Stampede Blue

Wednesday Injury Report (week 12)

shake n bake — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:30:10 -0000

Still Hurt, Didn't Play: Bob Sanders (knee), Kelvin Hayden (hamstring), Roy Hall (knee)

Still Hurt, Played Sunday: Antonie Bethea (ankle), Robert Mathis (toe),

New Additions: Gary Brackett (quad), Darrell Reid (hip)

Day Off: Dwight Freeney, Tim Jennings

Chargers Report

No Practice: Luis Castillo (Starting DE, groin), Buster Davis (backup WR, groin), Cletus Gordon (backup CB, knee),

Limited: Antonio Cromartie (Starting CB, Hip)

Hurt but practicing: Jacques Cesaire (Castillo's backup, knee), Steven Cooper (Starting ILB, Elbow), Steve Gregory (Backup SS, Neck)

Day off: Jamal Williams (Starting NT)

link

Q: Can you comment on the status of Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy. Will he be back next season? A:...

shake n bake — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:25:46 -0000

Q: Can you comment on the status of Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy. Will he be back next season?

A: Tony will make his decision very soon after the end of the season whether or not he wants to come back. That’s something he has done every year for the past three years. He’ll talk it over with his family and decide whether he wants to give it one more year. If he does, we’ll just move ahead as we always have. If he does not, then (Associate Head Coach) Jim Caldwell will step in as the head coach immediately and we’ll move forward with a seamless transition.

Polian Corner

Peyton Top AFC Offensive Player (Again)

peytonsthebest — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:53:26 -0000

Well, he's done it again. Peyton has earned the AFC's Top Offensive Player of the week for his performance against the Houston Texans. This is his 18th time and the 2nd time this season alone.

Here's the link to the Indy Star article by Mike Chappell.

With the way our season has gone, his play proves that he is the Indianapolis Colts. There's no way they go anywhere without him. And with him, the possiblities are endless.

MVP anyone?

I'm not sure how putting [players] in front of a microphone make anybody better off (although I...

BigBlueShoe — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:56:06 -0000

I'm not sure how putting [players] in front of a microphone make anybody better off (although I take great pleasure in Joe Buck's mock outrage at Moss fake-mooning Packers fans). If anything, I could go for fewer player interviews, which would hopefully lead to fewer Andrea Kremer sightings, and, ultimately, a world of televised football without a booth full of blowhards stating and restating the obvious.

Holy crap! Ryan Wilson of Fanhouse actually says something I agree with!

Week 12 Thursday Pick

shake n bake — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:43:42 -0000

Record and picks are picking winners. The against the spread contest is mgrex03's project.

Week 1: 10-6, Week 2: 10-5, Week 3: 11-5, Week 4: 6-7, Week 5: 9-5 Week 6: 9-5, Week 7: 12-2, Week 8: 8-6, Week 9: 10-4, Week 10: 12-2, Week 11, 11-4-1

Total 108-51-1 (67.9%) ATS 90-70 (56.3%)

108 correct puts me behind ESPN's Accuscore (110) and Chris Mortensen (109)

No spread picks this week since I was passed in the contest. If you want my picks you guys have to stop being better than me.

Steelers over Bengals, if only the Jags hadn't blown their game against the Bengals. I'm legitimately curious as to how a winless team would react to a tie.

Brandon Foster promoted to replace Graham

shake n bake — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:26:58 -0000

Brandon Foster promoted to replace Graham

DB Brandon Foster, an undrafted rookie out of Texas will take the roster spot left by Nick Graham being placed on IR. Foster was signed by the Colts after the draft and went through training camp with Indy, before missing the final cut and being signed to the Colts practice squad.

Stampede Blue Prediction Contest, Results Week 11, Link for Week 12

mgrex03 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:24:35 -0000

We have a changing of the guard at the top of the Prediction Contest this week. Big Kudos go to TouchdownMonkey, as he got 12 game correct this week, taking a 3 game overall. Coming in 2nd this week are Road Teams. I've added both them and Underdogs in this week as well. We have two others that hit double digits with 10, and they are:

zkmavz
Memphis Red Dogs

My predictor hit a low for the season, only getting 5 correct. Hopefully it can bounce back this week. I won't pull down anyone else who only got 5, who is a "funny guy" on this site...

