted and pessimistic as you guys seem to think lol.

Thanks for the read, everyone.

Writer for StampedeBlue.com.

by Stew Blake on Dec 23, 2011 11:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Peyton's Smiling

because the Colts are one step closer to NOT getting Andrew Luck.

The Hair of the Dog Sports Blog
Follow me on Twitter: @coldy4goldy

by coldy4goldy on Dec 23, 2011 2:41 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Who cares where we pick 1-2 or 3 we will get a good player in every round that will help

by armycolts25 on Dec 23, 2011 2:47 PM EST reply actions

The coaches still should be fired except the new DC

I still think that the coaches took to long to change the way to do business in running the team. They failed to change the game plan and play to their players strengths.

by armycolts25 on Dec 23, 2011 2:52 PM EST reply actions

DC/Linebacker coach Mike Murphy has been here 14-15 years, so he's safe, right?

That’s what we thought about RB coach Gene Huey, who had been here 19 years.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Dec 23, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

Peyton will be back

Just seeing his body language, his energy, his smile told me that he knows he is close to 100%. We already hear he’s at 85-90% and there are still about 10 weeks until bonus D-Day. Irsay’s comments said bluntly he will be a Colt if healthy.

Of course, I wonder if Brad will contradict this somehow since he has smugly blown off anyone who suggests Peyton will be back with Indy in 2012.

I also think Polian is back (fine with that) and likely Caldwell (not fine with that).

by JTBLA on Dec 23, 2011 2:53 PM EST reply actions

Why didn't we trade Wayne earlier in the year?

If the Colts are going to part ways with Wayne after this year anyway, then why didn’t we trade him away earlier in the year for a quality QB? I’m thinking trading him to NY Giants for David Carr. He may not be a long-term starter – but I sure as hell would have taken him over the “Painter experiment.”

by the_iowa_hawkeye on Dec 23, 2011 3:15 PM EST reply actions

wouldn't that be a "Gift of the Magi" kind of trade?

Like a man selling his watch to buy his wife a comb, and the wife selling her hair to buy him a watch chain. The new QB would’ve had just Garcon & Collie to throw to, and Gonzo, when the moon is properly aligned with Saturn.

Being in politics is like being a football coach. You have to be smart enough to understand the game and dumb enough to think it's important. -- Eugene J. McCarthy

by zherebyonki on Dec 23, 2011 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

or if they would have started Orlovsky from Day 1 would have been better

he outplayed CP in my opinion in the preseason CP had 1 good quarter,,, and stupid to give Collins twice as much as he should have received ,,, too many front office mistakes,, and even dumber for Polian to say he was totally unprepared for Peyton to miss the entire season,, medicine as much as we try not to let it happen is still an inexact science

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 23, 2011 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

Wayne will be back

Unless he asks for top 10 money. He’ll be back. This year has proven to him what it might be like somewhere else. (Did you hear his post game interview?) He knows that a possible bust in Canton is tied to Manning. He’s made plenty of cash. If the Colts hadn’t paid him in his last contract, he would have walked. Rightly so. I’m willing to bet he takes a much lower salary to stay here and play with Manning and take another shot or two at a ring.

Yeah, I'm Shure.

by Music Man on Dec 23, 2011 8:06 PM EST up reply actions

Perfect

Stew you got it…you said it right….about Manning…about Caldwell….Reggie needs to come back..and Mathis..and Saturday if he wants…changes on special teams needs….but if there was anything more fantastic than Manning and that smile and those players…happy…we beat the Texans at their own game…

by Colts53 on Dec 23, 2011 4:40 PM EST reply actions