Taking Stock

I couldn't be happier with the game. That's the kind of put-it-all-together football we haven't seen from this team since the early part of 2007. When training camp opened, we had visions of this kind of team...dominant on offense, cruel on defense, competent on special teams. Last night was revelatory. Please put any minor details or criticisms in that context. There are no complaints today, just observations. These are my completely gut reactions from last night's game.

Reasons to Smile:

The pass pro was great, aside from the one play where Pollack got beat, and Manning was hit as he threw. Listen, it's officially time to stop worrying about Charlie Johnson at left tackle. He's been absolutely acceptable. I don't gauge this on the lack of sacks. Manning was rarely sacked last year, but his YPA was the third lowest of his career. This year, he clearly feels comfortable enough to take deep shots downfield. He's looking deep, so I'm happy. CJ, I apologize. I doubted you. You are getting the job done. I was wrong. I don't mind saying that at all. I don't know if you are the answer, but you are an answer, and I can live with that. CJ has already been better than I thought he could be.
12 carries. 24 yards. One fumble. That's ok, I guess. Melvin Bullitt is Baby Bob. Last week, his play was erratic and you could see that we still very much need Sanders to be healthy, but if he was your team's real starting safety, you could live with him and win with him.
The run game is officially competent. This actually goes hand in hand with #1. It was beautiful to watch Addai run the stretch left last night. Going into the game the Colts were last in the league running around left end, but that seems to have been patched up. Addai has now had back to back good YPC games. Don't look now Addai haters, but his YPC is better than Don Brown's 3.8 to 3.4. Seriously, everyone needs to stop begging for Addai to get benched.
Speaking of Don Brown...he's pretty good. You can see he's still figuring out the run game some, and I actually think Addai is visibly running more effectively, but Brown has that big play burst that is tantilizing. He's still kind of boom/bust, which isn't what works best in the NFL, but I think that will come. We'll have to keep an eye on his "success rate"
The young receivers played wonderfully. Last night was the kind of game I wanted to see in order to fully buy into them. I never denied that they were talented or that they were ahead of the curve, just that they were good enough to make the offense truly fearsome. Now, I can buy it. Last night they combined for 6 catches for 111 yards and a score. That's almost as many catches and MORE yards than they had in the first two games combined. They caught balls thrown more than 3 yards past the LoS. Garcon is clearly a freakish weapon waiting to happen, and Collie did enough early to open things up for the other guys. Very impressive game to say the least, and it was a huge step up from weeks 1 and 2. It was interesting to hear Collinsworth say that Collie and Manning did one on one work all week to prepare. You could see a difference in the confidence level.
Jim Caldwell took a major step forward with this win. I felt that he was too conservative during the game, but I almost always think that. Having said that, however, the Colts' offensive game plan and thought process was aggressive and innovative. There were lots of reasons the Colts could have chalked this game up as a loss and blamed Monday night's game. Instead, they showed the same killer instinct they did under Dungy. This team couldn't look any identical to previous Colts squads. That's to Caldwell's credit for sure.
Pat McAfee. Wow, great kickoff work.. Again, three games is way too soon to judge anything, but can you ask for anything more out of a draft than Polian gave us this year? Ironically, the thing we were most excited about (the DTs) is the only thing to show no results so far. Amazing.
Kurt Warner just got sacked again as I write this. Dwight Freeney ran him down in a wheel chair.
Revenge for Edge James. That makes me happy, what can I say?

Reasons to Frown:

Garcon played wonderfully, but picked up two more penalties. That gives him 5 in three games. The official numbers say four, but that doesn't count the illegal formation penalty that he caused on Monday (which technically wasn't on him because there weren't enough men on the line, even though it was his responsibility to be there). Collie's little give up short of the first down was weak. These are talented young men who are playing well, but mistakes aren't hard to find either.
The third and one play early was not blocked well at all. I didn't like the play call, and there was just no place for Addai to go.
AV. Let's face it. We are all concerned.

Best Call:

The end around to Clark on third and one. We all love that play and it's a real tendency breaker. That was an exciting game plan.

Worst Call:

Not challenging the spot on the Addai catch on third down. I would have gone for it anyway, rather than kick, but not challenging didn't make sense. There was no downside; considering the lead, losing a timeout was not going to hurt any.

Best Play:

Reggie Wayne's TD catch. He may never make a better play. How good is this guy? He was always going to be remembered as a great Colt, but he's becoming something else before our eyes this year. Stunning.

Worst Play:

~~Pollack~~ Saturday allowing pressure on Manning as he threw. It looked like Peyton had Wayne breaking free deep for a touch down, but instead it turned into his second pick of the year.

