Horseshoe Hero

Colts 9 - Jets 35

In their least productive outing of the season, the Colts lost a blowout to the New York Jets, 35-9 in the Meadowlands. After prevailing in most dramatic fashion over the Green Bay Packers last week, the Colts, injury depleted and perhaps tired from the effort, failed to reach the end zone for the entirety of the game. The team could get neither the passing nor the running game going, and the defense struggled, especially up front. Unfortunately, the horseshoe heroes were few and far between, but one reliable special teams player more than did his part.

Offense

Andrew Luck struggled. Even as I type this, I question whether that is a typo. But Luck had two not-so-pretty interceptions on the day, and although he threw for almost 300 yards, he completed just 50% of his passes, none of which reached the end zone. Luck may have been trying to do too much, attempting to compensate for the run game that was left all but nonexistent (just 41 net rushing yards) after losing top back Donald Brown to injury last week (He will be out another 1-2 weeks). However, I have no doubt that Luck will rebound. He is too mentally tough and physically talented to struggle for long.

Defense

Giving up 35 points is never a good thing. The Colts defense took a dramatic step backward on Sunday, suffering from the pre-game loss of Robert Mathis and the in-game loss of Cory Redding. Jerry Hughes, stepping up in Mathis’ absence, recorded the team’s only sack. But little else was done, and even Tim Tebow was able to complete a pass against the Colts on a fake punt. The Jets were in control through all four quarters.

Special Teams

The special teams unit was the only group to play up to the team’s high standards. Kicker Adam Vinatieri contributed all 9 of the team’s points, successfully kicking 3 fields, including yet another 50-yarder. Year in and year out, Vinatieri amazes me. Is this man really almost 40 years old? He is without question this week’s most deserving horseshoe hero.

While the crushing loss is hard to swallow, Colts fans must remember that their team is young and simply experiencing some growing pains. The group has already matched their win total from last year just 5 games into the season, and potential bursts at the seems of Indianapolis. Will the Colts rebound next week at home against the Browns? Horseshoe Hero will be here to let you know.

Stay Chuckstrong, Colts fans!

Jan 1, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez (6) runs the ball against the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-US PRESSWIRE

Well, the Peyton Manning-to-New York Jets talk lasted about as long as a Tim Tebow genuflect.  As Manning hit the road on his first ever free agent tour, landing in Denver as a first stop, the Jets ended speculation about bringing Eli’s big brother to the Big Apple.   How, you say?   Why, by signing wunderkind quarterback Mark Sanchez to a three-year contract extension.    Hope Peyton didn’t have his heart set on an army green uniform.

It is understandable that people get concerned about injuries. No one with half a hear wants a person that they use to watch every Sunday to live a stunted life after they are done playing either due to injury complications or too many hits to the head. The nurturer in many of us want to take care of thee guys and hopefully keep many of them from having to suffer when their playing days are done.

Having played football since I was little, though college , and into a 3 1/2 week stint with the now defunct Portland Prowlers of the also defunct IPFL (Indoor Professional Football League). For the last 12-13 years (some of them are kind of blurry) I have been an active rugby player. The point is, I understand what the players go through and the care that hey need when they are done. My knees ache daily, my back sometimes twinges, and my hands have nerve damage in them (minor, but annoying at times).

I mention this because like the guys that are lucky enough to plat in the NFL it was my choice to play. Big difference of course was that these guys are getting paid big bucks to do what they do while I just go cheap beer. Anyway…

Changing the game to protect these guys while they are playing will be a mistake. It is a full contact game; let me repeat that- A FULL CONTACT GAME. Injuries are sadly the nature of the beast. To play to avoid injuries or to change the rules to protect certain players from injuries will only take away from the legitimacy of the contest.

Gregg Williams should be wanting to knock Peyton Manning out of the game (he probably watched Curtis Painter in action). Caldwell should be annoyed about the comments too. Like the hits that knock some of these guys out of the game, comments are part of the contest. So don’t sweat ’em folks. We all know that Dwight Freeney is going to put Brees into orbit anyway.