Overall, the Stampede Blue Leaders are as follows after 10 weeks:

Name	Week 7	Week 8	Week 9	Week 10	Week 11	Total
TouchdownMonkey	6	9	8	9	12	93
shake'n'bake	6	5	9	10	7	90
Road Teams	6	6	10	11	11	88
ColtsFanNChiTown	4	6	6	11	8	87
jedye	6	8	8	9	7	86
scottishcoltsfan	6	4	9	8	9	84
The Lawn Wrangler	9	7	8	6	7	84

As I said above, TouchdownMonkey has taken the lead after an outstanding week this week. But check out the Road Teams. They are doing quite well this year.

The results below are (originally) sorted by Total score. Feel free to click on a column and sort them yourself. I've again separated out the "experts" who just picking straight up winners, to make it easier to read.

Please remember there is a game Thursday night (CIN vs. PIT). I will keep it open until Sunday at 1:00 ET, but if it is after kickoff on Thursday, you'll just miss that game. If you want, put your pick for Thursday in the Comments here.

Stampede Blue Prediction Contest Picks Week 11

Stampede Blue Prediction Contest Week 12

Name	Week 7	Week 8	Week 9	Week 10	Week 11	Total
TouchdownMonkey	6	9	8	9	12	93
shake'n'bake	6	5	9	10	7	90
Bill Simmons	8	9	7	11	8	88
Road Teams	6	6	10	11	11	88
ColtsFanNChiTown	4	6	6	11	8	87
Dave Richard - CBS Sports	5	3	12	7	8	87
jedye	6	8	8	9	7	86
CBS Harmon Forecast	7	7	9	12	8	84
scottishcoltsfan	6	4	9	8	9	84
The Lawn Wrangler	9	7	8	6	7	84
Clark Judge - CBS Sports	6	5	7	9	7	83
oldecoltsfan	4	7	8	10	8	83
peytonsthebest	5	6	8	10	6	82
Underdogs	8	7	9	8	8	82
mgrex03	6	6	7	8	6	81
mgrex03 Predictor	8	9	5	7	5	81
bluegirl	5	4	7	6	9	79
KingRichard	4	6	7	8	8	79
Peter Madden - CBS Sports	6	5	7	5	7	79
Favorites	6	7	5	6	8	78
torontocoltsfan	7	5	5	8	8	78
JakeTheSnake	8	6	7	7	5	77
Pete Prisco - CBS Sports	7	7	6	6	7	76
CBS Spin Team	5	6	5	9	6	75
PB	5	3	6	8	9	74
Home Teams	8	8	4	3	5	72
DaveT	6	4	10	9	7	70
Carolina Colt	6	5	9	8	7	64
Skywalker	4	7	0	0	0	59
BetterD	8	9	0	9	8	56
tim55	5	0	0	0	7	56
igougoh	6	6	7	0	0	54
zkmavz	6	3	6	6	10	52
ctnyc	5	8	0	0	5	49
Memphis Red Dogs	7	7	0	10	10	49
kaizoku	0	7	6	6	0	42
rangerover76	5	0	0	0	0	27
KrouseingTiger	5	0	0	0	8	20
Terry	8	0	0	0	0	19
DDCOLTS	0	0	0	12	0	12
manningmachine	0	8	0	0	0	8

