Bob Kravitz is spot on.

[dw49]

I don't think there's been a lot of talk about how the Colts were taking control of the AFC. Some fans here and there, sure. Not enough to where a columnist should feel like he has to combat a flawed popular opinion. IMO. It's like someone writing a told you column about how Luck is better than RG3 because of a few people who had some silly things to say back in 2012. For the most part, everyone knew (and knows) that Luck was a better prospect.

 

For the most part, everyone knows that the Pats and Broncos are a step ahead of the Colts. The argument is whether they can be beat on a given day.

 

The Pats could run into a hot Ravens team in the divisional round, a team that has beat them in Foxboro in the playoffs, and played them tough in losses in recent years. We could beat the Broncos in Denver. Then we could host the Ravens in the championship round. The AFC isn't over.

 

 

 

I usually don't listen to talking heads a whole lot but there was a lot of talk about how the Colts had won 6 of 7 and just had a bad game vs Pitt. Seemed to me as much of the media was picking the Colts as they were the Pats. Also the fact that that line opened and Indy -3 and stayed there all week would back up what I'm saying. I do agree that the AFC is not done and there was no doubt who was the #1 prospect in 1998 or 2011.

[Darryl C. Patrick]

I haven't been able to find the tweets, but I know I didn't imagine them. They could have been deleted.

 

And my criticism with Kravitz is that he's being sensational to rile up Colts fans. A measured response would be to say "The Colts haven't beaten any of the AFC's elite, so they can't be called elite." His entire article was a rip job, not only of the Colts staff, but with some digs at Colts fans, as well. Like I said earlier, I don't think very highly of his work, going back for some years.

 

Wells is a whole 'nother story. I don't think he's good at his job, and I don't think he really understands football or the NFL. I don't think he has an agenda, but again, I don't think highly of his work, either.

 

This is all just IMO, not gospel.

 

As for where the Colts stand, let's just say that giving up nearly 100 points combined to the Steelers and Patriots over the span of a month doesn't bode well for us. We got beat in the air by one team, on the ground by another. And our offense has taken some steps backward. We're clearly better than below average or average teams, and I think we'll win pretty consistently against slightly above average teams also, like the Ravens and Bengals. But the very best in the AFC -- Denver and New England, in particular -- are tough for us to beat. I don't know why that's surprising, given how young this iteration of the Colts is, and I certainly don't think it's an indictment of anyone in the organization. It just is what it is. We need to be at our very best to beat the very best. Those teams beat up on each other, as well. 

 

And there's always the uncertainty that the future holds. Any team can lose on any given Sunday. We're not the Raiders. Last year's team wasn't as good as this year's team, and that team beat all the heavyweights, except New England (that includes three of the four conference finalists). So even if we have some roster flaws, and even though we got run over last night, the season isn't over. There may be a cold, mid-January night where this team establishes previously unknown heights for itself, and then all bets are off. 

OK, let me take issue with the last part of that statement. Everything else was logical and evenhandedly done, Nice job. But, what makes you feel this team has a possible cold, mid-January night where they establish previously unknown heights for themselves, IN them? a lot of people don't understand how much this game is mental. This team isn't mentally tough enough to be considered elite yet. Only a great motivation, counseling, and psychological specialist with a knowledge of football can make over this team from a mental standpoint. Think about this fact: No matter WHAT regime is usually intact for the Colts organization, for YEARS, the knock on the Colts is that its a "soft" team. This is football. How can that be?

 

Soft is a perception. And only a mental battle against that perception can give this team a makeover that turns them into this Monster that Chuck talks about. We say glimmers of it against the Bengals, so its in them to do consistently. But, they have to BELIEVE  that they already ARE the monster, not beginning to see it. The COACHES cant tell the team, we're seeing the head of the baby, the BABY/MONSTER is already here, alive and kicking STRONG! The moral of the story, its more mental than most people understand. I used to hang out some with Navy SEALS and Marine Recon guys during my time in the Military and they used to say that kind of thing all the time.  

[ColtsBlueFL]

I said in this context, and that is exactly what those words mean IN THIS CONTEXT.

 

"Contender or Pretender" is an extremely common phrase used in sports. In fact, I believe NFL.com have a video segment with that exact title.

 

Secondly, how can you contend for a Super Bowl championship if you don't reach the Super Bowl?

