Standing up and believing

[Warhorse]

Yes, I have had my share of reality posting. It is truly because this team has exceeded my hopes, my dreams, and my goals for this season by so far of a margin, that I don't want to tarnish this prideful joy that I am feeling with unrealistic expectations, when this team has already given me so much.

I honor that gift and I set it aside...untouched, and I will savor it for the rest of this season and in the offseason. And I will defend it whenever I witness it being needlessly ridiculed because of fans inability to handle disappointment.

But now comes the time for me to also recognize the fact that regardless of how you got there, regardless of how much you deserve to be there, being there is RARE. Folks, we are there .....staring at an opportunity to see the postseason with some realistic expectations because this team, for all of its faults, lack of experience, and continual breaks in coverage on defense and turnovers on offense, we have THE most important ingredient needed to remain playing in December and January.

This team knows how to finish. And they can finish against good teams.

I stand, accepting the ridicule that comes from displaying uneducated faith, and say, Go Colts ....we can win this thing! Our franchise for more than the last decade showed us what it feels like to be a winner. A winner with class and dignity. We should never forget. But this team today has nothing to do with those teams. It has everything to do with the 53 men, coaches and front office that built this monster. They deserve to stand out from the shadow of past greatness. They have earned that this season.

Just like the signature of a poster on this board, Why not us?

[GoColts8818]

This team has defied the odds all year so if there is a team in the NFL that can do it one more time and win our division it will be us. I don't think we will win on Sunday but I am sure as heck not going to be surprised if we do pull it off. This is just one of those magical years that teams have once about every 20 years or so. The last one we had was 95.

[#12]

It doesn't really matter how they have gotten to this point. They're here. If they make the leap and begin playing clean football, anything is possible.

[Jules]

The Colts will not go one and done in the playoffs this year.

;)

[HungarianColtsFan]

Quote from Chuck Pagano's speech:

"I mentioned before the game that you guys were living in vision, and you weren't living in circumstances. Because you know where they had us in the beginning -- every last one of them. But you refused to live in circumstances, and you decided consciously, as a team and as a family, to live in a vision. And that's why you bring things home like you brought things home today. That's why you're already champions, and well on your way."

Nothing more needs to be said.

GO COLTS! Any given Sunday...

[ColtsBlueFL]

Quote from Chuck Pagano's speech:

"I mentioned before the game that you guys were living in vision, and you weren't living in circumstances. Because you know where they had us in the beginning -- every last one of them. But you refused to live in circumstances, and you decided consciously, as a team and as a family, to live in a vision. And that's why you bring things home like you brought things home today. That's why you're already champions, and well on your way."

Nothing more needs to be said.

GO COLTS! Any given Sunday...

^ ^ This! ^ ^

We are poised to make the playoffs. If/when we do, the slate is clean. The old has passed away, and all is anew again. History shows that you don't have to be a #1 seed or have the best record to win in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Whether we do well or not from here on out, I am already overwhelmed and exceedingly pleased at the play and results of our 2012 Indianapolis Colts.

[CardiacColts]

Quote from Chuck Pagano's speech:

"I mentioned before the game that you guys were living in vision, and you weren't living in circumstances. Because you know where they had us in the beginning -- every last one of them. But you refused to live in circumstances, and you decided consciously, as a team and as a family, to live in a vision. And that's why you bring things home like you brought things home today. That's why you're already champions, and well on your way."

Nothing more needs to be said.

GO COLTS! Any given Sunday...

^ ^ This! ^ ^

We are poised to make the playoffs. If/when we do, the slate is clean. The old has passed away, and all is anew again. History shows that you don't have to be a #1 seed or have the best record to win in the playoffs and Super Bowl. Whether we do well or not from here on out, I am already overwhelmed and exceedingly pleased at the play and results of our 2012 Indianapolis Colts.

I completely agree... But it certainly wouldn't hurt to keep the magic going and pick up a playoff win, or 2, or 3, or 4...

[HungarianColtsFan]

I completely agree... But it certainly wouldn't hurt to keep the magic going and pick up a playoff win, or 2, or 3, or 4...

We know, where everybody have colts in playoffs (including myself)...an early out. I won't be disappointed if it happens so, because this team worked already a wonder this year. But I won't be surprised neither if we would play more than 1 game in PO.

[Tark The Shark]

I believe this years Colts as one of the more improbable stories in sports.

You mean to tell me that a team that went 2-14 last year, gutted the front office, gutted the coaching staff, and gutted the roster and have the number one overall pick and go on to win 9 games with a team without the head coach who is battling leukemia.

