Colts Influence

Monday, 12 January 2009

Tony Dungy! We will miss you!!!!
Mood:

blue
Dungy stepping down as Colts coach
Sunday, January 12, 2009

Dungy walked around the team's complex saying goodbye to players and team employees and informing them that the transition should be a smooth one for new coach Jim Caldwell.
According to one source, Dungy explained that he has talked it over with his family and they believed this was the proper time to step down, while the Colts' nucleus was still intact.
Dungy is perhaps the most respected head coach among peers and players of this era. He won a Super Bowl two seasons ago and at that time many thought he would step down. Again last year it was predicted by some he would step down, but he decided instead to pick his successor and stay on for one more year.
Dungy's Indianapolis tenure will finish after seven seasons with a record of 92-33, and a postseason berth in all seven years with the club.
He was competitive but still maintained sportsmanship. He was a straight shooter but one that was classy. Dungy was pro team but was devoted to his family. Most people are skeptical of people who are labeled a good guy.
Not Dungy.
Well, it's pretty obvious with Tony Dungy being gone it's going to hurt the Colts. He has led his team to playoff appearance after playoff appearance.
Yes I think this really does hurt the Colts, but also I think they will still be the exact same team next season. The reason it hurts the Colts is because they lose the type of person that Dungy was off the field. He was amazing for the community and was just a good person all around.
This comes from me, and I'm sure I'm speaking for the entire Colts fan base. We wish you well in whatever you move on to Tony, and you are always going to be welcome in Indiana, and if you ever want to, to coach our Indianapolis Colts.
With Dungy out the Colts will have to find another coach that can fill the left by Tony Dungy. It will be very hard for them, but they already have the guy who will be their next head coach on their coaching staff.
Jim Caldwell will be the new Indianapolis Colts head coach. This makes it a much easier transition for the Colts, because Caldwell will more than likely run the same kind of system Dungy ran.
While he will run the same system, it still will not be the same. The players will have to learn to respect Caldwell just as much as they did Tony Dungy, and Caldwell will have to have just as good of control and not let go of it.
In a realm where the majority of the media attention is placed on the negative actions of thugs, Dungy made headlines for all the right reasons. Frankly, it wouldn't have bothered him if the press never batted an eye at him.
In a profession where being loud, demonstrative, and forceful is considered to be the foundation for a successful coach, Dungy showed an ability to motivate and find success by relying on the same "quiet strength" which provided the title of his best-selling book.
In a setting that can cause even the most noble to become selfish, Dungy resisted and instead used his platform as a football coach to better the lives of others through charitable works.
In a society where the successful are almost exclusively expected to trumpet their accomplishments, Dungy let his record on the field do the talking.
In a culture where "nice guys finish last", Dungy won a Super Bowl ring being "nice"-and in doing so, he broke down a racial barrier that preceded him, becoming the first title-winning black head coach.
And in a time where free agency and impatience creates an inferno of instability in so many franchises, Dungy showed-and was showed-a great deal of loyalty, both to his coaches and to his players. In return, Colts GM Bill Polian and owner Jim Irsay respected Dungy enough and wanted him around enough that they arranged for him to fly Irsay's private jet down to Tampa, where his family resides, to watch his son Eric-who is a senior in high school-play football on Friday nights.
It says a lot about Dungy that when he met with Irsay to discuss his future, the Colts owner begged him to stay. Fans have been touched in innumerable ways by him on and off the field. He is universally admired by those in the coaching profession.
Oh, and by the way, he was a pretty good football coach. He racked up 148 wins in his 13 years as a head coach, seven with Tampa Bay and six in Indy. His Colts teams won the AFC South five straight times, and he led his squads to the postseason in ten consecutive seasons, making him the only man since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to accomplish that feat.
Granted, it helps to have perhaps the greatest quarterback to ever play the game on your roster. It is also beneficial to have a stable organization committed to winning the right way from the top down.
But Dungy took a horrible defense and turned it into a productive one. Despite its inability to stop the run on many occasions, Dungy's "Tampa 2" defensive scheme has found its way into many locker rooms due to its effectiveness in covering the field in pass coverage.
Dungy inherited a robust collection of offensive talent and refused to make drastic changes. He and Polian showed an ability to draft talented players in all rounds of the draft that is second to none.
He dealt with injuries as well, if not better, than any other coach in the NFL. His mantra, "Do what we do", extended from Peyton Manning down to the practice squad, and if your number was called, you were expected to perform at a high level.
Football didn't make Tony Dungy. His leaving on his own terms affirms this. Football benefited from him being around.
He will be missed.

