1392 replies to this topic

[jsinger121]

Cassel's 2nd biggest test of the season with the Chargers being the first. Indy looks to have key players in Sanders and Addai back for this one.

[dcmissle]

Every reason to give the Colts an edge here, even a substantial one.

First, they are by far the more desperate of the two teams. Second, they have a significant HFA. Combine those two, and that's usually decisive in this League.

In addition:

Colts are getting their OL together again, with Saturday and Ugoh back. They ran the ball effectively against the Titans for much of Monday night's game -- surprisingly effectively IMO. Manning seemed to be just missing with his receivers -- straight back foul ball missing.

Their run D certainly contained the Titan's running game for most part, albeit with everybody and his brother in the box. If you add Sanders, who is coming back, the noise in that place, and this being Cassell's first time there, it's a recipe for trouble -- oh yeah, and the Pats are thin at RB.

It will very interesting to see how our younger defensive players and Cassell cope. I can accept easily a close loss in which they play well and the Pats put some points on the board. But if they soil themselves a la San Diego, then we'll likely know who they are, at least for now -- a middle-of-the-pack team that can get into the postseaon but probably do very little once there.

Edited by dcmissle, 30 October 2008 - 12:49 PM.

[Nator]

Their run D certainly contained the Titan's running game for most part, albeit with everybody and his brother in the box. If you add Sanders, who is coming back, the noise in that place, and this being Cassell's first time there, it's a recipe for trouble -- oh yeah, and the Pats are thin at RB.

Why does Fragile Bob always seem to get healthy just in time for the Patriots game every season?

http://www.nfl.com/p...amp;season=2006

In 2006 he misses from week 3 through week 8, plays against the Pats in week 9, and then only plays again once between weeks 10-17.

That bastard.

Not sure about the HFA at "The Lube" yet, they've only won once there this season.

Edited by Nator, 30 October 2008 - 02:01 PM.

[bsartist618]

The one Indy game I saw on TV, the commentators were saying how the crowd noise was nowhere near as loud.

Edited by bsartist618, 30 October 2008 - 02:41 PM.

[Mystic Merlin]

Shaughnessy's piece today isn't anything special, but it is nice to see BB getting some props for keeping the ship afloat thus far. The list of teams that lose an All-World QB and still compete is short; in fact, the Patriots might be the only team on that list.

I understand the Pats have had a relatively easy schedule thus far and have not played at an elite level. I also understand that there has been a backlash against BB, what with 3-4 years of unmitigated ball-washing - I get it and it's to be expected, given his persona and level of success. Both of those things granted, his team is 5-2 with Matt Cassel at quarterback - the past few weeks they've looked a lot more energetic than I'm used to. The first month or so the team looked to be in some sort of malaise (Super Bowl hangover or?), but they've looked like a different team.

Does this mean they are good enough to advance deep into the playoffs or contend for the Super Bowl? No. But, then again, there are no great teams that will preclude that from happening. The NFL is wide open. I'm encouraged.

Edited by Mystic Merlin, 30 October 2008 - 06:27 PM.

[TonyJalaPena]

I am very excited to see these two old heavyweights slug it out. Hopefully, Wilfork bites off Peyton's ear.

It is entirely possible that the best QB Sunday Night is Matt Cassel. I love the NFL!

What's the status of the Pats RBs? Any chance Jordan returns?

[Nator]

I am very excited to see these two old heavyweights slug it out. Hopefully, Wilfork bites off Peyton's ear.

It is entirely possible that the best QB Sunday Night is Matt Cassel. I love the NFL!

What's the status of the Pats RBs? Any chance Jordan returns?

I heard a radio blurb from John Clayton that LaMont is practicing and should play.

[smokin joe wood]

NFL Network is doing a boatload of Pats-Colts programming today this afternoon (Friday) for those that are interested.

Two cents on the game Sunday: I'm deathly afraid of a strip sack or two from Mathis and/or Freeney. Cassel's pocket presence has improved but not enough to keep me from being really nervous. If Cassel turns the ball over one or fewer times then the Patriots have a really good chance of winning this game. I live in Indy and everyone I know that's been to the new stadium has said it isn't nearly as loud as the dome. It's supposed to be a beautiful day/night here on Sunday but I would bet they'll still keep the Luke closed.

[Nator]

Reggie Wayne is a game time decision according to Clayton on ESPN news. If he can't go, the Colts are fucked. The Patriots will destroy them.


Also, if the Colts try to stop the run by lining up in a 4-4 like they did on MNF, they are fucked. The Patriots will destroy them.


Things are looking very bad for the horseshoes.








The Patriots will destroy them.

[Harry Hooper]

I heard a radio blurb from John Clayton that LaMont is practicing and should play.

Channel 7 says Jordan is out.