I believe it is the mix of veterans and young guys. Guys like Wayne, Freeney, Mathis, and Redding teaching younger players how to play like Luck, Ballard, Hilton, and Freeman. Guys who have played in super bowls and are emotional leaders of the team.

Hollywood couldn't write a script better than this, things like this don't happen. And it all started with Irsay who realized that the team needed to have a new face and a new feel.

[oldunclemark]

I completely agree... But it certainly wouldn't hurt to keep the magic going and pick up a playoff win, or 2, or 3, or 4...

I just want us to get in..we're not in yet....

If we lose out last 3..this isnt that good a year.

[CardiacColts]

I just want us to get in..we're not in yet....

If we lose out last 3..this isnt that good a year.

Touche... I'm hopelessly optimistic.

[PrincetonTiger]

its been a great year

[Smonroe]

I just want us to get in..we're not in yet....

If we lose out last 3..this isnt that good a year.

Again, that's your opinion based on where we are today. You wouldn't have said that last August.

IMO, this is a good year no matter what happens the next three weeks.

[Robinhood]

It has been a great year far and above all of our expectations!

After watching MNF Texans/Patiots, I have even greater faith the Colts can beat Houston on Sunday! It's an easier road after that!

[Smonroe]

Yes, I have had my share of reality posting. It is truly because this team has exceeded my hopes, my dreams, and my goals for this season by so far of a margin, that I don't want to tarnish this prideful joy that I am feeling with unrealistic expectations, when this team has already given me so much.

I honor that gift and I set it aside...untouched, and I will savor it for the rest of this season and in the offseason. And I will defend it whenever I witness it being needlessly ridiculed because of fans inability to handle disappointment.

But now comes the time for me to also recognize the fact that regardless of how you got there, regardless of how much you deserve to be there, being there is RARE. Folks, we are there .....staring at an opportunity to see the postseason with some realistic expectations because this team, for all of its faults, lack of experience, and continual breaks in coverage on defense and turnovers on offense, we have THE most important ingredient needed to remain playing in December and January.

This team knows how to finish. And they can finish against good teams.

I stand, accepting the ridicule that comes from displaying uneducated faith, and say, Go Colts ....we can win this thing! Our franchise for more than the last decade showed us what it feels like to be a winner. A winner with class and dignity. We should never forget. But this team today has nothing to do with those teams. It has everything to do with the 53 men, coaches and front office that built this monster. They deserve to stand out from the shadow of past greatness. They have earned that this season.

Just like the signature of a poster on this board, Why not us?

Well written. How can anyone ridicule that at this point?

[ColtsBlueFL]

I just want us to get in..we're not in yet....

If we lose out last 3..this isnt that good a year.

Only sort of agree, can't lose last 3. Am I right here, either 1 Colts win or 1 Jets loss and we are in?

[Holden89]

Right, no matter what happens the rest of the season this year has been a ridiculous success and surprise. I'd be disappointed if the Colts did somehow lose out and miss the playoffs, but that's just because they've been so much better than I thought they'd be.

I truly believe that anyone who said the Colts would win more than 6 games this year back in August was just being a blind homer who had no real reasons to back it up.

I predicted 5-11 and thought I was being generous.

[JoKeR]

Yes, I have had my share of reality posting. It is truly because this team has exceeded my hopes, my dreams, and my goals for this season by so far of a margin, that I don't want to tarnish this prideful joy that I am feeling with unrealistic expectations, when this team has already given me so much.

I honor that gift and I set it aside...untouched, and I will savor it for the rest of this season and in the offseason. And I will defend it whenever I witness it being needlessly ridiculed because of fans inability to handle disappointment.

But now comes the time for me to also recognize the fact that regardless of how you got there, regardless of how much you deserve to be there, being there is RARE. Folks, we are there .....staring at an opportunity to see the postseason with some realistic expectations because this team, for all of its faults, lack of experience, and continual breaks in coverage on defense and turnovers on offense, we have THE most important ingredient needed to remain playing in December and January.

This team knows how to finish. And they can finish against good teams.

I stand, accepting the ridicule that comes from displaying *uneducated* faith, and say, Go Colts ....we can win this thing! Our franchise for more than the last decade showed us what it feels like to be a winner. A winner with class and dignity. We should never forget. But this team today has nothing to do with those teams. It has everything to do with the 53 men, coaches and front office that built this monster. They deserve to stand out from the shadow of past greatness. They have earned that this season.

Just like the signature of a poster on this board, Why not us?

What's so uneducated about it?

