SB Nation User Blog: BigBlueShoe

KSK's Christmas Ape sends us a lovely holiday card

BigBlueShoe — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:54:08 -0000

Washington DC; land of KSK's writers, politicians, and monuments that look like giant penises. Image: via freedom.greatnet.us

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Word of warning: This post is a tad juvenille in humor and nature. So, if you are not interested in reading about dick jokes, Kissing Suzy Kolber, or images of a blogger masturbating on a horse, I suggest reading mgrex03's excellent stat breakdown instead. For everyone else...

One of my favorite writers at Kissing Suzy Kolber is Christmas Ape, aka Michael Tunison. Michael founded KSK and wrote a hilarious book called The Football Fan's Manifesto (nice gift idea for those of you with family and friends who like beer pong, strippers with fresh stitches in their face, and watching the classic flick Real Genius naked with a bowl of jello in their lap).

Over the years, Michael has systematically attacked and destroyed just about every sacred football tradition you could ever think of. Along the way, he also managed to get his ass fired from the Washington Post, after revealing to his then-employer that he was indeed the co-founder of the now-infamous KSK. Michael is funny, witty, and has an impressive talent for taking a giant, steaming, chunky crap on the things we all know and love.

And when he does this, we thank him for it because it makes us laugh our 400 pound, cheeseburger and Natty Light infused asses off.

Recently, Michael and I have had a little back and forth. He stupidly bought into the false story that the Colts piped in crowd noise against the Patriots in 2007 (I'm assuming Michael owes Ed Werder a favor, and the usual "Will you sit on my mustache?" payment Werder expects for such favors simply wasn't enough). I called him a schmuck because of the false claims, which has now grown into an affectionate term I apply to all writers on the Internet who talk football. Michael didn't like being called the term schmuck. So, he lashed out again, making a lot of funny but silly claims about the Colts 2008.

Then, just recently, Michael decided to create a new "character" in line with Drew Magary's hilarious Tommy from Quinzee satires. This new character is Derek from Muncie (I'd have suggested DeWayne, but Derek works). Derek is fat, lazy, self-important, self-righteous, and likes to hear himself talk.

I can only assume Michael modeled the character after himself, as all Pittsburgh Steelers fans seem to fit the bill of a "Derek from Muncie." The only difference is Derek doesn't seem to have a 12-inch yellow ~~dildo~~ vibrating pleasure device shoved up his anus, as most Steelers fans are known to have. But, we won't kill Michael too much if he doesn't model every great character after himself.

Anyway, the post was funny, and we here at Stampede Blue (per verbal "we," as shake n bake was too busy stealing Michael's old job at the Washington Post to care about what Michael has to say about Colts fans) decided to shoot back by playfully making infected dick jokes at the expense of Dan Snyder and taking shots at anyone who insults the great city of Indianapolis, especially when the insulting party hails from the hairy taint so often written about in the fine political blogs that litter the Internets: Washington DC.

DC just happens to be the home of Michael and Drew. This, of course, explains why they hate life, Jesus, authority, black people, and movies that do not have at least one close-up shot of Harvey Keitel's penis.

However, in our little "war of words" between KSK and Stampede Blue, I've always viewed it as tongue-in-cheek (or, perhaps so Michael can better visualize my meaning, tongue-in-Werder-Stash). KSK is funny. I am not. When KSK bashes my team, my favorite head coach, my QB, my mother, whatever... I use the opportunity to write articles that feature jokes about syphilis. It's my opportunity to write funny, even if I'm the only one laughing at my funny.

Recently, Michael has assumed that my rants back at him and KSK are indeed serious. In a new article, Michael's tone has changed a bit. He seems just a little pissed off that some silly little Colts blogger DARED to shoot back with some humor (or, lack thereof) of his own. When one of his readers called out Michael on his silly anger on the subject, asking him "So you made fun of them, but they aren’t allowed rebuttal?" Michael's response was a bit... well, assholish. I mean, more assholish than usual for Michael:

Did I make fun of Stampede Blue in the first post? If they wanted to rant about/respond to the Colts fan post, they could have done so in the comments. Besides, the point is this the third time they’ve taken some random thing I wrote about their team way too seriously.

