Jump to content
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts Fan Forum

Colts' Mnf Miracle


vitoaf27

Recommended Posts

remember it like it was yesterday... watched the whole game and couldn't believe what happened. I even wrote an article on the Colts Greatest Games, and that was one of the one's I mentioned. I even found what I wrote about it:

This game is considered to be one of the greatest games that no one ever saw. The Colts were against the Buccaneers, who were the reigning Super Bowl champs, and had one of the best defences around. On that defence were Simeon Rice, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Ronde Barber, and John Lynch, who are all future hall of famers. In Tampa on Monday Night, the game was huge because it marked the return of Tony Dungy in Tampa (he spent 6 years as a head coach there), and it was a game between the best offense vs. the best defence. Skipping to the end of the first half, the Buccaneers took a 21-0 lead after 2 touchdown passes from Brad Johnson (1 to McCardell, 1 to Barlow) and Keenan McCardell returned a 57 yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Then, the second half came around and finally the Colts put up 7 points on the board, when Manning threw a 37 yard pass to Marvin Harrison. The 3rd quarter was filled with punts and bad drives until the Bucs engineered a 12 play 85 yard drive, which ended in Keenan McCardell catching a 15 yard touchdown pass from Brad Johnson. The Colts started the 4rth quarter with an 8 play 75 yard drive, which ended in a Ricky Williams touchdown. But the Bucs scored more points, but this time it was on defence, when Ronde Barber returned a 29 yard pick six. It seemed like the game was over, with 4 minutes left in the game, the Colts came back. The comeback started with a 1 yard touchdown run by James Mungro, then only a minute and 8 seconds later on fourth down, Peyton threw as he described it “One of my better passes in a long time” a 28 yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison. Suddenly, there was a sign of hope. With 35 seconds left in the game, the game which by most people was written off at halftime, took a complete 180, and the score was 35-35. Overtime was needed. The overtime period took long to finish, but it was worth the wait. With 3:47 left in overtime, the Colts were able to get the most accurate kicker in the game (back then) a 39 yard field goal which would give them the improbable win. But what did Vanderjagt do, he missed it, the Bucs got the ball back until referee Johnny Grier threw the penalty flag and said the word “LEAPING.” Leaping is when the player, in this situation Simeon Rice, jumped on his teammate, and used his teammate as support to have a better chance to block the kick. That also meant that the Colts got another chance at the game winning field goal, but this time it was 10 yards shorter (29 yards instead of 39 yards). The kick was going to be wide right, but it seemed like a Buccaneers player tipped the ball and the ball moved more towards the left, and between the uprights. The Colts had comeback to beat the reigning Super Bowl champions in “The Greatest Game that No One Ever Saw.”

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I registered just to post on this thread. Ive been reading for a while, but every time I tried to register on the old boards something stopped me, I think it had something to do with having a gmail or yahoo account

Anyways.... this game was the reason I became a colts fan. I was 19ish at the time, and I never really watched football at the time. I randomly decided to watch the game because I was bored and in the middle of nowhere at the time. The performance and luck of the team at the time floored me. I was hooked instantly. I admit, basing your initial fandom around one game sounds like a surefire bandwagon fan, but over the next few years, I grew attached to every facet of the team, from the players, to the stadiums, to the fans, and the coaching, I love it all and am now and forever a colts fan (not to mention a football fan) simply from the random chance of watching one game. I do admit, I'm a little peeved at Caldwell at times, mainly from that timeout during the jets game last year that caused me to bang my head against a wall, but who am I to judge the owners decision on whos best for the team.

Regardless, this game was awesome, and every time someone mentions some come from behind victory they think is the best of all time, I point at this game and say "Top that".

tldr : This game is awesome, colts rule

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was at this game, my brother-in-law lived in Tampa and I went to the game with him. Still remember him asking if I wanted to leave at halftime. I said I came this far, I'm going to stay and watch the entire game. You should have heard the Tampa fans in the stands as the Colts came back in the 4th quarter. Once in a lifetime game to be at!!!!! Go Colts

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I remember waking up the next morning and turning on the local Philly sports radio station, and vaguely recall them talking about how they couldn't believe the ending of the game, or something to that effect. It took me a bit to realize what they were talking about. I was thrilled, as I hated Tampa at the time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I registered just to post on this thread. Ive been reading for a while, but every time I tried to register on the old boards something stopped me, I think it had something to do with having a gmail or yahoo account

Anyways.... this game was the reason I became a colts fan. I was 19ish at the time, and I never really watched football at the time. I randomly decided to watch the game because I was bored and in the middle of nowhere at the time. The performance and luck of the team at the time floored me. I was hooked instantly. I admit, basing your initial fandom around one game sounds like a surefire bandwagon fan, but over the next few years, I grew attached to every facet of the team, from the players, to the stadiums, to the fans, and the coaching, I love it all and am now and forever a colts fan (not to mention a football fan) simply from the random chance of watching one game. I do admit, I'm a little peeved at Caldwell at times, mainly from that timeout during the jets game last year that caused me to bang my head against a wall, but who am I to judge the owners decision on whos best for the team.

