We are Still Missing One More Thing

by trueblueforever94 on May 3, 2011 10:43 PM EDT

Ladies and Gents, This year we saw our Indianapolis Colts make a statement. In the 2011 NFL Draft they made a statement saying "We are ready to win here and now. Now is our time" We went out and drafted Two stellar, and very durable OT's. We drafted a attacking DTin Nevis. We also managed to grab a wrecking ball of a RB in Carter. It seems, Our colts are ready to rise to the top once again. Yet, in my opinion, we are missing one final key part...

Throughout the NFL today teams have explosive play makers. Game changer is you will. Players who in the course of one play, can change the whole game. Some example are, Desean Jackson, Devin Hester, Josh Cribbs, Larry Fitzgerald. These men are catalysts, through their plays, they can ignite a team and a crowd and swing the whole game around. Yet, our team has no explosive play maker. That's why i am saying, Either through Free agency, or through a different source, Our team must should pick up someone like that. Think about it for a moment. What if we had Desean Jackson our team. No one would stop us. Manning drops back and throws it to a lightning fast Jackson. Lets face it, Manning deserves a dozen rings. And his career is nearing its end. Its time he gets another ring and with a true explosive play maker, I believe we can finally get him another one.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

Tweet Comment 34 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I agree

but not on offense we need a defensive playmaker like when bob came back from injury in 06 and led us to win the super bowl.

by Phillycolt on May 3, 2011 11:18 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Carter

doesn’t look like a wrecking ball in the videos that have been posted here. Dominic Rhodes is the same height and 20# lighter and plays tougher. Jones-Drew is an inch shorter and 15# lighter but is an entirely different class of wrecking ball. Carter is just a running back that had good blocking. I think the Colts drafted him for that 3rd and 1, but I don’t see it in him. He tries to avoid contact more than he tries to crucify perspective tacklers. I want to be motivated by his physical measurements, but I don’t see it in the videos.

by wcwills on May 3, 2011 11:29 PM EDT reply actions

“Throughout the NFL today teams have explosive play makers. Game changer is you will. Players who in the course of one play, can change the whole game.”

The Colts already have this type of player. His name is Peyton Manning. He’s pretty good.

The NFL is a quarterback driven league. An elite quarterback makes other players look better, which explains why guys like Jackson and Fitzergerald don’t have rings.

The Colts are in contention to with the Super Bowl every year. That’s the best you can ask for year in and year out. The NFL is designed to make it difficult to maintain excellence and win multiple Super Bowls. The Colts don’t have multiple wins for a number of reasons, but one certainly has to be luck.

It’s not as simple as adding one big name and then it’s a sure thing the Colts go 19-0 blowing everyone out. To increase their odds for 2011-2012 the Colts have to do two things: improved play along the O-line and staying healthy across the board because injuries is what sunk the 2009-2010 Colts.

by TrueBlue87 on May 4, 2011 1:44 AM EDT reply actions

Defense

I thought the one thing we were missing was a defense. For the Colts we have been in win now mode for the last 10 years, we just haven’t done as good a job of it as we would have hoped.

This draft is about three years too late. We’ve needed the O-line help for years, and it’s about time it was addressed. I don’t see another small D-lineman solving our problems (we had the worst D-line in football last year, second worst against the pass, I think second worst against the run). I don’t think another running back is going to solve any problems (is he better than Addai, Brown, Hart, Rhodes, or James?? Lots of RBs), or another questionable corner / safety.

The first two picks will help, (though waste of a fifth rounder IMO) but all in all I’d give us a C draft grade. I still don’t see how our defense will be anything but awful, and therein lies the problem. We play a style that limits possessions per a game by allowing long, clock eating drives. The lack of defensive aggression and limited possessions really hinders the offensive, and I don’t think this will change this year.

by Rogco on May 4, 2011 8:18 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs

the D is the problem and always has been

i don't give autographs

by muncie_in_this on May 4, 2011 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I think u r right....

