0-9 Not All About Manning Injury; Colts Defense Amongst Worse In Nfl History

[Coltsman1788]

Washington Post article on our 0-9 start and our defensive woes.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/indys-0-9-start-not-all-about-injured-qb-manning-colts-defense-among-worst-in-nfl-history/2011/11/09/gIQAWgg45M_story.html

Here are a few disturbing statistics taken from the article:

• Since the league installed a 16-game schedule in 1978, just two teams have allowed more points per game than Indy’s 31.4 average, and one of them was the 0-16 Lions in 2008.
  
• Opponents are converting nearly half of their third downs and holding the ball for a league-high 35 minutes per game.
  
• Indy's run defense ranked 31st.
  
• Colts are surrendering 406.1 yards per game. Just one team since the end of the 1951 season has allowed a higher total — the 1981 Baltimore Colts, who gave up an average of 424.6 yards and finished 2-14..
  
• The Colts have allowed the highest opponent passer rating (112.1) of any team in league history. To put that in perspective, only four full seasons by quarterbacks have netted ratings that high: Peyton Manning in 2004, Tom Brady in 2007, Steve Young in 1994 and Joe Montana in 1989.
  
• Opponents are completing 71 percent of their passes with 20 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions.
  
• Even with Freeney and Mathis, Colts only have 13 sacks through 9 games.
  

With stats like these, there can be no doubt that this team is the overwhelming favorite to be picking first in April. Stats literally show that opposing QB's against the Colts defense are basically playing like the equivalent of 2004 Peyton and 2007 Tom Brady. Let that marinate.

Jim Caldwell's explanation:

“It’s gap consistency, it’s tackling, it’s a lot of different things,” coach Jim Caldwell said.

“We haven’t been able to hold the ball a length of time,” coach Caldwell said. “A number of three-and-outs. We haven’t been able to convert on third downs. That plays into it. Giving the opposition a short field where they don’t have to throw it that much and they can hammer it down your throat. That all plays a part of it as well.

“You look at those numbers and you can’t just simply say it’s a defensive issue. There were a number of different things that put them in bad positions where maybe we couldn’t get the kind of results we’re looking for.”

Geeze sounds like he is really doing a bang up job coaching this team.

[jbaron04]

we suck in ALL 3 PHASES

[Gonzo]

Gap consistency. Drollest coach in NFL history.

[21isSuperman]

Wow, I didn't realize it was that bad. All the more reason to get rid of Coyer. Yeah, the players have been playing poorly (Lacey to name one), but his playcalling has been brutal/

[Coltsman1788]

Wow, I didn't realize it was that bad. All the more reason to get rid of Coyer. Yeah, the players have been playing poorly (Lacey to name one), but his playcalling has been brutal/

Agreed Coyer has got to go this offseason if nobody else does.

[swflacoltsfans]

I don't t think our catch-run defense is working so well. This is where you let the receiver catch the ball and chase him about 40 yards.

[Blue Horseshoe]

Manning is the Colts best defensive player because he sustains drives and keeps the opposing offense off of the field.

This time bomb that is the Colt defense has been quietly ticking for years but Manning has covered it up.

We saw a few glimpses of of it in 2006. The Colt defense is the main reason I think Polian is so overrated.

Edited November 10, 2011 by Blue Horseshoe

[Smitto]

Caldwell is telling the truth to some degree there... the offense hasnt helped the defense at all and the defense hasnt helped the defense either... turning the ball over on offense isnt gonna help the defense or having 3 and outs in your own territory all day is not gonna help the defense.

The colts need help all around but i hope they try to sure up the defense as much as they can.

[The Fish]

The Manning is the best defensive player argument makes plenty of sense.

Those numbers are turrible.

[Coltsfanman1953]

Six inches at a time. :wacko:

[Mark]

Manning is the Colts best defensive player because he sustains drives and keeps the opposing offense off of the field.

This time bomb that is the Colt defense has been quietly ticking for years but Manning has covered it up.

We saw a few glimpses of of it in 2006. The Colt defense is the main reason I think Polian is so overrated.

+1

[BionicDamien]

I don't t think our catch-run defense is working so well. This is where you let the receiver catch the ball and chase him about 40 yards.

This could be a fun game. What would our defense be called in football terminology?

43 cushion 10 MIKE retreat 30? (on 2nd and 3)

[doogansquest]

Right, but a part of the defensive woes are related to Manning's absence. Our offense goes 3-and-out extremely quickly now, thus putting our defense back on the field within less than a minute of game time.