Reasons I'm Flying:

A two game division lead after three weeks. The rest of the AFC South is 2-9 and both wins came in the division. I know there were some tough games early, but please. That's just weak.
I had this game marked as a loss on the schedule from the start. The other three losses I marked: @ Tenn, @ Hou, @ Buff (because it wouldn't count for anything). This team could post a 13-3 or 14-2 kind of mark real easily. Anytime you 'win a game you shouldn't' it's big. Considering that Indy almost never has those kinds of games in the first place, it's doubly big.
Peyton Manning's YPA is up. WAY up. He's going to have a monster year.
This team has a championship attitude. The defense shrugged off every possible excuse and played an incredible game (their second in three games).
Our next three opponents are a combined 1-8. Our first three opponents? 2-7. Murders' Row it ain't. This is only significant because this team has already showed it's not the kind of club that's going to go out and stink because they overlooked someone.
This team is missing MAJOR stars. Gonzalez, Brackett, Hayden, Sanders. Those aren't just warm bodies. To get wins with guys like that on the sidelines...

Reasons I'm Dying:

"I heard something pop". No Brackett AND no Freeney. I just threw up in my mouth. We have to hope it's not serious

The Bottom Line:

Yes, we don't know how good the Cardinals are. And yes, they played an awful game. They were sloppy and stupid. I don't care. When you beat a team on six days rest on the road, it's a good win. When you blow them off the field in every possible way, it's a great win. I'm astounded at the job Caldwell did to get this team fresh and healthy enough to go out there and dominate last night. That'll buy him a few punts on fourth and inches in my book any day. Arizona was a perfect matchup for the Colts on paper, but they had enough natural advantages to win that game. Their two turnovers (especially the Warner pick) in the red zone were unforgivably bad. In the end, everything they had to do they didn't do, and everything Indy had to do, they did (go back and read that again. I know picked the Colts to lose, but the key issues were all right there).

Seattle is up next. It's time to take care of business at home and generate serious momentum going into the big game at the Titans.

Comments (27) Add Comment

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written by MVPeyton18, September 28, 2009

I was amazed at how much better the line got after they benched Pollack. DeVann came in there and played really well. The right side was noticeably better in pass pro and run blocking. I wish Pollack was better, but it's starting to look like he just cannot play guard at this level.

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written by sb, September 28, 2009

I'm not THAT concerned about AV because the bad kicks seem to have a pattern (and thus, are correctable) -- he's pulling them left and adding a hook. He can fix it the same way a golfer would.

We aren't as good as we looked last night. The defense isn't as bad as it looked vs. Miami and not as good as it looked vs. AZ. There are going to be games where the running game is completely dependent on the passing game for what little it can provide. And the pass pro will still be shaky against a great pass rush.

The best sign from last night is the continued development of Garcon, Collie and Brown. 87 and 44 keep getting better. 29 is quality. If the three newbies establish trust with 18, the offense will function very well, even in games when the O-line is a little over-matched.

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written by DZ, September 28, 2009

Fair points.

The D was playing the exact offense they were built to beat, but they were still playing without three starters.

I think that when/if everyone is healthy, the D really can be that good.

The line is good enough, I think. That's two straight good rushing games.

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written by Monkey Business, September 28, 2009

I'm not that concerned about Noughateri. He's probably still recovering from surgery, McAfee is doing a hell of a job, and the one bad kick he had last night was when Rodgers-Cromartie got a hand on the ball.

What bothers me is the insistence on running on 3rd and short. WE CAN'T RUN ON 3RD AND SHORT. We need to get it out of our heads. I'll trust any of our receivers to make the catch and get the yards, but I don't trust the line or the backs to get it.

I hated that FG from 4th and inches. We're at the Cards 15 yard line, and you're really going to take 3 instead of going for 6? The Colts had their foot on the Cards' windpipe all night, but that would have been crushing.

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written by DZ, September 28, 2009

I agree. I hated kicking that too.

As for running on third and short, we were the best in the league at it just two seasons ago.

We have to get to that level again. I'm fine with the run, just not the run wide in that situation.

Good Stuff
written by Kevin A, September 28, 2009

Good stuff. This was a classic case of pretty much everything that could go right did (with the exception of the pick and the missed FG). I was really worried about a sandwich drive for Az before and after halftime that would make it 21-17 and an offical track meet. The Cards left a lot of points on the field. The fumble at the 5, the pick in the end zone, the missed deep throw to Fitz. The Colts also got a couple of timely holding calls against Az that negated 3rd down completions and turned it into a 3rd & long. Freeney was held, no denying, but it seems that those holding calls don't happen the other 15 weeks of the season. With that said, the Colts were really only stopped one time after the interception. They missed a FG, they took 3 instead of going for it on 4th and an inch on a terrible spot, and they ran the clock out. So, even if it is 21-17, it might have turned out 45-35 instead of 31-10.

