Quick Recap: Patriots 31 Colts 24, Orlovsky With Career Day

by mgrex03 on Dec 4, 2011 4:00 PM EST in 2011 Colts Game Recaps

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 04: Dan Orlovsky #6 of the Indianapolis Colts calls out the play in the second quarter against the New England Patriots on December 4, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

If you only watched the first 20 minutes and the last 20 minutes of the Colts 31-24 loss to the Patriots Sunday, you would have seen the Colts look much better than they have over the past 2 months. They had three long drives, ending in two touchdowns and a field goal, and the defense held the Patriots to just 3 points.

Unfortunately, the middle 20 minutes count as well.

Rob Gronkowski scored three touchdowns, one of which on what was ruled a lateral, to lead the way for the Patriots. The Colts defense started to drop into zones, got no pressure on Tom Brady, and he had all day to find his receivers in the open spots in the Cover 2. Brady finished 29/38 for 293 and the 2 TDs to Gronkowski. The Patriots four TDs all happened in rapid succession, two in the final three minutes of the first half, and two more in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter.

New Colts QB Dan Orlovsky easily played the best QB game by a Colt all season, completing 30 of 37 passes for 353 yards, two touchdowns to Pierre Garcon, and an interception. The three long drives had 19, 15, and 11 plays respectively, three of the longest drives by the Colts all season. He looked calm in the pocket, found his open receivers, and made just two bad passes all game, one of which was caught by Patriots LB Jerod Mayo. The three touchdown drives came with the Colts already out of the game, but at this point I'll take anything that is positive when it comes to Colts quarterbacks. They haven't taken advantage of garbage time in the past, so maybe this week will give them some confidence going into next week.

Donald Brown once again looked good running with 41 yards on 14 carries and a nice TD run. I think we've seen the last of Delone Carter, who fumbled again after not playing the past few weeks. Both Pat Angerer and Jerraud Powers left the game in the first half with injuries, as did Terrence Johnson. We'll get updates on those guys later in the week.

The Colts fall to 0-12 on the season, but there are a lot positives to take out of this loss. I'm pretty sure had we seen Orlovsky last week, the Colts would have a win. I feel better about it happening in the last four weeks, if only the defense can help the cause.

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Comments

I dont think it was a bad throw by Orlovsky

but a great play by Mayo. Overall our offense actually looked like an NFL offense which was a nice change

What if Peyton was fightin' dogs instead of Mike Vick?
-Jadakiss

by melvin shot out of a gun bullit on Dec 4, 2011 4:05 PM EST reply actions

Just sayin, AP lost 13 fumbles out of 20 in his first 3 years

Some things about the stupid coaches.

- It was obvious in preseason, that Orlovsky is superior to Painter.
- It should be obvious, that your HoF kicker has to do the onside kicks.
- Stupid offensive play selection at times.
- Stupid personnel decisions: cutting Tepper, who started games and keeping guys like Richard, who is a backup. Deactivating KT#21, who had 3 PBUs in 5 games and not deactivating Terrence Johnson instead.

by Ty46 on Dec 4, 2011 4:12 PM EST reply actions

Defensive playcalling was even worse.

by James Broschat on Dec 4, 2011 9:05 PM EST up reply actions

We're competitive if...

1, We have reasonable QB play.
2. Our secondary doesn’t provide “red sea like” cushions.
3. Our coaching staff calls a more agressive game.

by Deewtaei on Dec 4, 2011 4:13 PM EST reply actions

our coaching staff STINKS

please fire CALDWELL before the season is over!!!!

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 4, 2011 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

I've been watching other defenses out there -

And when the defense plays zone, the cushion is there. Doesn’t matter the team. Ravens, who have a great D every year, also play a cushion. When Man-2-Man, they play up tight and do some bumping. Colts, when they play man to man, do that too. We just hardly ever play that scheme.

So what you’re really asking for is more man to man, and I think we don’t have the personnel to do that. Look at the way Revis plays m2m and that gives you an idea of the speed and technique you need, that we don’t have.

by buymymonkey on Dec 4, 2011 4:18 PM EST reply actions

But in a Cover 2 scheme

The CB are supposed to press the WRs at the line, run with them for about 5-8 yards and stay in the flat/curl zone. The curl routes by the WRs are what’s killing the secondary mostly. Our Cbs need to be more physical.

Colts fan since Tony Dungy's 48th Birthday.

Free will is an illusion, but pragmatically, the illusion of self (ego), choice, freedom, consciousness, are all necessary for the game or struggle to move. No struggle, no universe.

Get well soon, Peyton Manning

by ColtsFan504 on Dec 4, 2011 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly.

But I doubt it’s an issue of our DB’s “wanting” to play that far off. It’s more an issue of the coaches instructing them to do so. Having said that, our DB’s suck. And, once again, that’s the responsibilty of our FO and coaching staff.

by Deewtaei on Dec 4, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Well said

I think they are instructed to play with the cushion. Tim Jennings was the only CB I recall playing with the cushion, now all of our CBs are doing it.

Colts fan since Tony Dungy's 48th Birthday.

Free will is an illusion, but pragmatically, the illusion of self (ego), choice, freedom, consciousness, are all necessary for the game or struggle to move. No struggle, no universe.

Get well soon, Peyton Manning

by ColtsFan504 on Dec 4, 2011 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

I kind of agree with what you say,

However, they play a 10yard cushion when the offense only needs like 5-7 yards. That’s just dumb, at least tighten things up, making it harder for the receivers to get off the line and giving more time for the d-line to rush the QB.

by fanatik on Dec 4, 2011 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

I am really happy with the way they played.

I would like to see Brown get the start. Addai just isnt the same. I still think they should continue to give the ball to Carter despite his fumbles. He needs to keep at it and I think he’ll come around. Hell, Garcon used to drop the ball a lot and now he is a damn good receiver. Offensively, they played well considering a new QB only had a week with the first team. I dont think they’ll get better on D until new players are brought in. Lastly, Freeney and Mathis have got to find a way to get involved. I dont know if that a scheme thing or just that they’re not making the plays. I think if Nevis had been in there would have been more pressure on Brady. Good game though.

by Odin1980 on Dec 4, 2011 4:20 PM EST reply actions

I think it's really 2 issues:

1. Our DT’s don’t get enough push up the middle allowing QB’s to easily step up in the pocket when pressured from the outside (which is often).
2. Our DB’s and the zone scheme often provide open receivers for the QB’s to throw to. There’s a reason our opponents are completing 70%+ of their passes.

Bottom line is that our defensive personnel and scheme no longer take advantage of Mathis and Freeney’s skill sets. That purely on our front office and coaching staff.

by Deewtaei on Dec 4, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

Our defense is built to play with a lead

despite sometimes not even being in the lead. I wonder if any of our defensive coaching staff even have a scheme/philosophy to play if the team is trailing behind.

Colts fan since Tony Dungy's 48th Birthday.

Free will is an illusion, but pragmatically, the illusion of self (ego), choice, freedom, consciousness, are all necessary for the game or struggle to move. No struggle, no universe.

Get well soon, Peyton Manning

by ColtsFan504 on Dec 4, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

I wish we just a great Defense

that can do everything, not just being good when the team has the lead

by fanatik on Dec 4, 2011 8:10 PM EST up reply actions

Addai looked better this game than the last.

by James Broschat on Dec 4, 2011 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

he still looks like crap though

he def needs to get cut after this yr

by JPZ on Dec 4, 2011 11:44 PM EST up reply actions

He's battling a hamstring...

only reason he should get cut is because he can’t stay healthy, and Brown/Carter have performed well. Addai’s been very good when healthy.

by James Broschat on Dec 5, 2011 12:36 AM EST up reply actions

and his inflated contract

he isn’t worth $5.5M, and like u say we have replacements who are better, or at least as good for way less money

by JPZ on Dec 5, 2011 6:05 PM EST up reply actions

On that, I agree. Better ways to spend the money next year w/ Brown and Carter being decent.

by James Broschat on Dec 5, 2011 11:36 PM EST up reply actions

Garcon is already at career bests in TDs and yards in a season

And stupid Minnesota, they don’t give up fighting for 1/1

by Ty46 on Dec 4, 2011 4:21 PM EST reply actions

Next year

Garcon and Collie will be reaching their peak.

Colts fan since Tony Dungy's 48th Birthday.

Free will is an illusion, but pragmatically, the illusion of self (ego), choice, freedom, consciousness, are all necessary for the game or struggle to move. No struggle, no universe.

Get well soon, Peyton Manning

by ColtsFan504 on Dec 4, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions

Orlovsky might not be Manning

but seeing 10+ weeks of bad QB play, he might be the next best thing. I’ve been saying it since pre-season that Orlovsky might have a good rhythm with our starting WR corps if they gave him the reps. This move should have been done in the bye week.

If our defense can learn to actually stop the curl route and play better zone, we might not go 0-16 and can actually win a game or 2.

Colts fan since Tony Dungy's 48th Birthday.

Free will is an illusion, but pragmatically, the illusion of self (ego), choice, freedom, consciousness, are all necessary for the game or struggle to move. No struggle, no universe.

Get well soon, Peyton Manning

by ColtsFan504 on Dec 4, 2011 4:35 PM EST reply actions

Too bad we went with Painter

Like half the people here were calling for
if Danny boy repeats or improves then the Titans and Jags are winnable games.

In one game against the Patriots i might add Dan O out shined Painters entire season i dont think anyone expected it to be down to one TD “garbage time” or not down one TD is a winnable game if our D could create turnovers we are looking at an upset

I hope Dan wins a game this season and shows we shouldve gone with him and not craptastic Painter. We are looking at Manning level stats here a real QBs stats with hundreds of yards and some TDs.
Things that couldve kept our D healthy and rested through the weeks

Also where Reggie he showed up last week and got all the praise but thats the only game he really was a difference in

by C.Settles on Dec 4, 2011 4:50 PM EST reply actions

yes should have benched the worthless Painter sooner

Orlovsky can beat either Tenn and or Jville and would have liked to see them blitz Brady and knock him on his ass rather than let him sit back there all day would have rather seen them get burnt on the blitz and give him a few licks

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Dec 4, 2011 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

Really? We’re going to cut a rookie RB for fumbling the ball when he doesn’t get any reps to begin with and has been neglected in practice so we can give the ball to a bruised and battered Addai? Considering he ran well otherwise on all his carries I don’t see it. It’s actually garbage. D. Brown had another great day? Less than 3 YPC. YPC being the only stat that’s been trumpeted for him these past couple weeks by 18to88 or Coltzilla or anybody delusional enough to think that a 70 yard game is something to crow about or call “home-run” ability. Which is ridiculous in itself anyhow since 2 or 3 runs usually account for half his yards and aren’t even badass 40 yard touchdowns and while almost half his runs are for 0 are a loss. (Falcons game after which the D. Brown hype train took off) D Brown should undoubtedly be the starter but those are some seriously hypocritical standards since he’s basically been cut slack for 3 seasons. Delone Carter has potential. D. Brown is doing all he’s ever going to do. Let’s stop with the stacked box excuse too. He had time with a top rated passing attack spreading defenses thin and averaged 3.5 yards the whole time. That’s what he is. A 3.5 ypc back. Cut Addai at the end of the season. Start Brown for consistency. Try and develop Carter for at least another season before writing him off. Anything else is just asinine.

by southerncolt2 on Dec 4, 2011 5:18 PM EST reply actions

who is saying to cut carter???

I don’t think nobody is saying that. I do think that people are hyping brown a little bit too much to he is doing all right, and well if you want badass 40 yard touchdowns, then the colts RB are not the ones you want to be looking at, I suggest Adrian Peterson

by fanatik on Dec 4, 2011 8:15 PM EST up reply actions

Orlovsky just better not win more than 1 game

I realize he’s playing for his career, but we had a good thing going there with Painter/Coyer ensuring the 1st pick this year. there’s a reason Painter was left in so long, and we don’t want Orlovsky to get hot and reel off 3 wins… I know some people say we should root for the colts to win no matter what, but seriously we have nothing to play for this year other than the 1st pick.. we need to ensure we get it

knowing Polian, if Orlovsky follows up his good play next week and wins, he may get phantom IR’d or cut for “conduct detrimental to the team”!!!

by JPZ on Dec 4, 2011 6:01 PM EST reply actions