harrycarey
Footballguy
I thought Manning took the blame himself also? Wasn't the oline comment answering a question about the sacks and blitzes?
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Bill Polian explosive interview on WFAN (1 Viewer)
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Wadsworth
Footballguy
How do beat a team that's blitzing many guys on a regular basis?No O-line is going to pick up every blitzer every play if they constantly send multiple guys. You have to burn them with a big play on the plays were you do have some time. Manning didn't do that. He had plenty of time on some plays were the O-line did pick up the blitzers but didn't make them pay for it. -Is it manning's fault?-The WRs fault for not getting open? -Are Pitts DB just much better than most think? -Were the wrong plays called?I don't know. But you stop a team from blitzzing you by beating them for big plays and the colts didn't do that. The o-line certainly could have done better. But even an all All-Pro o-line isn't going to pick up every blitzer everytime. Sooner or later the skill positon guys have to burn the D or they'll see blitzes all day. As far as Polian's comments... Is anyone really surprised? He does stuff like that weekly.
harrycarey
Footballguy
They weren't "sending the house" pittsburgh was getting there with 5 or 6 usually and that left enough in coverage.
BlueOnion
Footballguy
This is what I have been harping on. The Colts use to slip the tightend and back on slip screens (fake block; turn around and catch ball) quite regularly. I don't have any answers as to why these plays were not used on Sunday, but they were not used. Whether this was the fault of the Colts collectively as a team, Dungy, the offensive coordinator or Peyton Manning, I just don't know.But for those who want to pin a lot of the blame on Manning, they have every right to do so.
Banger
Footballguy
Good post. I think a big part of Manning's problem and a big difference between he and Brady (I'm sure I will get flamed for this..) is that Manning doesn't like to get hit to make a play whereas Brady will stay in the pocket and get killed just to make that pass. Instead Manning happy feets around the pocket, throws it to the sidelines and bails out.
Jason, I understand where you're going with this but the fact remains that it's a chicken/egg argument. I've never EVER thought the Colts O-line was elite in it's talent. A big part of the low sack #'s have to be attributed to Peyton recognizing the blitz and audibling and/or throwing the ball away. For whatever reason, he get rattled in playoff situations and just has a mental lapse. I'm going to go digging for this, but I could have sworn he had an interview post season last year - after getting harrassed....again...by NE. He was talking about how he needed to be aware of what was happening and had to stick to the run and make adjustments. Well, if I am remember correctly, he obviously just has NOT learned this lesson yet. Man, I'm losing hope he ever will.My point is, even an elite set of O-linemen can't protect a QB when he's pushing that hard to make long, downfield passes on every single down. If he refuses to adjust with some quick/short routes, screens, or audibles to run right at the blitz...well, there's just no hope.
Fumbleweed
Footballguy
For those that say that Manning has never been able to handle a blitz/pressure, consider that New England used to take the exact OPPOSITE approach to stopping him. They would rush only 3 people and use extra coverage people. Manning has over the course of his career generally burned the blitz. Most defenses this year tried droppping people into coverage more and the Colts would just run James a bunch and force teams not to do that. Then came the Chargers. The Chargers decided to try a different approach...an aggressive blitzing scheme...and for whatever reason, it worked. I don't know why the Colts all of a sudden stopped handling blitzes well....they used to be able to do so. It is simply inaccurate, however, to say that Manning has never responded well to that because he used to dissect a blitzing team big time.
drdgreenlove
Footballguy
yeah how dare you to syggest my beloved colts will change or get worse. And peyton isnt a choker.... he played really really hard agains florida at tennessee and just has had bad luck the past few years. And marvin isnt a choker either. we will find money under the cap and be the best team ever! don't queston chemistry. the colts know more about chemistry than anyone. you are so dumb for insulting the colts.
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Kevin Ashcraft
Footballguy
If I was Polian, I just sit silent until they ask a more professioanl question. Why go off the deep end? Take the high ground and let the make asses of themselves like they always do.Those two are NOT journalists, I was a more professional media person IN COLLEGE than thsoe two are.Thats why I like Mike & Mike on ESPN......much more professional tandem.
ffball-novice
Footballguy
No prior GM Bill Tobian (sp)
saintfool
Dead sexy
A power runner is not the same as a power running game. James is a complete back but, for example, they don't put a FB in for him. Certainly they were more willing to run the ball early in the season when Manning was being schemed against. However, that gave way late in their season as their defense came to Earth.
ffball-novice
Footballguy
Good comment. However, this is not his style. From what we've seen in Indy he has a big ego and drive to succeed and be in control. Those are not bad things and often seen in high success people. It has not translated well with provocative media. He has goten upset before and if I remember correctly hung up before in z situation when being challenged by those he doesn't respect.
