Posts tagged New England Patriots
Succeeding in Face of Injuries is Par for Colts Course
Oct 26th
(Brent Smith | Reuters)
Nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. It is often said that “NFL” stands for “Not For Long,” and this idea flies in the face of teams who have had sustained success, particularly in the salary cap era. Somehow, someway, the Indianapolis Colts are a team that have found a way to be nearly immune to the forces at play in professional football that exist to make it next to impossible for teams to dominate.
If the Colts are going to continue their success in 2010, it has become clear that they will have to overcome a rash of injuries to key players. In some ways, the task seems insurmountable. The likelihood that the Colts can maintain their record of consecutive 12-win seasons shrinks by the week and by the day. How or why should fans expect the streak to continue, foresee a playoff berth, or have even a shroud of hope that the Colts could actually compete for another chance to play for a world championship?
The reason is pretty easy to locate. Over the last five years the Colts have had to overcome adversity, perform in the face of obvious team weaknesses, and have regularly been considered one of the best teams in the league — and one of the top contenders to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. In all but one of those years they have dealt with the loss of key players for dozens of games. Take a look. More >
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In the Training Room: Concussions
Oct 23rd
DeSean Jackson is helped off the field after a vicious hit to the head. The hit resulted in his second concussion in two years. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Earlier this week, the league levied steep fines for several violent hits delivered by players either as helmet-to-helmet contact or hitting defenseless receivers. The primary issue is the threat of concussion, an injury to the brain that can result in the loss of memory, reduced cognitive ability, and an inability to speak normally. In severe or repeated cases, concussions can cause ongoing headaches, change one’s personality, and accelerate the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Mechanically, a concussion takes place when the brain strikes the inside of the skull through some sort of traumatic force. Think of the brain as a loosely-belted passenger in a car, and recall Newton’s first and second laws of physics. If the car is driving straight ahead and crashes into a brick wall, the passenger will continue moving ahead at the previous speed until the belt or the dashboard stops him. Similarly, in a head-on helmet-to-helmet hit, the brain crashes into the front of the skull, potentially causing temporary or long-term damage. When you consider how the game is played and the sense of invincibility that players likely feel with helmets and pads, it’s a wonder that concussions aren’t suffered on every play.
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Behind Enemy Lines: Denver Broncos
Sep 24th
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Michael Conroy | AP Photo
Kyle Orton
The Colts Week 3 opponents, the Denver Broncos, are a somewhat familiar foe. These two teams have met on quite a few occasions this decade, but there has been significant turnover for the Broncos. Gone are the days of Mike Shanahan, the west coast offense, zone blocking schemes, and Jim Bates’ conservative 4-3 defense.
In are the days of Josh McDaniels, his spread offense, and a 3-4 attacking defense. Despite the changes, this match-up and the strategies deployed by McDaniels should be familiar as McDaniels is the former offensive coordinator of one of the Colts’ biggest rivals: the New England Patriots.
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Week 3 Q&A: Broncos Blogger Ernesto Ruiz
Sep 23rd
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Each week Coltzilla will preview the upcoming game by speaking with fellow bloggers who write about the upcoming opponent. The Colts head to Denver to face the Broncos this weekend. The Broncos are 1-1 and former New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels is now their head coach. Could this become the Colts v. Patriots rivalry, western style? Joining Coltzilla this week is Ernesto Ruiz (ejruiz) from Mile High Report to give us some answers.
Brent Smith | Reuters
Will Addai have another big game?
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2009 Game Recap – Week 17: Colts at Bills
Sep 6th
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To help pass time this off-season, I have reviewed the Colts regular season games from 2009. With this second look at how the team played, a few thoughts have occurred to me which were not obvious during the initial viewing, and I thought it a good opportunity to rethink some of my previously held opinions of the team I love. So, with your kind indulgence, as I view a game at a time I will be sharing my impressions.
Personal Note: This is not, and was never intended to be, an objective, unbiased review of an NFL contest. It is instead a glimpse into the emotional ride experienced by the average Colts fan at game time. My Homerism switch is engaged and turned up to eleven. With that in mind, I invite you to join me as we relive the highs and lows of the 2009 Indianapolis Colts season.
Today’s Game: Week 17: Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
Setting the Stage
- The Colts enter the final game of the regular season with a league-leading record of 14-1. Quarterback Peyton Manning is second in the league with 4,405 passing yards, and wide receiver Reggie Wayne is tied for third in the league with 1,243 yards receiving. Pierre Garçon is nursing a sore shoulder and does not play. Defensive end Dwight Freeney, kicker Adam Vinatieri, linebacker Clint Session, defensive end Robert Mathis, defensive back Jerraud Powers, and running back Chad Simpson are out with various injuries. Defensive end Ervin Baldwin, defensive tackle Eric Foster, corner back Tim Jennings, safety Aaron Francisco, and defensive end Raheem Brock get the start. Sam Giguère makes his first appearance for the Colts returning kickoffs. Several of the Colts were selected for the Pro Bowl prior to this game; among them are Reggie to his fourth, Peyton to his tenth (ties Colts great Johnny Unitas), and tight end Dallas Clark to his first. Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick leads the 5-10 Bills, who boast a defense with 26 interceptions on the year (tied for second).
- The Field: Frozen solid on a near-whiteout, wintry New York day at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. Temperature is 14 degrees with northwest winds gusting to 40 mph. That is a wind chill temperature of minus one, folks. I swear I just saw a polar bear wearing a parka in the stands.