Well, first off, um.... yeah, Mike. You did make fun of Stampede Blue in your first post. This is a Colts blog, which is run, written on, and read by... (wait for it...) COLTS FANS! So, when you insult Tony Dungy, make false claims about piped in crowd noise, call us an "extra virulent strain of retardery,"and call the great city of Indianapolis "The Land of Sh*t," I'm pretty certain that doing all this just about insults and makes fun of every corner and square inch of Stampede Blue, an Indianapolis Colts blog.

After most of these lovely and well-written insults, we've responded in kind. And, if I do say so myself, I think our responses have been pretty good, especially when you consider that we are just a bunch of dumb Hoosiers who love to screw farm animals and smoke crank with our 10-year-old nieces. I mean, other than KSK, where else am I going to receive the treatment I personally dish out to Peter King, Bob Kravitz, and the entire NFL Network studio? Don't get me wrong. I love writing articles about injured players, the press ignoring an undefeated football team, and trying to constantly fend off people who get upset with me when I call them out.

But when else do I get the chance to cut loose and write an article that is the equivalent to a fart joke?

Why Michael would get all pissy about us responding to his insults, I don't know. I figured he wanted such a response. And because these KSK-thrown insults are so well crafted and funny, I figure that a featured article on my site is the best forum to respond. I mean, no offense Michael (OK, yeah, there is offense here, but you're a man and you can take it), but your commenting system at KSK sucks donkey nads and your site looks like Sal Paolantonio's rectum (don't ask me how I know that; long night, lots of Patron; I vaguely remember someone looking like Vince Young there). Your content is great at KSK and you guys are mini-geniuses (because full-fledged geniuses have bigger penises and don't live in friggin Washington DC), but commenting on your site is like trying to jack-off in a wind tunnel.

Meanwhile, our commenting system here at Stampede Blue is, of course, magnificent! Yet, despite our clear technological advantage, I have yet to see Michael, Drew, or anyone else from KSK comment here. If they have, they've done so anonymously.

I guess my whole point in this rant is that I like KSK, and if Michael or any of them over there have taken me seriously in my responses to the KSK insults (which are indeed directed at me and other Colts fans), I humbly apologize. I figured that if you could sling dick (jokes), you could take a few back at you.

If Michael feels that the only true way to respond to his greatness is to comment on his own site using his crappy commenting tools that are circa 2006 (back when Edgerrin James was a high priced free agent and Jason Campbell was considered someone with "potential"), then my counter is that Michael get off that high horse he is masturbating on and realize that that there are other asshats in the world (me) who get and truly appreciate his humor and who also enjoy dishing right back at him.

As always, cheers (aka, go f*#k yourself) Kissing Suzy Kolber. Please continue to insult us. Just please don't get all pissy when we insult you back.

Special thank to this KSK commenter for accurately "getting" what I'm about. At least there is one of you out there. And no, shake n bake did not steal Michael's old job. That was a joke, even though I'm the only one who thinks it is funny.

[UPDATE]: Christmas Ape kinda acts like a douche in his response to this post. It's still cool, I guess. Maybe next time he'll pick a fight with someone who doesn't bite back.

A little discussion about the 2009 Most Valuable Player Award

BigBlueShoe — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:58:04 -0000

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

24 days ago: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning reacts after he threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Reggie Wayne during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009. Indianapolis defeated the New England Patriots 35-34. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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I'm a Colts blogger. So, naturally, I'm going to tell you that Peyton Manning is the 2009 NFL MVP. And while there is the rather annoying sentiment out there that "They could give it to Peyton every year," the truth of the matter is the MVP award often goes to the best player in the NFL who also happens to be making a playoff run. If the MVP goes to any other sort of player, it cheapens the award; makes it nothing more than a popularity contest on par with the Pro Bowl, American Idol, and a local bar's wet tee-shirt contest.

And when you look through the numbers, the wins, and the overall play of the candidates, there is absolutely no doubt that, right now, Peyton Manning is the league's Most Valuable Player.

When judging candidates, you must first ask the following question: Are the players everyone is blabbing about making a playoff run? MVP candidates must make the playoffs. It's embarrassing if they don't. If you disagree, fine. You're clearly in the minority. In the history of the modern NFL, no MVP winner has missed the playoffs.

This means that if you are considering a player like Titans runningback Chris Johnson, the answer is no.

