The Indianapolis Colts are Super Bowl Champs!
Look here for my take.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Sunday, April 30, 2006
The Rest of the NFL, Part II
In the previous post I tackled my feelings on the AFC East. Now I'm going to move over to the NFC East.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
They're the Yankees of the NFL. If you're not a Cowboys fan you have to hate them. I do. I didn't get to see the Cowboys when they had seemingly stand-up guys like Roger Staubach. It probably would have been harder to hate them then. Fortunately, I knew the Cowboys at the end of the Landry era when they were terrible and into the Jimmy Johnson/Barry Switzer years. They were winning everything except for their court battles. Michael Irvin, Leon Lett were constantly getting busted for drugs and for being general assholes. Now they have Terrell Owens. This team is easy to hate.
New York Giants
Here's a team that I probably should hate but don't. I don't root for them, but I don't root against them. They're just another team in the league that rises to the top every now and then. They had some despicable characters in the '90s - Lawrence Taylor comes to mind - but were not necessarily hateable for a Colts fan. I'll hate them more if they pick off the Colts in the season opener this year.
Philadelphia Eagles
My college roommate was an Eagles fan (still is) so I have a certain affection for this team. I've seen the suffering of the Eagles fans up close. Because of my roommate, this team became my "NFC team" for a while. The Eagles fans have a reputation for being tough, but also smart. They will boo the hell out of you, but only if you half ass or consistently suck. Rarely does a player get booed for one mistake. As it stands, I root for the Eagles to make their way to the Super Bowl to get whipped against the Colts so that I can rub it in to my old roommate.
Washington Redskins
Let's see. Fat guys in dresses and pig noses. An overpaid and aging Deion Sanders. Steve Spurrier recently coached them. Some of the most mediocre championship teams of all time. Ugh. This is a team that sneaks up and wins Super Bowls in years that no one else seems to want them. They won the Super Bowl with Mark Rypien at the helm. Are you kidding me? How did this happen? I'll tell you. The rest of the NFC rolled over and the Buffalo Bills showed up in the Super Bowl, that's how. Christ. I'm going to go punch a tree until it dies.
Stay tuned for the next installment coming up after my thoughts on the Colts' draft.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
They're the Yankees of the NFL. If you're not a Cowboys fan you have to hate them. I do. I didn't get to see the Cowboys when they had seemingly stand-up guys like Roger Staubach. It probably would have been harder to hate them then. Fortunately, I knew the Cowboys at the end of the Landry era when they were terrible and into the Jimmy Johnson/Barry Switzer years. They were winning everything except for their court battles. Michael Irvin, Leon Lett were constantly getting busted for drugs and for being general assholes. Now they have Terrell Owens. This team is easy to hate.
New York Giants
Here's a team that I probably should hate but don't. I don't root for them, but I don't root against them. They're just another team in the league that rises to the top every now and then. They had some despicable characters in the '90s - Lawrence Taylor comes to mind - but were not necessarily hateable for a Colts fan. I'll hate them more if they pick off the Colts in the season opener this year.
Philadelphia Eagles
My college roommate was an Eagles fan (still is) so I have a certain affection for this team. I've seen the suffering of the Eagles fans up close. Because of my roommate, this team became my "NFC team" for a while. The Eagles fans have a reputation for being tough, but also smart. They will boo the hell out of you, but only if you half ass or consistently suck. Rarely does a player get booed for one mistake. As it stands, I root for the Eagles to make their way to the Super Bowl to get whipped against the Colts so that I can rub it in to my old roommate.
Washington Redskins
Let's see. Fat guys in dresses and pig noses. An overpaid and aging Deion Sanders. Steve Spurrier recently coached them. Some of the most mediocre championship teams of all time. Ugh. This is a team that sneaks up and wins Super Bowls in years that no one else seems to want them. They won the Super Bowl with Mark Rypien at the helm. Are you kidding me? How did this happen? I'll tell you. The rest of the NFC rolled over and the Buffalo Bills showed up in the Super Bowl, that's how. Christ. I'm going to go punch a tree until it dies.