Earlier in the year, the defense was playing well. The injuries, coupled with the inept offense, kept forcing them to take more snaps. At the micro level, it cost us in some close fourth quarters. At the macro level, our defense is just wearing down for the season. You can even see this with teams like Baltimore and Jacksonville. Great defenses, but their offenses can completely miss-fire, thus causing the defense to tire and give up a game-winning drive.

[Flash7]

So What Caldwell is syaing is "Hey it's not just our defense that bad, let's give our offense some recognition as to how bad they are doing too!"

[Coltsfanman1953]

So What Caldwell is syaing is "Hey it's not just our defense that bad, let's give our offense some recognition as to how bad they are doing too!"

Our special teams are the even better ... or I mean worse. Not enough love to go around.

[BlueStallion]

Manning is the Colts best defensive player because he sustains drives and keeps the opposing offense off of the field.

This time bomb that is the Colt defense has been quietly ticking for years but Manning has covered it up.

We saw a few glimpses of of it in 2006. The Colt defense is the main reason I think Polian is so overrated.

Well put.

The team is now paying the price for Bill Polian's dogged strategy of

(1) Focusing most of the early round picks and cap money on offense while stocking the defense with less talented late rounders and undrafted rookies;

(2) Expecting Peyton to build up leads in games and then relying on Freeney-Mathis and other quick but undersized defenders to protect that lead. This works against most teams, but NOT in low-scoring games against elite defenses like Steelers/Ravens/Jets or in shootouts with other high-scoring offenses like the Saints and Patriots;

(3) Building the team almost exclusively through the draft and ignoring the top-tier and even middle-tier free agent talents. This 'draft-only' approach requires hitting on enough successful draft picks (at least half) just to replace the veteran players lost to free-agency, injuries, old age, and retirement, but when the Polians bust on early-round picks for several years in a row, they compound the team's weaknesses and accelerate the drop-off in talent.

Without Peyton playing Superman to cover up the team's many weaknesses, this entire Polian strategy becomes an epic failure. The franchise ends up with what we have now: An inept offense that struggles to get a first-down, much less score any points. A soft defense comprised of underweight D-linemen and undersized linebackers that can't stop anyone's running game. Short and small DBs that cannot outjump or outmuscle taller, stronger receivers in the passing game. As a result, the defense stays on the field way too long and inevitably gets worn down. Persistently awful special-teams squads year after year (largely cobbled together with undrafted scrubs and other teams' rejects) that give up far too many big plays to opponents while consistently putting the Colts offense in poor starting field position.

I think this team needs more than just an upgrade in player talent. It also needs upgrades in coaching talent, game-planning, draft-scouting , and team-bulding strategy. Whether or not these improvements will require drastic changes in the coaching staff and management personnel will ultimately be up to Jim Irsay. He needs to stop being a hands-off owner and step in to light a fire under his front-office that grew complacent riding on Peyton's cape for over a decade.

[GoDeep]

I knew we were bad, just not THAT bad.

[The Fish]

Well put.

The team is now paying the price for Bill Polian's dogged strategy of

(1) Focusing most of the early round picks and cap money on offense while stocking the defense with less talented late rounders and undrafted rookies;

(2) Expecting Peyton to build up leads in games and then relying on Freeney-Mathis and other quick but undersized defenders to protect that lead. This works against most teams, but NOT in low-scoring games against elite defenses like Steelers/Ravens/Jets or in shootouts with other high-scoring offenses like the Saints and Patriots;

(3) Building the team almost exclusively through the draft and ignoring the top-tier and even middle-tier free agent talents. This 'draft-only' approach requires hitting on enough successful draft picks (at least half) just to replace the veteran players lost to free-agency, injuries, old age, and retirement, but when the Polians bust on early-round picks for several years in a row, they compound the team's weaknesses and accelerate the drop-off in talent.

Without Peyton playing Superman to cover up the team's many weaknesses, this entire Polian strategy becomes an epic failure. The franchise ends up with what we have now: An inept offense that struggles to get a first-down, much less score any points. A soft defense comprised of underweight D-linemen and undersized linebackers that can't stop anyone's running game. Short and small DBs that cannot outjump or outmuscle taller, stronger receivers in the passing game. As a result, the defense stays on the field way too long and inevitably gets worn down. Persistently awful special-teams squads year after year (largely cobbled together with undrafted scrubs and other teams' rejects) that give up far too many big plays to opponents while consistently putting the Colts offense in poor starting field position.

I think this team needs more than just an upgrade in player talent. It also needs upgrades in coaching talent, game-planning, draft-scouting , and team-bulding strategy. Whether or not these improvements will require drastic changes in the coaching staff and management personnel will ultimately be up to Jim Irsay. He needs to stop being a hands-off owner and step in to light a fire under his front-office that grew complacent riding on Peyton's cape for over a decade.