Posted by ia3/colts at 10:05 AM
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Saturday, 10 January 2009

Freeney fined for speaking the TRUTH
Mood:

loud
FREENEY FINED FOR POSTGAME COMMENTS
January 10, 2009,
In an expected move, the NFL fined Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney for his comments about the officiating in the team's 23-17 overtime loss to the Chargers last Saturday night. The bill for what a NFL spokesman termed "inappropriate comments on officiating" comes to $20,000.
As one of the NFL's best pass rushers of his generation, the Colts' Dwight Freeney believes that he is held by opposing pass blockers "every single damn play." Let that serve as a backdrop to the utter disgust the Pro Bowl defensive end displayed as we walked to Indy's team bus outside Qualcomm on Saturday night over the trio of penalties called against the Colts' defense that helped facilitate San Diego's winning touchdown drive in overtime. The rundown: Second-and-4 from the San Diego 43 - Sproles is stopped for no gain, but Eric Foster is called for defensive holding. Third-and-8 from the Indy 40 - Rivers throws incomplete to Chris Chambers, but cornerback Tim Jennings, who helped break up the pass, is called for defensive holding. Next play, first-and-10 at the Colts' 35 - Sproles is stopped for no gain, but Session, who made the tackle, is whistled for a 15-yard facemask penalty. In my opinion it could be argued that any of the three penalties was justified, and a case could be made that each was unwarranted. But to have all three of them called in that context was regrettable, and the fact that the Chargers were only penalized three times all game (and only once on offense, for an ineligible man downfield) makes it even worse.
In Freeney's opinion, the flurry of calls that helped end his season was flat-out unconscionable. "Those were the worst [expletive] calls I've seen in a long time," he said. "To have a game of that magnitude taken out of your hands, it's just disgusting. It's not like they made one [expletive] bad call - it's three calls, in overtime. On one the ball's 50 feet over [Chambers'] head. And they have the nerve to call defensive holding? When they can't even call one friggin' offensive holding the whole game? What's going on? They need to start investigating some other [expletive]."

Posted by ia3/colts at 10:09 AM
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Tuesday, 6 January 2009

Colts face significant issues in offseason, including Harrison, improving run game

The sting of the latest, numbing one-and-done playoff experience will linger, but the Indianapolis Colts soon must move on.

Tony Dungy's decision -- retire or return for an eighth season as coach -- tops the list of issues that will affect their future. But that's just the beginning. A few others include:

Adios, Marvin? Marvin Harrison's place in NFL history is set, but he could be history with the Colts. In an unforgiving business, he might not be considered worth the investment. Harrison, 36, is due a $9 million base salary in 2009 and will count $13.4 million against a league salary cap that's expected to be in the $123 million range.

Maybe Harrison would consider taking a significant pay cut, but management might not take that route, convinced it's time to cut ties with another longtime offensive cornerstone as it did with Edgerrin James. The Colts can free up approximately $6 million in cap space by terminating Harrison's contract.

He's still a fan favorite, but largely was a non-factor in '08. In his last three games, including Saturday night's playoff loss at San Diego, Harrison had 12 catches for 73 yards. During the regular season he averaged a career-low 10.6 yards on 60 receptions.

Veteran exodus? Management faces some difficult decisions regarding its veteran free agents. The list includes three-time Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden and backup running back Dominic Rhodes.

