Indianapolis Colts Blogs

I thought Logan Mankins was going to be different. I believed he could conduct his contract negotiations privately. Because he kept a low profile after the season and through the draft, I figured Mankins would continue to keep his distance from the Patriots and let his agent and New England hammer out a new deal.

Continue reading "No Audience for Mankins' Moans"

I've been crowing about Zito's ICE BOX since well before the derby, and he landed second in that race at 11-1, which actually made him one of the lower prices in a strange derby with an 8-1 favorite.

Continue reading "How to Ice a Belmont box"

Superstar quarterback Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts were defeated by the New Orleans Saints 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV Sunday at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida.

The game was ultimately decided by a crucial Manning miscue when his pass was intercepted and returned 74 yards for a touchdown by Saints cornerback Tracy Porter with only three minutes remaining in the decisive fourth quarter.

Continue reading "Sunday Proved That Tom Brady Is Better ..."

If you're reading this, it means you're not among the thralls of New Orleans Saints fans in Louisiana or with the team in Miami that are just beginning what is sure to be a month-long party because their team just won their first ever Super Bowl. On a night thought by many to be Peyton Manning's coronation, Drew Brees ended up at the post-game podium as the MVP of the night after a 31-17 victory. Sunday's championship contest didn't get off to the most exciting of starts, but it sure finished with one.

Continue reading "Saints take advantage of Manning's ..."

The wait is over. Super Bowl 44 is nigh. Manning versus Brees starts in mere hours. After prepping you for the game yesterday with separate previews of the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints, it's time to bring the two together for my Super Bowl predictions. 

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Super Bowl 44"

As we grow closer to the Super Bowl, all eyes are on Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts as they chase down a legacy. After starting the season 14-0, the organization turned off the gas for the final two games as they rested their starters for the post-season. After shutting down the Ravens and putting a 30-spot on the Jets, we will finally see if shunning history will pay off for Indianapolis.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive of Super Bowl ..."

Don't mess with Peyton Manning. That's what the number one ranked Jets defense learned Sunday afternoon, as they saw their 11-point second quarter lead evaporate under the intense heat of the Colt offense on the way to a 30-17 loss.

Continue reading "Manning crushes Jets' Super Bowl ..."

Here it is: the last weekend of real football. Conference Championship Sunday is here and isn't lacking for drama. From Brett Favre and Peyton Manning's legacy to the Jets' dominating defense or the surge in New Orleans, every team is a great story. Who do I think will make it to the Super Bowl in Miami? Read on in this edition of the Opening Drive!

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Conference Championship ..."

The improbable New York Jets will play the dominant Indianapolis Colts Sunday in the AFC Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indiana.

 

In order to get to this point, the Jets (11-7) defeated the Chargers 17-14 in San Diego and the Colts (15-2) trumped the Baltimore Ravens 20-3 at home in their respective Divisional Round matchups.

Continue reading "The Jets Will Meet Obama "in The ..."

A look at the award nominations of three year olds holds the probable winner without question. There are but a few names that come up when looking at top three year olds of 2009 and one of those is the Queen of the public.

Continue reading "3 year old nominees"

I guess the Ravens used up all their karma. After everything went Baltimore's way last week against New England, they fell completely flat in Indianapolis Saturday night, missing every opportunity imaginable. Against a lesser foe, they could have mounted a comeback. Against Peyton Manning and the Colts, they had no chance.

Continue reading "Manning's Colts prove too much for ..."

Here we are at the second week of the NFL playoffs again, which brings up the same question every year.  Is it better for teams that have clinched first-round byes and playoff seeds to rest their players at the end of the regular season, or play them to keep on a roll going into the playoffs?  Lets look at both sides of the issue.

Continue reading "Rest vs Rust in the NFL"

In case you haven't heard, we're knee-deep in the NFL playoffs. Today kicks-off the best weekend of football all year. Eight teams remain in the Super Bowl hunt, with the top seeds in each conference joining in on the action. Let's not waste any time, here's the Opening Drive for Divisional Saturday in the NFL!

