Hangover...

Hey all, I'm back from my playoff-defeat-hangover. Like most hangovers it just took some time to relieve. The Colts' season is over as is Dungy's tenure as head coach. Zoo had a great post about Tony D's retirement and career, so I'll just add my quick thoughts. Tony Dungy is a great coach, but he's an even better man. Say what you will about his religious beliefs, but there has never been a coach in any sport, that I know of, that has carried himself with as much class and dignity as Coach Dungy. That as much as any number of wins, losses or Super Bowl titles will be his legacy. That being said, it is time for a change. Good luck Coach Dungy, and thank you for seven amazing football seasons.

Now it's time to turn my full attention to the hoops season (OK, I will keep an eye on the remainder of the NFL playoffs). As anyone who reads this blog knows, the Pacers are the embodiment of all my frustration. But there may be a light at the end of this tunnel. Mike D has made it back from his nagging knee injury, and the Blue and Gold have looked much better with his presence on the court. We've won our past two games, one against the hated Detroit Pistons and the other against JO in his return to the Fieldhouse. Let's see if we can get a little streak going here and turn this season around. If not, then I think it's time to blow this thing up and start over. Either way, I bleed blue and gold and will ride this roller coaster to the end. Go Pacers!

the Dude

Tony Tony Tone

Mr. Dungy is set to announce his retirement today. So today we will say goodbye to an era of prosperity under a great man and a great coach. The numbers say it all, 7 seasons with the Colts, 6 straight 12 win seasons, 7 playoff appearances, Four 1st round losses, and 1 Super Bowl appearance and 1 Super Bowl win. Good seasons, bad finishes. In those 7 playoff appearances, we have only made it to the AFC Championship twice. With the Colts, Dungy is 7-6 in the playoffs, 4 of those wins coming in the year we won the Super Bowl. But we must also look at Peyton's numbers. Our record in 9 playoff appearances with Peyton at QB is 7-8, including six 1st round losses. But enough with the numbers. Dungy is gone. Hopefully his replacement, Jim Caldwell, can bring some post-season toughness to this team (though i did see Bob Kravitz call him Tony Dungy lite). And maybe Polian will finally get us a run stopping tackle. Or when was the last time we had a truly menacing linebacker? or how about a bruising running game to take the pressure off Peyton? These are attributes of playoff contenders, a scary D and forceful running game. Peyton has been slinging it for years, but he is getting old. Gunslingers don't age well. Brett Favre retire already. Dan Marino never got a trophy. John Elway didn't got a trophy until late in his career when the Broncos got Terrell Davis to pound the rock. We have a damn good team. But let's face it, Bob is a band-aid. Marvin is not so marvelous. We can't stop the run. We can't run the ball. So, Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell have work to do. So here's to lucky horseshoes. Go Offseason!


zip-dippity-zoo

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...*#$@!^ &%$# &?^%#!* ^%$& #?@&!!!!...

M-V-P

Our man, Peyton Manning, earned his 3rd MVP trophy of his career. Congrats!! We love ya no matter what. But goldangit we want another ring! We know you are the best QB ever, you just need to prove it to everyone else by winning another Super Bowl (or three). Go Horse!!!
z


psst. We have a 9 game winning streak, the Chargers only won 8 games all year.

12-4

Well, i called it a little early on the last post. Denver drowned themselves out of the postseason and it's off to San Diego we go for another playoff game. Last years playoff loss seems so long ago after the season we have had this year. The early season blunders left us all doubtful and then we finished with 9 straight, many of which were not decided until late in the game.
So here we go, the 5th seed, 12-4, Horse going against the 4th seed, 8-8, Chargers, in San Diego. If you were to break the playoffs down by wins and losses, the Colts, who share the 2nd best record in the AFC with the Steelers, would be the 2nd seed and have a bye in the first round, because they beat the Steelers in the regular season. And San Diego, who shares the same record as Houston and Denver, would not even be in the playoffs, because 2 teams, the Jets (9-4) and the Pats (11-5) have a better record than them. Though I do take pride in the fact that I called the patriots not making the playoffs (see post Wicky Wicky Wack, Sept. 23, and also note the Colts comments at the end of the post), i do not feel that the current playoff system is fair. I don't mind the fact that the Division winners make the playoffs regardless of their record. But once in the playoffs, I'd like to see teams seeded by season record. The playoffs are about the big picture, how did you do against the league?, and let's get it on from there. But I'm not whining cuz the Equines don't have a bye or a home game, that's just what i think. On the other hand, yeah, San Diego makes me nervous, but I think we can handle their business. And from there, hey, we've been there, we've got that ring, and that certainly is an advantage. Let's do it!
z