Name	Week 7	Week 8	Week 9	Week 10	Week 11	Total
Accuscore - ESPN	10	9	11	11	12	110
Chris Mortensen - ESPN	10	9	9	9	13	109
Sean Leahy - USA Today	10	10	10	9	11	106
Michael Silver - Yahoo	9	11	9	10	12	106
Nate Davis - USA Today	7	10	11	11	12	105
Mark Schlereth - ESPN	8	9	10	10	13	103
Marcus Allen - ESPN	8	9	10	10	13	103
Jim Corbett - USA Today	7	10	10	12	11	102
Jason Cole - Yahoo	7	9	9	11	12	102
Skip Wood - USA Today	10	8	9	10	11	101
Merrill Hoge - ESPN	7	7	9	12	12	101
Jeff Zillgitt - USA Today	9	10	7	8	11	100
David Fleming - ESPN	7	9	8	11	11	100
Jarrett Bell - USA Today	7	11	12	10	9	96
Charles Robinson - Yahoo	7	8	8	11	13	96
Ron Jaworski - ESPN	10	7	7	10	10	95
Mike Golic - ESPN	7	8	7	8	12	95
Tom Pedulla - USA Today	8	10	7	10	8	93
Seth Wickersham - ESPN	9	9	6	10	9	93
Larry Weisman - USA Today	8	7	8	7	11	93

Reggie Wayne is going to walk on water

JakeTheSnake — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:14:53 -0000

Reggie Wayne is going to walk on water

Granted it's in a commercial, but still, very cool.

No word on when we'll get to see Peyton Manning walk on lava.

Pete Prisco wants us to skip this whole playoffs thing and have Titans v. Giants

BigBlueShoe — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:49:25 -0000

It is time for my annual beatdown of Pete Prisco, and when he writes garbage like this, it is easy to do so:

Can we cancel the rest of the season and just play the Super Bowl now?
It's the Tennessee Titans, the last undefeated team, against the New York Giants, the league's best team.

...

Somewhere there is a team that will use the next six weeks and the playoffs to make a run, timing it just right.

It has happened two of the past three seasons, with the Steelers also winning a title as a wild-card team in 2005.

So while we'd all like to race to put the Titans and Giants in the Super Bowl, and it's almost a lock they'll have the No. 1 seeds in their conferences, history tells us that won't be the case.

That doesn't mean we can't picture it and play it out in our heads.

Gee, thanks, Pete. For the love of God, if there is one thing that really pisses me off it is when NFL "analysts" start crowning the best teams in football in friggin' November. We've seen this time, and time, and time again. And I would have thought that last year would have ended this dumb, obnoxious stuff. Last year this time, everyone and their grandmother said the Patriots were the best team in football. Some called them the best team ever. The problem was they still needed to actually win something, and when it came to winning the most important game of the 2007 season, the Patriots choked. The reality was the NY Giants were the best team of 2007.

The team that wins the Super Bowl is the best team in the NFL, not the team with the best regular season record, the model-looking QB, and the record-setting statistics.

Make no mistake boys and girls, the regular season is only there so teams can better position themselves to win in the playoffs. Teams are not crowned in November. They are not crowned in December. They are crowned in late-January, early-February. And while the Titans and the Giants look great now, that does not mean they will look great in January.

If we are going to be selective as to picking the "best teams" now, why not go back to October, when the Bills were 4-0 and looked better than the Titans. Why not pit them against the Cowboys in the new "selective" Super Bowl played out in Pete's mind. Back in October, it was wall-to-wall Cowboys love with Romo tossing TDs and TO mugging the camera. Fast forward to now, and injuries and spotty QB play have the Bills at 5-5 and the Cowboys at 6-4. Both are struggling to stay in the playoff discussion.

Yes, I know Pete is writing a "wishful thinking" article, and that is why I am testy. I personally do not care who is good in November. It means nothing. I am looking forward to seeing who is good in January, regardless of whether it is the Colts or not. The fact that the NFL playoffs have been so unpredictable the last few years is a big reason why the NFL DESTROYS other leagues during playoff time. Why a writer like Prisco is not embracing this obvious plus with the NFL, I don't know.

