Go Colts 2003!
Friday, November 28, 2003
Whew! Bullet dodged. An MRI revealed no damage to Peyton Mannings elbow and he should start Sunday. The most critical 2 game stretch of the season begins with New England and followed by Tennessee. We need all of our players!
However, it looks like Tarik may miss another week and so may Marcus Pollard. This week seems to be dragging on. I am ready for Sunday!
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Here is my latest.....
Typical sheep. Read the article in the paper and you have it all figured out don't you?
Try this on for size if you can get your narrow mind around the idea. The Colts generate money from the suites, concessions and parking that they do not keep. It goes to the Capital Improvement Board. Currently the CIB redistributes that money and any other money it has coming in to whatever causes it is involved in. If you do the math, the Colts are bringing in, in excess of $20 million per year on the above items, while the CIB 'redistibutes' approx. $10 million to them.
That leaves another $10 million that the Colts generate, but do not get. It is that money that is earmarked to cover the shortfall. Can you understand that math?
You talk of extortion, yet it was the Colts AND the city of Indianapolis that AGREED to the terms of the lease and all agreements. Yet you choose only to say the Colts are extorting money from the city.
As I asked another poster on this board a couple weeks ago, what color is the sky in your world?
Colts 17 Bills 14, and yes it was that close. Thankfully the Colts decided to play after the third quarter.
Edge had an excellent day, Peyton was once again over 100 for his QB rating. Aaron 'Endora' Moorehead came up with several catches and the defense played pretty solid. Yes they gave up two TD's to the Bills, but they were due. Besides, it wasn't like they just ran all over us. Travis Henry was held to under 100 yards and Drew Bledsoe had a typical shitty day for him.
The weather seemed beautiful. It was 70 and sunny in Buffalo.
Our only injury that I have heard of was Reggie Wayne with a bruised forehead. He returned and should be okay.
Now starts the toughest two weeks of the season. Next week a home game against the Patriots. The 9-2 Pats just keep finding ways to win and we all know they have virtually owned the Colts since 1984. Their D is tough and aggressive and Tom Brady runs a steady, solid O.
Then it is on to Nashville for what should be the game to decide the AFC South.
The bottom line is this. The Colts have to get healthy. We need Tarik, a 100% Marvin and Reagor, Marcus and Bashir. We also have to be able to tackle. We have to be mentally tough against both of those teams or we will lose both. The Colts have come too far this season to let it slip away now and I don't think they will.
More later....
One PS today. Congrats to the Rebels as they defeated East Central Friday night in OT to win a 4A Semistate. They face East Noble Saturday at 3 in the Dome. Go Rebels!
Friday, November 21, 2003
Interesting thread over on the forum yesterday and today. The title is "How important is character?".
I thought about posting a reply last night, but decided to ponder the question a little longer.
So is character important and/or does it even matter?
My answer (with apologies to Billy Graham) is that it matters probably more to the fans of a team than the people running the team. That is not to say that (and I am going to use the local teams as my examples) the Pacers or Colts would want a ìcancerî on the team just because of their talent. They wouldnít. On the other hand, does being a loudmouth or wanting the ball all of the time make you a bad character?
Of course this topic is coming up now because of the recent deactivation of Meyshawn Johnson by the Tampa Bay Bucs. His lack of character, big mouth and questionable skills caused him to lose his job. Unfortunately now he will be on TV Sunday. But Meyshawn aside. There are other players who are REALLY good who I, and I feel many wouldnít want on the Colts.
Terrell Owens-Fantastic WR. Calls out the coach in the media, fights with the O coordinator on the sideline, questions his QBís ability, does a cheerleader impression after a TD and autographs a football with a Sharpie during a game in one of the most choreographed moves of the century.
Would I want Owens on my team? Hell no. Not because of the Sharpie or the cheerleading, but rather for the constant questioning of his coaches and teammates. He is a cancer.
Warren Sapp-Remember when Sapp was a short dread-headed, great defensive lineman? Think back because itís been a while. Sapp lost it last year when he made a legal, yet dirty hit on Chad Clifton and then had the audacity to try to shake coach Mike Shermanís hand after the game. When Sherman rejected the gesture Sapp went crazy and screamed at Sherman to ìput on a jerseyî. This year the fat bastard has one sack and has spent time pissing and moaning. He has teammates who have surpassed him in his abilities and he doesnít like it. This clown has no character. My team? This one is more difficult. Sapp may have been a great player because of Tony Dungy. Losing that grounding may have been what cost him his character. I might take a chance.
Randy Moss-Again, fantastic WR. All the skills with size and speed to boot. Admits to taking plays off. Sees a traffic cop and instead of heeding their signals decides to push them down the road. WITH HIS CAR. When a joint is found in his ashtray he claims it isnít his. When asked whose it is, he says he canít recall whom he has lent his car to. Does he play for me? Hell no. Stupidity alone is enough to keep this ding-a-ling away, but his arrogance is overwhelming.
This is just football, and only a few. Barrett Robbins from the Raiders. MIA at the Super Bowl, now testing positive for THG. Cory Dillon. Been making trouble all year. Then has a wreck coming to the game. Shannon Sharpe, great TE, greater mouth. Charles Woodson, calls out the coach in the media. Jeremy Shockey calling Bill Parcells a ìhomoî. Michael Vick, cleared to play, but apparently he doesnít like the fact the team is 1-7. Donít even get me started on Bill Romanowski, Turd Extraordinaire. And again, this is just football. Basketball is full of them too.
Obviously these players are able to play at high levels. So does character matter? Yes. In the overall scope of things the city of Indianapolis sits relatively in the center of the NFL universe, but is miles different from the coasts. In Indy, the fans simply do not accept boorish behavior from our athletes or those associated with them. For Christís sake, the Colts are still living down Bob Irsays legacy. When it was revealed now owner Jim Irsay had a prescription drug problem many were quick to link the two. Fair? No. Accurate? Absolutely not. Inevitable? Yes.