Stay tuned for the next installment coming up after my thoughts on the Colts' draft.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
The Rest of the NFL
As NFL fans we don't live in a fan vacuum. We have our team and we're loyal to our team. Ideally, we'd root for our team every week and against whoever they play. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. You see, we humans have something called "memory" and this "memory" allows us to recall things that have happened in the past. These "memories" stick with us and we then attach them to other teams in the NFL. Because of this, you'd be hard pressed to find an NFL fan that doesn't have feelings about every other team in the NFL. Including me.
This is the first in an eight part series on my feelings on the rest of the teams in the NFL. I'll start with the AFC East.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
The AFC East is the Colts old division. Lots of bad blood with these teams. It's hard to forget the early 90's when the Bills consistently put the smack down on the Colts in a big way. Sure, I'm still bitter. Still, it's hard to hate this team too much. They're bad and they'll be bad for a while. Plus, they have some of the ugliest uniforms in the league.
Miami Dolphins
This team doesn't actually have fans. Just people who live near the stadium. You'll never meet a Dolphins fan who will get in fight for his team. Hell, Hootie is their most well-known fan. I don't even think Dan Marino roots for the Dolphins. People only wear this team's gear because they like the color aqua. This is a non-team. They're not even worth my hate.
New England Patriots
This seems like a no-brainer. I should hate these guys, right? Yeah, I should. I don't. They've owned the Colts up until last season. That's enough to make most Colts fans hate them. However, this is a team that just plays great football. They also play with class. Hard to hate that. I respect these guys, but I still love beating the hell out of them. Of course, I didn't admit it to any of the Pats fans I know. Just another win, I said.
New York Jets
You almost have to fell sorry for this team. They've been hovering around mediocrity for as long as I can remember. This is a franchise that should be at the top of the conference every year. I mean, they're a New York team for Christ's sake. Yet, every year they come up short. They either miss the playoffs altogether or blow it in the first game. You know, I think I do feel sorry for them. That's probably the most insulting thing you can say to another team's fans.
Not a lot of love for the AFC East. Stay tuned for the next installment.
This is the first in an eight part series on my feelings on the rest of the teams in the NFL. I'll start with the AFC East.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
The AFC East is the Colts old division. Lots of bad blood with these teams. It's hard to forget the early 90's when the Bills consistently put the smack down on the Colts in a big way. Sure, I'm still bitter. Still, it's hard to hate this team too much. They're bad and they'll be bad for a while. Plus, they have some of the ugliest uniforms in the league.
Miami Dolphins
This team doesn't actually have fans. Just people who live near the stadium. You'll never meet a Dolphins fan who will get in fight for his team. Hell, Hootie is their most well-known fan. I don't even think Dan Marino roots for the Dolphins. People only wear this team's gear because they like the color aqua. This is a non-team. They're not even worth my hate.
New England Patriots
This seems like a no-brainer. I should hate these guys, right? Yeah, I should. I don't. They've owned the Colts up until last season. That's enough to make most Colts fans hate them. However, this is a team that just plays great football. They also play with class. Hard to hate that. I respect these guys, but I still love beating the hell out of them. Of course, I didn't admit it to any of the Pats fans I know. Just another win, I said.
New York Jets
You almost have to fell sorry for this team. They've been hovering around mediocrity for as long as I can remember. This is a franchise that should be at the top of the conference every year. I mean, they're a New York team for Christ's sake. Yet, every year they come up short. They either miss the playoffs altogether or blow it in the first game. You know, I think I do feel sorry for them. That's probably the most insulting thing you can say to another team's fans.
Not a lot of love for the AFC East. Stay tuned for the next installment.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
An Upgrade
ESPN.com is reporting that Adam Vinatieri has agreed in principle to a deal with the Indianapolis Colts. I'll go over that again. The Indianapolis Colts. Adam Vinatieri. Working together. A Patriot hero is now a Colt.
