Go Colts 2003!

2004-06-01T08:35:00.000-05:00

This is the official end of the Colts 2003 blog. Thanks to Blogger for hosting this site and allowing me to express my opinions on the Colts 2003 run to the AFC Championship game.

Looks for the 2004 blog to start in a couple of months and thank to all who read and followed the season here!

2004-03-05T11:13:00.000-05:00

The Colts lost LB Marcus Washington to free agency yesterday. Washington signed a $24 million deal with the Redskins which included a reported $7 million signing bonus.

I like Marcus and thought he was a decent OLB, but at that price we had to let him go. He simply is not worth that kind of money.

2004-03-02T10:18:00.000-05:00

It's official. Peyton Manning, a guy on the Colts has just become the highest paid player in the NFL. Who would have ever thought we would have the highest paid player in the league? Congrats P., now it is up to you to make Polian and Irsay look smart.

The deal is $99.2 million over 7 years that includes a $34.5 million signing bonus. Exact terms are not yet available but the speculation is that this will drop Mannings cap number to around $8 million this year. Speculation that the signing bonus may be split over tow years has also come up. Again, no details about that have surfaced.

2004-03-01T08:11:00.000-05:00

Today is the day. March 1st. Will the Colts and Peyton Manning come to terms today? Polian has made today the deadline. Both sides know the numbers. Personally it sounds like it is a matter of length of contract. Could it have something to do with the Colts and their situation in Indy? Is Peyton just being greedy? Stay tuned for updates as they occur.

2004-02-23T16:17:00.000-05:00

Hello folks,
I really hate to be here today writing this but it needs to be documented. The Colts today stuck the franchise tag on Peyton Manning. While half the fans think it was inevitable and the other half thinks he is just being greedy, the bottom line is that this thing has drawn out too long already.

Honestly I don't think Manning is going anywhere. But if we can not get a contract hammered out ASAFP his ass is going to cost the Colts around $18.4 million next season. That equates to roughly 23% of the salary cap and more importantly means they will probably be letting Edge go.

I am not going to pick sides in this thing. Manning I assume knows what the team is up against. But in his defense his problem is being the QB, not figuring out the cap. Of course, since I know he knows the ramifications of this move, then he should know what the Colts can and can not afford. This REALLY needs to get taken care of now. Stay tuned for Manning updates as the next few days unfold.

2004-02-11T15:33:00.000-05:00

Thoughts and observations after a week of not even thinking about football. First off, congrats to the Pats. They won a game I think most figured they would. And while Colt or any other fans may not want to admit it, the fact is that the Pats are going to be good next year and talk of a dynasty will be rampant. Personally I think our team is going to be pretty good next year too so we better wait and see.

Having said congrats to the Pats, I have to say that while Tom Brady is a good QB, he is not Joe Montana or Peyton Manning. He is the product of a great system and as long as he keeps his head about him he will flourish in the Patriots system. MVP? Fuck no. Not even close.

Talk is swirling about Manningís new contract. Owner Jim Irsay has said he will make P the highest paid player in league history, but he will not do it by mortgaging the future of the team. Word is that Peytonís agent and Bill Polian got together in Hawaii to talk over Pro Bowl weekend. Of course rumors of Mannings departure also were rampant. One of the biggest ones I heard was that Daniel Snyder of the Redskins offered Manning a $40 million signing bonus if he became a free agent. Polian has said that if we have to use the franchise tag on Peyton we will. But that would cost about $18 million against the cap necessitating a cut of a big payday player. Edge has been mentioned and I donít like it. Get this deal done Irsay, Manning, Condon and Polian. Get it done now!

Speaking of the Pro Bowl, Peyton had one of those games. Big numbers, TDís and of course INTís. In fact I heard he had one pilfered late in the game sealing an NFC victory. I hate that game and could care less about it. Didnít see one down of it. Vandy even managed to miss a FG.

Finally, Maurice Clarett. For the uninformed Clarett is a RB who went to Ohio State for a year. He was hurt a lot and played in only 8 games for the Buckeyes. While he was playing he was hailed as the next coming of insert your favorite running backís name. Well Clarett found it unfair that the NFL had an age restriction and took them to court over it. To no oneís surprise, he won. And frankly, I agree with the courts. He should be allowed to play in the NFL if he is good enough.

IF HE IS GOOD ENOUGH. I can not express that strongly enough. I have serious doubts he is. I feel like the NFL is a rough, tough mans league and boys need not apply. Sure there may be the occasional, and I mean 1 in 100 million kids coming out of high school who can play in the NFL right away. Most could never cut it. However, this ruling will have NFL teams secretly salivating over the prospect of getting some of these kids earlier than expected.

Here is how I see it happening. Some teams will pursue these kids. If only one makes a roster, they will continue to pursue them. However, I see the experiment lasting only 5 years. At that time the teams will see that 3 or 4 years in college is a good thing. For pityís sake, itís a free minor league system for the NFL. After a few years the novelty will wear off and the reality that high school kids arenít ready will prevail.

As for Maurice Clarett, he will get drafted. Probably in the second or third round. Whether he makes a team is a different story. But I guarantee this, if every team passes on him, as should be their right, he will cry collusion and have the NFL in court again.

2004-02-02T10:55:00.000-05:00

Another football season is now in the books. Last night the New England Patriots beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in what turned out to be one of the all time great Super Bowl games. I felt the game was well officiated, if not a little too closely called. But fair. I think the criticism of the officating over the past two weeks played a part.

So now we begin the long and gruelling offseason. I will be back with much more as the weeks go on, but things will slow down a bit for a couple of weeks. If I catch any of the Pro Bowl I will comment on how our boys did.

2004-01-30T11:30:00.000-05:00

Super Bowl weekend is upon us. Some are calling it the Super Bore, but honestly it has a chance to be a really good game. You have two really good D's and two efficient offenses.

Now the Colts played both of these teams. Lost to them both as well although the games in the regular season were nailbiters and in fact the AFC Championship was still in doubt with just a couple minutes left.

So who will win Sunday? Hell I don't know. If I did I would bet! But here is how I see it playing out and some of the key factors in the game.

Both teams play a rugged, tough defense. I really don't see an advantage for either team except that New England has more veterans on its side. Carolina presents a better pass rush, but NE has better coverage DB's. Both teams will try to get away with as much holding as possible on defense. If the refs call holding early and often it will have more of a bearing on NE.

Offensively, Tom Brady is vastly underated as a QB. He doesn't make many mistakes. He doesn't throw deep down the field much and doesn't have that strong of an arm. He also is not very mobile. But his command of the game is superb and he has emerged as his team leader. We will see if all the accolades everyone is laying on him and his little trip to the State of the Union Address will swell his head. He is looking at winning his second Super Bowl in only his third season.

Jake Delhomme on the other hand has a stronger arm than Brady and is probably more mobile, but running is not his forte. A career backup until this season Delhomme is trying to compete a rags to riches story rivaled only by, ironically, the team he is on.

At the skill positions the Panthers would seem to have better players. Mushin Muhammad and Steve Smith would seem to be better receivers than the Pats Deion Branch and David Givens. In fact I would completely give the edge to the Panthers on this one. The TE position would favor Christian Fauria of the Pats.

At RB the Panthers tandem of Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster make a deadly 1-2 combination. Trust me, as a Colt fan I saw what they could do. NE has Antowain Smith who is solid, but they will use Kevin Faulk, Mike Cloud and FB Larry Centers as well. Again, I would give the advantage to the Panthers.

So that is a quick look at the offenses. Looking at that alone I would say that Tom Brady would have to have a near perfect day to beat the Panthers. A lot will depend on the refs. A lot has been made of the missed holding calls in both conference championship games. How will the refs respond? If they allow an all out holding extravaganza then that will favor the Pats, if they make some calls early I like the Panthers D.

My pick? I like the Panthers 28-10.

2004-01-27T15:21:00.000-05:00

Here we are a week and two days removed from the loss at New England and I still just hurt. I don't feel like reading the message boards, I don't want to think about the draft, I don't care about the free agents. Hell, I just want to find a poker game for Sunday.

Anyway, life goes on. Over at the Colts, they have raised ticket prices after a couple of years of remaining steady. Unfortunately, our group took the biggest hit. $14 per game increase to $790 for the season ticket. Some went up $10, some $5 and some $6. The cheap seats stayed at $15. It's getting up there, but I wouldn't miss it for the world.

2004-01-22T14:37:00.000-05:00

There can be no doubt that one of the biggest topics of this offseason will be the future of the Colts in Indianapolis. It was a hot topic last year and will only get hotter until something is resolved. On Tuesday, Colts owner Jim Irsay held a press conference to congratulate the team. After reading a statement he took questions and naturally he was asked about the teams future. Here are his answers and my takeÖ

Question: Would you characterize the current state of the negotiations with the city?

Irsay: We met before Christmas. Theyíre ongoing. Weíre continuing to look at ways and how we can come up with solutions for a long-term deal, for the lack of a better word. Progress has been made. Thereís nothing substantial that came up at that meeting, but they will be heated up and obviously continuing on in the new year.

Q: Is there a timetable to meet again?

Irsay: Thereís not a date set up to meet again, but I would imagine it would be sometime in the next month to six weeks.

Q: Discuss the monetary figures that have been reported. Are those accurate?

Irsay: Those figures youíre mentioning are based on what our lease says, which is that the city is committed to making median payments two out of three years starting in 2003. That doesnít bring you to the middle of the pack (in the NFL in terms of revenue). That wasnít put in there as a solution, so to speak. In terms of going into the next century, I think that was put in there with the anticipation that there would be a new deal struck ñ potentially and eventually a new stadium. I think probably somewhere around $30 million over the next three years is probably a good guess.

Q: Is it your belief that a new stadium will be part of the agreement?

Irsay: I think obviously we have to get to a new stadium eventually. There could be a bridge to a new stadium with this type of negotiation. I think if you look at, for instance, New Orleansí deal ñ there was a short-term solution that looked to a longer-term solution with a new stadium. However, how that stadium would come about and when wasnít defined. I think that certainly would be taken into consideration. Eventually, thatís where we have to end up. When you look around other markets in the NFL and you see the old domes coming down in places like Detroit and Seattle, eventually thatís where itís going to lead. How soon, itís hard to say.

Q: So would you say you expect something in writing within this negotiation?

Irsay: You canít say for sure, but I would imagine there would be something that would lead to a new stadium. How clearly thatís defined is really in question. Itís one thing to agree on something. Itís another thing to write it down in a document. Sometimes, the second part is more difficult. Itís too early to say how that language would read in terms of a new stadium. Certainly, as we go into this decade and this new century itís going to be something we have to look at. I would imagine it would involve something that will speak toward how we get to a new stadium eventually. But itís too early in the process to say that for sure.

Q: How big of a role will the success of this season play in getting a new stadium?

Irsay: I donít think it plays a huge role. To know the heart of a competitor and to know the heart of a champion and what an owner and coaches and players go through, when youíre trying to win, you do it for the passion and for the joy of winning. When Mike Vanderjagtís lining up for a field goal or you see the conclusion of a big win, you donít think, ëOh, great. Now we can get a new stadium.í Thatís really not the way it works. When Peyton Manning throws a touchdown pass, he doesnít think, ëThat will help in my contract.í Thatís really not the way it works. I think the mayor has spoken about this as well. New stadiums, whether theyíre in Arizona or Detroit or Seattle ñ there are many places where they havenít won for a long time and there are new stadiums there. I think the public-private partnership in a city is based more on just wins and losses. Obviously, from a perceptional point of view, the wins make you more popular. Itís something thatís really positive. I know a lot has been written about, ëThe Colts need to win to get a new stadium,í but thatís not really the way it works in reality. Thereís a little perceptional aspect to that, but thatís about it.

Q: Talk about the need for ñ and the concerns over ñ a new stadium.

Irsay: When you come to a deal thatís good for both sides ñ the city and the team ñ youíre open for any sort of arrangement. Both sides would have to feel itís a good deal for both sides. Looking at that, itís way too early. Some of my concerns have been, ëHow can we sell the products, for lack of a better word, that a new stadium would provide?í Thatís a big part of it, because I think if you build a new stadium and you have the new suites and 15,000 more tickets, you have to be concerned about how youíre going to sell those. Right now, weíre number 32 in (the NFL in) terms of our capacity and our ticket price. Weíre last in the league in terms of what our stadium produces as revenue. Itís difficult, because when youíre in a system where your main costs are player costs and thatís derived from an average, thatís what youíre up against. You see Houstonís stadium, or Tennesseeís stadium, or New Englandís stadium, thatís the kind of competition weíre up against. Thatís ultimately where your player costs get derived ñ from all the revenue that these stadiums have generated.

I know, I know, he really doesnít say anything here that we didnít already know. But you can almost sense the frustration of having to continually answer these questions. Irsay is not the most eloquent person in the world and he looks less than comfortable in front of the camera. But as the owner he has certain responsibilities and he doesnít shun them.

So what, if anything did Irsay say? First off Irsay says that the team and the city have met recently and expect to meet again in the near future. And make no mistake; both sides are looking for a long term that is beneficial to both. He offers no real timetable for the next meetings, but hopes they will be soon.

Irsay also said that the long term solution is a new stadium. I think this is the first time I have heard him actually say that. In the past he has said there needs to be an arrangement that will allow him to remain fiscally competitive in the league, but that a new stadium didnít necessarily solve the issues. He realizes the revenue to be earned on a new stadium and you can thumb back through my blog and find my thoughts. Both sides can be embiggened by a new stadium.

Irsay also said that the success of the team this year would not have a bearing on whether or not a deal gets done. Sure this season has prompted more people to buy season tickets for next year, but that is just the first step. Before we build a stadium to seat 70,000 people we have to have a season ticket fan base greater than 35,000. If we can get to 40-45,000 then we will be in the ballpark. Next year we will have that. And I think the prospects for the future of this team, on-field, is excellent. That will help the team sell more and more season tickets. The real key is that if we stumble, fans have to stay with the team. Remember, in this day of salary cap a team can go from the bottom to the top in a hurry and vice versa. The teams that manage the cap well can stay competitive. We will have to hope Irsay and Bill Polian can do this. I am sure there are fans who are saying ëYeah, great season, but what about next year?í. After all this team has had more lows than highs and I donít really begrudge anyone their ìwait and seeî attitude.

The bottom line seems to be this. The Colts and owner Jim Irsay want to stay in Indianapolis. The city of Indianapolis wants the Colts to stay. There will be some troubled and turbulent times ahead. On the field we look good. We have a great team and a great coach. We have a GM, while having his shortcomings, consistently makes good draft picks. And we have an owner who seems willing to open his checkbook. We also have a city starved for a champion, and the Colts offer a legitimate opportunity to get that. But with all that being said, a new stadium will be the only way both the city and team can be satisfied.

Much more later.

2004-01-20T15:07:00.000-05:00

As the pain begins to subside, and believe me, there was pain, I canít help but feel good about the season. We did a 12-4 regular season record. We beat the piss out of the Broncos at home in the playoffs and got a big win on the road in KC. If you go back and look, you will see that I had NE as my top rated team for every week I made my standings of the best teams. While there may be some shame in the way the Colts played on Sunday, there is no shame in losing to NE nor in the season we had.

Of course there are many coming out now and saying the Colts donít deserve a new stadium because they lost and various other bullshit reactions. Some people are just fucking stupid. A loss in the conference championship and they are ready to run the team out of town. And honestly, most of these idiots are just the ones who just pop out of the woodwork when anything bad happens. They are useless to me and are non factors as we will get the new stadium and the team will be here for a long time to come.

Another particularly galling thing is the whining Colts fans are doing and the whining Pats fans are doing about Colts fans. First of all, the referees did not lose that game for the Colts. The Colts lost it. Saying differently demeans the sport, the Colts and the Pats. Get over it. And Pats fans move on to the Carolina message boards. You won, congrats, now move on. By the way, I hope ALL of your players end up in body bags on February 1st.