One thing that I thought was interesting... It didn't start out pretty for the O. It had a SD playoff type of feel - terrible field position, Az getting incrementally closer and finally a score. So, when the Cardinals went up 3-0 and the Colts got it at 36 with the immediate 27 yard completion to Collie, I thought that they had weathered the storm and they could get into their offensive rhythm. Then, alas, the pick. The fact that they took the ball from the 5 and into the end zone was just so huge. If they go 3 and out, they might end up in the same 10-0 hole with all of the momentum to the home team. That is why (behind the fumble recovery), I put the two most important plays of the game as the 7 yard and 13 yard runs by Addai that put the ball at the 25 and they were off.

One final thing... The offense looked out of synch at the beginning, but it had a boxing match type of feel. The Cardinals were going to sell out to stop Wayne and Clark. Manning responds by going to Garcon on the first play and to Collie on the same drive. Both passes were incomplete and caused a lot of consternation from the blogging crowd, but he made a statement that he was going to take what was given to him and that opened things up for 44 and 87 later that led to points. Just another subtle look at the mastery of 18.

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written by sb, September 28, 2009

On the runs on 3d and short -- what amazed me was a formation with 2 TEs and a FB. When have the Colts ever done that?! Everyone "knew" that wasn't going to work. The Colts may have had success on 3d short at times in the past, but never because they could impose their will with solid drive blocking. Running success in short yardage situations was always a result of defenses which recognized the weakness of the Colt run blocking and chose to focus on pass defense to the point where 18 checked to the run. Go back and look at games in the past where defenses stayed in nickel and dime looks on the goal line. I remember once a few years ago when the Colts had the ball on the 4 yard line commenting that the defense looked like it was in prevent! And Edge ran it in.

Indy's chances of picking up short yardage with the run are much better when they spread the field and pose a pass threat. Power runs out of power formations ain't the answer.

Wait, what?
written by Josh K, September 28, 2009

I didn't notice DeVan replacing Pollack. When did that happen?

Also, it seemed like Senn was on the field a lot in the second half. Who got taken out of the game?

Pollack and other stuff
written by Westside Rob, September 28, 2009

Was Pollack hurt or being benched? Devan and he seemed to swap there for a couple series. I could be wrong but I noticed Devan was in and then I could have sworn Pollack came back. Then Devan was clearly there in the end of the game. I'm surprised he's passed Richards already, what a FA pick up that was if he continues.

Lacey continued his strong play, and either Powers wasn't playing much or Warner rarely threw his way because I didn't see his number much (though enough to know he did play at least some). Jennings evidently has a bulls-eye painted on him, though he made a few plays last night. He's still the 5th corner in my book not the 4th. I wonder when they might if ever be ready to put Jackson back out on the edge.

I smell a trap game coming up with the Seahawks. I don't think the Colts will fall into it but it wouldn't surprise me to see the Colts regress a little in next week's game. The Sea Chickens can still play some ball (should have beaten Chicago), and you gotta think Edge will be motivated to make some plays if he can get on the field and get the ball.

The biggest reason to be happy about the defense was the high quality of the tackling. It was solid all night. That might have been the best tackling from the Colts since the Playoffs of the Super Bowl run. IF they could continue that, and get healthier the defense will be more than adequate and good enough to put the Colts in contention. Other than maybe the Giants it doesn't look like there are going to be a lot of dominant teams this year. Even the good teams that are playing well right now have questions like the Colts (can they stop the run consistently when they have to). If the Colts can stay healthy (please let Freeney's injury be a 4-6 week thing and not worse)...then I think the Colts should make the playoffs for sure (already a strong likely hood with the other AFC South teams struggling) and be positioned to make a run at the Bowl. But staying healthy is crucial.

Freeney
written by smonroe, September 28, 2009

Just listened to Coach on Sirius and noticed he totally ignored the Freeney health question the first time they asked. They asked again later in the interview and he said he won't know until DF sees the docs later this afternoon.

I hope it's nothing serious, but with our lead in the division it wouldn't be the end of the world if he has to rest for a few weeks. Say until Nov 15?

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written by sb, September 28, 2009

Excellent point about the tackling. Great example of the type of thing we generally don't want to get noticed (like good officiating). When it's done right, no one notices. Unfortunately for the guys who do it, pass pro is also on the list. When they are great, we talk about the QB. When they suck, it's all we notice.