- The Crowd: Sparse and subdued. The stands are half-empty. Or is that half-full? Either way, they are wrapped head-to-toe in cold weather gear and act like they are still recovering from the holidays.
CBS Sports
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2009 Game Recap – Week 16: Jets at Colts
Aug 23rd
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To help pass time this off-season, I’ve reviewed the Colts’ regular season games from 2009. With this second look at how the team played, a few thoughts have occured to me which were not obvious during the initial viewing, and I thought it a good opportunity to rethink some of my previously held opinions of the team I love. So, with your kind indulgence, as I view a game at a time I’ll be sharing my impressions.
Personal Note: This is not, and was never intended to be, an objective, unbiased review of an NFL contest. It is instead a glimpse into the emotional ride experienced by the average Colt fan at game time. My Homerism switch is engaged and turned up to eleven. With that in mind, I invite you to join me as we re-live the highs and lows of the 2009 Indianapolis Colts season.
Today’s Game: Week 16: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts
Setting The Stage
- The Colts come into today’s game undefeated, flirting with perfection, and assured of homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning leads the league in completion percentage (68.6%), yards (4213), and is tied for the most touchdown passes on the season (33). Sitting out for the Colts are Charlie Johnson (turf toe), Robert Mathis (quad) and Pierre Garçon (hand). Donald Brown returns after missing three games with a chest injury, and Dwight Freeney plays limited snaps. The New York Jets are quarterbacked by rookie Mark Sanchez, lead the league in rushing yards, and boast the number one overall defense.
- The Field: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. It’s snowing outside, and the roof is closed.
- The Crowd: Supportive and well-mannered… for two and one-half quarters, that is. Then it gets ugly.
CBS Sports
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Anthony Gonzalez
Aug 22nd
Anthony Gonzalez | Colts.com
Anthony Gonzalez
Born: September 18, 1984
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
College: Ohio State University
Draft: 1st round, 32nd overall – 2007 (Indianapolis Colts)
Height: 6 feet 0 inches
Weight: 193 pounds
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2009 Game Recap – Week 15: Colts at Jags
Aug 22nd
To help pass time this off-season, I’ve reviewed the Colts’ regular season games from 2009. With this second look at how the team played, a few thoughts have occured to me which were not obvious during the initial viewing, and I thought it a good opportunity to rethink some of my previously held opinions of the team I love. So, with your kind indulgence, as I view a game at a time I’ll be sharing my impressions.
Personal Note: This is not, and was never intended to be, an objective, unbiased review of an NFL contest. It is instead a glimpse into the emotional ride experienced by the average Colt fan at game time. My Homerism switch is engaged and turned up to eleven. With that in mind, I invite you to join me as we re-live the highs and lows of the 2009 Indianapolis Colts season.
Today’s Game: Week 15: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
Setting The Stage
- It’s a few days before Christmas, and the Colts come into the game already having earned homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Donald Brown is out, and Dwight Freeney is nursing a sore hamstring. The big question is ‘will the Colts play their first string players?’ Quarterback David Garrard leads the Jaguars who are 7-6. With a win, Jacksonville assures themselves a playoff spot.
- The Field: It’s a cool, Thursday night in December at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, Jacksonville, Florida. The natural grass field looks to be in pretty good shape.
- The Crowd: Loud. Loud and annoying, to be honest. Drrruuuuuuuu… Every frickin’ time Maurice Jones-Drew touches the ball. Yeah, it gets old really quick.
NFL Network
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2009 Game Recap – Week 14: Broncos at Colts
Aug 20th
No comments
To help pass time this off-season, I’ve reviewed the Colts’ regular season games from 2009. With this second look at how the team played, a few thoughts have occured to me which were not obvious during the initial viewing, and I thought it a good opportunity to rethink some of my previously held opinions of the team I love. So, with your kind indulgence, as I view a game at a time I’ll be sharing my impressions.
Personal Note: This is not, and was never intended to be, an objective, unbiased review of an NFL contest. It is instead a glimpse into the emotional ride experienced by the average Colt fan at game time. My Homerism switch is engaged and turned up to eleven. With that in mind, I invite you to join me as we re-live the highs and lows of the 2009 Indianapolis Colts season.
Today’s Game: Week 14: Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts
Setting The Stage
- Indianapolis is undefeated, and Colts’ quarterback Peyton Manning leads the NFL in completion percentage (70%) and total yards (3685). Donald Brown, Anthony Gonzalez, Bob Sanders, Tyjuan Hagler, and Adam Vinatieri are out. Denver boasts one of the best defenses in the league. They are tied for second in points allowed per game, and their talented secondary makes them especially good against the pass. Also, and their Pro Bowl defensive end, Elvis Dumervil, leads the NFL in sacks with 15. Denver is fighting for a wild card spot in the playoffs.
- The Field: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The roof is closed on a cloudy, late fall day.
- The Crowd: Loud, early on. They disappear entirely during a mid-game drought, but find their voice at the end.
CBS Sports
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Profiling Colts Wide Receiver Anthony Gonzalez
Aug 13th
2 comments
Anthony Gonzalez | Colts.com
Anthony Gonzalez
Born: 18th of September, 1984
Hometown: Columbus, OH
College: Ohio State University
Draft: 1st round, 32nd overall – 2007 (Indianapolis Colts)
Height: 6 feet 0 inches
Weight: 193 lbs.
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