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Divisional Saturday"

It’s the kind of injury that believers in playing it safe use as an example. WR Wes Welker injured his knee when he planted his left foot to change direction, but the knee gave away. People believe he tore his ACL and MCL, ending Welker’s season just before the playoffs.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 17"

Though it means nothing, I am required by football law to point out I was 7-0 in my Opening Drive predictions for week 17. Woot. Multiple teams lost because they did not keep their starters in while one NFC East leader got railed on. Now, onto the last week of the regular season with this edition of the Final Drive! 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 17"

The New York Jets defeated the Indianapolis Colts 29-15 Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium to incredibly regain control of their own playoff fate.

 

Many critics have placed an asterisk next to the Jets (8-7) upset victory because Colts (14-1) Head Coach Jim Caldwell removed quarterback Peyton Manning from the game with approximately six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Continue reading "The Jets should beat the Bengals ..."

Holy idiotic decision Jim Caldwell! This week in the Final Drive features a barrel-full of storylines. The playoff contestants in the NFC were locked in while the AFC remains a dog-fight for the final two playoff spots. Let's wrap up week 16!

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 16"

It was a crazy week 14 in the NFL, book-ended by division upsets on Thursday and Monday night. While the playoff picture is coming into focus, we still have loads of drama in the NFC East and two undefeated teams with their eyes set on the Lombardi Trophy. The Final Drive starts now!

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 14"

So you can probably feel the universal glee from all those who cover the NFL and loathe the Patriots that SI's Team of the Decade is struggling right now. As impressive as the 2007 Patriots were it has set an unattainable precedent that will not (and should not) be met again.

Continue reading "Rumors of the Patriots Demise Run Rampant"

I recently read that the Cowboys were last in the league in terms of forcing turnovers.  Despite playing solid defense(16.5 ppg), they have only forced 23 turnovers this season.  I haven’t seen the defensive backs dropping a lot of passes, so that is not the answer.  I also haven’t seen this team miss out on a lot of fumble recovery opportunities so that can’t be the cause either.  There must be a reason why the Cowboys can’t seem to get the ball back from the other team.  Although it is easy to say that they just haven’t been lucky or gotten the right bounces, there is a definitely a method to causing turnovers and it all starts up front.  The Cowboys front seven needs to be coached up on the value of turnovers and wreaking havoc in the backfield.  Although they do a good job of getting to the passer, they do not get their hands on enough passes and they have not

Continue reading "Coach Harris Presents: The Art of ..."

The 2009 Heisman Trophy will be awarded to the most outstanding NCAA college football player by the Downtown Athletic Club at an annual ceremony at the Nokia Theatre in New York City on December 12. 

Continue reading "Heisman Winners Who Couldn't Hack The NFL"

With three utterly craptacular contests on Thanksgiving, I’m looking forward to a little competitive football this Sunday. However, it’s not until Monday that the real showdown of week 12 takes place. Let’s get some Opening Drive in your diet!

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: week 12"

After three quarters of a boring contest, we finally got some action late in Thursday's Miami v. Carolina game. To anyone who had Ricky Williams on their fantasy team, good job. Now, we look to the weekend in the week 11 edition of the Oepning Drive!

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 11"

After the Patriots’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the first thing I did when I started my car was turn off the radio. I almost didn’t turn on my t.v. When I did, I absolutely didn’t tune in to ESPN or NFL Network. This lasted through the next day until the Monday night football game. I didn’t read the newspapers for almost two days.

Continue reading "Looking Ahead"

With all of the surprise upsets, there’s no way I can take the time to properly address them all. I’ll hit the best and worst of week 10 in this edition of the Final Drive! 

(3-6) Tennessee Titans 41

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 10"

The decision will live in infamy. In simplest terms, you play it safe and force the opponent drive the length of the field instead of risking a turnover. I understand why head coach Bill Belichick went for it on fourth and two, but that was the wrong side of the 50 to attempt the play.

