ChicagoFleen Blog

Marlon Jackson, a Huge Steal for THE EAGLES

ChicagoFleen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:02:17 GMT

I am still a little in shock that we gave up on Marlon Jackson. I know this is the Colts Modus Operendi, but this kid had some talent. He has been used sparingly due to injury for the last couple of years and was a first round draft pick by the Colts.

I think the Colts will be fine without him, but I think the Eagles are going to be much better for it. Jackson is a good player when healthy. He even provided me with the most memorable event of my sports life, the interception to take us to our first Super Bowl in 2006.

Sorgi is Gone...Anyone Care?

ChicagoFleen — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:56:55 GMT

I think I am finally over the super bowl loss...who am I kidding, it still sucks, but I wanted to comment on the recent development of Jim Sorgi leaving the Colts. Sorgi has been for the lack of words, completely worthless since he has been on the Colts. Literally, look at his stats. He has never been used for a single meaningful snap in hiw entire career....EVER.

I guess my point is this, WHO CARES IF JIM SORGI IS GONE...anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

I know I don't. Hopefully Painter is as useless as Sorgi is because that would mean that the offensive line is keeping Peyton upright. I think that with a couple of years Painter can develop into the same type of player Sorgi was (not that I even know what type of player Sorgi was because I have never seen him take a meaningful snap).

How I See This Sunday (Super Bowl Edition)

ChicagoFleen — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:07:06 GMT

The Saints come to Miami riding a major wave of emotion after their first NFC Championship victory over the Vikings. The nation is routing for the Saints hoping for the cities first major sports championship ever and to see the cities spirits raised after the devestation left by Hurricane Katrina. In short, the Colts have a HUGE task this Sunday when then step onto the field in Miami.

This game will boil down to three main points: Preparedness, Focus, and Energy. Notice that I didn't mention Freeney, Peyton, Brees, Gregg Williams, etc.

1). Preparedness: Each team recieves 2 weeks to prepare for the other. For the Colts, they have the most intelligent quarterback in history soaking up as much as he can while negotiating the distractions like a pro. The Saints on the other hand are all experiencing the euphoria of winning for the first time. Everything they do is brand new. They are like kids in disneyland right now. They are more distracted than the Colts are and as a byproduct, will not be as prepared.

2.) Focus: The Colts have been here before. They have multiple leaders on both sides of the ball keeping their eyes on the prize. They have had to deal with the distractions of getting tickets for family members, transportation, changing routines, etc. The Saints on the other hand have not. They are approaching each moment with ignorance. They are worried about making sure that friends and families will be in attendence, they are soaking in each moment, and they are not as focused on the actual game compared with any other week.

3.) Energy: The Saints will come into the game riding the wave of emotion. They will come out fired up celebrating and getting pumped up. They will be on fire for the first quarter, but what matters in Super Bowls is who has more energy at the end of the game. The Colt's experience with dealing with the tempo and energy of a Super Bowl will help them here. They will not get to high or low and allow themselves to stay fresher than the Saints. I would equate it to a little kid that goes swimming for the first time. The kid is so excited to be in water that he swims around as hard as he can for an hour and then goes home and goes right to bed. That will happen to the Saints and if the Colts can get past the Saints initial charge they should be able to have more energy towards the end.

How I see it playing out: I think this is going to be the barnburner everyone is making it out to be. The Colts are the superior team, but the Saints will be riding the wave. The Colts might find themselves in a hole at the end of the 1st quarter and have to work their way back. In the second quarter the Colts will figure things out and be able to dig out a little bit. The third quarter should be a draw, but the fourth quarter is where the Colts will show they are the best. They will outscore the Saints and win the game. i forsee 14 points scored by the Colts in the fourth with the Colts winning the game 28-21.

Continuing the Sports Illustrated Curse...

ChicagoFleen — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:07:26 GMT

I wanted to bring this up on the website because I got a big kick out of it. During the playoffs this year I have continued to recieve my Sports Illustrated magazine every week. The pictures are why I have thought this was so funny. 2 weeks ago was the Cowboys, Last week was the Viking, and this weeks was the Saints. What does this add up too? Every single team on the cover has lost the next week...except the Saints (haven't played yet.) I am thinking that superstition might be on our side for this one...

My Colts Playoff Viewing Routine

ChicagoFleen — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:27:43 GMT

First off, here is a disclaimer...I am not crazy...honest, BUT I do tend to get a little worked up during Colts Playoff games.

During the Super Bowl I accidentally broke the dresser that I was sitting next to after Devin Hester ran back the opening kickoff. I obviously didn't mean too, but when I was throwing my hands in the air in exasperation, it broke.

During last years loss to the Chargers I had a big playoff party and then proceeded to scare everyone with how loud I was routing for the Colts and then I accidentely broke my glass side table when the same hand flew into the air...I felt like an idiot...

SO, this year I will be watching both the AFC Championship and hopefully the Super Bowl with only my wife...so I don't scare anyone or hopefully break anything...

Here's How I See This Sunday...

