Well, the Colts keep teasing us with a potentially adequate season. Last night, they beat the Patriots 18-15 on the strength of two touchdowns by Antonio Gonzalez, a long Vinatieri field goal, and a dumb, dumb penalty by New England tight end David Thomas who got flagged for a cheap shot after the play was over. So, a 3rd & one for the Patriots turned into a 3rd & 16. The Colts still have an awful time getting off the field on third down, but even they could handle a 3rd & 16. The penalty also took them out of field goal range.
In any case, it’s always nice to beat the Patriots. Though, I’m much less excited about this one than I typically am.
Belichick looked like an idiot, as usual. I dig the hurry-up, 12-men-on-the-field gambit. But challenging the no-call is stupid, high-risk/low reward silliness and has little to do with the action on the field.
Then the deal where he sent in a fourth-down offense deep in our territory, only to wait until the last second and then have to run down the sideline signalling timeout like a drama queen. It was a pretty good Jeff Fisher imitation, which is not a good thing. It’s fitting that it negated an apparent first down.
I was somewhat sympathetic about the guy getting tagged with that penalty. It wasn’t *that* late a hit and didn’t look malicious. But that still puts us about ten crappy calls behind the Patriots in the long term.
It would have been a more satisfying win if Brady was in the picture, but a win is still a win. I’m quite happy. And, rest assured, even though I live in Chicago Bears country now, I’m still a Colts fan.
See, I noticed that late hit as it was happening. I’m usually pretty unobservant, so when I catch a penalty in live action, it generally has to be pretty blatant. Whistles had blown some time before; all the other players had slowed down and let up; and then the New England guy comes in with a lowered shoulder.
I was at the game, and I saw PLENTY of cheep shots that were of the “sweep the leg, Johnny” type that didn’t get called. I’ll take this one as a make-up.
Also, Matt Cassel kept kind of leaning backward a second or so before the snap to simulate that the snap was happening. I don’t think it’s a penalty if the QB does it, but it was annoying to watch.