Congrats to the Saints and their backers...Indy got beat fair & square! The talk of a Colts dynasty and Payton is the greatest gets sidetracked....not that I ever said or thought PManning was the best ever! Maybe the Colts get to the SB in 2012 and win it at home? What a nice reward for a great season for somebodys fans.....a fun filled trip to Indy in February to freeze your a$$ off
To the game....Here's my list of game decisions good & bad in game order:
1. Larry Coyer..Colts D Coord (Huge Minus) Once Brees got rolling 2Q...the Colts never blitzed or jumped the short routes...constantly giving up underneath throws
How can you use your good pash rush when the QB is allowed to dump it off underneath all day? If you play'em short and get beat deep then so be it....you also have a legit shot at sacks, fumbles, and picks!
2. Greg Williams (Huge Plus) Talked of smacking Manning around...then laid back and covered...blitzing Manning will get you what Rex Ryan got! It wasn't always pretty but 17 pts allowed won the game! Garcon dropped a big one though..wide open and Manning was rolling 1H! Colts get up 17-3 and we have a different game!
3. Coach Peyton (Plus) Going for the TD 2Q at the goal line! They took a shot at a TD and still had timeouts and a chance to get the FG anyway. Manning doesn't get a kickoff return and 2 min. left either after the FG this way! Huge props to kicker Hartley too!
4. Caldwell (Minus) Running 3 & out from their own goal & giving it back! They just drove 96 yds earlier for a TD...run 1st down maybe then some safe throws to atleast keep the Saints at 3 at halftime if not start a Colts drive!
5. Caldwell (Minus) Not having them prepared for an onside kick...the Saints & Peyton are pretty tricky...they gamble all the time...Colts weren't prepared!
6. Caldwell (Plus) Colts did answer w/a TD...converting a 4th & 2 from just past midfield instead of punting!
7. Peyton (Plus) Taking the FG down 17-13...4th & 3 I think...45 yd FG attempt or so but Hartley was money & Peyton knew it!
8. Caldwell (Minus) Stover from 50+ They've been saying all year that 45-46 was his limit? Go for it or punt...don't give the Saints the ball at the 41 there?
9. Caldwell/Manning (HUGE MINUS) That 2 point play for the Saints was everything because it seemed to put the Colts mentally in 2 score mode down 7 points instead of 5! I'm not sure he controlled the ball to the ground but he did possess it and control it on the ground for a split second...tough call either way? I was thinking the Colts take their time (5+ min. left) & run the ball some to play for a 24-24 Overtime! Instead Manning is running the 2 min. drill more or less and waving them downfield? Caldwell should have set him straight and have them take their time! They weren't stopping Brees anyway so why would they assume they can get the ball back or even see OT if Brees get it back with well over 2 min. left? I DON'T GET IT
Joey Addai was KILLING THEM....just take your time...4 down territory...no need to force anything? I still love PManning though...Garcon catches it 2Q and we go up 17-3 new game....recover onside kick & go up 17-6...Saints momentum DEAD! Manning also didn't let Brees complete 99.6 % of his throws!
Thats how I saw it...Congrats Saints...played smarter and deserved it! Bob Sanders & Marlin Jackson could've helped last night...Colts aren't done!!
To the game....Here's my list of game decisions good & bad in game order:
1. Larry Coyer..Colts D Coord (Huge Minus) Once Brees got rolling 2Q...the Colts never blitzed or jumped the short routes...constantly giving up underneath throws
How can you use your good pash rush when the QB is allowed to dump it off underneath all day? If you play'em short and get beat deep then so be it....you also have a legit shot at sacks, fumbles, and picks!
2. Greg Williams (Huge Plus) Talked of smacking Manning around...then laid back and covered...blitzing Manning will get you what Rex Ryan got! It wasn't always pretty but 17 pts allowed won the game! Garcon dropped a big one though..wide open and Manning was rolling 1H! Colts get up 17-3 and we have a different game!
3. Coach Peyton (Plus) Going for the TD 2Q at the goal line! They took a shot at a TD and still had timeouts and a chance to get the FG anyway. Manning doesn't get a kickoff return and 2 min. left either after the FG this way! Huge props to kicker Hartley too!
4. Caldwell (Minus) Running 3 & out from their own goal & giving it back! They just drove 96 yds earlier for a TD...run 1st down maybe then some safe throws to atleast keep the Saints at 3 at halftime if not start a Colts drive!
5. Caldwell (Minus) Not having them prepared for an onside kick...the Saints & Peyton are pretty tricky...they gamble all the time...Colts weren't prepared!
6. Caldwell (Plus) Colts did answer w/a TD...converting a 4th & 2 from just past midfield instead of punting!
7. Peyton (Plus) Taking the FG down 17-13...4th & 3 I think...45 yd FG attempt or so but Hartley was money & Peyton knew it!
8. Caldwell (Minus) Stover from 50+
They've been saying all year that 45-46 was his limit? Go for it or punt...don't give the Saints the ball at the 41 there?9. Caldwell/Manning (HUGE MINUS) That 2 point play for the Saints was everything because it seemed to put the Colts mentally in 2 score mode down 7 points instead of 5! I'm not sure he controlled the ball to the ground but he did possess it and control it on the ground for a split second...tough call either way? I was thinking the Colts take their time (5+ min. left) & run the ball some to play for a 24-24 Overtime! Instead Manning is running the 2 min. drill more or less and waving them downfield? Caldwell should have set him straight and have them take their time! They weren't stopping Brees anyway so why would they assume they can get the ball back or even see OT if Brees get it back with well over 2 min. left? I DON'T GET IT
Joey Addai was KILLING THEM....just take your time...4 down territory...no need to force anything? I still love PManning though...Garcon catches it 2Q and we go up 17-3 new game....recover onside kick & go up 17-6...Saints momentum DEAD! Manning also didn't let Brees complete 99.6 % of his throws!
Thats how I saw it...Congrats Saints...played smarter and deserved it! Bob Sanders & Marlin Jackson could've helped last night...Colts aren't done!!