 

con·tend·er noun \-ˈten-dər\

: a person who tries to win something in a contest;  : a person who has a good chance of winning

 

:  one that contends; especially :  a competitor for a championship or high honor <a heavyweight title contender>

 

All teams  that make the playoffs are the contenders for the Super Bowl.  W - L Record and regular season head to head match ups have nothing to with it at that point. Until you get eliminated in the tournament, you are a contender for a Super Bowl.  Teams right now are contenders for a playoff birth.  All of them are until mathematically eliminated. There is order to the madness.

 

Colts had at least 3 blowout losses last year, to some reams many say were garbage (but I feel all NFL teams are pro level, just some teams are weaker on overall talent level.  Doesn't mean they can play great as a team and beat a better opponent either). Colts still went 11-5, and went to the playoffs to compete for a Super Bowl. Once there, it's the 'hot' and 'healthy' teams that win.  Colts could get hot and healthy at that time as well.  Even with a bad loss or two under the belt.

 

{Edited for clarity}

[ColtStronger]

I think we are a little more than pretenders but certainly not contenders!  We have the talent not the determination to be the best.  It's the difference between men and young adults at this point.  I wont make any excuses, it is certainly put up or shut up time.  Colts haven't beaten any great teams.  CIN and BAL were home games and they're a little better than average.  I don't know this Kravitz guy, and see not many are big fans of his, but he was pretty on point with this article.  This was a statement game, and the only statement the Colts made was they're still too young or not good enough YET!  I hope they are finally sick of losing and will give every game 100%.  I'm not worried that we wont make the playoffs because we will, but to say we even make it to AFCCG is a stretch.  We will have to beat either DEN or NE on the road now, that's a task we couldn't take care of at home!  It's not impossible or out of the question, but this team needs to grow up real quick if they have any hopes of doing that this year...

[CanuckColt]

He tells it like it is...sad but true.

[Slick_Rick]

As for the "pretender" remark, it's just dumb. Six weeks ago, the Pats were a pretender. Brady was going to get benched or traded. The Belichick era was coming to a close. Remember all that stupid stuff? Even good teams have ups and downs. What matters is whether you can win enough games to get into the postseason, and then hopefully you can make enough plays to win some games and have a chance at doing some damage, and maybe you get to the Super Bowl. NFL history is littered with Super Bowl participants who took bad losses during the season. 

[CanuckColt]

Dumb and Dumber are nicknames for Pagano and Pep.

[BOTT]

I think you'd agree that clearly New England saw something on tape that made them think they could be very successful running the ball against us.

 

They ran 6-OL formations on more than 42% of their plays.   They had a plan.   And they likely exceeded their wildest expectations!

 

You can argue that we haven't had a bad night against the run up until last night,  but we've flirted with trouble during the year...   whether it was against Philly, or Baltimore,  or Houston,  or Pittsburgh.     New England saw something on tape that told them they could have success and WOW, were they were right!

 

When you have on your calendar that the New England game is the biggest and most important game of the regular season and the franchise sure seemed to treat it that way and then you come out and lay a spectacular egg,   I don't just chalk it up to having a bad night.

 

I think we got exposed.    Exposed enough that our future opponents are sure going to be playing this video and the Pittsburgh video on an endless loop.

 

I don't think we can argue we're an elite AFC team anymore.    We haven't beaten anyone of substance.    We've beaten teams that could be called good (Cincy and Baltimore)  or fair (Houston there)  or worse (NYG, J'Ville, Tenn)....    we've got little to hang our hat on.

 

We're at the top of the crowd of good teams.   But we're not in the class of New England or Denver or Pittsburgh.    I'm not even sure we're in the group with a much improved KC team.

 

I don't think last night was an off night.    I fear it was much worse.....    and I don't think I'm being a prisoner of the moment.

 

I'm not saying we can't make a deep run in the playoffs.    I just think it's much less likely now....

I know exactly what New England saw in the tape.....last years playoff game lol.

[Superman]

OK, let me take issue with the last part of that statement. Everything else was logical and evenhandedly done, Nice job. But, what makes you feel this team has a possible cold, mid-January night where they establish previously unknown heights for themselves, IN them? a lot of people don't understand how much this game is mental. This team isn't mentally tough enough to be considered elite yet. Only a great motivation, counseling, and psychological specialist with a knowledge of football can make over this team from a mental standpoint. Think about this fact: No matter WHAT regime is usually intact for the Colts organization, for YEARS, the knock on the Colts is that its a "soft" team. This is football. How can that be?

 

Soft is a perception. And only a mental battle against that perception can give this team a makeover that turns them into this Monster that Chuck talks about. We say glimmers of it against the Bengals, so its in them to do consistently. But, they have to BELIEVE  that they already ARE the monster, not beginning to see it. The COACHES cant tell the team, we're seeing the head of the baby, the BABY/MONSTER is already here, alive and kicking STRONG! The moral of the story, its more mental than most people understand. I used to hang out some with Navy SEALS and Marine Recon guys during my time in the Military and they used to say that kind of thing all the time.

 

 

There are a couple playoff games every year that don't go the way anyone expects them to. I'm not telling people to go out and drop money on the Colts winning the Super Bowl, but I don't think the season is over because the team got beat bad in November.

 

As for the whole mental makeup and so on, I'm not worried about all of that. I think this team has shown plenty of heart the past couple of years. We're a couple steps behind the heavyweights in terms of talent and experience, and that's all that matters, IMO.

[peytonmanning18]

At this point in the year I had much more confidence in last year's team than I do this year's.  After beating San Francisco, Seatte, Denver, I really thought going into the playoffs we would have a shot to beat anyone.  The year, we have crapped the bed against the best teams we have played, beat up on cupcakes, and beat some average teams.  If we make the playoffs, we lose in the wildcard round.

[Superman]

I think you'd agree that clearly New England saw something on tape that made them think they could be very successful running the ball against us.

 

They ran 6-OL formations on more than 42% of their plays.   They had a plan.   And they likely exceeded their wildest expectations!

 

You can argue that we haven't had a bad night against the run up until last night,  but we've flirted with trouble during the year...   whether it was against Philly, or Baltimore,  or Houston,  or Pittsburgh.     New England saw something on tape that told them they could have success and WOW, were they were right!

 

When you have on your calendar that the New England game is the biggest and most important game of the regular season and the franchise sure seemed to treat it that way and then you come out and lay a spectacular egg,   I don't just chalk it up to having a bad night.

 

I think we got exposed.    Exposed enough that our future opponents are sure going to be playing this video and the Pittsburgh video on an endless loop.

 

I don't think we can argue we're an elite AFC team anymore.    We haven't beaten anyone of substance.    We've beaten teams that could be called good (Cincy and Baltimore)  or fair (Houston there)  or worse (NYG, J'Ville, Tenn)....    we've got little to hang our hat on.

 

We're at the top of the crowd of good teams.   But we're not in the class of New England or Denver or Pittsburgh.    I'm not even sure we're in the group with a much improved KC team.

 

I don't think last night was an off night.    I fear it was much worse.....    and I don't think I'm being a prisoner of the moment.

 

I'm not saying we can't make a deep run in the playoffs.    I just think it's much less likely now....

 

I've pretty much said the same about what class the Colts belong it. We're a step behind the top tier teams. I'm fine with that.

 

What I don't agree with is the idea that because the Pats ran the ball on us, everyone is going to think they can run the ball on us. That's not how it works. Teams have tried to run the ball on us, unsuccessfully. The Pats have a matchup advantage with Gronk, and when they put an extra lineman on the field, it gets even worse for us. Every team can't take advantage of that kind of matchup situation. 

 

Look at the Colts. This team has been trying to develop a strong running game forever. It doesn't work just because you want it to.

 

Teams have also tried to pass on us like the Steelers did. Doesn't work. Our secondary has been performing well, with some exceptions. I think the Steelers game was an anomaly. 

 

What I think is sort of sensational is the idea that it gets much worse than getting beat 42-20 at home. It's very obvious that we can be beat, especially by good teams. That's as bad as it gets, especially if it happens in January. But again, I keep banging the perspective drum. This team has work to do. We should know that, whether we can beat the Pats or not. And that's not unusual. I think the expectations should go up significantly after this year, and if Grigson hasn't patched some holes and added some young, dynamic players, particularly on defense, come this time next year, then my tone will change. But you don't build an elite Super Bowl contender in two and a half years, especially when you're coming from the dumpster fire that we had to put up with three years ago. It's no surprise to me that we're still not as good as the Pats and Broncos, overall. 

 

I also think that anything can happen, come January. We still have a month and a half to go before then. 

[Malakai432]

I know exactly what New England saw in the tape.....last years playoff game lol.

 

If it isn't broken don't fix it right. 

[Gavin]

I've pretty much said the same about what class the Colts belong it. We're a step behind the top tier teams. I'm fine with that.

 

What I don't agree with is the idea that because the Pats ran the ball on us, everyone is going to think they can run the ball on us. That's not how it works. Teams have tried to run the ball on us, unsuccessfully. The Pats have a matchup advantage with Gronk, and when they put an extra lineman on the field, it gets even worse for us. Every team can't take advantage of that kind of matchup situation. 

