Luck on pace for 46 TDs this season

[DrSpaceman]

Its truly remarkable when you consider :

This would be his second 40 TD season of his career, despite his injury struggles

He had not played in over a year before the season and many were debating if he could even play again last year

The people he has been throwing to this year have been TY Hilton part of the time, a decent TE red zone target in Eric Ebron and then a whole bunch of guys most have never really heard before this year.

There was virtually no run game the first 2/3 of the season

Its a new offensive system with a rookie head coach calling plays

OL has come together lately but was a mess to start the season with injuries

No need to mention the drops so far this year


Contrast that to when manning threw 49 TDs (would have been more) :

Basically three other HOFers on the offense in Wayne, Harrison and Edge, plus had a great 3rd WR in Stokely and a great TE in Dallas Clark. I don't think there is any comparison between the skill position players

Those guys rarely dropped passes

The offensive system had been in place for man years and Manning was perfecting it at the time

He had a center in Saturday and a left tackle in Tarik Glenn that were veterans and he had worked with for years.

The run game had Edge, as mentioned was really solid at the time, play action was huge for that Colts team.

Manning was still healthy, had never had any serious injuries, at least to his arm/neck at the time (I believe he had the jaw injury early on he played threw)


Dungy had already been in place for 3 or 4 years at the time.


To that point in his career Manning had never thrown more than 33 TDs in a season. In fact that was his only 30+ TD season up to that time.

Now Manning had an amazing 9.9% TD pct throwing rate that year and Luck is only at 6.4% this year, but its still amazing what he has done.

[YDFL Commish]

Manning also had Marcus Pollard that year. An embarrassment of riches it was.

[Indiana V2]

Luck is playing at a whole different level, and it's scary to think that the offense is likely only going to get better.

[omahacolt]

Manning also had Marcus Pollard that year. An embarrassment of riches it was.

No he didnt

[VeveJones007]

Didn’t have a ton of umpf on some throws today, but he was so accurate that it didn’t matter in the end. His throws are reminding me a lot of Brees so far this season.

[Luck4Reich]

No he didnt

Actually he did..49 was 2004 and Pollard caught 6 TDS

The year Pollard ran his mouth in the playoffs too I believe?

[Luck4Reich]

Also interesting that James Mungro was the only RB to have receiving TD’s that year. Edge and Rhodes didn’t have any. 37 of those 49 TDS were spread around to Wayne, Harrison and Stokley if I am looking at it right.

[YDFL Commish]

No he didnt

Yes he did.

[Luck4Reich]

Luck is playing at a whole different level, and it's scary to think that the offense is likely only going to get better.

Imagine if he gets some WR weapons?

[omahacolt]

Actually he did..49 was 2004 and Pollard caught 6 TDS

The year Pollard ran his mouth in the playoffs too I believe?

I stand corrected. I thought he was gone after the 03 season. My apologies

[JAFF]

Also interesting that James Mungro was the only RB to have receiving TD’s that year. Edge and Rhodes didn’t have any. 37 of those 49 TDS were spread around to Wayne, Harrison and Stokley if I am looking at it right.

Wasnt that the pass manning threw left handed?

[Luck4Reich]

Wasnt that the pass manning threw left handed?

Maybe, I need google to help my memory these days lol

[YDFL Commish]

Wasnt that the pass manning threw left handed?

It was a shovel pass. Don't remember which hand though.

[JAFF]

It was a shovel pass. Don't remember which hand though.

Pretty sure it was left. He mentioned his HS coach told him it was good to be “amphibious”.

[WaynesWorld87]

I'm taking what a lot of QBs do this season statistically with a grain of salt. We seem to be at the peak of the "steroids" era of the NFL. So many QBs league wide are putting up numbers that would been league leading-ish 15+ years ago.

However, this is the first season in Luck's career where I thought he looked truly elite. Not that he wasn't elite or borderline elite in past seasons, but this year something just looks and feels different. His accuracy and command of the game seem to be at a whole new level. Which, when you consider the fact that we're 3-5, may seem crazy.

I guess, the best way I can think of to put it, is this is the first year in Luck's career where I felt roughly as confident in his ability win us a game single-handily. And he's doing it with weapons that pale in comparison to what Manning had in his best seasons.

[Puck]

I'm taking what a lot of QBs do this season statistically with a grain of salt. We seem to be at the peak of the "steroids" era of the NFL. So many QBs league wide are putting up numbers that would been league leading-ish 15+ years ago.

However, this is the first season in Luck's career where I thought he looked truly elite. Not that he wasn't elite or borderline elite in past seasons, but this year something just looks and feels different. His accuracy and command of the game seem to be at a whole new level. Which, when you consider the fact that we're 3-5, may seem crazy.

I guess, the best way I can think of to put it, is this is the first year in Luck's career where I felt roughly as confident in his ability win us a game single-handily. And he's doing it with weapons that pale in comparison to what Manning had in his best seasons.

Agree. And not to beat a dead horse but isn't it great to see Luck in an actual scheme that is effecting everyone and protects him and the same time?

Frank Reich sigle handily replaced Pags and Chud by himself. It's hard to believe that our new head coach is also the best coordinator the team has had in the last 6 yrs. The only one close was BA but its not close. I realize that Frank has an OC but this team has the Reich signature all over it... well on offense it does....

[omahacolt]

Agree. And not to beat a dead horse but isn't it great to see Luck in an actual scheme that is effecting everyone and protects him and the same time?

Frank Reich sigle handily replaced Pags and Chud by himself. It's hard to believe that our new head coach is also the best coordinator the team has had in the last 6 yrs. The only one close was BA but its not close. I realize that Frank has an OC but this team has the Reich signature all over it... well on offense it does....

Yes. It is amazing watching Luck play with competent coaching

[Pez]

The local paper had a stat today the the colts are the first team since 1970 merger to have two consecutive games with over 200 yards rushing, no sacks and no giveaways.

We could be two defensive playmakers away from something great. I like where we are. Third straight game without a sack.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Racehorse]

Manning also had Marcus Pollard that year. An embarrassment of riches it was.