Excellent

[doogansquest]

@BlueStallion: Your point #2 is completely false and not supported by the facts. Since our defense became the "ticking time bomb" you alluded to in the Manning era, we have owned the teams you listed. Go ahead and tally up our record against those teams you mentioned. Particularly the last 5-6 seasons when our defense was allegedly at it's worst. 5-2 against the Pats, 5-1 against the Steelers, 2-1 against the Saints, not sure about the Jets, but when was the last time we lost to the Ravens? If it "doesn't work" against those elite tesms, yet the head-to-head is lopsided in our favor...

[Bleedin Blue]

I think the other thing to factor in is morale. Look at it from the players perspective. If you're on defense you know your offense is good for about 24.5 minutes of possession...a full 9 minutes less than the Chargers which lead the AFC in ToP. That means that you're out there on the field almost 3/4's of the game. Not just out there, but usually getting their butt kicked in and there is no end in sight for this season. They have nothing to spark them other than pride.

[Jason_]

Wow, I didn't realize it was that bad. All the more reason to get rid of Coyer. Yeah, the players have been playing poorly (Lacey to name one), but his playcalling has been brutal/

Agreed 200%.

[ponys]

Well put.

The team is now paying the price for Bill Polian's dogged strategy of

(1) Focusing most of the early round picks and cap money on offense while stocking the defense with less talented late rounders and undrafted rookies;

(2) Expecting Peyton to build up leads in games and then relying on Freeney-Mathis and other quick but undersized defenders to protect that lead. This works against most teams, but NOT in low-scoring games against elite defenses like Steelers/Ravens/Jets or in shootouts with other high-scoring offenses like the Saints and Patriots;

(3) Building the team almost exclusively through the draft and ignoring the top-tier and even middle-tier free agent talents. This 'draft-only' approach requires hitting on enough successful draft picks (at least half) just to replace the veteran players lost to free-agency, injuries, old age, and retirement, but when the Polians bust on early-round picks for several years in a row, they compound the team's weaknesses and accelerate the drop-off in talent.

Without Peyton playing Superman to cover up the team's many weaknesses, this entire Polian strategy becomes an epic failure. The franchise ends up with what we have now: An inept offense that struggles to get a first-down, much less score any points. A soft defense comprised of underweight D-linemen and undersized linebackers that can't stop anyone's running game. Short and small DBs that cannot outjump or outmuscle taller, stronger receivers in the passing game. As a result, the defense stays on the field way too long and inevitably gets worn down. Persistently awful special-teams squads year after year (largely cobbled together with undrafted scrubs and other teams' rejects) that give up far too many big plays to opponents while consistently putting the Colts offense in poor starting field position.

I think this team needs more than just an upgrade in player talent. It also needs upgrades in coaching talent, game-planning, draft-scouting , and team-bulding strategy. Whether or not these improvements will require drastic changes in the coaching staff and management personnel will ultimately be up to Jim Irsay. He needs to stop being a hands-off owner and step in to light a fire under his front-office that grew complacent riding on Peyton's cape for over a decade.

Wow I wish "Superman" could have scored more than 17 points in the SuperBowl and not give up a pick for a TD also.

[ponys]

Bad offense

Bad defense

Bad special teams

Equals bad coaching

[BOTT]

Wow I wish "Superman" could have scored more than 17 points in the SuperBowl and not give up a pick for a TD also.

yeah, cause it had nothing to do with field position, lack of possessions, dropped passes, etc....

[Andy]

I'll make this quick and simple, b/c our D is quite straight forward. Our defense is playing badly because our offense is playing horrendously. Our defense is built to play with the lead, something PM does for us: gets us leads. Now, if they offense is not getting the lead, and are digging a big hole for themselves early, how can the defense do anything. the defense relies on the offense and the offense is crap this year.

[buccolts]

Well put.

The team is now paying the price for Bill Polian's dogged strategy of

(1) Focusing most of the early round picks and cap money on offense while stocking the defense with less talented late rounders and undrafted rookies;

(2) Expecting Peyton to build up leads in games and then relying on Freeney-Mathis and other quick but undersized defenders to protect that lead. This works against most teams, but NOT in low-scoring games against elite defenses like Steelers/Ravens/Jets or in shootouts with other high-scoring offenses like the Saints and Patriots;

(3) Building the team almost exclusively through the draft and ignoring the top-tier and even middle-tier free agent talents. This 'draft-only' approach requires hitting on enough successful draft picks (at least half) just to replace the veteran players lost to free-agency, injuries, old age, and retirement, but when the Polians bust on early-round picks for several years in a row, they compound the team's weaknesses and accelerate the drop-off in talent.

