Congratulations to all Colts fans! (1 Viewer)

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Nice victory guys...

I thought when Hester returned the opening kickoff, and then Moose got the TD catch, that the Bears could hang with the Colts.

But they were outcoached, outmuscled and outplayed by the Colts today.

The Bears O-Line and D-Line both got their hats handed to 'em - and much like the other playoff teams that the Colts dismantled, the Bears gave up on the run way too easily.

Why Urlacher wasn't asked to shadow Addai is beyond me also. That lil dude kept getting chunks of yardage on those lil dump off passes.

The Bears were within a TD in the fourth quarter, the defense didn't give up any points in the fourth quarter, and they lost.

If the Bears don't have an open competition at quarterback this offseason, it wouldn't surprise me - but they should have one. There is NO excuse to botch two snaps. That coupled with Rex's two picks were the Bears undoing.

Again, congrats Colts fans - you are the envy of 31 other NFL teams and their fans.

 

[Sea Bass]

Well stated GA.

 

[RBM]

Congrats Colts fans. Definitely the better team tonight

Too depressing to comment on the game right now

 

[BigRed]

Thx grid, and as I said earlier, condolences (sp?) on the loss.

 

[boubucarow]

Congrats. The better team won today.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

Nice victory guys...I thought when Hester returned the opening kickoff, and then Moose got the TD catch, that the Bears could hang with the Colts.But they were outcoached, outmuscled and outplayed by the Colts today.The Bears O-Line and D-Line both got their hats handed to 'em - and much like the other playoff teams that the Colts dismantled, the Bears gave up on the run way too easily.Why Urlacher wasn't asked to shadow Addai is beyond me also. That lil dude kept getting chunks of yardage on those lil dump off passes.The Bears were within a TD in the fourth quarter, the defense didn't give up any points in the fourth quarter, and they lost.If the Bears don't have an open competition at quarterback this offseason, it wouldn't surprise me - but they should have one. There is NO excuse to botch two snaps. That coupled with Rex's two picks were the Bears undoing.Again, congrats Colts fans - you are the envy of 31 other NFL teams and their fans.

Pretty much my thoughts exactly.

 

[WIFANBOY]

Well said...............

:(

 

[IndyHavoc]

Grid, I couldn't agree more with your opener. The thing I worried about the most was just the mental/momentum swings. With the Hester TD, and the quick reversals a couple times on T.O.'s (giving the ball right back to da Bears) I was truly concerned at halftime. Told all my friends at the party, "If the Colts can just go on a 6:00 minute + drive to open the half I think it'll take the last wind outta the Bears D." They just spent much too much time on the field. Just like the Colts have had to learn, you MUST perform on both sides of the ball. The defense just can't play well if they're forced to play 2x as many snaps as they expect to play.

Grats on a great year. With NE, CHI, and IND all in pretty good cap shape, I'm guessing the first odds coming out for SB XLII should be pretty close for all 3 teams.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

The Colts running backs killed the Bears.

I just took a look at the box score - Addai led both teams in receiving yardage, and Rhodes was the leading rusher. Those two guys accounted for 264 yards. All of the Bears offensive players totaled 277 yards.

Man alive... other than those two early TDs by the Bears they got their brains beaten in. Yet the defense only gave up two touchdowns.

Kudos to Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy getting that (choking) monkey off their back too.

 

[Aaronstory]

Nice victory guys...I thought when Hester returned the opening kickoff, and then Moose got the TD catch, that the Bears could hang with the Colts.But they were outcoached, outmuscled and outplayed by the Colts today.The Bears O-Line and D-Line both got their hats handed to 'em - and much like the other playoff teams that the Colts dismantled, the Bears gave up on the run way too easily.Why Urlacher wasn't asked to shadow Addai is beyond me also. That lil dude kept getting chunks of yardage on those lil dump off passes.The Bears were within a TD in the fourth quarter, the defense didn't give up any points in the fourth quarter, and they lost.If the Bears don't have an open competition at quarterback this offseason, it wouldn't surprise me - but they should have one. There is NO excuse to botch two snaps. That coupled with Rex's two picks were the Bears undoing.Again, congrats Colts fans - you are the envy of 31 other NFL teams and their fans.