In Indy we want our players to succeed, but we also want them to be good citizens both on and off the field. Jeff George, hometown hero was practically run out of town after several years of mediocrity backed up with stupid comments. My particular fave was ìIím good and good lookingî. Sorry Jeffy, while you were here, you were neither. Eric Dickerson ran his mouth at the end and was unceremoniously let go. Was it all there faults? No, we had crappy teams and they werenít the only problems, they were only the most visible and vocal.
On the other hand look at who have been the most beloved Colts since they have been here. Peyton Manning, Jim Harbaugh, Marvin Harrison, Billy Brooks, Tony Siragusa, Chris Hinton, Albert Bentley and Ray Donaldson. All excellent players who gave off the field as well as on. Didnít spend time in jail, didnít showboat on the field. Just went out, or go out and do what they are paid to do.
Maybe character doesnít matter in other places, but my feeling is that it does here. We all want a champion, but at what price?
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Well the report isn't out, but the word is that Marvin is okay and will play. So will Tarik, possibly Stokely and even Bashir. Let's hope this happens. We could really use Montae Reagor as well.
For Buffalo, it looks like Travis Henry will be in the lineup even with the broken leg. Let's make him pay for his stupidity.
Just some musings over the possible AFC playoff picture. Here's how I see it unfolding...
The following teams will not make the playoffs:
Ny Jets
Buffalo
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Houston
Jacksonville
Oakland
San Diego
Cincinnati
Miami
The following teams will finish with the record indicated over the last 6 games for their final tally:
TEAM/LAST 6/TOTAL
New England 5-1 13-3
Baltimore 5-1 10-6
Indianapolis 5-1 13-3
Tennessee 5-1 13-3
Kansas City 6-0 15-1
Denver 4-2 10-6
The division winners will be New England, Baltimore, Kansas City and by virtue of the second tie breaker (division records) Tennessee.
As I see it New England will lose only to the Colts, Baltimore only to Seattle, Indy only to Tennessee and Tennessee only to Tampa Bay. Kansas City won't lose again, while Denver will most likely lose to Indianapolis and Green Bay.
That will seed the teams as such
Kansas City
New England - by virtue of head to head against Tennessee
Tennessee - by virtue of division against Indy
Indianapolis
Baltimore - by virtue of head to head against Denver
Denver
The opening weekend would have Denver @Tennessee and Baltimore @ Indianapolis. If Denver were to win against Tennessee they would travel to Kansas City the next week and the winner of Indianapolis and Baltimore would go to New England. If Tennessee were to win, the winner of the Colts and Baltimore would go to Kansas City and Tennessee would go to New England. The highest remaining seed would then host the AFC Championship.
Of course a million things can happen between now and then. This is only one scenario. Frankly not my favorite, but the one I came up with at lunch.
Waiting on this weeks injury report, but there are some rumblings I want to comment on.
Meyshwan Johnson was unceremoniously deactivated by the Tampa Bay Bucs yesterday for the rest of the season.
Let me say this: It's about time one of these teams stood up to these overrated, loud-mouthed, sub-human turds who simply do not produce on the field.
Apparently there has been friction between Chucky and "Me" since Charles arrived prior to last season. "Me" and DL Warren Sapp have also been less than cordial since "Me's" arrival.
So in an effort to cut this cancer out of their team, Buc management has sacked up and benched this moron and told him he basically is no longer welcome. Get out Meyshawn.
This is the same idiot, who was the number one overall pick out of college, went to the Jets and promptly started a war of words with local favorite Wayne Chrebet. All the while piling up numbers that put no one to shame, although they should have put him to it.
This moron also was mic'ed for the Colts v. Bucs Monday night showdown earlier this season. Oh he ran his mouth in the first half, ran down Marvin and before the game basically said he always got over on Marv. But there was Marvin in the fourth quarter, catching balls for big yards and touchdowns. Where was "Me"? He was on the bench, hurt. I guess the team ran out of Midol!
Now "Me" is telling anyone who will listen that he doesn't want to play for Bill Parcells, isn't apartment shopping in New York and doesn't want to play for the Raiders because they have no quarterback. This embarrassment to humans everywhere ought to wake up and realize he is simply not a playmaker and he best be thankful IF he even gets a job.
What a dickhead!
Monday, November 17, 2003
Another Good, Bad and Ugly game for the Blue, but a win is a win! Colts 38 Jets 31. And it was every bit as close as the score.
The good: Peyton Manning was stunning in his play. He threw for more than 400 yards, 1 TD and no picks and consistently shredded the 12 ranked pass defense in the NFL. He hit Reggie Wayne 9 times and Dallas Clark 5 times. He also found Troy Walters for the TD, Aaron Moorehead and Joe Dean Davenport for catches. Manning also threw to Edge 6 times for 33 yards.
Speaking of Edge, he piled up a season high 127 yards on 36 carries and looked strong throughout the day.
With the exception of a couple of drives the Colts offense was spectacular. Clark was wide open all day and Edge had lots of room to roam.
The play calling was aggressive and never seemed to go into ìplay not to loseî mode that we have seen all too much of. In fact the last score for the Colts was a beautifully executed 21 yard run on a fake field goal by holder and punter Hunter Smith.
The Bad: Special teams coverage was awful at least on kickoffs. The Jets ran one all the way back and racked up over 250 return yards on the day. It seemed like we were always running the other direction and the Jets just exploited us.
The Ugly: One wordÖDefense. It stunk. No tackling, poor tackling, no pass coverage and little pressure on Chad Pennington. Pennington had a perfect QB rating for the day. CuMa ran for 101, but averaged 8+ yards a carry. Lamont ìYou big Dummyî Jordan ran twice for 25 more yards. Our shitty MLB had a whopping 3 tackles as did the regressing Marcus Washington. We were able to sack Pennington three times and then during the last quarter the D did hold up pretty well. The bottom line is that if this unit doesnít improve it will be a short post season. I never thought Montae Reagor would mean so much, but apparently he does.
Next week is Buffalo. The Bills suck and we should be able to get a win even with all of the injuries. After that though we will suffer if our D does not improve.
Game Notes: Usual pregame at my place. Tom stayed true to his word and had no Red Bull. I had a couple and Paw had one with Jack. The Dome was pretty crazy. Not too many Jets fans. We tried to go to Acapulco Joes after the game but they were closed. Went to Steak and Ale instead.
So we have our revenge against the Jets. Lets see where we can go from here. 8-2 sounds good!
Friday, November 14, 2003
Friday, and the feeling of doom and gloom has subsided a little, but there is scuttlebutt that Marvin will be out up to 4 weeks with his latest malady. Honestly folks I don't think the Colts offensive coaching staff is up to the task of designing a plan without Marv. As sure as I want us to be able to run the ball as well as we throw it, the simple fact is that we don't. And I have a feeling we will do everything in our power Sunday to try to run. It does help that the Jets are one of the worst teams against the run in the NFL. But they are followed by Buffalo, New England and Tennessee.
Terrance Wilkins is back on board. Only time will tell if this is a good move or not. We know he WAS fast, but is he still. We know he COULD break the big one on a return, but can he still. On the other hand it looks like returns will be his only job, so we don't have to worry about this dim bulb learning too much.
More tomorrow...or later tonight.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
"I feel a great disturbance in the force."
And I do. Today, the Colts go back to practice in preparation for Sunday's game against the Jets. Honestly the Jets are crap and we should, should mind you, beat them easily. However there are forces working against us.
Number one, and this is not an excuse because every team has to deal with it, but injuries are just killing us. Hubie, Tarik, Marvin, Edge, Diem, Stokely, Rhodes, Williams, Mungro, Freeney, Bashir, Strickland, Meadows, Nelson, Williams. All of these guys are on or have spent time on the injury report. Some are okay now, some are not. Some are going to be day to day the rest of the season. Hubie and Nelson will not be back. Tarik is always game time decision. Marvin has a bad hammy which is awful for him. Bashir is out for at least a couple more weeks. Diem, Williams and Meadows seem to be okay now. Stokely is a complete waste of roster space as he has only played in 2 games, and who knows when Mungro and the Rock will be ready to go.
Number two is the play calling and the personnel moves during the game. Where the fuck was Edge in the second half last week? If Dungy and Moore think Ricky Williams is better than James then they both need to pack it up and go right now. Then there is the play calling. Running when we should have been passing, passing when we should have run. Playing not to lose. It was awful, and if it continues we will be a 10-6 team.
Number three-disgruntled players. The so-called Triplets all pissing and moaning about not playing (Edge has a point) or getting the ball enough and not running the right plays. Manning blowing off reporters when asked about the plays. Marvin carping again about not getting the ball.
These things really have me concerned as we move further into the second half of the season. We finished the first half at 7-1 and were 5-0 at one point. For the second half right now we are 0-1. And even though all the games count, that loss was to a bad football team. I have heard all week how the Jags were better than their record. Bullshit! I saw the game. Their D is dirty and their O is nothing to write home about.
We have a stretch of games coming up that will really show us where this team is and where it is headed. We play three straight AFC East opponents. We owe the Jets for last years 41-0 debacle and the Bills look like they have folded their tents. New England is playing as well as anyone and have traditionally had our number and after that it is on to Nashville for the Titans showdown.
Judging by what I saw on Sunday, the Colts will be lucky to go 2-2 over the next 4. On the other hand, if they play all 4 games like they did against the Dolphins they can go 4-0.
This thing they started has everyone pumped up and happy. I just hope they don't fall apart now.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Dawn Bootsie strikes back. Her comments in italics...
it seems that because you are for the colts you need football.
I am also for the Pacers and auto racing, but I can live without them as well. I am also for the symphony, the art museum, the go kart tracks, White Castle and the Peppy Grill, but I can live without those as well. I like having those things, just like I like having the Colts.
You are for keeping the team here ! it is that there are more important things than football.
You are absolutely right, there are things more important than football. But I say that the Colts generate money that helps our community. You just look at them as a drain on the economy. You have made no points to back up your arguments except to say "things were better before the Colts came here". I say they weren't. I pay property, income, social security and unemployment taxes to pay for police and fire protection, schools, streets and sewers, military protection etc. As far as I am concerned the government wastes my money by overspending and being a bloated inefficient entity. I refuse to pay more taxes when what I and every one else pays is more than enough. As for a Colts stadium THERE IS NO ONE SAYING THEY WILL USE PROPERTY OR INCOME TAXES. How many times do you have to be told. Distrust in your leaders is one thing. You said yesterday you didn't like Peterson. Do you honestly think the Republicans are going to help more than the Democrats?
I'm wrong about somethings. but keeping the football team here is not one of them.
I don't know you, so I can only comment on your thoughts on the Colts and yes, you are wrong
I give you crediit for talking about it. because I think it helps to see how other feels and get the point out there! but have you notice the people that comment about things on the board pages do not have the courage to have someone email back about what they said. Why should they allow to comment on topics if they do not want to talk about what they said ! it seems to me these people want to give thier opnion but are scared or cowards not have have a comment send back.
I appreciate that and I have appreciated your replies. Message boards are what they are. A way for anonymous people to spread their opinions no matter how right or wrong they are. The Internet is a wonderful thing, but it also is the biggest source of misinformation in history. People can say whatever they want on it and all it takes is one other person to see it and believe it and the spread of bad information begins. It happens every day. I like the message boards. They bring people together to share and debate ideas on subjects that are near and dear to us. But you should always be wary of what you read online.
but do you see tax payers money going to the basketball or auto racing . do you see politican fighting about if these teams could stay here in indiana. I grew up aruond cars and demolation derbys. my brother when he was younger raced and so did his friends. but the racing legue has done at lot more and the people live here in indiana andd some all year aruond. I know what the racing league has done. the pacers have been here the longest and basket ball is indiana support. look aruond the children play it indiana has more basket ball goals in the yards. there is more history and pride for basketball than football here. basketball and auto racing is and indiana tradtion.
Money from the extra 1% sales tax increase from 1982 was used to help build Conseco Fieldhouse. Prior to that the city paid almost entirely for Market Square Arena. AS for auto racing I can only speak of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and no, their owners have never asked the city for money for any projects. However, they do use city resources insofar as traffic and crowd control on race days. Auto racing teams aren't really the same as a major league basketball, football, baseball or even hockey team.
Saying they are is comparing apples to oranges. They want to be here because they have close proximity to the worlds greatest auto racing facility which greatly reduces their costs. As for the Pacers, we did almost lose them back at the end of the 70's. But when you have about 8000 people going to the games the fans have already spoke that they didn't care if they left. Thankfully they did not, and I am sure if there was a budget crisis over at the Pacers the city would gladly help them out. Like the Colts, the Pacers are an asset to our community. They make money, they pay taxes, they give to charity and they give a lot of people a feeling of pride. That is what pro sports teams do. Of course there is more history with basketball. For a long time we had the greatest high school basketball championship in the country. The Pacers had been around since the 60's. IU has won 5 national championships since 1940. The Colts just got here in the overall scheme of things. But you are just looking at the little picture of good old Hoosierland. Aren't we Americans? In America, football is king, NASCAR racing is second. In case you haven't checked, Indiana is in America.
I'm not closed minded I'm just seeing how it is ! it is too bad that you do not see it from another stand point. to built a new staduim it will take up land. land that could be used for housing for people to live ! Another staduim would mean another building empty.
I'm sorry but I think you are being closed minded about this issue. You refuse to believe the facts. You refuse to believe your elected leaders. You refuse to look at the just completed election and see what the people are really saying. You refer back to some poll in the paper of 400 people. That is not enough people to get a true read on what people want. I have looked at it from the other side and I just don't see how things get better without the Colts. If they leave that extra 1% sales tax goes away. So that money will not be available to help your children or the homeless or anyone else you mistakenly say suffer because of a football team. I asked you this before, but do you honestly think that throwing more money at schools is going to make kids smarter? It doesn't happen. We have been doing it since the 60's and our kids just keep ending up at the back of the pack in the US.
And build space for people to live? Last week you wanted that land for farming. We build government subsidized housing and in 10 years they have to be torn down and rebuilt because people have no repsect for anything that is given to them for free. I think most people want a nice place to live, but many see the government as their caretakers. That is not what government is for. City planning, fire. police and military protection are the only things government should be doing. Unfortunately the liberals have gotten so many programs through that I would imagine the framers of the Constitution are turning over in their graves. Show me one place in that document or the Declaration of Indpendence that says the government owes someone a house, a job, schooling, money. You won't see it in there because it isn't there. By the way, the current home of the Colts will continue to be used for NCAA Final Fours, concerts, truck and tractor pulls, racing, MX racing and conventions. Before you move anyone else in, you better check the schedule.
Monday, November 10, 2003
Well I have to admit yesterday sucked and I never saw it coming. Colts lose to the Jags 28-23. The Colts move to 7-2 on the season. The game was a train wreck. The Colts were flatter than a pancake. Peyton looked awful with 2 picks, but a shitload of yardage. Edge played about half the game. I still don't know why. Marvin got hurt and with a hamstring he could be sidelined for a bit.
About the only bright spots were Troy Walters and Marcus Pollard, and even Marcus dropped an easy one. The game started out okay. In fact the Colts lead 20-7 at the half. Then all heck broke loose. In the first half Leftwich had pass after pass dropped, but in the second half they started catching them. They also started running and ran all over us. Last weeks excellent tackling was a distant memory.
Couple that with pathetic play calling and execution on offense and you end up with a loss to one of the worst teams in the league. I am still just numb.
Read the paper for all of the stats. Next up are the Jets. We owe them and I think we will rebound nicely. I would expect Curtis Martian to be held in check. I expect the Colts to throw the ball and I expect the same high quality football we have grown used to this season. Anything else will really piss me off. More later...
Probably the last from dawnbootsie. I don't need an argument that isn't going to change anyones mind....
