Jump to content
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts Fan Forum

HungarianColtsFan

Senior Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    7,607

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by HungarianColtsFan

  1. HungarianColtsFan
    I've been away for a while from my blog as have been busy to start "new era2 at home. As major operations around the house are over I can pay more time to forum and my blog too.
    However summer Olympic Games in London ruling the sports life nowadays, preseason has already started in NFL which means end of football-fast for the fans.
    By signing Andrew Luck (and all other rookies) new era has officially begun at Colts. Ship is loaded with sailors, pilot, first mates,captain, commander, and sets sail to a new horizon. The ship has stormy seas ahead full with reefs and sharks.
    This gonna be interesting season for the Colts, as it is a test flight, from many aspects:
    New coaching staff
    Rookie QB
    Loads of new players on the roster
    Loads of rookies on the roster
    New philosophy on O and D
    New "Monster" style

    Coaching staff is totally new, however coordinators and coaches are experienced and proven experts. Head Coach Chuck Pagano is also a rookie as HC, but he has tons of NFL experience...sure as a Defensive Coordinator, but he is from the first line of commander chain of coaching, and he was 2.Coach at Ravens, so he may have some idea about head-coaching. Still, he is rookie on this post, and surely there are lots of stuff to learn about being a HC. He is in better position than Caldwell was in my opinion, as Caldwell was handed over a winning team, that could march into SB by itself, that situation didn't allow him to learn much. Pagano has a "dark blue horse" team, with many flaws, so he can learn fine tuning, timing, and how to intervene game if needed. He may grow up as HC with the team.
    Andrew Luck was the #1 pick int this draft, and during TC he proved being as good as advertised before. According to reports and fans narratives from TC, he is already in command of O-line, acts like a 3-4 year veteran QB, and shows many similarities with..."some QB I used to know" (Peyton Manning of course). According to others he is frustrated when playing 11 again 11, whatever it means. According to Pagano, he is able to change plays when calling according to defensive formation, so he is flexible, that is more than needed. Still, he is gonna playing pro-football, in the NFL, so he will have a hard start I recon. High expectations and comparison to PM puts great load on this young man, I hope he can put it down at the sidelines and carry only the ball to the field. One is for sure: Luck has swarms of targets on the field, what allows him large number of permutation of play calls (if they can run routes out of cover), which may be unpredictable for opposing Ds. Main thing in his rookie year to learn to step up to the pocket, and the O line shall give him shelter to pass.
    After last infamous (let1s forget it) season, holes on the roster were filled in with new players, at last mediocre, or sometimes better players, New FO put lots of pounds in the middle, and tried to sing and draft weapons for Luck. Our salary cap is under of burden of history high 38 M$ dead-cap, so I must say under given circumstances FO reinforced the team, at least first lines. In my opinion spine of our roster will take its shape over the next 2-3 season.
    With new FO and coaching staff, new philosophy arrived to Indianapolis. According to experiences and expectations Pagano implicates a 3-4 hybrid D-system instead of old Tampa 2 "cover nobody, but your head". We shall stop here for a while. Tampa2 isn't a bad system if implicated well, many team applies it successfully. Pagano is a Master of 3-4 (besides Colts' fans are fed up with old and not-functioning D-system), so he's switching to his system, which was operating well, and hopefully he transplants his system here successfully. Question here is, if D-players are good enough to maintain a close to medicore or at least "better than last season" Defense?
    New philosophy involves bigger emphasis on Special Team play, hopefully we will experience longer returns, not to mention punt-returned TD, what we haven't experienced over last 2 seasons...
    Offensively, Colts will remain a pass-heavy team, however I believe running the ball will have more role than over recent years.
    "Build the Monster" is the new catchword, according to this monster-sized players were signed. But will the transition from a soft team to an aggressive, attacking from every angle playing style with Godzillas in the middle swift? We will see.
    In "kurz und gut" to recap this whole text:
    Colts are facing a long, bumping and winding road that leads to an other decade of greatness. every conditions are given, time is the only question.
    This time will demand great patience from us, fans. To overcome such Armageddon is never easy, and we have to respect the team to take this daring step toward the future.
    I don't think that number of wins matters this season...in my opinion only learning, chemistry and gained experience matters. If we will have only 3 wins, but an operating team at the end of the season, I will happy.
    I won't hide it: I'm very anxious and concerned about the team, and especially about Luck this season. Not because I think they are bad, because I think they are talented...I hope we won't waste this talent in no ways.
    Preseason has already started, both RGIII and PM has played their first downs. Manning played too little according to my liking, seems like Broncos don't risk him and his health before regular season.
    For the first preseason game:
    GO COLTS!!!
  2. HungarianColtsFan
    Weather turned rather stormy here, as offseason reached its low. With no major news, event or whatever fans are turning inactive. Just 2 more weeks, and Andy Luck comes home to Indy, and Monster starts to roar at full volume.
    Some "football experts" here in Hungary thinks Satele isn't smart enough for a center. Pffff... Come on! He had a good season at Oakland, and seems to have all of a C's vit. That guy (who claims Satele not smart enough) is a GB fun, so I shouldn't expect too much. Expectation here shows a 6-10 season for Colts that would be a very desirable performance, IMO. My biggest problem, that there are no Colts fans here...at least I don't know any...
    FO started to boost up D to as acquiring CB Cassius Vaughn and LB Jerry J Brown. Mathis and Freeney were moved OLB. Coaching staff put some extra pounds in the middle with Winston Justice. Our predicted O-line keeps looking better, and maybe Monster will have two arms. Now he has to put some muscles on those arms during camps.
    Addai is moving to New England (perhps he likes chowder), Dallas Clarke to Tampa Bay. I' wishing the best for both, they are classy guys, who used to help the team a lot.
    Weather was rather stormy here over last few days with several storm cells causing severe raining.
    Post's title "Blue suede horseshoe" was inspired by Elvis Presley, and is intended to express our team's quality and novelty.
    [media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3gSjqaJCDc
    Have a nice weekend ColtsFans!
  3. HungarianColtsFan
    This gonna be an exceptional entry, as today's subject isn't the Colts, or not entirely.
    Miami Dolphins won SB with an extraordinary, outstanding, 100% performance in 1973. That was the only time, when an NFL team won an SB with a "faultless" season. And I think, this record gonna be untouched for good, if there will ever be an other team being able to repeat this record.
    In 2009, Colts was at 14-0, when Caldwell's decided to rest his starters. Many Colts' fan thought he let slip a 19-0 season.Thats very unlikely...considering last seasons teams with the best regular season stats weren't able to win SB, just think of Pats in 2008 and 2011.
    I think, DOlphins' record may be untouched, as football have changed a lot over the past 40 years, and imposes such physical and psychical load on players that makes almost impossible to show up top form in 19 games, and possibility of injuries is also high, so an NFL team chasing after perfect season is judged to lose. I see only a little chance for an NFL team having such strong roster that may keep up until the SB, where starters may play in top form.
    So very likely, we won't hear 1973 Dolphins players' cry, and they can have their champaign every season.
    This weekend rookie minicamp is on, and perhaps our roster has players, those will deliver next perfect season in NFL history. A. Luck is able to lead this team to victory, however I wouldn't put my expectations high. I would be really happy if we can see at the end of the season, that chemistry is working, players can apply O- and D-play schemes, regardless to how many wins will we have.
    I think this roster is underrated, and has more talents, than any analyst may think.
    This entry's title is inspired by an other great song:

    Have a nice weekend Coltsland!
    Stephen
  4. HungarianColtsFan
    First Draft of the new era is over, and with newly drafted players and new FAs, an almost whole picture of the Monster can be seen.
    With no surprise Colts picked Andrew Luck of Stanford with 1/1 pick, only picks of later rounds caused some excitement. With the remaining 9 picks the teem took 7 more offensive players and only two men to defense.However this season's draft seems quite ok as meeting almost all of the Colts' needs.
    The question is again: is our D-line enough or O will have to overscore the opponents again?
    Though draft was dominated by offensive players (I mean among players we drafted) or D-line doesn't look so bad with Mathis, Freeney, Bethea, Zbikowski. A decent CB is still a need at the team, but the new 3-4 defensive philosophy combined with Pagano's defensive mastery our D will be an average D in the League this season (I intently don't say "better than last season", as it wouldn't be a difficult task).
    On the other hand, FO built a fortification around our rookie QB, and provided him targets, that would suggest, the team's gonna be offense heavy next year. If our offense would be more balanced between rushing and passing, I cannot say yet, but I smell more rush games when it comes to 3rd conversions or if the offense was in the red zone.
    Anyhow I would see our D-line equipped with more decent players for being able to resist both rushing and passing games. In that meaning, Offensive arm of the Monster seems to be stronger than defensive arm.
    I wouldn't grade draft yet, as new players can prove themselves earliest in the pre-season, however I think this offseason (both free agency and draft) was more successful than in recent years.
    Lets's cross the fingers and wait for the season!
    GO COLTS!!!!
  5. HungarianColtsFan
    Fans were waiting him as much as Santa at Christmas, and now it is officially confirmed: Stanford's Andrew Luck will be picked by Colts with the #1 pick. Now Grigson and Pagano has to equip him with "armor of Gods" in other words: he must be surrounded with talents in offensive line and provide him (future) potent WRs as targets.
    FO has now 9 picks to fill in holes, after Free Agency, Colts are expected to spend their picks on offensive players. I cannot see Grigson's and Pagano's cards, but I continue believing that they have a plan, and they are about drafting according to this plan. Both Grigson and Pagano seemed confident in recent days, and it was good to hear that players are hungry, enthusiastic and ready to fight even tomorrow. Motivation won't be a problem this season, I hope players have their trust in the new coaching staff, and last season really was just an "aberration". There is still a big question mark: who will be the backup QB, Drew Stanton will be sufficient as backup? We will see.
    "Thank You Dallas!"- Colts and Dallas Clark parted ways, and Dallas received this banner, I think he has deserved it. I'm anxious about his future, because there was some rumor earlier that his wrist-problems would end his career. I hope, not.
    So, be welcome Andy! I hope you will enjoy playing in blue! And I also hope, You will receive trust and patience from fans during Your rookie season.
    Regrads:
    Stephen
  6. HungarianColtsFan
    With getting rid of old coaching staff and GM, hiring new GM and HC clearly a new attitude came to Indy. Polian's "never change the winning team" philosophy is likely gone. At least I hope, new FO will be able to make any needed change even if the team is successful.
    In my opinion, last disastrous season is partly result of "lazy" free agent signings, unchanged tactics (Manning centered O and soft D), and unchanged special team. Obviously, persons in charge flattered themselves, that Peyton "One-man-army" Manning will carry the team at least to playoffs. This philosophy worked for a while, however in the 2010 season signs of "dry-rot" could have been spotted, as Colts hardly reached playoffs...and the total collapse came in the 2011 season, that triggered a tsunami washing away everything.
    Irsay may have learnt his lesson, and decided to build up the team once again.
    Grigson and Pagano seemingly worked out a system, and during free agency they were hiring FAs fitting in their system. Next Colts hopefully will work like an engine, and perhaps the driver won't hesitate to change parts or wheels if it is needed.
    How would Pagano's monster (or Coltster?) look like: Aggressive defense, putting pressure on opponents QB, placing stone wall in front of running backs, and a stronger O-line providing a pocket to pass for our QB or opening highway for running backs towards end zone. Some part of this engine/some claws of the monster (choose which You like better) is still missing, but hopefully this and upcoming drafts will fill up holes, and Colts will be contender again.
    I don't think, that this team will be a ready product at the start of the season, but i believe fans will like, what they see, and after 2 more season, in 2014 we may expect an SB-win from this team.
    Always look on the bright side of life!
    Stephen
  7. HungarianColtsFan
    Is our beloved team under pressure? Yes, it is. Shock of Manning's departure is gone, now fans are mocking the next season's result. Would it be 2-14 again, or 8-8, or would Luck win SB as a rookie?
    After the free agency, that turned out to be quite promising under given cap-circumstances, Fans have growing expectations toward the team, and a good Draft will boost expectations even further.
    Last season is a serious burden on the team, as they should make the fans forget it as soon as it is possible. Luck's burden is to reach at least 3 wins (just to prove everyone, that he is at least as good as Manning was). Pagano must prove himself a good HC (not better as Caldwell was, as it isn't a big deal for him, Caldwell was a terrible HC however he is a good QB coach, but this should be an other entry). And the 2012 season, as hole, with team building, free agency, draft, pre-season, regular season is a big exam for Grigson.
    Will the team, and coaching staff be able to bear this burden? I don't know, but I really hope they are mentally strong to do it.
    We fans should pay our patience for this team, cause we cannot expect a miraculous season, with playoff... A 0.5000 season is very acceptable from this team, as the team isn't a ready product yet. The monster will be only a monster cub for this season. The team will be taking shape in the upcoming 2-3 seasons. Only after that may we expect Conference titles or SB.
    I fear, after the first few games, if wont acquire 1-2 wins, voices bashing Irsay, claiming Luck over-hyped, Colts a wacky team, Pagano a lousy HC... That's the pressure the team is under.
    Other thoughts:
    Colts' schedule was released, that is 14th toughest in the NFL, not an easy task for a rookie QB, new HC and new team...however "impossible is nothing". Bye-week comes to soon, and Colts will have only one prime-time appearance, that means they will be broadcasted in Hungary only once again. Bad news for Hungarian fans.
    The title of this entry is stolen from Queen&David Bowie's great song "Under pressure" (that was devastated by Vanilla Ice in "Ice, Ice baby"). I hope won't need to pay copyrights.
    Stephen
  8. HungarianColtsFan
    Yes, I'm talking about Luck.
    Everything is pointing toward drafting Luck with the 1/1 pick...is it??? Irsay is trying to keep us and the media alarmed by covering his cards on his draft choice, stating "evaluation process is open minded". I've tried to gather points why Irsay is to draft Luck:
    He IS the #1 in the draft. Obviously, no doubt... His pro day has proven he is a great talent. Period.
    Colts is a pass oriented team, and he fits in the best into this scheme.
    FA signings suggest me, that coaching staff trying to set up an O-line that is able to provide our QB a stable pocket to pass. Ideal for Luck.
    Private workout and yesterday's meeting with Luck seemingly convinced Irsay to pick him over RGIII.
    RGIII seems to be committed to Redskins.