Class act G.A.

 

[PizzaDeliveryGuy]

Is it too late to put Griese in?

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Looking at the first half play by play is mind numbing, this Colts defense came to play today. Damn!

Hester kickoff return

3 and out

4 plays and a TD

2 and a fumble

3 and out

3 and out

3 and out

1 and a fumble

19 offensive plays in the first half, and they're STILL only losing by 2.

Sportsradio in Chicago is gonna be damned ugly this week.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

Is it too late to put Griese in?

"Rex is our quarterback" Lovie Smith countless times this year

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Nice victory guys...I thought when Hester returned the opening kickoff, and then Moose got the TD catch, that the Bears could hang with the Colts.But they were outcoached, outmuscled and outplayed by the Colts today.The Bears O-Line and D-Line both got their hats handed to 'em - and much like the other playoff teams that the Colts dismantled, the Bears gave up on the run way too easily.Why Urlacher wasn't asked to shadow Addai is beyond me also. That lil dude kept getting chunks of yardage on those lil dump off passes.The Bears were within a TD in the fourth quarter, the defense didn't give up any points in the fourth quarter, and they lost.If the Bears don't have an open competition at quarterback this offseason, it wouldn't surprise me - but they should have one. There is NO excuse to botch two snaps. That coupled with Rex's two picks were the Bears undoing.Again, congrats Colts fans - you are the envy of 31 other NFL teams and their fans.

Class act G.A.

Nah. He's preempting the ridicule. Congratulations posts are pretty lame.

 

[BigRed]

Is it too late to put Griese in?

"Rex is our quarterback" Lovie Smith countless times this year

racist. I'm telling Dungy on you.

 

[Mr. Brownstone]

Nice victory guys...

I thought when Hester returned the opening kickoff, and then Moose got the TD catch, that the Bears could hang with the Colts.

But they were outcoached, outmuscled and outplayed by the Colts today.

The Bears O-Line and D-Line both got their hats handed to 'em - and much like the other playoff teams that the Colts dismantled, the Bears gave up on the run way too easily.

Why Urlacher wasn't asked to shadow Addai is beyond me also. That lil dude kept getting chunks of yardage on those lil dump off passes.

The Bears were within a TD in the fourth quarter, the defense didn't give up any points in the fourth quarter, and they lost.

If the Bears don't have an open competition at quarterback this offseason, it wouldn't surprise me - but they should have one. There is NO excuse to botch two snaps. That coupled with Rex's two picks were the Bears undoing.

Again, congrats Colts fans - you are the envy of 31 other NFL teams and their fans.

Class act G.A.

Nah. He's preempting the ridicule. Congratulations posts are pretty lame.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

You guys crack me up.

You criticize me for being 'the biggest homer on the message board'.

The Bears get outcoached, outplayed and lose. I congratulate their opposition's fan base on the message board, and I'm "pre-empting ridicule"???

Please. I've got no problem with the Colts fans on this message board. They won DESPITE having a former Patriot hero on their team today. Nice missed tackle on Hester's return, nice missed PAT and nice missed FG. THAT is clutch!!! LOL!!!

 

[IndyHavoc]

You guys crack me up.You criticize me for being 'the biggest homer on the message board'.The Bears get outcoached, outplayed and lose. I congratulate their opposition's fan base on the message board, and I'm "pre-empting ridicule"???Please. I've got no problem with the Colts fans on this message board. They won DESPITE having a former Patriot hero on their team today. Nice missed tackle on Hester's return, nice missed PAT and nice missed FG. THAT is clutch!!! LOL!!!

Man, I agree with you here on this one. AV played a very bleh game today. His first FG was off, his next two were knuckleballs which missed getting blocked by 0.05 inches. Once he got some direction on where Hester was (you could see the sidelines telling him if Hester was at the 10 or the 30) he did do a good job of squibbing and/or kicking long to avoid another easy return TD.No problem with homerism at all. Doesn't that stuff make the world go 'round? Oh, nm that's $$.

 

[radballs]

Grid et al,

Takes balls and courage to give props to the opposition this close to the end of the game. You all should be proud. IMO, just a rather ugly game given all of the mistakes. I was hoping to see a close game without a lot of penalties or TOs but it just didn't turn out that way. Nice work by both teams overall but the Colts showed that they were worthy.

