Colts Are Significantly Better This Year Than Last Year

[hockey878]

The Run D is unbelievably better. The run blocking has improved. The only thing missing is peyton. Through 2.5 games the colts are rushing for more yards per carry than their opponent. That has NOT happened since before peyton was drafted.

Really makes you wonder. This team could be big time contenders in 2013.

[jhcutt]

It's so sad knowing whenever we get in the red zone, we know we're only going to get a field goal out of it.

[AlanNC]

If only we had a QB.

[Toe Toed Sloth]

Addai is looking great and is getting some really good blocks inside. He is cutting with a decisive and explosive nature. It's awesome to see. Our run D looks great for a change. Maybe the Steelers are just bad? lol. I feel terrible for Reggie Wayne though. The guy has been open on almost every play, yet Collins can't get him the ball. Sad.

[GoGoColts]

The Run D is unbelievably better. The run blocking has improved. The only thing missing is peyton. Through 2.5 games the colts are rushing for more yards per carry than their opponent. That has NOT happened since before peyton was drafted.

Really makes you wonder. This team could be big time contenders in 2013.

I think that you are right. The team is better is some ways. Still overall, the team is pretty bad as a result of poor drafting and disinterest in fixing key positions so people are upset. Without Peyton, the flaws are obvious.

Also, letting lilja and Scott both go is probably what ultimately got Peyton Hurt. They are probably two of the better zone-blocking guards in the league.

[hockey878]

Thats whats making this season so frustrating. We are much better than last year, and IMO the year we went to the SB. We are just missing a QB. Badly. But, maybe we get a high pick. Grab 2-3 major contributors in the draft and then be dominant in 2013 when peyton returns.

This team could get loaded. Add a WR to replace Mr. Drop Garcon. Add a DB and OL/DL. Peyton could definitely win another superbowl or 2 before he retires.

[chad72]

I think we can do without Garcon and Gonzo, if we draft right next year. Good hands trumps pure speed with drops, when it is all said and done. Blair White and Collie have the hands, just need the outside wideout that can catch more than drop.

However, our secondary needs A LOT of help now that we have to deal with either Rodgers or Brees or even Vick possibly from the NFC. Brady and Rivers are no slouches either. WR and CB help in the draft is what I am thinking early.

[hockey878]

I think we can do without Garcon and Gonzo, if we draft right next year. Good hands trumps pure speed with drops, when it is all said and done. Blair White and Collie have the hands, just need the outside wideout that can catch more than drop.

Agree, white and collie are good slot guys. Collie being a great slot guy. We need to get another outside WR, one that can eventually replace wayne and be number 2 for now.

Im so excited about the near future of this team. Adding Anderson has helped the run D, and I really like angerer at MLB.

[Steagles]

Things are looking better, now we just need Peyton!

[hockey878]

However, our secondary needs A LOT of help now that we have to deal with either Rodgers or Brees or even Vick possibly from the NFC. Brady and Rivers are no slouches either. WR and CB help in the draft is what I am thinking early.

I totally agree, hopefully we can trade down in the draft and stockpile a few picks. Picking at the top of the draft helps SO much, our 2nd round pick we could get is basically the same quality range as a normal 1st round pick for us. That is a HUGE difference.

[Steagles]

I totally agree, hopefully we can trade down in the draft and stockpile a few picks. Picking at the top of the draft helps SO much, our 2nd round pick we could get is basically the same quality range as a normal 1st round pick for us. That is a HUGE difference.

Maybe by stockpiling picks we can grab 2 or 3 off of my wishlist \/

[CCH]

In the unlikely possibility that Peyton can return later in the season, and we're still in the thick of things we could be a competitor this year. One can dream, right?

[Phil J]

the D has to be going CRAZY on the sidelines with all these stalled drives and field goals. they are playing out of their minds right now, and the passing O is playing like hot garbage.

[Andy]

You're right. The run D is fantastic, the run offense is good, the pass protection is okay, everything is better than last year, but we're missing our star. If we had PM, we would definitely be 2-1 and maybe even 3-0. It's a darn shame.