Two teams that know the philosphy of "any team can win" in the playoffs are the Giants and Titans themselves. So, this isn't a knock at them. They know what they have to do. This is a knock at Prisco, who seems annoyed that another team could walk in and knock off NY or Tennessee, as if that is some kind of crime or tragedy or something. Forget the fact that neither team has won their respective divisions yet. As we have seen this year, injuries have defined the 2008 season. For the most part, the Giants and Titans have avoided injuries. Heck, the injury Vince Young might be the best thing ever to happen to the Titans. But that doesn't mean injuries could start to take their toll on those two clubs. I'm not saying I want them to start getting hurt (I don't). I'm just saying injuries can take a great team and turn them very mediocre very, very quickly.

So, once again I say screw Pete Prisco. He can go off on his own and daydream about the Giants and Titans. The rest of us will enjoy seeing who the real conference champions are. Those champs may very well be the Giants and Titans, but much of the joy of football is seeing teams earn their accolades. In 2006, everyone was on the Chargers and Ravens nuts, all but dismissing the Patriots and Colts. We knew better. Maybe, back then, Pete had dreams of a Chargers v. Bears Super Bowl.

Hopefully, this season Pete is once again disappointed.

Seriously, are this many NFL players THAT dumb?

BigBlueShoe — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:23:24 -0000

Seriously, are this many NFL players THAT dumb?

We have all heard of Donovan McNabb's gaff about not knowing a game can end in a tie. It now seems clear that many more NFL players didn't know this. Seriously, are this many players that friggin' stupid? There was a tie as recently as 2002. I mean, when the fans know more about the rules than the players do, that is a pretty damning indictment of the players, and does not speak well of their knowledge of the game.

Strange reversal: Colts are signing Titans players, not vice versa

BigBlueShoe — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:15 -0000

I guess we Colts fans can take a certain measure of pride in Tennessee's 10-0 start. I mean, Tennessee has spent the last few years plucking free agents from the Colts in an effort to build up their team. Many of the players they poached were on the teams that started 13-0, 9-0, and 7-0 the last three years. Their defense's veteran foundation is built around LB David Thornton and CB Nick Harper. Their offensive line, one of the best in football, was strengthened this past off-season with the signing of OG Jake Scott. Last year, the Titans also signed DT Corey Simon and TE Ben Hartstock. Both are no longer with the Titans. All these players mentioned were Colts players prior to signing with the Titans. Needless to say, the Titans have long been admirers of Bill Polian's drafting genius probably because the Titans are so bad at drafting themselves (Vince Young).

This season, however, it has been the Colts that have been signing players from the Titans. A few weeks ago, Indy plucked DT Antonio "Mookie" Johnson from Tennessee's practice squad. Johnson's play against the Steelers was a big key in the Colts' win in Pittsburgh. And as recently as yesterday, the Colts signed TE Jamie Petrowski from Tennessee's practice squad (tip to GoHorse88). This move likely means that rookie TE Tom Santi is headed to IR.

Petrowski played his college ball at Indiana State, and is a Vigo County (aka Terre Haute) boy. This opportunity allows him to actually play (rather than sit on a team's practice squad) for his home state team.

Is it still possible to catch Tennessee and win the division? Yes, but unlikely. What I know now is with the signing of Mookie and the return of Joseph Addai, the Colts are now rounding into shape. Getting Bob Sanders back 100% is the next big key. Remember, in that close game earlier in Tennessee, the Colts did not have Bob Sanders, Joseph Addai, Antonio Johnson, or a healthy o-line. And yet, despite missing all those key players, the Colts held the Titans running game in check and had a chance.

But, to be honest, Tennessee is a team that we should really put out of our minds. If they lose a few in a row (which is possible), then we can start talking taking the division. But Tennessee is not this week's opponent. San Diego is, and the team is represented here by a great new blog: Bolts From The Blue. Look for some cross-blogging between our two blogs the rest of this week.

Santi, Graham placed on IR, Petrowski signed

AussieColtsFan — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:51:06 -0000

Santi, Graham placed on IR, Petrowski signed

TE Tom Santi and CB Nick Graham have been placed on the IR and, as noted by GoHorse88 yesterday, although it hasn't been annouced officially, Mike Chappell is reporting that the Colts have signed TE Jamie Petrowski off the Titans practice squad.

