manning just can't win the big game

**onlooker** · 01-15-06, 05:46 PM

Well they cant say that the Patriots are in Mannings head.

**HAPPY BOY** · 01-15-06, 06:30 PM

Dungy lost this game. never adjusted to Pitss rush. After 1/2 time I did not notice any change in Mannings game. Not to his fault. The Pitt d-fense was all in his face. They should have neutrilized the pressure by using either a Tight End or Rb as a dump off valve. manning continued to sit in the pocket ant get killed. Oh well had a small bet Steelers +10, would have like Indy to Win by 7.

**isetcap** · 01-15-06, 07:18 PM

The Colts offense hasn't looked good since they lost to San Diego. Many said "Oh they didn't have to..." but this is a classic case of no continuity and Yes it does make a difference. That's why it was easy for me to take the value and go against the "experts". That's also why I stated clearly on this forum after the Colts lost to the Chargers that Indy would not be taking part in the Superbowl this year.

**ChrisV** · 01-15-06, 08:26 PM

I wouldn't say Manning was as much to blame as the receivers. They looked clueless on the routes they were running for the entire first half on the Steelers blitzes. Finally figured it out a bit in the 2nd half but it was just too little too late. Pass protections weren't great either but still. Guess they just figured they would have a little rust at beginning but win this game and take the momentum to the AFC championship game to get back on track...wrong. It just seems like the teams who are hot at the right time entering the playoffs and from first round are on fire. Steelers(won 5 in a row) and Panthers(blew out Atlanta last day of season and Giants playoffs). Indy shut it down last 3 weeks of season too, plus off week which means like a month off and honestly that is why I thought they lost the game today. Their D looked terrible too on the 2 quick Steelers TD's at beginning of game.

But also I guess this didn't hold true on yesterday's games. Denver, Patriots game...Patriots were supposedly on fire only to throw up a stinker of a game with 5 turnovers. Redskins well they had won a bunch of games in a row but really knew they didn't look good in those, especially the previous 2.

**goldengoat** · 01-15-06, 08:43 PM

manning and the colts are just chokers

that pretty much explains it all

simple yet true

**spanky** · 01-15-06, 09:18 PM

i think after ne loss,maybe they thought pitt and den would be walk in park after recent success over these teams.

**slacker00** · 01-15-06, 11:45 PM

The Colts just didn't seem "up" for this game whatsoever. On the other hand, the Steelers had all of the electricity. Can you believe all of the false starts by the Colts? At home? I remember right before halftime when the Colts were right at the goal line trying to score, and Manning is trying to quiet the crowd, and they just get louder... WTF?! Are the Colts fans that stupid? Or was there just that many Steeler fans in there making the noise? Colts fans have to be some of the worst in the NFL, most of them are clueless, thumb up their ass, know nothing about football types. Indy is a basketball state. Amazing Indy ever got an NFL franchise to begin with. But, I'm rambling.

I can't put this loss on Manning. No QB can do jack shit lying on their back like that. How about some blocking?! How about the play calling? I'm disappointed how James was underused. I had James on my shortlist for NFL MVP, and he was only really used in the drive right before halftime. James is the soul of that offense, and they tried too hard to force the passing game. That's why the blitz kept coming. Some screens to James could have slowed down the blitz.

I can't put this loss on Vanderjack either. Yeah, he choked, but he's still one of the best kickers out there. He's not the only one who choked today.

**Razz** · 01-16-06, 12:05 AM

Umm, whether you place the blame squarely on Manning's shoulders or not, he is undisputedly a choke artist. Going 0-5 career against Florida was one thing, as he was in college, and many thought he would outgrow it. Well, he's 30. He's not going to outgrow it.
Manning gets a gift overturn, almost throws another interception on the last drive, and blames his offensive line? What a classless choke artist. His brother (who wouldn't even be a starting quarterback in the NFL if his last name was Jones) was brought into the league because of the "Manning pedigree", but honestly, what is that? The ability to be brilliant when it matters least, and be terrible when it matters most.

**slacker00** · 01-16-06, 12:45 AM

C'mon, Razz. Name one QB, in the history of the NFL, that could have done jack under that pressure today. It took a perfect game by Pittsburgh today to win, and they still almost gave it away. If you throw Manning under the bus for today's loss, you've gotta put Tom Brady in the same category for yesterday's loss. Hell, Brady even had better opportunities, IMO, but he kept missing his targets. Football is a team game, and you can't put it all on one guy.