 

[Sinrman]

Yep. Congrats to the Colts and their fans. Was a decent game...

 

[beavers]

Congratulations Colts fans! You are the new world champs.

Who says defense wins championships? The Colts' D stepped it up.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Congrats Colts fans, you truly earned it. Savor the moment.

(Classy thread GA )

 

[Mr. Pink]

Echoing all the congrats to the Colts and their fans. My one regret is that I'm posting this now rather than right after the game. Had a room full of fans and a belly full of beer. Was in no condition to use a computer.

Although one of the sloppiest settings for a Super Bowl that I've ever seen, the Colts executed well virtually all game through. Great performances, they are a worthy champion.

Now our Pats and Colts have a true rivalry with the hardware to go with it! Can't wait to see the guys get it on next season.

 

[Aaronstory]

Oh, and I'd just like to add that the Bears still suck.

 

[Workhorse]

Congrats to Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy. Two class acts that deserve a championship.

 

[Joe Bryant]

to grid.

Grid, what's the local take on Grossman this morning. ESPN said the local media was pretty hard on him citing Mariotti's column (but he's that way on everyone, isn't he?)

What's the local buzz there?

Also wondering what the local buzz was on Lovie Smith's contract extension. It looks to me like management just saved a lot of money there. They would have been hard pressed not to open the vault for him if they'd won.

Thoughts?

J

 

[3nOut]

Hats off to the Colts. They beat us in every aspect of the game. We were outmuscled, outplayed, and outcoached. Congrats Indy.

 

[jbird5150]

Well put Grid. Colts came in with a brilliant game plan to exploit every Bears weakness and executed it with near perfection. They deserve all the kudos they can get.

Next year....wow. Grossman has one more year left on his contract, I think. I honestly don't see Griese as the answer. Wonder if they'll pick up a decent FA to compete or try and groom Orton for the job...

Who's the top QB FAs this year?

 

[harryhood]

Well put Grid. Colts came in with a brilliant game plan to exploit every Bears weakness and executed it with near perfection. They deserve all the kudos they can get. Next year....wow. Grossman has one more year left on his contract, I think. I honestly don't see Griese as the answer. Wonder if they'll pick up a decent FA to compete or try and groom Orton for the job... Who's the top QB FAs this year?

isnt this his first full year he played after being drafted 3 years ago and suffering from a couple injuries?

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

What's the take on Grossman?

Fans were livid with him on talk radio last night.

I took today off of work in leau of a long night.

I'm sick as hell, and despondant right now. I'm so sick I just dusted our master bedroom. This usually marks the end of football season for me. I'll now move into the closets, bundle up all the jerseys and put them away in storage.

The true 'meat head' Bears fans will be calling talk radio this afternoon on drive time. I'll report back.

Grossman is in his contract year, so that will be a lively discussion.

Thomas Jones is also entering a contract year, and now there is talk that Cedric Benson doesn't like to play hurt. The same thing came up last year, then again this preseason - and again last night. So we'll see.

Congrats again Colts fans!

 

[BigRed]

What's the take on Grossman?Fans were livid with him on talk radio last night.I took today off of work in leau of a long night.I'm sick as hell, and despondant right now. I'm so sick I just dusted our master bedroom. This usually marks the end of football season for me. I'll now move into the closets, bundle up all the jerseys and put them away in storage.The true 'meat head' Bears fans will be calling talk radio this afternoon on drive time. I'll report back.Grossman is in his contract year, so that will be a lively discussion.Thomas Jones is also entering a contract year, and now there is talk that Cedric Benson doesn't like to play hurt. The same thing came up last year, then again this preseason - and again last night. So we'll see.Congrats again Colts fans!

I definitely think you should keep Grossman. (PS cmon grid tell us you didn't really dust. You squatting to pee now?)