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 10"

There were a few games I couldn’t even pretend to drum up a story for. Monday night’s Baltimore v. Cleveland match-up is beyond ugly. Still, there's plenty of drama for the week 10 edition of the Opening Drive! 

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 10"

It’s not surprising for people to get high on the performance of a surprising rookie. OT Sebastian Vollmer was thrust into a starting role after Matt Light went down with an injury.

 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 10"

It’s being called the Rivalry of the Decade, and who can argue with that? They are the winningest franchises since 2001. They’ve had countless encounters in the playoffs. Each team has one of the league’s best at the quarterback position. These former division rivals continue to add memorable chapters to their history, and this game should be no different.

Continue reading "Game of the Year"

OLB Clay Matthews. DE Larry English. CB Alphonso Smith. Just a few of the names projected as players the New England Patriots would draft with the 23rd overall pick. Instead the Pats traded out of the first round, stockpiled more picks, and used all four second round picks.

Continue reading "Rookies vs. Rookies"

 

A slew of division match-ups are highlighted in this week’s NFL schedule. First place is up for grabs in the NFC East and one team hopes to avoid falling further behind the Colts in the AFC South. What games should you be watching? Find out in the Opening Drive of week nine!

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 9"

Pro Bowl balloting is open to the public. Choose wisely.

 

This year New England fans will have a tough time rationalizing Patriot players worthy of being selected. The offense’s big three of QB Tom Brady and WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker will get their share of votes. Beyond them…good luck.

Continue reading "Pro Bowl Ben?"

Alright, Tom Brady. The grace period is over. Now it’s time to be yourself again. That means the accurate surgeon capable of lighting up the scoreboard with few errors should finally be back. You’ve had enough time to work out the kinks. No more excuses.

Continue reading "The Real Tom Brady"

The Titans and Rams each found their first wins, another team fell from the undefeated ranks and both New York squads lost key division games. By the way, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning are pretty good. *cough*Favre won*cough* Let’s wrap the week eight in the NFL with the Final Drive!

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 8"

Hopefully RB Laurence Maroney doesn’t think he’s off the hook after rushing for 123 yards (7.7 average) and a score. If anything, the expectations have gone up. It’s nice to see you blow up in one game as the undisputed primary ball carrier. But can you do this week after week after week?

Continue reading "Staying On the Run"

Just a couple of hours before the Titans played the Colts on primetime television Sunday night, Jevon Kearse was told that he would not be dressing for the game.  In the NFL they call this a “healthy scratch”.  Kearse responded by scratching himself from the stadium and leaving before the game even started.  This particular drama sparked a lot of controversy in NFL circles.  Was Jevon Kearse in the wrong for leaving the stadium?  Was Jeff Fisher in the wrong for telling Kearse at the last minute he would not be playing in the big Sunday night game?  Both parties acted a bit irresponsibly, but Jeff Fisher did the most damage to his relationship with Kearse as well as the rest of this team.

Continue reading "Fisher is falling out of favor..."

How long should it take for QB Tom Brady to return to form? How much longer before he’s excelling on a consistent basis? When does Brady regain the confidence in his reconstructed knee to the point he doesn’t think about it anymore?

Continue reading "Seven Weeks"

Still love me some NFL. Josh McDaniels kicked Bill Belichick’s Patriots right out of Denver while Matt Ryan picked apart a supposedly stout San Francisco defense. Oh, and Peyton Manning is still awesome. I wrap up week five in the NFL in the Final Drive! 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 5"

 

With some downright horrendous match-ups this weekend, this edition of the Opening Drive is shorter than usual. Just writing about Cleveland versus Buffalo would put me to sleep. Let’s get things going with the most anticipated games of week four! 

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 5"

Plenty of drama in a weekend that saw one team break a 19-game losing streak and another keep their undefeated streak going. Let’s start the Final Drive of week 3! 

(1-2) Detroit Lions 19 (1-2) Washington Redskins 14 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 3"

It's that time of year again folks. Time to start predicting the unpredictable. Will any of the Denver Broncos running backs get enough carries to warrant a spot on your roster? Can Michael Turner replicate last season's performance and warrant the second overall pick in your draft? What will Terrell Owens's numbers look like now that he is in Buffalo? And how does that impact Trent Edwards value as the Bills' QB? Who am I taking if I get the first pick? What if I get stuck at the end of the first round? Do I snatch up two running backs? Or should I go one running back and also nab a top tier receiver?

Continue reading "Fantasy Footbal is Upon Us"

It’s no surprise that QB Tom Brady wants to play in the opening preseason game. He loves to play so much that he can’t wait to experience live action again, even if it’s in a glorified practice.

Continue reading "The Sooner, the Better for Brady"

The Baltimore Sun beat me to the punch on this topic, listing the Ravens top 5 options not currently on the roster for replacing the seemingly retired Mason:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-sp.mason15jul15,0,430

Continue reading "Replacing Derrick Mason: The Ravens ..."

Less than a month to go before the 2009 NFL Draft and the Colts still have tons of different ways they could go. That being said, for the first time in a long time, the Colts have multiple needs that really need addressing. WR, DT are the most obvious, but the Colts also have depth issues at LB, RB and offensive line.

Continue reading "Colts NFL Draft Update (4/3/09)"

With the Colts not re-signing Freddie Keihao and Tyjaun Hagler, should they start bringing in new ones in the draft?

Absolutely not!

Why bring James Laurenitis, like the NFL Network suggested in their mock draft, when they can bring back this important linebacker: Cato June?

Continue reading "Should the Colts Bring Back Cato ..."

This weekend, the Kentucky Derby preps are in Florence, Ky, next to Cincinnati, with the minor Rushaway and the major Grade 2 Lanes End, which veterans still call the Jim Beam Stakes, since the old sponsor is easier to remember than the new name. Both races look like insider picks. A lot of runners who come off short layoffs, and could run big, or could be brought around slowly. Unless you're an insider, and know you can trust your sources, you need to avoid anything smaller than 9-2 in either race. The Rushaway favorite should be SUMMER EMPIRE, who showed a bit of class in restricted races in Illinois as a 2 year old. His forward moves from last year puts him near the top, and any improvement gives him the win. On the down side, he already has 7 lifetime starts, and began in April of his two year old year. Too soon to race and stay healthy as a 3 year old. On the bright side, he has been working at Keeneland, where trainers stock only the best horses. FITZALSEW could easily go wire to wire. CLIFFYS'S FUTURE has some good moves. ZIEGFELD looks competitive off a maiden win, and should be in the superfecta fairly easy. NINTH CLIENT is the class of the race, but has 8 lifeftime starts already. TOCCET ROCKET also raced a lot, but pretty much rounds out the top contenders. NO INFLATION and SUNDAYS BABY GRAND-either one would have to run the race of his life to get in the money.

Continue reading "Will Mott Hold Me Back?"

I beg for forgiveness from those who checked in with any regularity this last week only to find the cupboard was left barren of fresh and delicious trinkets of wisdom, and all that remained was the discarded old, moldy and previously read blogs. The monotony of life reigned this past seven days along with additional hours at work which left me without the proper amount of time to coherently compose a posting and now even today’s blog is late, very late. Dismay no more, in a football-centric version of The Sports Don’s Sunday Musings, I have returned to writing incessantly and without any recognition of a word limit. I appreciate your patience.

Continue reading "The Sports Don's Sunday Musings: Volume IV"

Quality Road kept near the lead to win the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth, which is now more of a sprint. That isn't bad, except for handicappers. It gives a lesser horse a chance to get somewhat luckier than 1 1/8 or even 1 1/16.

Continue reading "Theregoesjojo"

The Fountain of Youth is only one mile now. Which makes it more of a two grade sprint than a Derby prep race. Still, 4 of the 23 listed contenders from Future Book One are entered.

On a general note, 7 of the 23 in the first future book already had 3 races under their belt by September 15, 2008. This is far too many. No professional gambler would even consider betting one of these to win at under 80-1. With all of the injuries that could go wrong any way, this practically guarantees that these 7 colts will not be healthy enough on Derby Day. They are absolute throw outs for the Derby.

Continue reading "Fountain of Youth, Sham, and Battaglia-post ..."

As the draft approaches, it's obvious that the Patriots need an outside linebacker that can effectively rush the quarterback and maybe another cornerback to add to the competition between Ellis Hobbs, Jonathan Wilhite, and Terrence Wheatley. Finding the kind of LB that would fit in New England will be tougher this year.

Continue reading "A Difficult Search for Patriots-type Players"

Among the colts that came in from a yearling sale at the barn I worked was a little bay colt by Shecky Greene. As one of several grooms we split up yearlings coming in from sales and Shecky proofed to be a tough little horse but plain, overlooked in many ways. His sire perhaps epitomized this.

Continue reading "Brushes with Legends"

Stardom Bound impressed many in th eBreeders Cup Juvenile but after Pinkarella set the pace she dug down to show her true colors even further in the Las Virgenes Stakes. Class always rises and this big hearted grey filly rises to the top of the fillies in her first start at three.

Continue reading "Stardom Bound returns"

The coronation of the Pittsburgh Steelers as Super Bowl champions marks the end of another football season… unfortunately.  But for those of us who eat, drink and sleep pigskin 365 days a year, football season is never really over.

Continue reading ""

Congratulations Pittsburgh Steelers for your Super Bowl XLIII win, you earned it, you clearly are the best team in '08, yadda, yadda, yadda.

*breathe*

Now that I got that out of my system, let me get to the point: The Patriots have two years to win one more championship within the 2001-2010 seasons to earn the designation Team of the Decade. If the time period was up, then no one could question the title. But because there are two years left and the Steelers as presently composed is built to challenge for another championship over the next few years, the Pats need one more ring to make it four and give them a lead the Steelers can't tie.

Continue reading "Team of the Decade"

In anticipation of Super Bowl XLIII between the favored Pittsburgh Steelers (14-4) and the upstart Arizona Cardinals (12-7) this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, I ranked the best NFL championship games I have seen over the past 20 years.

Continue reading "Ranking the Greatest Super Bowls ..."

The geldings are the truly overlooked of racing in many times. They have no breeding career and they are too often forgotten after their glory days are over. Geldings in Thoroughbred racing have given

Continue reading "Great Geldings in Throughbred Racing"

So first it is Peyton; now comes brother Eli. I just wonder why Peyton does so many commericals. He cannot possibly need the money. (Maybe he gambles?) They are soooo bad, and he is just terrible in them. Now its both Mannings. Eli comes across like a 5 year old instead of a first string quarterback in the NFL. THEN they team up with the venus sisters***** So bad.....

Continue reading "Peyton and Eli Manning up for worst ..."

In the aftermath of Tony Dungy's recent retirement from the NFL, there really isn't much more I can say about him that hasn't already been said.  He proved that an NFL Head Coach doesn't have to yell and scream at his players in order to motivate them to play football.

Continue reading "How I Will Remember Tony Dungy"

I will let all the sportswriters and other bloggers provide the real analysis, but I was deeply saddened, a bit shockingly so, that Indianapolis Colts' head coach Tony Dungy is calling it quits. I am not a true Colts' fan, but have considered myself to be halfway on the bandwagon since going to school in Anderson (IN) and watching all those games with Coach Dungy, Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Edgerrin James, Joseph Addai, Adam Vinatieri, Dwight Freeney, Bob Sanders, Dallas Clark, and others play. Even as one who followed the Jags more closely this year than the Colts, it's been a great run for the Colts, and I'm sad to see it go, at least with Dungy at the helm. 

Continue reading "Sad to See Dungy Go"

When I heard that LB Jerod Mayo received 49 of 50 votes for Defensive Player of the Year, I asked two questions: 1. Who got the one vote, then later, 2. Who the hell voted for Keith Rivers?

I won't argue Rivers won't be a good player down the road. In limited playing time, he had 37 tackles with an interception. But to compare a player that only played seven games versus someone who started 16 is illogical. Even if Rivers' number were projected to 16 games he's far behind Mayo's production. Sorry Rivers that you got your jaw broke by Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward, but that's football.

Continue reading "Stray Votes"

It is weekends like the one we just had that make me glad I don’t make actual predictions in my blog. I would have been at best two for four, and maybe even one for four if I had gone with the Dolphins as a sentimental favorite. Showcasing its parity, each day of the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend followed different themes. On Saturday, the home teams pulled out the close victories, while on Sunday the road teams won in a more lop-sided manner. Let’s take a look at the weekend that was in this Wild Card edition of the Final Drive. 

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Wild Card Weekend"

Continue reading "Motivation for this weekends games."

The playoffs are finally here, and not a moment too soon. After a crazy regular season, twelve teams are left with their eyes on the Super Bowl. Let’s get you ready for this weekend with a wild-card edition of the Opening Drive.

Continue reading "Joey A's Opening Drive: Wild Card Weekend"

  

           Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games.  I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week.  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Continue reading "Predictions Wildcard Weekend"

Continue reading "Wild Card Weekend"

Before previewing the big Vikings/Eagles matchup that will cap off the NFC Wild Card playoff round, I would first like to give my "official" (meaning they are most likely completely wrong!) predictions for the other three wild card games:

Continue reading "NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Preview"

Thin-slicing. It is the act cutting through all extraneous information and getting to the key items that characterize something. Malcolm Gladwell wrote an entertaining and informative book on thin-slicing called

Continue reading "Thin-slicing Week 1 of the NFL Playoffs"

  

The crystal ball had a mediocre performance this past week, going a mere 2-2.  We’re not sure what happened, but this is not acceptable.  The crystal ball took its lumps on the Cowboys game, but it may have been predicting with its heart rather than its fortune-telling powers?  Either way, that puts the crystal ball at 33-26-1 for the season.  That’s seven games over .500 (.558 to be exact).  Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better in the playoffs!  Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.

Continue reading "Week 17 Review"

Continue reading "Not dead yet!"

Regardless of what happens on Sunday, this was a successful season. I really want a birth in the playoffs, but if the chips don't fall in New England's favor and they are on the outside looking in, then that's just how it is. It wasn't meant to be.

Continue reading "Hats Off"

On this Christmas Eve, coaches, players, and fans draw one day closer to the final week of the NFL 2008-2009 season. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars have fit the "playing for pride" bill quite well in the past couple weeks, knocking off an unlucky Green Bay Packers team, at home, and giving the 11-4 Colts everything they could handle before ending up on the losing end of some fourth quarter Peyton Manning heroics, 31-24, finishing the game with the ball on the Indy seven-yard line. Against the Colts, QB David Garrard was brilliant for three quarters, throwing for 329 yards through the air and a touchdown (and also running for one), WR Dennis Northcutt had another good game with 101 yards and a receiving touchdown, and Maurice Jones-Drew continued his late season push to be "the guy" next year with 91 yards rushing. The defense, on the other hand, played forgettably against Indianpolis's traditional offensive machine. This Sunday, the Jags travel to another cold weather city, Baltimore, for one last game that means...well, nothing. 

Continue reading "Loss to the Colts the Epitome of a Season"

Check out my last post which was used in ESPN.com's The Sports Guy's (or Bill Simmons) latest article! You can view his article by clicking this link.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/081219

Continue reading "Shankster Rankings follow up."

 To show what the NFL is truly all about I have put this together to prove that besides Detroit, parity rules the NFL every week.

THESE ARE MY NFL RANKINGS.

1 Kansas City (beat Oakland)

Continue reading "The Second NFL Shankster Rankings [1-32]"

I would like to thank the Minnesota Vikings for putting the boots to the Arizona Cardinals, with their back-up quarterback, to the tune of 35-14. As if the Cards didn't have reason enough to win this Sunday. They're still jockeying for playoff positioning. Now they are hungry to bounce back from Sunday's butt-kicking.

Continue reading "Another Inspired Patriots Opponent"

I may be the only one saying it, but the era of Shanahan must come to an end.

Yes, I am aware of the Bronco Country reverence toward Mr. Shanahan, but at this point, he is without excuse.

Continue reading "So Long, Shanahan"

Continue reading "Monday Night Specail"

Continue reading "Week 15 Picks"

Let’s assess the situation at linebacker. The starter is hurt. His back-up was knocked out of Sunday’s game making a tackle and didn’t return to the field. His back-up, a third round rookie, is already on injured reserve. As insurance, the Patriots bring back an oft-injured player they cut in the off-season because his declining productivity wasn’t worth the salary.

Continue reading "A Patriots-Colvin Reunion"

As bad as that loss to the Steelers was, I hope for a rematch.

 

Yes, Pittsburgh out-everythinged the Patriots on Sunday. It was a completely convincing win. The Steelers showed why they rank first in a handful of defensive categories. We saw first hand why they are the best team in the AFC.

Continue reading "Another Shot at the Steelers for the Patriots"

The local airwaves today were full of speculation about the Ravens' chances on wresting the division title from the Steelers. Frankly, I don't see it happening. If we get in, it's going to be as a wild card --- in fact, there's an outside chance that a 12-4 record will be rewarded with the number 6 seed, while the Broncos win the AFC West at 8-8. But there's no point in bellyaching about that --- in 2003 the 12-4 Titans visited the 10-6 Ravens in the first round of the playoffs, and we all know how that one turned out.

Continue reading "Baltimore Ravens playoff chances"

Get ready for the Fantasy football playoffs. This week, we will have analysis by position-wide receivers, quarterbacks, running backs, etc.

     Don't forget,  I am taking an informal poll in this post election era for your favorite "Fantasy Sportsgirl". In the comment section just place the name of the girl that you have enjoyed the most so far during this season. I will try to get more videos from the winner to enhance your experience on this site. The voting will end soon.  As they say in politics-Vote early and vote often.

Continue reading "Fantasy Football Playoffs! - Get ..."

For anybody who watched the Colts-Browns game and was confused by the call made just before halftime concerning Peyton Manning's fumble at the 1-yard-line: The rule states that, inside two minutes, if

Continue reading "Explanation of Peyton Manning Fumble ..."

People seem to like the New York Jets to beat the Denver Broncos with ease.  I suppose this is a bit of an obvious bet, which is usually a good reason not to bet it. 

 

The Broncos defense is so bad it cannot be counted on to force a single punt all day.  They just got done losing to the Oakland Raiders in Denver, so that certainly does its part in creating a bad image for the Broncos.

Continue reading "NFL Week 13 Musings"

Is this game against Miami a must win?

Personally I hate that phrase because it suggests that if a team loses the game, there's no hope for the rest of the season. I don't think that's the case for the Pats. They stand at 6-4 and while one loss hurts their chances of reaching the playoffs, it doesn't completely kills their chances of advancing to the second season.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 12"

       Watch this weeks Fantasy Football injury report by Fantasy Sportsgirl.  After that, you can vote for your favorite Fantasy Sportsgirl of the season to this point by placing their name in our comment section. (Remember to look in the archives for past Fantasy Sportsgirls). Then, watch the end of the UAB vs. University of Arizona basketball game from the other night. This might have been the most jaw-dropping ending to a sporting event that I have ever seen. Tell us what you think.

Continue reading "Injury Report"

Continue reading "Week 12 Pick'em"

Week 11 was one of the more interesting weeks in the NFL this season. A game ended in a 11-10 score for the first time in NFL history, a game ended in a tie and we also saw 'America's Team' get back on track with their star quarterback at the helm. I'll get to that and more as this week's Fallout report kicks off.......riiiiight now!

Continue reading "NFL Week 11 Fallout"

The first ever NFL Shankster Rankings. Comments welcome, where did I mess up?


1. NY Giants - Clearly prepared to defend their title the Giants are playing to win.

2. Carolina - Did anyone predict they would be here now?

Continue reading "The NFL Shankster Rankings [1-32]"

Continue reading "A undeafted pick'em weekend."

     The Coach Gary Kubiak watch is officially on in Houston. Sure, the Houston Texans lost a hard fought battle to the perennially good Indianapolis Colts. The problem, however sad it is, is not that they lost; but the way that Houston is going about their special brand of losing.

Continue reading "Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts-Gary ..."

Week 11 is off and running after a nail biter of a game on Thursday night football between the Jets and the Patriots. Last week the Crypt Keeper and I went 2-2 yet again. I've gone 2-2 three consecutive weeks, but no worries my Week 11 picks will prosper like flowers in the Spring time. I've decided to get rid of the Crypt Keeper this week and I've also decided to get rid of all the 'shenanigans' that are usually a part of the weekly predictions like the "classic NFL music" etc..Only for the time being though. So let's see how it works out!

Continue reading "NFL Week 11 Predictions"

Division races in the NFL became much clearer in week ten's action. While some teams are completely out of the picture, others have made things very interesting. Let's take a final look at week ten in the 2008 NFL season.

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Week 10"

The Indianapolis Colts got the best of the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 24-20 victory at Heinz Field Sunday evening.  It was poor decision making and play by Pittsburgh’s offense that cost them the game.  The loss drops the Steelers to 6-3, as they are now tied with the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North.

Continue reading "Colts Upset Steelers, 24-20"

From BostonSportz.com:

 A week from right now we’ll know a whole lot about who exactly the 2008 Patriots are. With two division games in five days it's time for the Patriots to show what they’ve got.

Continue reading "5 Keyz: Patriots vs. Bills"

Two teams coming off important primetime wins face off this Sunday in Pittsburgh. The Steelers coming off a dominating win over the Washington Redskins and the Indianapolis Colts who defeated a rival and playoff contender in the New England Patriots. This upcoming game seems much more important to the Indianapolis Colts who don't want to drop below .500 again and need to build on the momentum they gained from beating the Patriots. However, the Steelers have to see this as a big game as well. With a 6-2 record the Steelers are in first place in their division and second only to Tennessee in the AFC. A win would give them a good grip on second place in the AFC as the second half of the season gets underway.

Continue reading "Big win for Colts, big win for Steelers"

I can't recall the last time a Patriots loss, especially to the Colts, actually didn't hurt that much.

Sure, I'm disappointed in Jabar Gaffney for dropping what would've been the go-ahead touchdown, and I'm mad that Dave Thomas's penalty basically lost the game for them, and of course this wasn't Belichick's finest coaching game but overall...I'm doing okay today.

Continue reading "Patriots-Colts: Notes on a Win for the LOSers"

You know, it's a good thing that the Patriots will have the Brigham and Women's/Mass General Health Care Center on the grounds of Patriot Place in 2009. If the '09 season is like this year, then the Pats will have a lot of their players as patients.

Continue reading "Another One Bit by Bug?"

I was watching the end of the Sunday Night Football game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts.  I was trying to figure out what to take from the game about the two teams, then John Madden said it perfectly.

Continue reading "Madden Sums Up Colts Versus Patriots Perfectly"

Life ain't fair. As the Patriots lose player after player to injury, the Indianapolis Colts are getting healthy.

RBs Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan will miss their second game in a row while Indy's Joseph Addai likely returns.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 9"

Continue reading "Halloween Picks"