DVOA on the Colts (week 11)

shake n bake — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:24:41 -0000

No big surprises in the Colts rankings (up one spot to 10th overall). So I'm trying something new here. After the jump is the normal, listing of all the little ups and downs, but up front will just be the things that really jumped out at me.

Massive split on the OL between pass pro and run blocking. The Colts pass pro is now ranked first in the league giving up only 11 sacks (4th least) in a pass heavy offense that has faced more than it's share of 3rd and longs, thanks to the OL's 27th run blocking rating. Short yardage situations (10th) have been the only area where the Colts OL hasn't been among the leagues worst run blockers.

The Colts kick returns rank as the 5th worst in the league. Not a surprise for a team that lost it's returner in preseason and has used 4 different players since. Punt returns are the same story, but with a bit better results (only the 8th worst in the league).

The Colts playoff odds took another healthy jump (9.6%) up to nearly 80%, but their odds of winning the division were cut in half to about 1%. DVOA seems to have chosen it's AFC playoff field with 6 teams over 74% (TEN, PIT, DEN, NYJ, IND, BAL) and only one between 74%-20% (MIA with 45.5%).

After beating the 26th ranked Texans the Colts moved up one spot to 10th overall and weighted (largely because the Falcons who had been 10th were outplayed by the then 21st ranked Broncos).

The Colts O moved up one spot to 4th overall and 5th passing on the strength of their 3rd straight great passing game. The Colts run O actually fell a spot even with the best totals of the year, because those great numbers were par for the course against the 32nd ranked Houston run D.

The run D fell a touch, after giving up a good day to the #10 run O and the Pass D moved up one spot. The Colts total defensive DVOA moved them just barely into the bottom half of the league at 17th.

The special teams remains improved, but still below average, up to 23rd from 24th. The Colts kick returns rank as the 5th worst in the league. Not a surprise for a team that lost it's returner in preseason and has used 4 different players since. Punt returns are the same story, but with a bit better results (only the 8th worst in the league). The Colts punt team has fallen from 1st a few weeks ago down to 7th. The kickoff team is still above average and the FG/XPs below it.

Peytons Top 25 Non Football Moments

skywalker — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:10:03 -0000

Peyton has had many, many great football moments. He is also the most used NFL player in commercials (I made that up but it sounds right). When I googled Peyton Manning Commercials I saw just what I was getting into with this post. I decided to follow through because the world needs to see all these commercials again. These commercials (mostly commercials) are not in any particular order because you can't rank Peytons awesomeness. Here they are in no particular order:

This one is one of my faves, if you like 6 foot laser rocket arms.

Sprint

Can I get some one up here with enough chilli to fill up my bathtub? lol

Bush vs Manning

Shake it off Johnny, rub some dirt on it

Mastercard 1

You know I'm gonna do that. Weather here is sweet!

Mastercard 2

Cut that meat! Cut that meat!

Mastercard 3

DeCaf! DeCaf!

Mastercard 4

*whispers* Clark

Mannings Mind

I love the audible to pancakes

Manning makes Breakfast

Never saw this one until I googled. Pretty funny

Manning family PSA

LOL, I always wanted a lefty.

NFL Sunday Ticket

Just like me and my brother.

Peyton beats up Eli

Didn't see this until recently. These brothers are awesome.

Peyton Interviews Eli

The DSRL 1st commercial. I lol'd

DSRL

It's on like Donkey Kong!

DSRL 2

I love the celebration of the jigsaw puzzle.

Manning summer fun

They really are the first family of football

Anything you can do, I can do better.

I love the priceless peptalks, especially this one. You feeling me, you love it.

Minivan Peptalk

I've been working this do since I was like 5

Bad haircut Peptalk

You think all i care about is football? I like foreign films! :)

DirectTV

This one is mostly Derek Jeter but in my mind I only see Peyton

This one is awesome. No chicken! No!

Sony Bravia

Do you also mean soccer?