Bob rarely played…. when Dwight Freeney goes down, our D is softer than soft cheese… and that painful SB loss is just too much to bear…. but guess luck is everything… we finally had some really great play makers like Bob, Marlin Jackson, Hayden when he is not hurt, #93 #98… then poof! injuries…. injuries … injuries…. Colts have never been able to sustain a strong D efforts. I know for sure a few NFL teams with strong D has been salivating over Peyton for a long time…. but why the Colts cant seems to get a break on D is beyond me…

If you see my smilieys, think of E.M.H. - our COLTs King of Smileys!
During the current state of affairs, Smileys are not smiling anymore.....

by Manning4ever on May 10, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions

i think we don't get a break

cause we always go with speed over size. and that just doesn’t always work, especially for defense

i don't give autographs

by muncie_in_this on May 13, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I Know

our QB is great. We consider him one the greatest of all time. And the reason all of those teams havent won a ring yet is simple. While they have great play makers they dont have the QB. We do. If we had that playe imagine what we could do. I know our team doesnt believe in free agency and trading but in this case it might work. Im not saying we cant win without a play maker, but it would make our task that much easier.

by trueblueforever94 on May 4, 2011 1:24 PM EDT reply actions

Rec'd because I commend the idea

It would be nice to add that dynamic to the team for once during the Manning era, setting up that all-so wonderful field position in some critical games.

Manning cashes in better than anyone, why not get him closer?

Problem is, as Vols pointed out, you need to draft one. No way could they draft one this year with the glaring weaknesses across both fronts. Last year, though, I felt drafting a Javier Arenas to bolster the secondary and be an answer in the return game would be a good fit, especially considering the Colts don’t theoretically ‘waste’ picks on guys that can’t contribute full-time on offense/defense.

Maybe they can get a player like that next year (Colts will use 1st pick on WR, right??) if the needs fit again. Personally, I don’t ever see them committing a high draft pick on a Percy Harvin or Devin Hester, it’s clearly outside of their philosophy at this point.

Chris Polian might do things a bit different though, who knows.

by nickfromnaptown on May 4, 2011 5:57 PM EDT reply actions

We don't need an explosive playmaker, we need a defense

I think Polian made the right moves. First and foremost we needed offensive line guys to help protect Manning, give him time to pass, and to open up holes for the running backs.

But after that, what the Colts really needed was DEFENSE. When Brady won with the Patriots, they didn’t just have a good offense they had a good defense too. Same with the Giants and Saints and Steelers.

The Colts do have great pass rushers in guys like Freeney and Angerer and Mathis. But the defensive secondary has seen little to no high draft picks put towards it and it shows. Our great pass rushers lessen the bad impact that our poor defensive secondary has by forcing the QB to pass the ball too early or just throw it out of bounds. But if the QB gets time to pass the ball, they almost always complete the pass because our coverage for long passes is horrible. They drive down the field 1, 2, 3…

We don’t need an explosive offensive player because Manning already has a ton of passing threats to throw to. He’s got Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Anthony Gonzalez and Joseph Addai. Heck, he’s even got some descent walk-on backups in guys Blair White. The reason why he has so many threats is because Manning trains them into being threats by practicing with them a ton. When you have 5-6 good receivers to throw to you don’t need an explosive play maker.

What the Colts need is a good defense that can stop the opponent’s drive every once in a while so Manning doesn’t have to worry about having to score on every drive or having to make a come-from-behind comeback.

The Colts have an awesome offense with a descent to poor defense. Larry Coyer has definitely improved the defense. So I’m not blaming him. They just need to give him some talented guys to work with that can cover the deep pass well.

by ColtsFanInEnemyTerritory on May 5, 2011 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

The secondary last year looked so bad because of how hurt it was. Consider what the starting lineup will look like this year (assuming all FAs are resigned): CB: Powers/Hayden (or Tryon), SS: Bullitt, FS: Bethea. Add in CB depth from Lacey, Thomas, and now Rucker in addition to guys like Mike Newton and Cornelius Brown who saw game action last year and that’s a pretty impressive group.

by TrueBlue87 on May 7, 2011 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions

If it did come down to one guy though...

