I know it's a preseason game, but in Chicago last night the Colts game was NOT on NFL network. Instead it was the Cowboys - Vikings game.

This confused me greatly as the NFL network is a national network. Similar to ESPN, CNN, etc. what's being shown on those networks is what the entire country will see.

Did anyone else have this problem? Or was it only in Chicago? This probably won't happen during the regular season since there aren't multiple Thursday night games, but  what happened here?

At least the preseason is over and we can get on with the show.

It's a true testament to the Polians, scrambling around trying to fix their mistakes due to first round draft busts. Lets take a look at the last 7 first round draft picks.

Marlin Jackson (bust)

Joseph Addai (solid)

Anthony Gonzalez (bust)

Tony Ugoh (bust)

Mike Pollak (Second round due to the Ugoh debacle) (bust, please cut the poor bastard)

Donald Brown (jury still out)

Jerry Hughes (jury still out)

Maybe 1-2 starters in this group? 4-5 clear busts? Sure, its difficult to always be picking in the late first round. There is that grey area between elite talent and solid contributors. But not drafting starters or even solid contributors has affected this team greatly.

Joe Addai is solid. The jury is still out on Donald Brown. Can someone please remind me why Brown didn't play in last years JETS game?? He had break out games late last season, most notably against the Jags to win the division. Clearly the front office did not have confidence in him.

Hopefully the transition from Bill Polian to his son Chris is the start of a new drafting trend. This years class looks solid. All looking like contributors and possible starters. But the jury is still out.

At this point in Peyton Manning's career, its time to start trading draft picks for probowl caliber players. Its time to go ALL IN. Time is running out...

Today I dusted off the authentic Bob Sanders Jersey I bought before the 2007 season. "This is the year" I told myself. "The year Bobzilla comes back healthy as can be and puts fear into Indy's opponents."

And yet again, I was ashamed to be wearing the Jersey of a guy that doesn't even play. Now I'm starting to wonder if Bob's football IQ went out the door when he, well when he didn't play for over 2 years.

If Bob would have made a play on the ball instead of the player in the first series, he would have had a pick 6. Or at LEAST an int. Instead he throws his body around like a rag doll and hurts himself for another extended period of time. Who knows how long he'll be out. All we know he wasn't able to return.

My idea? Put him second on the depth chart behind Bullitt and make him earn his way back on the roster. Would Bob have made that interception that Bullitt did today? Or would he have hit a defenseless receiver and caused a penalty?

I'm sorry Bob, but the Jersey stays off for an extended period of time, maybe forever. 

Why don't the Colts go after Faneca? The Jets were #1 in rushing last year. When they rushed, they rushed up the gut. Right behind Faneca most of the time.

Does anyone remember how the Jets beat the Chargers in the playoffs? They rushed up the gut three times to seal the game.

How many times has a 3rd or 4th &1 been converted by the Colts in critical game closing situations? I don't remember. I've seen every game in the Peyton Manning era and can't remember converting one time.

I do remember the Colts not being able to convert a 3rd & 1 in the Superbowl.

I can remember the Colts not converting a 3rd and 2 against the Chargers in 2008.

I can remember the Colts not converting a 4th & 1 at home against Jacksonville in the season opener.

I can remember Willie Mcguinness faking an injury then celebrating after the Colts couldn't convert a 4th & 1 on the goal line in 2003.

Polian needs to take off his skirt and man up! Has the Corey Simon debockle scared him for life from signing free agents or making a trade? I don't want Baltimore's backups. I don't want the potential of Mike Pollak and Jamey Richard. I want Allan Faneca and I want to Convert 3rd & 1.

As for Haynesworth. Sure his contract is ridiculous. Daniel Miur and Anthony Johnson are adequate. Moala has potential. But, we all know what's needed. A stud DT. Can you imagine Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney, Jerry Hughes (it feels good to say his name) and Albert freaking Hayneswoth closing the pocket? My god, its got Superbowl Victory all over it. The time to trade for Hayseworth has passed. All they wanted was a second round pick. All we had to do was give up Mike Pollak or Tim Jennings or Tony Ugoh. Or Gary Brackets backup Angerer. This pick confuses me greatly. Didn't Bracket just sign a five year deal? Wasn't Charles Brown gift wrapped? Is Charlie Johnson a stud left tackle? Its time to get some studs on the O & D lines and not adequate players. 

I say all this because losing the Superbowl was like losing a child and the draft just brings football memories back. 4 months of baseball here we come. Peyton only has 4-6 years left. I want him to play forever but we are blessed to be a part of something special. Go Horse...

OK,

The mayor of NYC held a pep rally in Times Square.

Rex Ryan is a phat (really though fat, really fat) outlandish coach. Don't you have to be in NYC? Other wise they will eat you for lunch. In this case Rex has eaten NYC for lunch.

Teddy Bruski is on ESPN saying JETS. Brian Billick is riding the Ravens / Ryan train.

Yes, we have heard it all by now. Even the biased east coast Vic Carucci is giving in to Jets nation.

Lets take a step back and determine who else in the AFC would have a better chance at beating the Colts in the AFC title game.

As I am grateful the NFL Network is showing a replay of the Colts vs. Ravens earlier this year, a few things DISCOURAGED me greatly. As a die hard Colts fan who has been a fan of the Colts since the Eric Dickerson era and hasn't missed a game since 2003, I know how the Colts can be beat. The reason? The Colts going one and done more times than not in the past 8 years. 

Here's how the Colts can be beat, if they don't beat themselves with turnovers on the offensive side of the ball.

1.) Tim Jennings gives a 10 yard cushion even though he's one of the fastest players on the field on both teams. So, teams will target jennnings in a 2nd and 8 for a first down. 3rd and 5. Its an automatic 8 yard gain. He cost us in SD last year and the year before. How can this be fixed: Read below.

2.) The Dump Off. Darren Sproles and Ray Rice are the same player. They can take a 5 yard dump off and take it to the house or for 30 yards. No matter what, we don't seem to cover the RB after 3-4 seconds after the snap. Its the easiest play of a pro QB to make. Check it down to the RB and see what happens. For some reason, we have trouble. Maybe its the over pursuit of the QB, maybe its worrying about stud receivers down field, but we don't seem to cover it.

Reasons for OPTIMISM:

1a.) Tim Jennings is fourth on the Depth Chart.

Kelvin Hayden

Jerraud Powers

Jacob Lacy (Nickle)

Tim Jennings

2a.) The Emergence of Clint Sessions and a healthy Gary Bracket

We all remember last year when the overweight Buster Davis was the potential starter at MLB since Bracket was out. Freddy K. tried his best but the guy isn't the D captain and couldn't handle the responsibility. One of the few dump offs that worked in the Baltimore game earlier this year was a result of an over pursuit by Bracket and Sessions. I think they correct it.

A completely different D strategy.

Depth at corner.

Healthy Bracket.

Healthy Donald Brown (off topic but huge).

Yes, its true. Bill Polian is the old grinch who stole Christmas and football immortality from Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Its over. Its all over. Who cares if we win a Superbowl? Ya, it would be nice. But only 2 more after this one Peyton. Instead of destiny happening the old evil grinch steps in. Instead of football immortality a dumb, idiotic, gutless decision by an old man who would rather go out on his own terms than give into human nature and football hall of fame immortality forever. Even if we win the Superbowl this year, Bill Polian owes us 2 more at a minimum. 

Anyone have an update on Donald Brown? He looks like a stud on the field, but isn't ever on the field. I hope he's not the Bob Sanders of running backs.

Chest? What does that mean?

Anyone else see Hakeem Nicks? Looks pretty good, but I'd take Garcon any day.

Also Beanie Wells is fumbleishes. No more talk about who we should have drafted. Please.

This must be at least 75 words long.

Hello All,

So here's the situation and I need some advice as the league manager.

Team A just beat team D with a very strong showing from Frank Gore and Chris Johnson.

Team A lost his iphone in a cab over the weekend. Team D has an old iphone. Team A is now trading Frank Gore (who he just won with) to Team D for Ricky Williams and his OLD iphone.

In my estimation and in the world of Fantasy Football, this is unethical and sabotage. As league manager and currently in first place, what should I do?

(Team A is in last place.)

What's the deal with Sanders? Are we going to unleash the beast vs. Tennessee?

I predict yes, this is why he was NOT on the PUP at the start of the season. However, is it better to go with our current chemistry and let him get 2 full weeks of practice in during the bye week?

Hayden and Bracket should return bumping Jennings to 4th string. Melvin Bullitt is also playing at a very high level. Maybe Bullitt should start and Sanders come of the bench like Marlin Jackson.

TAC = Tackle After Catch

A good friend of mine has been preaching the statistic: Tackle After Catch, aka the Tim Jennings stat. Jerraud Powers was hurt last night, but, when the H**L is Jennings going to come into his own!!!

If he has that closing speed, why not jump the rout!!!!

The Dolphins targeted Jennings on almost all passing plays. Its unfortunate he was drafted in the second round but by now Bill Polian should swallow his pride and get this dude out of town. Sure he'll sign somewhere else and be horrible (Jason David).

OK,

Once again, which will be all year, Paul Kuharsky spins a positive Colts statement into a sarcastic story. Jeez, I agree that we all would like to see Sanders on the field but at least Bobzilla is staying positive! Kuharsky, aka Mr. Clean, needs to take a different approach this year and not bend over for the Titans and give an equal opinion on everyone in the AFC South.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth/post/_/id/3046/still-out-sanders-definitely-excited

Is it me or does this guy thrive on negative Colts news? Last year he was loving his titans all year and did nothing but post negative injury news about the Colts.

"Depleted Colts Defense" ???????????????????????????

Besides Sanders the Colts are deeper and healthier at every other position on D than they have ever been!

I know a lot of people like Paul Kuharsky, but the dude thrives on anything Tennessee and anything negative INDY.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp09/news/story?id=4395278

Joe (Indianapolis, IN): The Colts have been at least 12-4 in each of the past 6 seasons. Is always having a late first round pick detrimental in the long run?

 Mel Kiper: (1:31 PM ET ) I made a point today on a conference call today with a bunch of reporters that if I were a GM, I would trade out of the first round. I think you can build a team with second round picks. You can get players down the line that have value. I'd rather have two 2's than one 1. Look where the Colts got Reggie Wayne, Addai. Late first round. This team has key entities in the offense that were late first round. This team doesn't miss in the draft. Bill Polian deserves a lot of credit.

 Mel Kiper: (1:33 PM ET ) He's one of the best, if not the best GM this game has ever seen.