The reality of the Indianapolis Colts this week (1 Viewer)

[editor47]

the nfl could put together a pro bowl defense, coach them up for 2-3 weeks and i still wouldn't sit peyton manning.

the only way i'd sit him this week is if i thought he was going to play less than half.

hell, he threw 30 times in a half against houston.

 

[whodeywhodey]

Peyton Manning indicated that the Colts offensive players will not lobby to play a full game this week.Coach Jim Caldwell suggested that all healthy players will start, but he wouldn't promise that they'd play beyond the first series. Against the Jets' No. 1 ranked defense, we'd feel comfortable benching all Colts this week.

Source???

 

[thecardiackid]

Peyton Manning indicated that the Colts offensive players will not lobby to play a full game this week.Coach Jim Caldwell suggested that all healthy players will start, but he wouldn't promise that they'd play beyond the first series. Against the Jets' No. 1 ranked defense, we'd feel comfortable benching all Colts this week.

Source???

yea C-Bound, you need to provide a source and maybe even a link to that nugget.

 

[Philo]

Googling the quote sources it as Rotoworld via AP.

Peyton Manning and his teammates won't even lobby Colts coach Jim Caldwell to play the final two regular-season games.

If Caldwell tells them go for the perfect season, they will bring the same approach that helped them become the NFL's third 14-0 team. If they're told to sit out or play sparingly, even if it means risking an undefeated record, they won't question it.

That's how it works in the Indianapolis locker room, where players abide by a simple rule: Follow the leader.

"It's what we believe in," defensive captain Gary Brackett said. "To be successful in this league, you have to have one voice, so we believe in what coach (Jim) Caldwell says. I think that's why we are successful."

Incredibly successful.

Indy heads into Sunday's game against the New York Jets with a record 23-game regular-season winning streak, as the only NFL team to ever post seven consecutive 12-win seasons, and with more wins in a decade (115) than any team in league history. The Colts have missed the playoffs only one time this decade and have six division titles since 2003.

They've done it with three head coaches since 2000 and only three veterans - Manning, Pro Bowl enter Jeff Saturday and long snapper Justin Snow - around for all 115 wins. And they've excelled this season with the league's second-youngest opening day roster. Both Indy and Miami had an average age of 25.89 years.

But the Colts are not on top of the NFL world because of sheer talent; they're here because of a unified attitude.

They have cobbled together a group of players who insist what's best for the team is more important than what's best for themselves. It's a throwback to a seemingly bygone era when players didn't dare publicly question the team's braintrust or try to stand out so they could win endorsement deals.

Even now, in the midst of Indy's great debate, with prestige and potentially money on the line, the Colts are content to keep it boring in the locker room. They're willing to let others discuss whether the starters should sit or play over the next two weeks while Caldwell makes up his mind.

"It's not really set up that way, to lobby. I don't think there's one guy in that locker room that's going to tell you, 'No I don't want to play,'" three-time MVP Peyton Manning said after Indianapolis rallied to win at Jacksonville last week. "But we've followed his (Caldwell's) orders all year, and I think that's a good plan. Those are decisions I don't have to make and whatever decision he makes, I think will be the right one."

Sure, former league sacks champion Dwight Freeney, Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark have offered their opinions. Each says he's prepared his body for a 16-game grind and they would like to play the games because of their competitive nature.

Yet even if sitting out means losing incentive bonuses, failing to meet personal goals or perhaps losing a postseason award or two, they're OK with it.

"Team comes first around here, even if you have something like that (an incentive clause)," Freeney said. "But the team tries to take care of those things if they can."

Here, the Colts understand there are greater goals at stake.

Indy insists the only significance of 16-0 is if it can finish 19-0, and the Colts would trade a loss or two now for a perfect record in the playoffs.

So over the next couple of weeks, nothing will change. The Colts will listen to Caldwell, follow his instructions and not make waves.

Boring, maybe. But it works.

"The decision makers here have made great decisions and you see it in how they put this team together," Freeney said. "It shows with how many games we've won. I think it starts from the top down, whether it's (team owner) Jim Irsay, Bill Polian, coach (Tony) Dungy or coach Caldwell, and we all believe they will make the best decisions."

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Peyton Manning indicated that the Colts offensive players will not lobby to play a full game this week.

Coach Jim Caldwell suggested that all healthy players will start, but he wouldn't promise that they'd play beyond the first series. Against the Jets' No. 1 ranked defense, we'd feel comfortable benching all Colts this week.

Source???

yea C-Bound, you need to provide a source and maybe even a link to that nugget.

Found this but not sure if this was his source, looks like Rotoworld might be where it originates but not 100% sure of that.

 

[lsufan]

I am starting both S. Smith's and Mike Sims Walker. Benching R. Wayne.