While I don’t think it comes down to one guy. If it did come down to adding an explosive playmaker, it wouldn’t be someone I think most would expect. I

I’d pick a punt returner. Too often the Colts start off with bad field position because they haven’t had a descent punt returner for years. Other teams get 20-40 yard punt returns and what do the Colts get? They only get 5-15 yards, often getting backed up clear back behind the 15 yard line or worse. Peyton Manning shouldn’t have to dig them out of holes all of the time. Get a descent punt returner that can give Peyton some good field position to work with. With good field position and a good O-line, Manning is very tough to stop.

by ColtsFanInEnemyTerritory on May 5, 2011 1:44 PM EDT reply actions

The problem there isn’t the PR/KR. It’s the blocking. That stems from the Colts philosophy of resiging key playmakers while rotating back-ups out of the system. Often those backups become a solid special teams unit, something the Colts don’t have. You could give the Colts the most dynamic PR/KR in the game and you’d see the same result.

by TrueBlue87 on May 7, 2011 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I've seen people point to the blocking a lot

and I think it’s a bad theory, honestly. You see nothing but rookies and scrubs blocking for Cribbs as bad as that Browns team has been in recent years talent-wise. You can’t tell me that his success was due to better blocking.

Players like Hester or Cribbs can manipulate what the opponent does to set up their blockers, as their vision and speed combination allows them to create seams they can get to and through.

by nickfromnaptown on May 7, 2011 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions

The blocking is an issue certainly, but I think money is an issue too. Guys like Hester and Cribbs are mediocre recievers and the Colts have money tied up in better WRs. I think what the Colts are doing is the smarter play.

by TrueBlue87 on May 7, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Still disagree.

Teams don’t pay veterans to stick around just to have good blocking on special teams. The return games for the Browns, Eagles and Bears sucked just as bad as the Colts’ does now, and not because they had bad blocking, but because they didn’t have the X-factor guy.

by nickfromnaptown on May 7, 2011 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Taj Smith

Taj Smith should get more playing time, as I think he’s the closest we’ve got to a game changer. But then again, the Colts never needed a game changer, Bob Sanders was a great one though.

by KBUnitz on May 6, 2011 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

did the rule pass that would change the Kickoff position? I can't remember....

If so, it would nullify to a large extent the value of KRs like Hester and Cribbs.

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 May 6, 2011 5:37 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah they changed it

To the 35

The Indianapolis Colts are going to be the 1st team to win a super bowl in their own stadium. 'nuff said.

by It'sAlways18 on May 7, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

The Polians did a good job this year drafting this year. No complaints here.

But I believe if there had been one of those game changer types available in rounds 1-2 they may have chosen that player instead of Costanzo or Ijalana. This gets back to the whole value versus need pick. For the long term value trumps need every time. If a game changing wide receiver makes it to the Colts, and they have him rating as high as his talent has shown, they will pick him over a lineman, linebacker or DB every time. Having said all that, I agree with your statement trueblue. We are still missing that game changing wide receiver who will open things up for everyone else. Unfortunately I don’t see us aquiring one of those guys through the draft unless we get lucky one year which is stacked with top notch guys.

by Silver7 on May 7, 2011 7:29 AM EDT reply actions

I know that a lot of peoe here want a WR in the first next year

But I wouldn’t mind a first round SS to replace sanders (assuming there is a great one coming out next season). It seems to me like first round safeties usually turn out pretty good. i.e. Polamalu, reed, and Eric berry last year. Then there’s sanders who was a second rounder.
I prefer a great SS next draft over a great WR. We all saw the difference sanders made when he played and the steelers are a cometely different defense when polamalu is/isn’t playing. An elite SS can make the difference.

The Indianapolis Colts are going to be the 1st team to win a super bowl in their own stadium. 'nuff said.

by It'sAlways18 on May 7, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

It depends on the player. And don’t rule out getting a late round value. I think Melvin Bullitt will be resigned as the starting SS and he’s a definetly one of the better SS in the league. Add into that Bethea, a 6th rounder, is a top 10 safety (not just FS) and that’s a solid tandem.