ChicagoFleen — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:16:53 GMT

The Jets come to town this Sunday with a boatload of confidence and rightfully so. They have beaten a tough Bengals sqaud and the anointed AFC champions (at least until last week) Chargers both on the road. Their coach is cocky and like Joe Namath before him, is practically guaranteeing a win for the Jets. On the other side, we have the most underappreciated team with the most appreciated player in the league, the Colts. They are a battle tested experienced sqaud and that should play into their favor this Sunday. I believe the Colts are going to win and here is why:

1). Fatigue: The Colts are a rested group. They have 0 injuries and with the bye week on the backburner, are as close to healthy in the 18th game of the season as you can possibly be. The Jets on the other hand have had a grueling schedule in which 4 of their last 5 games have been played on the road including a cross country trip to San Deigo last sunday. The Jets also have some injuries of note, including DT Ellis who has a club on his hand and will have problems wrapping up Manning (if he can get to him.

2). Leadership: The Colts have a veteran offense and defense led by some long in the tooth players. Manning is obviously the best leader you could have on offense while Sanchez is a rookie that has had a below average year and playoffs. On the other side of the ball, we have Freeney, Mathis, Brackett, and Bethea (all super bowl winners) vs. Vilma, Revis, and Ellis on the other side. Experience plays a big factor in playoff games and if the Jets find themselves in a tough spot, let the finger pointing begin.

3). Atmosphere: The Colts have the homefield advantage, the last game they played against the Jets they let a perfect season go, and they have Rex Ryan bulletin board material saying that the Jets are going to the Super Bowl. My gut tells me that the Colts come out with a HUGE chip on their shoulder and play focused agressive football (love the fourth down call and the 7 seconds left call on the goalline last week).

The Jets will fall behind early and won't be able to come back with Sanchez at QB. The Colts will put some points on the board early, cause some turnovers, and coast to an easy win and a second Super Bowl birth in the last 4 years. I predict the Colts win this one 24-9.

Rex Ryan is Morbidly Obese

ChicagoFleen — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:43:04 GMT

Just thought I would throw it out there. Guy needs to take better care of himself...

Super Bowl or Bust-Why this Season is a Total Failure Unless We Win the Super Bowl

ChicagoFleen — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:07:57 GMT

I stated in an earlier blog that I thought this season would be an utter failure unless we won the Super Bowl. I probably should have went into more details so here I go.

1.) The Colts are the winningest team in a decade in regards to wins, but we only have 1 super bowl to go with that accomplishment. The goal of the season is to win the super bowl so if you look at a 1-8 record this decade so far, we are not the winningest team at all...

2.) Polian shut down the starters in week 16 rather than going for immortality. If we do not win the Super Bowl then his plan was worthless and wasted everyones time and emotions. He was putting all of his eggs in one basket (the super bowl) and I feel he should be held accountable for that.

I am not sure how you could sugar coat a non-super bowl winning season this year. We aren't the Cincinnatti Bengals (just happy to get to the playoffs). We are the Colts.

WTE-Where are you now Pats fan?

ChicagoFleen — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:27:13 GMT

After weeks of WTE trolling our boards we are finally offered a reprieve after his Patriots were humiliated by the Ravens. Whats worse, the fans of New England showed their true colors by booing their team off the field at the end. Typical of New Englanders, they were a bunch of nancies, just like thier team. Way to end "their" decade...

I personally think this is the nail in the Patriots coffin. They might make the playoffs a couple more time, but then it is time to start rebuilding in New England. Belicheck will be exposed as a so-so coach (just like he was in Cleveland) and we can stop listening to Pats fans whining all the time about the media's love of Peyton, blah blah blah.

SO WTE, How does it feel to get crushed in the playoffs and have your fans exposed as the WORST in the NFL?

What I Expect on Saturday Night...

ChicagoFleen — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:33:07 GMT

HERE WE GO! Its like Deja Vu all over again with the Colts playing the Ravens in the divisional round (remember 2006?). I have some expectations of what the game is going to look like and here they are. I have divided my thoughts into three points Atmosphere, Colts, and Ravens.

Atmosphere:

I think I am like most the site, I expect a Colts Super Bowl this year...period. Anything less is complete failure. Saying that, the fans at Lucas Oil on Saturday will be ready. They will be out for blood. I expect a deafening noise coming down from the crowd, something the Ravens did not have to deal with when they played the nancy pants Patriots and the worst fans in America up in New England. The crowd will cause them problems.

Colts:

I expect the offense to come out SHARP. They have had four weeks to prepare for this one game. I expect the first two series to be scripted and the Colts always come out on fire when they have scripted plays at the beginning. I expect two quick scores and then the defense will pick it up. With the crowd noise, inexperience of Flacco, and the quickness of our defense, I expect some turnovers which will lead to more colts points. By the end of the game, the Colts will have a sizable enough lead to run it out with Addai and Brown. Ray Rice will be a non-factor due to the fact that the Ravens will be playing from behind te entire time.