-----Original Message-----
From: DONNA STITZER [mailto:dawnbootsie@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Monday, November 10, 2003 10:09 AM
To: Mark Malham
Subject: RE: the colts subject
Heard the phrase what comes aruond goes aruond. lieave up to a man that does not think clearly ! I guess you did not remeber how the politcan is thew past did better because they were not focus on a football team. I guess you did not take government in high school. your eyes must be shut to what is going on ! you must not be thinking of the future. thank heavens they lost on sunday. no people in indiana will want a foorball team that is a lot cause. the colts have everything to do with the city. the new staduim has everything. my best friend father is a policemen. I would give them the money for property tax increase not the colts. I guess you see it one sided. not many people think like you do ! How many people do you know that have lost jobs ? I know quite a few and they are tried of peterson think only about the colts. If you read the paper all the way thruogh about peterson he s thinking is the colts. that is one of his 5 things. What would you do without football. ? What if there was no football at all ? boy I would hate to think that was the only think on every ones mind. you know men today like you spend more time watching football and going to games, then opening up your mind to other things and family and children. no wonder the world is mess up, it people like you that see football football is importtant when it is not ! At least my parents got me to see what is really important, and think about others not thinking about what I want ! At least my parents had the sense to make sure that tier children knew, that is the way we bruoght are children up, not to think about what they want and to help others. The colts are on everyone minds and it effects the state of indiana. open your eyes see the world from another personview point ! until you walk in someone else shoes ! do not think I'm wrong ! I been there and lived in other states to see how football and the team effects other lives. it will have effect on everyones wallet. if they have business and hotelds pay for it, prices will be risen and people are not willing to pay more. I allready have friends that changed thier lifestyle. they used to go to the game but there are more important things. you can not say it will not effect the ecomonmy. it also effects edcation, because peterson will get the money some how ! mitary is not a federal issue it is everyone problem, state federal jobs, and people. I guess you have not had anyone who surved in war war 1 or 2 or the vitam war, or the last gulf war. I have. if people do not back up and help the military. my grandpa was gas with mustard in world war 1 it was people like you that say the military id federal. it is not ! II lost my boyfriend in the last gulf war. I have two nephews that are fighting this one. they changed there way of thinking and see how people like you say it is a federal think. they do not care about football and a new staduim. they care about thier families and lives and want to see jobs back. the money for the new staduim can go for that. the only people that would miss the colts are people like you that think about just one thing is money. they do not bring money here ! think about it, do they pay for the tickets, do they pay the food, and the parking. No the fans. do , it is only the fans that live here ! Someday is going to come down to the point were people will wake up and see that the colts are just here to entertain. I do not see them say ha do not pay for tickets. they make enough money and stick it in thier pockets and bank accounts. Do you know one players salary can feed over a million people. even give homelessshelrt across the untited states the chance to help other get back on the right path! I see it from a postive view not someone who think the colts are great ! I see from the way I see people that are living and suffering now ! takeing up more land that could be for housing. it will get back to the past what comes aruond will go aruond, it may not happen this month or next year, but it will happened ! it starting to happen but slowly. read other papers across he untited states read paper were the states do not have a team. those people are better off and not whineing ! they now football is not important.
My Reply
You again are wrong. Simple as that. I never said I needed football, be it NFL, college or high school. I just believe the NFL is good for the city. I am not going to change your mind, nor are you going to change mine. I do, however, take offense to your assumptions that I don't know anyone who lost their life fighting on foreign soil for our freedoms. I do and their contributions do not go unthanked. I also did not say the military was a federal "problem". I said it is a federal issue and where it comes to pay and what wars we fight it is.
You also seem to want to assume that I could care less about anyone but myself. But again you are wrong. I go to work every day so I can provide for my family and myself so I am not out there looking for a handout. For those who are truly needy I am and have always been more than willing to give. To those who are simply looking for something I am not. There is a difference.
Players salaries can feed over a million people huh? So does that mean your beloved basketball and race car drivers too. You obviously have some vendetta against football or the Colts or both, going so far as to say you are glad they lost. Your continued closemindedness has brought our conversation to a close.
Game thoughts will be posted later. Here is an email from my friend. This is getting kind of old. See my response and you can sense my frustration...
-----Original Message-----
From: DONNA STITZER [mailto:dawnbootsie@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Sunday, November 09, 2003 5:36 PM
To: Mark Malham
Subject: RE: the colts subject
I and a lot of people I know will disagree with you. these people have lived a hard life, they know what the money could do for the better if the colts were not here ! ask you your grandparents or great grandparents like when people of all races standing in line, or ask them how it was to live on $.75 cents and hour. The same thing will happen again. my aunt who woked for the government only get $100.00 a month her husaband gets $600.00 a month if it was not for her children they would not be doing to great. Did not you think that the people that are mmy moms age and her siblings living on that much a month, and giving away the money to the colts is better. Go to the food banks they are empty. people need to think about what it could be like living like your grandparents did. how you feel then. I heard bad stories from them, and how terrible they are being treated my the government. because sports seems more important. How about the military. they could use the money without then keeping america free there would not be any foorball. it seems that others that are for the colts should think about other and what could happened to them. if you were standing line waiting for a meal at a food bank you would feel differently. My cousin had met some stars and she see it. my sister and her son work for securty at the games it is mostly stars that goes and big business that dishes out the money, not and average citzen. indiana is not a good football state. it is known for basketball and racing. When the colts came here people that lived still go with bears. there is a lot of miami fans, dallas fans not the colts. As you have read the message board there are a lot of people that do not want the staduim ! if you read the paper they took a poll not to long ago people do not want them and not the staduim high school football should not come into this because it is a colts things. I was lucky I had both private and public. it was better because for one the state government did not have the colts here , money was enough for the school ti have. I have 4 teachers in my family now. they do not want the colts here ethier. because it seems to them that is all peterson is concern about, is the colts. Did you watch montel last week he had a show on were children were getting hurt, he to said he does not want his property taxes go towards sports and the things but to give the monet to protect the children in schools. parents needs to get involed in school and make sure the money goes towards schools not a sport team. the children would have up dated supplies and eqipment and better teachers, and seat belts on buses. people should think about the next generation. instead watch a football game. people need to get back with thier family and friends not watch a dumb sport, spending money on something indiana does not need.
My reply
Dawn,
All I can say is you are wrong, wrong, wrong. This is 2003. What happened in 1930, 1940 and 1950 is in the past. LIFE WILL NOT BE BETTER WITHOUT THE COLTS. Simple as that. Anyone who thinks otherwise is wrong. All of your arguments are inane and without merit. All of the programs you say should have the moneya re overfunded as it is. The Colts and a new stadium will have no negative effect on the economy, on education, on the military-which by the way is a federal isssue, not the city of Indianapolis-or any other program you say will suffer.
Wake up and realize that you are wrong. That the Colts and the money they generate far outweighs what would be missed if they were not here.
This is a good football state. Just because you say it is not doesn't make it so. Just because it is known as a basketball and racing state doesn't mean you can't be a football state too. Again, you see it as a zero sum game. As for the poll in the paper, 400 people were polled. Last time I checked there were 750,000 people in Marion County. That means they polled less than .01%. So just like your opinion, it did not represent what the people really feel. If you want to look at how the people feel just look at the election. Peterson won by a 2 to 1 margin with the Colts future being the biggest difference in platforms.