So on the offseason we go. Job number one has to be the resigning of Peyton Manning. Manning will command the largest salary in NFL history, but we have no choice. If he wants to leave we canít stop him. Here is a list of the restricted and unrestricted free agents for the Colts:

Unrestricted Free Agents:
CB Cliff Crosby
CB David Macklin
QB Peyton Manning
LB Jim Nelson
LB Marcus Washington
DT Josh Williams

Restricted Free Agents:
S Cory Bird
TE Joe Dean Davenport
OG Rick DeMulling
OT Ryan Diem
S Jason Doering
CB Nick Harper
RB Dominic Rhodes
LB Donnel Thompson

I will be going into greater detail on these guys in the upcoming weeks. Keep in mind that UFA can go anywhere they want. The Colts have no recourse on them. Their contracts have been played out and if they choose to leave, they may. The RFAís are a little different in that the Colts can allow them to leave, but must be compensated for them. On the other hand, if we demand they stay, the get either the ëTransitionalí or ëFranchiseí tag, which requires the Colts to match and average of the highest salaries in the league at those positions.

Now I have already said that Peyton Manning is job 1. He probably will get a contract that pays him about $15 million dollars a year. He also will probably get a signing bonus of around $30 million. For those interested there is some good info at
http://www.askthecommish.com/salarycap/faq.asp
Regarding the cap. But just to put things in perspective, the salary cap for 2003 was just over $71 million. It might go up to $75 million for 2004. At that cap, a $15 million salary would be 20% of our salary cap for the WHOLE TEAM. Big numbers for one player, and that is where knowledgeable fans debate.

As for the other guys, I will get into more depth and more on Peyton as the days go by, but in my estimation there are a few of our FAís that we have to keep. Manning, Marcus Washington, Rick DeMulling, Ryan Diem, Nick Harper and Dominic ìRockyî Rhodes. The others can piss up a rope. They havenít been productive or effective.

Of the guys I would keep only Rock is not a starter. I would love to keep him, but I have a feeling he might try to take it elsewhere to try to start.

Well kids, that is all for now. Hope you stay tuned for more Colts talk this offseason.

2004-01-19T09:03:00.000-05:00

Today, the game. Later in the week when I am over this Blue hangover I will begin to assess the season and start to look forward to the offseason and the 2004 regular season.

Let me first say that it just sucks that I am having to do this today. I really wanted to be writing this in a couple of weeks from now. But alas, it just wasnít meant to be.

This is probably going to sound pretty harsh regarding the QB, but Peyton saved his worst for last. He was pathetic. He threw 4 picks, three to Ty Law and was off target many more times. Most of the passes he completed were low, high or somewhere the receivers had to really reach to make catches. He also seemed to have enough time but held on to the ball for way too long on several occasions. I donít want to get too down on Manning, but he sucked yesterday. Plain and simple sucked. Peyton had a stellar post season until yesterday. As good as he was against Denver he was that bad yesterday. Now we go to the offseason with Manning as an unrestricted free agent. I havenít been to the message boards yet today, but I am sure there are people saying ëcut him looseí. I disagree, but I certainly understand the frustration. This guy stands to get a contract worth nearly $15 million a year. The biggest in league history. Is he worth it? My gut says no one person should take up such a huge portion of the salary cap, but Manning is special and he is guilty only of having a bad game. The monkeyís he shed this post season were 800-pound gorillas. Heíll be back and so will the Colts.

Iíll talk more about the salary cap as time goes on and how Peytonís contract will affect the rest of the team.

Back to Peyton and the game. The opening drive was nice. The Colts marched right down the field and were at the 3 when Peyton threw behind Marcus Pollard and was picked off in the end zone. Things pretty much unraveled from there for the Co-MVP.

Lest one thinks that Peyton was the only problem allow me to push on. No Peyton wasnít the only problem, albeit he was the obvious one. The defense also struggled early. On the Patriots first two possessions they drove easily down for scores. The first a TD and the second a FG. In fact the Colts did hold the Pats to two field goals in the first half after the TD. The second half the Colts D toughened up and played pretty solid. Once again this week though they had trouble mounting a pass rush as well as struggling with the short pass and the middle run defense. Once again Rob Morris was just nowhere to be found. Dwight the Fright did another disappearing act. Mike Doss is too slow and Walt Harris is too old. With the likely departure of Chad Bratzke due to the salary cap this offseason the defense will be young and not that good. Polian has admitted he would like to upgrade at MLB. We will have to see what happens. Bratzke had a heck of a season. If there is a way to keep him we should.

Special teams had another fuck up. Justin Snow snapped a ball over Hunter the punters head in the second quarter leading to a NE safety.

The only bright spots were Pollards 6 catches and Edge running for 78 yards on 19 carries. Edge, especially early, had some very nice runs. Unfortunately we were put in a passing situation by being down. The Martian was another invisible player Sunday. In his biggest game he had a paltry 3 catches.

Overall it was a bad game. I guess what really bothers me most is that the Colts came out and looked beat from the start. They just never competed. I donít understand that. This team had been as hot as a team could get, but yesterday they were simply manhandled. I donít want to take away from the Patriots either. They played a great game and my hat is off to them.

They move on to face the Carolina Panthers in Houston in a couple of weeks. Suffice it to say that I want the Panthers to win, but I really, today, donít care. More later.

2004-01-18T20:52:00.000-05:00

Patriots 24 Colts 10 and it really wasn't that close. Yes we had a chance down the stretch. Too painful to really talk about now. Season wrap tomorrow.

Guarantee. Colts win 2005 Super Bowl.

2004-01-18T10:51:00.000-05:00

It's finally game day and confidence is high. I just don't think the Patriots are gonna be able to stop the Colts any better than Denver or Kansas City did. The weather? Looks like 35 and snow. Here's hoping that helps the Colts. Not much else today. I will be back tonight to recap the days activities.

2004-01-15T15:27:00.000-05:00

Here is wishing the best to Brandon Stokely and his family today. Brandon left the team yesterday to be with them after his young son became ill and was diagnosed with meningitis. Stokely's wife is encouraging him to play Sunday but no one could blame him if he chose not to. Hope everything works out okay for the Stokely's.

One other quick note sort of related. Some moron on the message boards names "coltsux" has really stepped over the line and has slammed both the Stokely's and the Colt fans for their concern. People like this eventually get what is coming to them. Sometimes you just wish it was sooner than later. Here's to you going to the game Sunday coltsux and getting your dick frostbit. Loser.

2004-01-14T10:31:00.000-05:00

Boy them Patriots are a bunch of name calling wusses! I guess if they keep telling themselves how great they are and how bad we are long enough, they will eventually believe it. On a side note Pats OG Damien Woody is out of Sunday's game with a knee injury. No one has endured as much injury hardship as the Pats and the Colts, but in a game of this magnitude that is a big injury!

2004-01-13T14:44:00.000-05:00

This just in. Colt season ticket holders are getting their Super Bowl ticket invoices today. Price of tickets...$510 each. And I have no idea where those seats are in Reliant Stadium.

2004-01-13T13:54:00.000-05:00

This is a little late, but what a weekend of football it was. All four games were as good as advertised. Carolina with the win in double OT, NE barely getting by the second place in their division Titans, the Colts and the Eagles winning on a FG in OT over the Pack.

The one thought I did have on all of it was that Brett Favre is done. The Packers have some really good wideouts and a kickass RB in Aha Green. Yes, Favre did throw a league high 31 TD's in the regular season this year, but he just seems to not care anymore. That was no more evident than in OT of Sunday's game. He looked like a guy who has had enough.

The guy had a tough year. He lost his dad in December and dealt with a broken thumb for a lot of the season. Hell, he even managed to play fairly well. But in every athletes life, from league bowler to pro bowler, that they have just had enough. Maybe Favre will continue on. He eschewed talk of retirement all season. Even when things looked bad for the team. But Sunday evening seemed to paint a different story.

I've already talked about the Colts so I won't add anything about them. Some more items about the Eagles-Packers game. Philly isn't that good. Donovan McNabb sat on the sidelines looking forlorned after making mistake after mistake in the game. He did run the ball well, but he also fumbled and threw some real shitty passes. The Philly D was also suspect as a MF. Aha Green is good, but he ran at will on them. They had this problem last year and it doesn't look like they have found a solution.

Carolina beating St. Louis was the biggest surprise to me. I never thought they could go into the dome and beat the speedy Rams. But then I was discounting the Martz factor. This boob played for the tie and then I assume the win in OT. That is good conventional wisdom for basketball. Doesn't work so well for football.

The Panthers are a lot like the Colts. They seem to be coming together at just the right time. Stepen Davis was running all over the Rams until he got hurt. Then Deshaun Foster took over. Jake Delhomme just keeps playing mistake free ball.

Right now you have 3 QB's in the final four who are on top of their game and you have Donovan McNabb.

The Titans. Well those assholes just suck. Couldn't even muster 20 freaking points. No wonder they are out. McNair, you suck! Co-MVP my ass.

Well here's hoping the games this week are as entertaining as they were last week.

2004-01-13T10:53:00.000-05:00

Random thoughts

Tom Brady is a helluva QB. He makes no mistakes and is a good team leader. But let's face facts NE fan: He is not Peyton Manning. There is nothing that Brady does that Manning doesn't do better. And before you tell me he has a ring and Peyton doesn't, remember we are talking about this year. Not ancient history.

The Colts are going to have to have to deal with NE faking injuries if the game is close and they need to change defensive personnel while we are in the no huddle.

Currently weather.com is reporting a hi of 31 and a low of 10 for Sunday in Foxboro.

Ambassadair is offering a Super Bowl trip for $3900. Tickets right now are going for anywhere between $1000 and $1600. If Carolina makes it those proces will drop.

A quick check of ebay shows 24 tickets for sale for the low, low price of $199,999.00. They are in a suite at least. Generally there are some good deals for those seeking accomodations. About $2-3000 for 2 tix and rooms Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Early word is that in addition to the separated shoulders that Idrees Bashir and Rob Morris suffered Sunday, the Martian has some sore ribs and Marcus Pollard is nursing a sore ankle. Both are expected to miss a couple of days of practice but all are expected to play Sunday.

NE QB Tom Brady is also nursing a sore knee injured in the last game of the season. Word is that they have drained more than 4 pints of fluid off the knee since then. Brady is also expected to play.

For the past 20 years it has seemed that New England has owned the Colts. This year feels different. Ihave a lot of faith in coach Dungy and in the game plan he will come up with to finally get this monkey off our backs too.

New England fans remind me of Philly fans. You'll probably hear me say that a lot this week.

2004-01-12T11:41:00.000-05:00

Colts 38 Chiefs 31! We are off to Foxboro to face the evil New England Patriots. I am just in sort of a state of shock. Not so much that we beat the Kansas City Chiefs, just that we are pulling it all together at the right time. WOW! And on top of that, the hot stew Pawly made was OUT-standing! More on that later, first the game.

What can you say about Peyton Manning? Yesterday he didnít get the perfect passer rating, but he did manage a 138.8. Manningís stats: 22 for 30, for 307 yards, 3 TDís and no INTís. SO far this post season Manning has gone 44-56 for 641 yards, 8 TDís and no picks. A 153.9 passer rating. Manning was razor sharp yesterday. KC defensive coordinator was completely embrangled. Peyton hit 7 receivers including 6 to the Martian and Reggie Wayne. Even little used FB Tom Lopienski got in the mix with a nice 2 yard reception for TD in the second quarter. For a while it looked like KC was going to quit biting on the play action, but they only managed one sack and very little other pressure.

Edge turned in another solid performance, in fact his best playoff performance. He ran for 125 yards on 26 carries and generally blistered the Chief D. He also caught a huge pass late in the game that helped seal the deal.

Offensively the Colts were unstoppable, literally! The only two times the Colts failed to score were at the end of the first half and the end of the game. Hunter the Punter only saw the field on extra points and a 43 yard Vandy FG. The Colts were perfect in the red zone.

Defensively we werenít that good. We had real problems stopping Priest Holmes. He rambled for 176 yards, but he did lay the ball on the ground for us once. The KC receivers also helped by dropping a myriad of passes. The Colts did make a good stop on the Chiefs in the second quarter and a missed Morten Anderson FG was a crucial play in the game.

Unfortunately we also gave up a 92 yard TD return to Dante Hall. He scrambled nearly untouched all the way to the goal. That fucker is fast!

But all is well in Coltland! Next week we get a shot at avenging one of our losses this year. At Patriots will be a killer game. Right now the temps are expected to be in the upper 20ís. But this team seems destined. Neither the Pats nor the weather are going to stop us. I am sure the idiot NE fans will invade the message boards and then not show up to eat crow next Monday, but thatís Boston fans. Bunch of babies!

Now back to that stew. It was great. Just hot enough without being too hot. A little Jack in the meat, garlic, paprika and cayenne. Onions, a green pepper and some banana peppers. Good schtuff!

More as the week continues. Is it Sunday yet?

2004-01-09T12:53:00.000-05:00

This thing has been a lot of fun! I think I will start another just for random thoughts. But rest assured, the Go Colts 2003 blog will remain intact until the start of the 2004 season. After we win the Super Bowl watch for draft analysis and opinion, free agency talk and thoughts and predictions on all things Colts and NFL!

Now on to today's post. I have my Freeney jersey on. It is allowed out on Friday's, just not on game day! I even made up a mayoral proclamation that all employees and students wear blue today. Looks like a lot of my coworkers have done just that.

Edgerrin James is every bit as good as Priest Holmes. Holmes won't run inside. This means he will bounce outside to our speed and strength. It will be a long day for him, but honestly I think they will be passing to catch up most of the day. Edge on the other hand runs anywhere and will have a huge day.

The monkey is off Peytons back and he is loaded for bear. This guy can't do it alone, but he sure can motivate others to join with him to complete the mission. Now Trent Green has had a nice season, but let's face it, he's not Peyton Manning. He played football at IU for Christs sake. How good could he be. And before anyone says "Well Indiana used to have a good team" let me say this. No they didn't. The last time they went to Rose Bowl was 1969. End of argument.

D-Fence..D-Fence....I still hate Rob Morris, but he played pretty well last week. He is the weak link and that is scary. But seriously. Our speed will keep Holmes tracked down unless they try to run up the middle. I think we can get pressure on Green and force him into mistakes.

Vandy rocks. Keep it up Mike. Not sure what the wind will be like Sunday at Arrowhead, but Vandy has been kicking better and better this year. A lot of people say he still can't kick off. Well those people haven't been paying attention. We definitely have to keep track of Dante Hall, but they have to worry about the Rock as well.

If anyone is going, bring back barbecue!

Someone is trying to get a thread started asking if the season is a success. I say that gets tabled until the season is over. I mean shit, even if we do win the Super Bowl, some people will still have problems with what happened or how they did it.

Go Titans! God that hurt!

My picks from here on out...

Divisional Round
Colts
Titans
Rams
Eagles

Conference champions
Colts
Eagles

Super Bowl
Colts

2004-01-08T16:24:00.000-05:00

It is getting a little crazy here in Indy! The fans are really ready. You can just feel it! Tomorrow is Blue Friday. Everyone here should be in blue. The message boards are hopping with both Colt and Chief fans. I still don't think those morons have a chance, but they are sure talking shit. At lunch I went to their board at KCStar.com. Irritating format, but the Colts fans are over there representing.

I am so ready! Hell I just wish Saturday would get here so we can watch some NFL. That would at least tide me over until our game! Nothing else really right now.

2004-01-07T16:50:00.000-05:00

This POS was in the special Let it Out section this morning....

"Come on, Indy, wake up. The Colts won on Sunday because the rich owner wants a new stadium. They'll at least get to the AFC Championship game so they can say, "Look what we did!" And then, "Give us a new stadium, or else!" It's rigged! How could we lose so badly to a team and then turn around and beat the same team even worse? Did anyone notice a lack of replays of a certain Denver offensive lineman's holding penalties? There were four of them."

I can't even comment on such ridiculous drivel!

2004-01-07T16:42:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here at the end of the day watching the IndyStar.com message boards. The Chief fans have been pretty lively this week. Most are good natured. A couple are assholes. And I will give them credit, they are optimistic. Not sure why, but they are.

One of the latest ones claims that the Colts are 1-3 against playoff competition while the Chiefs are 3-1. Wrong. The Colts are 3-3, defeating Denver and Tennessee twice. They also lost to NE, Carolina and Denver once. KC on the other hand has only played one playoff team in the past 90 days and they were skull fucked by the Broncos, who just happen to be one of their wins. Another of their wins was against Baltimore. A team already eliminated.

Keep it coming KC fans. Your posts have the same ring our replies to Smacky and the rest of the Philly fans last year. We exuded bravado, but you could sense we really didn't expect a win. The only difference you ask. This time, the fans who are scared will have their worst fears realized Sunday afternoon!

2004-01-05T13:42:00.000-05:00

Holy Cow! What a game by YOUR INDIANAPOLIS COLTS!!!!! A 41-10 trouncing of the Denver Broncos. By the time this one was over they looked like a Denver omelet! The Colts just kicked the crap out of the same team that beat them 31-17 two weeks ago. And while that 31-17 score wasnít indicative of the way the Broncos beat up the Colts, 41-10 hardly tells the story of how dominating a win it was for the Colts.

The NFLís Co-MVP Peyton Manning threw for 5 TDís. He threw for 377 yards on 22 of 26 passing and had a perfect QB rating for the second time this year. He was simply brilliant. His play action continually fooled the Bronco D and he sliced and diced their defensive backfield like a Popeil knife.

There was no bad or ugly to this game with the possible exception of Edgeís fumble in the third quarter, but the game had long since been decided. In fact, early in the fourth quarter, Denver just started running the ball. They were beat and they knew it. They lay down in the end. They just could not stop the Colts in any phase of the game. Rock had an excellent day returning kicks. Brandon ìVan Campî Stokely had a superb day with 144 yards receiving and 2 TDís. Martian had 2 TDís and 100+ yards. Edge rambled for 78 yards rushing and had another 37 receiving. It was as good of a game as the Colts have played this season and they have had some doozies!

In a game that featured 2 equine themed name teams, with the Colts being counted out by most of the media and many fans, the Colts turned out to be Seabiscuit to Denver being War Admiral.

Now we go to Kansas City. I have to tell you they just do not scare me. I am sure the team is not thinking that way but I honestly think we will get over on them. What would be sweet would be Tennessee getting by New England. If that happens and we win at KC we would have a game here in two weeks. This place would be going crazy! The Pats are riding a nice 12 game winning streak, but they could slip up. It would be tough to beat the Titans three times in one season, but we have pretty much manhandled those punks this season. So go Titans! See you here in two weeks!

For the record, pregame was at my place yesterday. Paw was pretty lit up. It was a great time. One of the coolest things I have ever seen!

2004-01-04T09:07:00.000-05:00

I have to tell you, this has been one long week! Today the Colts get another shot at the playoffs. A stern test awaits the boys in blue. Will the Colts D show up? Will MVP Peyton Manning play mistake free and not try to force the issue? Will we be able to get Edge the ball 20 to 25 times so he can be effective? The answers to these and many more questions will be answered starting at 4:30 this after.

I have a good feeling about the game. I honestly think the Colts will win and win in convincing fashion. But it is only a premonition. The Colts could certainly be on the short end of the stick when it is all over tonight. After all, todayís competition simply spanked the Colts two weeks ago right here in Indy.

I really donít have anything else right now. A full report will be forthcoming.

One last thing though. Peyton Manning did, along with Steve McNair, garner the 2003 MVP Award. Peyton and McNair tied on the ballot with 16 votes each. I think it is a freaking joke considering McNair missed two games that the Titans won AND the fact the Colts beat the Titans twice this year. Oh well, I donít get to vote. Congrats Peyton! I think you deserved it outright this year. I guess you will just have to add a Super Bowl ring to the collection!

2003-12-29T13:54:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to the Indianapolis Colts, 2003 AFC South Champions!

No it wasnít a thing of beauty, but it wasnít lunchmeat either! The final was Colts 20, Texans 17. The difference, a 43 yard Vandy FG on the last play of the game. Well, that was the scoring difference. The real difference was the Colts D from the 35 minute mark on! They buckled down and just took the Texans to school! BTW, the O showed up too about the same time.

The good: Where to start. At a time that Tom and me said someone needed to make a play, several did. Peytonís throws were crisp and the crafty veteran rambled for a crucial 9 yards with just over a minute to go. Donald Strickland coming up with an INT of David Carr with just over 4 minutes to go. Vandy nailing 2 big FGís including the game winner. This team got up off the mat, refused to die and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.

The Bad: Peyton had a crappy start and the play calling didnít seem to help things. Why we keep running the Edge to the outside early in games is beyond me. It seems to me that the opposition has plenty of energy to track him down early. But if you wait until the second half they have had just about all they can handle of 32. Run him in the middle early coach!

The Ugly: Not too much of that yesterday. The run D really let down on a couple of drives. Most notably the first drive of the second half and a nice 5 minute drive in the middle of the second quarter. For the second time this season the Colts allowed Domanick Davis look like an All Pro with 99 yards on a mere 20 carries. This is a glaring weakness and one that needs to be fixed. Now!

All-in-all it was a good game. The Colts dominated all of the stat categories. But still struggled with parts of the game. But letís not nit pick today. Today we are the division champs. Sunday we face the Broncos again, at the Dome at 4:30. The place will be rockiní, you know that. Letís see what the Colts can do with it!!

Final Top Teams

Well the playoffs are set and it looks like the best teams made it. So here is the final Top Team list of the season. And if you are wondering, yes, this means I think the Patriots will win the Super Bowl even if the cup says St. Louis!

1. New England
2. Indianapolis
3. Philadelphia
4. Tennessee
5. Green Bay
6. St. Louis
7. Baltimore
8. Denver
9. Kansas City
10. Dallas
11. Carolina
12. Seattle

More playoff fun coming soon!

2003-12-26T12:53:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Merry Christmas. I also hope we all took time to be thankful for all we have and for all of the friends and relatives we have and love. I have a couple of cousins who have been fighting with each other for nearly a year now. I know it really hurts my Aunt and Uncle. They are wonderful people, and frankly so are my cousins. But they are adults and they need to act like it. I don't profess to know the whole story, but suffice it to say they don't even speak to each other. It's time they kissed and made up. Life's too short folks!

Sunday the Colts play their last regular season game of 2003 at Houston's Reliant Stadium. By all indications the Colts should be able to beat the Texans. Houston admitted that last week was their playoff game. They desperately wanted to beat the Titans at home, but came up just short when Gimpy McNair threw a TD pass with just 10 seconds left.

Since that time, and especially after the turd hunt the Colts put on later that night, McNair has been reannointed MVP by most of the pundits. Now individual honors don't mean much to me and if asked I am sure Peyton would say the same thing. The only real thing that matters is the playoffs and the Super Bowl championship. But for Peytons sake and all the bashing he has absorbed the past few years (and yes I bashed too!), it would be nice to see him get the MVP nod. He has had a helluva season. The best of his career. But alas, it looks like McNair or Jamaal Lewis will take the honor. Don't get me wrong, they are players who have had great seasons, I just think Peyton is better.

So Sunday at 1:00, we finish the regular season. The following week we will probably play Denver here in Indy. I totally expect the Colts to win those games. No way Denver comes in here and beats us again. They are not that good.

2003-12-23T11:03:00.000-05:00

Here are the NFC Top teams and the overall Top 10:

1. Rams - Now in drivers seat for home field which means a lot to them.
2. Eagles - Tough loss at home to lowly Niners.
3. Packers - Just killed the Raiders on Monday night.
4. Cowboys - In playoffs in Parcells first season.
5. Panthers - They're in the door, let's see what they do with it!
6. Vikings - Played a whale of a game against Chiefs Saturday night.
7. Bears - They have played well enough for Jauron to keep his job.

Top 10

1. New England
2. St. Louis
3. Indianapolis
4. Tennessee
5. Denver
6. Philadelphia
7. Green Bay
8. Baltimore
9. Cowboys
10. Panthers

This will be the last Top Teams post of the season as the playoff seeding will pretty much take care of that issue. Not that the seeds are necessarily indicative of the actual strengths of the teams. But I am sure there will be more on the playoffs and such. Stay tuned for more quality blogging. GO COLTS!

2003-12-22T16:16:00.000-05:00

Here are this weeks playoff update and AFC Top Teams.

Congrats to the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs for clinching first round byes in the playoffs. Congrats to the Titans for clinching a playoff spot. The only thing left to be determined is seeding and the winner of the AFC North.

At this point it appears as though Baltimore would have the inside track in the North. They have a 1 game lead in the standings at 9-6. But all hope is not lost for the Bengals. If they win and the Ravens lose, the Bengals will be in as the division champ. Doubtful, but possible.

So here are the way things shake out right now.

1. New England
2. Kansas City
3. Indianapolis
4. Baltimore
5. Tennessee
6. Denver

The Bengals are the only team that has a chance left. All other AFC teams have been eliminated, and that is exactly as I see it playing out.

TOP TEAMS

1. New England - 11 in a row, should make it 12. The road to the Super Bowl looks like it will pass through Foxboro.
2. Indianapolis - I am just going to throw that one out from last night. The Colts are a better team than that.
3. Tennessee - Another comeback for Air McHurt.
4. Denver - What an offensive line!
5. Baltimore - Jamaal Lewis could rush for a million yards if he played the Browns every week.
6. Miami - Win at Buffalo in December? It happened, but it didn't mean a thing.
7. Kansas City - Got their bye, but Vermeil will most likely have something to really cry about in 3 weeks.
8. Cincinnati - Not quite ready for the big time.
9. Jets - *

* = How about that Broadway Joe Willie Namath? Saturday the Jets honored their players from throughout their history. Apparently Joe hit the bar several times, and then he hit on Suzy Kolber. Nothing wrong with his eyesight as Suzy is a cutie. Here's what happened: Namath was on the sidelines being interviewed by Suzy. She asked him a deep and meaningful question about the Jets and QB Chad Pennington. Namath leaned back, checked out Suzy's ass, leaned in and told Suzy he wanted to kiss her. Kolber, nonplussed, acknowledged Broadway's comment and pressed on. After a nonsensical answer to her next question the camera cut back to the field. Meanwhile Joe kept mumbling and blurted out once again that he wanted to kiss Suzy. What a classic moment in television. You know, Joe did the same thing millions of men did in bars all across America that night. Thankfully, Joe did it on national TV!!

2003-12-22T07:41:00.000-05:00

Holy Crap that was ugly. Broncos 31 Colts 17. Trust me, it was not that close. The Dolts took it in the ass last night on ESPNís Sunday Night Football. We looked bad. We couldnít tackle, we couldnít cover their receivers and we couldnít put any pressure on them on either side of the ball.

In a game that had huge ramifications the Colts were as flat as a pancake. All they needed to do was to win these last two games to secure a first round bye in the playoffs. Kansas City did their part by getting thumped by the Vikings on Saturday. But nooooo! The Colts came out and played their worst game of the season.

The good: Vandy continued his streak of FGís by hitting his 39th consecutive. A 40 yarder in the second quarter sailed deftly through the uprights. The only other thing that was remotely positive was the Gary Brackett interception and TD return on the Broncos first series. It was all downhill from there.

The bad: I suppose this would have to be the offense. Granted they only had 37 plays to try and do something, but still they lacked sharpness and seemed to be completely unable to get untracked. Peyton Manning looked like anything but an MVP last night. Edge was okay, but only ran 10 times. Marvin, Marcus and Reggie Wayne dropped balls. It was not pretty folks.

The Ugly: The Defense. We simply could not stop the run and Jake Plummer just killed us with little 10 and 15 yard passes. This was one of the most pitiful efforts any Colts D has put up. Just too depressing to really think about.

I will go ahead and do the playoff picture and AFC Top Teams later today. The NFC tomorrow since the Pack play tonight. Condolences to Brett Favre and his family on the loss of his father.

2003-12-19T07:10:00.000-05:00

A topic was raised this week on whether or not people would be fans of the Colts if they left Indianapolis. This topic was on the Indystar.com message boards so posters from all over the world chimed in.

Well folks, my answer to the question "Would you still be a Colts fan if they left Indy?" is a "NO WAY IN HELL".

Here's the deal kids. Prior to 1984 I was not a Colts fan. In fact I can honestly say I downright hated the Colts. Oh sure when I was a little kid I knew about Johnny Unitas and Alan Ameche. Mike Curtis, Ted Hendricks, Lydell Mitchell, Norm Bulaich and Don Nottingham and Bert Jones. But I just didn't care about them.

So the team moves here and overnight I am a fan. I completely dropped my allegiance to the Bengals and went all in for the Colts. I am still all in. While I don't live and breathe Colts football, they are by far my favorite team in any sport or level.

But if Irsay decides to move the team I will jump off the bandwagon so fast it'll make your head spin. I mean it would suck. Suck very much. I feel like these guys are OUR team. I don't want them playing elsewhere.

And I kind of gather that some think that makes me a bad fan. Maybe so. But a lot of those posters are from neither Indy or Baltimore. I truly appreciate their support, but it's easy to criticize when you don't have to buy season tickets or playoff tickets and have to play this stupid waiting game to see if they will get a deal done or not.

Sorry, but if they leave Indy they will no longer be OUR team. They will be the Wherever Colts. Having said that I vow right here that I will not go to their message boards and piss and moan about them being elsewhere like so many from Baltimore have done here. I feel your pain Baltimore, but get over it!

2003-12-18T18:32:00.000-05:00

Dawn Bootsie strikes again.

Her:

not thinking
you are not think about what I said, ! Does the colts team put food on your family table everyday if you have a family, Do they shop for you, pay your health bills or insurance, or pay edcation that is the point I was tring to make ! A person can not colts to every day living. it is just a past time. a pastime does not help a person life. it is just for fun on one afternoon ! if we did not have a football team what you and the hoosier do ! aw let me see spens time with family members. reading a good book opening up your mind to better things. listen to your grandparents and how fun it was ! my family got a long with out a football team and better for it and we stiill do ! spending time with family is more important. more a person spends time with family and children better the children are off and raised. instead of seeing a bunch of men throwing a football

Me (Like no one could tell the difference):

Wrong as usual. Pastimes most certainly help people's lives. Pastimes help escape the everyday life we lead. Going to work, go to school, go home, do homework, go to bed, get up adn do it all again. If that is ALL I had to look forward to I would choose not to live. I need pastimes, be it the Colts, Pacers, music, reading, hobbies, whatever. These are ALL pastimes and not one of them is paying my bills or shopping for me. But why would I expect them to. They are pastimes.

I work to support myself, my family and pay for school, rent, food and any other necessity.

Judging from what you write I can guarantee you I have read more good books than you, so don't tell me about how to "better" spend my time. I can have more than one pastime. Do you think I am letting the Colts interfere with my family? You have a lot of nerve making assumptions like that, but then that has been your M.O. since I first read your drivel. You assume one thing means you can't have another.

Your talk of "better times" is just bullcrap. Yeah, let's relive the times of WW1 and WW2 and Korea and Vietnam when not hundreds, but tens of thousands of our soldiers were killed in action. Sounds like better times to me. You know, it is 2003, if you can't come to grips with that, then fine. But stop trying to tell everyone how much better it used to be, just because you hate the Colts. Your like Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. You are living in the past and just won't realize it. Maybe at one time you were famous or a star at something you did, but those days are gone, Those "Glory Days". And they aren't coming back, but you won't accept that.

I get it, you hate football. Now go read your book and stay out of the way of the new stadium.

PS. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Her:

your wrong I did not say I did not like football ! but I know what is more important in life. Get a grip ! the money for a football staduim could go better for other uses ! than for a football team. Helping the homeless and more important the homeless children. helping the children get a better edcaution in life. getting more jobs here keeping property taxes down. pastimes does not help people if they are straving, or out of work. or need health care. until you see and live in someone else shoes than maybe you would feel different. I see it and read about it it in other papers ! How sad to think that people care about football and a new staduim then helping people and making indianapolis a better place to live. then you must have a sad live if that is is football. at least you can do that ! there is a lot of people that can not. I voulnteer at a hosiptal and saw people who can not do those things. they would propaly love to work and go to school. I used to work in arizona at a daycare center, were people could not afford to go to a sports event and those were the parents they were worried about thier children. you can not say that you read more books than me ! When I was in a a bad car accident I read because I could not walk for three years and had operations. I'm still going thruogh operaations, and other treatment. from a possible cancer scare ! I know what it is like. I put what I see is more important to me. than football being able to see the blue ahy and sun , seeing my familyhelping other is better. I know people can have more than one past time. I did not say you that the colts interfere with your family ! but What really should come first ! you are putting words into your mouth and head ! I said people ! let me tell you my grandpa grew up on a farm he loved it. he love spending time with his family and grandchildren. he was a solder in ww I he was mustard gas . I had family in world war 2 in germany and some of them had survied. they had there houses blown up and destoryed. but they sure made live better. my mother had great times in the 40 and 50s growing up in indiana when there was no colts. So did my father. My family went camping togerther and parties. I lost by boy friend during the first golf war he died ! So live went on . it is you that Said I hate the colts I do not. Want I do not like is why they think they need a newstaduim ? When there is other uses for that money just think about it. ! with the money for the new staduim it could go a long way. let the colts and the owner pay for it ! they have the money ! why make the fans and property taxes payers pay for it. it is you that needs a grip and cool down it was just a opnion and reponse to something that was said ! you are taking this very hard until you know why someone feels this way chill out! you are the first one who has taken my response in a hateful rude way ! the paper ask people opnion! not to have one be totaly rude to someone remarks !

Me:

Yada, yada, yada. Same tired argument, different day. Can't get off the whole property tax thing can you? A month ago you were claiming they were going to raise property taxes for, as you put it, the Colts. I asked you for examples of where anyone said that, you just said politicians lie. Now you say any money should be used to lower property taxes. I guarantee you that will not happen. Stadium or no stadium.

A football team and a new stadium will create jobs and increase revenue for the team AND the city. WHy can't you see that? It will make the city a better place to live.

And again with the living in someone elses shoes. What does that mean? I am me, I can't be someone else.

I pay taxes now to get children educated. What do I get? Stupid kids who get to high school and read at a 2nd grade level. I suppose if I pay another grand or 2 these kids will figure out how to read. Get real. I also donate to homeless shelters and if I had time I would volunteer my time. Sorry but right now school, family and work are my priorities. And whether you think I deserve it or not, I allow myself a few hours each week to enjoy the Colts. If you think your position is going to make me feel bad and go help the homeless or whoever instead of wasting a little time each week then you are talking to the wrong person. You better find some other bleeding heart to pluck. How sad that you spend all this time trying to tell me about the past and how much you hate the Colts and how evil they are. I am assuming you feel that way about all big business because they all get tax breaks and land.

You'll never get it, so once again I will quit trying. I am sorry if you think I am being rude, but your assumptions and insensitive remarks are offensive to me. This is an issue that is about more than the Colts to me. This is an issue that is about my city. The city I grew up in. The city with a downtown that in 1983 was rundown and unless there was a Pacer game, deserted at night. The city where me and my family live. I see this as not only a way for my favorite team to get the stadium they deserve, but a way for the city to partner with the team and to have a share in the increased revenues a new stadium WILL generate.

I am also for the Colts paying for the stadium. I never said I wanted the city to build it. But the city should help with financing and then let the team pay the city back. But all of those points are lost on you. All you hear is Colts and your mind closes to any possibilities. You think I am supposed to look at it through someone elses eyes. I can't no one can. I don't expect you to look at it from my point of view because you can't.

In the end, Indianapolis will build a new stadium. The Colts will play in it and the city will reap more benefits than they do now from the dome. Sorry to see that you can't get on board for the good of the city. It is becoming painfully obvious you do not like Indianapolis.

2003-12-17T13:33:00.000-05:00

As we head into the Christmas season, we also are facing the end of the NFL's regular season. In the past few years I have penned my opinions about the Colts. Most have been bad. But let's face it, we haven't been too good.

Sure we had a nice regular season in 1999, going 13-3, but taking a loss at home in our first ever home playoff game. We had a 10-6 season the following year, but laid an egg at Miami in the first round. The next year we lost Edge and straggled home with a 6-10 record, which was probably very indicative of where we really were. And finally last years 10-6 wildcard team that was clobbered by the Jets.

But this year has just felt different. We have won games we always lost in the past. We have played hard, phyiscal ball. They have been fun to watch and seem to care.

These reasons have made this blog so much fun. Honestly, if we had really stunk the whole year (which there was every reason to think we might) I don't think I would have been able to do it.

So Colts, thanks for the season you have given us so far. And here is to what is left to do. Frankly, the way the team has played this year I think most fans are thinking Super Bowl. I know I am. And I don't say that just because the Colts are my favorite team. I think the potential is there and anything short of it will be disappointing.

2003-12-16T12:33:00.000-05:00

Well it looks like the Dolphins WILL go gently into that good night. Last night they dropped a home game to Philadelphia 34-27. It was a good taut battle, but eventually the Birds offense led by Donovan ìSoupyî McNabb were just too much for them. So we bid farewell to the Phins and what remained of their playoff hopes.

With that, here is this weeks updated playoff scenario as I see it.

Starting in the East, the Patriots, who clinched the division crown last week continued to win. Albeit a crappy Jacksonville team was the only thing standing in their way. It looks more and more like they will finish 14-2.

In the AFC North, things got a little more jumbled Sunday. The Bengals who I had wrote off got a win against the Niners and the Ravens somehow dropped a game to the lowly Raiders. This left the Ravens and Bengals at 8-6. Now I still see the Bengals losing this week to the Rams and the Ravens winning out. This would give the Ravens the division title.

In the South the Colts are showing their dominance. Who would have ever thought we could say that? At 11-3 the Colts have a big, but winnable game against the Broncos Sunday night and travel to Houston the following week. Houston after looking solid a couple of weeks ago seem to have packed it in. The Colts should finish with a very nice 13-3 record.

Finally in the West, the Chiefs rolled the Lions Sunday, but the Denver game still is in my memory. Now the Chiefs go to Minnesota on Saturday to face a desperate Viking squad. Desperation doesnít make teams play any better, but maybe a little harder. Typically they make more mistakes. As much as I liked this game as a loss for the Chiefs a week ago I now see it as a win. This would give them a 14-2 mark and if they can get to that record they would get that first round bye.

So to recap so far.

AFC East Champ New England 14-2
AFC North Champ Baltimore 10-6
AFC South Champ Indianapolis 13-3
AFC West Champ Kansas City 14-2

How ëbout them wildcards?

At this point only Tennessee looks like a lock. They should finish with an 11-5 mark. Past that however, things get a little murky. Potentially 3 teams will finish at 9-7. Denver, Miami and Cincinnati. But by virtue of the tiebreaker, Denver would get the nod due to a better conference record.

Here are the teams in seeded position

1. New England
2. Kansas City
3. Indianapolis
4. Baltimore
5. Tennessee
6. Denver

I think by now you can see how the playoff matchups would work.

Seed 6 @ Seed 3 and Seed 5 @ Seed 4. Should Seed 3 defeat Seed 6, Seed 3 would play at Seed 2 in week 2 and the winner of the Seeds 4 and 5 game would play Seed 1. If Seed 6 should beat Seed 3 then Seed 6 would travel to Seed 1 and the winner of the 4 and 5 game would travel to Seed 2.

Confusing? Just wait a week.

Top Teams

Well it has come down to the last 2 weeks of the season. The Colts, Pats and Chiefs are in on the AFC side. The Panthers, Eagles and Rams are in on the NFC side. This week may be a week that means little in the overall scheme of things, in that nothing may be decided. So here are this weeks Top Teams.

AFC

1. Pats ñ Still rolling along. Big game in NJ this week against spoiler Jets.
2. Colts ñ Dominating performance against lowly Falcons. Big game v. Broncos Sunday night.
3. Titans ñ Sluggish without McNair in win over Bills. Cakewalk @ Houston this week.
4. Chiefs ñ Big win over Lions, but I still question their toughness.
5. Broncos ñ Gritty win over Browns Sunday, but it still was the Browns. Portis?
6. Dolphins ñ Probably finish out of the money.
7. Ravens ñ Loss to Raiders puts them in a tough spot.
8. Bengals ñ Excellent season, but the end is nigh!
9. Jets ñ Still playing tough ball.
10. Bills ñ Too little to save coaches job but hats off to a good try at Nashville.

NFC

1. Eagles ñ Win at Miami last night may have sealed home field.
2. Rams ñ May have lost home field last night by not playing.
3. Packers ñ Favre and Co. just keep after it.
4. Bucs ñ Cancer gone and they are back in the hunt.
5. Panthers ñ Congrats on first division title since 1996.
6. Seahawks- Road woes continued at St. Louis. If they make it, it wonít last long.
7. Cowboys ñ Good win in crappy conditions at Washington.
8. Saints ñ Just killed the Giants, but coming on a little too late.
9. Vikings ñ Crushing defeat at Chicago for once mighty Purple.

OVERALL

1. Pats
2. Eagles
3. Colts
4. Rams
5. Titans
6. Packers
7. Chiefs
8. Bucs
9. Broncos
10. Panthers

2003-12-15T11:43:00.000-05:00

Colts 38 Falcons 7. Michael Vick had a whopping 18.9 QB Rating and the Colts just destroyed the lowly Falcons.

Of course I had to watch it from home and didn't have any cold ones since I had to take a test at 4. By the time the test was done at 5 all of my wussy friends were already home and probably in bed. Old timers!!!

What a game though. The Colts just dominated. Michael Vick looked like a high school kid out there. For the record Vick was 6-19 passing for 47 yards, no TD's, one pick and was sacked 4 times. He also managed 30 yards rushing on 4 carries.
Peyton, on the other hand posted a 146+ QB Rating on 20 for 25 passing and 290 yards and 5 TD's. He hit 5 receivers including 7 each to Martian, Van Camp and Stately Wayne Manner. Edge ran for 126 yards and caught 2 more balls. Rhodes rambled for another 45. Even Marcus Washington showed up yesterday. He had 2 sacks and 6 tackles. He really needed a big game.

The only downer is the loss of Adam Meadows. Meadows was subbing for the injured Brad Sciullo. AN MRI is expected today. Hopefully Meadows is okay, but he looked pretty disgusted on the sidelines. In the meantime, Tupe Pekoe came in and played well.

What a day for the Colts. Unfortunately both New England and Kansas City won, so we aren't any closer to that first round bye yet.

This week....Saturday NFL!

Stay tuned for this weeks playoff outlook and the Top Teams.

2003-12-14T08:36:00.000-05:00

In these times, when teh next tragedy seems to be just around the corner, or the last one was just days or weeks ago, people like to harken back to where they were when some earth shattering event took place.

I am sure we all remember where we were when we heard the news of the 9-11 attacks. I was at work as most of us in the eastern half of the US were. Last month there was talk about where people were when Kennedy was shot. I was only 2 and don't remember. I assume I was at home. I was at home in front of the TV when Neil Armstrong first took step on the moon and I was at the track the day Reggie Miller single handedly brought the Pacers back from an 8 point deficit with 18 seconds left to beat the New York Knicks in a playoff game at Madison Square Garden.

I am sure there are many more, and many that are near and dear to all of you. Right now I am sitting in front of my computer typing this. And this is where I was when I heard the news that Saddam Hussein had been captured. Those of you who know me, know that I have been critical of our handling of the Iraq situation. Not that Hussien didn't need taken out of power, just that more and more soldiers were getting killed and still no Saddam. Well as of this writing he is caught.

It was on a Sunday morning. The day of the Colts Falcons game. The day I have an accounting final and can't go to the game.

Congrats to the US led raid that got that bastard, now...GO COLTS!!

2003-12-11T22:00:00.000-05:00

A streak comes to an end Sunday. Yes, thanks to an idiot professor at school I will be forced to miss Sunday's game against the Falcons. A streak that dates all the way back to 1999. 34 consecutive regular season games. 35 if you count the 1999 playoff tilt against the Titans and 43 total games if you count preseason. A final on a Sunday afternoon. What a fucking idiot!! BTW this will mark only the 10th regular season game I have missed since the Colts got here.

A couple of quick notes.

Falcons head coach Dan Reeves left the team yesterday. Team owner Arthur Blank told Reeves he would not be retained for next season and Reeves asked to be relieved of command immediately. Reeves leaves as the coach with the 6th most wins in NFL history as well as the Falcons all time winningest coach. Not much of a feat there, but Reeves did take the Falcons to their only Super Bowl appearance in 1998. They lost, ironically, to the team that had let Reeves go, the Denver Broncos.

Reeves is an old school guy. He played for the Cowboys and seemed to be kind of hard edged. Sometimes that works in today's world, sometimes it doesn't. Generally though, after a while, players will start tuning you out. A fear I have for Rick Carlisle for the Pacers. But it was generally thought that Reeves had a pretty good relationship with his offensive players. But it seems he lost the D.

In my opinion, Reeves coached with one had tied behind his back this year. When QB Michael Vick went down with a broken leg in the preseason the team was screwed. They posted a 2-10 mark before Vick eventually returned to the starting lineup last week, which BTW was a win over Carolina in OT. Frankly I think Reeves got jobbed and should have been given the consideration of the last year of his contract and a chance to prove what he could do with a season and a healthy Vick. After all, the last time we saw Vick before two weeks ago was in the Divisional round of the NFC Playoffs. They lost, but the week before they embarrassed the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

As a coach I don't like Dan Reeves. He has coached one team I truly despise in the Broncos and one I really don't like in Atlanta. But I respect him and I feel he wasn't really given a chance this year. If Reeves wants to coach again, a big if considering he has had heart problems and has been around a long time, then teams looking to rebuild and win could certainly do worse.

Finally today, with the season winding down it's not too early to start thinking about the 2004 Draft. Hopefully the Colts will be picking last! But the more interesting story is always who will get that number one pick. Right now there are 4 teams with a league worst 3-10 record: Oakland, San Diego, Arizona and Atlanta. Here are their schedules and how I see (hopefully) this thing shaking out.

Oakland Baltimore L, Green Bay L, @San Diego L (3-13)
San Diego Green Bay L, @Pittsburgh L, Oakland W (4-12)
Atlanta @Indianapolis L, @Tampa Bay L, Jacksonville W (4-12)
Arizona Carolina L, @Seattle L, Minnesota L (3-13)

This leaves only Oakland and Arizona to decide who would win the coveted first pick. Why is it important you ask? Two words, Eli Manning. Teams have to be salivating over the thought of picking Peytons little brother. Let's face it, he is going to be the real deal. The only thing that will stop him is injury.

By virtue of a stronger schedule, the Raiders look like they will pick second and Arizona will get first crack at Eli, and they will take him. They need a QB. The Raiders do as well. Gannon has a year maybe two left and really the second should just be basically as a coach. If they do get that number 2 pick they should give serious consideration to Phillip Rivers out of NC State. Excellent QB and will someday be a star, but he is no Eli Manning.

2003-12-10T23:27:00.000-05:00

The MVP, media bias, Indianapolis and the Colts

For most of the season, the media has seemed to be anointing Steve McNair the NFLís Most Valuable Player. This is not about tearing down McNair, as he is a great QB who just keeps getting it done. He creates plays, he plays hurt and he is obviously the heart and soul of the Tennessee Titans football team. But is Steve McNair the MVP? At what point in the season can we legitimately start talking about who the MVP is?

To be fair, a few other names have been mentioned as MVP candidates. Peyton Manning, Jamaal Lewis, Ray Lewis, Priest Holmes and even though he has dropped off considerably, earlier in the year Dante Hall was mentioned.

We are now through week 14 with very team having played 13 games. I realize that sports media outlets have to talk about something, but their slobbering over McNair is just out of control. So why McNair over Manning, or any of the other guys mentioned above? Peyton Manning has had an excellent season, but his QB rating is still behind McNairs. Manning has thrown more TDís and more yards though. (For this writing, I will leave the Lewi, Holmes and Hall out of the mix, just note that I think they are all potential MVP candidates.)

Many here in Indianapolis have an inferiority complex. They refer to a media bias of Indy. They say Peyton is clearly better than McNair, and in their defense, the Colts have beaten the Titans twice this year. Is there a media bias against Indy? Could be. I doubt if anyone is just dying to move from New York, Chicago, LA, Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Charlotte, San Francisco or Seattle to Indianapolis. On the other hand I have never really heard anything that would tell me that the folks over at ESPN or CBS or Fox have anything against Indy. I do, on the other hand get the feeling there is some animosity towards the Colts.

Letís face the facts folks, for the better part of 20 years the Colts have stunk. We have 6 playoff appearances in 19 seasons and have won a grand total of 2 playoff games. We have lost our last 4 playoff games, including one at home in 1999. We have had several 3-13 seasons. 7-9 is much more likely than 9-7 or better. So why would the media heap praise on us?

Sure, since Peytonísí first season in Indy the Colts have a 49-28 record for a 63% winning percentage. But then again, the three seasons that resulted in playoff appearances produced three losses.

So I say the media is not biased, just wary that the Colts are as good as their record. Having said that I think this year they are. And I see the media finally recognizing that. In fact, Colt haters like Joe Theisman and Sean Salsbury have even said so and Theisman has gone so far as to say that right now Peyton should be MVP. (See 12/09/03 PTI)

So who will win the MVP? Honestly I donít know. If Peyton and the Colts win the next three games he has to be a legitimate contender. If Ray Lewis keeps playing at his normal high level he is as well. I think it is okay to start talking about it now, but a month ago was too soon.

2003-12-10T12:37:00.000-05:00

Feeling a little ìwriteyî this week! Sunday Michael Vick comes to town. A lot of discussion of whether or not Vick is the real deal, a pretender or the man who will ruin football. Discussion of whether or not he is entertaining have also abounded.

For all of you idiots out there who have completely lost your minds, this is for you! First of all, Michael Vick is a wonderfully talented NFL QB. He can drop back and throw or he can take it down and run it like no other QB in history. For that matter he is heads and shoulders above most RBís. To claim Vick is not entertaining is ludicrous. Some have even said he is not as entertaining as Peyton Manning. I love Manning, but letís face it, Peyton does not entertain like Vick. What he does is get the job done. Something Vick is still struggling with.

Has Vick ruined football? Someone compared him to Michael Jordan. They claim that since Jordan did all his high flying, aerial dunks and all that now, no one knows how to shoot. Hence the NBA is ruined. This just in, the NBA sucked before Michael, during Michael and after Michael. Vick is uniquely talented. Just because he does what he does it doesnít mean no kids will emulate Peyton or any other drop back QB.

All of these arguments are stupid. Vick is an exciting young player that unfortunately I will miss seeing Sunday. He is good for football, but so is Manning. One does not detract from the other.

2003-12-09T11:20:00.000-05:00

Playoff picture after week 14.

Things change. And yes, for your authors' favorite team, things took a turn for the better! Let's have a look and see how things stack up after a big week in the NFL.

The Colts took a huge step forward by beating the Titans on Sunday and now look to finish the season at 13-3. I still think Tennessee will lose their last game against Tampa Bay, but both teams will make the playoffs.

Colts (Div. winner) 13-3
Titans (Wildcard) 11-5

In the East, New England as expected beat the Phins. New England right now is the best team in the NFL. I see them running the table. I also still see the Dolphins sneaking in.

Colts (Div. winner) 13-3
Titans (Wildcard) 11-5
Pats (Div. winner) 14-2
Dolphins (Wildcard) 10-6

The Ravens looked good in beating their main competition Sunday. The Bengals played about a half and then threw up the white flag. The Ravens are a dangerous team. One I don't want to have to play. But they look like they will get in with a 11-5 record and the number 4 seed.

Colts (Div. winner) 13-3
Titans (Wildcard) 11-5
Pats (Div. winner) 14-2
Dolphins (Wildcard) 10-6
Ravens (Div. winner) 11-5

Finally in the West. The Chiefs looked like shit on Sunday. Denver exposed them. I don't think the Broncos are that tough, but the Chiefs D was pitiful. Clinton Portis looked like the second coming of Jim Brown with some Barry Sanders sprinkled in. Unfortunately for Denver, they have to play at Indy and Green Bay. Both should be losses. Meanwhile, KC plays at home to Chicago and Detroit and on the road at Minnesota. I think they will lose to Minny, but that gives them a 13-3 record and the division title. Denver stays home.

Colts (Div. winner) 13-3
Titans (Wildcard) 11-5
Pats (Div. winner) 14-2
Dolphins (Wildcard) 10-6
Ravens (Div. winner) 11-5
Chiefs (Div. winner) 13-3

The seeding would go as such:

Pats
Colts
Chiefs
Ravens
Titans
Dolphins

We would have the tiebreak over KC by virtue of a better record over common AFC opponents. For the actual games, the Chiefs would host the Dolphins and the Ravens would host the Titans on Wild Card Weekend. If the Dolphins beat the Chiefs they would travel to New England for round two. In that case the winner of Ravens/Titans would travel to Indy.

If however the Chiefs win, they would travel to Indy and the Ravens/Titans winner would go to New England.

With all of that behind us let's take a look at my top teams after 14 weeks.

AFC
1. New England-Again, so solid. They just keep finding ways to win. They are as racked up as anyone, but just keep winning. Pitched a shutout against Phins Sunday in the snow.
2. Indianapolis-Huge win at Tennessee. Tough and physical, the Colts look to be for real.
3. Baltimore-Solid win against Bengals. This team is getting better each week. You knew the D was there, now there is an O too.
4. Titans-Comeback against Colts almost happened. Turnovers killing them right now.
5. Denver-Made Chiefs look bad on Sunday. Exposed their crappy D.
6. Kansas City-Only one tough game left, but look vulnerable in a playoff environment.
7. Miami-Will probably hold on to that last playoff spot. December 1, Miami 0.

NFC
1. St. Louis-Until they lose they stay on top. Gritty win on road against Browns.
2. Philadelphia-Good teams beat their main competition this time of year. Philly smacked the Cowboys around Sunday.
3. Minnesota-Quality win against NFC competition.
4. Tampa Bay-Still battling, but win over Saints sends a message.
5. Carolina-D just not getting it done. Michael Vick killed them.
6. Green Bay-As long as Favre is there they have a chance.
7. Seattle-Have to find a way to win on the road if they are to have any chance of even making playoffs.
8. Dallas-Two losses in a row. Big losses. Is it over in Big D?

NFL
1. New England
2. St. Louis
3. Philadelphia
4. Indianapolis
5. Baltimore
6. Tennessee
7. Denver
8. Kansas City
9. Minnesota
10. Tampa Bay

2003-12-08T23:05:00.000-05:00

WOW!!! Colts 29 Titans 27. And that score is pretty accurate as far as how close this one was. The Colts now have what amounts to a 2 game lead in the AFC South. The Colts came to play in this one. Fake or not, there were Titans littering the field all day long. Just like in September, the Colts were simply more physical than what many consider the most physical team in the AFC or event the NFL.

The Colts settled for field goals early, but finally got the Edge in the end zone for a couple of scores. Peyton was superb. Marvin marvelous and Edge ran hard all day and caught everything thrown at him.

The Titans on the other hand just seemed out of synch or something. McNair almost got his team back in it, but just came up short.

The Good. Hats off to the special teams. Vandy hit 5 FG's, but the big plays were on kick coverage. The cover units caused three Titan fumbles which were all turned into points. After a couple of real bad weeks, they really stepped up yesterday.

The Bad. Not much here. If anything the play calling when we get the lead just continues to be too conservative. The Colts were leading 29-13 at one point and while we held on for the win, there were some anxious moments down the stretch.

The Ugly. Nothing really rankled except for a really stupid personal foul on Macklin in the first half.

This was as big of a game the Colts have played since coming to Indianapolis. With all of the new stadium talk this kind of games really make the city feel good about the team.

Great game Colts. Next up is Atlanta and Michael Vick. Vick had a whale of a day yesterday so the Colts will have to be ready. They now have to prove they can stand prosperity. I think they will.

In NFL news, New England shutout the Dolphins in snoy Foxboro. Philly crushed the Cowboys. Minnesota beat visiting Seattle. Denver whipped up on Kansas City, who looked very vulnerable yesterday and Cincinnati lost to Baltimore in what may ultimately decide the AFC North.

In other notes, the BCS final standings came out yesterday. A lot of people are pissing and moaning. USC made number 1 in the polls, but were only number 3 in the BCS. So LSU will play Oklahoma in the National Championship. Frankly, Oklahoma played so well during the season that their loss on Saturday (which gave all three teams 1 loss) should not have knocked them out of the top spot in the BCS or in the polls. It is my thought the writers and coaches and ESPN put in SC just to create the controversy. Now there is an outcry for a playoff of the winner of LSU/Oklahoma and USC/Michigan. That works for me, but I don't have a problem if they don't do it.

2003-12-06T11:33:00.000-05:00

One more quickie item. I know ESPN.com and NFL.com have been running team rankings all season. Frankly I think it's a little stupid to do so early in the season. But with 4 weeks left here are my rankings for both AFC, NFC and both. Keep in mind I watch a lot more AFC ball because of the Colts, but I feel I have seen enough of the teams to know who is good and who is bad. These will be Top lists only (not really a set number of teams) and will be reposted after this weeks games.

AFC
1. New England-So solid. O, D, coaching. Top to bottom the best team in the league right now.
2. Kansas City-Their record says it all(11-1). Dick Vermeil seems to be working that magic he had in St. Louis across the state in KC.
3. Tennessee-Yes, I realize we beat them badly here, but they reeled off 6 straight wins before dropping to Jets last Monday.
4. Indianapolis-Need to play physical and the whole 60 minutes. No team can stop this offense all day.
5. Baltimore-Never has been a question about their D, but back to back 44 point games tells me something.
6. Miami-Should be better than they are and now it's December. You all know what that means.
7. Cincinnati-Unbelievable turnaround. Let's see how they finish. Big game this week at Baltimore.
8. NY Jets-With Pennington back they are a different team.
9. Denver-Can still play good ball, but it sounds like the Shanahan regime is crumbling. Loss to Bears at home 2 weeks ago still has to hurt.
10. Houston-Dangerous and scary. No one wants to play them and all they want to do is spoil.

NFC
1. St. Louis-Win after win after...Despite Marc Bulger they just keep getting it done. One wonders what happens if they end up on a slow track outside in January.
2. Philadelphia-Hosting the Cowboys this week. Since week 5 they have been playing great ball. Thanks a lot Limbaugh!
3. Dallas- Bill Parcells. What else can you say.
4. Carolina- Had a great start. Good physical D, but offense is definitely suspect.
5. Seattle-Big game at Minnesota this week. Should determine if they can stay with the pack for the long haul.
6. Minnesota- Dropping fast after a great start. Lead team in a dog division.
7. Green Bay- They always beat the Bears. Pretty much this simple, lose and you are out. Had a huge chance last week and blew it.

NFL
1. New England
2. Kansas City
3. St. Louis
4. Tennessee
5. Philadelphia
6. Indianapolis
7. Baltimore
8. Dallas
9. Carolina
10. Miami

2003-12-06T11:07:00.000-05:00

For most of the season I have had this weeks game at Tennessee penciled in as a loss. Unfortunately I have not seen enough to make me change my mind on that mindset. However, I never thought we would be 9-3 at this time either.

Tomorrow marks what could be the biggest game to date for the franchise. Not only does it mean first place in the AFC South, but more importantly it represents how this team and franchise will be viewed by the public. If we get blown out, the "Same old Colts" theme will abound, and rightfully so. All the talk and support for a new stadium will go right out the window. However, if we win or battle and lose a heartbreaker the team will retain its luster and its esteem.

So how do the Colts win tomorrow? Simple. Just go back and look at the game film from week 2. On that day the Colts played with great energy and were as physical as I have ever seen them. If they go out and slap the Titans around and don't back down, they can win. The Titans are known as a physical team. Conventional wisdom is that the Colts are more of a finesse team. Earlier in the season that notion seemed to be changing, but once again that seems to be the prevailing thought.

Some people refer to this as the Bully Syndrome. He will keep beating you up and taking your lunch money until you stand up to him. Once you do, he will probably back down. So Colts, tomorrow you face the bully. If you let him, he will eat you up. But if you play with the energy and physicality you did in week 2 the bully will back down.

Go Colts!

2003-12-04T09:02:00.000-05:00

Well it's been a couple of weeks and obviously my playoff scenarios have taken some hits. The only change I see is that it is looking more and more like Miami just may sneak in and knock Denver out. This week should be very revealing where it comes to the playoffs.

First and foremost the Colts take on the Titans at Nashville. Unfortunately I still see this as a loss for the Horse, but I expect them to recover and win out and finish at 12-4. Tennessee will probably win this week, and with Tampa Bays loss last week meaning they won't give the Titans any trouble on the last day of the season, should run the table to finish 13-3 and win the AFC South.

So far:

Titans (Div. winner) 13-3
Colts (Wildcard) 12-4

Sunday the East leading Patriots host the Miami Dolphins. The Pats are playing so well. I see then winning ALL of their remaining games to post a 14-2 mark. The Dolphins will lose this Sunday to NE and the following Sunday to Philly, but regroup to win their last two to post a 10-6 mark.

Titans (Div. winner) 13-3
Colts (Wildcard) 12-4
Pats (Div. winner) 14-2
Dolphins (Wildcard) 10-6

Well I did change my prediction for the way the Bengals will finish the season. Regardless, they have had a great season and their fans should look forward to the future. However, Baltimore will beat them this week and in fact will win the rest of their games. They seem to be gelling at just the right time. I see them being the only playoff team from this division with a 12-4 record.

So far:

Titans (Div. winner) 13-3
Colts (Wildcard) 12-4
Pats (Div. winner) 14-2
Dolphins (Wildcard) 10-6
Ravens(Div. winner) 12-4

Finally the AFC West. Kansas City is having a stellar year. Sure their schedule has been suspect, but they don't get to make up their own schedule. That said, I look for them to lose at Denver this Sunday. Denver is still trying to make the playoffs, but that loss at home to the Bears a couple of weeks ago may be their nail. Looks for KC to finish the season with wins while Denver will lose on the road at Indy and Green Bay the last two weeks of the season.

Titans (Div. winner) 13-3
Colts (Wildcard) 12-4
Pats (Div. winner) 14-2
Dolphins (Wildcard) 10-6
Ravens(Div. winner) 12-4
Chiefs (Div. winner) 14-2

In order that is:

Pats 14-2
Chiefs 14-2
Titans 13-3
Ravens 12-4
Colts 12-4
Dolphins 10-6

By virtue of the best records the Pats and the Chiefs would get first round byes. With only 1 AFC loss the Pats would be the overall number 1 seed, the Chiefs number 2. By record, the third seed would be the Titans, the fourth would be the Ravens, fifth the Colts and sixth the Dolphins.

Based on this seeding, the Titans would host the Dolphins on Wildcard weekend and the Ravens would host the Colts. If the Titans were to win, they would then travel to KC to face the Chiefs in the divisional round and the winner if the Ravens/Colts would go to NE. However if the Dolphins were to win they would travel to NE for the divisional round and the winner of the Ravens/Colts would go to Kansas City.

2003-12-01T09:27:00.000-05:00

Well it is a Blue Monday to be sure. The Colts lose to the Pats at the dome 38-34. Where to start?

Let's start at the beginning, not that the Colts did. Once again the Colts dug themselves a hole. This season is starting to look a lot like last season. It was 17-0 before the Colts showed up. Finally they got on the board with a Vandy FG to make it 17-3. They held on D and eventually got the score to 17-10 just before the half. Then, instead of onside kicking or a squib kick, they kicked off deep and the Pats ran it all the way back. Halftime score 24-10.

The Colts got the ball to start the third quarter and promply went three and out. The fans booed and rightfully so. With 7 and a half minutes to play the Pats made it 31-10 and it looked like it was all over. Miraculously the Colts forged ahead and eventually tied the game at 31. The Pats scored again, the Colts got a FG to make it 38-34 which would be the final score. The Colts had a chance with first down at the 2 with 40 seconds to play but New England was just too tough to beat. My hat is off to them.

The Good: A nice comeback to tie the score at 31. The Colts D really stepped up and harassed Tom Brady and the O got the ball in the end zone.

The Bad: More injuries. Tarik didn't play and I think it showed yesterday. Makeo Freitas played okay, but we miss the pro bowler. James Mungro was hurt and Dallas Clark was lost for the season with a broken leg. Where we were the more physical team at the beginning of the season, we are now getting outmuscled.

The Ugly: Digging ourselves a 17 point halftime deficit. Especially galling was the kickoff return for a TD at the end of the half. We simply can not keep digging out of holes like that and expect to get very far. We have to show up early and play the whole 60 minutes. Right now it's not happening.

It was a nice day though and me, Paw and Tom were still basking in the glow of the Rebels State Championship Saturday. Tom thought he was bad luck and banished himself to the hall for the fourth quarter. That led to trouble and he apparently beat up a margarita stand, got into a shouting match with another patron and was eventually escorted down to Capital Ave. by the police. When I got back to the car and didn't see him I figured he was in jail, but thankfully he was in Johnny B's watching the game.

Fun day, and I have no voice left today, but the loss hurt and really hurts our chances for a division title and a first week bye in the playoffs.

2003-11-28T08:28:00.000-05:00

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!

2003-11-25T13:17:00.000-05:00

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?

2003-11-25T09:12:00.000-05:00

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!

2003-11-21T13:16:00.000-05:00

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?

2003-11-19T15:04:00.000-05:00

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.

2003-11-19T12:44:00.000-05:00

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!

2003-11-17T11:06:00.000-05:00

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!

2003-11-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

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.

2003-11-12T10:29:00.000-05:00

"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.

2003-11-11T12:51:00.000-05:00

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.

2003-11-10T13:44:00.000-05:00

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...

2003-11-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

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.

2003-11-10T08:29:00.000-05:00

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

2003-11-07T12:57:00.000-05:00

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 wrote:
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 wrote:
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 wrote:
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

2003-11-05T13:25:00.000-05:00

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.

2003-11-05T09:23:00.000-05:00

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.

2003-11-04T08:39:00.000-05:00

Today is election day. Be sure to excercise your constitutional rights and cast your votes for the candidates of your choice!

2003-11-03T16:17:00.000-05:00

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.

2003-10-30T14:52:00.000-05:00

When I started this I had no idea if I would keep it going. What I didn't want to do was get pigeonholed into it just being a football only storyline. I wanted it to encompass everything Colts for the season. If you have been reading, you know that the stadium issue is near and dear to my heart. For the record, I am for a new stadium, I think the city and team should find ways to raise the money and I feel the Colts should, over time pay the city back for its help and for the money. That way the team owns the stadium and unless they find a way to move it, will be here for the long haul.

If you are reading these posts you know I am a message board regular at www.indystar.com. My username is Letsgocolts.

Posted below are some of the latest posts I have made in response to other reader posts and even a private message I recieved. Note that I have not changed the spelling or punctuation since I really wouldn't have a clue as to what Sunshine16 is really trying to get at.

First the posts on the message boards.

Letsgocolts
Member

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Indy
Posts: 484
Re: no

quote:
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Originally posted by sunrise 16
let them leave ! the people say yes are not thinking ! What if you were laid off from a job ? Were do you think the money will come from for unemployment or health care that you need ! or even the food banks. think about that ! the money for the new staduim could go to the unemployment office to help hoosier, wishard advantage so people who do get laid off get health care. this could be any one of you ! I lived here before the colts it was a better place to live. this is a basketball and racing state ! football is not one of them ! the money for a new staduim could be used to lower the propety taxes. this better. times are tough more lays people need help more than the colts. my cousin who lives in la says when they had the football team in la it was tough to live. bars and food places charge more money. crime was up. place were charging more to park and do things. the staduim was not full. drink driving was up. She said it was horrible. now because there is no team. She said it is great. business lowered the prices. people felt safe drunk driving was down. la was a great place now. She said the people of la were glad ! I say let them leave.
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My Reply...

On the other hand it looks like drunk posting is rampant.

LA has a lower crime rate BECAUSE they don't have football? I think you best post a link to some stats to back that ridiculous statement up. Sorry, but I don't think your cousin qualifies as expert testimony.

Maybe, since it is so much better in LA because of no football, you can go there. If nothing else, the overall IQ of Hoosiers would go up if you did.

__________________
Go Colts!

October 29th, 2003 02:44 PM

Next....

Letsgocolts
Member

Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Indy
Posts: 484

quote:
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Originally posted by Blud.
Apparently the City-County budget has $650,000,000 all ready set aside for the new stadium, and a place to build it.

With that much cash, a new Justice Center could be built.

A new building that could hold 5000 Inmates, Courts, Infirmary, parking lot, and even helipad.

An Infirmary designed so that there would be no reason for an Inmate to leave the building for Medical attention, they could be arrested, and brought to the same building where they would stay (what a Novel concept), room to grow, and no reason to leave for court, no transports, room for all employees to park, and a Helipad for emergancy extractions, interventions.

Something that would actually HELP the city instead of letting thousand of criminals loose into the City.

Of course, we could just get off on the fact that the tourists coming here are paranoid because of them.
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My reply...

And just how long do you expect your "Non-freed criminal" paradise to last? A year, 5? How long until your state-of the-art Justice Center is overcrowded?

__________________
Go Colts!

October 29th, 2003 02:47 PM

And finally, a private message from Sunshine16 (from the first post)

sunrise 16
New Member

Registered: May 2003
Posts: 0
so
I agree with what you are saying until you said go colts ! So are you for or agansit the colts. ! What some people do not get the colts should be the last thing. People that are for the colts. should go down at thanksgiving and see the homeless at the shelter that need food. Or tell a child that is poor to thier face that the money is going for a new staduim for a football team, but not so you can eat or be warm for the winter. let the colts pay for it they have enough money, they should not take money for other things that are more important.

October 30th, 2003 01:25 PM

My reply

I am for the Colts and I am for a new stadium. Here's the caveat. I am not for using property taxes in any form for any extracurriclar activities. Colts, the arts, etc. I will go to the games and I full expect to be the one to help pay for the stadium.

What I don't understand is why you are assuming that your property taxes will go towards such an undertaking. No one has even mentioned that. Not Peterson, not Jordan.

Raising sales tax 1% or the tax on rental cars and hotel rooms is not going to cost one child a degree of warmth or morsel of food. Our property, income and unemployment taxes are to be used for the rebuilding and upkeep of the infrastructure of the city. Sewers, schools, police and fire protection.

You ask in your original post what would happen if those who want a stadium would do if we lost our job. My answer is that I will go out and find a job and barring that I would have to take unemployment which I HAVE BEEN FUNDING AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN WORKING.

I think you are looking at it from the standpoint that if the Colts stay, the poor lose and if they go, the poor will become wealthier. That is simply not the case and may be completely opposite of the reality.

Keep this in mind, the Colts owners and players donate millions of dollars to local charities. Without them, every dime of that would be gone. If you are Riley Hospital, where do you make up $15 million dollars?

I agree that IF all of the tax money went into one pool and we then prioritized the projects based on need, then a new stadium would not be at the top of the list. However, new stadiums create more revenue, not just for the Colts, but for the city and state as well.

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You all know my stance. I just feel like if the opposition is represented by the above posters, then we will be in a new stadium in about 5 years.

2003-10-29T15:24:00.000-05:00

Still just a down feeling week. Message boards have been slow. Talk has been almost nonexistent. It's almost as though the fans have already written this one off. I picked the Colts on my play the pros, but I am not overly confident.

The injury report is out and once again, James Mungro is out. Tarik and Dallas are questionable and we are nicked up elsewhere. Get well guys!

It also is now less than a week until what may prove to be the most important election since the Colts arrived. A vote for incumbent Peterson is a vote for the Colts, a vote for Jordan is a vote against. Anyone who reads this blog has to even ask which side I am leaning to. It looks like Peterson will win big.

It's just a damn shame that the general population has researched the issues so little when it comes to the Colts and a new stadium. No one wants taxes raised, but no one has said there would be a tax increase to keep them. I find that the opposition that is the loudest also seems to be the most ill-informed and it just makes me sick.

People say they want better schools, roads, jails etc., but they have no clue to the fact that no amount of money ever makes those things better.

We'll see next Tuesday. I hate to vote for the Democrat, but I am in this case. Besides, as I have said many times before, a democrat and a republican in Indiana are very similar. This is not CA or NY where those two are diametrically opposite in their thinking.

SIGG

2003-10-28T14:32:00.000-05:00

Alright, a full day removed from the game and I am feeling a little better. I was just so disappointed that they came out so flat, but they won and I suppose coming off the bye and against the Texans it is to be expected.

2003-10-27T14:52:00.000-05:00

I'm not gonna get into too much detail. Frankly because I thought the Colts sucked yesterday. Yes, we won 30-21. Yes Peyton had another great day and a 133+ QB rating and Edge got his 100+ yards. But the team was as flat as a pancake most of the day. That lead to a flat, apathetic crowd, and generally a feeling that if we play like that next week, the Dolphins will just plain kill us.

Hubie Pyatt showed he was human with a muffed punt when he should have called for a fair catch. Then on the next punt he fielded one at the 7. C'mon Hubie, we know you can do better.

Some moron up in section 302 or 303 kept trying to start the wave when we had the ball. He was an idiot and should be slapped around.

We won, but as you can probably surmise, I am less than impressed. For the record, it was me, Paw, Neil, Timmy, Tom and Tony. Pregame at my place. All very vanilla and all very flat. We are now away for two weeks in FL. The Titans just keep staying on our heels. We have to play better to get some separation from them. The run D was awful. That's enough for now.

One quick note. Sounds like Jeff George is going to tryout with the Broncos. I hope he makes it and tears them down from the inside.

2003-10-24T08:02:00.000-05:00

Friday or Blue Friday if you will. Finally the game is a scant 2 days away. Once again the Colts went down to the wire TV blackout deadline, but once again the game sold out. I am just ready for some football. If you are coming tothe game, stop by my place. Gates open at 11 for pregame. Probably head down to the dome around 2:30 or so.

Prediction...doom and gloom for the upstart Houston Texans. Colts 42 Texans 10.

2003-10-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

I don't know if it's the layoff, the nice weather or what, but the fans are getting a little jumpy. Myself included. The Houston Texans come to town Sunday. As of this morning there were about 3100 tickets left. Hopefully we can get the game on TV.

This should be a fairly easy win for the Colts. The Texans are improved, but they still aren't anywhere close to us. I guess the number one question this week is going to be which Colts team shows up. The one from the second half of the Panther game or the team that drove to a 5-0 record? We should know soon enough.

There isn't really any news right now. The team appears to be healing nicely. No one went out and caused any trouble over the bye week. Bill Polian was given a 5 year contract extension today. I have been critical in the past of Polian and frankly I don't care for him, but right now it's hard to really carp on anyone.

More later!

2003-10-15T16:22:00.000-05:00

It's Wednesday of bye week. As much as the team needed the break, I am already having withdrawals. So here is a recap of the season so far, followed by my impressions of the fans reactions to Sunday's loss and the season.

First of all I think it is important to focus on the fact that we are 5-1 and could easily have been 6-0. Of course, while we lost to the Panthers, we could have easily lost to the Bucs.

The season opener was an ugly game. Yes we won, but it was a grinder. Defensively we played well, only allowing 6 points. Unfortunately, Peyton and company failed to show and we were held to 9. A win is a win, and everyone had to feel good about the D.

Week 2 brought a huge early season matchup with the evil Titans. They have simply owned us the past three times we have played, no matter what some people think. But this time it was all Colts. 33-7 was the final and honestly it wasn't that close. We played physical and played well. Offense, defense and special teams came together to move the record to 2-0.

The next week at the dome brought the lowly Jaguars. Under first year head coach Jack Del Rio (asshole) this team is looking lost. The Colts however were the ones who looked lost in the first half, but recovered nicely for the win. The Colts were 3-0 with a huge road trip ahead. Last year this trip really exposed us and this years was looking about as tough. On a sad note, the Colts failed to sell out for the first time in 33 games.

The following Sunday was USGP day and the Colts were playing on national TV on ESPN's Sunday Night Football against the Saints. The Saints came in with a 1-2 record and the ire of their fans. After an opening day loss at Seattle, they crushed Houston but then were killed by the Titans. Their fans were not happy with any aspect of the team. The Colts came out of the box strong and stayed that way all night posting a 55-21 win over the Aint's. I went to bed at the end of the third, but I hear the paper bags came out. The Colts were now 4-0 and the defending Super Bowl champ Bucs awaited on ABC's Monday Night Football.

For a while this game reminded me a lot of last years Monday night debacle at Pittsburgh at best and the playoff game against the Jets at worst. It was 21-0 before you knew what hit you. Manning had no time to throw, the Bucs were taking advantage of every opportunity and we looked dead in the water. In the second half we cut the lead to 21-7 before the Bucs went back up 28-7. A Manning pass was intercepted and returned for a TD and we added a TD and were down 35-14 with just over 4 minutes to go. Then something happened, or didn't happen as it were. The Colts refused to die quietly and the vaunted Bucs D was out of steam. The Colts scored 21 straight to tie the score and send the game into OT. The Bucs won the toss but our D was fired up and held them and forced them to punt. The offense then took the field and the Bucs simply had nothing for us. Vandy came in to try a FG that was eventually wide right, but a "leaping" call against Simeon Rice gave him another shot. This time, even though the ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage and it hit the upright it rattled through for the win. The Colts were 5-0 for the first time in forever and only the Carolina Panthers stood between us and the bye week we so desperately needed.

I won't dwell too much on the Panther game since it is only a couple of stories down, but a couple of notes on the bye week. Man do we need it. The D, since coming up so large early seems to be going for the highlight reel instead of the tackle. The coach now has a couple of weeks to make that adjustment. But most importantly, the injury list was getting almost unmanageable.

Edgerrin James-back
Ryan Diem-leg
Joseph Jefferson-leg
Jeff Nelson-shoulder
Tarik Glenn-ankle
Dwight Freeney-ankle

And that is just the starters. The team has lots of players who have missed games or plays because of injuries. The break is just what we needed.

HOW ABOUT THEM FANS?

A 5-0 start is bound to make the fans a little crazy and it sure has been this week after the loss. Edge has to go, offensive coordinator Tom Moore has to go, 'We can't tackle', 'Peyton sucks'. You name it, it has been said this week. The fans I deal with are all pretty level headed, but some of the knee jerk reaction this week has been pretty stupid. Again, when you win the first 5 you will have that. Let's keep our head folks. 5-1 is great and it is obvious we are on hell of a lot better than we have EVER been in Indy!

2003-10-14T15:56:00.000-05:00

The following is a letter that was printed in the Star Sunday October 12, 2003. I don't really mean to pick on the person who wrote it especially since there are a couple of others. But her reasoning is totally inane. Following the letter is my reply that was sent to the Star today.

THE LETTER

I am appalled that The Star is advocating another tax to keep the Colts in Indianapolis. You state that no one wants the Colts to leave. You are mistaken. There are many people who want the Colts to leave.

There are many problems needing the money that is diverted to the Colts. In the same edition of The Star as your editorial on the Colts (Sept. 21), you printed a story about perpetrators of domestic violence being released from jail due to overcrowding.

You brag that the Colts bring jobs and vitality to Downtown, yet you neglect to mention that the people who work those jobs cannot afford to go to football games or even shop in the stores they work for. If I'm going to pay another tax, I want to pay one that provides more than minimum-wage jobs for the citizens of Indianapolis.

Beckie Madigan

Indianapolis

MY RESPONSE

So there are many who want to see the Colts leave Indianapolis. At least that is what I gather from Beckie Madigan's letter.

I don't know who Ms. Madigan is, nor do I know whom she represents when she says there are "many" who want them to leave. I guess in their minds, if the Colts leave we can build more jails and incarcerate more of our population in what I am sure will be a wildly successful means of stopping crime. Plus, if the Colts leave, we can continue to build great palaces to education and all of our kids will automatically be smart and able to pass their I-Step tests.

For that matter, our air will probably be cleaner, streets will be in better shape and most likely the weather will even improve.

Of course those people who have jobs because of the Colts will just have to suffer, or wait, they can get those high paying jobs that don't exist because we have pro football.

Wake up people. The Colts generate millions of dollars for the local economy. Money that will be gone when they leave. There will be no filling of that void. The money they generate has been going to the CIB and then distributed back to the team and other interests of the CIB. But why bother to look at both sides, when so much is riding on the children.

Face it, money and fancy schools never made one child smarter, only teachers, parents and the children can do that. No amount of prison space will ever be enough. Ever. But since I am sure you never thought about it, take a look at the money the team and its players give to charity and remember, when they leave so does that money.

2003-10-13T08:50:00.000-05:00

Cold, hard reality is hitting me square in the face this morning. The Colts, herein known as the losers, just kidding, lost yesterday to the Carolina "Financial' Panthers 23-20 at the Dome.

There are so many cliche's one can use for this loss but the bottom line is that we simply could not contain the Panthers in the second half.

For what it's worth, the NFL is probably going to offer us an apology for blowing what could have been a game changing call when Chad Bratzke intercepted Jake Delhomme at the Carolina 5 yard line. The call was then reversed to an incompletion, going to the offense, or in other words, not our ball.

But that really isn't where the game was won or lost. First of all, the Colts had to be wearing out. The big win on Monday was so emotional. Then a short week and finally a tough opponent. The Colts failed to impress at the outset, but built a nice 13-3 halftime lead. Coupled with the fact that the Colts would get the ball to start the second half all bode well for the home team.

Three plays in though, Peyton was picked off and one play later the Panthers scored. The Colts punted on the next series and 5 plays later, Carolina led 17-13. That was less than 5 minutes into the third quarter and it was obvious the Colts had hit the wall.

The offense then went into a deep freeze. Continuing to make what many fans thought were questionable play calls. There were even boos heard from the crowd. I didn't boo, but I was at a loss over the calls.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter the Panthers added a field goal to go up by 7. Finally the Colts got untracked and tied the score on a 25 yard pass from Manning to Wayne. Now we go to OT.

The second week in a row for OT and once again, we lose the coin toss. And this time, our D just wasn't up to the task. We let them drive down the field and finally, Carolina hit a field goal to send us home unhappy.

Sure it is a disappointment, but we should keep it in perspective. We weren't going to go 16-0 and now we get a bye week to heal up and get ready for the meat of the season.

Yesterday the Colts looked like a team playing on only adrenaline in the first half. In the second half, the tank was empty.

As for us, me, Neil, Tom and Paw went. Pawly was able to go after all. The usual suspects were there: Butch the Legend etc. with the notable exception of the very attractive lady that sits behind me. We needed her there yesterday!!! We need all of our fans. Oh well. In two weeks its Houston. We go to 6-1 and go from there.

2003-10-09T16:07:00.000-05:00

Still basking in the glow of the great victory! This one is taking a few days to wear off. That's a good thing. But the reality is that we face the undefeated Carolina Panthers, no not a financial panther, Sunday in the dome. We are coming off an emotional, gruelling comeback win on a Monday night. These short turnarounds scare me to death! But honestly, I think the Colts will do it and roll into the bye week at an amazing 6-0.

The only real bad news still concerns Edge. Once again he is listed as questionable with a back problem. This will be a real test to see if we can get by another week without him, but if he needs the extra week plus the off week to be ready for the final 10 game push then so be it. After this week we really hit the middle of the season. 6 regular season games and 4 preseasons.

The message boards naturally have been jumping this week. Most everyone is very positive about our chances Sunday. There are a few who keep saying beware, but honestly, those of us who post are just fans and it really doesn't matter if WE are ready. I can climb out of the rack Sunday morning, put on the blue and the beads and be ready to yell. The team is who have to be ready. I think they will be, although I wasn't sure they were when the game started Monday night. And they may not have been, but they WERE ready to play a whole 60 minutes plus. Thank God!

You know this log has pretty much just been my thoughts on the season and what has transpired. I don't mean to discount stats, but they are readily available at NFL.com, so I don't really bother too much with them.

2003-10-07T13:33:00.000-05:00

Well, well, well! The previous post pretty much says it all. Colts 38 Bucs 35. Final.

I am still at a loss for words. A fantastic comeback by a group of players who just refused to quit. I will say this: If this city can't get behind these guys now, then they should just pack up and split for the coast, La-La Land. There is something about these guys that is special. The offense, defense and special teams just keep making the plays to get it done.

Now before I gush too much about the win, I should note that I had given up on them. I was still watching, but I had them written off. The first half looked so much like the Washington, Pittsburgh and Tennessee games. Giving up big points early on and digging ourselves one hell of a hole to get out of. A 21-0 hole to be exact. And while only one of those TD's was a legit drive by the Bucs, the score was still abysmal.

But in the second half, the D stepped up and the O started to roll. Peyton had a bad one returned for a TD, but it wasn't to matter. Detron Smith's 4 penalties rankled, but ultimately could not stop the Colts. Beautiful passes to Marvin Harrison set up the last 2 scores. A marvelous onsides kick by Vandy helped get the ball at a crucial time and finally, 2 big defensive series' stymied the Bucs O.

In the OT Peyton was brilliant. Getting rid of the ball when he needed to, and making first down strikes to Marvin, Walters and Wayne setting up Vandy's game winning FG.

And what of that vaunted Buc D? They wilted in the pressure that the Colts continued to put on. By the end of the game they were out of gas. Their D puts so much pressure and intensity on their opponent that the opponent often wilts and retreats. The Colts could have last night, but didn't. And when the game was on the line, it was the Bucs D that had had enough.

One last thing. The moron who 'grades' the Bucs each week like the moron Kravitz does here obviously left the game early last night. His report has since changed, but here are a couple of quotes...

"Ronde Barber sealed the victory by returning a Manning pick for a touchdown,", "The
decision to stick with the run late in the game took much-needed time off the clock
and made a Colts comeback difficult,"

Good stuff and further proof the media is not interested in reporting the news, they want to make the news.

2003-10-06T23:59:00.000-05:00

What a difference 58 minutes make. Colts 38 Bucs 35 Final. Bad call at the end, but it is about time we started getting those! More later!

2003-10-06T23:03:00.000-05:00

All the wishing in the world won't change the outcome. It is 35-14 with about 5 minutes to go. By the way, the good guys are on the short end of that stick.

2003-10-06T12:57:00.000-05:00

Today's the day! Colts at Bucs. I am standing behind my prediction that the Colts will beat the pulp out of the Bucs. I am ready for this game to start. Just 7 more hours!

Go Colts!

2003-10-02T14:28:00.000-05:00

One more item today. I will continue to investigate this story and post links as I find them. Earlier this week the Mayors office and the Capital Improvement Board released a statement that the money the city "gives" the Colts is in fact the money the CIB receives from the suites at the dome and other money such as parking that the Colts generate. Basically, they say it is, in reality, just a transfer of what the team really earned. They went on to say that what they are giving the Colts now is not everything they earn. So apparently we have just found some more money for the Colts. I say let's get this stadium started and implement my ideas of ownership of the stadium by the team.

As Drudge says.....developing.

2003-10-02T14:11:00.000-05:00

Well let's see. As of this morning the Colts are a 4.5 point underdog to the "Mighty" Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Boy, 7 or more years ago who would have ever thought Tampa Bay was mighty. Well folks, come Monday night you will once again take the "mighty" adjective off of them and put them in a dogfight with the Carolina Panthers for the NFC South crown. As a matter of fact, they will probably be 2 games down to the Panthers. Why you ask? Well this is why, because the Colts are gonna whip up on the defending Super Bowl champions and put America on notice that this Colt team is for real.

For the record I see a 31-10 thrashing of the Bucs. I simply think that our D will completely shut down their crappy offense and our offense just has too many weapons for them to contain. Now don't get me wrong, the Bucs are a good team, but in the NFL today, it is just about impossible to maintain your edge for more than a season. I mean the edge that gets you over the top and wins championships. The salary cap and collective bargaining agreements have made it damn near impossible to keep all of your players, therefore making it damn near impossible to maintain a level.

To a certain extent, the Colts are at that threshold and need to grab the brass ring while they can. Folks, I think they will. They look and sound good. Offense, defense and special teams are all playing well. It is our turn. So again, look for a big Colts win Monday.

So far the injury report looks like this:
OUT
T Ryan Diem (Ankle)
CB Joseph Jefferson (Other)

QUESTIONABLE
RB Edgerrin James (Back)
OLB Jim Nelson (Head)
WR Brandon Stokley (Hamstring)
CB Donald Strickland (Groin)

PROBABLE
DE Raheem Brock (Ankle)
FS Jason Doering (Finger)
DE Dwight Freeney (Other)
CB Walt Harris (Knee)
WR Brad Pyatt (Hip)
RB Dominic Rhodes (Knee)
C Jeff Saturday (Back)
G Steve Sciullo (Foot)
OLB David Thornton (Ankle)
K Mike Vanderjagt (Ribs)

Lot's of names, but not much substance once you get past Diem. One big advantage we will have is if Edge is able to go. That would give us 4 healthy RBs to run against the Bucs. Wear them assholes down!

On an NFL note, the Rush Limbaugh experiment ended today. Limbaugh, who joined the cast of ESPN's Sunday morning kickoff show this season resigned amidst controversy over comments he made this past Sunday regarding Eagle QB Donovan "Soupy" McNabb. Basically Limbaugh said that the media had a keen interest in a black QB doing well, but that he thought McNabb was overrated and that the main reason for the Eagles success was their D. People all over the country are weighing in over this.

Was it racist? Probably not. I haven't listened to Rush regularly for a long time, but I never have heard him be racist. He simply expressed his opinion. Too many people in this country don't like to hear the truth. Thus Limbaugh was basically forced out. Today, a wealthy man lost a job. He will recover. But more importantly, our constitution, which makes no provision about political correctness, but rather guarantees the right to free speech was trampled. I make no apologies for Limbaugh, but in the past 24 hours he has been called names that if he would have said would have had him yanked by the time Sunday's show was over.

People, it is just getting to the point where if you don't sugar coat it, and you don't soften it and tone it down it is construed as wrong. There are many points I disagree with conservatives on, but their staunch protection of the constitution and the Bill of Rights is something I do agree with. And today, I feel we lost just a little but more of those rights.

2003-09-29T13:05:00.000-05:00

On a day that I will remember more for freezing temperatures and Juan Pablo's losing of the F1 title, the Colts did exactly what I thought they would do and beat the living piss out of the New Orleans Saints. The final was 55-21 and in front of an ESPN national television audience.

Peyton threw for 6, count 'em 6 touchdowns on 20-25 passing for 314 yards and no picks. That translated to the 158 QB rating which is perfect. Edge didn't play, but the RB by committee did okay. Ricky Williams started, but didn't find much room early, but James Mungro and Dominic "Rocky" Rhodes both came up big. Manning hit 9 different receivers including three TD's to Marvin.

From the sound of it, only Brad "Hubie" Pyatt was seriously hurt. As of this post, no further word is in.

Surprisingly, the Colts seem to be getting less respect as they go on. The shaved ape that is Tom Jackson has the Colts listed as number 6 on his Monday morning TJ's Take column on ESPN.com. I know these rankings don't mean anything , but a lot of people are still questioning the Colts.

Well last night they did what they could. They humiliated a bad team on the road. There isn't much else they could have done to show how dominating they were over the Aint's.

Unfortunately the Titans also won to stay just a game behind us in the AFC South. Houston also beat Jacksonville to drop the Jags to 0-4 while going 2-2 themselves.

2003-09-25T13:23:00.000-05:00

http://www.indianapoliseye.com/main.asp?FromHome=1&TypeID=1&ArticleID=1247&SectionID=3&SubSectionID=132
The above is a link to an article by Mark Rosentraub, a so-called expert on the impact of professional sports on cities. It's a little long, but I feel it is fair. I have for a long time disagreed with Mr. Rosentraub's assessment of the impact pro sports have on a city. I believe they are much greater than he alludes to. Just copy and paste the address in your browsers address bar.

2003-09-24T21:57:00.000-05:00

Bad news....93 Dwight Freeney out again Sunday and now Edgerrin James looks questionable. For Freeney it is the same ankle sprain, for James it is a sore back. Coach Dungy is optimistic about James and says if he can't go Ricky Williams and James Mungro are both healthy and ready to go. Rocky Rhodes is still questionable. When in the hell is that bye week?

Just got done with the weekly chat at Colts.com. It was fun but nothing special. Just some Colt fans sharing their views.

2003-09-22T15:16:00.000-05:00

Another Sunday and another win for the Indianapolis Colts. Hey, I could get used to this!

First the bad. For the first time in three seasons the team failed to sell out the dome. Frankly this didn't really surprise me but it was sad all the same. Unfortunately there just wasn't the support from Jacksonville to get over the hump. Now we have a month until the next home game. Hopefully we can win on of the next two and really get people excited for Colts football.

The good. Once again it was the defense that kept the Jags at bay. The Jags had a 3-0 lead at the half but the Colts quickly came out after the half and kept the ball and scored three times. During that time really the offense and defense played well, but the D kept us in the ballgame in the first half when that liquored up QB was sucking.

The ugly. Well that would definitely be that first half. The D was solid, but Peyton was off, Edge couldn't get many yards and the whole O looked lethargic. And while the D was solid they had trouble stopping Fraud Taylor. We missed 93 out there.

As for me, well I basically don't have any voice today from all of the yelling I did. For the record it was me, Neil, Timmy, Paw, Tom and Drew. Paw and Drew went early to go to Pan Am. So since we didn't have them with us after the game we went to the Garter. It was about the first time I had been to the Garter after a game in 15 years at least. It was a hoot. I'm pretty sure Tom had the most fun. Affter that we had a few drinks at my place and me and Timmy went to the Chammps to grab a bite. All in all it was a great day of football and friends.

Except of course my girlfriend who is all pissed off at me. It's nothing new, she just doesn't share my passion for living and we sometimes clash over it. More later.

2003-09-17T16:27:00.000-05:00

The early injury report is out. Dwight Freeney is listed as doubtful. I am not sure if we really need him to get to Brunell Sunday, but my question is how long before Del Rio brings in Leftwich. Stay tuned!!

As of right now there are a reported 6900 tickets remaing for the game Sunday.

A political comment. While basking in the glow of Sunday's fabulous win, Colts fans in Indy awoke to a Indianapolis Star/WTHR poll. The poll, administered to 400 registered voters in Indianapolis showed overwhelmingly that we do not want to use tax money to help the Colts. I wonder what 400 registered voters in Marion County do want their taxes raised for. My guess is nothing! But what really got me was two things. One, the timing. Coming off a huge win while the fans were all still giddy and two, it came on the heels of a similar poll on Friday that showed voters overwhelmingly in favor of incumbent mayor Bart Peterson. What does that matter you ask? Well it matters because Peterson has pledged that he will not go down as the mayor who lost the Colts.

Obviously, the same 400 people did not vote in both polls. And if they did they have a lot of decision making to do between now and November. Let's face it people, no one wants to raise taxes, but shit costs money and in business you have to spend it to make it. Naysayers will knock the existence of the Colts and their community value all day, but the bottom line is that the Colts and the city have a symbiotic relationship and no one on either side is getting screwed. This is not a zero sum game people. There doesn't have to be a winner and a loser. They can both win or they can both lose.

2003-09-16T14:02:00.000-05:00

Well I waited a full day to make this entry. I just kind of wanted to maintain some dignity and try not to gush too much about the Colts. But 46 hours after the fact I am still giddy! WOW, what a performance!

I simply cannot express how much fun it was at the Dome Sunday. Finally, the 600-pound gorilla that is the Tennessee Titans is off our back! And in what style! A 33 to 7 waxing of the Titan was just what this team needed. It had been since the Philadelphia game last year since the Colts played so well. And it has been since just before the first New England game in 2001 that I have had this much confidence in them.

Where to start? Well letís take it from my house. Pretty tame pregame. Couple of beers, a Red Bull and vodka. Nothing major. Got our parking spot reserved at Moeís for the year.

Once the game began though it was all hell breaking loose. The crowd was into it in a major way. Obviously we had been hearing so much about how many Titan fans were going to be there that the Colts fans just came prepared to out yell them. And it was mission accomplished. In fact, by the time the Colts had regained the lead halfway through the second quarter the Titans fans had been silenced. They knew it was over.

By halftime, the Titan trainers had scraped up 4 players and sent two to the locker room including Steve McNair.

The Colts offense was efficient and productive. The defense was stifling and special teams were stellar. The Colts, on this day, were excellent. They outphysicalled the mighty Titans and sent them home with their tails between their legs and in a bad mood.

Colts DB Nick Harper intercepted a late pass and while trying to run out as much clock as possible trotted all over the field before finally crossing the goal line. The Titans are all pissed off. Well fuck them! They got clobbered and they just canít take it. Weíll see them down there in December and give them the second part of their ass kicking.

Finally after the game we went to Tailgators, but their Cheerleaders on Trampolines show was lame at best. We had a quick one and took off. Hopefully they will get the show straightened out.

Next up is the Jacksonville Jaguars. I think there may be a let down but more on that later in the week. For now the Colts are at number 3 on the ESPN Power Rankings. Everyone is talking about the resurgent Colts and, at least for this week, all is well in the football world. Oh, did I mention that Notre Dame got beat 38-0!!!!!!

2003-09-11T16:19:00.000-05:00

Well itís official. The Colts will, for the third time in the past four home games, not be televised locally. As for me, I could care less. Iíll still be there and I will still be hoarse when it is all said and done. But what gets me is the cavalier attitude that some people take about having the Colts and that same shitty attitude the Colts have about being here.

If everyone is sick and tired of hearing about the future of this team then they are certainly showing it. There is no logical reason, except for their uncertainty, that people donít come out and see what may be a damn fine team. And the owner, well he is just in no hurry to get anything done. He has let this all fall in his lap and he is now willing to wait until after the election to decide what to do. We need solutions now, not after some dumb ass republican gets in there and decides he is going to be ìfiscally responsibleî and not help the team out.

It works both ways and if the morons who canít see that the Colts and the NFL are good for the city then they arenít using their heads. Itís one thing to not root for the home team, itís quite another to run off a proven moneymaker. Yet, thatís exactly what some would have done.

Oh sure, just giving them money is not good enough. Make sure of the numbers. I am sure you will find that the team being here is beneficial for all of us. And this idiot republican running for mayor. What is up with ìI wonít give the Colts any moneyî. Heís going to get responsible. I guess he isnít down with the program that is happening with the GOP. These assholes keep dumping money into a war that we had no business starting and obviously have no clue as to how to end it.

So I suppose we will have about 10K Titans fans all liquored up and yelling Sunday at the Dome. Those pieces of shit better behave or they will learn the new ìColts Sundayî edition of Hoosier Hospitality.

BTW, for what its worth, I see the Colts winning 24-21. But I know it could easily go the other way. It comes down to two things. We HAVE to stop Steve McNair and Peyton Manning has to play better. Last year we lost twice because we couldnít and he didnít.

2003-09-09T13:27:00.000-05:00

Well here we are just about 48 hours from the TV blackout deadline. According to Colts officials, as of this morning there were approximately 6500 tickets remaining. It doesn't look good. Sty tuned for when I really lay into this team for what has happened over the past year and why they aren't selling out. It has nothing to do with Peyton, Edge, Marvin, the Titans or the 1-0 record.

2003-09-08T09:04:00.000-05:00

A win is a win! No matter how ugly or pretty it still counts as a win. And ugly it was, but a win it also was. For the record the final score was 9-6. The Colts played their 2 minute drill nearly to perfection as they drove down the field and gave Vandy the opportunity to win the game with a 45 yard FG with just 1 second remaining. Peyton Manning who had pretty much played like crap all afternoon was nothing short of brilliant on the last drive. Cleveland has to lead the league in having their hearts ripped out in the last 2 minutes of ball games. We did it to them last year and who can forget the epic battles with the Broncos in the 80's and 90's.

The stats aren't pretty. Manning was 27 of 43 passing for 211 yards and 2 awful interceptions. The first of which was in the end zone as the Colts were getting ready to score. I'm not gonna get down on P. because of the last drive., but he is going to have to step it up. Edge looked solid rushing 15 times for 67 yards and adding another 29 receiving. Marvin had 9 catches. Even slippery handed Reggie Wayne made a couple of nice catches.

Defensivly the Colts were superb. Nich Harper had a couple of picks, the D had a beautiful goal line stand in the first quarter and basically yielded nada in the red zone. Great job guys!

So now we are where we should be. 1-0 on the season. And if there were ever must win games this early in the season, next Sunday is one of them. The evil Titans come calling. Everyone is aware of the Colts lack of success against the Titans. The Titans come in 1-0 after knocking off my Raiders last night. This is turning into one of the best rivalries in the league and it most assuredly will go a long way to determining the AFC South. The Colts can do it, but Peyton will have to come to play if they are to have a chance.

In other news, my picks were nothing to write home about. I went 10-5. Skip hit 15 with Baltimore in the 15 pool, although that number coulld get hit tonight. Some highlights from yesterdays action, Miami loses to Houston, Minnesota knocks off the Pack in Green Bay, The Pats get pasted 31-0 by the Bills and the Bears get hammered by SFO 49-7. As for me, I met Gunta at the new Damons at 65 and Southport Rd. Nice place to see the games, but the bar may be the way to go. They have them big plasma screens in there. I'll probably give them another chance. She took off at halftime and I watched the second half at Pawly's.

Bottom line: Colts WIN!!!

2003-09-04T15:11:00.000-05:00

Tonight. Jets at Redskins as the 2003 NFL season FINALLY gets under way! YYYYYYYY-EEEEEE-SSSSSSSSSSSSS!

2003-09-02T11:06:00.000-05:00

The last preseason game and the final cuts are all behind us now. For the record the Colts won a meaningless game Friday night 21-20 over the Bengals. The starters barely played so there isn't really any reason to dissect the game very thouroghly. "Hubie" Pyatt ran the opening kickoff all the way back for a TD and had several good returns. He had a nice preseason and as a result was not on the cut list on Sunday.

Although the D gave up 231 yards passing to the Bengals in the first half they managed to rebound to intercept a Carson Palmer pass and return it for a TD as well as causing Palmer to fumble one and return it for a TD. Judging from what I have seen and heard about Carson Palmer he is not ready for the NFL. He probably will be one of these days but not yet.

Overall it was a fun time. K & G's before the game. Tailgators after. Good time.

The final cuts were Sunday and for me there were a couple of surprises. Most notably David Gibson, who the Colts were trying to move to LB was cut and LB Josh Mallard was cut. I guess trying to make a LB out of a 205 pounder like Gibson should have signaled what was to come. I thought Mallard played well enough to make it though. Keyon Whiteside was cut and I wuld like to see him clear waivers so we can get him back. Especially in light of the fact that Brandon Stokely was hurt again Friday night. Finally the so-called kicking battle was settled with Brett Conway being shown the door. Vandy you better have your shit together starting Sunday!

So now we go to the regular season and I predict the Colts will post a 10-6 mark and win the AFC South. I think we showed some things in preseason that get me excited about the games. The return of Edge is the key. He looked good in preseason and if he is 100% we will be fine. To me, the Colts go as Edge goes. To those who doubt it you onlyhave to look at the past 25 or so regular season games.

2003-08-27T15:23:00.000-05:00

Not much going today. Yesterday was cut day and here are the victims...

WR Paul Arnold
TE Chad Bartoszek
DL Dante Booker
DB Calvin Carlyle
LB Marq Cerqua
FB Steve Costa
RB Mike Green
WR Drew Haddad
LB J.R. Johnson
QB Jim Kubiak
RB Montrell Lowe
G Hans Olsen
WR Robert Redd
OL Rex Richard
LB Anthony Williams

No real surprises there. I thought Haddad and Kubiak might have made it to the last cut and I certainly would have liked to see some of RB Mike Green but now we press on and await Sundays final cut. On a side note; as I am posting this Isiah Thomas has been fired as coach of the Indiana Pacers.

2003-08-26T08:17:00.000-05:00

Well I just canít express how pleased I am with last nights effort by the Colts at Invesco Stadium. Wow! They really played well. Except of course for the brief hiccup at the start of the game. Peyton was solid, Edge ran hard, Marvin had everyone on defense stepping and fetching and Dallas Clark is on his way to stardom!

Defensively, only the Mike Doss letdown clouded what was a superb effort. My guess is that wonít happen to Mike again. Plus Plummer had to throw a perfect pass and we all know that is about a once a game occurrence. If he would have held to his norm it probably would have been a pick.

Speaking of picks, Dungyís D managed 2 and should have had 3. They chased Jake the Snake and the ancient Beurlein all over the field and forced them into mistake after mistake. Just so you donít think that I think it was a perfect game, the D did have a tough time with Clinton Portis. The run D has to be a concern with just 13 days until the season opener. That will be a stay tuned one!

Injuries were kept to a minimum. My biggest fear anymore of preseason is the injuries. It appears that only Cory Birdís separated shoulder is of any concern.

So on to Friday and the end of the preseason. Neil and me will try to keep Timmy out of trouble. Actually, since I have school Saturday morning I have to behave. I doubt if we will see Edge and maybe no Marvin and little of Peyton. There is just no sense in running them out there this week.

Finally, today is a cut day. The Colts have to have their roster down to 65. One person I would like to see on that cut list is Reggie Wayne. He is just horrible. He drops passes, he doesnít block and he is just plain a liability. Polian should never have drafted him. At the time we needed D and we get a shitty wideout. This guy has been ëgivení the number 2 WR slot and he obviously feels he doesnít have to work to keep it. Well I think he sucks and not sonly should he not be the number 2 receiver he should be cut.

2003-08-25T13:20:00.000-05:00

Well it's Monday and the Colts get their shot and preseason National primetime television. I have a really bad feeling that they are going to put a huge push into winning this game and take chances that I do not see as necessary. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we get out without injury. I'm too nervous to write anything coherent.

2003-08-21T16:48:00.000-05:00

Itís one of them slow, lazy, hazy weeks here in Indy. The Colts have officially broken camp but we still have to wait until Monday to see them play. With the rash of injuries in the team so far this season I would prefer that none of the big boys play much if at all. Unfortunately I think the Colts will try to make some statement on national TV. Let Denver have it I say. We get them again in December when it counts.

Talk has swirled all week about the Colts future in Indy. I guess I have resigned myself to follow them as long as they are here. If they leave though they can forget it. I hated them in Baltimore and will hate them if they move. Apparently some moronic republican trying to run for mayor ran his mouth about not helping the Colts. Some old timers cheered. Shows that there are some real fucking idiots in this town. If anyone believes that big businesses donít get tax breaks, loans and free money to build high rises and capital improvements then they have got their heads up their asses. I donít want to GIVE the Colts a stadium; rather I want the Colts to become partners with the city. Let them own the stadium and collect the revenue and pay the city back. Therein lies the commitment to the city and in turn the fan base will come a calling.

But enough of that for now. We are just 17 days from the season opener at Cleveland. Letís hope we can keep the guys healthy and find some diamonds in the rough!

Finally, it looks like Rocky Rhodes may yet play this season. A doctor in Alabama said his knee is sound. He is still having shoulder problems but we may be able to utilize him earlier than I dared hope! That is some good news.

2003-08-19T08:29:00.000-05:00

I was going to post this on Saturday but I thought I would wait to see how bad the Colts came out of Fridays game. Injury wise only Donnell Thompson was lost. Unfortunately for Thompson he was lost for the season. That's the bad news.

There were plenty of good things to come from the game. First of all, the team played very well. Peyton Manning was very sharp and downright spectacular on his TD strike to Marvin Harrison early in quarter 2. The defense chased Seattle starting QB Matt Hasselback all over the field and made what many are calling a QB whose time has come look pitiful. Since itís preseason I wonít do too many details but overall I came away very pleased with the Colts effort. As bad as they looked against Chicago they looked that good against the Seahawks.

Of course the fun part of the game was just going. This time out it was just me and Timmy that went together. We had a couple of pops before the game and a few at the game. I found $11 on the ground at the game and we went to Tailgators afterward. Of course Timmy got in trouble for being later getting home but I bet he escaped without too much pain. It was nice to see all nine of our seats occupied. The legend was there, as was Butch. But there were no ushers so we didnít get to say hey to Marvin. Oh and Dan from ABF was there as well.

Now, the main reason I put this off is because of that idiot QB of ours and his mouth. Apparently there were only about 26K fans on hand for the game. Never mind the reasons for people not attending but Peyton took offense at the fact that more people werenít at the game.

Peyton, the next time we donít sell out the Dome for a regular season game then you can open your trap and show your ignorance. Until then do us all a favor and just play football. Itís become apparent he has no intention of staying here. He wonít sign a contract and he shows no emotion. Grow up Peyton! You take care of your end of the bargain and let us fans worry about whether or not we really want the team here.

2003-08-15T09:46:00.000-05:00

Game Day! 7:00pm, RCA Dome. Colts v. Seahawks.

My wish list....

1. 0 plays for Edgerrin James.
2. Run defense shows ANY improvement.
3. Liberal doses of Reggie Wayne, Dallas "Fort Worth" Clark, Mike Green, Mike Doss and J. MacPherson.
4. Limited doses of Marcus, Peyton and Marvin.
5. No surprises.

This game can be as vanilla as it gets and it will be just fine with me. I hope to God no one gets hurt. Complete wrap up and views tomorrow.

And one last thing, Congrats to Ryan Diem for making the starting rotation. I know Adam Meadows must be devastated especially after helping anchor one of the best O-lines in the NFL over the last 6 years but that is what makes Diem's rise even better. To know we have a better player coming in can only bode well for the Blue! Sure Meadows is a high paid backup but one of the keys to our lines success has been its ability to adapt to injuries and such. Meadows will play a big role in the success or failure of our team this year. Mark my words!

2003-08-13T10:03:00.000-05:00

The dog days of training camp. One preseason game done and three to go before it counts. At least the team only has today and tomorrow before returning to Indy for the rest of the season.

Well the injuries to the RB corps still seems to be the buzz. For what its worth the Colts resigned Montrell Lowe who had been cut in June and Michael Green to contracts as RB's. Seeing how Lowe had been cut after summer school would indicate he is strictly a warm body to put in the rotation until Little Ricky and Mungro get healthy. Green who played sparingly for the Titans last year could possibly have something we may want to hold on to.

Unfortunately the coach doesn't seem like he is done looking for RB's which means it may be that Dominic "Rocky" Rhodes is headed for the injured reserve. He hasn't practiced and it just seems that something else is ailing him every day. This really should come as no surprise. Edge took more than a year to return if he is even back (which I think he is) . So how could we expect Rock to come back sooner? I know this, he was easily our second best back. I have nothing against Mungro and Williams but they were able to take advantage of their relative obscurity to burst onto the scene last year. They aren't going to sneak up on anyone this year.

But on a positive note, which right now are few and far between, we are a scant 2 days from the home opener for 2003. Should be a lot of fun if nothing else! More as the game gets closer.

2003-08-11T08:53:00.000-05:00

There were two things I never wanted to say again about the Colts. One was "post-mortem" and the other was "same old shit" but after watching Saturdays game again on tape last night this will be a post mortem and the Colts are up to their same old shit.

First the positives as I see them. Edge seemed to have his start and stop quickness back. That was lacking last year. He still made the move but from a stop he was slow restarting. Saturday his burst seemed to be back. Dallas Clark caught balls and was able to gain yards after the catch on several occasions. Not sure if he will ever be the blocker we need or that Dilger was but he was very solid in his opening NFL game. Short of that there was nothing to write home about. Bryant Allen was decent but was running against the Bears second and third string. Allen may be called on more and more due to the same old shit of injuries to the Colts.

Negatives. Well certainly the loss of James Mungro and Ricky Williams hurts the team. Both of these were serious contenders to the number 2 RB position and both will probably miss at least the rest of the preseason. Once again the Colts failed to impress on run defense. The first team was okay, not great but okay but the backups were horrible. Could it be that we actually miss Rob Morris?

Jim Kubiak sucks. Sure he threw a touchdown but it was really Ricky Williams that got that TD. Kubiak distinguished himself by making a stupid throw under pressure that the Bears picked off and ran back for a TD. MacPherson wasn't much better, but he didn't make that kind of mistake. Looks like Kubiak could be a casualty of the next cut.(Unless of course Mr. Polian likes him)

And finally the kicking game. Well we did manage two touchbacks on kickoffs but they were with the wind. We also missed three makeable field goals which would have won the game.

I know this is preseason and the final result doesn't really matter. But what does matter is how good or bad the team looks and how efficient the first string plays. Last year I was poo-pooed for being negative going into the season because I saw the team throughout the preseason and knew they were in trouble. Turns out I was right to be skeptical. Let's just hope they make a better showing at home Friday against the Seahawks. But what I saw Saturday and again on tape was the same old shit out of these people.

2003-08-08T15:27:00.000-05:00

Good luck tomorrow boys! Beat the living shit out of Kordell and the Bearsuck!