Post#149 » by Kerb Hohl » Thu Dec 29, 2011 5:00 pm
Bern, here's an interesting thought. Why when we talk about the Saints/Packers/Patriots defenses being horrible and their QBs "saving" the team, do we not talk about the QB's affect on the defense? No, not Tebow actually playing defense, but do you ever think of how much field position these QBs save for their teams? All of the Packers, Saints, Pats give up ridiculous yardage because of shortcomings, the fact that they are taking chances on turnovers, and the fact that they are always ahead playing prevent/other team is passing 90% of the time.
So you really think that Curtis Painter running drives where they have to punt from their own 15 all the time or him throwing more (I realize Peyton's INT numbers were increasing) INTs in their own zone doesn't affect the defense?
I don't think the Colts' defense was as bad as most think. The Colts' schedule wasn't incredibly tough, and I think they are better than Cincy and therefore would have gotten in. Cincy is nice, but they are a young team on the rise that is in the middle of the AFC that played well to not blow some close games and therefore are going to win 9 or 10. I don't think the Colts have any problem eclipsing that, and in 20/20 hindsight of a Schaub injury, I think they may outdo the Texans for a playoff spot.
Peyton Manning beats the Jags when they lost 17-3. Cleveland, Tampa, KC suck and Painter almost beat them. They almost beat Pittsburgh with Painter, etc.
Also, I don't know why you're so concerned about their backup situation. If Manning missed 3 games and the Colts missed the playoffs by going 9-7 while going 0-3 in the games Manning missed, you can say that they were stupid not to focus on a backup.
Here is why nobody, unless you've groomed one like Flynn for a few years, has that viable of a backup behind their franchise QB...because if the QB misses a season and it is Brees, Rodgers, Brady (the Pats roster was incredible to have Cassell lead them), etc...you're screwed anyways.
Why should Indy invest in a QB with worries that Manning misses 10+ games? If he misses 3, it's nice to have a veteran that can hold on, but there is absolutely no reason to care about Sorgi or Painter or whoever if the guy misses 10+ games. You're screwed anyways, it's not worth investing $4 million in Rex Grossman every year in the chance that Manning misses 10+ games. They invested in Kerry Collins who wasn't a terrible thought on paper. What other caliber guy do you think they should have had on their roster? If Brees goes down for a long time, do you think Chase Daniel is going to lead the Saints to the promised land?