It's like Michael Jordan in a Detroit Pistons uniform.
The Colts may have just replaced the most accurate kicker in NFL history (Vanderjagt) with the most clutch kicker in NFL history (Vinatieri), they may have stolen a Patriot leader and hero and they may have shocked the world with this move. None of that matters. What the Colts did with this deal was add a champion and a winner to the roster. The addition of a player like Vinatieri will have a greater influence on this team than any kicker has ever had on any team.
This is a man who won three Super Bowls. In two of them he kicked the winning field goal. He knows what it takes to win. He knows the pressure of playing in a big game. He knows how to compose himself in crunch time. That's contagious. The rest of the team will pick up on his attitude. He believes he'll hit that field goal if given the chance. He won't get rattled if things get bad. This will rub off on the rest of the team. He's the anti-Owens.
This is a better team with Adam Vinatieri.
It's like Michael Jordan in a Detroit Pistons uniform.
The Colts may have just replaced the most accurate kicker in NFL history (Vanderjagt) with the most clutch kicker in NFL history (Vinatieri), they may have stolen a Patriot leader and hero and they may have shocked the world with this move. None of that matters. What the Colts did with this deal was add a champion and a winner to the roster. The addition of a player like Vinatieri will have a greater influence on this team than any kicker has ever had on any team.
This is a man who won three Super Bowls. In two of them he kicked the winning field goal. He knows what it takes to win. He knows the pressure of playing in a big game. He knows how to compose himself in crunch time. That's contagious. The rest of the team will pick up on his attitude. He believes he'll hit that field goal if given the chance. He won't get rattled if things get bad. This will rub off on the rest of the team. He's the anti-Owens.
This is a better team with Adam Vinatieri.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
More Shuffling
Linebacker David Thornton and defensive tackle Larry Tripplett are no longer Colts. Both free agents decided to sign elsewhere this week. Thornton will be playing for Tennessee and Tripplett signed with Buffalo. Here's what the free agency tally looks like right now:
Gone
Edgerrin James, RB - Arizona
David Thornton, LB - Tennessee
Larry Tripplett, DT - Buffalo
Mike Vanderjagt, K - Unsigned
Kept
Reggie Wayne, WR
Gary Brackett, LB
Raheem Brock, DE
Jose Cortez, K
It doesn't look like the Colts will have the NFL's 11th best defense this year. Unfortunately, the offense took a step backwards as well with the loss of James.
What's that sound? Oh, that's the Jaguars knocking on the door. For the first time in a few years, it looks like it's going to be a dogfight for the division title. Of course, it's still early and Polian could work some draft-day miracles. I'm not holding my breath.
I can't say that I'm sad to see Vanderjerk go. He's the Terrell Owens of kickers. His replacement won't be as good, but he'll probably keep his mouth shut. Do you think Hunter Smith is sad that he won't have anyone to do the head swoop with after field goals?
Monday, March 13, 2006
James to Arizona
Sometimes it's all about the money.
The Colts just didn't have enough. Edgerrin James signed a 4-year deal worth $30 million with the Arizona Cardinals. It's no surprise to anyone who has been paying attention. Polian has been bracing us for this all week with is talk about how little cap room the Colts actually have. Of course, that didn't stop us Colts fans from holding out hope that we might be able to retain the franchise's all-time leading rusher. No such luck.
You certainly can't blame James for taking the kind of deal that he deserves. He's put in seven fantastic seasons in the NFL and he deserves a big payday. Unfortunately, that was something the Colts couldn't provide him. We are all lucky for the opportunity to watch James play for the Colts and I wish him well in Arizona - unless they're facing the Colts.
Now what?