Regardless, this game was awesome, and every time someone mentions some come from behind victory they think is the best of all time, I point at this game and say "Top that".

tldr : This game is awesome, colts rule

I see a lot of your story about how you became a Colts fan parrallels mine somewhat. I didn't become an Eagles fan (or a football fan in general, even though I would watch the Super Bowl) until week 4 of the 1992 season. Going into that week, both the Eagles and Cowboys were 3-0, and were set to play at the Vet on Monday Night. I was a junior in HS at the time, and I remember people making a big deal over the game. I remember one guy in my homeroom class said he had $150 bet on Dallas. So I decided I'd watch to see what the big deal was about. Well, the Eagles beat them handily that night 31-7, and I was so impressed with how they played that I became of fan of the team, and the sport that night.

Oh yeah, the guy who bet the $150 on Dallas was not in school the next day, and the day after that, I heard he moved to Iowa. I never saw him again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I admit, basing your initial fandom around one game sounds like a surefire bandwagon fan, but over the next few years, I grew attached to every facet of the team, from the players, to the stadiums, to the fans, and the coaching, I love it all and am now and forever a colts fan (not to mention a football fan) simply from the random chance of watching one game.

A lot of die-hard fans that stick with a team their entire lives start out as bandwagon fans in some capacity. I think that's fairly normal. I got hooked by that magical 1995 season, and I still cringe when I think of Aaron Bailey letting the ball bounce off his belly in the end zone or the sure-fire pick six that could have sealed the victory.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I see a lot of your story about how you became a Colts fan parrallels mine somewhat. I didn't become an Eagles fan (or a football fan in general, even though I would watch the Super Bowl) until week 4 of the 1992 season. Going into that week, both the Eagles and Cowboys were 3-0, and were set to play at the Vet on Monday Night. I was a junior in HS at the time, and I remember people making a big deal over the game. I remember one guy in my homeroom class said he had $150 bet on Dallas. So I decided I'd watch to see what the big deal was about. Well, the Eagles beat them handily that night 31-7, and I was so impressed with how they played that I became of fan of the team, and the sport that night.

Oh yeah, the guy who bet the $150 on Dallas was not in school the next day, and the day after that, I heard he moved to Iowa. I never saw him again.

lol, kids who bet on games. I remember being 9 and betting 50,000 dollars that I was gonna beat some other kid at our league soccer game. That didnt turn out to well. I was worried that I was gonna be sued for the money. :facepalm:

I do admit I dislike the eagles very much, but I respect their offensive power. Just not a fan of their players, or their fanbase. (exgirlfriend was a fan, guess thatll do it) No disrespect to you of course. Where did you live at the time that made it a big deal at school. or was it just cause it was MNF

Link to comment
Share on other sites

lol, kids who bet on games. I remember being 9 and betting 50,000 dollars that I was gonna beat some other kid at our league soccer game. That didnt turn out to well. I was worried that I was gonna be sued for the money. :facepalm:

I do admit I dislike the eagles very much, but I respect their offensive power. Just not a fan of their players, or their fanbase. (exgirlfriend was a fan, guess thatll do it) No disrespect to you of course. Where did you live at the time that made it a big deal at school. or was it just cause it was MNF

At the time, I was living in South Jersey, about 25 minutes from Philly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just thrilling. What a special game. Hard to think of one that meant more and was more exciting other than the AFC championship game against the Pats.

I also think it was important for the Colts because Peyton's reputation was still in a state of flux (no MVPs, no playoff success), the team's reputation was in a state of flux (enough wins to make the playoffs but not one of the leagues "elite"), and Dungy's reputation was in a state of flux.

Suddenly here come the Super Bowl champs - the team that told Dungy he wasn't good enough, the best defense in the league - and they gave us a good stomping.

When we won that game it became apparent that we could beat anybody and that anything was possible with Manning under center. We've essentially been an elite team ever since.

