Know Thine Enemy - Indianapolis Colts
by UprootedTexan on May 25, 2011 2:54 PM CDT
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Print2,500 years ago, a Chinese warrior named Sun Tzu said, "Know your enemy and know yourself, find naught to fear in 100 battles." One of his lesser-known sayings, oddly enough, is "How in the name of Buddha does Frank Bush keep finding work?" But that's neither here nor there.
Since we Texans fans seem to have a pretty good understanding of our own strengths and weaknesses (insert obligatory "bring Asomugha to Houston, Rick" comment here), I thought it would be a good idea to look at what changes are going on with our division rivals, and what impact those changes could have for the Texans.
Sound good? Then let's take a jump and find out what's going on with the Indianapolis Colts.
Nate Dunlevy of 18to88.com muses about some potential areas of concern for the Colts.
Jacob Crocker over at Coltzilla did a write-up on the Colts' first-round pick Anthony Castonzo. Apparently, Castonzo was the most "pro-ready" tackle in the draft. Yes, the same kind of "pro-ready" that Kareem Jackson was supposed to be.
Colts.com also has an article on second round pick, Villanova offensive lineman Ben Ijalana. Personally, I don't see the problem. I thought Ryan Diem and company were doing a fine job.
Dunlevy goes into detail about what's expected from former LSU defensive tackle Drake Nevis.
According to the Indianapolis Star, there is a lot of turnover among the Colts' coaching staff. I think the absence of offensive line coach Howard Mudd is really going to be felt next year with two new starters on the line.
Peyton Manning just had his second neck surgery in 15 months. Paul Kuharsky has some medical questions to ask about Manning's neck. 15 months seems like a short span between surgeries, I would think. But Peyton should just retire and not push his luck (H/T to TDC for finding the story).
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Probably. I'll fix it.
Despite my better judgment, an author at Battle Red Blog.
Supreme Galactic Editor of Battle Red Onion.
I am a visionary, I am a genius, and now I am angry! Now where are those pants at?!
by UprootedTexan on May 25, 2011 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Are you sure he's not just pointing out false errors to trick you into making an error?
Because if I were you I’d want to be sure. Could be “new guy” hazing…
This was a great idea.
Even more so, since we have so many Colt fans who making BRB their adopted home. I think there should be more discussion of division rivals as is, but the Colts are that much more of a natural discussion point.
For their sake, l’d really love to see them implement a FB into their offense. The sentiment was to do so last offseason, and l believe that it was an inspired one.
Really?
The Colts said that, or a FB is on the Colts blogfans’ wishlist much like a space-eating NT is on certain, not mine, Texans blogfans’ wishlists. I’m just wondering, because it doesn’t seem that Manning followed suit and drafted a FB. Well, why would he, since no one really drafts FBs, they just sign them as undrafted FAs….
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
they were really trying to implement a FB
Fletcher, l believe. Though, the plan was scapped quickly.
They also tried their hand at drafting better run blocking OL from what l recall. These were good ideas, really, but the transition didn’t seem to work as planned. For whatever reason.
They drafted another sub-300 lb DL
But, he fits their scheme, which I think is to allow Arian Foster will all the running room that he could want as he jumps out into the league lead for rushing yards right off the get go.
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
That's assuming they get to play the first game.
According to Goodell, time’s getting close to scrapping the first game of the season.
Despite my better judgment, an author at Battle Red Blog.
Supreme Galactic Editor of Battle Red Onion.
I am a visionary, I am a genius, and now I am angry! Now where are those pants at?!
by UprootedTexan on May 25, 2011 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Are they just cutting the first game?
I was thinking they would find a way to keep divisional games if they cut some.
My name is Barry - I am from Texas
by Barryfromtexas on May 25, 2011 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
If I were a Texans fan...
I would not want to play the Colts for the first game of the season with a new defense that had a short offseason to get used to it.
With the release of the most explosive Colt ever, I feel like I am preparing for a funeral.
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on May 25, 2011 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm sure he's not concerned with the sentiments of the fans...
but I would prefer a tune up game against the David Garrard rather than Peyton Manning.
With the release of the most explosive Colt ever, I feel like I am preparing for a funeral.
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on May 25, 2011 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Are you concerned that it could be worse?
I’ll take our new revamped D in their first game ever, against P8ton over last year’s defense against pretty much anyone except Rusty Smith.
And that’s not blind optimism suggesting that the new D is going to be teh awesome.
I'd rather the first time we faced the Colts was in week 1
Rather than in week 16. Also we have the Saints and Steelers in weeks 3 and 4 so no point wishing we can hide it somehow. It’s either going to improve significantly or it’s going to stink again.