Obviously, the Colts don't have much ability to fill this gaping hole through free agency so they'll probably have to rely on the draft to find a new feature back. Polian is historically great at finding the right talent in the draft, but the tailback position is tough to fill. Even if Polian manages to find the next James in this upcoming draft, there will be the standard adjustment period for him to get up to NFL speed. The biggest concern will be the rookie's ability to recognize pass coverage and pick up the blitz. This will be the one thing that the Colts will miss most about James as they adjust to the post-James era.
Let's just hope that Polian has something up his sleeve.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
The CBA
The NFL and Players Union finally agreed on a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). All hail Paul Tagliabue! The NFL is saved! The Colts won’t have to cut Peyton Manning!
What does it really mean?
Mostly, it means that we don’t have to wade through boring columns with phrases like “salary cap”, “prorated” and “revenue sharing.” We don’t have to worry about Gene Upshaw for another eleven years. And we no longer have to pretend that we understand any of this.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t clear anything up for the Colts. Nobody seems to know if the Colts will be able to keep Edgerrin James or not. Most writers seem to think that the new agreement gives the Colts a better chance of keeping him. However, Polian insists that he has no idea if that will be the case. His strategy is to sit back and see how the market reacts. Hopefully, he doesn’t sit so far back that James waltzes his way to Arizona.
Polian also wants to re-sign David Thornton. He doesn’t know if this will happen, either. The Colts are about $8 million under the cap right now. That money needs to be allocated to James, Thornton and any rookies they want to sign. Eight million isn’t much to go around. To keep James and Thornton they’ll need to be creative.
I don’t know much about the cap, but it seems to me that many teams try to skirt cap issues by creating “incentive-laden” contracts. If that is the case, my suggestion is that you give James a ridiculously low salary and include a large amount of easy to reach incentives. For example, you pay him $1000 (minimum) per rushing yard. James easily knocks out 1000 yards a year (last year he had 1506 yards) so he’s pulling in an easy million there. Do the same for each catch and yard gained after the reception. Of course, this all goes straight in the toilet if he gets hurt, but so does the Colts’ season. Again, I don’t know squat about the salary cap or contract structure so this is all probably a huge waste of your time.
My point is that the Colts should do everything they possibly can to keep James and Thornton. Even if it means creating ridiculous contracts for a year or so until they can restructure enough contracts to make room for some serious deals for these guys. Or win a Lombardi Trophy. Whichever comes first.
What does it really mean?
Mostly, it means that we don’t have to wade through boring columns with phrases like “salary cap”, “prorated” and “revenue sharing.” We don’t have to worry about Gene Upshaw for another eleven years. And we no longer have to pretend that we understand any of this.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t clear anything up for the Colts. Nobody seems to know if the Colts will be able to keep Edgerrin James or not. Most writers seem to think that the new agreement gives the Colts a better chance of keeping him. However, Polian insists that he has no idea if that will be the case. His strategy is to sit back and see how the market reacts. Hopefully, he doesn’t sit so far back that James waltzes his way to Arizona.
Polian also wants to re-sign David Thornton. He doesn’t know if this will happen, either. The Colts are about $8 million under the cap right now. That money needs to be allocated to James, Thornton and any rookies they want to sign. Eight million isn’t much to go around. To keep James and Thornton they’ll need to be creative.
I don’t know much about the cap, but it seems to me that many teams try to skirt cap issues by creating “incentive-laden” contracts. If that is the case, my suggestion is that you give James a ridiculously low salary and include a large amount of easy to reach incentives. For example, you pay him $1000 (minimum) per rushing yard. James easily knocks out 1000 yards a year (last year he had 1506 yards) so he’s pulling in an easy million there. Do the same for each catch and yard gained after the reception. Of course, this all goes straight in the toilet if he gets hurt, but so does the Colts’ season. Again, I don’t know squat about the salary cap or contract structure so this is all probably a huge waste of your time.
My point is that the Colts should do everything they possibly can to keep James and Thornton. Even if it means creating ridiculous contracts for a year or so until they can restructure enough contracts to make room for some serious deals for these guys. Or win a Lombardi Trophy. Whichever comes first.
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