The Colts are favored to win the Super Bowl right now

[Mudcat]

Is that justified?

We had an article awhile back about how their top-heavy pay structure has screwed up the team. It made some sense - however, if I had to pick one team right now, I would still pick the Colts.

Any dissenters? (And you can't just take the field. If you are voting nay to the Colts, you have to take another team.)

[Willie Bee]

It's as justified as having USC #1 in the college polls last August.

[The Great One]

I'm not sure the books could afford it put them as much else but the favorites.

We just need an actual head coach and we're there. Not someone thats OK with losing, "as long as we tried our best" as Dungy beleives thats what matters.

We should trade up a little bit to get Deangelo Williams too as he fits with the Colts well. And the Colts wouldn't have to give up hardly anything just to move up to where carolina's at.

Lendale White is starting to scare me a little. The Colts area team that needs someone to step in there from Day1. A complete back. Someone who can run, block, and catch. The most important is blocking. Without Peyton, we're a 4-12 team.

[isetcap]

I don't have a problem with picking the Steelers over the Colts any day of the week.

[Winston Smith]

I saw/heard somewhere last year where the Colts were the most heavily bet team on Super Bowl futures before the season. That is probably setting the line more than the actual feasibility of them winning. Peyton or not, the loss of James is huge. And we don't yet know how they're going to replace him, so I don't see how you can make them legitimate favorites right now.

[Razz]

The people betting the Colts are the ones that bet the Red Sox every year from the time they were 20 until they were 65, and then feel proud of themselves when they won it two years ago.
With that quarterback and that coach, I wouldn't take 20-1 with the Colts.

EDIT: I have to take a team? OK, I'll say the Seahawks.

[Mudcat]

Okay Smith, Razz. Who then?

EDIT: Razz already got in there.

[The Great One]

The people betting the Colts are the ones that bet the Red Sox every year from the time they were 20 until they were 65, and then feel proud of themselves when they won it two years ago.
With that quarterback and that coach, I wouldn't take 20-1 with the Colts.

EDIT: I have to take a team? OK, I'll say the Seahawks.

Peyton Manning is the greatest quarterback of all time. There is not a close second.

[Razz]

Peyton Manning is the biggest choke artist of all time. There is not a close second.

I know, that's why they shouldn't be the favorite.

[The Great One]

I know, that's why they shouldn't be the favorite.

Gee, i didn't think you'd come back with that one. Did he choke losing @New England to the favorite and defending champions. Is that choking? When you are the underdog on the road in snow?

This past loss at home against Pitt. the whole team choked. If we had a coach with some balls and a sober kicker as literaly the night before the game the coaching staff had to pick Vandy up from bat downtown as he was drunk, we would have won, not to mention they ened up winning the SB. The last 3 playoff losses all came to the eventual SB champion.

I don't know why I waste my time with stuff like this though. I know you rarely even watch the Colts play.

He needs to be more like Tom Brady and Nen Worthlessberger. You know, throw for 120 yards, have a great team around you, then maybe he would get the individual credit he deserves.

This isn't even debateable. There is not a close second. he is simply the greatest quarterback to live.

[jbbulldawg2003@hotmail.co]

Peyton Manning is the greatest quarterback of all time. There is not a close second.

which is why Brady is better!!

I just felt like fuckin with you man

[Razz]

You're right, he's awesome. Let's look at what he's done in his career.
At Tennessee: Twice his team was the favorite to win the national championship. Those two years, and every year of his career, the Vols lost to Florida. Manning only played one good game against them in his career - his numbers against Florida are inflated because of his 2nd half performances with his team well behind.
The year after Manning left, with a much less talented team, Tee Martin led UT to the national championship.
In Indianapolis: His team has been the favorite to win the SB the last three years, and was one of the favorites the couple years before that. The Patriots had his number, as everyone knows. The one year the Patriots weren't a factor, he played his worst game of the season against the Steelers (even after being given multiple chances by the officials and Jerome Bettis).

