The Colts just demolished the Saints in the second half. Last year, New Orleans was one of the offensive juggernauts in the league. Tonight, the Saints’ offense has been ineffective. They’ve scored a field goal. The Saints remaining points were from a defensive turnover resulting in a touchdown. It took about a half for the Colts’ offense to shake off a bit of rust, but in the second half they looked awfully sharp. And, for all of Al Michaels and John Madden talking about how the Colts didn’t have a legitimate backup to Addai, Kenton Keith looks like he’s moving the ball pretty well when given the chance – 32 yards on 5 carries, six yards fewer than media favorite Reggie Bush got with 12 carries. And, what can we say about poor Jason David, the cornerback who left the Colts to play for the Saints. He was the guy who returned the fumble for a touchdown, but he also got burned for at least 3 touchdowns – 2 by Reggie Wayne and 1 by Marvin Harrison.
Anyway, these night games always wreck me for the next day. But it’s good to see him back.
Update Stampede Blue has a good wrap up – my favorite bit:
Dallas had himself a game. I’m now convinced he can do anything. Why have Sorgi back-up Manning. Let Dallas throw the ball. Why not? HE CAN DO ANYTHING! Block, catch, run, jump, swim, climb, limbo, breakdance, bungie jump… you name it. Clark can do it all. I mean, how many TEs do you see run a reverse like that?
Hey Doug — you did mean the Saints and not the Chargers, right? :)
I get the same way with the weeknight games. I’m struggling pretty mightily to keep my eyes open right now. What a great second half, though!
I was wanting Addai out of the game about a drive or two earlier, both for durability over the long season, and also to get game experience for the backup. Especially in a situation where neither of them was being stopped, may as well build up the understudy’s ego. Otherwise, it was just about as flawless a game as you can have–especially in the first game of the season.
Yup, it was late, and I’m an idiot. Thanks for the heads up. I fixed it in the title.
It was nice to see Ugoh do well at LT. Not perfect, but zero sacks & opened up a number of holes on the left side for Addai. I’m with T though–I’m worried about Addai running out of steam around week 12 if we don’t give Keith more touches…
Tell you what, it’s just sweet to see this team finally respected as fully as it deserves to be–as recently as early last season some nationally-published touchhole whose name I should have burned in my memory was talking about Manning’s “happy feet”–and then to have them go out and prove it against quality (if NFC) competition while every football fan in America watched. Especially when all the off-season talk was Patriots Patriots Patriots. Almost as satisfying as last February.
I watch way to much football (i.e., “Hi, I’m IndyBar, and I’m a footballhaulic…HIIII, IndyBar”), but I have never in my life seen a tight end reverse.
I was so-so on the season, and one game does not a Superbowl repeat, but geez they looked good.
I used to worry about Manning’s happy feet. I used to notice how many of his passes flopped through the air like a goose with a wingful of lead shot, while others’ passes looked so crisp. I used to notice that other teams’ receivers caught their passes in stride, while so many of Manning’s completions were Marvin diving or sliding, with no yards after the catch. I don’t think I’ve become less critical. I think Manning’s just become that much better. As far as I’m concerned, there’s Manning, then there’s everyone else. It’s a good time to be a Colts fan.
Ugoh was great. I suppose he was holding on that one play. The same ref never once noticed Freeney swimming toward Brees, being held from behind by a Saint with a fist full of jersey. Freeney’s best skill right now is being so damn active that they forget about Mathis, who just slithers over and smacks the ball out of the QB’s hand.
Joseph Addai is the best all around running back the Colts have had. This includes Eric, Marshall, and Edgerin. He reminds me of Walter Payton with his attitude and running style.
Doug it’s Eastern Daylight Time that wrecks the next day. Two years ago the game would have started at 7:30 EST and been over at 10:30. Sorry- just couldn’t pass up the chance.
Yeah, it had not escaped my attention that EDT makes the games later during the first half of the season. Second half has always been in synch with the east coast. But, they start the games that late so they can capture a piece of the Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones. More evidence that Central would help Indiana capture a larger part of the United States in its sphere of influence. But, we most certainly digress.