 

Look at the Colts. This team has been trying to develop a strong running game forever. It doesn't work just because you want it to.

 

Teams have also tried to pass on us like the Steelers did. Doesn't work. Our secondary has been performing well, with some exceptions. I think the Steelers game was an anomaly. 

 

What I think is sort of sensational is the idea that it gets much worse than getting beat 42-20 at home. It's very obvious that we can be beat, especially by good teams. That's as bad as it gets, especially if it happens in January. But again, I keep banging the perspective drum. This team has work to do. We should know that, whether we can beat the Pats or not. And that's not unusual. I think the expectations should go up significantly after this year, and if Grigson hasn't patched some holes and added some young, dynamic players, particularly on defense, come this time next year, then my tone will change. But you don't build an elite Super Bowl contender in two and a half years, especially when you're coming from the dumpster fire that we had to put up with three years ago. It's no surprise to me that we're still not as good as the Pats and Broncos, overall. 

 

I also think that anything can happen, come January. We still have a month and a half to go before then. 

What really happened last night wasn't so much a domination of just the Pats O Line mauling our D Line for the most part in my opinion...Though there was some of that no question, Having rewatched all the Pats run plays both in slow mo on DVR and watching the All 22 I can honestly say the Colts D Line was there own worst enemy last night as to why the run worked so well for the Pats.

 

Our D Lineman failed to show patience and READ an REACT to the RB's multiple times.....RJF and Redding in particular, The D Line went with what they thought the Pats were going to do instead of reading and reacting to the play, Multiple blocks by the Pat O Line was made much easier because of the D Lines inability to stay patient and read and react from there all said Pats O Lineman had to do was take the angle given to him and ride the D Lineman out of the play completely or just down

[Superman]

What really happened last night wasn't so much a domination of just the Pats O Line mauling our D Line for the most part in my opinion...Though there was some of that no question, Having rewatched all the Pats run plays both in slow mo on DVR and watching the All 22 I can honestly say the Colts D Line was there own worst enemy last night as to why the run worked so well for the Pats.

 

Our D Lineman failed to show patience and READ an REACT to the RB's multiple times.....RJF and Redding in particular, The D Line went with what they thought the Pats were going to do instead of reading and reacting to the play, Multiple blocks by the Pat O Line was made much easier because of the D Lines inability to stay patient and read and react from there all said Pats O Lineman had to do was take the angle given to him and ride the D Lineman out of the play completely or just down

 

Run fits were terrible, hanging the LBs out to dry, and then the tackling was poor. The Pats had some good blocking schemes, but I agree with you, the execution up front was terrible. 

[Gavin]

Run fits were terrible, hanging the LBs out to dry, and then the tackling was poor. The Pats had some good blocking schemes, but I agree with you, the execution up front was terrible. 

Actually if I am Pagano or Joe Gilbert I am sitting all my O Linemen down in a room and having them watch every single run blocking play made by the Pats O Line as well and emphasizing the patience that Pat O Line showed for the Colts D Line wait for them to overreact and telling our O Line this is how its done, I don't know if they watch other successful O Lines as a group but I think it would help improve our O Line, Though how much I cant say. I mean as an O Lineman you can watch hours and hours of what your doing wrong in my opinion and be instructed on how to do it better but if you cant see some other O linemen do it better or how they do it then I think more often then not your just spinning your tires gaining little progress

 

As to our D Line...I think we will see a much more disciplined unit next week

[colts_100nascar17fan]

I was pretty much thinking this for several weeks. The article is true, like it or hate it. They can't beat the good teams and do ad they should and beat the lesser teams. I really would not be shocked if we end up 10-6 or 9-7, based on no bradshaw and if allen misses any significant time and run defense and pass protection (one of these days luck is not gonna get up from a hit).

[NewColtsFan]

I've pretty much said the same about what class the Colts belong it. We're a step behind the top tier teams. I'm fine with that.

 

What I don't agree with is the idea that because the Pats ran the ball on us, everyone is going to think they can run the ball on us. That's not how it works. Teams have tried to run the ball on us, unsuccessfully. The Pats have a matchup advantage with Gronk, and when they put an extra lineman on the field, it gets even worse for us. Every team can't take advantage of that kind of matchup situation. 

 

Look at the Colts. This team has been trying to develop a strong running game forever. It doesn't work just because you want it to.