Did you know he was formerly a basketball player?

[albany ed]

As well as Luck is playing right now, he can be a lot better. He still seems to lock in on a receiver and regardless of whether he's open or not, instead of going through his progressions, he forces the throw. The deflection caught by Inman is a prime example. It could be that he still reacts to having little or no time, given the OLs history of being porous, so I'm hoping he starts to feel confident in going through his progressions in the future.

[DrSpaceman]

As well as Luck is playing right now, he can be a lot better. He still seems to lock in on a receiver and regardless of whether he's open or not, instead of going through his progressions, he forces the throw. The deflection caught by Inman is a prime example. It could be that he still reacts to having little or no time, given the OLs history of being porous, so I'm hoping he starts to feel confident in going through his progressions in the future.

He did the same thing on a 3rd down play to Hilton today. Was looking his way the whole time, obvious he was making that throw and it had no chance.

[rm1369]

As well as Luck is playing right now, he can be a lot better. He still seems to lock in on a receiver and regardless of whether he's open or not, instead of going through his progressions, he forces the throw. The deflection caught by Inman is a prime example. It could be that he still reacts to having little or no time, given the OLs history of being porous, so I'm hoping he starts to feel confident in going through his progressions in the future.

Agreed. And I’m confident it will come. He’s already protecting his body more and checking the ball down way more often (helped by play designs that give him a safety outlet). I think the OL play will definitely help, but I think a bigger part will be getting confidence in the other pass catchers. The main two targets I’ve seen him lock into have been TY and Doyle - historically his two most reliable options. And it often seems to happen on 3rd down where it’s a “need it” type play. Hopefully the team is mostly through their drop issues. Things like the Mo Alie-Cox TD catch and a couple of the Inman catches will go along way to solving the issue IMO.

[1965southpaw]

Agreed. And I’m confident it will come. He’s already protecting his body more and checking the ball down way more often (helped by play designs that give him a safety outlet). I think the OL play will definitely help, but I think a bigger part will be getting confidence in the other pass catchers. The main two targets I’ve seen him lock into have been TY and Doyle - historically his two most reliable options. And it often seems to happen on 3rd down where it’s a “need it” type play. Hopefully the team is mostly through their drop issues. Things like the Mo Alie-Cox TD catch and a couple of the Inman catches will go along way to solving the issue IMO.

Agree this is still a development area....but I think he's well on his way to adjusting now that he is having some time. That TD catch was designed for Jack Doyle. He was covered up and Luck went to a 2nd target for a TD.

[Racehorse]

I saw several checkdowns yesterday

[Colts And Orioles]

It's truly remarkable when you consider:


This would be his second 40 TD season of his career, despite his injury struggles

He had not played in over a year before the season and many were debating if he could even play again last year

The people he has been throwing to this year have been TY Hilton part of the time, a decent TE red zone target in Eric Ebron and then a whole bunch of guys most have never really heard before this year.

There was virtually no run game the first 2/3 of the season

Its a new offensive system with a rookie head coach calling plays

OL has come together lately but was a mess to start the season with injuries

No need to mention the drops so far this year


Contrast that to when manning threw 49 TDs (would have been more) :

Basically three other HOFers on the offense in Wayne, Harrison and Edge, plus had a great 3rd WR in Stokely and a great TE in Dallas Clark. I don't think there is any comparison between the skill position players

Those guys rarely dropped passes

The offensive system had been in place for man years and Manning was perfecting it at the time

He had a center in Saturday and a left tackle in Tarik Glenn that were veterans and he had worked with for years.

The run game had Edge, as mentioned was really solid at the time, play action was huge for that Colts team.

Manning was still healthy, had never had any serious injuries, at least to his arm/neck at the time (I believe he had the jaw injury early on he played threw)


Dungy had already been in place for 3 or 4 years at the time.


To that point in his career Manning had never thrown more than 33 TDs in a season. In fact that was his only 30+ TD season up to that time.

Now Manning had an amazing 9.9% TD pct throwing rate that year and Luck is only at 6.4% this year, but its still amazing what he has done.





o



(2 GAMES LATER)



Luck threw 6 TD's and 1 INT in his last 2 games combined ........ hence, he is still on pace for 46 (or 47) TD's for the season.


Luck (and the Colts) were doing so well in their most recent game that Jacoby Brissett came in to go through the motions of finishing up the contest, with the team being up by a score of 38-3.



o

[Chromeburn]

Manning had better talent. But the league has changed. This is only the beginning of an offensive era. All these records are going to get blown out of the water as more teams embrace the offensive explosion. The game last night is only the beginning. We are going to see more 40-50 point games. Defenses will become almost dime based.

If Manning was starting today with that team he would throw 70 TDs

[DrSpaceman]

Manning had better talent. But the league has changed. This is only the beginning of an offensive era. All these records are going to get blown out of the water as more teams embrace the offensive explosion. The game last night is only the beginning. We are going to see more 40-50 point games. Defenses will become almost dime based.

If Manning was starting today with that team he would throw 70 TDs

Very true.

Looking back at Manning's TD totals for his early career, they seem pedestrian now.

AT the time they were top of the league, on a faster pace than almost all QBs in history.

Between 2000-2010, manning threw for 40000 yards and over 300 TDs, I don't recall the exact numbers, but at the time it was basically the best decade ever by a QB in terms of those numbers. I remember looking it all up at the time and posting on it.

Now those would be good but not by any means spectacular numbers. I think Brees probably threw for 50000 yards, or close to it, over the past decade.

And really much of that was because of manning. I know the Bills did the hurry up in the early 90s, but Manning and what he did really changed the league and caused many teams to adopt the hurry up system as we see it commonly today. Even the Pats. Brady never did that shit before 2007 while they were winning their first three SBs. Manning had been doing it for years before the adopted the system

[VeveJones007]

Very true.

Looking back at Manning's TD totals for his early career, they seem pedestrian now.

AT the time they were top of the league, on a faster pace than almost all QBs in history.