    It is of course only my argument, and Irsay keeps us hanging on this matter, but I personally wouldn't like re-live an other emotional roller-coaster after Manning's departure. Anyhow, I can understand Irsay too, it seems like to me that he wouldn't like to be emotionally involved in his QB again.
    Fans would like to see Luck signed by Colts prior to Draft. I don't know if this haste was useful, I neither know NFL's rules concerning signing Draftees before draft day (I think teams aren't allowed to do so), but I think Irsay may show signs (or at least hints) who he is intend to draft. (like inviting Luck to meet an estate agent, or something like that).
    EDIT: some addition.
    It is strange and somehow scaring to me, how football history repeats itself... About 14 years ago Colts was given the chance to draft either Manning or Ryan Leaf. Manning was proven to be smart and devoted to football on interview, still some believed Leaf to be a better prospect than Manning. Irsay used the #1 draft pick on Manning, and following thing became history: Manning is considered one of best QBs ever played in the NFL, and Leaf became one of biggest busts...
    It is easy to draw a parallel between history and this draft season. There is Luck, who is considered by "multiple experts" Manning like, and an other great prospect: RGIII. I hope the outcome will be different, and next seasons will be ruled by Luck and RGIII, causing a similar rivalry like Manning/Brady...
    I'm worried about Brent's possible departure. I hope he considers things once more, won't pay attention to those, whose arguments are personal shots, and stays with us. Cheer up Brent! Forum is wanting U back buddy!
    Today is day, when we are bargaining for a house...I'm getting fed up with stubborn sellers over-valuating their estates... I'm starting to think we'd better to build an environmental conscious house for ourself, instead of battling sellers and estate-agent who is committed more to seller than to us.
    Have a nice day fans:
    Stephen
  9. HungarianColtsFan

