Seeing as we're the first 0-5 team in the NFL, and based off a tweet from Peter King, I wanted to pose a hypothetical situation.

The Colts go between 0-16 and 3-13 this year and land the first overall pick, which is widely assumed to be Andrew Luck.

PK indicated Luck could be worth 3 #1 picks. That would give the Colts a high #1 in 2012, 2 #1s in 2013, and 2 #1s in 2014, or some combination thereof. Long story short, the Colts would have five #1 picks in three years.

Realistically, without knowing Peyton's status, there's no way to determine how much longer he'll play, or if he even will play. If he doesn't come back or isn't even close to the player he was, Luck is the obvious and correct choice. However, assuming he comes back near 100% next year, he can still play for 3-5 years and would have a fairly loaded team around him as well, bolstered by high picks this year, and a pair of #1s next year.

2014 is where things start to get interesting. By that point, Peyton will be on the last few years of his career, and it will actually be time to start looking for his successor. 

So, with that mind, let's say the Colts do a little wheeling and dealing in 2014 and end up with a good picks package in 2015/2016.

Colts fans, I present the true successor to Peyton Manning...

Continue reading this post »

As I look around the rest of the division, I can't help but think that if Manning was going to have to miss time due to injury, this was a good time for it.

The Jaguars are releasing David Garrard and starting Luke McCown. Blaine Gabbert is on the bench. Del Rio needs to win now, because he's on thin ice as well.

The Titans released Kerry Collins and traded Vince Young. They have Matt Hasselbeck and Jake Locker. Mike Munchak is a first time head coach.

The Texans are installing a whole new defensive scheme that may not play to the strengths of their best players, DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams. An opening week loss to the Colts would destroy the Texans and probably get Kubiak fired.

Long story short, the AFC South is a mess this season. o hey, if Peyton needs to miss the first three games, it's not the end of the world. Maybe we go 1-2 or 0-3. We can still recover, and still win.

As anyone that's paid attention to college football has noticed, the realignment carousel is spinning again. Reports are that Oklahoma and Texas A&M are preparing to blow up the Big 12 because of the Longhorn Network.

Let's be realistic: without Oklahoma and Texas A&M, the Big 12 is Texas and the Pips.

Supposedly, Oklahoma is courting the Pac-12 and Texas A&M is courting the SEC.

So, let's say the Big 12 dissolves and everyone starts grabbing schools from the Big 12, ACC, and Big East. I added the ACC and Big East because basketball realistically isn't the money maker football is, and top football schools in those conferences are going to be looking for new conferences in short order to boost football profits. From a football perspective, who would you want to pick up?

My thoughts? Boston College, Rutgers, Mizzou, and Kansas. Good fits geographically, add major media markets, all have national cachet, and are well regarded academically.

I know this is probably mean spirited, but it's at the expense of Purdue and Illinois, so I'm okay with it.

Since the Sampson fiasco, I've had to listen to my Purdue and Illinois friends crow about how they're the future of the Big Ten and we're the past, how their programs are so much better than ours, and so on and so forth. Nevermind the fact that we have five national championship banners hanging in the real Assembly Hall and they have a combined 1.

Well, Illinois fans are starting to turn on Webber (and rightfully so; he's terrible) and Painter appears to have one foot our the door at Purdue. In the meantime, IU is killing it on the recruiting trail and is probably a year away from respectability and two years away from contending, which as far as I'm concerned puts us right on schedule.

So yeah. I love watching the smoke over Urbana and West Lafayette. Anyone else feel the same?

Just wanted to wish all my fellow Colts fans a Happy Patriots Schadenfreude Day! Because if there's one thing almost as good as a Colts playoff win, it's a Patriots playoff loss.

It's days like this that we look back and reflect on the genesis of this holiday, and revel in all manner of Patriots misery. November 5th, 2005: Colts 40, Patriots 21, "The Day The Dynasty Died". January 27th, 2007: Colts 38, Patriots 34, "The Greatest Comeback in Conference Championship History". February 3rd, 2008, Giants 17, Patriots 14, "18-1". November 16th, 2009: Colts 35, Patriots 34, "4th-and-2".

Happy Patriots Schadenfreude Day, everyone!

As I watched the seconds tick off the clock before the Jets used their final timeout, I paused for some reflection on this season.

Yes, we were the defending AFC Champions. We came in to this season believing that our secondary was going to be nigh impenetrable and stocked with talent, and our receiving corps would be an embarassment of riches, the likes of which the entire league would be envious. We believed that we could win a Super Bowl, the year after losing one.

Well, here we are. We finished the season with 10(!!!!) defensive backs on injured reserve. We lost our first, second, and third string safeties and both starting corners. Out of our top 5 wideouts, we lost three to IR, and the other two have been very, very banged up.

Yes, it's disappointing. It sucks to lose. We all hate it. But let's remember that this was as far as we were gonna go. We were gonna get hammered in Pittsburgh. For that matter, we were lucky to get this far. The fact that we even played today has as probably more to do with luck and the ineptitude of the other teams in the AFC South than it does how good this team is.

However, this team will be back. We'll have a higher than usual draft pick, and maybe we'll swing for the fences and get the left tackle or defensive tackle we so desperately need. We still have Manning. And next year, the Super Bowl is on our home turf.

As a few of you know, I create a lot of the Colts wallpapers you see floating around the web. I provide these at a high resolution (1680x1050) absolutely free to the community, because I love the Colts and I love to see people using my work to support my favorite team.

However, there have been a few incidents where people have "borrowed" my work and repurposed it.

Here's the latest example:

http://monkeybiziu.deviantart.com/gallery/3086670?offset=48#/d13zyiy

I created and uploaded this wallpaper about three years ago. It's relatively popular.

http://twitpic.com/3gwbqx

That popped up on Pierre Garcon's twitter feed tonight. I have a couple of problems with this particular instance. First off, it's really obviously taken from mine. I don't mind people using my work as inspiration. I do it all the time. I'm happy to share how I do specific things in Photoshop. What I mind is outright theft. Secondly, it's not even good theft. The shadows and dithering around the horseshoe and letters give it away. Finally, the "artist" put his twitter tag on it. I don't tag my work. By tagging my work as your own, you're disrespecting me.

Basically, I'm happy to provide inspiration and help. I get pissed when I get ripped off. Please, don't rip me off.

Go Colts!

P.S. This is what happens when you're a dick with me about it:

http://monkeybiziu.deviantart.com/art/ArthurFreitas18-Is-A-Douchebag-189949147

As I was following along after the game, I noticed that there were a lot of people that were up in arms and in full on sky-is-falling mode. Here's a thought: don't panic.

When you look around the division, you see three teams that see the Colts twice a year. They have hours and hours and hours of not only film but actual game experience to draw from. Not only that, but every team in the division, except for us, has picked in the top ten since 2002. The Titans have 2 top tens. The Texans have 4 top tens, including a pair of #1 overalls. The Jags, amazingly enough, have 6 picks in the top ten. Average draft position: Colts 26, Titans 17, Texans 12, Jags 11.

My point is this: the Texans and Jags are designed to beat us. These games for them are their Super Bowls. Beat us, and maybe they've got a shot at the division, which means a playoff berth.

Yes, the Colts are standing at 2 and 2, with both losses in the division. The receiver corps, which looked like a strength, has been dangerously depleted. The defense, which was supposed to be unstoppable, has twice now folded like a house of cards. Our first round pick has yet to see meaningful action in a game. These are all reasons to be concerned. However, we have a trump card: #18. As long as he's behind center, we're never out of a game. The Texans needed a 200+ yard rushing day to beat us. The Jaguars needed a 59 yard field goal to beat us. They're beating us on miracles. Long story short, these losses don't surprise me, and they shouldn't surprise anyone else. A good game against the Chiefs next week puts us back at 3-2 and in good shape.

Now, if we lose to the Chiefs, feel free to fire up "All Is Lost, Woe Is Us" mode.

From ESPN's @Adam_Schefter

"RT @TheRedzoneorg: ESPN report: Raiders preparing to cut JaMarcus Russell http://tinyurl.com/26jwy4x"

Anyone think he can put on 25-50 more pounds? I bet he'd be a decent left tackle. Either that or a blocking tight end. Someone have Polian empty out his pockets and throw the Raiders some lint, a button, and a few pennies and see if they take it. My guess? They're happy to get anything at this point.

A conversation on Twitter:

RT @Koopa209: @philgood50 R u followin Bob Sanders btw?--naa I seen that fool the otha day about 6 hours ago via Echofon

@Philgood50 calling Bob Sanders a fool is the ballsiest thing I've ever seen anyone do. about 2 hours ago via Twitterrific in reply to Philgood50

@monkeybiziu lol he ain't that tuff about 1 hours ago via Echofon in reply to monkeybiziu

@Philgood50 RBs wear visors because if you look Bob Sanders in the eyes, you can see how you're gonna die. By being tackled by Bob Sanders.

So a lady friend of mine and I are at the Pacers game tonight, and she had to take a quick call from work. I was checking Twitter, and saw that Jerraud Powers was at the game. I tweeted him, asked if we could say hi, and he tweeted back sure.

Well, we didn't know where he was or what he was wearing or anything, so we're looking around Conseco trying to figure out who he is. We go up to this one guy, ask if he's Jerraud Powers, and he's like, "Uh, no." So, dejected, we go back to our seats. We start looking around the arena, and basically start stalking random people.

Anyway, we see this one guy get up. He's got a Yankees cap on, pulled low, and is walking out. We figure, might as well try, so we go outside and see him in the hall. I go, "Excuse me, are you Jerraud Powers?" and he goes "Ha, yeah, you Monkey?" We laugh, introduce ourselves, shake hands, and make some small talk. He signed some programs for my date and I. Said that because he usually hangs out with Brackett and Bethea, most people don't even notice him. He just got braces, so I gave him a little orthodontic advice, and wished him a good night.

Basically, he was cool as hell about the whole thing. Got a good laugh, a great story, and an autograph out of it.

Pats fans! Colts fan here! I need some help from all you Boston-area folk. I have to travel to Boston on business this weekend and will, unfortunately, miss watching the Colts here in Indianapolis. I'll touchdown before kickoff, so I was wondering if anyone knew of anywhere I could watch the game in my Manning jersey and not get accosted. I'll be staying in the Framingham/Natick area for reference. Thanks guys!

So, I'm headed to Boston this weekend for training. Unfortunately, this was scheduled months ago, so I can't reschedule it for a weekend that's not the friggin Super Bowl. I'm flying in on Sunday afternoon so I can be on the ground before kickoff. I'm hoping a Boston area fan can point me in the direction of a bar in Boston I can watch the game at while wearing my Manning jersey and not get the crap beaten out of me. Its either that or watching from the hotel bar. Thanks!

I was reading an article somewhere, and came across this quote

Rex lined us up on the sideline and said, "OK, everybody who’s made the playoffs step walk in to the numbers." Fifteen, 20 guys made the playoffs. He said, "Guys who have made multiple appearances, not games, but multiple years." Half those guys came back. "Who’s been there three times?" Even half those guys came back. It was like whoa, if you don’t understand how special this is, look at those guys. Look how long they’ve been playing. Some of the guys have made it twice in seven year careers. Calvin Pace has never been to the playoffs. He’s been playing for seven years. - Mark Sanchez, QB, NY Jets -

That got me thinking: if you had all the Colts line up on the sideline and said "How many of you have been to the playoffs?", eveyone except the rookies would step forward. If you asked "How many of you have been to the playoffs twice?" only the 2nd year guys would step back. If you asked "How many of you have been to the playoffs three times?", only the 3rd year guys would step back. If you asked "How many of you have been to and won a Super Bowl?", only the guys not on the team in 2006 would step back.

So, who's left on the line?

Manning. Sorgi. Addai. Wayne. Clark. Snow. Saturday. Lilja. Diem. Johnson.

Freeney. Mathis. Brock. Hagler. Keiaho. Hayden. Jackson. Bethea. Jennings. Rushing. Sanders.

Vinatieri.

Off a 53-man roster, half own rings. No one on this team has been playing for seven years and doesn't own at least one Super Bowl ring. No one on this team has been playing for seven years and hasn't made the playoffs at least six times.

This is OUR TIME. It's time for a new dynasty to rise.

So, intrigued by the idea that you can't represent the AFC in the Super Bowl playing more than one of the Big Five (Colts, Patriots, Chargers, Steelers, Broncos), I decided to test out the theory using the past decade as my sample size.

The AFC Championship winners during that period are, in order: Ravens, Patriots, Raiders, Patriots, Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Patriots, and Steelers.

In 2000, the Ravens played the Broncos. (WC)
In 2001, the Patriots played the Steelers (CHAMP)
In 2002, the Raiders played none of the Big Five.
In 2003, the Patriots played the Colts (CHAMP)
In 2004, the Patriots played the Steelers and the Colts (DIV, CHAMP)
In 2005, the Steelers played the Colts and the Broncos (DIV, CHAMP)
In 2006, the Colts played the Patriots (CHAMP)
In 2007, the Patriots played the Chargers (CHAMP)
In 2008, the Steelers played the Chargers (DIV)

Some other notable failed playoff runs:

2003: the Colts played the Broncos and the Patriots (WC, CHAMP)
2004: the Jets played the the Chargers and Steelers (WC, DIV); the Colts played the Broncos and Patriots (WC, DIV)
2006: the Patriots played the Chargers and Colts (DIV, CHAMP)
2007: the Chargers played the Colts and Patriots (DIV, CHAMP)
2008: the Chargers played the Colts and Steelers (WC, DIV)

7/9 AFC Championship winners played 1 or no Big Five teams. One of those played no Big Five teams.
2/9 AFC Championship winners played 2 Big Five teams, both in the Divisional and Championship rounds.

So, some observations:
- If you play a Big Five team outside of the AFC Championship, it is unlikely you will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
- You can play two Big Five teams and advance to the Super Bowl, under the condition that you only play them in the Divisional and Championship rounds, and the opposing team has already played a Big Five team.
- No team has played more than two of the Big Five in a playoff run.
- The less of the Big Five you play, the better off you are.

How does this relate to this year?

Assuming the following seeding: Colts, Chargers, Patriots, Bengals, Jets, Ravens, here's how the playoffs would shake out.

The Ravens are guaranteed at least two games against the Big Five: WC@Patriots, DIV@Colts. Historically speaking, this would eliminate them from Super Bowl contention.

The Jets, should they win a Wild Card game, are guaranteed at least one game against a Big Five opponent, and possibly another. Their best bet is hoping the Ravens knock off the Pats and Colts, while the Jets knock off the Bengals and Chargers, and meet in the AFC Championship. Considering that's never happened, to the best of my knowledge, I'd say stick a fork in them; they're done.

The Bengals will play at least one Big Five team in the Divisional round. If NE wins, it's Indy. If BAL wins, it's San Diego. Best bet: Bengals and Ravens win, Bengals knock off SD, BAL knocks off IND, BAL@CIN in the AFC Championship.

The Patriots are guaranteed a 2nd round game against the Chargers. Can see IND in the AFC Championship. Best bet: Bengals/Jets knock off Indy, CIN/NYJ@NE in the AFC Championship.

The Chargers can see NE and IND, depending on how the games shake out. Best bet: BAL beats NE, SD beats CIN/NYJ, BAL beats IND. BAL@SD in AFC Championship.

The Colts can only see NE OR SD. Not both. Best bet: BAL beats NE, NYJ beats CIN. IND beats BAL, NYJ beats SD. IND beats NYJ in AFC Championship.

Historically speaking, the Colts are the best positioned team in the AFC playoffs. With weak Wild Card and 3/4 Division Winner seeds, the only obstacle to the Colts making a return trip to Miami for the Super Bowl is, as always, San Diego or New England. Either way, the only game in which the Colts could meet either team is the AFC Championship, in Indianapolis.

As reported by ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4800641

Minnesota's Percy Harvin was named the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Baltimore OT Michael Oher was second with 6 votes. Also receiving votes: Philadelphia WR Jeremy Maclin, Denver RB Knowshon Moreno and Pittsburgh WR Mike Wallace, with one each.

Any chance we can reduce the number of characters for a fanpost to 50? Please? Pretty Please? Pretty pretty please? :)

In the wake of the Texans disintegration against the Colts yesterday, it's pretty clear that Kubiak isn't going to be back for a fifth season. ESPN's John Clayton had this to say:

The surprise of the trio was the Texans, and there could be major ramifications from their 35-27 loss to the Colts. Coach Gary Kubiak's job could be in jeopardy. While he and general manager Rick Smith have done a nice job building a talented young defense and an exciting passing attack, the three-game losing streak in the AFC South could bring Mike Shanahan to the Texans' sidelines after the season.

Now, I'm thinking of the 2007 Denver game, and going "Wait, the same Mike Shanahan that deactivated his top two defensive tackles to play defensive ends to try and stop Peyton Manning? The guy whose Broncos were pretty routinely destroyed by the Colts? You want him to take over a franchise to get over the hump and make the playoffs, knowing he'd be seeing Peyton Manning twice a year? Are you high?"

Thoughts?

The Onion - Patriots Lead Colts at Halftime


Hilarious article.

 

Barring an almost inconceivable and utterly out-of-character mistake by head coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots have virtually secured a week 10 win against their closest rivals for AFC dominance.

"If you're going to wait for Bill Belichick to get overconfident and screw up, you're in for a long day," Caldwell added. "Just doesn't happen."

 

The Colts offense, however, with Manning's young receiving corps, has committed several significant errors. But the Indianapolis defense has fared even worse, and has only been able to stop pass plays of four yards or fewer, an insignificant advantage that a seasoned coach like Belichick will find easy to avoid.

Oh man, classic stuff.