Sure, Manning made a throw that everyone thinks was bad. But were they in the huddle when the play was called? What most people fail to realize is that the game they were watching is nothing like the game they go out and play with their friends on a quiet street. There’s more to a play than just  some dude drawing routes on his palm in the huddle. Did Peyton make a bad throw or did the receiver bung up the route?

You know what, it doesn’t matter. Yea the play was a mistake and yea it seemed to have cost the Colts the game. But it didn’t. That wasn’t the only play the Colts failed to make. The offense could have done a better job executing all game. The defense could have done a better job creating negative plays on first downs and getting off the field on third downs. Special teams could have done a better job on coverage and returns. The coaches could have coached better.

Games aren’t won or lost on one play. Every play is an opportunity that can be capitalized on. The Colts, not just Manning, could have played better. But they didn’t. The Saints made more plays in the game then the Colts did. And that’s why the Colts lost.

Technorati Tags: Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, NFL, Peyton Manning, Super Bowl 44

Last night the Saints had something to say and they said it on the field. There can be no excuses made by the great Colts or Manning, they definitely aren’t making any. The game had few penalties and few mistakes. The costliest mistake was made by Peyton Manning when Tracy Porter picked off a Manning pass and returned it for a touchdown. That’s something you never saw Joe Montana do or something Tom Brady has yet to, and possibly may never do.

Manning may not be fully to blame for the interception, Porter diagnosed the play to perfection and stepped in front on the pass. However you rarely see Manning make such a mistake with such tight coverage.

The turning point in the game was no doubt the call by Sean Payton to attempt the onside kick at the beginning of the second half. The idea behind it was brilliant, keep Manning on the sidelines. If it wound up not working Payton probably would have been ridiculed for it by many people. But he stayed true to his philosophy of needing to take big chances in big games. Wether that play worked or not, you have to respect the man for staying true to his game plan.

While the world watched Peyton Manning prove he’s not even the best quarterback in the game today, let alone ever, they witnessed another quarterback take his game to a new level. Drew Brees played an amazing game. In the biggest game of his life he remained calm and poised. Right from the beginning of the game you could see his focus.

In the first quarter the offensive line of the Saints struggled a little with the pressure the Colts were putting on. But with all the chaos going on around him Brees slid around in that pocket and remained poised. The Colts came out and threw a lot at the Saints in the first quarter, the fact that New Orleans handled it played a huge role in the way the game went. Drew Brees handled the pressure of the big game like all the other quarterbacks that are considered to be the greatest did. Peyton Manning handled the pressure of the big game the way he usually does. His record in the postseason is 9-9. Now, remind me again of who dat everyone was anointing the greatest quarterback ever?

Technorati Tags: Drew Brees, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Peyton Manning, Sean Payton

I checked out the people who were leading the balloting for the “all-star” game and everything was checking out fine. Drew Brees leads the voting, yea that makes sense. Peyton Manning is second, Adrian Peterson is third. So far so good. Brett Favre is fourth…..WTF?

It’s the same as last year when Favre got in. Favre may be having a good year but he’s nowhere near the best quarterback in the game anymore. You mean to tell me Favre has more votes than Brady?! Oh yea, it’s because they let the fans vote. That would explain why Larry Fitzgerald is fifth in voting, even though he’s not the best receiver so far this year.

Players with the most exposure get in, not the best players. So why even waste time with the Pro Bowl?. It’s a game that the fans set the lineups with their favorite players. It’s like when a little kid loves the home team because his dad does. So consequently the kid loves all the players on the team and thinks they’re all the best. So he gets online everyday and votes for those player multiple times.

If you want a real all-star game, let the coaches and players choose who gets in. Aren’t they the best judge of talent? I would say they probably watch a lot more game film that that little kid and his dad do.

Don’t get me wrong here. The fans are everything. I’m a fan. But I wouldn’t think my opinion of who the best players in the league are should hold more weight  than players and coaches.

Technorati Tags: Adrian Peterson, Brett Favre, Drew Brees, NFL, Peyton Manning

Jim Caldwell has done an excellent job replacing Tony Dungy, although you can never really replace a guy like Tony Dungy. But Caldwell has quietly been a part of the Colts great success since joining them as quarterbacks coach in 2002. After three years as quarterbacks coach he spent up until this season in the role of assistant head coach.

The Patriots seem to have things falling into place for them. Tom Brady looks like he’s becoming more in sync with his offense, and their young defense seems to be finding ways to make plays without guys like Bruschi, Seymour, Vrabel and Harrsion.

You can talk about matchups or whatever in this game but the bottom line is that it’s going to come down to mistakes. The team that’s able to capitalize on the others teams mistakes is going to win this game. There won’t be many. The big thing to look for is red zone efficiency. In a close game sometimes the key is the team who can get 7 instead of 3 in the red area.

Technorati Tags: Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, NFL, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady