Peyton Sees All.

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With the regular season coming to an end, I think we have a large enough sample size to objectively grade certain aspects of the team.  This is not a two way conversation, I'll be the judge.  However your insults and comments are more than welcome.

The areas to be graded have been narrowed down into the following categories: pass offense, pass defense, run offense, run defense, special teams coverage, special teams returns, and last but not least, coaching.

I prefer to leave the categories more broad than say breaking down the defense by groups like secondary, linebackers, etc, for the simple reason that the defense plays as a unit, not idividual sects.  Everyone on defense plays the pass, not just the secondary.  The secondary relies on the defensive line to smash quarterbacks when able, and the defensive line relies on the secondary to at least try to cover people (I'M PEERING INTENTLY IN YOUR DIRECTION TIM JENNINGS) so that they have ample time to smash said quarterback.  Basically what I'm saying is, this is a team grade as it should be.  Also, there are no plus or minus grades because those are lame. If someone can explain the difference between an A and A+ without making me laugh I'll consider it.  Good luck with that.

Let's begin!

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More photos » by Jeffrey M. Boan - AP

Reggie Bush doing his best Joseph Addai impersonation.

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Don't even asking me if I'm joking, because I'm not.

As if you weren't aware, the Saints beat down the Patriots Monday night without Reggie Bush.  But what does that really say?  Is Reggie Bush extremely overrated, or are the Saints just that good on offense that missing a dynamic player like Reggie Bush wouldn't cripple them?

I think it's the latter, and how could you argue with that?  The same could be said about the Colts on both offense and defense.  Don't believe me?  Just look at the injury report.

Reggie Bush is due to make $8 million next season.  That's a huge jump from his current $2.585 million he's making this year.  And according to some sources, Reggie Bush's days in New Orleans may be coming to an end.

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More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

25 days ago: Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai (29) is tackled by a host of Houston Texans, including linebacker Brian Cushing (56), during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Listen, I'm not going to make this some long, drawn out sob-fest.  I'm just going to cut to the chase and be done with this argument once and for all.

My feelings about Addai's production the past couple years has been well documented and I'm not about to try and hide from my comments or play coy about what I've said.  I stand by my comments and forever will because that's what I believed and how I felt at the time.

Personally, I think that takes some balls.  To stick by what you say, man up to it, and deal with the criticism/shitstorm that will inevitably follow, especially on a topic such as this.  So I think I deserve a little credit for that don't you think?

The cause for my change of heart and sudden realization was this past Sunday's game against the Houston Chok--er Texans.

The numbers were anything but spectacular -- 15 rush for 69 yards, 3 catches for 13 yards -- but the numbers don't even begin to tell the story that is Joseph Addai's 2009 season.

Something was different about him and for the past few weeks I just couldn't put my finger on it.  It wasn't a physical change, like he bulked up during the offseason, or that he suddenly turned into a burner and was scorching the field with his juking abilities, although it awesome to see Addai juke Ray Lewis out of his jock.  It was something else.

It was attitude.

For whatever reason, he's been playing balls out, no holds barred, physical football this season.  And my god is that an ever refreshing, relieving feeling.  You can see it when he starts hitting holes (and/or his own lineman) that he's running with a sense of urgency and purpose.  That was not the case throughout the 2008 season when he was very hesitant and skittish when it came to taking on a contact and that ultimately reflected in his stat line and the Colts balance on offense.

As I've said many times before, I never wanted to see Addai fail because his production, or lack there of, had a direct affect on the team's success.  All I ever wanted was for Addai to produce like we know he can, like he did in his rookie season.  In my eyes he's playing at the level once again.  The numbers don't necessarily reflect that, but who cares?  What matters is doing your job to the best of your ability and laying it all out on the line to win football games and Addai has clearly shown that this season.

And if Addai's resurgence doesn't get you pumped, just think about the guy who is currently backing him up and the things he can do when given a chance to play.  Now that's what I'm talking about!

With that said, let the thrashing begin!  Be kind, please bring lube.

Go Colts!

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

2 months ago: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, left, and a former teammate, Seattle Seahawks running back Edgerrin James, shake hands following an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009. The Colts defeated the Seahawks 34-17. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

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Uh oh, here we go again boys and girls.

Edgerrin James was recently cut by the Seahawks for reasons unknown.  Some speculate it was due to lack of production, others believe the Seahawks want to go young.  Both are legitimate I believe it was because of the latter, but that's just my opinion.

Naturally every Colts fan is going to be asking themselves whether the Colts should consider signing Edge.  There's no hiding the fact that the Colts running game is abysmal at best right now.  Rookie running back sensation Donald Brown has shown what a game-breaking running back can do when put behind a mediocre line, busting out some huge gains.

The disturbing thing regarding the running game to me is the way the Colts handling the situation right now.  While Donald Brown was sidelined with a shoulder injury this past Sunday, the entire workload was put on Addai's shoulders.  As I mentioned in my latest rant, it's puzzling to me as to why none of the other running backs were used in that game.  Going into last season everyone was very high on Mike Hart.  A 6th round pick out of Michigan, he showed us a lot of grit in the pre-season games he played.  He showed that same determination with the two carries he had in the Baltimore game before he tore his ACL.  The Colts did the proper thing this past offseason in drafting the leading rusher in the nation in the first round this past April, but we still deserve to see what Mike Hart is able to do, especially with him recovering from that devastating knee injury.  This was a perfect game for him to be tested in my opinion.  The 49ers run defense is quite stout and I believe we could have learned a lot on how healthy Mike Hart's knee is, but that wasn't the case.  He was no where to be seen and that is extremely frustrating.

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More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

Caldwell: Jennings get the hell out of my way, you suck. I came over here to talk to a real football player. As for you Mr. Addai, I'd like to see you in my office, I've got an idea that could save your football career. Oh and if you see Sorgi tell him I said, "Brown chicken brown cow." He'll know what it means.

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Welcome back suckers, to yet another edition of this pile that are my random thoughts.  After the success (or failure depending on how you look at things) of the first go around I began contemplating whether I should continue to spill my guts and make this an ongoing series.  I think too many of you are starting to see the inner workings of my brain and will use it against me in some fashion, kind of like the Jedi Mind Trick, except less awesome.

In today's edition we'll cover the Colts win (or near loss, again depending on how you look at things) against the raggin' 49ers, Peyton Manning's epic failure, a couple winless teams who finally decided to get with the program and play like they've got a pair, and much much more.  So stick around for the the jump (or not).

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