    Intro

    By HungarianColtsFan,

    I've started my blog, to share my thoughts about being a Colts' fan in a country, where Football has growing popularity and teams have growing Hungarian fan base. However we have a chance to attend 2 games in a weekend, we hardly have a chance to watch our chosen favorites, as editors are trying to give give chance to watch every team at least once in a season.
    Colts' don't have a large fan base here, I really don't understand why...as there is no better team than COLTS!
    Some short info about myself: I'm an environmentalist (actually an environmental engineer) working for (one of) largest Hungarian companies dealing with environmental and water management issues. I have a bride (as some of You may already know), and we are about to marry soon (first we planned it for this June, but failed.... ).
    This entry will be about the perhaps worst day of my Colts Fan Life. It's not tearing up wounds, just a summary of my thoughts and feelings.
    For now my feelings and thoughts have settled about loosing Manning. I have to admit, that parting ways serves the best interests of both parties... Colts have to (re)build team with new FO and players, but cannot do this with Peyton, with his salary cap killing contract and very likely arrival of Luck (I'm not sure if he would tutor Luck or Luck would sit behind him). Besides Peyton shouldn't spend his next 2 years struggling with a rebuilding team, when he can play at his top shape.
    On the other hand...we released Bullitt, Brackett, Addai and Clark...Those were attractive names just three years before, but they were on IR or their performance have been declining last years...some other players who left the Horseshoe, and the team already had holes to fill in. (Re)Building a team was inevitable, that requires free cap space...something we didn't have with Peyton.
    It was hard to take, more harder to admit, that parting ways was the best (and perhaps only) solution for Irsay and Manning. We have to close a chapter, and start a new in Colts Big History Book.
    I'm closing this entry, for I have typed a lot of insanity, I have to work a lot, and I'm still rehabbing. I will try to make new entries about my thoughts if i have time...or any thought at all.
×
×
  • Create New...