2011 NFL Preseason: Rams 33 - Colts 10

It’s preseason. I’ll give Hughes a few live games with all the top starters before I label him a bust. Its either gonna click for him this yr or it wont. I’ve seen freeney get blanked two games in a row so I’ll wait for a larger sample size with Hughes in.

I’m gonna be slightly optimistic and hope for the best (with Hughes); from what limited things I saw the ENTIRE defense sucked. Shot for the stars and hope we hit the moon.

Wheeler looked decent out there, maybe even somewhat good.

Painter looked awful as usual, minus the throw that PG made him look good on. What a catch… I didn’t get to see much of the game, but after our starters, the quality of play looks to be rather horrid… I hope this is just the pre-season garbage play that we are all so used to. I was not impressed with much of anyone.

What I mean by that is, Painter is our backup. We essentially started the game with the 2nd string and went down from there. Yes, I realize the Colts still look like shit in preseason no matter what. So, my point being… This team had a limited time to work together, save complete overviews until playtime is over.

Caldwell talking. Saying the ‘key’ is to be better next week against Redskins.

Well, of course the key is to do better. That’s pretty fucking obvious, Jim.

TFLs: Tuihalamaka 1, Conner 1
QHurry: Gill 1, Nevis 1, Harris 1
Pass Defensed: Rucker 1, Powers 1

Colts coaches suck at getting the DBs to make plays on the ball.

Perspective is called for with Painter. Remember the the questions about Mannings fundamental athletic talent compared to Ryan Leaf? Remember the arguments that Manning was out-performing his raw ability and and had no upside? Was his success more about the program at Tennessee? I recall a number of folks questioning his arm and therefore he would only be an adequate, smart QB, but not deserving of the #1 pick. Again, no upside.

In Peyton Manning’s 1998 rookie year, he started the season with the following stats in the first three games (with Marshall Faulk in the backfield). Game one = 21 of 37 for 302 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT, 56% completion, and a QB rating of 58. Game two = 21 of 33 for 188 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT, 63% completion, an a QB rating of 51. With some real game experience he proceeded to post game three stats of 20 of 44 for 193 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT, completion, and a QB rating of 39. He went on to a 3-13 record and post the Colts all time season record for interceptions.

Orlovsky and Davis are basically cast offs after they were given the amount of real game experience to prove themselves and they were cut by other teams. I doubt we will find a proven vet worth signing off the scrap pile. Considering the cost, finding valid talent, and finding someone satisfied with the back up role, we are stuck with trying to develop a talent.

I watched almost the whole Seahawks game and their 3rd QB Portis looked awful in his first possession. He looked like someone failing at the Ray’s Trash throwing contest at a Colts game. In his second possession he looked like Michael Vick. Painter didn’t perform like that but he did improve.

I subscribe to the theory that over the past twenty years, many pro-bowl caliber players who might be household names never see more than a few minutes of the regular season or none at all for a variety of reasons, from incorrect scouting reports, rosters crowded with veterans, etc. He is not Manning circa 1998, and maybe not a future Pro-bowler (maybe he is), but we need to give Painter some serious minutes with the first team to let them prove themselves or wash out.

…. and you don’t want to hear my take on 98% of higher ed academics. Barking up the wrong tree. I just think that we’ve already invest time and energy into Painter and should see it through not to waste the effort.

Revenue – Expenses = Profit than ever before – I picked 1980 arbitrarily

and Painter was never a good college QB. A good or even average college qb will take time to transition to the NFL. A player who is below average will never make that move. Painter in my opinion is below average.