[PrincetonTiger]

Going from 2-14 to at least 9 wins make this season reat

[TKnight24]

We defy the Laws of Underdogs. They had us at #32 ...... Look at us now.

9-4...... & still Fighting. You can call it Luck, Destiny, Cupcake Schedules..... whatever you wanna call it.

Bottomline, we're 9-4 and in the Driver Seat to a Post-Season Birth after enduring a DEVASTATING 2-14 last year. Things have changed, but the will to Fight hasn't left the building. This is what we worked hard for week in & week out. Win #10 is on it's Way!

:clap: :disco:

[Warhorse]

What's so uneducated about it?

Probably a bad adjective, just trying to reflect the "anti-logic" side of the equation.

[chad72]

The Colts will not go one and done in the playoffs this year.

;)

That is a bold statement, Jules, especially since we dont know who we will be playing. One thing is for sure, we wont go down without a fight. I am not so sure about us winning a playoff game. Just getting there will make me happy.

I would like Pagano to stick it to Caldwell, now that would be nice!!!

[JoKeR]

Probably a bad adjective, just trying to reflect the "anti-logic" side of the equation.

I don't see the anti logic, its a great post, you don't have to apologize to the pessimistic for having hope and faith.

"Why not us"

[throwing BBZ]

Why not us?

We got one running back, Satelle, Justice, Olson, & Link, A shoot`em high, bomb throwing Rookie QB, and a truck load of Winning Intangibles

The Final answer is, Gooooooo !

[Coltsagent]

I said when this whole PM thing went down and he was allowed to walk there better be a real good reason for it. If we were not back in the playoffs and talking about a SB then we should never have let the MVP walk. This season was my expectation. If we were 2-11 rigth now there would be some heads rolling with the way PM is playing.

[braveheartcolt]

That is a bold statement, Jules, especially since we dont know who we will be playing. One thing is for sure, we wont go down without a fight. I am not so sure about us winning a playoff game. Just getting there will make me happy.

I would like Pagano to stick it to Caldwell, now that would be nice!!!

Looks like an underlined statement to me, rather than a bold statement...

[Indyfan4life]

Rather we go one and done, divisional, AFC championship or Super Bowl, I'm proud of this team.

[The Fish]

18# got us used to this idea of postseason play, and there are plenty of our guys that know as well as anyone in the game right now what that's all about!

The one thing about this team in the past season, the off season and this season that's never left my mind.

There aren't many teams with guys like Freeney, Mathis, Wayne, Bethea, Vinny who have that post season experience.

Those guys are a big part of the glue that's keeping this team in a professional mode. In the post season I expect they'll be ready.

Play for one of these, this year!

[Gavin]

At the end of the day this team has already exceeded most peoples expectations, very few thought we would be in position to compete for a playoff spot let alone have ANY shot at all at the Division (I certainly did not). At the end of the day its about wins and losses, We have holes thats obvious. Many of those holes cant be fixed this year (1-2 can I believe). Now it seems come gameday and especially directly after games we tend to have this divide, not a huge divide but a divide none the less, That divide is with fans who see holes in our team mainly at the O Line because we want Luck to have the best chance to succeed and not get hurt doing it as well as our team in general. then there is the other part of the divide that says (for example) enjoy the ride we are 9-4 be happy. I will say as one of those that is on the side of the divide that sees serious holes in our team and want to try something to fix 1 of them (obviously once again the O Line). With that said I dont think that makes me or anyone else that believes that to be any less of a fan or any less happy BUT for the rest of this year....these next 3-4+ games I think we should all come together) and be patient until the offseason when such a time as many of these holes can and should be fixed (This coming from a guy thats been VERY HARD on many of the players we have AND will continue to be with some players). Hey I see we have holes, the GM sees we have holes, Irsay himself sees we have holes he is in touch with the fan base even if he doesn't do things we always want, those holes will be fixed. None of this means that I think there is nothing we can do right now to fix a hole or two though it just means we should come together as Colts fans a little more...Thoughts?

[Buck Showalter]

Again, that's your opinion based on where we are today. You wouldn't have said that last August.

IMO, this is a good year no matter what happens the next three weeks.

THIS, if anyone said that the Colts had a very realistic shot at a playoff birth and even a remote shot at the division still with only 3 weeks left, no one would have believed it at the beginning of the season...