Until about three weeks ago anyway haha.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went to bed and was awakened by my son going crazy downstairs. I was just about to raise the roof on him when he came running upstairs and told me what had just happened. At first, I didn't believe him. Then, my ex-wife called.(Super Colts fan) She gave me #%$* for not watching till the end. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i took off of work taht day because it was rare to see a colts game on tv. i was kinda watching it and playing counterstrike lol. well the game was getting to be a blowout so i occupied my time then i saw them coming back and turned and watched as they came back and won in overtime. I was so besides myself the next day and had to tell everyone and my co workers lol

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was stationed in Alaska at that time. I had a case of beer riding on that game with another Soldier that was a Bucs fan. I was at his house watching it. With about 5 minutes left in the game I told him I would have his beer for him the next day. My wife and I then walked back to our house, which was only a little bit down the street. I turned the TV on at my house just for the heck of it. By the end of it I was on my knees in front of the TV screeming at it. When we one I immediatly called my friend and said three words, "Alaskan Amber beer". I still get a tingle down my spine every time I hear the word "leaping".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A lot of die-hard fans that stick with a team their entire lives start out as bandwagon fans in some capacity. I think that's fairly normal. I got hooked by that magical 1995 season, and I still cringe when I think of Aaron Bailey letting the ball bounce off his belly in the end zone or the sure-fire pick six that could have sealed the victory.

Good point! I got hooked when a boyfriend at the time would push me into watching the games with him. I am not a sports fan, at all! But I got hooked on the Colts (and NFL football in general now) in 2003. We watched that whole game screaming at the TV. How could you not be a fan after that!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just thrilling. What a special game. Hard to think of one that meant more and was more exciting other than the AFC championship game against the Pats.

I also think it was important for the Colts because Peyton's reputation was still in a state of flux (no MVPs, no playoff success), the team's reputation was in a state of flux (enough wins to make the playoffs but not one of the leagues "elite"), and Dungy's reputation was in a state of flux.

Suddenly here come the Super Bowl champs - the team that told Dungy he wasn't good enough, the best defense in the league - and they gave us a good stomping.

When we won that game it became apparent that we could beat anybody and that anything was possible with Manning under center. We've essentially been an elite team ever since.

Until about three weeks ago anyway haha.

i agree with you. the entire team grew up a little after a game like that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 quote KJ. "so much for the the great Peyton Manning, I mean I know it's not over,....but it's over." HA HA.

I remember him on the sidelines saying "Thats the greatest receiver in the league"? (Speaking of Harrison catching a few 5 yard outs early in the game). lol....and then "IT" happened. Yes Keyshawn, that IS the greatest receiver in the league, watch him stab you to death.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I remember him on the sidelines saying "Thats the greatest receiver in the league"? (Speaking of Harrison catching a few 5 yard outs early in the game). lol....and then "IT" happened. Yes Keyshawn, that IS the greatest receiver in the league, watch him stab you to death.