You, your cousins, your teacher friends and family are not thinking when it comes to the issues. I don't know what else to tell you. You obviously refuse to be open minded about this so again I say: Let's agree to disagree. Besides, when it all comes down to it, I am on the side that will win.
Have a nice day,
mm
Friday, November 07, 2003
Sunshine16 who now is known as Dawn has started emailing me instead of private messages on the message board. This blog isn't supposed to be only about the stadium issue, but I will post our email conversations here from now on. Again...no changes have been made to her or my messages....
-----Original Message-----
From: DONNA STITZER [mailto:dawnbootsie@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 4:41 PM
To: Mark Malham
Subject: Re: the colts subject
i have seen it before, public offical say the sports team will not use proprty taxes. that is not true they have. you can not say that property taxes will not be used for the new staduim. The colts were not here before 1982. what did you do then ? I rember how it was before hand. the people of indiana got a long without them. It did not hurt the state. property taxes were not that high. and no one was thinking of a football team. it was very nice to walk or be down town. The colts should be the last think on everyone mind. How many more people will be left without. because people that want the colts here
I did not say proverty would go away. but it would sure help ! but think put your place in someone else shoes and then decide wether the colts are important ! would you support them if they were losing every game ? I'm looking ahead what can happen. not keeping them is a promising future. the money for the new staduim can be better and used for better things. such edcation. getting jobs here that people go to every day. do they go to colts game every day ! my cousin owns a restrant downtown if they raised the sales tax or other things to keep the colts here it will hurt business. because people will not shop and eat. the money should be for children and teen to keep busy. Indiana does not have that. people will be willing to help more than giving money to a football players that make enough. downtown could be better. I comaring la because I have family members that live thier that see a big differance. She said the people feel safer and more nicer, and the stores have more business because they do not pay into keeping the football team there. my cousin works in bar and she said it is so pleasent and no drunks or fights. She likes working there. She makes more money it start on top then came down into this section. Like I said I seen it before public officals say property taxes will not be effected. but they lied. it did ! how can you say they will not. I was born here , but lived in arizona were proprty taxes helped baseball staduim, my sister lives there and she said that is where some of the property tax money is going for a new staduim for the football team. POLITICAN here said they would try to keep property taxes out but they did not promise. Where do you think it is going to come from ? out of a hat it was in the paper two week go in the sunday star that peterson gives 10 miooln a year to keep the colts here and it has been in the sunday star in the past. Were do you think that money comes from.. I'm disabled and I get a fixed income. my money goes towards utilities food, and medcail bill. I do not support the colts they are not important. As for the vetteran my grandpa had one leg. He got no help. I have family members that are fighting now they could use the money from the new staduim that the colts want. Who do you think is fighting to keep america free they are ! not the colts ! if the colts leave things would probably get better. my sister used to work for the players. she talked to a lot of them. these players support thier home town. most of them lived in other states. it is a few players that help out here ! 9 million could go along away and it will be a start ! people should think of better uses for the money not a new staduim, and take up more land ! if all the land is gone for these things were would people get food or grow food or shelter. I see that you never had to live without or do with out. You never knew what it was like to live in a depression. my mother has. there was no football team and people made it. young people of today do not know what it is like. the only thing they say is sports. most people my age and older see it different and lived here before they came. the job market is going to get worse and people out of work could use that money before a new staduim. the other suffering and times are bad keeping the colts is not a good reason to keep them. let the players and the owners pay for it. if they want to go there is no reason for them to be here ! a new staduim is not a good reason ! this is the way I feel. I like to give feedback on subjects that what keeps people getting different views on things. it was nice to here from you about how you feel about the issue.
Mark Malham
Wow, your quick.....
I think you are totally out to lunch on this issue. First of all yes, I would support them if they were losing. I have supported them since they arrived, and will continue to support them until the day I die or the day they leave, whichever comes first.
Explain this to me, how is the future more promising without football? You used LA as an example in your post. Crime is down only proportionally with the rest of the US. The US that has cities where there is NFL football. You are comparing apples to oranges. The Colts have nothing to do with your property taxes going up. That is your state legislature acting on a law that had been on the books but essentially unenforced for years. But conveniently you have hitched it top the Colts. Your arguments about homeless, veterans and children carry no water. I will grant you this, the economy of the past 3 years has been bleak. By the same token I ask you this. If, three years ago there was a $9 billion surplus in the state coffers and we are now in a deficit situation on the budget and not one dime of state money has gone to the Colts, who are you pointing your blaming finger at? I don't have it. Since you say you live on $700/month I assume you don't have it. So where is it? I'll tell you. It's all wasted on social programs that are aimed at helping people. Poor, homeless, children etc. Well I hate to tell you, but those problems still exist and will continue to exist, only in larger numbers if the Colts leave. If $9 billion won't make the problem go away, then how does $10 million? Please tell me beacuse I am dying ot know. if there is others that you like to talk about I will read them
Feel free to write me back at this address IF you come up with any answers.
Mark Malham
Alright Donna, nice to put a name with the ramblings....
Well it seems to me you just distrust the politicians. I can understand that. But what I can't understand is that if you automatically assume property taxes will go to the Colts then by the same token you must assume that when a politican says they will spend money for schools, roads, sewers or cops they are also lying. You can't have it both ways.
As for downtown Indianapolis, it was a ghost town before 1984. At 5 oclock the workers headed for the suburbs and with the exception of a couple restaurants or a PAcer game weekends downtown were deserted. I also have serious doubts to the effect on retailers of a 1% sales tax increase. AS for the $10 million a year. How much revenue do you think the Colts generate in ticket sales, luxury suites, parking and concessions. If you crunch the numbers it is in the neighborhood of $20 million a year. ALL of that money goes to the Capital Improvement Board who in turn gives back to the team only half of what they earned. There is more right there to subsidize them, but that is not even my solution. (See last paragraph). You even ask where they will grow food? Come on, since when is downtown Indianapolis farmland?