[The Fish]

Red Zone offense is non existent, we'd be 2-1 with it. In reality, we probably need to let painter play, he can throw down the field. Nice effort on D, those performances result in big win's for us usually. They need to keep this up.

[mahagga73]

They need to get a CB or 2 with some semblance of man to man cover skills and they will be set.

[a06cc]

We're Superbowl bound! I honestly think so, for the simple fact of faith. We're starting to get better and better as the year goes on. Beyond what many would think. Having Peyton around helped. Drake "Widowmaker" Nevis should've been a 1st round pick imo.

[tman]

You're right. The run D is fantastic, the run offense is good, the pass protection is okay, everything is better than last year, but we're missing our star. If we had PM, we would definitely be 2-1 and maybe even 3-0. It's a darn shame.

You have got to be kidding! The Colts total defense is rated 19th in the league and the run defense is rated 22nd! The special teams are non-existent and Mc Afee forgot how to punt.Don't get me wrong the Colts D played a great game last night but one game does not make a season.

[Xfiles]

The Run D is unbelievably better. The run blocking has improved. The only thing missing is peyton. Through 2.5 games the colts are rushing for more yards per carry than their opponent. That has NOT happened since before peyton was drafted.

Really makes you wonder. This team could be big time contenders in 2013.

I agree, making strides toward better Dline and run stuffing. The Kickoff rules are helping our pourous ST a ton, so I hope that rule stays as well, but if Peyton was healthy we would be 2-1 right now, and we have to keep in perspective that if we continue to lose a very high draft pick is coming.

[Balzer40]

Some Colts fans are so reactionary its comical. Last couple of weeks we were "the worst team in the league" and "wouldn't be winning even if Manning was playing", but now all of a sudden were great in every single aspect of the game. The Colts done a great job last night, theres no doubt and if they can put a few games like that in a row then we will definitely be improving. It was 1 game and we'll see if they can play with consistancy, but to proclaim them being so much better than last yr. after 1 good game is jumping the gun just a little bit.

[Xfiles]

Some Colts fans are so reactionary its comical. Last couple of weeks we were "the worst team in the league" and "wouldn't be winning even if Manning was playing", but now all of a sudden were great in every single aspect of the game. The Colts done a great job last night, theres no doubt and if they can put a few games like that in a row then we will definitely be improving. It was 1 game and we'll see if they can play with consistancy, but to proclaim them being so much better than last yr. after 1 good game is jumping the gun just a little bit.

You are over reacting. No one in this thread said we are great in every aspect of the game. Let us fans look for the bright spots and enjoy the season in the way we see fit.

[LBandant21]

You are over reacting. No one in this thread said we are great in every aspect of the game. Let us fans look for the bright spots and enjoy the season in the way we see fit.

There were definite bright spots in the game for the Colts last night (the defense, as you said), but in the end, all that matters is the W-L column. And unfortunately, we're 0-3. If we can't score in the red zone when the Defense is handing the offense field position on a silver platter, its gonna be a long rest of the season.

[Xfiles]

There were definite bright spots in the game for the Colts last night (the defense, as you said), but in the end, all that matters is the W-L column. And unfortunately, we're 0-3. If we can't score in the red zone when the Defense is handing the offense field position on a silver platter, its gonna be a long rest of the season.

That is true. I actually believe our Red zone efficiency will get much better if Painter plays(quicker release) and as Delone Carter gets more comfortable. Joe looks good, I do need to see a heck of a lot more from Dallas clark though. He has been our Zone beater and Red zone specialist, and he looks absolutley lost right now.

[doogansquest]

You are right, Balzer. People thought Collins would give us a chance, and proclaimed Painter a waste of a roster spot. Then they were screaming for him last night, and acting as if he did something great out there.

Did he lead a touchdown drive? Sure. But he also gave the Steelers their only defensive touchdown on the season, missed on a throw that 31 other back up QB's would have completed for a touchdown, and bounced an easy first down three feet short. The latter of which people swore was on Garcon, but that's a ridiculous statement seeing as how it was an out route, and diving low to get it would have put Garcon short of the sticks anyway.