STAB or shoot.......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Topics

  • Posts

    • I don't necessarily disagree. I do think there's a double standard, though. When it's a positive report about a player we like, it's fine. When it's a negative report about a player we don't like, it's validating. We eat all of that up, all through draft season, no problem. But when it's a negative report about player we like, now the practice is unfair.   It's a shrug for me all the way around, though. If it's a topic I care about, I'll dig and try to get past the surface, and make a determination on how I feel about the substance of the reports.     What do you mean?
    • I mostly agree. I think there might be teams that had him highly graded, but went in a different direction. The first round was wacky. And maybe for some of those teams, it was a coin flip between AD and another player, and maybe the concerns about maturity were the deciding factor.   There are other teams -- like the Colts, IMO -- that generally don't value WR as a first round position, which is not necessarily a reflection of the individual player. Maybe the Colts would have taken one of the top three guys if they were in range, because they're that good, but generally, that's not how the Colts handle the position.    Your other thoughts are definitely valid as well. It's not like he's the perfect physical prospect, he didn't have outstanding college production, some of the advanced stuff doesn't look great, etc. I don't think he's the 11th best WR prospect in this class, there are several players I think he should have gone ahead of. But it's not like he's a top five prospect who dropped to the middle of the second round. The Colts don't see it that way either, otherwise they wouldn't have traded back to #52. Speaking of top five prospects dropping, there were some unsourced rumors about Malik Nabers' character before the draft; he still got drafted where everyone expected him to be drafted.    So yeah, I don't think these reports torpedoed AD's draft stock. Maybe the character concerns played a role, but I don't think these reports are the source of those concerns; I think it's the other way around. 
    • I never had reservations about his comments. I thought he was making a strong point in backing the player, not the pick. I took it as if the only person he wanted to hear it was Mitchell. Back your new player publicly over concerns that clearly led him to fall in the draft. I don't think that's a crazy statement to state either, that Mitchell undoubtedly fell because of the reports. I'm pretty confident he goes higher, if not first round, without that report/commentary.      He might have even liked Mitchell, and strategically put it out there to get a great value pick... Here's a crazy thought, it could have even been a Colts scout, or connection to one. 🙃
    • I agree here. There were legit football reasons for teams to not be in love with Mitchell based on his play and some of his indicators that a lot of people seem to value were not great.  I don't know how to parse what Destin is selling here. I'm not sure you can be certain those reports changed anything in team's evaluation of Mitchell. He's presenting anecdotal evidence that teams starting asking more about his diabetes after those reports. Again... not sure if this is factual or it just was more noticeable after those reports? Who knows...      Let me summarize my view in short -  I don't think the reports are made up. Someone told McGinn those things. There might be some truth to it. To me it looks very one sided. My whole contention here has been about that. Do you just print anything and everything someone tells you without asking for comment from your subject?   Just go and read the whole thing again,,, the diabetes part, the uncoachable, immaturity part, the combine part(this one we can actually see with our own eyes and I can absolutely tell you the characterization of what happened is preposterous). If a scout under me really had those opinions about what transpired in those drills, I personally would question every single thing he's telling me.     On the other examples of rumors/reports about other players(Caleb, Levis, Stroud) - absolutely, if you are going to disparage the character of any of those players the very least you must do is ask them for a comment. The fact that this practice of just throwing rocks and hiding hands and not even giving the opportunity of the target to respond, is prevalent in today's draft media, doesn't make it right.   Also, I still want to underline something here... there is obvious conflict of interest here that I still haven't seen anyone address.     
    • I understand where you're coming from. It's not my intention to call out everyone who doesn't like how the AD stuff was handled. It just seems like typical draft season stuff to me, which everyone peddles in every year, but now that it's a highly drafted Colts pick, we're raising the standard.    Wasn't it 'unnamed sources' who claimed Caleb Williams didn't want to play for the Bears, or wanted ownership equity, etc.? Weren't 'unnamed sources' repeated when questions about Levis' personality started to float around? To me, some stuff is either factual, or it's not -- it's a fact that AD has diabetes. Other stuff is opinion/projection -- rude, abrasive, immature, uncoachable -- and should be treated as such.    The AD stuff was a mix of both. He has diabetes, the claim is that it has affected his ability to practice. Either that's true or it's not. I don't find it hard to believe, since AD definitely has diabetes, and that kind of stuff is typical of a young person with that condition. Someone else might view it differently, but we're never going to get anyone to corroborate that stuff on the record. One of the scouts said he has bad character reports from Georgia and Texas, which isn't going to be validated by anyone in the know, but it's hard to imagine someone just making that up. And that scout -- who I think was the harshest -- also said that when AD's blood sugar is right, he's great. So to me, he offered a reasonable explanation, and I don't think he came across as someone who dislikes AD or would have him as a character red flag. I think there was nuance that doesn't get fully considered when this stuff gets repeated.   Even maturity is a spectrum, not a black and white consideration. A person -- especially at a young age -- might be incredibly responsible in one area of their life, while still figuring things out in another area. One person might see something as immature, and another has no problem with it. So a source gave an opinion, and I think it should be treated like one person's opinion, and not a rubber-stamped designation that the monolithic scouting community has agreed upon.   And I don't think that Bob McGinn's collection of quotes from unnamed sources impacts how teams handle their draft board. I think McGinn is getting this stuff from people who work for teams; the teams already have the info. So I don't see the quotes as affecting AD's draft stock. It would have been balanced to offer some counter quotes, if those were available, but I don't think the quotes are as negative as they seem from the headlines.    My only reservations about Ballard's presser is that it seemed like an "outburst," but knowing that he kind of did the same thing last year, I think it was sincere, and he did it for the right reasons. Without that background, he might have come across as being petty and unprofessional, but context is important.   Short version: I don't think the reports are made up, I think there's probably some truth to them. And I assume the Colts did their homework, because that's how they operate. So if they're comfortable with AD Mitchell and have a plan to help him succeed, I have no concerns about it. 
  • Members

×
×
  • Create New...