Even the best criminals can stay one step ahead of the law for so long. Likewise the Indianapolis Colts could stay one step ahead of the NFL’s defensive coordinators for so long. Their prolific offense led by the notorious gunslinger Peyton Manning managed to strike fear in the hearts of opposing players and fans. Their daring attacks saw Manning set a new single season record for passing touchdowns a season ago and helped them get off to a 13-0 start this season. That is though when their fortunes would change. Similar to the outlaws that came before them, the date of their demise had unknowingly been set. Also similar to those outlaws was that their demise was totally preventable. The invincible Colts fell victim not to the rough and tough Pittsburgh Steelers, but to a meaningless game in December and a record just as insignificant. Yep, the pursuit of a perfect season cost the Colts a shot at the Super Bowl. Though not as some elite members of sports academia had predicted, it was not an overconfident and over-hyped team that was the problem. It was an overexposed team. The Colts successfully pulled their initial caper. After seeing their season end in frigid Massachusetts the last two years, they set out to achieve dome-field advantage for the playoffs. After week 14 of NFL season that was accomplished. Indianapolis had not only managed to rack up the most wins in the league, but they did so in a way that caused every other team in the league to wonder if the Colts could be beaten. The defense, the team’s weak point in previous years, was one of the league’s strongest. Seemingly the only thing standing between the Colts and a world championship was time. They had no weakness.
That is when the San Diego Chargers rode into the RCA Dome. The desperate Chargers were fighting for their playoff lives. They had no time to cower to the Colt’s reputation. For them it was do or die and they were more interested in doing. So do is what they did. They pinned their ears back and rushed toward Manning as fast and as creatively as possible. What they found on their way to league’s most wanted field general was guards a bit on the slow side, a bit on the light side, and a lot on the weak side. As a result Manning was uncharacteristically under pressure. The offense lost its rhythm and the mask that covered the face of the league’s most dangerous offense had fallen to the ground. Suddenly they looked human. The Patriots made them look as such the last couple of years, but again that was in sloppy conditions. This was in their backyard. Never before had these Colts look so overmatched and out of sync on their own turf.
As much as the Chargers deserve credit for uncovering a chink in the Colts’ armor and as much credit the Steelers deserve for picking up on it, ultimately the Colts themselves are to blame for their downfall. They tried to pull one caper to many. One can argue whether or not their entire posse should have gone the distance against San Diego. There is no argument though for bringing their bag of tricks to a contest in which they were not needed. They took their best shot at San Diego and missed badly, looking ugly in the process. History was calling them and they could not say no. More importantly Manning could not say no. He exerted himself to his limit in the comeback attempt against the Chargers, making the defeat look even worse and given a future playoff opponent all the confidence in the world. Manning wears a lot of hats on the Colts team, but unfortunately pass blocking is not one of them.
The off-season is here and the once unstoppable Colts must remedy their new found weakness. Doing whatever it takes to ensure that Manning will have enough time to utilize his weapons is more important than who those weapons are. Replacing Edgerrin James with a DeShaun Foster type running back will not make the offense any less potent. Even letting Reggie Wayne walk will not cripple them. With a Manning led offense and a Tony Dungy installed defense, the Colts will remain the AFC favorite to reach the Super Bowl. Though if Manning (especially Manning), Dungy, or anyone else in that organization would have convinced the team to play the last several weeks of their season smarter, maybe they could have managed to hide their weakness all the way there this year.
One reply on “Chasing History Cost Colts This Season- Shortcomings Gives Them Agenda for Next”
good story however, i don’t agree with you that the Colts will be right back to the top of the AFC next year. replacing Edge with a guy like DeShaun Foster would absolutely hurt this offense. edge is a top 5, maybe even top 3 RB and there is no offense that would not be effected by that kind of loss. also, wayne is the guy that keeps the defenses from just double or triple covering harrison. without wayne, the colts will need brandon stokely to take over the number 2 reciever slot and while he had one good year, he’s been inconsistent the rest of his career. they may also have some difficulty getting anyone from free agency because they have so much money invested in Peyton Manning and Dwight Freeney.