We did some good things out there on defense. I ask for the fans the carefully consider whether that was our improved front seven, or the Pittsburgh offensive line using guys off the street? I do believe in Nevis and Anderson, and Angerer is piling up tackles.

We did manage to surrender over 350 yards to the fattest QB in history, however.

[Xfiles]

You are right, Balzer. People thought Collins would give us a chance, and proclaimed Painter a waste of a roster spot. Then they were screaming for him last night, and acting as if he did something great out there.

Did he lead a touchdown drive? Sure. But he also gave the Steelers their only defensive touchdown on the season, missed on a throw that 31 other back up QB's would have completed for a touchdown, and bounced an easy first down three feet short. The latter of which people swore was on Garcon, but that's a ridiculous statement seeing as how it was an out route, and diving low to get it would have put Garcon short of the sticks anyway.

The fumble was not his fault, Costanzo got burned in a second. As far as missing Garcon, he did, but wasnt that his first pass in live action all year?

[Balzer40]

You are over reacting. No one in this thread said we are great in every aspect of the game. Let us fans look for the bright spots and enjoy the season in the way we see fit.

Not over reacting. This thread is over reacting. Im all for building off the positives from last night, but to jump to were better than last yr. after the first 2 horrible games and everybody talking about how terrible we were, to all of a sudden being so much better than last yr. after 1 game is reactionary. If we came out and stunk it up next week, we will right back to being the worst team in the league. All im saying is we can't jump from terrible to so much better than last yr. because of one good performance.

[Xfiles]

Not over reacting. This thread is over reacting. Im all for building off the positives from last night, but to jump to were better than last yr. after the first 2 horrible games and everybody talking about how terrible we were, to all of a sudden being so much better than last yr. after 1 game is reactionary. If we came out and stunk it up next week, we will right back to being the worst team in the league. All im saying is we can't jump from terrible to so much better than last yr. because of one good performance.

I think the OP meant certain aspects look better. We are only three games in but we have gotten better each week progressively, especially on defense. Might mean nothing, but its at least encouraging to me.

[Balzer40]

You are right, Balzer. People thought Collins would give us a chance, and proclaimed Painter a waste of a roster spot. Then they were screaming for him last night, and acting as if he did something great out there.

Did he lead a touchdown drive? Sure. But he also gave the Steelers their only defensive touchdown on the season, missed on a throw that 31 other back up QB's would have completed for a touchdown, and bounced an easy first down three feet short. The latter of which people swore was on Garcon, but that's a ridiculous statement seeing as how it was an out route, and diving low to get it would have put Garcon short of the sticks anyway.

We did some good things out there on defense. [b]I ask for the fans the carefully consider whether that was our improved front seven, or the Pittsburgh offensive line using guys off the street? I do believe in Nevis and Anderson, and Angerer is piling up tackles.

We did manage to surrender over 350 yards to the fattest QB in history, however.

Thats a very good point. I didn't want to be the one to mention it because I know people are trying to find the positives from the game and I'll admit I was impressed with the defense last night, but I have to wonder if the Steelers just aren't very good. They(Steelers) done absolutely nothing impressive last night and their offensive line is terrible. I did see some positives from the game, but im just trying to keep things in perspective.

[Superman]

The Run D is unbelievably better. The run blocking has improved. The only thing missing is peyton. Through 2.5 games the colts are rushing for more yards per carry than their opponent. That has NOT happened since before peyton was drafted.

Really makes you wonder. This team could be big time contenders in 2013.

Hope you mean 2012.

I felt this way after we got wiped off the map by the Texans in Week 1. Despite the score, and how bad we looked on nine or ten plays, I thought we had a much improved defensive front. Against the Browns, I thought the biggest issue with the defense was the soft coverage of the secondary. Last night, it all seemed to come together up front, and if you take away a couple of big pass plays, the Steelers don't rack up all that yardage. You take away the defensive touchdown, and they scored one touchdown and three field goals.