The Titans are done for 2009. If by some miracle they get in, it's because some other team choked and the Titans were lucky enough to back-in to post-season play. Doing this suggests that the faults of another team were the reason why the candidate is in the playoffs, and not the play of the candidate himself. Plus, in a monster game against the Colts last weekend, with a chance to climb out of a 0-6 hole and get back to .500, Chris Johnson was held out of the endzone all day with his longest run only accumulating 11 yards. That's not MVP play.

Thus, Chris Johnson (who is still the best RB in football, I might add) is out.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

The second thing you absolutely must cut out of the equation is sentimentality. This is an award for athletic excellence, not a lifetime achievement award. This is why I got so frustrated and annoyed with my own colleagues at SB Nation last year when half of them voted for Chad Pennington as Most Valuable Player.

Chad Pennington? Really?

The term "value" is not divorced from the term "good." And while Chad Pennington is certainly not a bad quarterback, you are a moron of truly epic proportion if you think Chad Pennington is as good a QB as Peyton Manning. In the case of my SB Nation colleagues, I think they forgot to include the "good" in with the "valueable."

This year, the sentimental pick is Brett Favre. Big Whigs like Peter King practically have their vote for Favre cast, regardless of what they are publicly writing. But even before his little stumble Sunday night in Arizona against the Cardinals, Favre was not a true MVP candidate. While there is no doubt that Favre's numbers are some of the best of his truly great career, the fact of the matter is the Vikings have played the kind of schedule that would make the UFL champion Las Vegas Locomotives look like world beaters. The Vikings have played the 25th toughest schedule in the league, with teams like the Lions (twice), Browns, and Rams all counted as wins on their schedule. Against two potential playoff contenders, the Steelers and the Cardinals, Favre has played some of his worst football. Both those games were on the road, and an MVP candidate must show that he can help his team win big games on the road.

Thus, Brett Favre (who is a truly amazing player, regardless of what the haters think or say) is out.

(AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

This leaves us with two truly viable candidates, and only two: Peyton Manning of the Colts and Drew Brees of the Saints.

The MVP "race" is between these two gentlemen, and anyone suggesting otherwise is just wasting your time. Both are putting up amazing numbers. Both are QBs on teams that have yet to lose a game. But when you truly compare both candidates, the argument for Brees shrivels up and dies rather quickly.

Now, before we get into the details, please note that all of this goes out the window if and when the Colts start resting Manning once their playoff position is locked up. If the Colts start resting people going into the playoffs while the Saints continue to play starters in meaningless games, Drew Brees will indeed win the MVP. The press will love the Saints for "Going for Perfection" and reward them with an MVP vote for their QB.

(AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Does this kind of thing cheapen the MVP award? Yes, and the main reason why is the Saints (like the Vikings) have played a cupcake schedule. Also, with three of their last four games against the dreadful Buccaneers, the sorry Panthers, and the disappointing (and injured) Falcons, the prospects are very high of the Saints building big leads against these clubs early only to (shock!) rest starters in the second half of those games. Meanwhile, the Colts play the Broncos and Jaguars in back-to-back weeks. Both teams are currently in the playoff picture, but need to keep winning if they want to remain in. Following the Jags game, the Colts play the desperate New York Jets, who are still in playoff contention, but are on the outside looking in. So, that's three games against potential playoff teams with one or two of those games being utterly meaningless for the Colts.

However, regardless of whether the Colts will rest starters or not, Peyton Manning should indeed win his fourth (and NFL record setting) MVP award. The Colts have played the 7th toughest schedule in the NFL. The Saints have played the 24th toughest. Indy also plays in the NFL's toughest division, with all four teams potentially ending the season with .500 or better records. In games against quality opponents like the Patriots, Ravens, Cardinals, Titans, Jaguars, Dolphins, and Texans, Peyton Manning has thrown for 2,750 yards, 20 TD, and 10 INTs.

Consider those numbers and then compare them to Brees, who has feasted on teams like the Bucs, Panthers, Bills, Rams, Redskins (who the Saints almost lost to), and Lions. Now, obviously, Brees cannot control the teams on the Saints schedule. However, when comparing candidates, especially two quarterbacks playing extremely well for two undefeated teams, you absolutely must take into account who they have played. So far, Manning trumps Brees in this area.

Manning is also currently leading the league in passing yardage (3,685 yards) as well as completion percentage (70%). The fact that Manning is doing all this with the #32 ranked rushing attack and (essentially) two rookie wide receivers is nothing short of astounding.

Overall, the MVP race should be an exciting one as we head into the home stretch for the 2009 regular season. And, unlike last year, laughably bad candidates (like Kurt Warner) are not polluting the competition for the award. But, at the end of the day, this award is Manning's. He has played better than Brees against better competition, and has shown an uncanny ability to do more with less around him.

If you have thoughts or other ideas on the MVP candidates, please add them to the comments below.

[UPDATE]: Be sure to check out DevilsReject's FanPost on the MVP race as well.

Jim Sorgi, who has yet to take a snap all year, heads to injured reserve

BigBlueShoe — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:17:12 -0000

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Peyton Manning (left) and Jim Sorgi (right). (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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How a guy who never plays, never takes a single snap in a live game, could land on injured reserve sure beats the hell out of me. Alas, that is what longtime Colts back-up quarterback Jim Sorgi has done.

ESPN's Adam Shefter, via the wonderful web tool that is the bane of all instant information services, broke the news today that Sorgi has landed on IR. Replacing him on the active roster is Michael Toudouze, an offensive linemen who has been on and off the roster since he was drafted by the Colts in 2006.

Colts.com has confirmed the Sorgi to IR news.

With Sorgi gone for 2009, this means the only back-up currently on the active roster is rookie Curtis Painter out of Purdue. Unlike Sorgi, Painter has an arm, and can get the football down the field and into tight windows in coverage. But Painter is indeed a rookie, and if the Colts start to rest Manning prior to the playoffs, we will be seeing a lot of Painter, who is sure to make rookie mistakes throwing the football.

It's worth noting that last week the Colts worked out former Buffalo Bills quarterback J.P. Losman. This was likely done in anticipation of today's news. Since the Colts did not sign Losman after the workout, that should tell you what their general impressions of him were. The Colts also have rookie quarterback Drew Willy out of the University of Buffalo on the practice squad.

Tips to Bobzilla3 and Benewfa

No updates on Donald Brown, Robert Mathis

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:19:59 -0000

More photos » by Tom Gannam - AP

about 1 month ago: Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown (31) runs with the ball during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in St. Louis. The Colts won 42-6. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

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No updates as yet on the status of Donald Brown after he missed last Sunday's game with the chest injury. For those keeping score, Brown has suffered chest and shoulder injuries this season, forcing him to miss three games. He currently stands at 263 yards and two TDs. For a first round drafted running back, those numbers are not good.

Yes, he is averaging 4.5 yards a carry, but the potential knock on Brown coming into the NFL was that he would not be durable in this league. So far, that knock is holding true.

You all know that I personally have no patience with rookie running backs. They are either good right out of the gate, or they are trash. Running back is the easiest position to play in this league, and right now Donald Brown is not showing me why he was worth taking in the first round. Meanwhile, players like Kenny Britt, Hakeem Nicks, Pat Chung, Eben Britton, Rey Maualuga, Phil Loadholt, and even Beanie Wells are making significant contributions for their respective teams as rookies.

All were drafted after Brown.

We also have no update as yet on the status of Robert Mathis. Bill Polian made it clear that the injury was to Mathis' quad, not something more severe:

"Robert had a quad strain [Sunday] and we don't quite know the extent of it yet. He had some tests Monday. It's not a knee, so there's no need to worry about that."

Dwight Freeney suffered a pretty nasty quad injury earlier this year after the Cardinals win, but came back the very next week to play against the Seahawks. Will Mathis do the same? We shall see.

Anthony Gonzalez still not ready to practice or play

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:13:45 -0000

More photos » by AJ MAST - AP

2 months ago: Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez is helped off the field after being injured in the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, Indianapolis. The Colts won 14-12. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

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On the Bill Polian Show last night, the big redhead gave us a few updates on the status of players, like injured wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who has not played since he suffered a a knee injury in Week One against the Jaguars. Per usual, John Oehser does the yeoman's work, picking out the important quotes from the show and transcribing them for us lazy bastards who would rather play Left 4 Dead 2 than listen to Bill talk about the "pragnosticators," the "pundits," and the "Pa-tree-ots." Love that Hard Rain campaign:

Gonzalez, who began the season as the Colts’ starting wide receiver opposite three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Reggie Wayne, sustained a knee injury in that game. After having a setback, Gonzalez has yet to play, and Polian said the hope is still that he will return this season.
"Anthony is a bit behind schedule," Polian said Monday on his weekly radio show on Hank FM 97.1 in Indianapolis. "We thought perhaps that he might be back starting to practice this week, but as you know, he had a setback. He had to have some arthroscopic surgery to just tweak the knee a little bit. My hope is that we get a breakthrough here one of these weeks and that he’ll be back before the season is over.

"Part of the problem here – and it’s true with any injured player – is the doctors give you a prognosis, but it’s only that. It’s a prognosis. It’s an estimate. Players heal – and human beings heal – at different rates. Anthony’s just been a little slow coming around. But we know what the issue is and we know it will come around probably sooner rather than later and we’re hopeful it will be even quicker than that."

Here is what I do not want: A repeat of the Marvin Harrison situation in 2007. If Gonzo cannot play by Week Seventeen, he should be IRed. While I absolutely love Gonzo and think he is a very good football player, the fact of the matter is the Colts have not missed him. They currently have the #2 passing offense in football, averaging 309 yards a game with 8 yards per completion. Pierre Garçon and Austin Collie have developed very well, and a big reason for their quick development has been the unfortunate absence of Gonzo. Hank Baskett, signed after Gonzo went down, has also played well on special teams.

While it seems Polian holds out hope that Gonzo will pull a Brandon Stokley, circa 2003, I am not holding my breath. If Gonzo comes back, then GREAT! I am as happy as a clam. However, if Gonzo is not playing in a live game by Week Seventeen, my sense is to IR him. Why have the distraction of "Will he? Won't he?" looming over the team as they enter the post-season, especially since Garçon and Collie have played so well.

Tip to Z.Pain

Line up to kick Melvin Bullitt's butt in Madden 10

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:34:56 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

about 1 month ago: Indianapolis Colts cornerback Melvin Bullitt (33) and teammate Jacob Lacey, right, celebrate after Lacey's interception and 35-yard run back for a touchdown during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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Silly, silly Melvin Bullitt. You may be the best strong safety in the league that no one has heard of (11 solo tackles against the Titans last Sunday), but by telling the world your Madden 10 handle, you are opening yourself up to get your butt handed to you!

In case you don't read Bob Kravitz (and if you don't, God bless you), Melvin Bullitt recently confirmed that his win streak at Madden 10 came to a halt last week.

"I had my 13-game Madden winning streak broken last Tuesday," Bullitt admitted. "I was playing online. The guy I played was the Raiders. Thirteen straight, but now I'm going to start a new streak. Anybody wants a part of me, I'm 'wildbull33.' "

OK Colts fans, this means that if you play Madden 10, your new job is to go online and find wildbull33, challenge him to a game of Madden 10, and kick his rear end. When you do, post a screen shot of the final score in the FanPosts or the FanShots.

Tip to torontocoltsfan

Luke Links: The "Colts Eye On The Prize" Edition

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:02:37 -0000

Another day and another post where I promise not to bash and demean writers who (in my not-so-humble opinion) continue to write horrible articles slighting the currently undefeated Colts. Instead, you all get the Luke Links, where we comb the Internets for the finest articles that either praise, bash, or backhandedly compliment our beloved team.

When Did Tom Brady Become Human? Well, if by "human" you mean he started throwing interceptions to lose ballgames, I'd say he became "human" at or around 2005. If it has taken you this long to figure out he's "human," then welcome to the reality-based community, pal!
Gary Estwick, who was on our podcast last week, writes that Vince Young struggled to make the key throws in his team's loss to the Colts last Sunday.
Reggie Hayes seems to agree with Dwight Freeney: Going undefeated in the regular season is nice, but they don't hand you any trophies for it.

Sigh. I won't even comment on it. I'll just link to Peter King's article, and walk away.
I'll now link to Kissing Suzy Kolber blasting the crap out of Peter King's article, and walk away smiling.
The Colts have the played the 7th toughest schedule in the league this season. The Saints have played the 24th toughest.
Greggggggggg Doyel manages to not sound like a... ugh. Sorry. Forgot. I promised not to insult anyone in this links round-up. Doyel's article is surprisingly Colts friendly.
And finally, Mike Silver manages to spend an entire article talking about everything from Aquan Boldin wanting a new contract to the Saints barely beating the Redskins to his daughter’s U-14 soccer team. Yet, despite all the wonderful topics covered (I love reading about Silver's oh-so-beautiful children in a pro footblal article), Silver barely mentioned the Colts excpet to note how much of a punk Tony Brown is for practically handing Indy 3 points before the half.

Ask a Colts fan(s)

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:54:11 -0000

Hello to the fine folks who frequent Mile High Report!

In case you don't know me, I'm BigBlueShoe, the head blogger over at Stampede Blue, which is a blog that covers the team your Broncos will face this Sunday, the Colts. As we've done all year, myself and several of my co-bloggers like to set up a FanPost on an upcoming opponent's fan blog so that we can answer any questions you might have about our Colts. Like you (and like John, Ted, and the rest of the MHR crew) we are fans, and we are naturally going to be a little biased towards out team. However, we'll do the best we can to give you a sense of what kind of Colts team this is, how they match-up with the Broncos, and why Raheem Brock is going to punk Darrell Reid.

Gotta love Twitter trash talk.

You have a few former Colts on your team, and some of those players (Darrell Reid and Brandon Stokley) are still much beloved by Colts fans.

So, if you have questions, ask away. Either myself, shake n bake, or someone else from Stampede Blue will do their best to answer.

All the silly love for Sean Payton and the Saints compared to the hate towards Jim Caldwell and the Colts

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:50:10 -0000

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

4 days ago: Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell reacts following a touchdown by Indianapolis during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Indianapolis, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Browse more photos »

I'm not going to list articles and writers just to bash them for their stupidity on the subject of resting starters because, apparently, many of you out there are sick of me pointing a bright light on "bad journalism" topics. I'm also not going to go into any log diatribe on the silly, over-discussed topic of sitting or resting starters during meaningless games. This is all you need to know on the subject:

The press are going to absolutely LOVE Sean Payton and the Saints if they attempt to go for an undefeated regular season record, even if they lock up homefield weeks before the regular season ends.

Why? Because it gives them a story.

An undefeated regular season provides them something fun and tangible to write about. Of course, if during those meaningless games we see Drew Brees re-injure his shoulder (as he did in a meaningless game to close out the 2005 season when he was with the Chargers) or if Pierre Thomas blows out his ACL, then all this "love" the press are giving to the Saints will evaporate when a team like the Vikings or the Cardinals walk into the Super Dome and beat the Saints because they aren't healthy enough.

But hey, why worry about the future? Go for greatness now (aka, give us something to write about now, not in a month!).

Meanwhile, on the other side, the press will predictably boo and bemoan Jim Caldwell for resting starters because A) That's boring for them to report, and B) Because it makes the Colts' late season match-ups less exciting. Forget that in 2003 and 2004, the Colts rested players prior to the playoffs and went on to win playoff games in dominating fashion. The press and other media will claim that when the Colts rested starters in other years (2005 and 2007, specifically) they lost their first game in the playoffs to supposedly inferior teams. Left out of the discussion, conveniently, is the fact that in 2005 Tony Dungy's son hanged himself in late-December, creating a horrific distraction for the team just prior to the playoffs, likely contributing to their Division Round loss to the eventual world champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Also left out is the fact that in 2007, the Colts limped into the post-season without Dwight Freeney (gone for the year) and with a severely injured Robert Mathis, Marvin Harrison, and Raheem Brock.

Little details like these tend to get pushed aside by media who are simply wanting "a good story."

Bottom line here is the media will praise the team that tries to go undefeated and bash the one that looks to keep players fresh and healthy for a post-season run. The irony behind all of this is for all the bile the media has thrown at the NFL for their polices to keep players healthy in terms of concussions, they seem perfectly fine exposing healthy (or even injured) players to injury in meaningless games that affect nothing in the standings.

In the end, the teams that are the healthiest are usually the ones that make it to the Super Bowl, and playing important players in meaningless game is not a formula for keeping the team healthy come playoff time.

A lot of people were talking this week about how the Colts aren't that impressive because they have...

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:41:54 -0000

A lot of people were talking this week about how the Colts aren't that impressive because they have barely won a lot games, but we saw today why they are so good. They don't make mistakes that kill them, they are really good on third down and their defense bends but doesn't break. That is the type of ball that wins championships. The Titans just simply aren't there this season."

Jimmy at Music City Miracles pays the Colts a wonderful compliment.