 

Teams have also tried to pass on us like the Steelers did. Doesn't work. Our secondary has been performing well, with some exceptions. I think the Steelers game was an anomaly. 

 

What I think is sort of sensational is the idea that it gets much worse than getting beat 42-20 at home. It's very obvious that we can be beat, especially by good teams. That's as bad as it gets, especially if it happens in January. But again, I keep banging the perspective drum. This team has work to do. We should know that, whether we can beat the Pats or not. And that's not unusual. I think the expectations should go up significantly after this year, and if Grigson hasn't patched some holes and added some young, dynamic players, particularly on defense, come this time next year, then my tone will change. But you don't build an elite Super Bowl contender in two and a half years, especially when you're coming from the dumpster fire that we had to put up with three years ago. It's no surprise to me that we're still not as good as the Pats and Broncos, overall. 

 

I also think that anything can happen, come January. We still have a month and a half to go before then. 

 

You make a strong argument as always....    you never fail on that account....

 

I'd only respond that of our 6 remaining games,  4 teams have had pretty good to considerable success with the running game.

 

-- Washington

-- Cleveland

-- Houston

-- Dallas

 

I'm not worried about J'Ville (home) and even Tennessee (road)...  though perhaps I should be concerned about the Titans.  They just pushed Pittsburgh in a 3 point loss at home and we've got them in Tennessee on the last game of the year.    Strange stuff can and often does happen.

 

But the 4 teams I noted can run the ball,  or are committed to run the ball...   and I think they'll have at least some success against us.    Can we get better and hold them down?     Yes.     Will we?     I have no idea?

 

I was pretty horrified with what I saw from Chapman, Freeman,  and Jackson.   (Sounds like a law firm!)    I thought they got abused.     So,  for me at least,   they're guilty until they can prove themselves innocent.     They're questionable until they can show they can be counted on.

 

Just a different view....

[Gavin]

Another thought I just had that's a bit off topic though is this........I think maybe Pep needs to simplify the run game or scale it back  significantly and go back to the basics of O Line run blocking and drill it into them all week, I think that could help

[OffensivelyPC]

I've pretty much said the same about what class the Colts belong it. We're a step behind the top tier teams. I'm fine with that.

 

What I don't agree with is the idea that because the Pats ran the ball on us, everyone is going to think they can run the ball on us. That's not how it works. Teams have tried to run the ball on us, unsuccessfully. The Pats have a matchup advantage with Gronk, and when they put an extra lineman on the field, it gets even worse for us. Every team can't take advantage of that kind of matchup situation. 

 

Look at the Colts. This team has been trying to develop a strong running game forever. It doesn't work just because you want it to.

 

Teams have also tried to pass on us like the Steelers did. Doesn't work. Our secondary has been performing well, with some exceptions. I think the Steelers game was an anomaly. 

 

What I think is sort of sensational is the idea that it gets much worse than getting beat 42-20 at home. It's very obvious that we can be beat, especially by good teams. That's as bad as it gets, especially if it happens in January. But again, I keep banging the perspective drum. This team has work to do. We should know that, whether we can beat the Pats or not. And that's not unusual. I think the expectations should go up significantly after this year, and if Grigson hasn't patched some holes and added some young, dynamic players, particularly on defense, come this time next year, then my tone will change. But you don't build an elite Super Bowl contender in two and a half years, especially when you're coming from the dumpster fire that we had to put up with three years ago. It's no surprise to me that we're still not as good as the Pats and Broncos, overall. 

 

I also think that anything can happen, come January. We still have a month and a half to go before then. 

I think that's what is dissapointing.  While the Steelers and Patriots have had anomalous games, i'ts kind of made it clear to me that we aren't a super bowl contender.  We're a very good team, especially compared to what we were heading into the 2012 season.  That's a lot to be excited about.  But what comes with that excitement is, when will it be our year?  The steelers made us look silly through the air.  Okay, it happens.  The pats did it on the ground.  Alright, now I'm not sure what to think about our defense.  I may have drank a bit too much of the kool aid and overstated how good we were.  I thought we had at least an above average defense, but it's probably more accurate to say we're a bit below average.  You can win a superbowl with a top 5ish offense and an above average defense, but I don't think it's as llikely when one of the major two facets of your game is below average.  So as excited as I might get about when we might make a superbowl run, the past couple weeks have made ti pretty clear that we're not there yet.  And while I may not have the confidence we'll make a super bowl push, crazier things have happened.  Catch fire at the right time and anything's possible.  But to me, that's where the hope lies at this point, IMO.