Then, our offensive line, which still has lots of room for improvement, is playing so much better than last year in the run game. And with two first year starters on the blind side, they've still done a good job protecting the quarterback. We're not getting four or five seconds to throw the ball (did you see Brady's game-tying touchdown pass yesterday? He literally had all day long. He wrote a sonnet while he was waiting for a receiver to come open), but you don't need that to be effective. You need a quarterback to make decisions and get rid of it.

We have two issues right now. Special teams coverage (which is plain awful), and our quarterbacking. I don't know what we intend to do about special teams, but with even a decent quarterback, I believe we're at least 2-1 right now. And that's a testament to the play of our other guys all over the field. We could lose every game this year, but if we keep showing the type of improvement we've seen through three games, I will enjoy watching this team play.

[Superman]

Thats a very good point. I didn't want to be the one to mention it because I know people are trying to find the positives from the game and I'll admit I was impressed with the defense last night, but I have to wonder if the Steelers just aren't very good. They(Steelers) done absolutely nothing impressive last night and their offensive line is terrible. I did see some positives from the game, but im just trying to keep things in perspective.

Their offensive line has been questionable for four years now. And it was probably rock bottom last night. Still, the linebackers were very active and hitting hard, and the defensive line has been playing well in all three games this year. I don't think we're going to hold teams to 67 yards a game, but we're 8th in the league at 3.3 yards per carry. Before last night, that was 3.64. So yeah, the Steelers offensive line is a mess, but that game wasn't an aberration. We've been good against the run all year. Not in total yardage, because the defense has been on the field playing from behind all season long.

[Portage Coltfans]

You are right, Balzer. People thought Collins would give us a chance, and proclaimed Painter a waste of a roster spot. Then they were screaming for him last night, and acting as if he did something great out there.

Did he lead a touchdown drive? Sure. But he also gave the Steelers their only defensive touchdown on the season, missed on a throw that 31 other back up QB's would have completed for a touchdown, and bounced an easy first down three feet short. The latter of which people swore was on Garcon, but that's a ridiculous statement seeing as how it was an out route, and diving low to get it would have put Garcon short of the sticks anyway.

We did some good things out there on defense. I ask for the fans the carefully consider whether that was our improved front seven, or the Pittsburgh offensive line using guys off the street? I do believe in Nevis and Anderson, and Angerer is piling up tackles.

We did manage to surrender over 350 yards to the fattest QB in history, however.

you are wrong, the fatty award goes to Jared Lorenzen I believe. I have to admit, that I liked watching highlights of Lorenzen at KY, it was always funny for some reason.

[gspdx]

I think we need to look at things a little differently. Tis is not a team right now that is going to compete for a championship. There are big changes on the o-line,the d-line,and changes in the secondary. Plus we don't have Peyton. So this is a team that is trying to figure out who they are are what they are capable of. The young guys are going to make mistakes and the team will probably look inconsistent.

But this is also a team that can gel and improve as the year goes on. I was frustrated last night,but really enjoyed watching the game. Both the O-line and the D-line were pretty solid. I don't expect it will be the same every week, but they are learning and growing and hopefully gaining confidence.

The 2 areas that I think need major improvement as I see it are 3rd down on both sides of the ball. If we had Peyton that would be fixed on offense and I think this would be a pretty potent squad. On defense the secondary must be improved. Too many times on 3rd and long the Colts were in a zone and Ben just found wide open guys. That must change in my opinion.

If we had Peyton last night I don't even think this game is close. 30-13.

[pizza guy]

Last night's game was incredible. But, it is just one game. And, we lost. So let's not go too crazy with it.

What we can take from it is this: there is some talent on this team, and a lot of heart. After the first two games, I began to wonder if they had the motivation to play hard enough to compete. Last night showed me that these guys won't quit. I'm as proud of the Colts today as I was after they won the Super Bowl. No joke. They played their hearts out last night.

We can also take from it that some of the things Polian (and maybe even Caldwell) is doing may actually be working. The O-line looked great for almost the entire game, and has been improving steadily this season. The Run D was unbelievable. I was speechless watching the Run D.

