I don't think the Colt's head coach understands

[slacker00]

Manning's face on the sideline, he looked sick - like his dog got shot. Peyton's essentially been the true coach of the team from the get-go, clearly the prospect of a perfect season (a true perfect 19-0 season) was Manning's baby, and now it doesn't exist. I know the guy is as motivated as anyone, but you're kidding yourself if this isn't bothering him.

I think you're right. He's a perfectionist, it's obvious.

This might bite them in the playoffs. This "resting players" strategy has never really worked for them in the past. The year they won it all, I don't think they rested anyone.

[goldengoat]

colts should have tried to go perfect because they probably would have gotten it

there odds of winning the superbowl are not as good even though they have a decent chance (as good as any but no guarantee by a longshot)

they quit imo (the front office)...dumb decision

[hhsilver]

It diminishes the integrity of the wild card race. Of course, that's nothing new.

[lakerboy]

I think you're right. He's a perfectionist, it's obvious.

This might bite them in the playoffs. This "resting players" strategy has never really worked for them in the past. The year they won it all, I don't think they rested anyone.

They couldnt they were a wild card

[2daBank]

it was pathetic(and i bet jets 2nd half knowing it was coming) none the less....pathetic.....every player sitting on that bench while the backups pissed away perfection looked sick (and as much as i dislike the colts them going unbeatin would be better than hearing that ass clown backup from 72 phins run his mouth again next year)....sad, sad site....organization should be embarrassed and if this didnt finish them bet your ass the chargers will

[jabamayne]

I think you're right. He's a perfectionist, it's obvious.

This might bite them in the playoffs. This "resting players" strategy has never really worked for them in the past. The year they won it all, I don't think they rested anyone.

EXACTLY!

Rest = LOSS in PLAYOFFS!

[jabamayne]

[/b]

They couldnt they were a wild card

Put it this way, if you wait too long to shoot the 3pt jumper in a basketball game, you miss the shot!

Sometimes you can wait too long to make the play...

Colts = Playoff Loss

[THE PROFIT]

If there had been pressure on manning like favre was getting the other night, pull his ass! His shirt wasn't dirty so I would have went for the win, then an easy win over buff next week that Peyton could get a first qtr lead then scrubs could hold it if need be. Instead they give this game away that they had won. I can't see any reason to pull manning, can you? Manning runs this team & that coach is drawing a check for nothing! Manning doesn't have enough hair on his ass to tell the coach he's going for perfection. That team wanted it & Manning is their leader. He has let them down by being a candy ass & not speaking up. They have let the fans down, the city down, the team will not gel now! But since coach whatshisname decided to pull the starters for no reason in this game, If I was manning & the starters I would be watching next weeks game in Buffalo at peytons house with a keg!

[The General]

Some Fans paid some serious money to be at this home game with so much to root for and they got to view Painter and back-ups most that 2nd half. Only thing I can add is that it is done and we can't change it. I thought it was a bad decision also, but it is what it is. The only thing that makes sense to me is the theory of hoping the Jets get in over the Steelers and that is scared football.

[JetsMatt85]

[mav2112]

For those that are defending the Colts decision..............

One question???

Why did you play the Jacksonville game to win but not this one????

Makes no sense............

[THE PROFIT]

Exactly! & sincle they lost this on purpose why don't they forfeit buffalo game! I hope the Jets kick their ass in the playoffs!

[R3Sports]

Should of keep the big boys in.

They all wanted to get in there.

[frostno98]

I'd would stick with the Starters, until they are proven that they could be beat. Denver went 13-0 and clinched everything in 1998. Lost their undefeated streak to the Giants but continued to play their starters until the playoff bye.

Colts going into relax mode this early might get them an unkindly first round exit. And I hope it happens, for them being so dumb. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, and you should seize it. Like someone already said, Peyton's already got a ring and a certain hall of famer. He had a chance to separate himself from all of them, if he had an perfect season under his belt.

[mav2112]

Another note.........everyone saying the it cost the Patriots the SB 2 years ago by going for perfection............it took a miracle drive and miracle catch for them to lose that SB..........

I hardly call the cause of that from being TIRED.........

Mark my words.........this will come back to haunt the Colts..........They could have really kept positive momentum going for it all........now that is all gone.......

Not to mention the fact that they had won what like 26 games in a row or something like that...........

You dont mess with karma and momentum........sometimes when you lose it its hard to get back..........ask the Saints now......

and the Vikings.............

[jinkh82]

well i think winning superbowl is much rewarding title than having a perfect season. What good does it make if you have a perfect season without a championship. the coach did the right thing to rest key players which means players need to step up and win games in playoffs. it simple as that.

[jabamayne]

Colts are going to PANCAKE in the Playoffs once again!

[nick2060]

I wonder how many people who are angry with the decision lost money because of it?

I'm personally impressed with the Colts blocking the Jets blitzes, and even more interested with why Caldwell pulled the starters. I'm a colts fan, and these guys are used to winning 12, 13, 14 games a season, it's pointless if you don't win the superbowl. Maybe they played the Jacksonville game because they felt giving the starters 3 games rest, combined with the Bye week would be too much. It seems like the only logical answer to that question.

The colts looked good out there today, and like Bill Polian said. We made it clear how we feel about 16-0, it was never a goal.

If they lose in the playoffs it'll certainly have nothing to do with this game, and if they went 16-0 and lost in the first round, it'd be the same as if they go 15-1 and lose. No superbowl means the season is a failure, and there are absolutely no exceptions. That's all that matters and it's all that ever has. Stop being bitter because you didn't plan for this situation and put your money on the wrong team. Move on.

[Lost Angel]

This decision is not gonna be viewed "kindly" by history, neither NFL history or over time by the players involved, as their own "histories" unfold.....its gonna be a source of lingering regret to many members of The Colts that will only grow as time passes. The chance to cement into NFL and American Sports history a lasting win streak that could have even surpassed the longest, I believe, 33 game win streak in all major sports is far far more rare of an opportunity than is "just" winning a Super Bowl.

(I think) the key points are that they owed their fans their best effort at a perfect season, good point made above how folks came to watch history, witness perfection....how disheartening must it have been to be in those stands watching (instead) Painter Fail? And the team that you were so proud of, felt so much a PART OF, so cavalierly toss aside the chance to further cement themselves into NFL History?

The best test of whether it was the right decision or not is for you to ask yourself what light you speak of this in.....to your kid, if you were there? Do you say "Yeah they pulled the first team, surrendered perfection to be cautious...it was the right thing to do" or do you say something else? You know what the answer to that is, Super Bowl victory is not gonna alter the taste this is gonna leave.

Colts owed themselves better than this as well.

I am not looking forward to how totally this is gonna be discussed in relation to NFL, every season for the rest of our lives probably.

I lived in Indianapolis when the Colts loaded the trucks and snuck out of Baltimore, it had been rumored as might happen later in the week but then it came earlier...word spread like wildfire we were (literally) huddled by the radio, AM Sports station on listening for news that they were coming and when it was announced that the trucks were headed to Indy....we partied until after after the sun came up.

Of course thats what we did often anyway....18,19,20 years old whatever but that was a special night, memorable to alot of people and I was just one of many who felt a bit ashamed of them yesterday.

[Dark Horse]

Going undefeated means nothing. It's just the same old stupid story the media keeps hammering us with year after year. It gives them something to talk about for about ten weeks of the season. And the viewers get drawn into a totally meaningless theme.

Nobody gives a f*ck, except people that buy into the media hype, and fans of the teams. But hype is not all bad. The most hyped team this season - the Saints - is 2-7 ATS since week 6. Dat does matter.

[mav2112]

This decision is not gonna be viewed "kindly" by history, neither NFL history or over time by the players involved, as their own "histories" unfold.....its gonna be a source of lingering regret to many members of The Colts that will only grow as time passes. The chance to cement into NFL and American Sports history a lasting win streak that could have even surpassed the longest, I believe, 33 game win streak in all major sports is far far more rare of an opportunity than is "just" winning a Super Bowl.

(I think) the key points are that they owed their fans their best effort at a perfect season, good point made above how folks came to watch history, witness perfection....how disheartening must it have been to be in those stands watching (instead) Painter Fail? And the team that you were so proud of, felt so much a PART OF, so cavalierly toss aside the chance to further cement themselves into NFL History?

The best test of whether it was the right decision or not is for you to ask yourself what light you speak of this in.....to your kid, if you were there? Do you say "Yeah they pulled the first team, surrendered perfection to be cautious...it was the right thing to do" or do you say something else? You know what the answer to that is, Super Bowl victory is not gonna alter the taste this is gonna leave.

Colts owed themselves better than this as well.

I am not looking forward to how totally this is gonna be discussed in relation to NFL, every season for the rest of our lives probably.

I lived in Indianapolis when the Colts loaded the trucks and snuck out of Baltimore, it had been rumored as might happen later in the week but then it came earlier...word spread like wildfire we were (literally) huddled by the radio, AM Sports station on listening for news that they were coming and when it was announced that the trucks were headed to Indy....we partied until after after the sun came up.

Of course thats what we did often anyway....18,19,20 years old whatever but that was a special night, memorable to alot of people and I was just one of many who felt a bit ashamed of them yesterday.

Nice Post..........to be honest I had nothing on the game but I am going to find it hard to root for a team that pulls something like this..........

Maybe I also feel ashamed for them.............

[mav2112]

You know its funny if they go into the Jax game and play everyone for a quarter and a half.........then continue that for the next 3 games I would have felt maybe they did the right thing even if they lost a couple of game...........

but to try for a half and then give up.............WTF..........

[onetimer1]

Glad I took a week off from the Colts...

[JetsMatt85]

boys this is epic. the jets are now in position to get the wild card. dont hate, appreciate. 40 years of hell caldwell was just being a gentleman.

that being said, the jets were playing surprisingly well even when he was in the game. 15-10 when he left... and the Jets were having success on the ground and were bound to find the end zone offensively sooner or later.

in their defense collie was TORCHING lito all day underneath, till peyton was pulled. it was embarassing. lito looked like an old man

Colts-Bolts AFC Championship. No more pancake playoff colts this year, this team is good as fuk and the veterans could definitely use a rest on D. It benefits them. No momentum loss either. Boys with some rest I have a feeling they will look like the Sept/Oct colts and will be much better in run-stopping. Not like in recent weeks.

The colts are good. It's the saints and the vikes that will have some serious question marks going into the playoffs... These two are suspect boys! Talented but going in the wrong direction, and minny cant win away from the metrodome.

[yisman]

It's like the preseason. The starters play some, enough to keep them sharp.

boys this is epic. the jets are now in position to get the wild card. dont hate, appreciate. 40 years of hell caldwell was just being a gentleman.

that being said, the jets were playing surprisingly well even when he was in the game. 15-10 when he left... and the Jets were having success on the ground and were bound to find the end zone offensively sooner or later.

That was Brad Smith taking one to the house. The offense has been dysfunctional.

The points the Jets scored were from special teams and defense, mostly.

JJ dont barrel yourself in this weekend, come to the game on sunday night. beer on me.

Over a thousand tickets still left. I'm thinking of going. It'll be a hassle.

[Lost Angel]

I do respect the statement that related to the possible strategical advantages of having the Jets get in though rather than, say, a Steelers team.

Hadn't thought about it from that perspective, would be interested in other's thoughts as to whether that was pondered upon by Colt's management....

[JetsMatt85]

It's like the preseason.

Over a thousand tickets still left. I'm thinking of going. It'll be a hassle.

Edited that last part out because didn't wanna hijack the thread with jets crap. lol. tried to keep it indy.

Tickets will be gone by Tuesday for sure.

It's the farewell to the meadowlands game. Will be fun for the 'little brother' to close it out properly which big blue couldnt do yesterday. Great story line. That and yeah... PLAYOFFS (hoping). Hope you make it up there, will be a good time

[NYSportsGuy210]

God....Jets fans are so stupid.

[JetsMatt85]

^^^ Definitely a big blue fan look how salty this guy still is

Also, I hear ya yisman bout the special-teams/defensive touchdowns. Sanchez was mediocre but effective (1 INT not his fault). one thing is for sure though week in week out, the jets will be able to run the ball and get managable 3rd downs. just problems finishing drives. woulda scored sooner or later even with peyton in. but hell, maybe it was just some due luck.

We built this house on defense/special teams.... and that was the death of us in four games we lost late this year. Games we can say we dominated but lost SOLELY due to inability to get a stop late or ted fukking ginn Special teams. Could easily be 11-5 or better right now, easily. But we didn't, couldnt catch a break to save our lives.

Maybe it was time for the jets to get a break to bounce their way. 40 years of hell