Look, I realize you like Manning, but he's just like my favorite athlete of all time, John Stockton. The numbers are incredibly impressive (all-time assists and steals leader), but he never won a championship, and (besides the game-winning shot against Houston to send the Jazz to the finals in '97) didn't have the postseason success of Thomas, Magic, and others. A top 5 PG, yes, a top 5 QB, yes, but neither can be considered the greatest at their position.

[Mudcat]

What about those Pats? No one picking them to regroup?

[The Great One]

You're right, he's awesome. Let's look at what he's done in his career.
At Tennessee: Twice his team was the favorite to win the national championship. Those two years, and every year of his career, the Vols lost to Florida. Manning only played one good game against them in his career - his numbers against Florida are inflated because of his 2nd half performances with his team well behind.
The year after Manning left, with a much less talented team, Tee Martin led UT to the national championship.
In Indianapolis: His team has been the favorite to win the SB the last three years, and was one of the favorites the couple years before that. The Patriots had his number, as everyone knows. The one year the Patriots weren't a factor, he played his worst game of the season against the Steelers (even after being given multiple chances by the officials and Jerome Bettis).

Look, I realize you like Manning, but he's just like my favorite athlete of all time, John Stockton. The numbers are incredibly impressive (all-time assists and steals leader), but he never won a championship, and (besides the game-winning shot against Houston to send the Jazz to the finals in '97) didn't have the postseason success of Thomas, Magic, and others. A top 5 PG, yes, a top 5 QB, yes, but neither can be considered the greatest at their position.

But see, football is completely different than basketball. You can have 1 fantastic player and win. In football, it is waaay more of a team game. The Jazz would have 2 championships if Jordan never came back. If Brady was never born, the Patd. still would have won those Super Bowls and if Pitt. had Eli Manning, they still would have won last year.

Chances are Lebron James will win multiple championships just because he will be by far the best player in the game in a matter of 5 years. You only need to fill in 5 or 6 decent players around him as opposed to football where you need much more and in football, the career is much shorter than basketball.

[Razz]

That's a legitimate point, in that Dilfer/Rypien and other good, but not great quarterbacks can lead a team to a SB. I don't think Pitt wins with E. Manning last year - maybe, but he's too mistake prone right now, especially on the road.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not in the camp that says Brady is better than P. Manning. I think Brady is a better leader, but he has always had the better defense (until last year). I personally think Elway is the best QB in the history of the NFL, but I really just took offense to the statement "there is no close second." We both know that's not true, though I respect your position that Manning is the best ever. I may agree one day, but I would like to see him win a couple big games, and eventually a title - which, despite what I have been saying, is pretty likely with the defensive improvements Indy has made. I just would be surprised if it's this year.

[slacker00]

A better question is whether the Colts were justified in being even money to win the SuperBowl late last season. I loved the Colts and the paved road ahead of them, but I still bet against them at even money to go 3-0 in the playoffs.

Same deal this year. The Colts have got to be the odds-on favorites, but the value bet is still to bet against them winning it all.

[Brick Tamland]

I saw/heard somewhere last year where the Colts were the most heavily bet team on Super Bowl futures before the season. That is probably setting the line more than the actual feasibility of them winning. Peyton or not, the loss of James is huge. And we don't yet know how they're going to replace him, so I don't see how you can make them legitimate favorites right now.

i agree. the line is cappin the public not actual odds. i might buy some Pats before the season.

[bigboydan]

What about those Pats? No one picking them to regroup?

there talent level is way too watered down to pose a real threat.

[jbbulldawg2003@hotmail.co]

there talent level is way too watered down to pose a real threat.

i think you'll be in for a suprise this year with the pats.

The defense teh pats have is virtually identical to the one they had in the superbowl years,minus McGinest, who is an aging vet anway.

The Pats are missing two big things, a consistent running game and a #2 reciever. Both could be addressed in the draft and with the talent already there, so its more of an issue of time will tell with the offense, but i cant see them struggling much if at all this season if they shore uo the running attack.