Now, we just have to hope that Painter is capable of making the throws, and that the rest of the team can play with last night's energy every week. That's a lot to ask, but it's the only way we're going to win anything this year.

[Jason_]

I totally agree, hopefully we can trade down in the draft and stockpile a few picks. Picking at the top of the draft helps SO much, our 2nd round pick we could get is basically the same quality range as a normal 1st round pick for us. That is a HUGE difference.

Definitely agree and so glad to see another of the same mind. There are a few of us but we are a small group. lol

You have got to be kidding! The Colts total defense is rated 19th in the league and the run defense is rated 22nd! The special teams are non-existent and Mc Afee forgot how to punt.Don't get me wrong the Colts D played a great game last night but one game does not make a season.

The Colts D overall is due in large part to horribly pass coverage....no one said our secondary was great and most agree that CB needs to be seriously addressed in the draft or FA. The run defense is a little misleading if you only look at overall yardage. In the games against Houston and Cleveland, they were only able to reach 100 yards because they ran the ball so many times....they ran the ball so many times because our offense kept going 3 and out and giving the ball right back to the other team. See more below.

There were definite bright spots in the game for the Colts last night (the defense, as you said), but in the end, all that matters is the W-L column. And unfortunately, we're 0-3. If we can't score in the red zone when the Defense is handing the offense field position on a silver platter, its gonna be a long rest of the season.

I'm pretty sure everyone has already come to terms with the rest of the season being a long one. That's why the majority of the talk in this thread has been about how much better the team will be, with all the improvements we're seeing, plus getting Peyton back and having higher draft picks than normal to address areas of critical need. ;)

Some Colts fans are so reactionary its comical. Last couple of weeks we were "the worst team in the league" and "wouldn't be winning even if Manning was playing", but now all of a sudden were great in every single aspect of the game. The Colts done a great job last night, theres no doubt and if they can put a few games like that in a row then we will definitely be improving. It was 1 game and we'll see if they can play with consistancy, but to proclaim them being so much better than last yr. after 1 good game is jumping the gun just a little bit.

I'm not going to bother going into the pass defense because I think we all unanimously agree we need help in the secondary. As for the run D, however, consider the following:

Houston vs. our run D:

41 carries for 167 yards, 4.1 yards per carry

Cleveland vs. our run D:

34 carries for 106 yards, 3.1 yards per carry

Pittsburgh vs. our run D:

28 carries for 67 yards, 2.4 yards per carry

Also, overall the Indy defense is ranked #8 in yards per carry average allowed with 3.3 so far through the season. Yes, they are also currently ranked #22 in total rushing yards allowed, but that number is directly related to the 34 carries the other team is averaging per game. That number is continually coming down, and as it does so will the overall yardage allowed.

So it's not just one game, it's been consistent improvement in every game. Also directly related to the above is that our offense gradually (yes, very gradually) began to start moving the ball a little bit more each from game to game and that's why the number of carries by each team has been coming down.

[coltfily]

Big Improvement Colts! Despite the loss we definitely looked better. The Defense deserves a B. If we had only stopped the last Pitt drive we would have been a A. The Offense was solid running the ball (wait is this really the Colts), but the passing attack was truly offensive (talk about a role reversal). I know it is hard for me to say this, but let Painter start. The team seams to want to rally around the kid, because he is one of our own. I think the Next Man Up mentality is going to need to apply to him as well. We tried the quick fix with K. Collins, and it didn't work.

Good Luck against the Bucs.....

[Jason_]

Big Improvement Colts! Despite the loss we definitely looked better. The Defense deserves a B. If we had only stopped the last Pitt drive we would have been a A. The Offense was solid running the ball (wait is this really the Colts), but the passing attack was truly offensive (talk about a role reversal). I know it is hard for me to say this, but let Painter start. The team seams to want to rally around the kid, because he is one of our own. I think the Next Man Up mentality is going to need to apply to him as well. We tried the quick fix with K. Collins, and it didn't work.

Good Luck against the Bucs.....

I agree...the entire offense seemed to step it up when Painter came in. I'm beginning to wonder if there was more resentment from the guys about bringing Collins in that most people realized.