I really want some proof of how things are so much better in cities that don't have the NFL. Cousins and friends don't count. If you don't like the NFL then of course your quality of life will improve if it leaves. Conversely, why is LA trying so hard to get a team if it such a paradise without it?
I am not saying the Colts should have no financial stake in a new venue. I am willing to help. I understand that there are those who don't want to help and I don't think they should be forced to. But sales tax, rental car and hotel tax and ticket taxes are all user taxes and all will generate more than enough to help build the project. At that time, by all means, the Colts should buy it, at market value from the city. That way they paid the city back AND they own the stadium and don't just up and leave.
Of course we can get along without them. That's not my point. My point is that we get along better with them. It improves the quality of life in Indianapolis. Again, keeping the Colts does not mean someone has to lose. You will not be given extra money each month if they leave, nor will you have less if they stay.
Have a nice day
mm
-----Original Message-----
From: DONNA STITZER [mailto:dawnbootsie@sbcglobal.net]
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2003 12:19 PM
To: Mark Malham
Subject: RE: the colts subject
Actually it is dawn it is under donna is used as my mother name. We both use it. I rember the how it was becoming 37 I remeber. it was nice. my family used to go down town. my grandpa took us children downtown to the city market. to get rye bread. it was nice. my sister and her husaband lived downtown. my mom worked down town. Are family did a lot of things before the colts came. not any more to much money know ! how can you trust any politican. the police and roads and schools yes ! I now they will go up. but you can not day the mayor will not chance his mind and use it for the colts. Why should the players get any money back. they make enough more than the average person will see in a life time. I think they get paid to much anyway. the sport is for the fans to enjoy ! if they want the fans to enjoy the game. they should not get any money.from indianapolis. My cousin says it is not the people who want the football team it is the big politicans that want it. She said taxes could be raied to get a football team here, and do what indianapolis is ! She said it is mostly stars and people with money goes. not poor citzen like her. they are not asking the people that work and live downtown. it more of who wants the team bad enough while cailforina is in bad shape. What kind of life would it be if people with no jobs, crime goes up because the politicans are only thinking about the colts. indianapolis would be a ghost town. Have you been in a town were the poeople left there houses and no jobs. ny sister took us to a town in arizona were a certian group took it over , because the property taxes were to high.forced the business and poeople to leave. it was a nice town. this is what will happen if the mayor decides to keep the colts and raise sales tax, property tax to keep them. how do they think business will stay here ! not many. my sisterand her husband said id the taxes goes up . they will move back to oklohoma because the mayor still wants the colts here, but the colts should be thelast thing. She wants her son to grow up to learn in great schools, and that there is other things that sports should be the last thing have any kind of taxes raised to keep them here !I have a friend sheeri that works for the government in indiana. She told me that it might not look good in the future. because the people that email want things better property taxes lowered and other taxes. but if they raise other taxes to keep the colts here things could get worse. I have another that works at the jail down town. she also aganist any money for the colts. because the money could be used for the jail. it seems to me that people should care about other things. Indiana was not made to be a big state for football, it should not be like the other cities. If you to other city and live you will really here want people think about indiana. it is not pretty. Thet think hoosier are dumb ! because of the schools We think hoosier worry about sports to much. most of the people say indiana will be the last place to live. because of the schools, property taxes, how downtown looks and there is nothing to offer here for children. they say indiana wants to be something they are not. they read are paper to and see that the mayor of indiana is more for the colts than police. the people want to feel safe. they do not. they ask me why live there ! I tell them indiana was my birthplace and my family lives here ! it very pretty and the people are friendly. my brother in law moved his business out of state. because of all the taxes. he is making more money in arizona then he would here ! So i guess what is really important. but for me and a lot of people it is not the colts
Mark Malham
Dawn it is then,
I guess we will just have to agree to disagree. I can line up plenty of people to back up my opinions as well. But why bother? You read the message boards so obviously there are people for the Colts and a new stadium and people against. Same with Los Angeles. I doubt seriously that it is just the stars and the politicians who want a team. I just really think you are looking at it from the standpoint that someone has to lose and I see it as a both sides win. Indiana is as good of a football state as it is a basketball state anymore. If you need proof of that just look at the High School football tournament going on now. It is generating more excitement than the basketball does anymore. But that is because your Democrats in the statehouse have to make things all equal and fair so it's not right for a small school to play a big school. So they institute class basketball.I say that is a crock of you know what.
Dawn, let me ask you this. If all of the money that YOU perceive will go to the Colts were to go to education, would our kids be smarter? Honestly, do you? I drive around this city and this state and almost every school is adding on, adding facilities or completely being renovated. Yet, with all of the money we throw at schools to turn them into palaces of education, our kids still rank at or near the bottom of the list nationally in performance. Why is that? We could throw a billion dollars at IPS and do you think that one kid will be smarter? It simply doesn't work that way. The ONLY way our kids will become smarter is with teachers who care, parents who care and kids who care. Now I am not going to run down the public school systems, because frankly they are an easy target. But why do kids who go to private school constantly score better on tests, both standardized or non standardized and in classes in general? It's not because they are rich. It is because their parents care enough to spend the extra money it costs to send them there. And in return the parents expect more from their kids and are more involved with how they are doing in school. The kids know this and perform accordingly. Concerned parents + caring kids + teachers = smarter kids. Money + kids does not = smarter kids.
Again, we will just have to disagree about the city. My recollection of downtown was one of a ghost town on weekends and at night. I don't know what years you are talking about, but I am talking about 1970 to 1983. You are just distrustful of politicians, but I just don't see how you can make such braod assumptions. I am not a fan of Bart Peterson, but I voted for him simply because of his stance on the Colts. In an election that featured the Colts as the only real difference I would say you are way in the minority when you say so many are against them since Peterson did win with a 2-1 margin. I'm not sure what telse to tell you Dawn except try to gain some trust and pray that your elected leaders find the guidance and wisdom to keep their promises. I have doubts myself, but I never give up hope.
