Tom Brady
07-08-2008, 04:22 AM
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AgKjJQrLo1_LTYTr8Nz5qSb.uLYF?slug=coltsb urningquestionhast&prov=tsn&type=lgns
Colts’ burning question: Has the window closed?
By Vinnie Iyer - SportingNews Jul 7, 12:22 pm EDT
The Indianapolis Colts had the breakthrough two seasons ago, finally living up to great expectations by winning Super Bowl 41.
Last season, they finished a game better in the standings (13-3) but reverted to the playoff disappointments of the past, getting upset at home by a Chargers team that was forced to use second-stringers in key offensive roles in the second half.
So how much longer can the Colts hang with San Diego and New England as the AFC’s ultimate triumvirate? Heck, can the Colts keep the Jaguars or Titans from displacing them as AFC South champions?
The Colts haven’t run out of time—any reports of their demise are greatly exaggerated. As long as they have Tony Dungy on the sideline and Peyton Manning in the pocket, the Colts at least will be contenders for a playoff spot. At the moment, they still have much more on their side—including a strong defense and a fine running game—to stay on the field with AFC’s heavy hitters.
For starters, there’s nothing wrong with the offense. The Colts averaged the second-most points per game (28.1) in the Manning era last season, ranking only behind Manning’s 49-TD effort in ‘04. They had to perform for most of the season without old reliable wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who battled a balky knee, but managed just fine with their other skilled pass catchers—tight end Dallas Clark, new true No. 1 Reggie Wayne and then-rookie Anthony Gonzalez.
Joseph Addai maintained his steady production on the ground, and he should continue to make a big impact this season. He’ll be helped by the re-signing of his former running mate, Dominic Rhodes, who will keep Addai fresh and be a factor in both the rushing and passing games.
If it weren’t for the Patriots setting scoring at an unprecedented pace, the Colts’ improved firepower would have gotten a lot more attention last season. Thus, if Harrison is able to come back and be effective through a full season, the Colts might feature their best-ever offense. They can spread the ball around through the air but also know how to pound it when needed.
For the Colts, it comes down to the defense.
In their cover-2 defense, the Colts ideally want opponents to work the ball underneath and then allow their speedy defenders to close quickly and make plays. The Colts pride themselves on—and excel at—not giving up big, backbreaking plays.
However, that wasn’t the case in matchups against the Patriots (a regular-season loss) and the Chargers (two losses combined). All three losses were decided by four points or fewer, and although the offense made its share of miscues, the defense and special teams gave up difference-making big plays.
The Colts probably don’t want to see any more of Chargers running back Darren Sproles. Sproles first burned the Colts for a kickoff return touchdown and a punt return touchdown in Week 10, and he then scored on a 56-yard third-quarter reception to burn Indy in the playoffs.
Against the Patriots, the pivotal plays were coverage breakdowns on a 55-yard pass to Randy Moss and a 33-yard pass to Donte’ Stallworth in the fourth quarter. The two lapses set up New England for a pair of touchdowns.
Why focus on just two opponents, the Chargers and Patriots, and the rare lowlights for the defense that ranked third in the NFL? Well, because the Colts still have the top-level talent to take care of business in the AFC South and maintain a top-three playoff seed.
That means, of course, the Colts likely would draw either the Chargers or Patriots as a playoff obstacle down the line, after again playing each during the regular season. It’s not like the Colts were that far away from winning all three games against the Chargers and Patriots last season. The Colts just need to avoid the momentary mental and physical lapses that have cost them in the past.
The Colts still are on the elite path—the road just happens to have major bumps ahead. It’s a pretty good bet that New England, San Diego or Indy will represent the AFC in Super Bowl 43. The Colts are just as good as the other two—they just need to execute like it before their window starts to close.
Colts’ burning question: Has the window closed?
By Vinnie Iyer - SportingNews Jul 7, 12:22 pm EDT
The Indianapolis Colts had the breakthrough two seasons ago, finally living up to great expectations by winning Super Bowl 41.
Last season, they finished a game better in the standings (13-3) but reverted to the playoff disappointments of the past, getting upset at home by a Chargers team that was forced to use second-stringers in key offensive roles in the second half.
So how much longer can the Colts hang with San Diego and New England as the AFC’s ultimate triumvirate? Heck, can the Colts keep the Jaguars or Titans from displacing them as AFC South champions?
The Colts haven’t run out of time—any reports of their demise are greatly exaggerated. As long as they have Tony Dungy on the sideline and Peyton Manning in the pocket, the Colts at least will be contenders for a playoff spot. At the moment, they still have much more on their side—including a strong defense and a fine running game—to stay on the field with AFC’s heavy hitters.
For starters, there’s nothing wrong with the offense. The Colts averaged the second-most points per game (28.1) in the Manning era last season, ranking only behind Manning’s 49-TD effort in ‘04. They had to perform for most of the season without old reliable wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who battled a balky knee, but managed just fine with their other skilled pass catchers—tight end Dallas Clark, new true No. 1 Reggie Wayne and then-rookie Anthony Gonzalez.
Joseph Addai maintained his steady production on the ground, and he should continue to make a big impact this season. He’ll be helped by the re-signing of his former running mate, Dominic Rhodes, who will keep Addai fresh and be a factor in both the rushing and passing games.
If it weren’t for the Patriots setting scoring at an unprecedented pace, the Colts’ improved firepower would have gotten a lot more attention last season. Thus, if Harrison is able to come back and be effective through a full season, the Colts might feature their best-ever offense. They can spread the ball around through the air but also know how to pound it when needed.
For the Colts, it comes down to the defense.
In their cover-2 defense, the Colts ideally want opponents to work the ball underneath and then allow their speedy defenders to close quickly and make plays. The Colts pride themselves on—and excel at—not giving up big, backbreaking plays.
However, that wasn’t the case in matchups against the Patriots (a regular-season loss) and the Chargers (two losses combined). All three losses were decided by four points or fewer, and although the offense made its share of miscues, the defense and special teams gave up difference-making big plays.
The Colts probably don’t want to see any more of Chargers running back Darren Sproles. Sproles first burned the Colts for a kickoff return touchdown and a punt return touchdown in Week 10, and he then scored on a 56-yard third-quarter reception to burn Indy in the playoffs.
Against the Patriots, the pivotal plays were coverage breakdowns on a 55-yard pass to Randy Moss and a 33-yard pass to Donte’ Stallworth in the fourth quarter. The two lapses set up New England for a pair of touchdowns.
Why focus on just two opponents, the Chargers and Patriots, and the rare lowlights for the defense that ranked third in the NFL? Well, because the Colts still have the top-level talent to take care of business in the AFC South and maintain a top-three playoff seed.
That means, of course, the Colts likely would draw either the Chargers or Patriots as a playoff obstacle down the line, after again playing each during the regular season. It’s not like the Colts were that far away from winning all three games against the Chargers and Patriots last season. The Colts just need to avoid the momentary mental and physical lapses that have cost them in the past.
The Colts still are on the elite path—the road just happens to have major bumps ahead. It’s a pretty good bet that New England, San Diego or Indy will represent the AFC in Super Bowl 43. The Colts are just as good as the other two—they just need to execute like it before their window starts to close.