Between 2000-2010, manning threw for 40000 yards and over 300 TDs, I don't recall the exact numbers, but at the time it was basically the best decade ever by a QB in terms of those numbers. I remember looking it all up at the time and posting on it.

Now those would be good but not by any means spectacular numbers. I think Brees probably threw for 50000 yards, or close to it, over the past decade.

And really much of that was because of manning. I know the Bills did the hurry up in the early 90s, but Manning and what he did really changed the league and caused many teams to adopt the hurry up system as we see it commonly today. Even the Pats. Brady never did that shit before 2007 while they were winning their first three SBs. Manning had been doing it for years before the adopted the system

It was caused by Manning, but not in the way you're suggesting. Polian convinced the league that the offensive product was a better way to attract fans, pointing to the Colts as an example. That led to rule changes that hurt the ability to defend the pass. Then, having a healthy QB became the next point of emphasis, so the league adopted a lot of other rules to limit dangerous hits on QBs.

[VeveJones007]

Manning had better talent. But the league has changed. This is only the beginning of an offensive era. All these records are going to get blown out of the water as more teams embrace the offensive explosion. The game last night is only the beginning. We are going to see more 40-50 point games. Defenses will become almost dime based.

If Manning was starting today with that team he would throw 70 TDs

Manning threw 56 with the current slate of rules and a damn good set of receivers. Maybe he hits 60 with Marvin and Reggie, but 70 is right out.

[Chromeburn]

Very true.

Looking back at Manning's TD totals for his early career, they seem pedestrian now.

AT the time they were top of the league, on a faster pace than almost all QBs in history.

Between 2000-2010, manning threw for 40000 yards and over 300 TDs, I don't recall the exact numbers, but at the time it was basically the best decade ever by a QB in terms of those numbers. I remember looking it all up at the time and posting on it.

Now those would be good but not by any means spectacular numbers. I think Brees probably threw for 50000 yards, or close to it, over the past decade.

And really much of that was because of manning. I know the Bills did the hurry up in the early 90s, but Manning and what he did really changed the league and caused many teams to adopt the hurry up system as we see it commonly today. Even the Pats. Brady never did that shit before 2007 while they were winning their first three SBs. Manning had been doing it for years before the adopted the system

One thing I don’t think people realize is all these QBs coming in are being groomed by the Mannings. They are all attending their QB camp at a young age, and then counseling at the camp once they’re in college. The Mannings are very hands on in the camps. I think that is why we are seeing these young guys adjust faster, better foot work, going through progressions, proper throwing motion. Peyton is out of the league but still having a large effect on it.

[DrSpaceman]

It was caused by Manning, but not in the way you're suggesting. Polian convinced the league that the offensive product was a better way to attract fans, pointing to the Colts as an example. That led to rule changes that hurt the ability to defend the pass. Then, having a healthy QB became the next point of emphasis, so the league adopted a lot of other rules to limit dangerous hits on QBs.

Its not all the rules though

The game is faster and there is more passing now than there used to be.

That has nothing to do with rule changes.

And its not all Polian causing the rule changes. The tightening of the QB hit rules happened starting with Brady and his injury. God forbid he is lost for the year.

If that weren't true, they would have changed them after Carson Palmer was hurt in the playoffs in 2005. Much worse hit, same injury, just a different guy and team it happened to. But nope, had to wait 3 years until Brady suffers, then its a crisis

[Chromeburn]

Manning threw 56 with the current slate of rules and a damn good set of receivers. Maybe he hits 60 with Marvin and Reggie, but 70 is right out.

We had a 100 point game last night by a 2nd year and 3rd year QB, who don’t have his processing power. Mahomes had 5 td’s? How many games did Peyton sit out the fourth because we were blowing guys out? Did he even play the last game of the year? Brady did everything he could to beat that number, Manning did it without running up the score. If he had to keep scoring I think he could have easily hit 65. 5 more than that with the new rules is not unthinkable. Manning was getting hit a lot. His sack numbers don’t reflect it, but he was the most hit QB after release. If he had a cleaner pocket and more time, he would have been unstoppable. Hell he was unstoppable for a time.

[Chromeburn]

Its not all the rules though

The game is faster and there is more passing now than there used to be.

That has nothing to do with rule changes.

And its not all Polian causing the rule changes. The tightening of the QB hit rules happened starting with Brady and his injury. God forbid he is lost for the year.

If that weren't true, they would have changed them after Carson Palmer was hurt in the playoffs in 2005. Much worse hit, same injury, just a different guy and team it happened to. But nope, had to wait 3 years until Brady suffers, then its a crisis

All that is true but really last year is what clinched it. Several QBs went down and scoring went down. Consequently ratings went down also. The owners aren’t dumb, they know ratings are tied to scoring and you do that with big plays by superstar QBs. Ratings are up, scoring is up, Billionaires are happy. This current crop of QBs will set new records when they are done annhilating the old ones.

[VeveJones007]

Its not all the rules though

The game is faster and there is more passing now than there used to be.

That has nothing to do with rule changes.

And its not all Polian causing the rule changes. The tightening of the QB hit rules happened starting with Brady and his injury. God forbid he is lost for the year.

If that weren't true, they would have changed them after Carson Palmer was hurt in the playoffs in 2005. Much worse hit, same injury, just a different guy and team it happened to. But nope, had to wait 3 years until Brady suffers, then its a crisis

The game is faster and there is more passing because the rule changes made it easier to throw the ball.

[omahacolt]

It was caused by Manning, but not in the way you're suggesting. Polian convinced the league that the offensive product was a better way to attract fans, pointing to the Colts as an example. That led to rule changes that hurt the ability to defend the pass. Then, having a healthy QB became the next point of emphasis, so the league adopted a lot of other rules to limit dangerous hits on QBs.

Not exactly. Polian didn’t campaign for rule changes. No rules were changed. They just wanted the rules called as they stood. No rules were changed. To me that is very important to remember.

They changed rules after Palmer and Brady got hit low.

