Monday Night Thougths on the Colts

I'm really not sure if I can deal with ESPN anymore.

No doubt about it...the Jacksonville Jaguars had a big win yesterday over the Pittsburgh Steelers...a game that was in Pittsburgh. Now ESPN is hyping up Jacksonville as a team that could derail the Invincible Patriots. (Which is possible...and to be honest...I hope they do beat the Patriots if they ever do play each other.) But I'm so sick of ESPN guiding coverage instead of reporting. It's almost like they get a certain notion and then send a memo to all their on-air employees to build the story. I'm sick of it.

Even on PTI...Michael Wilbon, who I normally respect, said he now ranks Jacksonville as the number two team in the NFL. Needless to say...even Kornheiser was in disbelief and remarked...what about Indy...who has already beaten them...not once...but twice. Wilbon was emphatic in that Jacksonville would now beat Indy and even stumbled around ranting that somehow Jacksonville got robbed in their last showdown in Indianapolis. Apparently Wilbon is drinking the same crazy lemonade that Jacksonville head coach, Jack Del Rio, is drinking. In that he always thinks his team gets robbed when they play Indy. Memo to Del Rio and to Wilbon...the Colts are better than the Jaguars...even with the injuries...how many times do they have to demonstrate it. It is ridiculous. Enough with that.

Speaking of the Colts...a debate is already starting on how the Colts should proceed with these next two games now that the number 2 seed (and first round bye) is locked up. Everybody remembers in 2005 when the Colts had everything locked up...rested their starters the last two weeks of the season...and subsequently lost their first playoff game to the Steelers (in a game that drove me to break several lawn chairs). But there's no question that a lot of players are going to need rest (Mathis, Brock, Bethea, Diem...and who knows about Harrison). I think the Colts will keep the pedal (relatively speaking) to the floor on offense. It is very important for our offense to keep in rhythm and to more importantly give Manning more time to get more in tune with Gonzalez (who is looking like a stud) and that other wide receiver whose last name starts with an A (he had a few nice catches as well). Defensively, they might approach it a little different. The nature of the Colts defense is relatively simple (variations of the cover 2) so a defensive player is going to have a littler easier of a time acclimating themselves back into the game (plus being on defense is more reactionary). So I look for the guys on defense that need rest...to get it. They will be fine for the playoffs.

On the other hand...maybe the Colts just lost that 2005 playoff game because of the death of Tony Dungy's son. I don't think there's any question... that tragedy played a part in the Colts lackluster performance.

There is something to be said for entering the playoffs playing meaningful games. Last year the Colts had no bye...no home-field advantage (at least in the Baltimore game) and we won the Super Bowl.

What I'm saying is that there is no definite road map for post season success. But I do think it is in the Colts best interest not to completely rest everybody. The offense has to stay sharp and they can only do that but going out there and playing. But on the other hand you don't want to take unnecessary risks. It's a fine line to walk but I trust Dungy.