I am not going to lie, the Texans game hurt me. I think I am about as glass half full as they get, but when the game was over, I had had a hard time processing what had went wrong. There were so many fingers to point, but nothing would change the result. Two straight games of playing teams that were basically in win or go home mode, showed what we would see in the playoffs and we would have been sent home each time. I say this reluctantly, as I know my man card is on the line, but after the game, I handed the remote to my wife and watched a Hallmark movie from start to finish… I know!
Sometimes there are changes that appear clear to us fans, but they are usually roster related. Get so and so off the field! We can’t with with this guy playing this position. Sometimes we want the coach to change an approach. More runs, more passes, more shots down the field. Sometimes we want more effort or urgency. We are generally pretty sure we could win, if the coaches would just listen to us.
So what I’d like to ask of you today, is how would you fix the Colts to the point that they win the division? They have their destiny in their own hands, so what needs to be done to ensure that they get their hat in the ring with a home playoff game? I’d think that Steichen has to be aware that not making the playoffs, would likely see him being considered as a OC for a team who’s HC calls the plays, or maybe as a HC at the college level, so he should be highly motivated.
I honestly do not know of any starters on offense or defense, that I feel are costing the Colts games. That doesn’t mean that there is not a player that needs to be replaced. We replaced our ineffective kicker (not quite the same ring as our liquored up kicker), in a move that might have been made in the middle of the game if they allowed it. For you other old timers, where is Charlie Finley when you need him? We have no clue if Grupe has time to gain enough confidence from Steichen, to alter our approach to when to take points.
As for changes on offense, I’d have my first series “No Huddle”. Changing personnel seems unnecessary, considering our weapons. Warren is a dual threat and so are Pitt and AP. Taylor can run, pass block and should be given some routes from somewhere besides the backfield (See note*). If you want to keep the threat of a run, just put Warren back there, where he would also make a good last line of defense against the rush. If you had to be in a short yardage situation, our WR will be bigger than their DBs and it may work better than bringing in TEs, who might not be bigger than the LBs who come as counter measures. Get their D in a personnel package that you can exploit and keep them on the field.
(*While I am thinking about it. We often see JT motion wide, only to return. I understand that we are try to gain some knowledge, but does that mean that we get the same information every time? I never see them run the play while he is out there, so has the D shown something each and every time, which tells the offense he should return to the backfield? Would it hurt to get it to him while he was wide, or let him run a route from there? Rant over.*)
After a game like we just witnessed, there have to be a lot of opinions on what the weakest link is. I’d like for you to think of those moves as being in the best interest for this year, rather than just saying “Fire Everyone” and see who wants to play next year. The Colts currently hold a spot in the playoffs and control their own fate, so now is not a time to abandon ship.
So, you get 10 minutes with Shane, CB, or even Carlie. What two moves are you going to suggest to get the team a home playoff game and a chance at more? Mine would be the No Huddle and the kicker, so I can check one box.
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