Have a great day!
mm
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
Well my friend Sunshine16 responded today. What follows is his reply and my rebuttal. Again, I have made no changes to either.
SUNSHINE16 wrote...
it is so easy for you
it seems it so easy for you but not for others. What if there was no money from unemployoment ! Were is your head in thinking. look at all the jobs that are lost and so will be lost ! when you get to be 80 then come and tell me what it is like to live on $700.00 a month, then see what is really inportant. or you become disabled and not be able to work or these solders comming back that could be hopless ! I have family that are in the military. they are hearing the problems and they do not want the money goes to the colts. they need the money for benfits. My sister used to help the ffotball team in phoneix get into shape. tthe football players can afford to build a new place. these people help thier own town. charity is not the issue. the issue here is what is best. you to must be young and do not know what is like living in hard times ! football is just a couple hours sport. it does not effect everday living
get a grip
get a grip open your eyes it will happen ! were do you think the money will come from ! go down to see the homless or the vertans that went to war, and tell them you want the colts to stay and not help them. if it was not for them were would you be ! not free ! there would not be colts anyway ! Look at the children that need food or clothing. tell some single mother that can not pay for the property taxes that will be raised that you want the colts. ! I have lived here to long to here broken promise from mayor before and they always raised taxes.
My Reply...
Wow, where do I begin? First of all there is money in unemployment because I have paid into it. I do not plan on being unemployed for any length of time so I do not intend on using up my unemployment benefits. If people simply donít want to work, use up all of their benefits and end up living under a bridge that is their choice. If they cannot work because of disability there is compensation for that available for the long term.
Itís a simple fact of life that jobs will be lost, but you act as though NONE of those jobs are ever replaced. Companies start and close daily. When they close people get thrown out of jobs, when they open, people get hired. Again, if you want to work you can. If a person who has no education and still thinks they are entitled to a $100,000 a year job wonít work because they canít get that kind of pay then I would tell you they donít want to work.
As for being 80, I canít tell you what it will be like. The world is changing. In many instances for the better, in some instances not. But I am not afraid of change. Maybe when I am 80 I will not welcome change as openly as I do now. I hate to hear that you are forced to live on $700 a month, but I can only try to insure my future. I donít know you, nor do I know what, if anything you did to provide for your retirement. I do know that there are a lot of people who are 80 who certainly live more comfortable than $700/month.
Finally, I am damn thankful for the veterans of all wars that this country has fought. I am thankful for the life it provides me and the freedom to express my opinions without fear of recrimination. But you make it seem like a vote for the Colts is a vote against patriotism. To that I would simply say you are dead wrong. Also your constant harp that property taxes will be raised to build a stadium or keep the team here is ludicrous. No one has even mentioned such a thing, but you just speak it as though it were the gospel. I challenge you to provide one link that shows me FACTS, not opinion, that property taxes will be used. I explained in my replies last week how I envisioned the future of the Colts and you reply to me with the same clap trap you sent me last week. Provide some facts, no more of your inane ramblings.
As far as charity, YOU tell the local charities they arenít getting their money from the team. Whoever told you they donít help locally is probably just telling you that to placate you. But it is a lie. When you tell the local charities I will tell all of these poor kids that they canít eat, be warm or see Santa because the Colts are here. Which is also a lie. I just don't see why you think this has to be a win/lose situation when clearly it can be a win/win situation. Please explain.
Until then, lay off the meds and try to stretch that budget.
Nothing much today. Injury report comes out later. The only thing I know for sure is that safety Idrees Bashir is out 3-4 weeks with a separated shoulder.
On a political note, Bart Peterson (pro Colts) handily defeated Greg Jordan. It was expected, but I am now hoping we can get the Colts deal done. Whatever it might be.
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
Today is election day. Be sure to excercise your constitutional rights and cast your votes for the candidates of your choice!
Monday, November 03, 2003
Wow, what a game!!! Colts 23 Dolphins 17. And trust me, it wasn't that close. The Colts played at the same level they displayed against the Titans earlier this season.
Edge ran hard. Peyton, while making a couple of mistakes played smart. Marvin seemed a little off, but help from Troy Walters, Reggie Wayne, Marcus and even Brandon Stokely picked up the slack. Even the Rock got in some nice runs against the vaunted Phin D.
Well Phin D, you were outshined by the Colt D yesterday. 5 sacks in all. Three and two forced fumbles by Dwight Freeney who was simply everywhere. Rob Morris played what was unquestionably his best game of the year. He was really starting to worry me and I am still not convinced he is any good. He certainly didn't cover Ricky Williams the way Z. Thomas shadowed Edge, but Edge did end up with more yards.
The normally classless Phins didn't disappoint with stupid statements after the game and with their typical dirty play during the game. They are the biggest bunch of thugs since the Cowboys heyday runs of the late 70's and early 80's. Total lowbrow.
A great win for the Colts all the way around. Next up is Jacksonville followed by the Jets. We should be able to kill off J-ville and sweep FL for the season and revenge alone should be enough to kick the crap out of the Jets.
Right now it is looking like we could end up with the best record we have had since the team arrived here. I know it's a little too early to say for sure, but things look good.
There were a couple of injuries yesterday. Tarik seemed to get a little nicked up, but played the whole game with the exception of a couple of plays. Hubie Pyatt took a nasty helmet to helmet shot on Miami's first punt. He was carted off on a stretcher, but gave a thumbs up and has already vowed to be ready next week. Walters filled in for him, but after last season, I just cringe when I see him fielding punts.
Dallas Clark didn't play with a bad hamstring, but Ryan Diem returned to the starting lineup and the banged up Adam Meadows was available.
Just a huge win for the team. For the record I went to Paw's to watch it. Tom and Neil were also there as was Deb and Tom's wife Randy.
