I don't know why people can't see it ?? I don't understand...?

by AJ Colt on Aug 10, 2011 1:34 PM EDT

And I don't think I'm being a 'homer'.... Let's go back to the Superbowl loss to N.O.

In that game we seen huge drops by Garcon, missed 3rd down and short conversions, a 'pull it out your ass' onside kick ... 2pt conversions by the other team ...So essentially a team playing like it had to pull out all the stops and get everything to go there way in order to win...and it did and they did win... Does anyone for a second think if say those two teams play the best of 5 or 7 that the Saints would win the majority of those games that year?? NO WAY!

Ok fast forward to the following year ... Colts went 10-6 and then 0-1 in the Playoffs...

Here were there losses:

Texans 24-34

Jags 28-31

Eagles 24-26

Patriots 28-31

Chargers 14-36

Cowboys 35-38

Playoffs Jets 16-17

Save the Texans(first game of season) and SD ... every game within 4 points or less...

Now I will remind you that besides that first game they had 20+ people INJURED!

People will forget but last year that first Texans game was like there Superbowl it was "there year" remember??

Also out of the 4 games in Regular season they lost by 4 or less ...they had the ball with a chance in everyone of them...

I watched all these games I seen players like Brandon James playing the slot and basically just wondering around not knowing what he was doing... and the Colts STILL WON 10 GAMES and lost 5 of 7 by less than 4 points!!

Now we upgrade the Offensive and Defensive line in the draft and free agency..We get back our 20+ injured guys ... We replaced our nasty streak linebacker with another one...We seem to have found a short yardage guy...

AM I MISSING SOMETHING? How do people like BBS on this site thing the Patriots, Steelers, Jets are better?? HOW ?? HOW??

As long as Peyton is 'normal' Peyton ... He is the great equalizer... We have a better ROSTER than 09 ...

Please name me someone we had playing in 09 that is now not that is a detrimental to the team... that all of a sudden has made our Roster so much below these others??? (and I still can't believe people think Fat Albert and Ocho are these great improvements?)

In summary ... We played with half a Roster last year... and still could've of went 14-2 LOL...LOL ....

Now I don't think anyone would argue with the injured players back and the additions through Draft and Free Agency...that the team has improved...?? Or has my CHEESE FELL OFF MY CRACKER? Am I just blinded by homerism?? LOL

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.

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Of course, you're absolutely right.

People said that we were stacked before last season – both A. Johnson and D. Muir coming off pretty good first years on this team. Two stud corners, just drafted a third. Gonzo healthy… Injuries ruined last season. That, and the usual problems at defensive tackle. Also, the year before when they went 14-2, there were a ton of games we won by about a touchdown, so (as Dungy would say)…. when you’re up, its never as good as it seems, and when you’re down, its never as bad as it seems. Or something like that.

by taipei_coltsfan on Aug 10, 2011 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Sad to say but its homerism

I hear ya, and i agree with it all but only because like most of us I’m full of homerism. But a loss is a loss. Every team has injuries, sure not nearly as bad as we had last year which was astronomical, but i dont like to use injuries as excuse even though i often do in arguments. All last year showed was a major lack of depth. Certain positions we cant blame like safety we were on our 4th SS. But lets look at our 2 biggest weaknesses on this team that everyone knows and should agree on.

O-Line and D-Line. the problem with either wasnt injuries, the problem was just simply poor play based on lack of talent. They could not overcome those 2 deficiencies. In my eyes yes they did upgrade both this year, but im still uneasy if it has been upgraded enough. They did what i hoped and finally drafted two studs on the Oline but theyre rookies and we truly dont know what theyre going to bring so until they play and play well i will still be very uneasy about our OLine. They brought in a few extra players for the DLine but Tommie Harris was let go and not getting many calls for a reason. He’s not nearly the same player he once was and i dont wanna say it but he will likely get hurt yet again this year.

Now i do have high hopes that our Rookies on OLine do get to play right away and they play well. I do hope Jerry Hughes becomes a great backup option to Freeney and Mathis. I do hope Nevis becomes a little terror on the inside. I do hope Harris stays healthy and provides solid depth. Hell i hope our roster stays 100% healthy all year. But this all doesnt mean i as a fan should not be uneasy. I think we are a 10 win team still living on the verge of 12 wins with the potential of 14 wins if my hopes become a reality.

by Bradman721 on Aug 10, 2011 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

Disagree

I think in this case, it’s not homerism.

The only team with more players on IR last year was the Green Bay Packers. What was their record? 10-6. They also played in the NFC (which in my opinion, is not nearly as good as the AFC). They caught the break and we didn’t. We still almost managed to win a playoff game at home despite the injuries.

Starters we lost:

Clark, Moore, Gonzalez, Sanders, Bullitt, Powers, Hayden, Collie, Silva, Glenn

Key backups we lost:

Santi, Vaughn, King,

2/3s of our receiving core was out for most of the season. Our entire starting secondary, done for the year. Add to that backups for some of those positions (Silva, Santi, Bullitt – both backup and starter) were also lost for the year. Show me a team that can absorb that much beating and perform at a high level.