He has always tried to draft later round OL. I can only remember one 3rd rounder who unfortuneately was killed in auto accident.
Last year after NE loss, he said had to fix DB and first two picks were CB. I take this as a sign for the future.
drdgreenlove
Footballguy
i dont think they pretend to be journalists. they have opinions and share them. They give their analysis and opinions. To be fair, they ask tough questions. THey have grilled Isiah Thomas. Unlike some "journalists" they do ask tough questions and dont throw a bunch of softballs
ffball-novice
Footballguy
Also, OL is not capable of power running game, which is why you see more passing at GL tha Fantasy guys like.IMHO, this OL has gotten weaker over the years while Polian has been GM. He has focused more on fixing defense and OL replacements are weaker than losses. Now he is preparing to fix that, I believe. Actually, he may have picked up one LY that can develop.
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Pat Patriot
Footballguy
I LOVE Mike and the Mad Dog. And I dont care if they are journalists or not. I am not looking for news from them. I want them to put someone on the hot seat and ask the questions real reporters wont ask.I love that they are hard on interviewees. I hate those softpuff interviews.
NorvilleBarnes
Footballguy
Yes.There's a huge difference between having a discussion about your teams strengths and weaknesses where you bring up the Oline as an area that needs improvement, and placing all the blame at their feet for a particular loss.
drdgreenlove
Footballguy
Interview is up on the wfan website...polian says the colts were overhyped and not good as they seemed -qb wasnt the problem on sunday, the offensive line was the problem.how come he gets all the credit when he makes the plays during the season -"because you dont know football."you thought peyton played a good game sunday-i thought he wasnt at fault?does he stand in against the blitz -dont start that nonsensehe is 3-6 in the post-season.. he hasnt played well-you're dealing with perception I'm dealing with facthow about the first 4 series when he went 3 and out 4 times-you have to give the d some creditmore later...
Nihilist Pig
Footballguy
Polian was put in a position...and it's not his fault he was put there...that would have a lot of us pulling out our hair and acting like jerks in the national media.He did what he was paid to: put together a hell of a team. But in doing so, he unwittingly drafted the QB who became the NFL's (and media's) darling, their chosen one, their symbol of all that is good and wholesome and successful in the world of sports. And because of that, expectations are unnaturally high. When other talented teams come up short a few times, it's the headline of the local sports page. When Manning and the Colts do it, it's national front page news.
And as always happens in pro sports, blame trickles up. The Colts as a whole can escape the spotlight, but it falls squarely on Manning, Dungy, and Polian, and the media guys come looking for answers. Why, oh why isn't it working right?
And he'd be perfectly justified in saying to them, "It is working right. I built a damn fine team and we had a damn fine season." But that doesn't cut it when your team is led by a media darling. So Polian, for having had the good sense to lock up his Golden Boy for a long time, is subject to incredible pressure and scrutiny that others in his position probably wouldn't face. I can't say I blame him for going a little bit loony.
I also can't say the meltdown isn't kind of fun to watch.
C
Cunning Linguist
Guest
Whatever happened to Manning changing the plays at the line and calling out protection? Wouldn't the line of done that if that was the call?
Garrett
Footballguy
I heard Polian on local sportstalk radio earlier this week.His opening comment was that their "Problems Started and Ended with the Offensive Line". I was shocked to hear him.I agree, the line had issues, but that was just one of many issues that sent that team home.Another caller made a pretty good point...If you brought an O-Line man from the Colts out for postgame comments. There is no way in the world he stands up in front of reporters and says.."I am trying to be good team-mate, but we had some accuracy issues in the first half."Qualifying any statement with "I am trying to be a good team-mate here" is just a passive way of saying don't blame me.
BlueOnion
Footballguy
Any time one has to qualify something as "I am trying", it is just an acknowledgement that one knows he is failing at what one is doing.For example, lets finish these sentences.
"I am trying to be a good FBGer, but..."
"I am trying to be a good husband, but..."
"I am trying to be a good father, but..."
Pretty much each sentence is going to finish with a comment I have already acknowledged is a contradictory to what I originally said I was trying to do.
Since his time in Buffalo, Polian has always had anger issues and a short temper. He doesn't handle criticism well at all.
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Colin Dowling
Footballguy
I think that the criticism of the Oline is fair. I even thought I read that while Peyton was in front of the cameras talking about the Oline, the linemen were in the locker room talking about how poorly they played. I don't see the big deal. As has been said 499 times since Sunday, why do we get mad when players use cliched answers and then get similarly mad when they tell the truth? 
ComebackKurt
Footballguy
Reggie Wayne = Alvin Harper , if he leaves Indy!
drdgreenlove
Footballguy
your analysis= useless.. harper was a burner and that was all he could do. wayne runs routes and can catch long and short passes. completely different situation but thanks for playing
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saintfool
Dead sexy
easier said than done given the incredible variety of blitz packages that the Pittsburgh DC came up with. similar to what the Pats have done in previous years in disquising coverage and blitz schemes against the Colts. the line failed but largely to the gameplan and execution of the steelers D. while Manning has tremendous creative control at the line of scrimmage, he does not replace the OC. also, it doesn't explain their poor execution in the last drive which culiminated in the awful Vanderjagt kick. no one would had said a word about manning had the kick been good sending the game into OT. they could have lost in an opening steelers drive in OT and most folks would have harped on the success of the steelers or the inadequate Indy defense...
Wayne is much more of a possession WR than Harper ever was, and he's physical enough and a good enough route runner to become a go-to WR.I think Peerless Price = Alvin Harper, but Wayne is good enough to become a true #1 WR.
drdgreenlove
Footballguy
I hope the Eagles get Wayne...IMHO, I think he will be tought to resign if he hits the market...A lot of teams will be after him.
But, here is what I think... the Colts will let Edge go and franchise Wayne. It would cost them a lot to do so but they dont want to lose him and he would get a lot of offers (and be hard to resign)
houndirish
Footballguy
Methinks the Colts problem was they reacted to a relatively small deficit (considering the Colts quick strike capability) by trying to get all the points back in one play. James was averaging 4.7 yards per carry at the half. The passing game was being disrupted by the Steelers blitzes. So what do the Colts react with? More passing!Run the damn ball. At some point the Steelers will start laying off the blitz and the play action will become a weapon again.
The Colts just seem arrogant on offense. It's as if they felt disrespected by being down a couple of scores. They had an entire half to come back but they abandoned their most effective weapon.
Facenda's Voice
Footballguy
Without reading any of the posts, and I apologize if this is already mentioned, but IMO, the bulk of the blame is on the coaching staff for not dealing with the 3-4 defense. It is not a secret that the Colts coaches, OL, and Manning have the most trouble with this defense. Polian can blame the OL all he wants, but to me the blame goes to the coaches (including Manning) if they didn't prepare for the 3-4. However, if they DID and the OL didn't execute, then I agree with Polian.
Agreed, Jason. He would have been tons better off to not even talk to the press after the game. Or at least to just say the stock thing like Jason says above. What I find interesting in all this is that if Nick Harper cuts to the right, Manning plays the same exact game and none of this is an issue. He suddenly is the courageous guy that waved off the punt team and then stood in there tough to make the gutsy pass on 4th and 2 and then the long TD to rally his team back into contention.
Same exact performance.
That's why it's best to watch the games yourself vs put a lot of stock in what fans say in the post game discussion. Although I'm interested in it because it interests me how people perceive things.
J
Hi garrret,I watched the game and that's not shocking to me at all. I believe Bill Polian has forgetten more about football than most people here (me being first in line). And in this case, I agree with him 100%.
J
SuperJohn96
RPS World Champion
Maybe Polian wants to resurrect the Bickering Bills....
TwinTurbo
Footballguy
But isn't a strong pass rush really the downfall of any non-mobile, pocket QB? What makes Manning any different than his peers in this regard? Is there an example of a non-mobile QB that excelled in the face of a strong pash rush, poor O-line protection, and getting sacked repeatedly?I hate defending Manning because I really don't like him, but in this case it doesn't make any sense to rip him. Fans rip Mike Vick for not being like Manning and then they rip Manning for not being like Mike Vick. It's pretty silly.
Jason Wood
Zoo York
I just re-listened to the whole thing again, Polian was on the defensive from jump street. It was a bad job by him, plain and simple. There is NO REASON he couldn't have given an honest assessment about the failings of the entire team, but it's as though he feels bound to protect Harrison and Manning from ANY criticism, when in fact they should be as open to criticism from their boss as anyone else would be.
Manning continues to have problems against teams that run a 3-4 defense.Did the Jets run a 3-4 defense in 2002?If so, that would make 4 straight years where a 3-4 defense knocked him out of the playoffs. When playing these teams, it's a lot harder for him and the line to tell where the rush is going to come from. The undefeated season also came to an end at the hands of the 3-4 Chargers.
harrycarey
Footballguy
with a comparison like that i would say jimmy is not aging well
Jason Wood
Zoo York
Funny you mention this, I just listened to that replay [hadn't heard JJ this afternoon] and it really was fascinating to here Jimmy's take......Peyton Manning looked like a rookie, Big Ben looked like the veteran
...Peyton Manning looked like Alex Smith
...Manning DOES get rattled when he gets pressure, always has
...The Colts are an impatient team, they have never done well when things don't go their way early
...The Colts success offensively is so tied to rhythm [more than most NFL teams] that they stood to be more negatively impacted by taking weaks off
...JJ pointed out how NE was rushing two players at points in the playoffs and Manning was still throwing the ball erratically
...In tight ball games, guys like Favre and Manning aren't at their best because they can't free wheel
Hi Jason,Wow, he really said that? Was there some sort of context that made sense?
If not, I just watched some of the replays of the game and that's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard someone say.
J
Pat Patriot
Footballguy
Joe,Are you saying that you think Manning had a good game and did enough to carry his team to victory?
I disagree with you to an extent. If Harper had scored, I think the story would have been the bad call on the interception and how the Colts won on a fluke. I dont think anybody would have been lauding Manning's performance. At that point, the pressure would have been off Manning because it would have moved to Bettis for the fumbloe and Cowher for the conservative offense in the 2nd half. I dont think anyone would have been talking about how well Manning played.
I think Brady, although he played poorly, played much better than Manning while withstanding just as big a rush against the Broncos. The Broncos blitzed every play and knocked the crap out of Brady but he stood in there and made some plays.
If you are Peyton Manning, you can not start the game with 4 consecutive 3 and outs while your team is falling behind 14-0.
Jason Wood
Zoo York
It was an actual quote, and he repeated it later when talking about how good Big Ben is. Jimmy said he would EASILY rather have Big Ben as his team's QB than Hassy, Plummer or Delhomme and frankly, would debate whether he's the guy to have above everyone save for Brady. He repeated his observation that "Big Ben looked like the 10 year veteran out there, while Manning looked like Alex Smith."
Wow. What a stupid thing to say. I can see how a guy might rather have Roethlisberger over Manning. Or several guys over Manning. But to say he looked like one of the most pathetic QBs in the league is seriously a stupid thing to say. Maybe he didn't get to watch the game. J
Pat Patriot
Footballguy
Just a bit of context on JJ's comments. The theme throughout the call was how much he loved Big Ben. Out of the 4 QB's left, if he coached a team he would take Ben Roth.At the end he said he thought Big Ben played like (cant remember who he used but for argument say Montana) and Manning played like Alex Smith. He was trying to make the most extreme analogy he could to illustrate that the play of Big Ben and Manning was night and day.
Still probably a bit extreme as Alex Smith is at the lowest rung of current NFL QB's but it was done more to illustrate his praise of Big Ben than anything else.
Thanks Pat. That makes a little more sense I guess but wow is that a stupid thing to say for a guy as smart as Johnson.J
Pat Patriot
Footballguy
Thanks Jason for clarifying. JJ was making the comparison of Veteran to Rookie using Alex Smith as the rookie. Obviously a stretch on JJ's part.
Jason Wood
Zoo York
Yep...but JJ's earlier comments were in stark contrast to Polian's viewpoints. And unlike Mike and the Mad Dog [who Polian dismissed as guys who don't understand the game of football], JJ CLEARLY understands football. Bottom line, JJ confirmed what many of us saw with our own eyes, Manning simply didn't play well relative to expectations. Certainly they Colts didn't lose solely because of Manning, but he darn sure played a role in the loss.
harrycarey
Footballguy
Yes Brady was terrific with his 2 interceptions and i believe they also had close to the same completion percentage. Also wasn't Brady pretty bad in the first half only leading his team to 3 points? He was 7-15 or something like that in the first half.
Pat Patriot
Footballguy
Joe didnt really answer my question but it appears that he feels Manning played well and would have been praised as a courageous performance (mostly due to the gutsy 4th down overrule of Dungy I guess) if the fluke Bettis fumble had won the game for Indy.I disagree.