Another point -- I think the WRs were more noticeable getting after their blocks in the running game. Even 87 seems to have gotten a lot friskier. In fact, last Mon night he even went after someone behind the play on a long TD (not usually a very smart move) just to get in an extra shot.

I've got a post up about Freeney.
written by Cass, September 28, 2009

I did the research. The outlook appears good:

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/9/28/1058319/dr-cass-dr-blues-unofficial

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written by DemondSanders, September 28, 2009

That's a really nice write up, Cass. Hope you are correct.

I hope so too,
written by Cass, September 28, 2009

but I'm definitely more confident about Freeney now after doing all of the research than before

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written by Preston, September 28, 2009

As much as i love it when our pass rush crushes the other team it seems to me that when this happens the refs forget what holding and face-masking look like. Just pathetic and dangerous.

Unless Freeney is in the upwards of 10 weeks I'm not worried.
written by dmstorm22, September 28, 2009

I forgot to talk about the line in the last post. They were great. Arizona, at least last year, got pressure on the QB. They had barely anything last night. Manning had all day, and was doing his patented stepping up. I have not seen the pass offense work this in sync, deep and short, since 2006.

Unlike a previous poster, I think this team can be that good. They were missing Brackett, Hayden and Gonzo, and still went off against a pretty good team in their yard.

As a final note, that was not the best play Reggie has made. That one would be the one-hander in Houston last year.

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written by DZ, September 28, 2009

The two are close. Also in the running was the sweet one hander verses Philly where he grabbed a ball down the sideline.

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written by DemondSanders, September 28, 2009

I was just about to mention the Philly catch. That would be my pick, but last night's was stunning.

Forgot about the Philly one
written by dmstorm22, September 28, 2009

This is what is great about being a Colts fan. We lose one guy who makes sick catches. We still got another one. It never ends. I rue the day when Peyton and Reggie won't be here.

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written by Attila, September 28, 2009

Just have to point out, Pollak wasn't even on the field, when Manning's arm got hit and he threw a pick.

I hope Freeney is back for the Titans or after the BYE. He has a great season. Until he comes back, Foster can be the #4 end, and Moala could get some game reps.

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written by DZ, September 28, 2009

I'm running it down, but are you sure? They identified him in the broadcast (I thought).

Like I said, everything I say before watching the tape can change...

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written by Attila, September 28, 2009

In the nfl.com Peyton Manning highlights video at 0:38 sec, you can see De Van, at 0:42 Saturday, at 0:50 Lilja.

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written by DZ, September 28, 2009

Nice catch. DeVan was in at RG, and he pulled. Saturday had to slide over to fill that spot and got there late.

Saturday blew that block
written by Scott P, September 28, 2009

If Peyton's arm didn't get hit on the interception, I think that would have been a TD to Wayne.

Devan saw alot of playing time at RG & I think he was out there when that occurred. However, I believe Devan slid to his left & Saturday was responsible for blocking the DT who hit Peyton's arm.

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written by Anonguy, September 29, 2009

I think the sickest think about Reggie's one hander was the seamless transition from right to left so he could divebombe the pylon with the ball.

My hidden highlight? The gigantic bruise on Warner's forehead. Just an unbelieveable day rushing the passer, including a three man dogpile on Warner on an incopletion at one point.

Best thing? Making Larry Fitz invisible for most of the night and keeping the Cards' deep game in the deep freeze. I wonder how Larry didn't get called for Offensive Pass Interference, as the guy covering him(27, Lacey?) could have made a play for the ball without 11 escorting him away.

What I Hope For? That Brackett is back healthy so we can cut Senn, and for Marcus Howard to still be a free agent so we can pick him up if D Free is out for the next 3 weeks.

3 - Wide vs 2 Tight End
written by holaday, September 29, 2009

I was rewatching some games tonight and wondering if the Colts would reintroduce the 2 tight end formation anytime soon. Someone noted that since Gonzo was injured they went away from it. I'm not complaining, just noticing. Tamme and Robinson seemed to be thought to be a big when predicting how the Colts would play this season. Would not have guessed that by game three we would be enjoying Garcon and Collie this much. Could it also have something to do with the fact that the line hasn't needed the extra man to protect, I wonder.

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written by DZ, September 29, 2009

When Gonzo left, so did Tamme. I have no idea why, but they've only very infrequently gone two TE since then.

It will be interesting to see what happens when he comes back. The theory that the line doesn't need the help makes as much sense as anything.