Ravens:

The defense will come out breathing fire, but be quickly cooled when Peyton drives down for two consecutive scores. Ray Lewis will continue to try to fire up the Defense, but they will eventually give up. The Ravens offense will be one dimensional as the Colts will climb to a huge lead and Flacco will have to bring them back. He will make some mistakes which will lead to turnovers. The Colts will have the game won by the 3rd quarter.

Outcome: Colts 35 Ravens 10

College Player That Would be Perfect for Colts

ChicagoFleen — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:32:12 GMT

I was watching the Orange Bowl last night and couldn't help but think how great it would be if the Colts could somehow pick up Brian Bulaga from Iowa. He has been named the best in the Big Ten the past couple years and was 2nd team All American this year. He is a junior and hasn't declared yet, but is projected to be a first rounder.

With the Colts needing to solidify the offense line and their history of loving Iowa players, I was thinking how much I would like to have this guy on the Colts. What do you think? Should we go after him?

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Ranking the Big Ten's top 30 players ...

No. 5

Bryan Bulaga, LT, Iowa, Jr., 6-6, 315

Bulaga

Bulaga earned second-team All-Big Ten honors last season and created lanes for the nation's top rushing back, Shonn Greene, while protecting quarterback Ricky Stanzi. Iowa ranked 26th nationally in rushing and 33rd in scoring despite some ups and downs in the passing game.

Article Summing Up My Thoughts...

ChicagoFleen — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 17:13:55 GMT

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ross_tucker/01/05/pressure/index.html?cnn=yes

They are completely right in the fact that Polian brought this on himself, he was a hypocrit for still playing them as much as he did and going for other records like the most consecutive wins, etc, he should have told the media what the plan was for the Jets game, and he will be second guessed for the rest of his life.

Again, not to beat a dead horse (bad pun), but Polian made a lot of missteps and should continue to be held accountable.

With that being said, can't wait until this bye week is over so we can watch the Colts again...UGH

Why I Shouldn't "Get Off the Bashing Bandwagon"

ChicagoFleen — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:22:26 GMT

After posting a blog about how I still disagree with Polians decision to rest our players when we did and how I think the Colts were blessed with the way the Playoffs shaked out, I was told to "get off the bashing bandwagon." Really? You are going to tell me that I am not able to be critical of my own team? Newsflash: I can bash whoever I want whenever I want!

I still think what Polian did was a coward move. He should have fought tooth and nail to win the Jets and Bills game just like he did the first 14. His comments explaining why he did it were loaded with inconsistancies, his logic was flawed, and he cost the Colts a shot at immortality. If that isn't a reason to be critical of someone, then I don't know what is. Please don't be the kind of fan that blindly follows and criticizes those who speak their mind.

Now I know a lot of people are going to get on the "well Polian was right with what he did, look at Wes Welker!" I will dispell that notion right now. Welker went down on a non-contact play in the first quarter. The Colts starters played for the entire 1st quarter of both games! Long and short of it is that the Colts starters could have been injured at any point of any game whether there was contact or not. Heck, Peyton could be injured walking down the sidewalk god forbid.

So, IMHO there is no defending Polian. He made the wrong decision and I feel that I am still being a great Colts fan by being critical. Anyone disagree and think I am not being a good Colts fan?

Playoffs

ChicagoFleen — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:59:21 GMT

Even though the spectre of Polians numbskull decision will linger for a long time, the Colts are now faced with a dream scenario of a playoff run. We will play either the Bengals, Jets, or Ravens in our first game. All three teams limped into the playoffs (the Jets didn't limp, but were handed it on a silver platter). I think that first game is winnable for sure. The AFC Championship will be again either the Chargers, Patriots, Bengals, or Jets. Again, That would be more of a challenge, but being that we are home, a doable one. The Pats lost Welker, the Chargers would have a long way to travel, the Bengals suck, and the Jets are overrated....

Finally, The road to the super bowl goes through New Orleans in the NFC. Hopefully if we can make the Super Bowl we won't have to play a team that runs a 3-4 defense...we all know how we do against that one...but all in all I am feeling confident that we are superior to any NFC team.

What do you think? Were the football gods on the Colts side this weekend?

My Two Cents

ChicagoFleen — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:39:03 GMT

I am one of the many that disagree strongly with Polians decision to pull the starters and here is the main reason I am angry.

Who won the Super Bowl 20 years ago?

...

Don't know? Me either.

Who went undefeated and won the Super bowl?

The 1972 Dolphins.

Pretty easy to answer that one huh?

I don't understand the logic that being another of the 43 super bowls past somehow trumps the undefeated club. Lets say 25 teams have won super bowls...well, only one has gone undefeated. This team could have had a shot at immortality. How can anyone justify that in the industry of creating brands and winners for merchandising and money that an undefeated season isn't important. Heck, the Dolphins still have people that love them for going undefeated. They still get credit for it every year.

So, my point is, why would you give up a huge increase in prestige, revenue, and notorioty for a city that outside of Indiana has none just to be another face in the crowd?