[manning04]

I am a little shocked at where we are at. i figured we would be 8-8, 9-7, at worst.. 7-9. Just did not expect that would have us fighting for a seeding in the postseason. We got rid of the reasons we went 2-14 and brought in some talent in the draft and some key FA. i loved we signed Avery.. but the main talk here was it was not a good signing because he was hurt... Freeman i knew would be a beast (i watch Roughriders games when i can) Redding has brought that motivating factor to the field (guess playing with Ray Lewis can help that) And being able to go to 80% of Stanford games over the last 3 seasons... i knew what Luck would be bringing to the table. I honestly feel he has not played to where I expected him to be (key word is I). I know why he has not been as accurate.. There will be a moment he figures it out and he will really impress the league. Pagano perfect fit there is no one else i would rather have for this team.

I am one who goes into each game thinking we can win them all. if we execute and win the key battles we should win. but thats why they play the game. There are a ton of variables in each game.

[BleedingBlue]

As Peyton says...if you can make it to the playoffs you are only a few games from the Super Bowl and anything can happen when a team gets hot.

At this point, I can't rule us out.

Of course if we win the super bowl, I'll be convinced that the NFL is fixed lol

[Coltsince4]

I believe this years Colts as one of the more improbable stories in sports.

You mean to tell me that a team that went 2-14 last year, gutted the front office, gutted the coaching staff, and gutted the roster and have the number one overall pick and go on to win 9 games with a team without the head coach who is battling leukemia.

I believe it is the mix of veterans and young guys. Guys like Wayne, Freeney, Mathis, and Redding teaching younger players how to play like Luck, Ballard, Hilton, and Freeman. Guys who have played in super bowls and are emotional leaders of the team.

Hollywood couldn't write a script better than this, things like this don't happen. And it all started with Irsay who realized that the team needed to have a new face and a new feel.

Agree 100 000.000. 000 Whatever that percent is with you!!! On the (it all started with Irsay who realized that the team needed to have a new face and a new feel. ) And I did too. Just thought that teams had us figured out some what for the last couple of years Look at it this way, if we go to playoffs it will be in the first year with Luck!! And if they lose in a playoff game I don't think it can be as bad as Peyton's first one 41-0 I believe against the Jets? I think we will at least score 3 LOL!!!. I just feel like the Colts

are my team this year instead of feeling like it was one players team all wrapped around one player. Since 1958 I've loved the Colts!! And this team no matter what happens good are bad I love this team and everything about them for the most part with the passion of the love for Colts I had back in the Unitas day!!! I'm glad to now be able to call this team MY TEAM!!! GO COLTS

with 100 000.000. 000 exclamations behind that!!!!

Coltsince4

[Coltsince4]

Of course if we win the super bowl, I'll be convinced that the NFL is fixed lol

I hear ya!! Just like the Saints won the Super bowl because of Katrina!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!

[BleedingBlue]

I believe this years Colts as one of the more improbable stories in sports.

You mean to tell me that a team that went 2-14 last year, gutted the front office, gutted the coaching staff, and gutted the roster and have the number one overall pick and go on to win 9 games with a team without the head coach who is battling leukemia.

I believe it is the mix of veterans and young guys. Guys like Wayne, Freeney, Mathis, and Redding teaching younger players how to play like Luck, Ballard, Hilton, and Freeman. Guys who have played in super bowls and are emotional leaders of the team.

Hollywood couldn't write a script better than this, things like this don't happen. And it all started with Irsay who realized that the team needed to have a new face and a new feel.

No it all started when PM had neck surgery and Irsay decided to tank the season for Andrew Luck. ;)

I hear ya!! Just like the Saints won the Super bowl because of Katrina!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!

Yes. I totally remember thinking we're gonna lose because of Katrina. But this story beats the Katrinabowl. We were 2-14 and our head coach was diagnosed with Luekemia. Our Struggling #1 draft pick rallies the team to the playoffs.

Chapter 12, Luck beats the GOAT and the guy he replaced.

Chapter 13. Colts win super bowl.

I dunno, it may be too obvious if that were all to happen.

[Coltsince4]

No it all started when PM had neck surgery and Irsay decided to tank the season for Andrew Luck. ;)

Yes. I totally remember thinking we're gonna lose because of Katrina. But this story beats the Katrinabowl. We were 2-14 and our head coach was diagnosed with Luekemia. Our Struggling #1 draft pick rallies the team to the playoffs.

Chapter 12, Luck beats the GOAT and the guy he replaced.

Chapter 13. Colts win super bowl.

I dunno, it may be too obvious if that were all to happen.

Hey!!! I like that book!!! Where can I buy a copy!!!!!????

[shakedownstreet]

sits down at the campfire, sips some warm brandy, and joins in singing kumbayah

[YellScreamGoColts]

Heart, I am all heart my brother! - Edited for television