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Blog: 2007: Will the Colts Repeat?
Are Changes Imminent?
1/17/2008 8:02 PM
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Categories: Sports
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The great thing about a forum like this one is that everybody gets to say whatever is on their mind, and others get to pick it apart and point out all the reasons why they MUST be wrong. No one is right, no one is wrong! We just have different opinions. So here is MY opinion on some of the things being printed in the papers and broadcast on the TV/Radio.
The biggest news surrounding the Colt’s this week is obviously whether or not this will be Tony’s last year in Indy - I wouldn’t be surprised if that indeed is the case. I get amused though at all the talk that has re-surfaced about Tony’s coaching abilities. I cannot remember ONE single time in the past year, that this conversation has came up. Since winning the Super Bowl and then following it up with a 13-3 regular season (under more difficult circumstances than any other team in football), the critics have been silent! I thought that THIS, by far, was Tony’s greatest job of coaching EVER! Maybe it was too good. If this team would have went 10-6 with all the injuries they had, would anyone have been surprised? If they finish 10-6 and get beat in the Playoffs by San Diego in the Wild Card game instead of the Divisional round, would it have been as big of a shock? Does losing this game REALLY make Tony’s as bad of a Coach as winning the Super Bowl last year made him a GREAT one? What he was able to do with this team this year, after a shorter off-season, all the distractions that go with winning a Super Bowl, and then the injuries that occurred, are truly remarkable. Would have yelling and screaming at these younger players that he was forced to put on the field this year, worked better than the calming influence that he obviously has on this team? Why aren’t there more articles and more conversation going on out there about how he was able to achieve what he did, with what little he had to work, with for most of the season?
Should he elect to step away, his replacement is speculated to be his long time assistant coach, Jim Caldwell. No one knows if he is ready to be a head coach in the NFL, but if he never gets the chance, no one ever will. I would rather see him get that shot here, rather than go to some rival of ours and find out that he is the next coming of – Tony Dungy! The bigger picture though, in my humble opinion, is that the next head coach of this team MUST have a similar philosophy if we are to continue to enjoy the kind of success that we have become accustomed to. There are a handful of KEY players on this team that are just now approaching, or already in, the prime of their careers. Introducing a new staff and new schemes would minimize the opportunities over the next few years to reap the benefits of maintaining the continuity that has been built with this core group of players. At some point every team has to go through a rebuilding process, and we are not exempt from that. I would like to see that happen though AFTER we get all we can out of this group of players.
How long did we have to put up with the talk that our defense could never be more than mediocre due to the salary imbalance on the two sides of the ball? We had the #1 Defense in the league this year (without a Dwight Freeney, Booger McFarland and Rob Morris) using a cast of characters that most have never heard of (except Bob of course). It is a defense that relies on speed and intelligence, every bit as much as size and strength. It is not void of its vulnerabilities (being able to put pressure on the QB with the front four a big one), but with the right people in the right positions, it can be very effective. Bringing in a new coach who is not in favor of using a Cover2 scheme, could prove to be detrimental to the effectiveness on Defense. How many players that were successful in this scheme, have left the Colts and enjoyed success in other systems - not very many. Can the Defense be re-tooled to make better use of other schemes – sure, but how long would that process take to get in place?
There are many ways to achieve success in Sports, and many different beliefs and philosophies that go behind it. The kind of success that we, as fans, have been able to witness over the last six years has only been duplicated by perhaps, one other team! I know how many years I anguished over not just losing, but not even being competitive! I am PROUD of what this team has been able to achieve, with or without multiple Super Bowl Championships. I know what it USED to be like, and I know when it changed – it all started with Tony Dungy!!
God Bless him with the very difficult decision he is trying to make!
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A Sad Ending, to a Great Year!
1/13/2008 8:47 PM
Categories: Sports
It wasn't the ending that any one wanted, or even envisioned, but the Colt's attempt at defending their World Championship officially came to an end on Sunday, in the last NFL game to ever be played in the RCA DOME. The great debate will once again begin as to what benefit earning a first round BYE really gives at team, but it will remain a question that there will never be a an absolute answer to. Circumstances will always differ from one team to another, making the answer one that is always dependent on the result, and not the prediction - win, and it is great, loose and it was a big mistake.
This game was decided on the execution of one team (the Chargers) and the lack thereof from the other (our beloved Colts)! The Chargers are to be commended for the performance they were able to put together on the road, in an extremely difficult place to play. They would begin the game with their #1 receiver playing with a dislocated toe and he would never be a factor. They would loose the leading rusher in the NFL before halftime, only to turn around and loose their starting quarterback a quarter later. Yet they still managed to make enough plays to secure the victory, and put an end to our magical season. It was the type of performance we have seen time and time again this season, by OUR Colts!
The building was electric, and the Colts came onto the field looking to be very energized and ready to go. The offense moved the ball at will against the Charger defense, but kept shooting themselves in the foot once they got inside the Red Zone - three turnovers while in scoring position. The hit on Marvin was pretty solid resulting in his fumble, but the other two were unforced errors with balls going through the hands of receivers - you will not win many games, let alone playoff games, with that kind of execution.
I felt though, that the difference in the game came on the defensive side of the ball. It was complete role reversal from a year ago, where the defense was very suspect all year long, only to turn it up a notch in the Playoffs, proving to be the catalyst in the run to the Super Bowl. This year, the defense was miraculous all year long, but looked like a different unit on Sunday, against a Chargers offense without it's three primary weapons for large parts of the game. There were too many big plays given up to the Chargers and the Colts committed 10 penalties for 79 yards - a very un-Colt like performance in a BIG game!
It was an extremely difficult loss for all involved, but as is usually the case, was handled with the utmost class by all. I was extremely pleased with the lack of negative comments by Colt fans as they exited the stadium - the emotion was obvious, and the mood was very subdued, but I was proud walking out and not hearing the kinds of things I have heard when I went on the road to other stadiums and watched the Colts win. I heard MANY well wishes to the Charger fans who were in attendance, and offers of support as they go to that East coast city next week!
So it will be a very long offseason, with much uncertainty about certain aspects with the team. Will Tony return next year? How many assistant coaches will get job offers from other teams? Will Polian and Irsay be able to work out a contract extension for Dallas, or will he get the franchise tag? What other players will test the free agent market? Regardless, The future this franchise is extremely bright. The number one defense in the league will get Freeney, McFarland and Morris all back. The many rookies who played so well this year will get a second training camp, along with all the experience they gained this year. Peyton shows me no signs of letting up, and the offense should just continue improving!
I know it hurts right now, but nothing can be done to change what happened today. We will all have to find our own way to deal with what we are feeling, but just try to think of all the wonderful things we have witnessed this year, and don't hesitate to draw support from the many wonderful people on this network, if needed.
I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing my thoughts with all of you this year. Thanks so much for all the words of encouragement throughout the year, and I look forward to continuing what we have started! I am not going away, and will continue to add things to my content.
Stay True to the Blue, and God Bless you all!
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Chargers vs COLTS: GAME ON!
1/12/2008 9:33 AM
Categories: Sports
Just a little over 24 hours before kickoff, and it is amazing how much energy there is everywhere you go. John Madden has commented on many Colt | | | | | | | |