<p>Yeah, basically you know your line sucks when Casey Hampton is nipping at your heels in the endzone for 10 yards. (And you can't run for that matter)</p>
<p>"Sometimes they didn't blitz, they just sent 4 guys."</p>
<p>Exactly. When they did this late in the game, Manning easily picked apart the pass coverage, even with 6 or 7 dropping back.</p>
<p>"But they blitzed all game long and sacked him 5 times. You don't keep trying to find long routes when you are under pressure like that. You throw short routes once you snap to offset the blitz. You rush with one of the best RB's who was getting good yards. You don't keep trying to pass and hoping that your line holds up when it hasn't all game. How can you say that's a great QB? James was amazing on that 90 yard drive. But after that, Manning barely gave him the ball."</p>
<p>Again, every sportswriter, scout and coach says that Manning is the best at calling plays from the line and making adjustments. It's a little hard to call for screens buttonhooks when the receivers haven't had time to beat the corners and the line hasn't had time to pull out and block. This isn't Madden for your PS2, where you know the computer CBs never react quickly enough on short passes...</p>
<p>Again, I don't like Manning and I don't like Indy. But I'm not confusing a videogame with a real NFL game. Pittsburgh has one of the best Ds in the league, and they were on fire yesterday. For much of the game, Manning barely had a chance. But don't forget that they probably would've won that game had Tarik Glenn not cost them a TD with his false start earlier on. And Manning led them on TWO good drives in the last few minutes.</p>
<p>no they probably wouldn't have and shouldn't have won that game. The game plan for pitt would have been much different if tarik gleen scored. Pitt dominated manning just like SD and NE has.</p>
<p>and that non interception was the worst call since in '99 when jerry rice fumbled the ball against the Packers in the playoffs and the refs didn't call it, setting up a hail mary pass for the win. For those who follow football that long.</p>
<p>and didn't manning throw that pick when they only rushed 4 guys? in fact, polomanu got his hands on a lot of balls.</p>
<p>Manning has skill but not leadership. He calls the plays but blames the line and the kicker? He won't suck it up like the General he claims to be? Who would want to play with him?</p>
<p>Indy just needs a power running back to be able to run out the clock. Also, they need bigger linebackers that can punish runnign backs for going up the middle. I saw int eh pittsburg game that it took like 3 or 4 guys to tak down jerombettis, or they had to go for his legs. The speedy defense won't win championships.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You rush with one of the best RB's who was getting good yards. You don't keep trying to pass and hoping that your line holds up when it hasn't all game. How can you say that's a great QB? James was amazing on that 90 yard drive. But after that, Manning barely gave him the ball.
[/quote]
[quote]
Indy just needs a power running back to be able to run out the clock.
[/quote]
I don't think running James much more than they did would be a feasible strategy. When you're consistently down by two scores, when you're down 21-3 in the third quarter to a ball-control offense...it doesn't matter how good James is. You have to be able to throw downfield to preserve the clock and advance the ball. </p>
<p>And I don't think having a big back would've helped the Colts in last weekend's game - when would running out the clock help the Colts? If I remember correctly, they trailed the entire game.</p>
<p>In fact, the two games that Indy lost legitimately this season (San Diego and Pittsburgh - they rested their starters in the Seattle game) were not comebacks by the opposition. The Colts got beat early and often, and tried to play catch-up both times. Having a back to run out the clock wouldn't have helped at all.</p>
<p>Yet their vaunted offense is built to make comebacks. They can score quickyl and in bunches. James is a good back for speed, but teams prepare for that type of back and there is no power back to clean up in red zone situations like Bettis. Indy's offense is too one-dimensional, if you can stop Manning, then you've pretty much won the game. Their losses to San Diego and Pitt were similar in that manning got pressured a lot and the recivers couldn't get open.</p>
<p>So I was happy about yesterday's win. :) Huge Steeler Fan myself...and the NFL actually appologized for the bad call. If Steelers would have lost though, they would have never came out and said that, which I find amusing.</p>
<p>I hope to see Steelers vs Seahawks at the Super Bowl this year. But the Steelers always choke in the conference games so who knows.</p>
<p>what a horrible week for football...but yes...my prediction matches courtney's....Pittsburg v. Seattle....I was hoping it'd be Indy v. New England..grrr.....like i said...bad week for football.....</p>
<p>It could never be Indy vs New England in the super bowl...but I assume you are talking about the conference game. I was expecting it to be those 2 teams also in the conference. Crazy stuff!</p>
<p>You wouldn't use a back to run out the clock when you're behind, of course. But you would do it so they'd have to keep more than 4 guys up front. It would release some pressure off the receivers and Manning.</p>
<p>Also, they had 2nd and 2 with timeouts left with about 30 seconds left, which is plenty of time when you have timeouts. Instead of running at least once to get the first and let the FG be a little easier, they go for the endzone twice, almost getting picked off twice. That is a situation in which you should run, because even if they did get the TD, there still would have been 20 seconds left on the clock and Steelers had 3 timeouts. Steelers don't have a very explosive offense, but you never want to get anyone anytime to score.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh is ruling the Mile High Stadium today during first half......hehehe I hope Peyton Manning is enjoying watching the game w/ his family seeing that h must have precious few friends left following his comments. This is one great game to watch.........Go Roet and Betts.</p>
<p>Yes, I see...Pittsburgh up by 18 at the start of the 2nd half and threatening to score...so I will say they go on and face Seattle now that I have seen the demolishing.</p>
<p>seattle will lose. I want seattle to win, but I don't think they will.</p>
<p>WOOOO PITTSBURGH IS GOIN TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!! Finally!</p>
<p>I'm a new england fan, have been all my life! Really hurt to not see them go to the game this year; I think we're getting spoiled. I hope Pittsburgh goes all the way this year; I see Pitt vs. Carolina in the bowl. Jerome Bettis deserves to win as he will retire after this year, and I kind of feel a little sorry for Cowher after getting beat up by the Patriots for so long!</p>
<p>Pittsburgh favored 5 1/2 over Seattle and 4 1/2 over whover else winds. All I care about is having Peyton Manning serve out his time in a helmet w/o ever wearing the ring.........no leadership in Manning or a coach who lets a player run the team into the loser column.</p>
<p>Yeah...I hear that. Did you see Peyton send the kicking team off the field last week? What a schmuk!</p>
<p>Let me see: he calls the plays from the field but calls out the rest of his team on national network without a tie on? NO leadership in the momma's boy from the south. I mean you know he had the custom suit and shirt all ready for his big time interviews but OH NO. He lost so he shrugs his shoulders and throws up his hands and takes NO responsilibity. Now let me see: an owner, IRSAY and a club president POLIAN and a coach DUNGY who let the guy run the calls.........none of them have leadership skill. I love to see the loss. If you are gonna call 'em them suck it up during the loss: put your best on and face the cameras.</p>
<p>That call was great. Either way, I'd say that. They really needed to get that first so you gotta give it to him for having the guts. But it woulda been so sweet if they missed, not just because I'm a steeler's fan, but also to see him booed.</p>