**Razz** · 01-16-06, 12:54 AM

Originally posted by slacker00

C'mon, Razz. Name one QB, in the history of the NFL, that could have done jack under that pressure today.

Ben Roethlisberger.

**slacker00** · 01-16-06, 01:37 AM

Originally posted by Razz

Ben Roethlisberger.

lol. We're going to have to agree to disagree.

**Razz** · 01-16-06, 01:45 AM

Originally posted by slacker00

lol. We're going to have to agree to disagree.

C'mon, that was a joke. I don't want it to come across that I feel like Manning was why they lost that game. My biggest complaint is his classless attitude towards his teammates, how he acts bigger than his team - showing up Dungy for one - and his stupid commercials. I really don't think today's loss was completely on his shoulders, but I am just saying his track record is that he beats up on the Houstons and Tennessees of the world, but is terrible in relevant games.

**Razz** · 01-16-06, 01:49 AM

Oh, and he had the best offensive line in college football when he was at Tennesse, and, honestly the best team a couple seasons. Yet, he never beat Florida, and the year after he left, a weaker team quarterbacked by Tee Martin not only beat Florida, but won the national championship.

**slacker00** · 01-16-06, 02:13 AM

Yeah, I hate the Manning commercials too. I really wish they'd just quit showing them. Bring back the Favre commercials, or hell, Roethlisberger couldn't do worse!

I didn't follow Manning much in College, so I really don't know that story.

Yes, the Colts have been padding their stats against the Texans for a few years now. But, so did Steve Young and Jerry Rice against the pathetic Saints, Rams, and Falcons of the era, but everyone is sucking their balls now.

I don't think Manning tried to show up Dungy. The announcers made more of it than there really was. Manning did the same thing earlier this season, so the precident was set. Besides, Dungy is a defensive coach, and they did make the first down.

**isetcap** · 01-16-06, 02:29 AM

Razz, I am with you on this, and I always like how Slacker maintains an open mind as opposed to waging verbal warfare. Both great forum guys and I'm sure you both are making money with your careful insight.

In fact, I think Razz might be the best football guy I've seen here. Congrats!

**bigboydan** · 01-16-06, 03:04 AM

Originally posted by isetcap

I think Razz might be the best football guy I've seen here.

no question about it here, razz is a damn fine football capper.

**slacker00** · 01-16-06, 03:11 AM

In fact, I think Razz might be the best football guy I've seen here. Congrats!

Razz is cool. I don't blame him busting my balls over the Indy loss after all the shit I gave him for some picks early in the season.

**Illusion** · 01-16-06, 02:59 PM

I blame this on Dungy. He always scales back and gets real conservative during the playoffs. He did the same thing when he was with Tampa Bay.

**isetcap** · 01-16-06, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by Illusion

I blame this on Dungy. He always scales back and gets real conservative during the playoffs. He did the same thing when he was with Tampa Bay.

No doubt; Dungy seems like a great person but a limited coach.

**onlooker** · 01-16-06, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by Illusion

I blame this on Dungy. He always scales back and gets real conservative during the playoffs. He did the same thing when he was with Tampa Bay.

Only thing is, he didnt have a chance to get conservative in this game, he just got out coached period. The Colts didnt adjust, and the Steelers just feed on it.

**slacker00** · 01-17-06, 01:03 AM

Colts were definitely outcoached.

At first, I was in Dungy's corner, but after sleeping on it and listening to Dungy's radio interview this afternoon, I just don't think Dungy's heart is in the game right now.

Any chance we can crowbar Gruden out of Tampa?!

**pags11** · 01-17-06, 04:46 AM

I can't believe Jackoff missed the field goal that badly...

**slacker00** · 01-17-06, 06:28 AM

Originally posted by pags11

I can't believe Jackoff missed the field goal that badly...

I mentioned in another thread how Vanderjack was white as a ghost and sweating bullets before that kick. Literally. They had a pretty good shot of him on TV before the kick, and I just knew this wasn't going to go well.

After seeing the kicking troubles by some teams such as Giants, Cowboys, Eagles, etc, the Colts would be stupid to let Vanderjack go over this. Hopefully the dumbass learns his lesson, learns some humility, owns his failure and becomes stronger because of it.