 

[Joe Bryant]

What's the take on Grossman?Fans were livid with him on talk radio last night.I took today off of work in leau of a long night.I'm sick as hell, and despondant right now. I'm so sick I just dusted our master bedroom. This usually marks the end of football season for me. I'll now move into the closets, bundle up all the jerseys and put them away in storage.The true 'meat head' Bears fans will be calling talk radio this afternoon on drive time. I'll report back.Grossman is in his contract year, so that will be a lively discussion.Thomas Jones is also entering a contract year, and now there is talk that Cedric Benson doesn't like to play hurt. The same thing came up last year, then again this preseason - and again last night. So we'll see.Congrats again Colts fans!

Thanks grid,I meant to ask about Benson too. That has to be the nightmare scene for him doesn't it? After the talk that he still didn't feel part of the team but after his contribution Sunday, that was going to end and such. It's not fair as I"m sure he was really hurt but for a tough attitude team like Chicago, I can't imagine getting knocked out with an injury is getting much sympathy. Especially with Jones playing hurt like did in 05, right?Thoughts on what they'll do with RBs?J

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Personally, I was thrilled with Benson's performance.

I had $20 on "Benson's longest run of the game - under 12.5 yds." and another $20 on "T.Jones rushing yards over 80.5" so I thought Cedric did a terrific job.

 

[Hamstring]

The papers are blaming Grossman, but hte d is getting lit up for the amount of rushing yards. I think we knew if it came down to a big drive from Grossman, that the Bears would get stung.

Mike North (Score radio) just torched Urlacher for about 3 hours. I'm more interested to hear from Mike Mulligan on the next show.

 

[IndyHavoc]

Echoing all the congrats to the Colts and their fans. My one regret is that I'm posting this now rather than right after the game. Had a room full of fans and a belly full of beer. Was in no condition to use a computer.Although one of the sloppiest settings for a Super Bowl that I've ever seen, the Colts executed well virtually all game through. Great performances, they are a worthy champion.Now our Pats and Colts have a true rivalry with the hardware to go with it! Can't wait to see the guys get it on next season.

Thanks! And holy cow can i not wait to see the next few years of Colts/Pats games! If that AFCCG was any indication of things to come...get out the history books, 'cause several chapters of NFL history are going to be written!

 

[PatsFan23]

They played a game yesterday?

I thought the Super Bowl was 2 weeks ago when the Colts beat the Pats?

Congrats to the Colts and their fans..

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

From today's Sun-Times, plenty of blame to go around:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...05.superarticle

Grading the Bears

February 5, 2007

QUARTERBACK: F

No redemption. Rex fumbled snaps and had two second-half interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

RUNNING BACKS: C

Jones put up good numbers, but running came in fits and spurts when it needed to be consistent. Losing Benson didn't help.

WIDE RECEIVER: D

This unit has shown big-play ability but lacks consistency. That was a glaring weakness in Super Bowl XLI.

OFFENSIVE LINE: D

This unit needed to dominate the line of scrimmage to win the game, but it came up short.

DEFENSIVE LINE: D

Colts were in control on the line as Bears failed to pressure Manning or stop the run.

LINEBACKERS: D

The truth hurts. The Colts had their way running and passing.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: C

Vasher and Tillman played as well as anyone defensively. Harris gave up big touchdown, though.

SPECIAL TEAMS: B

Hester scores, Gould's field goal is true. At least Bears outplayed Colts in one area.

COACHING: D

Great start unraveled when offense couldn't stay on the field and defense couldn't get off.

 

[GRIDIRON ASSASSIN]

And from the Tribune:

By John Mullin

Tribune staff reporter

February 4, 2007, 11:52 PM CST

MIAMI -- Tribune reporter John Mullin turns in his report card for Sunday's game.

QUARTERBACK

Grade: D-

Rex Grossman completed 6 of 8 passes in the first half, one for a touchdown. But his stumble and mishandled snap in the third quarter were disasters, and an ill-advised heave toward Muhsin Muhammad early in the fourth quarter was intercepted by Kelvin Hayden and returned for a touchdown to end any real chance of a comeback. His poor throw to Bernard Berrian was picked off one possession later. Two interceptions and two dropped snaps.

RUNNING BACKS

Grade: B

Thomas Jones ripped off a 52-yard scamper in the first quarter but was held to 12 yards on his other seven first-half carries. Losing Cedric Benson to a knee injury late in the first quarter cost the Bears their power runner. Jones could have used the relief, though the Bears rarely stayed on the field to get into an offensive rhythm against a Colts defense that was determined to make yardage expensive. Jones finished with 112 yards rushing on 15 carries and caught four passes. Fullback Jason McKie caught two passes.

RECEIVERS

Grade: C

Muhsin Muhammad held on to a Rex Grossman rocket for a 4-yard touchdown and made solid catches when Grossman and the offense gave him chances. The Colts took Bernard Berrian out of the offense entirely and forced Grossman into interceptions twice in the fourth quarter. Desmond Clark led the Bears with six catches for 64 yards, but he was never able to do more than irritate the Colts and never burned them.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Grade: C-

The line destroyed the Colts' front on a 52-yard run by Jones to set up a touchdown, and it opened occasional holes for Jones. But the line of scrimmage never belonged to the Bears, and too many of Jones' rushing yards came too late to make a difference. Protection was generally very good, with the only sack coming on a stumble. But being unable to take the game away from a much smaller Colts front seven was a difference in the game.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Grade: D-

The front four rarely pressured Peyton Manning, and the Colts ran almost at will. Mark Anderson and Tank Johnson shared the only sack of Manning, and the Bears were credited with only two hits on him. The Colts gashed the middle of the defense more than any opponent all season, finishing with 191 yards rushing, their second-highest total of the season.

LINEBACKERS

Grade: D

Brian Urlacher deflected Manning's first pass, but the Colts schemed to get passes to their backs, particularly Joseph Addai, underneath the linebackers. Addai and Dominic Rhodes combined for 264 yards of total offense. Addai caught a game-high 10 passes. Lance Briggs had a game-high 13 tackles and a pass deflection, but the Colts got the linebackers in bad positions and poor angles. Execution did the rest.

SECONDARY

Grade: D

Safety Chris Harris played deep coverage perfectly for an interception on the Colts' first possession, and cornerback Nathan Vasher broke up three passes. But Harris and Danieal Manning had a breakdown in deep coverage to yield a 53-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne, the defense started playing deeper to protect itself from big plays and Manning picked the defense apart for 247 yards on 25-for-38 passing.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Grade: C+

Devin Hester ran back the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown for an instant highlight, but Gabe Reid fumbled the second return. Brad Maynard averaged a very respectable 45.2 yards on five punts, but coverage allowed 42 yards on three returns. Other than Hester's score, kickoff returns were ragged. The Colts rarely allowed the Bears to establish anything for the four others who ran back kicks, none for more than 15 yards. Robbie Gould converted a 44-yard field goal, his only attempt.

COACHING

Grade: C-

It's difficult to evaluate the game-planning when the execution in so many areas was so poor at key times. The defense appeared content to make Manning beat the scheme with short throws, and he was more than happy to take what the Bears gave him. The Bears could not adjust, failing to find a way to take the game out of his hands. The offense was done in by late interceptions. The offense called 10 running plays and nine passes in the first half, but balance matters only when there are enough plays to do anything.

 

[katar]

Congratulations Colts fans! You are the new world champs.Who says defense wins championships? The Colts' D stepped it up.

Maybe the best defense is a good offense? GO COLTS!

 

[PsychoMan]

Congrats to the Colts & their fans. I said before the game that IF the Bears lost, my 2nd choice to win the Super Bowl would be the Colts. I'm a big Manning & Dungy fan and they totally deserve this. Everyone that bashes Manning with all the "he's not clutch" and "he can't win a big game" BS can now shut the hell up forever !!!

 

[brobe4]

Congrats to the Colts & their fans. I said before the game that IF the Bears lost, my 2nd choice to win the Super Bowl would be the Colts. I'm a big Manning & Dungy fan and they totally deserve this. Everyone that bashes Manning with all the "he's not clutch" and "he can't win a big game" BS can now shut the hell up forever !!!

 

[pizzatyme]

Thanks to everyone for the congrats! It has been a long time coming for the city of Indianapolis. I am truly humbled by the experiences I've had this season.

The Colts were the better team in this game. But I really don't think we were the best team overall this year. Which goes to show you that on any given day...

Thanks again!

Go Colts!!!