[Dewey 5]

Not exactly. Polian didn’t campaign for rule changes. No rules were changed. They just wanted the rules called as they stood. No rules were changed. To me that is very important to remember.

They changed rules after Palmer and Brady got hit low.

Correct. It's the Mel Blount Rule. It was put on the books in 1978.

[VeveJones007]

Not exactly. Polian didn’t campaign for rule changes. No rules were changed. They just wanted the rules called as they stood. No rules were changed. To me that is very important to remember.

They changed rules after Palmer and Brady got hit low.

Fair. The NFL made holding and illegal contact a point of emphasis, but those rules were already on the books.

[JAFF]

Not exactly. Polian didn’t campaign for rule changes. No rules were changed. They just wanted the rules called as they stood. No rules were changed. To me that is very important to remember.

They changed rules after Palmer and Brady got hit low.

Fyi manning was wearing a knee brace his first year. That plant leg is vulnerable to a guy accidently rolling into it

[Colt Classic]

Correct. It's the Mel Blount Rule. It was put on the books in 1978.

The guy who did the voices for Looney Tunes?! :p

[Colts And Orioles]

Fair. The NFL made holding and illegal contact a point of emphasis, but those rules were already on the books.




o



Colts fans have some really bad memories from the 2003 season AFC Championship game between the Colts and the Patriots.


This article was written just prior to the regular-season game that the 2 teams played against each other the following September (of the 2004 season.)




Hands Off for Patriots in Rematch With Colts

(By Judy Battista)

https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/sports/football/hands-off-for-patriots-in-rematch-with-colts.html


o

[Chromeburn]

o



Colts fans have some really bad memories from the 2003 season AFC Championship game between the Colts and the Patriots.


This article was written just prior to the regular-season game that the 2 teams played against each other the following September (of the 2004 season.)




Hands Off for Patriots in Rematch With Colts

(By Judy Battista)

https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/09/sports/football/hands-off-for-patriots-in-rematch-with-colts.html


o

Was that the game he watered down the field too?

[Colts And Orioles]

Was that the game in which they watered down the field, too ???





o




I believe that you may be thinking of the 1982 AFC Championship game, when the Miami Dolphins groundskeepers failed to supply a tarpaulin for a field that was already soaking wet from the previous day's rainstorm.



No Excuse for Missing Tarpaulin

(By Dave Anderson)

https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/24/sports/no-excuse-for-missing-tarpaulin.html






Incidentally, earlier that same season the Dolphins were the victims in "The Snowplow Game", a contest in which the Patriots (in Foxborough) had a convict that was on work furlough quickly drive onto the field with his snowplow to clear a spot for Patriots placekicker John Smith, who attempted (and made) what proved to be the game-winning field goal.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJJHdopdW0o





https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-LqckfI8yg8/hqdefault.jpg



o

[Racehorse]

o




I believe that you may be thinking of the 1982 AFC Championship game, when the Miami Dolphins groundskeepers failed to supply a tarpaulin for a field that was already soaking wet from the previous day's rainstorm.



No Excuse for Missing Tarpaulin

(By Dave Anderson)

https://www.nytimes.com/1983/01/24/sports/no-excuse-for-missing-tarpaulin.html






Incidentally, earlier that same season the Dolphins were the victims in "The Snowplow Game", a contest in which the Patriots (in Foxborough) had a convict that was on work furlough quickly drive onto the field with his snowplow to clear a spot for Patriots placekicker John Smith, who attempted (and made) what proved to be the game-winning field goal.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJJHdopdW0o





https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-LqckfI8yg8/hqdefault.jpg



o
No, he is referring to the time that BB thought it would be a good idea to slow down our speed by making the field soggy. It was not due to forgetting any tarp, but watered intentionally so as to make the ground soft and slow.

[DrSpaceman]

The game is faster and there is more passing because the rule changes made it easier to throw the ball.

Manning was running the hurry up offense before all the rule changes made it easier to throw throw the ball.

And as mentioned, it wasn't really rule changes. They enforced the rules as they should have.

[Coltsalr]

Actually he did..49 was 2004 and Pollard caught 6 TDS

The year Pollard ran his mouth in the playoffs too I believe?

How many of those TD's came in that Thanksgiving game against Detroit?

Great memory that was.

[VeveJones007]

Manning was running the hurry up offense before all the rule changes made it easier to throw throw the ball.

And as mentioned, it wasn't really rule changes. They enforced the rules as they should have.

And none of these guys doing it right now are of the caliber of Peyton Manning, yet they are still on pace for silly "Star Wars" numbers. It's almost as if there's a fundamental part of the game that has made it easier on QBs to put up huge stats.

[VeveJones007]

Manning was running the hurry up offense before all the rule changes made it easier to throw throw the ball.

And as mentioned, it wasn't really rule changes. They enforced the rules as they should have.

How many times have you seen a running back penalized for leading with his helmet this year? All that really matters is whether or not a rule is enforced.

I shouldn't have referred to it as a "rules change," but that doesn't change my point that an NFL-mandated adjustment made it easier on the passing game, which has led to this inflation.

[DrSpaceman]

And none of these guys doing it right now are of the caliber of Peyton Manning, yet they are still on pace for silly "Star Wars" numbers. It's almost as if there's a fundamental part of the game that has made it easier on QBs to put up huge stats.

I am not arguing that the guys now have an easier time than Manning did.

I am arguing that Manning was the innovator that made the hurry up offense, with QBs calling the plays at the line of scrimmage and managing the game from the field, the standard that the high powered offenses use today. If Manning did not start doing it in 2001 or so, then Rodgers, Brees and even Brady and all the others would not be doing it today.

You seem to think it was the rule changes/emphasis on the rules, but that was in 2004 when those came along at the urging of Polian. And the rules on roughing the passer were emphasized after 2008.

Manning was creating and running the hurry up offense as we see in the league today before both those changes.

Again Jim Kelly and the Bills did it too some in the early 90s, but no one followed their lead and made it a trend.

[Colts And Orioles]

No, he is referring to the time that BB thought it would be a good idea to slow down our speed by making the field soggy. It was not due to forgetting any tarp, but watered intentionally so as to make the ground soft and slow.




o



I remember that it was snowing during the game.

I don't recall Belichick having the field watered down prior to the game.

Thanks in advance if you have any info/citations about that aspect/occurrence.



o

[Coltsalr]

o



I remember that it was snowing during the game.

I don't recall Belichick having the field watered down prior to the game.

Thanks in advance if you have any info/citations about that aspect/occurrence.



o

I think this is what he meant:


It rained heavily Wednesday, but the Gillette Stadium field was not covered. It was not covered Tuesday. It was not covered Monday.

Yes, the Patriots do own a tarp, and they have not reported it stolen. Perhaps Patriots coach Bill Belichick chose not to have the grounds crew put the tarp down. Perhaps he forgot.

The speedy Colts would love to play Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game on a dry, fast field, anything akin to the artificial surface in their dome home. Belichick would prefer they play in something approximating a rice paddy.

Short of turning on the sprinklers at 3 a.m., Belichick may be guilty of nothing but benign neglect. Of course, he'd never admit to that. Maybe the coach is too busy watching video of the Colts offense to even notice the 120 yards of increasingly soggy grass just outside his door or know it's supposed to rain heavily again Friday.

Asking Belichick if he tempted to cover the field is sort of like asking Janet Jackson if she was tempted to wear a turtleneck.

"My job is not to pull weeds, or rake the field," Belichick said. "I have a lot of other things to do. I'm sure that will all be taken care of."



https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2005-01-13-0501130019-story.html

[Colts And Orioles]

No, he is referring to the time that BB thought it would be a good idea to slow down our speed by making the field soggy. It was not due to forgetting any tarp, but watered intentionally so as to make the ground soft and slow.








o



I remember that it was snowing during the game.

I don't recall Belichick having the field watered down prior to the game.

Thanks in advance if you have any info/citations about that aspect/occurrence.



o








I think this is what he meant:


It rained heavily Wednesday, but the Gillette Stadium field was not covered. It was not covered Tuesday. It was not covered Monday.

Yes, the Patriots do own a tarp, and they have not reported it stolen. Perhaps Patriots coach Bill Belichick chose not to have the grounds crew put the tarp down. Perhaps he forgot.


https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2005-01-13-0501130019-story.html





o



Thanks !!!

That was the same tactic used as the one that I alluded to in the 1982 AFC Championship game between the Dolphins and the Jets ........ the non-use of a tarpaulin by the home team to intentionally deter the players' footing on the playing field.



However, that is a different game than the one that we were discussing ........ that article is in regard to the following season's game (2004), which was a divisional playoff.



o

[Chromeburn]

I am not arguing that the guys now have an easier time than Manning did.

I am arguing that Manning was the innovator that made the hurry up offense, with QBs calling the plays at the line of scrimmage and managing the game from the field, the standard that the high powered offenses use today. If Manning did not start doing it in 2001 or so, then Rodgers, Brees and even Brady and all the others would not be doing it today.

You seem to think it was the rule changes/emphasis on the rules, but that was in 2004 when those came along at the urging of Polian. And the rules on roughing the passer were emphasized after 2008.

Manning was creating and running the hurry up offense as we see in the league today before both those changes.

Again Jim Kelly and the Bills did it too some in the early 90s, but no one followed their lead and made it a trend.

Because most teams couldn’t do it effectively. Game was slower then and you needed a smart QB to run it.

[Chromeburn]

o



Thanks !!!

That was the same tactic used as the one that I alluded to in the 1982 AFC Championship game between the Dolphins and the Jets ........ the non-use of a tarpaulin by the home team to intentionally deter the players' footing on the playing field.



However, that is a different game than the one that we were discussing ........ that article is in regard to the following season's game (2004), which was a divisional playoff.



o

Belicheat probably went out there with a hose the night before just to make sure.

[Colts And Orioles]

o



Thanks !!!

That was the same tactic used as the one that I alluded to in the 1982 AFC Championship game between the Dolphins and the Jets ........ the non-use of a tarpaulin by the home team to intentionally deter the players' footing on the playing field.



However, that is a different game than the one that we were discussing ........ that article is in regard to the following season's game (2004), which was a divisional playoff.



o







Belicheat probably went out there with a hose the night before just to make sure.





o



We know for a fact that they intentionally left the tarpaulin off of the field for the entire week preceding the game.

While it's possible that the Patriots may be guilty of more than what they have been caught for, I prefer not to suppose and/or make up additional possibilities when there is plenty of fact to incriminate them of their highly questionable (and sometimes illegal) tactics.



o

[Racehorse]

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-01-13-0501130345-story.html

[Colts And Orioles]

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-01-13-0501130345-story.html




o



That's the same article that ALR posted, in regard to the Patriots not using the tarpaulin to cover the field for the entire week prior in their 2004 season divisional playoff game.



o





I think this is what he meant:


https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2005-01-13-0501130019-story.html

[Colts And Orioles]

o



Old friend Frank Gore compliments Luck.

Gore asserts that Luck now looks less timid than he did when he played alongside him with a considerably lesser offensive line in 2015 and 2016.




Frank Gore on Andrew Luck: ‘He’s Looking Like that Boy Comin’ Out of Stanford’

(By Mike Chappell)

https://fox59.com/2018/11/21/frank-gore-on-andrew-luck-hes-looking-like-that-boy-comin-out-of-stanford/



o

[Chromeburn]

o



We know for a fact that they intentionally left the tarpaulin off of the field for the entire week preceding the game.

While it's possible that the Patriots may be guilty of more than what they have been caught for, I prefer not to suppose and/or make up additional possibilities when there is plenty of fact to incriminate them of their highly questionable (and sometimes illegal) tactics.



o






“Oh Hey! It’s raining pretty hard for several days now.”


“What do we do when that happens?”


“Well usually in every other instance we try to protect the integrity of the field and cover it with a tarp.”



“What’s a tarp?... and what’s integrity?”







I’m sure it was just a coincidence that they were worried about the teams speed. Belichick has never bent the rules and doesn’t really pay attention to the details.

[Dam8610]

“Oh Hey! It’s raining pretty hard for several days now.”


“What do we do when that happens?”


“Well usually in every other instance we try to protect the integrity of the field and cover it with a tarp.”



“What’s a tarp?... and what’s integrity?”







I’m sure it was just a coincidence that they were worried about the teams speed. Belichick has never bent the rules and doesn’t really pay attention to the details.

"You lost me at tarp, but in...integ...inte...that other word you said, not only do I not recognize it, but attempting to say it appears to make me physically ill." - Bill Belicheat

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. DOLPHINS, 11/25)



In spite of not having his best game, and in spite of Adam "Money" Vinatieri missing a crucial field goal attempt late in the 3rd quarter, Andrew rallied the troops for 13 consecutive points on the Colts' final 3 drives of the game to turn a 24-14 deficit into a 27-24 victory.


On the final drive, Luck shook free of a potential sack on 3rd down and 9 to throw what proved to be a game-winning completion to a wide-open Chester Rogers 34 yards downfield. Vinatieri kicked the game-winner 3 plays later on the final play of the game.


o

[DrSpaceman]

32 TDs for the year, with 11 INTs.

Still good numbers. ANd got the drives when needed 13 points to end the game and win.

On pace for 47-48 TDs this season, 3 a game consistently.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Andy's season TD pace took a hit last week in the Colts' disastrous 6-0 loss to the Jaguars.

We not only need the Stanford grad to step up big time tomorrow afternoon against the Texans, but we will also need the offensive line to be their usual 2018 selves, and the defense to maintain the momentum of their last 3 games ........ they have ceded a total of 40 points in the last 12 quarters combined, only 33 of which mattered (the game was well in hand when the Titans tacked on a touchdown late in the 4th quarter of the Colts' 38-10 win.)

o

[rcubed]

Dont call him Andy. Creepy as fuck.

[Hoopsdoc]

Took himself solidly out of the MVP conversation last week, unless he’s just unbelievable down the stretch and Mahomes and others falter. Which won’t happen.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


Andy's season TD pace took a hit last week in the Colts' disastrous 6-0 loss to the Jaguars.

We not only need the Stanford grad to step up big time tomorrow afternoon against the Texans, but we will also need the offensive line to be their usual 2018 selves, and the defense to maintain the momentum of their last 3 games ........ they have ceded a total of 40 points in the last 12 quarters combined, only 33 of which mattered (the game was well in hand when the Titans tacked on a touchdown late in the 4th quarter of the Colts' 38-10 win.)

o
o

Luck was sacked 2 times in 41 drop-backs today. That's not bad at all.

The offensive line was good, and the defense was very good (in spite of being jobbed out of and INT and 7 points by the referees.) Luck threw for almost 400 yards, and completed 66 percent of his passes.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. COWBOYS, 12/16)



In spite of the fact that he did not throw any TD passes, I believe that Luck had has 2nd consecutive solid game yesterday following the clunker against the Jaguars 2 weeks ago.


o

[DrSpaceman]

Yes his pace fell way off the last 3 weeks.

But still a great season.

Will end up I think in the high 30s.

[Dewey 5]

Yes his pace fell way off the last 3 weeks.

But still a great season.

Will end up I think in the high 30s.

It sure is nice to be able to finally win games with Luck not being forced to carry the team on his back.

[FatDT]

I'll take a balanced team capable of making plays in any phase of the game over new QB records, 10/10 times.

At their best this is the most balanced team we've had since 2009, maybe 2007.

[sherck]

It sure is nice to be able to finally win games with Luck not being forced to carry the team on his back.
And not just win them....

Dominate them.

The defense is WAY ahead of schedule.

#11 in scoring defense (points per game allowed = 21.4)
#10 in yards allowed (341.5 yards per game)
#15 in passing yards allowed (237.9 yards per game)
#08 in rushing yards allowed (103.6 yards per game)
#12 in team sacks (38 for season or 2.71 per game). Last year we had 25.
#13 in team interceptions (12 for season). Last year we had 13.
#06 in TDs allowed (19 for season). Last year we allowed 23.

No matter how you slice it, we are a top half of the league defense bordering on a top ten defense for 2018.

Our run game CAN dominate at times as well.

While only #22 for rushing per game for the season (103.8 ypg), performances during our 7 - 1 win streak have been:

Week 15 / DAL / WIN / 178 yards rushing - Excellent
Week 14 / HOU / WIN / 050 yards rushing
Week 13 / JAX / LOSS / 041 yards rushing
Week 12 / MIA / WIN / 118 yards rushing - Acceptable
Week 11 / TEN / WIN / 102 yards rushing - Acceptable
Week 10 / JAX / WIN / 081 yards rushing
Week 09 / OAK / WIN / 222 yards rushing - Excellent
Week 08 / BUF / WIN / 220 yards rushing - Excellent

or 126.5 yards per game that would rank the Colts #9 in the NFL if substained over a whole season.

There is a LOT more to this young team than just Andrew Luck to T.Y. Hilton! :)

Walk Worthy,

[FatDT]

There is a LOT more to this young team than just Andrew Luck to T.Y. Hilton! :)


I agree. It's a different approach to team building and I like it. With Manning the idea was to build on strength and make it nearly impossible to stop. We won a lot of games but we know how it often ended in the postseason. The best defenses were able to scheme up ways to take away a key piece or two of our offense, and if Manning and company didn't adjust quickly enough it was game over, season over.

With a balanced team we can win several different ways. Luck can go nuts for 400+ and 4 TDs. Hilton can have a 200+, 2 TD game. Ebron can catch 3 TDs in one half of a football game. With a healthy, talented OL even an inconsistent back like Mack can go off for 130+ and 2 TDs.

And if a lot of that isn't working, the defense can take the ball away, they can sack the QB, they can get TFLs and force punts.

And we have a coaching staff that is usually putting the team in the right position to play well.

[HoosierinFL]

I agree. It's a different approach to team building and I like it. With Manning the idea was to build on strength and make it nearly impossible to stop. We won a lot of games but we know how it often ended in the postseason. The best defenses were able to scheme up ways to take away a key piece or two of our offense, and if Manning and company didn't adjust quickly enough it was game over, season over.

With a balanced team we can win several different ways. Luck can go nuts for 400+ and 4 TDs. Hilton can have a 200+, 2 TD game. Ebron can catch 3 TDs in one half of a football game. With a healthy, talented OL even an inconsistent back like Mack can go off for 130+ and 2 TDs.

And if a lot of that isn't working, the defense can take the ball away, they can sack the QB, they can get TFLs and force punts.

And we have a coaching staff that is usually putting the team in the right position to play well.

It’s almost like they are building something. Something....monstrous. Like... a monster, yea.

[omahacolt]

It’s almost like they are building something. Something....monstrous. Like... a monster, yea.

This was great

[VeveJones007]

I agree. It's a different approach to team building and I like it. With Manning the idea was to build on strength and make it nearly impossible to stop. We won a lot of games but we know how it often ended in the postseason. The best defenses were able to scheme up ways to take away a key piece or two of our offense, and if Manning and company didn't adjust quickly enough it was game over, season over.

With a balanced team we can win several different ways. Luck can go nuts for 400+ and 4 TDs. Hilton can have a 200+, 2 TD game. Ebron can catch 3 TDs in one half of a football game. With a healthy, talented OL even an inconsistent back like Mack can go off for 130+ and 2 TDs.

And if a lot of that isn't working, the defense can take the ball away, they can sack the QB, they can get TFLs and force punts.

And we have a coaching staff that is usually putting the team in the right position to play well.

This is in line with what Reich said recently. He wants the team to be "multiple" meaning that they can win any number of ways. That will allow them to take whatever weakness an opponent presents, and exploit it. Conversely, it also makes the Colts harder to gameplan against, because they could throw any number of things at an opponent.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. GIANTS, 12/23)



Luck and the Colts got off to a bad start today, but he came back to have a big day overall (as did the Colts as a team.)

He threw 2 TD Passes, had 1 INT, and passed for 357 yards through the air.

For the season he now has 34 TD's, 13 INT's, and 3,951 yards passing.

o

[Butter]

o


(vs. GIANTS, 12/23)



Luck and the Colts got off to a bad start today, but he came back to have a big day overall (as did the Colts as a team.)

He threw 2 TD Passes, had 1 INT, and passed for 357 yards through the air.

For the season he now has 34 TD's, 13 INT's, and 3,951 yards passing.

o

I was told he was done all off season by so many pundits, yet here he is having his best season ever.

[Luck4Reich]

I was told he was done all off season by so many pundits, yet here he is having his best season ever.

And a big FU to all of them!

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. GIANTS, 12/23)



Luck and the Colts got off to a bad start today, but he came back to have a big day overall (as did the Colts as a team.)

He threw 2 TD Passes, had 1 INT, and passed for 357 yards through the air.

For the season he now has 34 TD's, 13 INT's, and 3,951 yards passing.

o





I was told he was done all off season by so many pundits, yet here he is having his best season ever.



o

An almost identical sentiment as was asserted by many "experts" in regard to Peyton Manning when he missed the entire 2011 season ........ with the difference being that Manning was considerably older than Luck was during his recovery/rehab period.

Even at his advanced age, Manning proved them wrong by having 3 excellent seasons from 2012 through 2014, and then capping his career with a Super Bowl victory in his injury-plagued 4th and final season with the Broncos.

Luck (like Manning in 2012) is having an outstanding season this year, belying those same type of doubtful sentiments and assertions.

o

[chicagocolt]

Even after the first few weeks there were giant questions on whether Luck could throw the ball down the field anymore. We were mostly running short passing routes, I think to protect Luck while the rookies got some time as the last thing we needed was another season of luck being injured.

[Colts And Orioles]

o


This is a mind-boggling stat.

Even though he missed all of the 2017 season and half of the 2015 season ........ since 2012, Luck is tied with Drew Brees for the third-most game-winning drives in the NFL. ) :eek:


What's most impressive about that is the fact that in that span (2012 - Present), Brees has missed only 1 game ........ while Luck has missed 26 games. To me, that kind of statistic smacks of a Peyton Manning-like ability to carry an average and/or below average team on his back.



SOURCE: ) Andrew Walker, Colts.Com Writer

o

[Dam8610]

o


This is a mind-boggling stat.

Even though he missed all of the 2017 season and half of the 2015 season ........ since 2012, Luck is tied with Drew Brees for the third-most game-winning drives in the NFL. ) :eek:


What's most impressive about that is the fact that in that span (2012 - Present), Brees has missed only 1 game ........ while Luck has missed 26 games. To me, that kind of statistic smacks of a Peyton Manning-like ability to carry an average and/or below average team on his back.



SOURCE: ) Andrew Walker, Colts.Com Writer

o

No. Success can't be a result of players, it has to be coaches.

[Racehorse]

No. Success can't be a result of players, it has to be coaches.

Explain why coaches get fired for piss poor results, then. It is not just looking for a scapegoat. It is because coaches matter. A lot!

[Colts And Orioles]

Explain why coaches get fired for piss poor results, then. It is not just looking for a scapegoat. It is because coaches matter. A lot!!!



o


As evidenced by the difference between Pagano and Reich.


Pagano was not just a bad coach in 2017, when the Andrew Luckless Colts went 4-12 ........ he was a bad coach when the Colts were having back-to-back solid seasons in 2013 and 2014, and back-to-back mediocre seasons in 2015 and 2016.

Similarly, Jim Caldwell was not just a bad coach when the Peyton Manningless Colts went 2-14 in 2011 ........ he was a bad coach when the Colts had arguably their best overall team in recent memory in 2009, and when they had a solid 10-6 season in 2010. ) *



* ) All of the above is my rat's ass of an opinion

o

[Dam8610]

Explain why coaches get fired for piss poor results, then. It is not just looking for a scapegoat. It is because coaches matter. A lot!

It's telling that you started a defense against the correct answer before I could even answer the question. It is scapegoating. You can't just cut all the players and the fans want change, easiest thing to do is fire the coach.

[Racehorse]

It's telling that you started a defense against the correct answer before I could even answer the question. It is scapegoating. You can't just cut all the players and the fans want change, easiest thing to do is fire the coach.

No, it is not. If that were the case, replacement coaches would get the same results as their predecessors. That rarely happens. Like, almost never. Try again.

[YDFL Commish]

Nagy replaces Fox...The Bears improve immensely.
Reich replaces Pagano...The Colts improve immensely.
McVay replaces Fischer...The Rams improve immensely.
Interim Coach Gregg Williams replaces Hue Jackson...The Browns improve immensely.

If anyone wants to keep going back through the years, the same scenarios play out over and over again. Such as Andy Reid replacing Romeo Crennel.

So when competent coaching replaces bad coaching, it does fucking matter.

[Dam8610]

Nagy replaces Fox...The Bears improve immensely.
Reich replaces Pagano...The Colts improve immensely.
McVay replaces Fischer...The Rams improve immensely.
Interim Coach Gregg Williams replaces Hue Jackson...The Browns improve immensely.

If anyone wants to keep going back through the years, the same scenarios play out over and over again. Such as Andy Reid replacing Romeo Crennel.

So when competent coaching replaces bad coaching, it does fucking matter.

3 of 4 are offensive minded head coaches who inherited an excellent QB who was coming off of either their rookie season or a season lost to injury, and the 4th is an interim head coach. Clearly it's all the coaching.

[Dam8610]

No, it is not. If that were the case, replacement coaches would get the same results as their predecessors. That rarely happens. Like, almost never. Try again.

You've never heard of roster turnover? You change the players, you get different results. You replace Jacoby Brissett with Andrew Luck and Antonio Morrison with Darius Leonard and of course you're going to see drastic improvement.

[Colts And Orioles]

Nagy replaces Fox...The Bears improve immensely.
Reich replaces Pagano...The Colts improve immensely.
McVay replaces Fischer...The Rams improve immensely.
Interim Coach Gregg Williams replaces Hue Jackson...The Browns improve immensely.

If anyone wants to keep going back through the years, the same scenarios play out over and over again. Such as Andy Reid replacing Romeo Crennel.

So when competent coaching replaces bad coaching, it does fucking matter.



o

Bill Parcells, with 3 different horrible franchises (the Giants, the Patriots, and the Jets.)


1) l He had the Giants in the playoffs in his 2nd season (1984), and had them in the Super Bowl in his 4th (1986.)

With the exception of the strike-interrupted season in 1987, the Giants continued to be a power in 1988 (10-6), 1989 (12-4), and 1990 (Super Bowl champions) before he stepped down as their head coach.


2) l He took over an absolutely moribund Patriots franchise in 1993, had them in the playoffs in 1994, and had them in the Super Bowl in 1996.


3) l He took over a Jets team that had gone 1-15 in 1996, 3-13 in 1995, and had not had a winning season since 1988.

They immediately improved to 9-7 in his first season with them (1997), and he took them to the AFC Championship game in his 2nd season (1998.)



He had similar success with the Cowboys, who had gone 5-11 in their previous 3 seasons before he got there.

He immediately took them to the playoffs in his first season with them (2003) with a record of 10-6. He had 2 more winning seasons in his tenure with them (2005 and 2006) before retiring for good.

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. TITANS, 12/30)



Luck finished the season with a solid effort, going 24-for-35 with 3 TD's, 1 INT, and 285 yards passing.

The INT was a very bad decision, and it cost the Colts big-time when it occurred ........ a pick-6 that immediately got the Titans back in the game at 14-7, after the Colts had dominated on both sides of the ball up until that point.



For the season overall, Luck had ........


A career-high 4,593 Yards Passing

A career-high 67.3% Pass Completion Rate

A career-high 98.7 Rating

A career-high 71.5 QB Rating

A career-best (and league-best) Sacks Rate of 2.7% (18 Sacks in 639 Pass Attempts)

39 TD Passes (1 shy of his career-high of 40)

15 INT's

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


(vs. TITANS, 12/30)



Luck finished the season with a solid effort, going 24-for-35 with 3 TD's, 1 INT, and 285 yards passing.

The INT was a very bad decision, and it cost the Colts big-time when it occurred ........ a pick-6 that immediately got the Titans back in the game at 14-7, after the Colts had dominated on both sides of the ball up until that point.



For the season overall, Luck had ........


A career-high 4,593 Yards Passing

A career-high 67.3% Pass Completion Rate

A career-high 98.7 Rating

A career-high 71.5 QB Rating

A career-best (and league-best) Sacks Rate of 2.7% (18 Sacks in 639 Pass Attempts)

39 TD Passes (1 shy of his career-high of 40)

15 INT's

o
o


Inside Colts QB Andrew Luck's Comeback Season for the Ages

(By Mike Wells)

http://www.espn.com/blog/indianapolis-colts/post/_/id/24102/inside-andrew-lucks-comeback-season-for-the-ages

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


vs. TEXANS, 2018 Season )) (2 Regular Season Games and 1 Playoff Game)



86 COMP - 135 ATT

63.7% COMP RATIO

1,085 Yards Passing )) (361.67 Average Per Game)

8 TD's

2 INT's

6 SACKS in 135 DROPBACKS )) (1 Sack for Every 22.5 Dropbacks)

o

[Colts And Orioles]

o


For the season overall, Luck finished with 39 TD's and 15 INT's.

Also, because of the fact that the Colts won a lot of games this season, he had a lot of kneel-downs at the end of contests which distorted how mobile he was when he decided to run with the ball (46 Rushes for 148 Yards, and 3.2 YPC.)

o