 

[Loomba]

From CBSSports.com, fwiw:

Peyton Manning, QB IND

News: Though the Colts haven't been as vocal about saying they'll play their starters for the entire game against the Jets, Colts head coach Jim Caldwell told the New York media on Wednesday that nothing has changed as far as how the team will approach their game vs. the Jets. "The plan is to attack it just like we do every week," Caldwell said. "We're going to prepare to go in and play hard and we haven't made any declaration on who's playing how long or anything of that nature, much like we did last week. We did the same thing last week and focused in on the ball game and adjusted as the flow of the game went on." QB Peyton Manning will go up against a Jets defense that boasts one of the NFL's best cornerbacks in Darrelle Revis (who has shut down the likes of Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Roddy White, Steve Smith and Marques Colston) and is top-ranked vs. the pass in the NFL. But Manning has played against Rex Ryan-schemed defenses before, and in his last three regular season games against Ryan (when he coached in Baltimore), Manning had at least 249 passing yards and two touchdowns in every meeting.

Analysis: Manning has fired for at least 300 passing yards and/or multiple touchdowns in all but one home game this year, and even with the Jets using Revis to take away part of the field, Manning should be fine. He's expected to play until either the game is in hand for the Colts or until the final gun. If you own Manning, start him.

 

[C-Bound]

Sorry, thought I copied the whole thing. Rotoworld.

 

[Chief]

From CBSSports.com, fwiw:

Peyton Manning, QB IND

News: Though the Colts haven't been as vocal about saying they'll play their starters for the entire game against the Jets, Colts head coach Jim Caldwell told the New York media on Wednesday that nothing has changed as far as how the team will approach their game vs. the Jets. "The plan is to attack it just like we do every week," Caldwell said. "We're going to prepare to go in and play hard and we haven't made any declaration on who's playing how long or anything of that nature, much like we did last week. We did the same thing last week and focused in on the ball game and adjusted as the flow of the game went on." QB Peyton Manning will go up against a Jets defense that boasts one of the NFL's best cornerbacks in Darrelle Revis (who has shut down the likes of Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Roddy White, Steve Smith and Marques Colston) and is top-ranked vs. the pass in the NFL. But Manning has played against Rex Ryan-schemed defenses before, and in his last three regular season games against Ryan (when he coached in Baltimore), Manning had at least 249 passing yards and two touchdowns in every meeting.

Analysis: Manning has fired for at least 300 passing yards and/or multiple touchdowns in all but one home game this year, and even with the Jets using Revis to take away part of the field, Manning should be fine. He's expected to play until either the game is in hand for the Colts or until the final gun. If you own Manning, start him.

"It" is worth VERY LITTLE. CBS Analysis, that is. It seems clear that they have different people in charge of writing the player profile pieces at different times so the inconsistent analysis ranges from the ridiculous (not rediculous, btw) and laughable to the downright misleading and contradictory. Not that they are always wrong: "Manning remains a must start" - from week 8. No hijack intended....

 

[flyingsushi]

I am benching Manning for Alex Smith for the record.

I believe healthy players will play some the next 2 games.

Colts just signed another QB from the practice squad.

Per Rotoworld.

 

[NYRAGE]

The Broncos D has been pretty solid against elite QB's as well. Barring a good effort from Big Ben, and a decent effort for Brady, the Broncos haven't given much at all. Rivers did very little against them in either game they played, neither did Romo or Palmer. But when Denver travelled to Indy they gave up 220 and 4 td's to Peyton. Sure, Peyton was only 20 for 42 with 3 INT's, but who wouldn't take 220 and 4td's any day of the year from their QB?

I'm a Bronco hater so I have to stick my nose in this: Rivers did little against them because SD went up quick and turned to the run game. Denver got beat by Jamarcus Russel last week. Their pass D shows up every two or three games.That said Peyton can tear apart any D, and the Jets are somewhat overrated. Yes Revis is a beast, so it is questionable to start Wayne this week. But trust me, Peyton will find Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, or Addai. The Jets just blitz blitz blitz and rely on Revis to shut-down a team's #1 guy, and for most teams that shuts down the pass. I would not bet against Peyton, unless of course they sit him early because the game is meaningless.

To me (and I watch every game), the Jets defense is actually underrated. Every week, the offense puts them in very bad situations, yet they usually overcome it. For most of the season, they have missed at least one starting cornerback and often two (Lito S/Strickland/Lowery have all missed several games each due to injuries). Not to mention, the Jets don't really have a great pass rusher and are missing their dominant All-Pro DT (Jenkins). It's not a perfect defense (they often dominate an entire game only to give up one bad drive. e.g. last week to Atlanta). They are really going to be nasty next season.That said, my personal theory is start your studs. The only way I bench any Indy players is if you think they are going to not play more than a half.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Peyton would have finished with pretty below numbers. On pace for about 250 yds but no TDs today, Dallas Clark did manage 4 receptions but he did not exceed what any other TE has done all season. Wayne was quiet as could be.

Feel for Manning owners, you get to the big game and you have the rug pulled out from under you.

The Colts played cowardly today. I have never seen a team pull their starters when the game was still in doubt with so much left to accomplish. I believe Indy could have won that game fairly easily if they left their starters in the game. Was shaping up to be a great 4th quarter and Caldwell gave the NFL fans a big lump of cole in their stockings. Forget FF, it was going to be a great 2nd half and the coach ruined it for NFL fans everywhere.