Without Peyton playing Superman to cover up the team's many weaknesses, this entire Polian strategy becomes an epic failure. The franchise ends up with what we have now: An inept offense that struggles to get a first-down, much less score any points. A soft defense comprised of underweight D-linemen and undersized linebackers that can't stop anyone's running game. Short and small DBs that cannot outjump or outmuscle taller, stronger receivers in the passing game. As a result, the defense stays on the field way too long and inevitably gets worn down. Persistently awful special-teams squads year after year (largely cobbled together with undrafted scrubs and other teams' rejects) that give up far too many big plays to opponents while consistently putting the Colts offense in poor starting field position.

I think this team needs more than just an upgrade in player talent. It also needs upgrades in coaching talent, game-planning, draft-scouting , and team-bulding strategy. Whether or not these improvements will require drastic changes in the coaching staff and management personnel will ultimately be up to Jim Irsay. He needs to stop being a hands-off owner and step in to light a fire under his front-office that grew complacent riding on Peyton's cape for over a decade.

You can call it 'covering up' if you wish, but I disagree with your premise.

I believe that if we had a decent QB this year, we'd be at least a .500 club.

If we had a good QB we'd be about 10 wins again.

The QB play makes all the difference in success vs. failure with this team more than others.

The whole scheme was built on it.

Even with Manning, when the offense sputtered, the whole team suffered.

I don't think the whole team is as bad as some make it out to be.

However, I am starting to worry about some of our skill position players. Specifically, Wayne and Clark.

I'm worried, that their talent level is diminishing, and may need to be replaced, but I'm also aware that their production is based on the QB play, and I may be fooled right now.

[dn4192]

Well put.

The team is now paying the price for Bill Polian's dogged strategy of

(1) Focusing most of the early round picks and cap money on offense while stocking the defense with less talented late rounders and undrafted rookies;

(2) Expecting Peyton to build up leads in games and then relying on Freeney-Mathis and other quick but undersized defenders to protect that lead. This works against most teams, but NOT in low-scoring games against elite defenses like Steelers/Ravens/Jets or in shootouts with other high-scoring offenses like the Saints and Patriots;

(3) Building the team almost exclusively through the draft and ignoring the top-tier and even middle-tier free agent talents. This 'draft-only' approach requires hitting on enough successful draft picks (at least half) just to replace the veteran players lost to free-agency, injuries, old age, and retirement, but when the Polians bust on early-round picks for several years in a row, they compound the team's weaknesses and accelerate the drop-off in talent.

Without Peyton playing Superman to cover up the team's many weaknesses, this entire Polian strategy becomes an epic failure. The franchise ends up with what we have now: An inept offense that struggles to get a first-down, much less score any points. A soft defense comprised of underweight D-linemen and undersized linebackers that can't stop anyone's running game. Short and small DBs that cannot outjump or outmuscle taller, stronger receivers in the passing game. As a result, the defense stays on the field way too long and inevitably gets worn down. Persistently awful special-teams squads year after year (largely cobbled together with undrafted scrubs and other teams' rejects) that give up far too many big plays to opponents while consistently putting the Colts offense in poor starting field position.

I think this team needs more than just an upgrade in player talent. It also needs upgrades in coaching talent, game-planning, draft-scouting , and team-bulding strategy. Whether or not these improvements will require drastic changes in the coaching staff and management personnel will ultimately be up to Jim Irsay. He needs to stop being a hands-off owner and step in to light a fire under his front-office that grew complacent riding on Peyton's cape for over a decade.

Or we can get Peyton back or replace him with a younger version, make a few changes on D and go back to winning. It worked for us, it's working for the Packers and so why make wholesale changes?

[dn4192]

Is there a way to see so far through 9 games this season how many total plays and time on the field our offense has generated and then compare it with an overall average of the Colt offense over the past say 7-10 years?

[Bionicman]

@BlueStallion: Your point #2 is completely false and not supported by the facts. Since our defense became the "ticking time bomb" you alluded to in the Manning era, we have owned the teams you listed. Go ahead and tally up our record against those teams you mentioned. Particularly the last 5-6 seasons when our defense was allegedly at it's worst. 5-2 against the Pats, 5-1 against the Steelers, 2-1 against the Saints, not sure about the Jets, but when was the last time we lost to the Ravens? If it "doesn't work" against those elite tesms, yet the head-to-head is lopsided in our favor...

Where did you get those numbers? Peyton hasn't played six games against the Steelers in his entire career, so how did the Colts get a 5-1 head-to-head record against them? Also, Peyton has one win against the Brees-Payton Saints (before that, he was 1-2, not that it matters).