Sony Bravia 2

This next one is not funny but gives you an insight into who Peyton is and how he became that person

RBK The Peyton Manning Policy

I had the next one on youtube but it was taken. So I googled it because it had to be included.

SNL Skit

ok, ok. So I saved my favorite for last. This is the funniest I have seen Peyton. You may disagree but when I first saw this I almost wet myself laughing.

NFL Fever 2003

So there ya go. Those are the 25 I picked. I love them all. Peyton is by far the best guy to use to sell anything! If I left any out that you want to add in the comments then feel free. I hope you enjoy this trip down Peyton Memory Lane. If any of the links are wrong then let me know.

GO PEYTON!!! AND GO COLTS!!!!!!!

Week 12 Wildcard Positioning Guide

shake n bake — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:26:40 -0000

How to root for better wildcard position for the Colts.

The Colts are sitting in the top wildcard spot, but that place is far from secure. They are in a 4 way tie, but are currently on top of the tiebreakers.

Bengals over Steelers, the Ravens and Steelers are only separated by a game and they play again so it’s better that both have worse records than Indy.

Eagles over Ravens, NFC over AFC is an easy call

Vikings over Jags, The Jags are almost out of the race, two games back with a bad conference record, but it would be good from them to be totally out of the race before week 16's game against the Colts

Chiefs over Bills, the Bills are dropping like a stone and likely need a sweep of their 3 remaining division games to pass the Fins or Pats, but every team that we can get out of the race is a plus.

Pats over Dolphins, If the Dolphins hadn't given up the game winning TD with 7 seconds remaining to the Texans they would be ahead of the Colts right now. The Fins are the only team with a real shot at winning the tiebreaker over the Colts

Jets over Titans How the Colts can win the AFC South:

Titans lose 5, Colts win out
Titans lose out, Colts win 5
Titans lose to Texans, Colts, and two of the following NYJ/PIT/CLE Colts win out

Texans over Browns, the Browns are on the edge of the wildcard race and on the remaining schedule, the Texans are 3 back of Indy without the tiebreaker.

Broncos ? Raiders, if the Colts beat the Chargers then we root for the Broncos all the time, so they win the AFC West keeping the Chargers, who we have the tiebreaker over in the wildcard race. If the Colts lose to SD, then we want them to win the AFC West to get them out of wildcard competition, so would support the Broncos opponents.

Jeff Charleston catching on with Saints

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:14:02 -0000

Jeff Charleston catching on with Saints

He had two big sacks in New Orleans' win over KC this past Sunday. After getting cut by Indy following the final pre-season game, Jeff thought his career might be over. The good news is it isn't. Nice to see good, hardworking players rewarded. He fits their system better than Dungy's Cover 2, and should thrive there.

Somewhat off topic: Teams that could have head coaching vacancies next year

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:26:20 -0000

The NFL could be bracing itself for several job openings for head coach. Depending on how things shake out with the playoffs, the NFL could have as many as 14 job openings for head coach. Think I'm crazy? Well, ok, yeah I am. But think I'm wrong about this? Check out this list:

Cincinnati Bengals: This team has under achieved for three years and Marvin Lewis looks lost out there.
Philadelphia Eagles: They could miss the playoffs for the second straight year, and if you listen to talk radio in Philly, fans are pissed as hell at Andy Reid.
Oakland Raiders: This is obvious. The team has played much worse since Skeletor fired Lane Kiffin.
Cleveland Browns: They must make the playoffs. If not, Romeo must stab himself while Juliet (aka Phil Savage) must take poison.
Kansas City Chiefs: There is a rift between President Carl Peterson and HC Herm Edwards. Peterson could get the boot, but Edwards has been, and always will be, an overrated head coach.
Minnesota Vikings: If they do not make the playoffs, Brad Childress is gone. He married himself to QB Tavaras Jackson, and that marriage (and divorse) could cost him. The Vikes are too talented not to make the playoffs, and if they don't, the coach must take the blame.
Green Bay Packers: GM Ted Thompson is more out on a limb than HC Mike McCarthy, but McCarthy lobbied for Brett Favre's outster as much as Thompson did. If the Favre-led Jets make the playoffs and the Packers don't, McCarthy and Thompson are gone, and for good reason.
St. Louis Rams: Interim coach Jim Haslett had to win 7 games to keep his job. He ain't doing that.
San Francisco 49ers: They will likely retain Mike Singletary. Fans love him and players are responding ot him. But, if they collapse down the stretch, they'll look for a new coach.
San Diego Chargers: They fired defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell mid-season. Norv Turner's offense has been equally putrid to the defense all season, and there is no reason for it. If SD misses the playoffs, Turner is gone (and A.J. smith is on the hotseat).
Detroit Lions: Sadly, Rod Marinelli's team is 0-10. He was hired by moron-in-chief Matt Millen. Marinelli is a goner and he knows it. To his credit, he is coaching his brains out, and taking on anyone who questions the team.
Jacksonville Jaguars: This team was predicted to win the AFC South by many "experts." Jack Del Rio's antics have divided a locker room he put together. If a better offer is floated out there, look for Jack to make a move to get out of Jacksonville.
Seattle Seahawks: Mike Holmgren is retiring. His supposed replacement, Jim Mora Jr., might join him the way this club has played this year.
Dallas Cowboys: Wade Phillips was always a goner, even if Dallas manages to crawl into the playoffs.

Look at that list folks. Now, some of those teams (Dallas, Seattle) have assistant coaches already in place to take over should the head coach leave. It is also very possible that coaches like Del Rio, McCarthy, and Reid could just move from one team to another (like Jon Gruden did in 2002). Left off this list are the Indianapolis Colts. I do not think Dungy will retire after this year. That is just a hunch. But, I might be wrong with that.

All these potential openings mean assistant coaches from all teams will get looked at. This means Colts assistants like Ron Meeks and Alvin Williams could leave. I personally think Meeks is an underrated coordinator, and should get a chance to lead a club. Alvin Williams would make a great DC somewhere.

Other head coaching candidates: Josh McDaniels (Patriots OC), Ron Rivera (new Chargers DC), Mike Heimerdinger (Titans OC), Steve Spagnola (Giants DC), Jim Schwartz (Titans DC), Jim Fassell (former Giants HC), Brian Billick (former Ravens HC), and Bill Cowher (former Steelers HC).

The Colts are coming and Peyton Manning is starting to get his lower body in shape and drive the...

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:54:09 -0000

The Colts are coming and Peyton Manning is starting to get his lower body in shape and drive the ball. They are going to be force down the stretch.

Mike Lombardi's curious word choice to describe the Colts winning three in a row. (Coming?)

Stampede Blue League: 11/18 Update

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:20:59 -0000

Click the image above for a bigger view.

The teams with the green stars next to the their names are the teams currently slated for the playoffs. Currently, I am second in the entire league in points scored, but on the outside looking in. Next week's game between me and Speed Blue Militia will likely decide the division. Per usual, mgrex30's obsession with stats has given him a gaudy 9-2 record. King's Colts have also performed well, but his 1-3 mark in his division have hurt him. The Peyton Division seems the toughest. Any one of those teams has a shot.

Big performers this week were K Phil Dawson (22), QB Tyler Thigpen (26), and RB Steve Slaton (24).

Just like in real life, the playoffs for the Stampede Blue League will go down to the wire. The Shakedown League update is here.

Wildcard Standings

shake n bake — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:12:19 -0000

I'm pretty sure I have the standings right, as of right now. Corrections are welcome, I may have missed something.

Team	Record	Conf. Rec
Colts	6-4	5-2
Ravens	6-4	6-3
Dolphins^	6-4	5-3
Patriots^	6-4	4-4
Bills	5-5	3-4
Chargers	4-6	4-4
Browns	4-6	3-4
Jags	4-6	3-6

^=Dolphins have head to head and division record tiebreaker over Pats

Colts have head to head over Ravens and Pats