In the hopes it improves significantly I can think of no better guinea pig than the Colts.
No matter how bad it gets,I will believe.It's the only thing I have left for the Texans.
I'd rather have a semi-rusty new defense loaded with
healthy guys with “motors” in a scheme Manning hasn’t had time to research and prepare for, than a well oiled machine after several games that Peyton can pick apart with his great history of film reviews and game prep.
We did that so we can sack your quarter back even more
Like in the fourth quarter when your down 6 with 2 minutes to go.
LET THE HATERS HATE.
by INdymayneNVegas on May 25, 2011 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions
*Foster
If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
-Frank Herbert, The Dosadi Experiment
by peytonsurdaddy on May 25, 2011 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions
OH you mean Fullback
I was thinking Facebook :)
My name is Barry - I am from Texas
by Barryfromtexas on May 25, 2011 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Everyone is doing it
well, not me, but everyone else is!
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
You know
It somehow is connected to that smartphone “offense app”
My name is Barry - I am from Texas
by Barryfromtexas on May 25, 2011 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
The biggest question for the Colts as far as the Texans are concerned...
is how will the OLine hold up with two rookies on it? And can your new D take advantage of our new OLine?
These should be high scoring games. It depends on who makes the most stops on D.
With the release of the most explosive Colt ever, I feel like I am preparing for a funeral.
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on May 25, 2011 3:15 PM CDT reply actions
Personally, I think Mario Williams is licking his chops,
With Castonzo at LT and, in all likelihood, Ijalana at RT.
Despite my better judgment, an author at Battle Red Blog.
Supreme Galactic Editor of Battle Red Onion.
I am a visionary, I am a genius, and now I am angry! Now where are those pants at?!
by UprootedTexan on May 25, 2011 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah...
I know. He destroyed our OLine last year in the first game. He had a vicious hit on Manning!
With the release of the most explosive Colt ever, I feel like I am preparing for a funeral.
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on May 25, 2011 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions
l think as often as you guys tend to call pass plays
Taking advantage of the Colt O-Line is a normal plan of attack on opposing teams’ scouting reports. The high pass ratio means that your playcalling does half of that work fpr the other team.
Pass blocking simply takes a toll on offensive linemen. Especially when they’re abused by having to do that constantly, game after game.
Eric Winston agrees
My name is Barry - I am from Texas
by Barryfromtexas on May 25, 2011 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions
To an extent, yes...
It has gotten more this way with the deterioration of our OLine. They can’t run block so everyone plays pass.
We don’t need 150 yards a game – we need 4 – 4.5 ypc to keep everyone honest. Hopefully our revamped OLine can help that!
With the release of the most explosive Colt ever, I feel like I am preparing for a funeral.
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on May 25, 2011 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions
The Colts have tended to use the run as a "surprise" play
“We’re changing things up! Here comes the run!”
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
further into my point, though
the high number of pass plays means more clock stoppages; also quicker drives (clock wise, as passes turn into scores quickly and result in turnovers more often), which leads to more possesions in a game. Do this game after game, even year after year, and said offensive line deteriorates.
Also, pass blocking is a form of retreating. Meaning more of a physical toll on the blocker, in comparison to the attacking nature of run blocking.
I gotcha...
I thought you were addressing more the issue of the D pinning their ears back and going after Manning. That’s the way it is now but a decent ypc changes that.
You’re addressing the physical beating OLinemen take from allowing the DLine to run into them as opposed to running into the DLine with run plays…
With the release of the most explosive Colt ever, I feel like I am preparing for a funeral.
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on May 25, 2011 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions
that was something l considered, as well
not much use in guessing, normally, as you know Indy plans to pass with regularity
still, Peyton makes it work so well anyway. It’s a shame, though. I ’d be very intruiged to see how much more successful lndy and Peyton would be, with more balance.
Oh...just saw your second paragraph....
With the release of the most explosive Colt ever, I feel like I am preparing for a funeral.
by SupermanWearsBobSander'sPJs on May 25, 2011 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Wearing down the blocker you also wear down the rusher
No huddle offense, it gets the defense tired as well. And its worked pretty good here in Indy for awhile.
LET THE HATERS HATE.
by INdymayneNVegas on May 25, 2011 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions
and any action will tire a player
but, lMO retreating wears you down much more quickly than attacking will
Absolutely
We haven’t had balance since Edge left us. But with the draft helping our need areas (picks 1 thru 3) and picking up a power back in the fourth. Hopefully we can get back to the stretch play and our play action.
LET THE HATERS HATE.
by INdymayneNVegas on May 25, 2011 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Things I'd like to see in Colts vs Texans game
and of course
by Ivan A on May 25, 2011 4:29 PM CDT reply actions 7 recs
Though Honestly
I wonder what our running game will be like with Ben Tate… hopefully he’ll get to play this year.
Couple of newbie rec's in this thread?
You know who you are
I see myself as an entertainer and an Icon. Oh and C finnegan can go fuck himself
by AllenOU on May 25, 2011 5:12 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
They're not with us.
If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
-Frank Herbert, The Dosadi Experiment
by peytonsurdaddy on May 25, 2011 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions
hahaha! "Squatters"
I see the nickname I coined a long time ago has stood the test of time….
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
Hater.
If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
-Frank Herbert, The Dosadi Experiment
by peytonsurdaddy on May 26, 2011 11:59 PM CDT up reply actions
You wear "squatters" like a badge of honor!
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
I was really disappointed by the Colts draft...
…as a Texans fan, because I thought it was solid. Great values with their first two picks at positions of high need. I also thought their DT pick was a good value. Glad they didn’t address their secondary though. I think their CBs are just not that good. Heck, I think our CBs as is are better. Unfortunately, our Safety play is atrocious whereas the Colts Safety play is pretty good, hence the difference.
The Colts SS position last season was absolutely terrible.
We had a 5th string guy off the street playing the position most of the season. Our CB’s are pretty good, actually.
If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
-Frank Herbert, The Dosadi Experiment
by peytonsurdaddy on May 25, 2011 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions
sad to see
glass bone sanders leave.
"Taco Joe - the beacon of optimism" TexansDC
"Great, you've doomed us all!" - UprootedTexan
God blessed Texas, but he has forsaken the Texans
Yeah, y'all had terrible luck at the SS position last year
Still, I’d say the tandem of Bullitt and Bethea is actually pretty good. I wish the Texans had a tandem like that.
I don’t agree that your CBs are pretty good, decent sure, though I could very well be wrong since I’m sure you’ve seen more of them than I have. Given that, what made you think they were pretty good?
Given that emphasis for Indy CBs is on tackling
… and playing in short zones, maybe you’ve judged them unfairly?
Entirely possible
I still don’t see them as a talented group overall though. Not bad, not at all, just not great either. They may fit the scheme, but outside of Bethea, Bullitt, and possibly Hayden, I’m not impressed by Tryon, Powers, and Lacey. I will qualify that by saying I am impressed by how they’ve played relative to their youth and draft position. I do think (hope) their ceiling is low though.
Sorry.
Hayden is absolutely terrible. Barely deserving of the #2 spot. Powers is, by far, the superior CB. He was nearly always responsible for covering the #1 WR last season and the season before. Tryon and Lacey are better than average and are both improving by leaps and bounds. CB’s aren’t meant to really stand out in the cover 2 zone scheme the Colts employ, though. They contain and tackle. And the guys we got do that pretty well.
If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
-Frank Herbert, The Dosadi Experiment
by peytonsurdaddy on May 27, 2011 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Nice work, UT.
Editor at BT Powerhouse, a Big Ten Basketball blog.
Author at Acme Packing Company, a Green Bay Packers blog
Donna Noble has left the library. Donna Noble has been saved.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on May 25, 2011 6:51 PM CDT reply actions
Colts.com also has an article on second round pick, Villanova offensive lineman Ben Ijalana. Personally, I don’t see the problem. I thought Ryan Diem and company were doing a fine job.
I don’t even know how to respond to this. Hey guys, I thought the Texans secondary last year was phenomenal should suffice.
I was kidding.
Despite my better judgment, an author at Battle Red Blog.
Supreme Galactic Editor of Battle Red Onion.
I am a visionary, I am a genius, and now I am angry! Now where are those pants at?!
by UprootedTexan on May 25, 2011 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Howard Mudd has already been gone for a year.
I think the absence of offensive line coach Howard Mudd is really going to be felt next year with two new starters on the line.
But they didn't have two rookies on the offensive line last year.
Despite my better judgment, an author at Battle Red Blog.
Supreme Galactic Editor of Battle Red Onion.
I am a visionary, I am a genius, and now I am angry! Now where are those pants at?!
by UprootedTexan on May 25, 2011 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah your right.
They also didn’t have a LT, had one decent G, and then someone trying to play the part at RT.
by RamblinWreck7 on May 26, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not saying they won't be good.
All I know is that offensive linemen tend to struggle a lot in their first year. I added Howard Mudd’s name because he was one of the many coaches who put together the Colts’ SB winning team that are now gone. My point was that if he were still there, it might mitigate the transition for Castonzo and Ijalana; seeing as he’s one of the best OL coaches in the league.
Although you might be able to answer this for me: do you think Tom Moore’s departure will have any kind of noticeable impact on the Colts offense, or will Peyton keep things running as usual on offense? I haven’t been able to get a straight answer on that.
Despite my better judgment, an author at Battle Red Blog.
Supreme Galactic Editor of Battle Red Onion.
I am a visionary, I am a genius, and now I am angry! Now where are those pants at?!
by UprootedTexan on May 26, 2011 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I have no idea.
I’d love for Tom Moore and Howard Mudd to come back. Great coaches are so important. I don’t think Moore called plays last season though, which was a disappointment.
by RamblinWreck7 on May 26, 2011 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions
It's a crapshoot.
If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
-Frank Herbert, The Dosadi Experiment
by peytonsurdaddy on May 27, 2011 12:06 AM CDT up reply actions
I would like to get a take from a colts fan on the Nnamdi thing.
Is there any word that he might come to Indy? We all know 31 teams might want him and really i think we heard of 4 teams who really want him, just was wondering if peyton might have gave him a call or something. I have to say colts drafted well this year, and i think carter might be the starter for them.
Gawd, I wish.
But I think that there is a 99.99% chance that the Colts don’t get Scrabble. We never get big ticket FAs. The last one we got was Vinitieri back in the 2006 offseason.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on May 26, 2011 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Delone Carter?
I’d say that Addai is definitely the starter. Carter is more of a short yardage to running back.
by RamblinWreck7 on May 26, 2011 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Never.
If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
-Frank Herbert, The Dosadi Experiment
by peytonsurdaddy on May 27, 2011 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions
Indy Post-Dungy = Tampa Post-Dungy
Following the departure of Tony Dungy Both Tampa and Iny went to the Superbowl the next year (TB won, Indy lost). After that both begin regression to the mean.
The Colts are drafting bigger linemen on both sides of the ball, marking a departure from the strategy under Dungy. Just watch. They might be a little better this season just because of all the injuries they had last year, but then again they are losing some long-time caoches as well.
The further they stray from what Dungy did, the more they regress. The Colts’ descent from elite status has begun.
The Texans need to be in position to tak advantage of the fall.
'You're not wrong, Walter. You're just an @sshole.' - The Dude
did you catch the O-line picks?
those didn’t look like Zone-blockers to me, but what do I know.
'You're not wrong, Walter. You're just an @sshole.' - The Dude
Yes, those are two quality picks
I just hope the Texans can exploit their inexperience this season.
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
Hence why I only commented about the DL drafted
You said both sides of the ball.
I didn't do anything wrong!.... and, I won't do it again.
Ummm...
The Colts’ descent from elite status has begun.
The Texans need to be in position to tak advantage of the fall.
Haven’t Texan’s fans been saying this for 10 years since the franchise was created?
by RamblinWreck7 on May 26, 2011 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions
No, not 10 years. 4 years maybe, but not 10
Murphy’s 20th Military Law:
If it’s stupid, but it works, it ain’t stupid
by The Night Owl on May 26, 2011 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions
and eventually we'll be right too
"If my hips had pockets, I wouldn't wear pants at all." @NotBurtReynolds
Good luck with that.
If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
-Frank Herbert, The Dosadi Experiment
by peytonsurdaddy on May 27, 2011 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions
LOL. I thought the same thing, but didn't want to say it.
If you think of yourselves as helpless and ineffectual, it is certain that you will create a despotic government to be your master. The wise despot, therefore, maintains among his subjects a popular sense that they are helpless and ineffectual.
-Frank Herbert, The Dosadi Experiment
by peytonsurdaddy on May 27, 2011 12:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Point being we need to have young talent coming up
So that when they slide (and they will) we are ready.
But you guys are probably right. Peyton will live forever and the Colts will be good until the end of time.
'You're not wrong, Walter. You're just an @sshole.' - The Dude
And despite the wise-ass comments
Was there any arguement refuting the very obvious parallel between Tampa and Indy?
I mean besides the genius level tidbits fromt he brain-trust like ‘good luck.’ wow. did you come up with that or was is John Clayton?
'You're not wrong, Walter. You're just an @sshole.' - The Dude
I'm pretty sure Tampa fired Indy,
While he retired with the colts.
by RamblinWreck7 on May 27, 2011 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Then we had "That Guy"
As Coach of the Bucs
My name is Barry - I am from Texas
by Barryfromtexas on May 27, 2011 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions
?
The colts wanted Dungy and his philosophy while the Bucaneers didn’t. It’s a completely different situation.
by RamblinWreck7 on May 28, 2011 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
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