Teams make their money in the middle and late rounds. That’s where the value is.

by TrueBlue87 on May 7, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Actually

Sanders was a first round talent (clearly) and he fell to the second round due to his broken foot (teams knew he’d miss most of training camp, which he did on crutches).

The Colts will need to see two things if they are to spend their first rounder on other positions: Garcon takes a big step forward and another wideout (Gonzo, White) shows they can be a solid No. 2 option. They’ll almost have no choice but to take a WR in the first if those things don’t happen.

Personally I hope they address the SS position in free agency now because they need to win Super Bowls now. They still need a NT for the defense, too.

by nickfromnaptown on May 7, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the best FA SS the Colts can get is Melvin Bullitt.

by TrueBlue87 on May 7, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Dawan Landry???

He’s going to hit the market and shouldn’t be too expensive. In four of his five season in the NFL, he has played in all 16 games. Last season was his statistical best at the age of 28, recording 111 tackles (86 solo).

Bullitt should be a no-brainer, sign the kid. Bring in Landry to be the starter though and find ways to get Bullitt involved still.

by nickfromnaptown on May 7, 2011 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Won’t happen. The cost would be too much and Bullitt wants to (and deserves to) be a starter. He’s already familiar with the Colts system, something Landry doesn’t have.

by TrueBlue87 on May 8, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

You act as if the defense is so damn complex.

“Hey Dawan, just play the run tough and don’t bite on play-action.”

“OK coach.”

And… Bullitt is crazy to think any team is going to jump at signing him to start (his injury sure didn’t help). His best chance at playing time is here in Indy. If the guy is smart, he’ll take a generous offer, whatever it is the Colts throw his way.

When Sanders was back at the beginning of last season, they had plans to keep both players involved.

by nickfromnaptown on May 8, 2011 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Lockout.

Has put a lot of things on hold. The team obviously took more of a wait-and-see approach, not making any moves (cuts) and mainly focused on Manning’s deal.

Now, when the lockout is eventually lifted for good and a new CBA can be agreed on, we’ll be seeing roster moves. We can’t honestly think that every player from 2010 will be retained for 2011. There are bad apples (Diem) to be dealt with.

The Colts will have money to spend. They could be active and aggressive (I know, they never do shit in the off-season… but they can’t build teams in the draft anymore, it’s Super Bowls or Bust until Manning retires). Spend some money now, especially knowing you won’t be paying the immaculate contracts of Reggie Wayne or Robert Mathis after this season.

Look, the Atlanta Falcons did the ‘unthinkable’ and invested A LOT in one guy saying, “We’re going to win the Super Bowl now.”

That’s the kind of urgency the Colts need to show with Manning in these final years of his greatness.

by nickfromnaptown on May 8, 2011 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions

The problem is throwing that kind of money around of free agents simply doesn’t pay dividends. The proven way to win Super Bowls is through retaining players you drafted and through the draft.

Free agency is overrated.

by TrueBlue87 on May 8, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

It sure got the Pats pretty damn close in '07

and the Saints sure got a lot out of their free agents in ’09.

Remember the year the Colts won a Super Bowl? Yea, signing a free agent NT named Booger McFarland totally not worth a ring… you’re right.

by nickfromnaptown on May 8, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

On the whole, Free Agency tends to create more problems than it solves.

Honestly, living in DC, I think Bullitt is a better SS than Landry and so he’s the better option.

by TrueBlue87 on May 8, 2011 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

You're talking about other teams though

seeing the Colts never utilize free agency. The Simon deal was the one time it screwed the Colts and who could have seen the mystical polyarthritis happening?

The Colts are a no-nonsense organization that is all about winning. I have no doubts any free agents signed will adopt the team’s mission, fixing problems, not creating any.

No way is Bullitt a better SS. Watching Bullitt start last season after Sanders going down in Week 1, he looked TERRIBLE. Think people are forgetting that.

by nickfromnaptown on May 8, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions