Stampede Blue

Recap Week Nine: Colts 20 - Texans 17

2009-11-09T17:18:12Z

More photos » by Tom Strattman - AP

Clark is on pace for the greatest TE season in NFL history, and before a reader e-mailed me I didn't even know it. (AP Photo/Tom Strattman)

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A week after the 49ers contained the Colts offense by refusing to show their alignment or tip their scheme until the final seconds of the play clock the Colts countered, with their opening drive coming at a frantic pace running 9 plays in barely over 2 minutes to move from their 20 to the edge of field goal range.

The Colts D came out strong holding the Texans to 7 yards with a turnover on 3 drives in the first quarter and not allowing a first down until midway through the 2nd quarter. Unfortunately the Colts offense, despite crossing the Texans 40 on each of their 6 1st half drives they only converted it into 13 points (Downs, TD, FG, FG, Punt, INT).

After dominating the Texans O for a quarter and a half the tables were flipped with the Texans mounting three 80+ yard drives in addition to knocking in a field goal before the half to score 17 unanswered (which would have likely been 24 if not for Powers' heady fumble recovery for a touchback). At the same time the Colts O went 3 and out, and ended a promising drive with a Reggie Wayne interception on a terribly called and even more disastrously executed trick play (on which Pierre Garcon picked up his requisite penalty a game, again for OPI which was declined as he was unable to prevent the pick).

With the Colts trailing in the 4th quarter again both units stepped back up, with the D forcing a 3 and out despite having been on the field for 13 of the 17 minutes elapsed in the 2nd half and the O launching a 61 yard TD drive to retake the lead with 7 minutes to play.

Gary Brackett's pressure forced what should have been the game ending pick to Clint Session giving the ball over to the Colts with 2:13 left in the game. After a 2 yard run on 1st down, Ryan Diem committed a false start putting the Colts into a passing situation where Peyton was stripped of the football while stepping up in the pocket. Ryan Diem saved the game he had almost cost the team by falling on the fumble. Addai's 13 yard 3rd down run wasn't enough and the Colts punted away having drained just 24 seconds from the clock (but having forced the Texans final 2 timeouts).

Soft zone and a miraculous scramble and dumpoff from Schaub to Slaton allowed the Texans to move down to the Colts 24 yardline with 1 second remaining to kick the fieldgoal. Kicking for overtime Kris Brown's 42 yarder was just left and the Colts came away with the victory.

The Colts gameplan was very pass heavy early with 25 dropbacks in the first quarter, 16 in the second. Peyton Manning finished with 50 pass attempts, with 55 pass plays being called (50+ 3 sacks, a Peyton scramble and the Wayne pass). The main beneficiary of the pass heavy tilt was Dallas Clark who caught 14 of 16 official targets for 119 yards plus a defensive holding call and a personal foul for a forearm to the head on an additional 2 passes thrown his way. He also took an end around for 4 yards. Clark is now on pace to 120 receptions and 1,406 receiving yards, both of which would smash the previous records of 102 receptions held by Tony Gonzalez and 1,290 yards by Kellen Winslow (Senior, not his punk son).

The other big offensive mover was Joseph Addai with 14 rushes for 63 yards (4.5 YPC) and a TD along with 5 receptions for 49 yards and a TD receiving. As BBS talked about this morning the Colts running game has shown improvement over the last 3 games.

Not converting yardage into points well the last two games is concerning, but it's a much easier fix than not being able to get into scoring position consistently. The return of Donald Brown, allowing a more run heavy gameplan without risking breaking Addai, and of Anthony Gonzalez giving a boost from the inconsistent Garcon (or possibly injured Austin Collie) should go a long way to fix the Colts recent red zone hiccups.

The Colts now hold a 3.5 game lead in the AFC South (with a 3-0 divisional record that makes them likely to take tiebreakers in the division) and could gain a 2 game lead on the entire AFC with a Steelers victory tonight. It's still a bit early for playoff talk but the Colts could clinch a 8th straight winning season with a win in PATRIOTS WEEK.

Let the rivalry hype begin

Chiefs to release Larry Johnson

2009-11-09T15:54:42Z

Chiefs to release Larry Johnson

Johnson will hit waivers (unlikely he's claimed according to Schefter) before becoming a free agent.

Todd Haley is not a man to cross apparently (and obviously Larry Johnson is a moron).

The Colts week 10 opponent, The Patriots, have been rumored to be a landing point for the disgruntled back.

Colts developing an efficient running game since bye week

2009-11-09T14:29:23Z

More photos » by AJ Mast - AP

1 day ago: Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai (29) lands on the ball after scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. The Colts won 20-17. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

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For three weeks now, we've seen the Colts run the football effectively. The yardage might not be gaudy, and the highlight reel might not seem spectacular, but since the bye week the Colts have worked to improve their running game during key moments of a game; aka, the 4th quarter.

The last three games, Colts running backs have rushed for 284 yards on 62 attempts for 4.5 yards per carry and scoring 3 rushing TDs along the way. Much of this production has been done without rookie dynamo Donald Brown, who was injured in the St. Louis Rams game and has been out since with a shoulder bruise. Brown had 58 yards on two rushes in the Rams game, and if you remove his production from equation the team's yards per carry drop to 3.8. However, also dragging down the yards per carry stat is Chad Simpson, who has rushed 3 times for only 2 yards in the last 2 games.

This means that the bulk of the running back workload these last three weeks has gone to the most unlikely divisive figure I've ever seen in three-plus years of blogging for Stampede Blue: Joseph Addai.

I'm just going to come out and say it: Joseph Addai has played very good football these last three games, and I challenging anyone to try and prove me wrong on that. Look at his performance yesterday and you see the mark of an efficient, tough player who knows when to shine at the right time.

42 of Addai's 63 yards rushing came in the fourth quarter against the Texans. Addai also scored a rushing TD in the fourth to re-take the lead for good. In two games, Addai has throw a game-winning TD and rushed for a game-winning TD. That's clutch!

In two games, Addai has run for 125 yards, caught 7 passes for 53 yards, and scored three TDs in three different ways (passing, catching, and rushing). Again, he's done all this without Donald Brown to ease the pressure, and with virtually no help from reserve back Chad Simspon.

Also, factor in that Addai is usually in on all passing downs, blocking for a no-huddle attack that has thrown the ball 98 times in two games. And in those 98 drop backs, I don't recall a single play where Manning was sacked because of a blown block by Addai.

When the pressure is on, and when injuries necessitate a player to step up and increase his work load, Joseph Addai is one the biggest clutch players this Colts team has. For some reason, people here still hate on the guy. I really feel those people do not appreciate good play when they see it.

I'm not ready to declare "YAY!, We have a running game!" just yet. But for two weeks now, against two seemingly good opponents, the Colts have run the ball well in the fourth quarter; and those runs have been instrumental in the Colts winning two very close games. I will say that, since the bye week, the Colts ground game has gotten better. Consider that in the 5 games prior to the bye week, the Colts had run for only 373 yards on 109 carries, averaging 3.4 a carry.

We're seeing improvement, and when Brown returns we should see even more improvement. A more consistent ground game will help this offense work out its recent redzone frustrations, and will give the Colts yet another dimension to go with their potent offense, elite defense, and strong special teams.

While you were discovering blogs and using Facebook and watching "The Sopranos" and listening to...

2009-11-09T12:58:59Z

While you were discovering blogs and using Facebook and watching "The Sopranos" and listening to The Strokes on your big white iPod, Peyton Manning was being really, really good at football, pretty much all the time. You stopped and noticed, didn't you?

Eamonn Brennan at SBNation.com

Week 9: Sunday Night Open Thread #3

2009-11-09T04:15:16Z

Eagles lead the Cowboys 13 to 10.

West coasters, Diehards and Night Owls, this is your open thread.

Week 9: Sunday Night Football, Open Thread #2

2009-11-09T02:21:54Z

More photos » by Tom Strattman - AP

Peyton Manning scrambling. Possibly even more awkward looking that you'd imagine. (AP Photo/Tom Strattman)

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The Cowboys lead the Eagles 7-0 after one quarter. Talk about the game, the last few games, or (more likely) just random vaguely football related stuff.

Today's Scores

Colts 20, Texans 17
Falcons 31, Redskins 17
Cardinals 41, Bears 21
Bengals 17, Ravens 7
Jaguars 24, Chiefs 21
Patriots 27, Dolphins 17
Bucs 38, Packers 28
Saints 30, Panthers 20
Seahawks 32, Lions 20
Chargers 21, Giants 20
Titans 34, Niners 27

Week Nine Sunday Night- Open Thread

2009-11-09T00:03:34Z

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

Tim Jennings celebrates the Colts win seconds after the Kris Brown missed FG (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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The late games are wrapping up and within a score late in the 4th quarter.

Saints up 3 on the Panthers
Seahawks leading the Lions by 5 after a major comeback
Giants up on the Chargers by 6 at the 2 minute drill
Titans leading the Niners by 4.

Your Sunday night game is Dallas-Philly.

Go Eagles (but not McNabb or DJax)

[UPDATE]: Philip Rivers just sent the Giants to 5-4, throwing a TD pass to Vincent Jackson with just 15 seconds left. -bbs

Late Games Open Thread

2009-11-08T21:38:39Z

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

Freeney salutes after a sack this afternoon, extending his streak. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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The Colts hung on to stay undefeated, but the Saints may struggle to do so. Down 0-14 to the Panthers through 1 quarter.

Other games are...

The gutted Chargers vs the slumping Giants (my game)
Lions-Seahawks
VY's Titans against Alex Smith's 49er's (the bust bowl?)

Quick Recap, Colts 20- Texans 17

2009-11-08T21:24:19Z

The Colts closed another 4th quarter deficit to hold on for a win after Kris Brown's game tying FG attempt as time expired sailed wide left.

The Colts dominated the first 28 minutes of play, but starting with a Manning INT while in FG range the Texans scored 17 unanswered to take a 4 point lead going into the 4th quarter aided by Caldwell icing what turned out to be a blocked FG (2nd attempt was made) and a end around pass by Reggie Wayne being picked off.

Peyton Manning went 34 for 50, gaining 314 yards with a TD and an INT. Dallas Clark was the primary target picking up 14 receptions for 119 yards and an additional first down from a defensive holding call on 3rd and short. After some early struggles the Colts running game picked up with Joseph Addai averaging 4.5 yards a carry and scoring the winning TD on a powerful goalline run.

Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis teamed up for a combined 2 sacks off Matt Schaub's 45 dropbacks. Jerraud Powers picked off his first career pass and made a veteran play to recover a fumble for a touchback likely saving Indy a TD). Clint Session recorded 13 tackles and picked off a 4th quarter pass that very nearly ended the game.

The Colts move to an undefeated 8-0, the Texans drop to 5-4, but appear to be a playoff caliber team (if they play more disciplined football than they did today).

UPDATE: redid the poll since I neglected Powers and Addai's great days.

Poll

Week Nine game balls

Week Nine: Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0)- Open Thread #3

2009-11-08T20:04:06Z

Week Nine: Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0)
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, IN
Kick-off Time: 1:00pm Eastern

Broadcast: CBS
SB Nation Co-Blog: Battle Red Blog

This is your third open thread for the game. Enjoy.

Week Nine: Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0)- Open Thread #2

2009-11-08T18:59:47Z

Week Nine: Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0)
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, IN
Kick-off Time: 1:00pm Eastern

Broadcast: CBS
SB Nation Co-Blog: Battle Red Blog

This is your second open thread of the game. Enjoy.

Week Nine: Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0)- Open Thread

2009-11-08T17:45:14Z

Week Nine: Houston Texans (5-3) at Indianapolis Colts (7-0)
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium; Indianapolis, IN
Kick-off Time: 1:00pm Eastern

Broadcast: CBS
SB Nation Co-Blog: Battle Red Blog

The game billed as "The Biggest Game in Houston Texans History" is, in reality, a big division game for both teams. It is also just simply a great match-up between two good football teams. Injuries for both teams made headlines in the week leading up to the game.

The Texans lost Owen Daniels, their outstanding tight end, is done for the year. Also out for the game is back-up TE James Casey. Looks like Steve Slaton has been benched in favor of Ryan Moats.

For the Colts, we know Bob Sanders, Tyjuan Hagler, and Marlin Jackson are done for 2009. Anthony Gonzalez and Kelvin Hayden are out. Donald Brown is also inactive today even though he practiced most of the week (list of inactives here). Kyle DeVan will start at right guard over Mike Pollak, which is one of the few roster moves of late that has nothing to do with injuries.

This is your open thread for this big AFC South game. Enjoy. Go Colts!

Week 9 Statistical Preview: Colts vs. Texans

2009-11-08T17:07:02Z

The 2nd of 3 straight home games brings in the Houston Texans to face our Colts. This is arguably the biggest game of the year so far for the Colts, as they could put a huge stranglehold on the division, going up 4 games in the division.

Both teams have had to wade through season-ending injuries this week. We all know about the Colts injury problems, but the Matt Schaub has lost his security blanket, Owen Daniels, for the season as well. The media, of course, thinks then that Andre Johnson will have a huge day without Daniels, and with the Colts starting two rookie corners. Like the Colts have done several other times this year. More on this a little later.

Coming into this week, the Colts are ranked 1st Offensively, 12th Defensively, and 3rd Overall, according to the Winning Stats Power Rankings. The Texans are 14th, 9th, and 12th respectively. The Texans defense has been playing better than the offense, although the Texans have played the easiest defensive schedule so far this year. That's changing today.

Stats after the jump...

Here are the numbers:

	Colts				Texans
Statistic	Offense	Rank	Defense	Rank	Offense	Rank	Defense	Rank
DSR	78.4%	1	66.3%	9	71.7%	14	67.3%	11
ANPY/A	8.751	1	3.685	4	7.599	6	6.098	19
Turnovers / Game	0.86	2	1.71	12	1.63	14	1.88	7
Yds/Drive	40.36	1	27.64	12	31.83	14	27.78	13
ToP/Drive	2:57.7	4	2:52.5	25	2:44.6	16	2:21.8	4
Yds/Play	6.509	2	4.565	4	5.743	10	5.701	25
First Downs/Drive	2.11	3	1.65	21	1.70	16	1.40	4
3rd/4th Down	51.0%	2	41.4%	26	38.4%	21	36.8%	12
Avg Start Pos	28.3	21	26.4	3	31.5	10	25.9	1
3 and Outs / Game	2.43	2	3.57	22	3.75	15	5.63	1
RZ Eff	68.0%	12	59.2%	9	63.3%	18	80.6%	31
Plays/Drive	6.200	3	6.054	28	5.543	17	4.872	2
Penalty Yds / Play	0.671	4	0.750	19	0.724	10	0.939	7
RB Success	47.6%	13	48.8%	22	42.0%	22	38.4%	4
Yds/Carry	3.70	26	4.48	23	3.30	30	4.69	28
Net Punts Yds	41.58	8	42.29	28	39.46	18	40.51	20
Overall	1		12		14		9

Keys to the Game:

Colts ANPY/A Defense vs. Texans ANPY/A Offense will be the key to the game. The Colts have consistenly shown how good they are on defense in this category, no matter the opponent (Remember Warner/Fitzgerald/Boldin? Shut them down too). The Texans are very good throwing the ball. If the Colts play like they have all year, they'll win.
Flip the stat around to the other side of the ball. Manning has only struggled against the teams in the top half of ANPY/A on defense. The Texans are not in the top half, so expect a big day from #18.
Looking at these stats, the Texans seem to get opposing offenses off the field quickly (4th in TOP/Drive, 2nd in Plays/Drive, 1st in Three & Outs). However, look at Yards / Play. 25th in the league. That means lots of big plays. Manning missed on quite a few long passes last week. Expect them to keep trying that, and hopefully converting them.
The Texans haven't been good running the ball this year. Let's hope this continues this year.
The Texans also aren't that good at converting 3rd/4th down plays. Time to make that continue as well.

One other thing...Texans owner Bob McNair is a horse owner, and one of his horses, Cowboy Cal, ran in the Breeders Cup Mile yesterday. He finished 10th of 11.

Go Colts!

Pre-Game Chit-Chat

2009-11-08T16:43:54Z

We're injured.

We're "ripe" for the pickin'.

The Texans know this is a big game and they simply "must win."

Blah. Blah. Blah.

By reading the lay of the media landscape, the Colts are supposed to lose this game so the National Press can claim Indy was a "fraud" for winning 7 games against bad teams to start the year, and the Texans become this year's version of the Jaguars. That's the script it seems everyone is reading from. It's the same old, tired melodrama everyone likes to play up prior to a pivotal game featuring the Colts.

Do you get the sense that media people are just sick of seeing Indy win? I do.

I get the sense the normal cadre of media douchbags, like Jason Whitlock, Bob Kravitz, and the entire ESPN network are sharpening their steak knives, ready to carve into the wounded side of the Colts.

Anyway, use this pre-game chat thread to flap your virtual lips until 12:45. Go Colts!

Inactives for Colts-Texans

2009-11-08T16:40:21Z

Inactives for Colts-Texans

Brown, Vinatieri, Gonzo, Painter (3rd QB), Hayden, Ugoh, Moala, and Santi inactive.

Also DeVan will start at RG over Mike Pollak.

Kuharsky (via SpazMo)

Know Your Colts History: Thank You, Marlin Jackson

2009-11-08T01:00:33Z

Among the Colts' many casualties this week was Marlin Jackson, who tore his ACL in practice. As you probably recall, Marlin tore his other ACL in practice last year. Several athletes have gone on to have very successful careers after losing both ACLs, including one-man rebounding machine DeJuan Blair, but there aren't too many exceptions to the rule. Given how much Marlin Jackson struggled to regain his pre-injury form, odds aren't good that he'll be one of the exceptions either.

Granted, Marlin can still go on to play a few more solid years of football, but odds are that those years won't be played in Indianapolis. Marlin will be entering free agency this season and we all know the track record for players, especially defensive ones, entering free agency under Bill Polian: If you're not producing near or at Pro Bowl level, you better start packing your bags, because you will be replaced by someone younger, cheaper, and odds are, more talented than you. We've seen it happen with Nick Harper, Marcus Washington, Jason David, David Thornton, Cato June, and a slew of others and it's hard to see why Marlin Jackson will be any different.

Since he probably won't be coming back next year, let's take a look back at Marlin Jackson's greatest moment as a Colt. If you're having any problem trying to remember what it was, you should probably just stop reading now.

We can sit and argue all day about where Marlin Jackson's interception ranks among the best plays on the Colts' run to Super Bowl XLI and where it stands among the best plays in Colts' history. If nothing else, I think most of us can agree that it did more damage to the history of another team's history than any other play in Colts history.

Without Marlin's pick, who knows what would have happened in those final seconds. Yes, the Patriots only had about 20 seconds left and they would have had to go 45 yards in order to win the game, but even the most blatantly biased fan can admit that Brady is pretty spectacular when it comes to late-game situations. If Marlin Jackson hadn't stepped in to steal that pass away, maybe Brady would have added to his legacy and removed the second-biggest scar on his legacy and the Patriots could have been on their way to a 4th Super Bowl title this decade. If you think that Patriots fans are insufferable now, just imagine what it would have been like if a nickel back in his second year had picked a different moment to have the biggest play of his career.

Marlin Jackson epitomized the spirit of the team that won the Super Bowl XLI championship team: Every player on the team, regardless of their role, had a moment where they were asked to deliver and each player answered the call during that playoff run. Now that it appears his time in Indianapolis is done, let's take some time to sit back and appreciate the contributions that he and the other role players on that team brought during that magical year.

Dear Bill Polian: Please sign Jack Williams ASAP

2009-11-07T22:08:00Z

More photos » by Chris Schneider - AP

Former-Denver Broncos' Jack Williams (AP Photo/Chris Schneider )

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The Denver Broncos decided that a 35-year-old washed up corner who has been out of football for over a year (Ty Law) is better than their 2008 4th round pick out of Kent State: Jack Williams. This means Williams will need to pass through waivers before he can become a free agent. If he makes it through waivers, Bill Polian and the Colts very much need to sign him.

We did a write-up on Williams back in 2008, just prior to the NFL Draft.

Williams has started since his sophomore year, and his production has remained consistent year after year. The other thing you learn from skywalker's diary is Jack Williams is ALWAYs around the football. He recorded 4 recovered fumbles, 4 pass break-ups, 4 INTs, and 3 sacks his senior year. Williams also played a lot of special teams at Kent State, earning him the team's award for Defensive Back of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year.

Williams is very much suited to playing corner in a Tampa-2. He is strong in run support and seems to tackle well. Last season, he only had 13 tackles. Through seven games this year, he already has 14 tackles and 3 passes defended. With Marlin Jackson on IR and Kelvin Hayden out until December, Jack Williams is exactly the kind of DB the Colts need for nickel and dime defenses. He would also boost an already excellent special teams group.

So, yeah. Indy should sign him already.

Tip to 18to87

Saturday College Football- Open Thread

2009-11-07T14:31:33Z

Since both Dallas Clark and Bob Sanders played at Iowa, and since the Colts seem to have such a cushy relationship with Kirk Ferentz, they get the pic for today's college football thread. Just for my two cents, if Iowa and Florida are the last remaining unbeatens in the country, they MUST play in the championship game. The BCS and college football's "league" in general are a joke, but what would make the joke a tragic one is to pit Florida against some one loss SEC team for the championship.

Stampede Blue Radio: Come Cry With Us- Open Thread

2009-11-06T23:13:35Z

Stampede Blue Radio

8PM Eastern

Tonight!

Joe (shake n bake) and I will cry on each others shoulders as we talk about how the injury-riddled Colts are the worst 7-0 team in the history of all creation. Join us in a little group therapy. Consider this your open thread for the podcast.

LISTEN TO PODCAST:

Friday Colts injury report

2009-11-06T22:28:53Z

Friday Colts injury report

IR'ed: Hagler, Sanders, Jackson

Out Gonzalez, Vinatieri

Questionable Brown (missed Fri), SIiva (missed Thurs), Moala (missed Fri)