[SoxScout]

The complete list of downgraded players who will not play is:

# RB LaMont Jordan
# RB Sammy Morris
# CB Lewis Sanders
# S Matthew Slater
# OLB Shawn Crable

http://www.boston.co...jordan_a_1.html

[Dick Pole Upside]

FWIW...

New stadium is very nice, and huge in comparison to RCA Dome. Lucas Oil has a retractable roof, as well as as a giant bay window above the North end zone that opens and closes. Indy had a couple of "soft openings" in August for the stadium to test out a couple of different configurations. My son was fortunate enough to play his opening HS football game of the year at the stadium for one of the stadium's first public events. Roof and window were closed. Granted, it was August and very hot, but the trend has been for the night games to have a closed roof, irrespective of temperature.

The Colts have been changing the configurations to examine different weather scenarios. Open roof/open window, closed roof/open window, open roof/closed window, and closed roof/closed window all create different air/wind currents. When either the window or roof (or both) are open, the wind swirls through in different ways, so Vinatieri and Smith have been taking notes and making adjustments. As Ghost said in an article earlier in the week, it only takes an hour or so for the visiting kickers to assess the conditions so it shouldn't represent an advantage for the Colts, but it is an interesting idiosyncracy of the new stadium nonetheless.

I also took some clients to the Colts-Ravens game a couple of weeks ago, which was a 1:00 start. Open roof/open window. The sun coming through the roof and South (non-opening) end zone window is a reall problem for the team defending the North side of the field in the first half. As the game progresses, the sun sweeps across the stadium at an angle and by mid-way through the 3rd quarter is no longer a factor. Later in the season, as the sun moves lower in the horizon, any "glare" problems are likely to exist only for the first quarter of the 1:00 games or so. The 4:00 starts I wouldn't imagine would be too much of an issue.

As for noise, the RCA Dome felt small, with the roof sitting right on top of you. Thus the sound seemed like it was capped and "bounced" back down towards the stands, creating a really loud venue. Lucas Oil is so big that the noise tends to go across and up much more than RCA, although my son did say that it was VERY hard to hear coaches and fellow players down at field level due to noise.

Aesthetically, the only drawback for new stadium is that the aisles in the seating areas are very tight (not too dissimilar from old Schaefer/Sullivan) which surprised me given the opportunity to create a bigger venue in comparison to RCA. Rest of the facility is really nice.

Hope those going to the game have a good experience! I haven't read anything in particular, but I would anticipate a closed roof even though its going to be relatively mild here today (temps in low '70's).

[Sille Skrub]

Thanks for that DPU.

Win today.

[FL4WL3SS]

I think this will be the funnest game to watch all season. Lessons learned from Miami and SD will help this team. Both teams respect each other immensely, but hate losing to each other.

Win. <--Period

[NortheasternPJ]

That's what I hate about retractable roof stadiums, 70 degrees and they're going to keep it closed? Come on. Isn't low 70's the ideal temperature for people? Low of 50 tonight, that's a perfect night time game weather forecast.

[Old Fart Tree]

I'm not optimistic on this one... going into Indy banged up with Cassel = not a good equation. Let's hope I'm pleasantly surprised. My gut says Indy 31, Pats 17.

[Harry Hooper]

A special teams TD would do wonders for the Pats tonight.

[RoyHobbs]

My gut says this will either be SD or DEN all over again...let's hope the latter.

[Hendu's Gait]

I'm calling an AT INT-Return TD in the 50-60 yard range, and 15 Rec/209 YD for the Welker/Moss combo.

[Saints Rest]

I wonder if the Pats would dare come out with 5 wide (3 WR's, + Watson and Faulk) and no huddle for the first possession or two. Dink and dunk, WR screens, etc. Take Sanders out of the game early when he's going to be at max-adrenaline. Work over the backup CB who is in for Jackson.

[Jack Sox]

Any word on Reggie Wayne yet? I'd like our chances a lot better if he wasn't playing.

Either way, win it.

[SoxScout]

So the last time Rodney was awesome was when he shit all over Dallas Clark a year ago. Adalius hardly played in that game. Right now he is being allowed to rush the passer and is dominating. Does BB have him covering Clark, or trying to kill Manning tonight?

I say, BRING THE HEAT.

[Dick Pole Upside]

Roof will be OPEN, supposedly.

Wayne will play.

Hayden, Keiaho (LB) out. Ratliff and Jennings the starting corners.

[cwright]

I say, BRING THE HEAT.

I vote for that too, because even if it's not a good strategic plan*, it would make me feel better to see Peyton knocked down about 20 times.

*This is not a criticism -- I don't know enough about football to make that judgment one way or the other.

[Saints Rest]

I think Meriweather will be all over Clark. What he (Meriweather) gives up in terms of experience, he makes up with speed.

I think th ekey matchup here will be Mathis vs. Kaczur/Levoir.

[SoxScout]

Yea, and hopefully it is Levoir.... havn't heard his name once since he took over.

[SoxScout]

Inactive players for the Patriots:

# LB Eric Alexander
# OL Wesley Britt
# Matt Gutierrez -- third quarterback
# RB LaMont Jordan
# RB Sammy Morris
# CB Lewis Sanders
# OLB Shawn Crable
# KR/WR/S Matthew Slater

Inactive players for the Colts:

# DB Dante Hughes
# DB Kelvin Hayden
# RB Clifton Dawson
# C Steve Justice
# LB Freddy Keiaho
# WR Roy Hall
# TE Tom Santi
# DT Daniel Muir

The Colts added DB Keiwan Ratliff to their roster.

http://www.boston.co...s/reiss_pieces/

[cwright]

I don't have a good feeling about this one, but that's partly due to the (non-Brady) health issues. I wish the Pats could have faced the Colts with at least one of Sammy Morris and Lamont Jordan healthy.

Oh well. If they win this, I'll feel like the Pats stole a win. Maybe they'll make my day.

[pdxsoxfan]

New England has some favorable matchups for Welker and Moss. If they can protect Cassel, they should be all right. I think the Colts' passing defense numbers are skewed because teams just run, run, run on them.

[FortyFive]

Have I been living in a hole? How long have Olbermann and Patrick been doing this NBC Sunday Night Football pre-game together? Listening to them do the highlights gave me wicked flashbacks to back when Sportscenter was good. . .

[RedOctober3829]

Just win.

[Dogman2]

This won't be close, one way or the other.

[Dick Pole Upside]

I think TOP, as usual, will be critical against the Colts. Even though the Cot's offense is misfiring with regularity these days, Manning still has that ability to dial up quick scores. Houdini jobs against Minnesota and Houston serve as 2008 Exhibits A and B. That being said, dinks and dunks to Welker and Moss, with some straight ahead running by BJGE and Evans is the recipe for me. Colts are still very quick, so I don't think screens and off tackle stuff will be effective. If line can protect Cassel, some shots downfield should be available against this secondary. Pats will need a 2 TD lead going into the 4th quarter to have a chance... I don't see the defense hanging on if its tight.

I agree with those who feel special teams will play a role in the outcome... we need to continue getting productive punt and kickoff returns.

Has any Pro Bowl player been more invisible The Year After than Vrabel? I don't think his name has been called more than 3-4 times all season. Please feel free to have an impact on the game tonight.

[Maalox]

I thought the game was supposed to start at 8:15pm EST. It is 9:30 EST. (Daylight savings doesn't start until tonight, right?) What is the deal?

[Mystic Merlin]

I don't have a good feeling about this one, but that's partly due to the (non-Brady) health issues. I wish the Pats could have faced the Colts with at least one of Sammy Morris and Lamont Jordan healthy.

Oh well. If they win this, I'll feel like the Pats stole a win. Maybe they'll make my day.

Stole a win? Indy isn't in that great shape. They could certainly win this game (being at home and, yeah, this is the NFL), but the Pats are not overmatched by any means.

[Ahriman]

Pey Pey has all of his weapons back. Blah. With the Pats' secondary woes, it could get ugly tonight.

[Ed Hillel]

I thought the game was supposed to start at 8:15pm EST. It is 9:30 EST. (Daylight savings doesn't start until tonight, right?) What is the deal?

It started this MORNING. Hope you didn't have any client meetings.

Edited by Ed Hillel, 02 November 2008 - 08:18 PM.

[BigSoxFan]

A desperate team playing at home against Matt Cassel? All signs are pointing to a big Colts win. If the good defense shows up, we may have a shot.

[Maalox]

It started this MORNING. Hope you didn't have any client meetings.

That's hilarious.

I'm gonna do a Kramer and not change - just show up an hour early everywhere.

[staz]

It started this MORNING. Hope you didn't have any client meetings.

Actually, it ENDED this morning.

[Mystic Merlin]

For fuck's sake, let's start this game. I would like to get some sleep tonight.

[berezina]

Apologies to Cassel: he played well last week. Tonight's a bigger challenge, especially with Bob Sanders out there.

Also, if the secondary would reconsider its strategy of allowing completions on all throws over 20 yards? Those count, too, guys!

And, yeah, Scout, Adalius needs to kill Peyton.

A win and they're alone in first in the East. How cool would that be, sans Brady?

[Ed Hillel]

Yeah, poor Colts and all their injuries!

[SoxScout]

Gary Guyton, announcing his presence with authority

[staz]

After a steady diet of Buck and Caray, Al Michaels will be a treat tonight.

[Ed Hillel]

almost a pick 6. Nice play!

[SoxScout]

Wow, TWheat with that start and making the play

Fuck you D.O.

Edited by SoxScout, 02 November 2008 - 08:26 PM.

[bigsid05]

Nice play by TWheat

[cheekydave]

Yummy three and out