The upcoming Colts game, 9/11/11

[painekiller]

I am shocked that people have forgotten that Freeney and Mathis are two of the best DEs in the league, and that Indy has a playoff quality defense. They still have two of the best receivers in the league in Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. This is not a bad team.

On a side note, since when has Hasselback become a forgotten man? Granted the Titans do not have top tier WR, but Hasselback is still a top half of the NFL type QB.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I am shocked that people have forgotten that Freeney and Mathis are two of the best DEs in the league, and that Indy has a playoff quality defense. They still have two of the best receivers in the league in Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. This is not a bad team.

On a side note, since when has Hasselback become a forgotten man? Granted the Titans do not have top tier WR, but Hasselback is still a top half of the NFL type QB.

Every piece on the Colts roster was obtained with Peyton Manning in mind. The team has been built to score points, possess the ball, put pressure on the opposing team by making them know you will need to score 30 to win, and then rushing the passer like crazy when you have to throw it to keep up.

If the Colts score 30 and you have to keep up, Freeney and company are turned loose and are among the best. If you start Collins and score 14, then Freeney gets bludgeoned with the running game and the defense is a giant liability. Manning makes the whole thing work, and pull him out and you have a bunch of spare parts. Even a guy like Dallas Clark or Collie is only good because they can work the slot and Manning can work his progressions to find those guys. Those guys aren't just lining up and beating people. This Colts team has way less talent than the Texans from 2-53, they've just had Peyton manning and a clear idea of what they wanted to do as an organization for a decade straight.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by painekiller

I am shocked that people have forgotten that Freeney and Mathis are two of the best DEs in the league, and that Indy has a playoff quality defense. They still have two of the best receivers in the league in Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. This is not a bad team.

On a side note, since when has Hasselback become a forgotten man? Granted the Titans do not have top tier WR, but Hasselback is still a top half of the NFL type QB.

i think people are getting excited, obviously.

i think the texans are the favorite to win the division, but they stil lhave to actually win it. the colts' defense is not a playoff caliber defense. they cannot defend the run, and their two best defensive players are one demensional. freeney and mathis are 2 of the best in the league at rushing the passer, but they are terrible at defending the run. the texans could still screw this up and lose, but there is no reason on paper that this game should be close. the o-line for teh colts is terrible, and the only reason they haven't been completely exposed in the past is because manning gets rid of the ball so fast. collins is a down the field passer who needs the run game to be going well to be effective as a passer. the colts have not had a good running game since their super bowl season. without manning, they are a 6 win team

[WMH]

Originally Posted by cadams

i think people are getting excited, obviously.

I think this is the understatement of the year.

While I am excited about the prospects of the season without Manning, I was excited WITH Manning playing as well. I believe that this team will be competitive on a week in and week out basis, save for a stinker or two. How the ball bounces remains to be seen. As we saw last year, it NEVER bounced our way. To lose 5 games in the last two minutes is a combination of poor management, and just plain ole dumb luck.

In the last twenty years ~45% of all the NFL regular season games were decided by 7 or less points and ~25% of the football games were decided by 3 or less. To think that we are going to just walk into the playoffs with a division crown is a little far fetched. It is an Any Given Sunday league, and while on paper it looks to be ours for the taking, they still have to play the games.

That said, I still believe we will win this week, thinking in the 28-21 range for the W.

Uber excited to get this thing rolling!

[cadams]

Originally Posted by WMH

I think this is the understatement of the year.

That said, I still believe we will win this week, thinking in the 28-21 range for the W.

Uber excited to get this thing rolling!

i actually think the score will be something more like 31-17

[cadams]

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports Manning had cervical fusion surgery this morning. The expected recovery if 2-3 months, although we’ve seen with this injury how tricky it is to put a timeline on anything.

Indianapolis had no idea how Manning would respond to his last surgery. After delays, he tried to practice lightly for a week. That caused a setback, back pain, and further surgery. No one can truly know where this goes from here.

It sounds like the Colts will hold out hope that Manning can return this season, but the landscape of the AFC South has clearly changed.

It’s up to Kerry Collins and company to try to keep the Colts afloat in the meantime. We have our doubts they can do so. Even if Manning was able to play again this season, it could be too late to make a difference.

this probably puts the colts out for the year

[HPF Bob]

As much as I enjoy hating on the Colts, it would be really sad if this becomes a career ending injury that never heals properly despite the surgery.

I had a friend who died from complications to spinal surgery. Even the best in that field aren't always successful.

I hope he's able to come back, just not against us.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

As much as I enjoy hating on the Colts, it would be really sad if this becomes a career ending injury that never heals properly despite the surgery.

I had a friend who died from complications to spinal surgery. Even the best in that field aren't always successful.

I hope he's able to come back, just not against us.

At 35, he's had a very long NFL career relatively speaking. On the other hand 35 years old is a very young person with well over half of your life remaining according to current life expectancy tables. And Peyton Manning more than almost any other football player surely could have a very successful and very prosperous life after his football playing days are over, in and/or out of the world of football.