Now let’s throw in the loss of key players for long stretches, not IR, such as virtually every RB the Colts had, several guys banged up for a few weeks (Conner, Lacey, CJ, etc)

ONE, ONE offensive linemen for the Colts played 16 games. ONE WR played 16 games…. and of course Manning played 16 games. No other offensive player played 16 games for the Colts last season (kickers not included).

by DevilsReject on Aug 11, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

You say its Homerism but then you say … the potential is 14 wins…? LOL??

Maybe my definition is kinda off of Homerism… Mine would be more like say an 8-8 team or 7-9 team saying they are going to be 14-2…

I also agree a loss is a loss … but that’s all I’m pointing out that still with all the injuries and supposedly ‘sub par’ talent the Colts still won 10 games last year… and had the ball with a potential to win 4 more of those… and basically they ‘sucked’ …LOL…. so if that is there ‘sucking’ … then if we just ‘suck’ a little less it should be another SB contention in my eyes…

by AJ Colt on Aug 10, 2011 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

It's ignoring a lot

Like we also won 3 games by 3 points or less last year. Using your logic we could have been 7 and 10.

Also, the Colt’s coaching staff have been severly out-coached in their last two play-off losses. You may call the Saint’s aggressive play as flukey, but I call the Colt’s safe play as stupid. It’s a must win game.

Furthermore, I’m not sure how we’ve upgraded our offensive and defensive lines. The offensive line might be upgraded, or it may be awful with two rookies, and undrafted second year player, an aging center, and a turnstyle Diem. Who knows?

Our D line is still missing a nose tackle, is undersized and has ends who are sub-par against the run.

I’m giving what I consider worst case scenarios above, but they are just as viable as your best case scenarios. And either way, as long as Manning is healthy we have a shot.

by Rogco on Aug 10, 2011 6:34 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Am I missing something?

Our D line is still missing a nose tackle

Are you assuming that Mookie is going to get hurt or something? Because if he stays healthy (I will admit though, that is a big IF), We should be solid at the NT position.
Depth there is still a problem, however…

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 Aug 12, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

i think you point out a major problem largely ignored this offseason

we get out-coached. we like to harp out players teams pick up, but we haven’t improved our coaching, have we? caldwell has made some questionable calls, moore is consulting with the Jets who seem to be hellbent on creating a rivalry with us, pats and steelers have great coaches.

I don’t think it’s homerism. I 100% agree with you. I do think that we need to worry less about Melvin Bullitt and more about the area we are truly deficient at.

by Matt Russell on Aug 12, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

the jets seem like they're trying to pick a fight with all forces in the AFC

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 Aug 12, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

How else can they use the "everybody's against us" mantra

if they don’t pick a fight first?

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 12, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions

yep, they started riling up your Pats, and it's just gotten ugly from there

I finished my education in MA too. I miss it.

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 Aug 13, 2011 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions

For every time you get lucky, theres bound to be times you don't

All teams, aside from the 17-0 Dolphins, understand and accept this. Sure you had bad luck plenty of times – but you also had good luck plenty of times. With the bad comes the good, and theres no reason that will be any different this year.

I doubt your going 14-2 this year… but at the same time, at least your not going 2-14.

Yankees suck.

by New Century Silver on Aug 10, 2011 7:37 PM EDT reply actions

i agree 100%

im a die hard colts fan and to get it done with10 wins with all our hurt players out is a heck of a job, and half of those teams got so luckly with our hurt players out_-

by iluvthecolts on Aug 11, 2011 12:10 AM EDT reply actions

I see us at possibly 13-3

The only games I’m really concerned about are the home game against the Steelers, home against Falcons, and Jacksonville on the road.Only because that game is the Jags Super Bowl every year. They tend to play WAY above there talent level on that game.

by PeyDay18 on Aug 11, 2011 1:21 AM EDT reply actions

The good thing is the road Jags game is Week 17, so it might be rest-a-palooza by then,

EVH+DLR=BFFs........ God I Hope So!!

by dmstorm22 on Aug 11, 2011 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

To me it’s not about how many wins we got in any season, its about how we executed in the playoffs. Let’s face it we are one of the best “regular season” teams in the history of football but “regular season” really means nothing to me. Regular season is the small battles to get to the war.

I personally view any year for this team that they don’t win a Superbowl a disappointment. This team has the best quarterback who has ever stepped onto a football field under center and we are pretty damn talented throughout the roster. Anything less than a Superbowl is unacceptable and thats how it should be viewed. Doesn’t matter to me if we go 10-6 or 14-2 through the battles, its if you win the war.

by Blue Report on Aug 11, 2011 9:19 AM EDT reply actions

I agree with what you are saying

but as it was already pointed out, we got as many lucky bounces as we got bad ones. The difference in virtually all of our losses were the inability to run the ball and the injuries to many key players on offense. Sure, the defensive side of the ball was banged up, but when your throwing a corner route in the end zone to an undrafted player called up from the practice squad because you can’t even fill a roster of 53, you got issues period.

by DevilsReject on Aug 11, 2011 12:33 PM EDT reply actions

Here’s the thing… Ok if I say we got as many breaks as we did bad bounces… if I concede that… WE STILL WON 10 GAMES!!! LOL.. With all those injuries…

So again I will say … who is different than the roster in 09 in a bad way??

Besides maybes Ryan Lilja and CJ? (offensive lineman we lost to KC and Minne?)

And no one would argue that (or I wouldn’t think anyway) That Devis and Harris are if not upgrades are just as good as what we let get away…(Muir??lol) I mean come on…

I’d say Sim’s/Conner and Session is about a wash… uh I think Angerer is good…

So again who is so different than 09 …(barring injuries) …???

I would also argue that the rookie lineman are at some point in the year going to be great upgrades over CJ and Diem …

Anyway still don’t see why anyone would think this team will not be a contender… Again IF it stays healthy…

by AJ Colt on Aug 11, 2011 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

I like to add this also…

Does no one see the ABSOLUTE HUGE DIFFERENCE a HEALTHY COLLIE AND CLARK make for this team… Just them alone….

It’s like two complete different offenses when they aren’t out there…

It’s DRAMATICALLY different…

by AJ Colt on Aug 11, 2011 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely

Everyone knows that Clark and Collie on the field healthy last season change us from a 10-6 to possibly a 12-4 team easily. The truth is though is that everyone understands we caught breaks that won us games just as other teams caught breaks that lost us games.

The team as a whole however has indeed taken a good solid step forward. Every position we have on the field at starter is at least as good as last years opening day roster. In some cases, much better, in some cases, they’re even…

by DevilsReject on Aug 11, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Here's the biggest issues...

Manning is 35, coming off his worst year since forever, and has a neck injury. There will be two rookie OL starting. That doesn’t bode well for at least the first few games.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 12, 2011 2:29 AM EDT reply actions

What I would say to that though … is at least these guys are young and hungry… and HOW MUCH WORSE COULD IT BE? LOL…

I would argue all day it will be MUCH better right off the bat on a play by play basis (especially running plays) ….Will they have there complete whiff plays? Sure…

But I will take two young hungry guys over what was there last year any day….

by AJ Colt on Aug 12, 2011 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Worst year? Not even close...

His worst year wasn’t last year, by far. You do what he did with as little as he did, and that’s a great year. Yes, the interceptions total was higher than it’s been for a few years, but again you have to look at what he was dealing with to keep it in context.

1 more sack than in 2009 (when he was league MVP), 200 more yards thrown for, same amount of TD’s, 6 more INTs, and he threw for a yard less on average than last year. Again, some of those stats are expected when you are throwing to Pop Warner guys called up on a weekend.

The neck injury is still a concern of course, but no more than say a sprained ankle at this point. Pain versus actual problems are a big difference. I’m far less concerned about his neck than I would have been Brady’s knee the year after he blew it out. And the Colts still feature basically the same line for the most part from last year with a healthy squad returning. If the LT play can be as good or better, the Colts have every opportunity to shine.

by DevilsReject on Aug 12, 2011 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Correction

He had one more interception and 6 more sacks this year than last year….

by DevilsReject on Aug 12, 2011 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions

It also wasn't his worst year in forever. And it wasn't like he stunk (he still wasn't the worst QB in the league),

But there were times when he was at fault, moreso than before. Is it the players? In part. Is he starting to decline? Probably not. But if he starts like 08, is he going to be able to recover as well as he did then?

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 12, 2011 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Horrible Comparison

You’re comparing a one legged non mobile QB coming off virtually no practicing or anything (because he couldn’t stand at all) to a guy coming off what was arguably a MVP year if not for Brady’s ridiculous TD to INT ratio. Don’t even bring up Vick because that’s a load and a half.

The Colts injuries derailed more of the Colts season than Manning’s errant throws. The Colts had no running game for pretty much the whole year, and were running the ball with 3rd, 4th, 5th string guys for most of the season. The Colts opponents just dropped back into coverage and covered a bunch of inexperienced or banged up WR/TE’s for the Colts.

I am not saying I expect the guy to come in and light the league on fire. I’m sure there will be some rust. However, it’s not like this is a Ben Rothlisberger or a Tony Romo situation. This is more a Brady and Dan Marino type situation, where the guy comes back in and still plays well, just not at his level of perfection for a bit. If the Colts lose games early on, I promise you it will be because of other factors, not his QB skills/issues.

by DevilsReject on Aug 12, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

He has a busted neck. Exaggerating, but it's still an issue or he'd be taking training camp.

What happens if he cops a hit from an awkward angle from Mario Williams in week 1?

And if you think Manning would have been second in MVP votes (if Brady wasn’t unanimous), you’re deluding yourself.

"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West

by ISN on Aug 13, 2011 3:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Arguably

And fact are two different things. Still, my comment is factual. His performance despite the injuries and numbers he put up are arguably an MVP year. Does he win it if not for Brady? Hard to say. He definitely was the only other QB who could have won it.

Vick was not even in the discussion, despite the bandwagon buttholes who thought he was an MVP candidate..

Brady had an awesome year, and he deserved to win. I’m merely pointing out that Manning’s year was in fact one of his best seasons when you look at the WHOLE picture.

by DevilsReject on Aug 13, 2011 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions