Way-too-early Offseason Glance

With a Super Bowl title on the line a week from Sunday, most of you Colts fans probably aren't thinking too much about the offseason.

But, since I'm always thinking one step ahead (like a carpenter that makes stairs), I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some of the personnel questions facing the Colts heading into the winter/spring of 2010.

The Anthony Gonzalez situation
You remember Gonzo right? The former first round pick out of Ohio State had productive 2007 and 2008 seasons and was poised for a breakout this year with the departure of Marvin Harrison. However, that never came to be thanks to a fluke non-contact injury in the early stages of the regular season opener against Jacksonville. The knee injury cost Gonzalez his 2009 season, and the "breakouts" instead came from Pierre Garcon and rookie Austin Collie. Gonzalez is still very talented and also has three years remaining on his deal, so there's no reason to think the Colts would part with him. But, it's not clear how Gonzalez exactly fits into their plans going into the 2010 season.

Peyton Manning's extension
Both parties so far have brushed this situation aside, saying that they'll take care of it when the time comes. Well, guess what? That time is almost here. The reigning back-to-back NFL MVP is about to enter the final year of the seven-year deal he signed before the 2004 campaign. Manning will turn 34 during the offseason, but given the performances of Brett Favre (40) and Kurt Warner (38), there's no reason to believe that Peyton couldn't be productive well into this decade. His little brother's contract extension netted him $97.5 million, and at the very least, Manning's final Colts' contract would probably match that or jump into the nine-figure range.

Key Free Agents
Is Gary Brackett the next great Colts linebacker to walk away? The defensive captain will be a free agent at the conclusion of the season, and Indianapolis doesn't exactly have a great track record when it comes to retaining star linebackers. The Colts let Mike Peterson, David Thornton, and Cato June all walk after their contracts were up. However, Brackett could be an exception to that rule because he is one of the clear locker room leaders, unlike any from that trio. Others on the free agent list include: Pro Bowl S Antonie Bethea, Marlin Jackson, Melvin Bullitt (restricted), Tim Jennings, and Charlie Johnson. Out of that group, the only two that are definitely gone are Jackson and Jennings.

We now return you to your regular Super Bowl programming...

Sting Like a Bee

For the 2nd time in four years, the Colts are heading back to Miami.

A 30-17 AFC Championship Game victory over the Jets, followed the script of many Colts' victories during the course of the 2009 season. New York jumped out to a hot start behind an aggressive defense and tricky offense, jumping out to a 17-6 2nd quarter lead. But, they failed to land the knockout blow.

I compared the Colts to a Championship boxer. So often this season, we've seen Indy step into the ring and fall behind on all three scorecards through the first four rounds. Opponents are able to jab and to land punches, but fail to connect on any haymakers. The Jets took control of the Colts in the early rounds, but Indianapolis came storming back.

So, where was the knockout blow?

Some point to the two-minute drive, highlighted by the 46-yard connection to Austin Collie that got the Colts within 17-13 at halftime. But, I think the real haymaker came in the third quarter. The Jets had driven to the Indianapolis 37-yard line to start the half, but the drive flamed-out, leading to a Jay Feely field goal miss from 52 yards out. Three minutes and eight plays later, the Colts were in the lead for good.

All the momentum the Jets had built - the effective blitzing, some fabulous throws by Mark Sanchez, trick plays - was in the toilet. It was only a three-point game, but the Jets were laying on the canvas.

16-2 with 16 TKOs and two forfeits. We'll see if the Colts can make it 17 in South Beach.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

We're only a handful of days away from the Colts playing for a trip to their 2nd Super Bowl, yet a lot of the talk this week has revolved around a perceived lack of national respect for Indy.

My response: who cares?

Let's face facts - the Colts aren't the story. In fact, out of the four remaining teams in the playoffs, the Colts are the least interesting.

Take a look at the Jets, Indy's counterpart for the AFC Championship game. They have a brash, honest-to-a-fault head coach in Rex Ryan, plus a confident, ball-hawking defense and physical rush offense. They're also a five-seed that was left for dead after scoring just seven points against a Falcons' team that had already learned they would not make the postseason in Week 15. Oh, and did I mention they're from New York?

Over in the NFC, the New Orleans Saints have been the Los Angeles Clippers of the league for years. They're one of the only pro sports teams that I know of with a negative connotation nickname (Ain'ts). But, the fans have rallied around the Saints since Hurricane Katrina ravaged their city just three short years ago. New Orleans' high-powered offense (this decade's "Greatest Show on Turf"), led by the likeable Drew Brees, has them a game within their first Super Bowl.

The Vikings have Brett Favre. Brett Favre, people! He of the Wrangler jeans, vicodin-addictions, and crocodile tears. Favre is always a story. Despite a lot of success on the football field (Minnesota has been to eight Conference Title games), the Vikings have NEVER won a Super Bowl. They have exciting players all over the field like Percy Harvin, Adrian Peterson, and Jared Allen.

Indianapolis is making its third Conference Title game appearance in seven years. Peyton Manning just won his fourth MVP. They've won at least 12 games in seven straight seasons. They've won an NFL-record 115 games over the past decade. The Colts won the Super Bowl three years ago, something that the three other teams remaining in the playoffs have combined to do just once in their collective 136-season existence, and zero times in the last forty years. Yawn.

Been there, done that. Nobody cares.

The only thing that matters is being front page news on the morning of February 7th.

Colts 24, Ravens 21

(I figured instead of teasing it, I'd just cut right to the chase with the score prediction)


Colts end up finding a way against Baltimore

Super-quick analysis...
Player of the Game: Pierre Garcon
After regaining contact with family members in Haiti, the 2nd year wideout responds to an emotionally-draining week with what turns out to be the game-winning touchdown grab.

Goat of the Game: Billy Cundiff
A forgettable postseason for NFL kickers continues, when Cundiff misses a potential game-tying field goal late in the fourth quarter that could've forced overtime.

Key matchup: Chris Carr vs. Garcon
I'm assuming that Dominique Foxworth gets Reggie Wayne, which will leave Carr to deal with Garcon. Carr has done a solid job this season, but isn't exactly Chris McAlister in his prime.

Rebirth of a Classic

When stumbling upon the news that EA Sports was going forward with an updated version of NBA Jam, I struggled to find words to explain my reaction.

Excitement? Joy? Tear-inducing convulsions due to pleasure overload?

.

Even though I was a part of the Nintendo-craze in the late 80's, I consider myself a 90's kid. The golden era of video games for me was that decade, and the shining light was the original NBA Jam for Sega Genesis (which was vastly superior to the SNES version).

.

I had a long history with he game. I probably spent about 90% of my time/earnings on the arcade-version. That included almost all of a week-long vacation in Orlando when our hotel had the console in their downstairs game room (note: if you're ever staying in the Orlando World Marriott, check and see if DCS still has the 2nd highest score). I remember shoveling driveways through the winter and saving up $60 to buy NBA Jam at the Kay-Bee Toys store at Trumbull Mall. I then remember getting grounded by my father for asking to stay home from church on Easter so I could continue a 48-hour NBA Jam bender that I was on in April of 1993.

.

I only wish Ewing/Stark's NBA Jam dominance was real

We exchanged codes for secret characters (i.e. Bill Clinton, Air Dog, etc.) in the cafeteria at school, we held neighborhood tournaments - hell, I don't think I went outdoors other than to wait for the school bus for 10 months. I even did irreparable damage to a few friendships because of the game. That's how big of an NBA Jam dork I was.

Nothing will ever top the original classic, but this version of NBA Jam should greatly cut into my productivity, just like it did 15 years ago.

Bama Wins, but...

Though Thursday's BCS National Title Game had drama, drastic momentum swings, crushing injuries, and boneheaded coaching decisions, I was left feeling empty after the confetti rained on the members of the Crimson Tide.

.

Texas star quarterback Colt McCoy was a mere spectator as he watched his backup, a true freshman named Garrett Gilbert, wilt under the pressure of the spotlight and Bama's relentless defense. Yet even without McCoy, the Longhorns had the ball with a chance to take the lead late in the fourth quarter before the wheels came off.

.

Do I think Texas would've beaten Alabama even with a healthy McCoy? No. However, when it comes to Championship games, I'd rather all things were equal. I want to see #1 vs. #2 at their best. I want dueling superstars (i.e. McCoy vs. Mark Ingram). I want both teams to be firing on all cylinders. Most importantly, I want no excuses.

.

Thursday's BCS Title game will always go down as a "yeah, but..." game, and it's the thing I hate the most about sports. A couple of examples of "yeah, but..." games in recent history:

.

2007 AFC Divisional Playoff: Chargers 28, Colts 24

This is my favorite because the excuse from Colts' fans "yeah, but Indy didn't have Dwight Freeney...". Forget the fact that the Chargers conducted the game-winning drive with backup Billy Volek on the field. Besides Phillip Rivers being hurt, Ladainian Tomlinson played just one offensive series, and Antonio Gates was practically on one leg.

.

Yeah the Colts lost to the Chargers, but...

2005 NCAA Tournament: North Carolina 67, Villanova 66
The fifth-seeded Wildcats, who were a double-digit underdog, stormed back from a ten-point deficit with under four minutes left and had a chance to tie with :11 left. Trailing by three, Villanova guard Allan Ray drove the lane for what appeared to be a basket-plus-foul, sending Ray to the line for a chance to win the game. Instead, officials mistakenly called Ray for a travel, and the Tar Heels were able to hold on.

2002 Boston College 14, Notre Dame 7
The Irish were out to an 8-0 start under first-year head coach Tyrone Willingham when they were upset by the Eagles in South Bend. Former walk-on Pat Dillingham replaced starter Carlyle Holiday for most of the game after Holiday went down with a shoulder injury. Dillingham threw two picks, including one that was returned 71 yards for a score by Josh Ott which ended up being the final margin of victory. Notre Dame, who lived a charmed life through the first eight weeks of the season, was pummeled by USC in the season-finale and in the Gator Bowl by N.C. State.

2000 NCAA Tournament: Tulsa 69, Cincinnati 61
Led by Wooden Award winner Kenyon Martin, the Bearcats had a 28-2 season and were #1 for a good portion of the year. But, Martin was lost for the season after suffering a broken leg during the Conference USA Tournament, leading to the Bearcats' 2nd round upset loss to 7th-seeded Tulsa.

If you go back even further, one "yeah, but..." game that is still talked about around these parts is Kentucky's upset over undefeated Indiana (without Scott May) in the 1975 NCAA Regional Final.

There have been some teams to actually rise above "yeah, but..." excuses:

2001 New England Patriots - lost Drew Bledsoe in Week 2 to injury and had to turn to a former 6th round draft pick named Tom Brady. Brady led the Patriots to 14 wins in the 17 games he started, including Super Bowl XXXVI.

1990 New York Giants - late in December, quarterback Phil Simms broke his foot, thrusting Jeff Hostetler (who threw 109 passes in five seasons as a backup) into the starting role. The Giants upset the heavily-favored 49ers in the NFC Championship game, and went out to beat Buffalo in one of the most memorable Super Bowls of all-time.

The point of all of this is that you always feel empty after "yeah, but..." games. In some instances, the fans are right. Indiana probably would've been undefeated and gone on to win the title in '75 had they had the services of May. Cincinnati likely would've been a Final Four team with Martin, who was by far the most dominant player in the country. But, those questions will be never answered.

Alabama is the BCS (mythical) National Champion. Texas fans are left to wonder what could've been.

Boost for Big Ten

At first glance, the Big Ten's bowl record of 4-3 may not look like much. However, thanks to Iowa's Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech, the Big Ten captured victories in all three of their marquee bowl games:

Rose Bowl - Ohio State 26, Oregon 17
Orange Bowl - Iowa 24, Georgia Tech 14
Capital One Bowl - Penn State 19, LSU 17

Sure it would've been nice for Northwestern to hold on against Auburn (38-35 OT loss), Minnesota to get a safety against Iowa State (14-13 loss), and Michigan State to hold Texas Tech in check (41-31), but having all the premiere teams in the league win was much more important.

The Big Ten hadn't won a Rose Bowl since Michigan's National Title-clinching victory over Washington State during the 1997 season, and lost their last three appearances in Pasadena by an average of almost three touchdowns. They had lost their last six BCS Bowl appearances, including both of Ohio State's lopsided National Championship defeats by Florida (41-14) and LSU (38-24).

I'm not saying the Big Ten was a great league this year - it wasn't. But, it was clearly better than both the ACC and Pac-10, and I think you can argue it was superior to both the Big East and Big 12 as well.

It's about time.

No National love for Purdue

For Purdue, a perfect 13-0 and a #4 ranking still isn't enough to garner serious love from the national media.

Following an easy 77-62 win over #6 and previously undefeated West Virginia, I heard one national "expert" say that Purdue didn't have the star power that fellow unbeatens Kansas, Texas, and Kentucky had. Really?

E'Twaun Moore isn't a star? He's 7th in the Big Ten in scoring (16.3 ppg), hitting double-figures in all but one of Purdue's wins, while setting season-highs with 22 points against both Tennessee and Wake Forest. After an inconsistent sophomore campaign, E'Twaun has become Purdue's go-to guy.

Robbie Hummel isn't a star? The Preseason All-American and Wooden Award Finalist is averaging a quiet 15/6, but there aren't many players more important to their team that Hummel is to the Boilers. What he does goes way beyond whatever you see in the box score.

JaJuan Johnson isn't a star? This is likely the big man's last year in West Lafayette, and he's making sure to go out with a bang. Johnson made light work of West Virginia's frontcourt, pouring in 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The pro scouts know that he's no slouch.

Sure, Purdue doesn't have that sure-fire NBA Lottery pick, but does that mean they're any less of a team than Kansas, Texas, and Kentucky?
.
Last time I checked, John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins have never played in the NCAA Tournament. Neither have Xavier Henry or J'Covan Brown. What the Boilers may lack in "star" power, they certainly make up for in experience. The fact also remains that there isn't a better defensive team in America than this Purdue squad.

If a perfect non-conference season with wins over heavyweights like Tennessee and West Virginia isn't good enough to make Purdue a Final Four contender, then that's fine.

Maybe it would be better for the country's best kept secret to finally be revealed in Indianapolis this April.