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With Luck, the Colts Have the Chance to Do Something That Hasn't been Done In 20 Years.

divineprodigy

Entry posted by divineprodigy

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With the 2012 NFL draft now behind us, there's no question the top priority for the Colts was surrounding their new signal caller with talent to help him develop at the next level. This goes along with the current trend taking place in the NFL with teams loading up on offense while neglecting the defense. The only teams that have kinda been the exceptions to the rule are the NY Giants, and the Pittsburgh Steelers of late. Of the last four SB winning teams (Giants, Packers, Steelers, and Colts), all fielded teams that were stronger on offense than on defense with the exception of the Steelers. Out of that group, the Giants and the Steelers have won two SBs each within a 6 year span. Out of that group, the Giants and the Steelers were more balanced on both sides of the ball as a team than either the Packers, the Colts and either of their opponents.

In last year's playoffs, the Saints and Packers were favored to win over their opponents because they were regarded as the better offensive teams. The Saints lost to a 49ers team that was a joke of an offense to watch yet fielded the league's best defense. The Packers were the top offensive team in league last year yet were beaten soundly in their own back yard by a Giants team that was arguably the most complete team heading into the playoffs. Some might argue that the Giants were an offensive juggarnaut who had a weak defense as well just like the Packers. That would be a misconception due to the fact the Giants had a lot of injuries to the defense earlier in the year and got healthy at the right time. By postseason, the Giants had a formidable defense which featured one of the league's better D-lines in the game. The reason why the Giants beat the favored Patriots is not because Eli Manning threw for 5000 yards that season. They won because they had a defense which boasted a front four that could constantly put pressure on the QB, and also force turnovers.

Its rare to see a team in this day and age which is just as strong on defense as it is on offense. We really haven't seen this since the early 80s and 90s with teams like the Cowboys, Steelers , and 49ers. Even during the Patriots dynasty, the only SBs they won were the ones with decent defenses, not the teams that featured Randy Moss, Wes Welker, or "The Gronk." This is where the Colts come in. Imagine this for a second. Think of how good the 2000 Ravens would be if they had Manning as their QB. That would be down right "nasty." If Andrew Luck is as good as everyone thinks he is, the Colts should start giving him a good defense "now." Defense is what should have been the focus for this year's draft. Good QBs don't need top notch talent around them. Good QBs elevate the play of the players they already have at their disposal.

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HarassedOffTheSite
Think of how good the 2000 Ravens would be if they had Manning as their QB? That would be down right "nasty." If Andrew Luck is as good as everyone thinks he is, the Colts should start giving him a good defense "now."

I agree in spirit. However...

Defense is what should have been the focus for this year's draft.

Ehhh, I default to Grigson and Pagano on this one. If F/A and their board said this is the route we go. Then I am with them. I'm a defense guy...but reality dominates decisions more than wants and dreams. Apparently, we went the route that was presented to us. That's fine. And coupled with next years salary cap and the space we'll have, perhaps Grigs' long term vision is to make some moves there. ;)

Good QBs don't need top notch talent around them. Good QBs elevate the play of the players they already have at their disposal.

Yeah...Manning's example screams that. But it isn't an either or proposition. How much better was Manning when he had two lights out all pro receivers and an all pro running back? Balance seems to be the key. That and patience.

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divineprodigy

I agree in spirit. However...

Ehhh, I default to Grigson and Pagano on this one. If F/A and their board said this is the route we go. Then I am with them. I'm a defense guy...but reality dominates decisions more than wants and dreams. Apparently, we went the route that was presented to us. That's fine. And coupled with next years salary cap and the space we'll have, perhaps Grigs' long term vision is to make some moves there. ;)

Yeah...Manning's example screams that. But it isn't an either or proposition. How much better was Manning when he had two lights out all pro receivers and an all pro running back? Balance seems to be the key. That and patience.

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divineprodigy

Regardless of how much better Manning was with two lights out WRs, it still took him 6 years to win a playoff game. His younger brother accomplished winning two SB rings in half the time it took him (Peyton) to win one...And he did it without "two lights out WRs..." the Giants didn't have anything special at the WR position in either of their SB victories. What they did have is a defense that could constantly pressure the QB as well as stop the run. By repeating what the Colts did to start off the Manning era, the only thing they are gonna get out of it are the same results. "Offense wins games, but defense wins championships."

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ColtsPRIDE11

Well written, and I do agree that we need to improve our defense. That said, Luck has the potential to be a great QB, but let's remember that he is still a rookie and still has to learn. We can't expect him to take medicore and have greatness right out of the gate. I, like Brian, defer to Grigs, Pags, and Telesco's team of scouts on this years draft. I'm fine that we got Luck weapons in the draft b/c of the FA pick ups that we made on the defensive side. To me, we have to make sure that our new franchise QB is protected and has help--we don't want him injured and we want him to excel.

I do fully expect next year's draft to be a heavily defensive drafted year, I'm not worried that our defense will lack any longer with Chuck Pagano as coach and Ryan Grigson as our GM. Our D will finally become an effective defense.

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divineprodigy

Thanks. I hear you guys on deferring to Grigs and company, but the thing I'm sticking with is the fact that we have been down this road before. I really don't want to see another 6 years go by until Andrew Luck wins his 1st playoff game and another 4 before he actually makes it to the SB. I'm not a fan of the copycat league that's taking place now where it seems everyone is trying to out score each other by loading up on the offensive side of the ball and trying to get by with defenses that bend but don't break.The teams that continue to put defense 1st are the ones that are going to continue to be there in the end for the biggest games of the post season. the Colts had the chance to do something that has never been done with having a franchise QB before since the days of Joe Montana. The closest thing we have seen to this reality is the Steelers with Big Ben. Luck I feel will be a better QB than Ben.

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andreaallennyc

I'm so glad Grigson is in charge, not you. He's taking care of Luck's development first. That is smart and is respectful of his rookie quarterback. I'm all for a great defense, but you can't do everything in one year. It's not like the Colts are up for a SB this year anyway. The defense can wait a year ... The Colts have their priorities straight.

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divineprodigy

@andreaallennyc-- With all due respect Andre, did you watch the playoffs last year? All of the teams that were stacked on offense lost in the post season. The team that won it all had the one thing that all of the highpowered offensive teams were missing: A defense. You don't build a championship caliber team starting with the offense. You do it by starting with the defense. That's being "Smart and respectful of your rookie QB" by not putting the onus of winning games soley on his shoulders. Thats the reason the Ravens were able to make the post season in Flacco's rookie season. It's the reason Dilfer, one of the worst QBs ever won a SB. They both had a top notch defense behind them. What I'm saying isn't anything new. We have seen the fruits of this phylosophy many times over.

While a lot of other teams are doing the same thing with loading up on the offensive side of the ball, in the end, it will be the teams with the better defenses who will prevail. The Buffalo Bills will be a prime example of this reality. They did exactly what the Colts should have done by addressing the most critical portion of their defense: The D-line. They didn't try to match the Patriots by going out and signing WRs/TEs to attempt to win a shootout with the AFC champs. They went out and got players who they feel will help them shut down the offense of their division rivals. Thats smart front office decision making. The Colts don't stand a chance in winning shootouts with anybody right now and honestly that shouldn't be the approach anyway. As I said before, we've been down that road already. The Colts could have gone all defense this year and fixed the offense next year. If Luck is the "All world QB" he has been drummed up to be, he should be able to manage with what he has already. Reggie Wayne and Donnie Avery are better than anything he had a Stanford anyway.

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