Re-signing Saturday and/or Hayden won't be cheap. If they are intent on maximizing their free-agent opportunities, it will be difficult, or even impossible, to re-sign both. An option is to re-sign the player who is more affordable and use the franchise tag on the other. Or, Indy might simply "tag'' one and let the other walk.

The one-year franchise tag for either would be hefty -- in the $8.6 million range for Saturday and more than $9.5 million for Hayden.

Addressing deficiencies: The pressure will be on team president Bill Polian and his personnel staff to address roster deficiencies and fill holes. Fans seeking a quick fix will clamor for a couple of high-priced, high-profile free agent signings. Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and Cincinnati wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh are the most attractive names, but their teams might not allow them to hit the market. Even if they do, the Colts tend to shy away from throwing significant cash at veteran free agents.

A more likely scenario is for Indy to once again look to the draft, then the more reasonably-priced secondary phase of free agency. If Harrison departs, the top priorities would be a receiver to complement Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez, and a defensive tackle. The young players on the interior of the D-line offered what they could, but an athletic tackle with bulk is needed.

Whether it's re-signing their own or other team's free agents, money and salary-cap space will be an issue. The Colts feature one of the more top-heavy rosters in the league. In 2009, their top 10 players will count more than $89 million against the cap, providing the team pro-rates an $8.2 million roster bonus due Dallas Clark. That would lower his cap number to $7.34 million from $13.3 million. Peyton Manning will count $21.2 million, Harrison $13.4 million and Dwight Freeney $11.22 million.

The running game: Either Joseph Addai and Rhodes became very ordinary very quickly, or the offensive line didn't get the job done. The Colts fielded one of the least productive running attacks in club history. One-dimensional teams seldom reach the playoffs let alone make deep runs once they get there.

The Colts have good, young talent on the O-line (rookies Mike Pollak, Jamey Richard and Steve Justice), but Saturday's future with the team is uncertain and veteran left guard Ryan Lilja missed the season with a right knee that didn't respond to two offseason surgeries.

Something must give.

Additional Facts

Offseason dates

Feb. 1: Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Fla.

Feb. 8: Pro Bowl in Honolulu.

Feb. 18-24: NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Feb. 27: Veteran free agency begins.

March 22-25: Owners meeting in Dana Point, Calif.

April 25-26: NFL draft.

Posted by ia3/colts at 10:15 AM
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Friday, 2 January 2009

Peyton Manning Awarded MVP for Third Time
January 02, 2009
Peyton Manning took a different approach to earning a record-tying third Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback got hurt, struggled when he came back, then lost a bunch of games. Hardly vintage Manning. But when he rediscovered the touch that has made him one of football's dominant players for a decade, Manning and the Colts were virtually unstoppable.
Now Manning can tell Brett Favre to move over and make room for him atop the roster of MVPs.
"I really feel like it's a team award," Manning said Friday. "Just what our team went through this year and the way we responded and bounced back to a little bit of football adversity at the beginning of the season, being 3-4.
"It's been the most rewarding regular season that I've been a part of in my 11 years, and I have to believe a lot of the other players and even coaches might feel the same way."
Manning received 32 votes in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. He also was the league MVP in 2003, when he shared it with Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair, and in 2004.
Favre, then with Green Bay, took MVP honors in 1995 and '96 before sharing it with Detroit running back Barry Sanders in 1997. The award has been given by The AP since 1961.
Manning finished far ahead of Miami quarterback Chad Pennington and Atlanta running back Michael Turner, each with four votes. Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison and Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson each got three votes. San Diego QB Philip Rivers (2), Tennessee rookie RB Chris Johnson (1) and Arizona QB Kurt Warner (1) also earned votes.
"I'm honored to receive this award because of the number of other worthy candidates who had some great years," Manning said. "It was just fun for me, truly, to watch them. I'm just glad to be a part of it."
Manning has been part of a most unusual season for the Colts, who normally have the AFC South just about clinched by Thanksgiving. Manning had two operations on his left knee in the preseason, cutting into practice time, blunting his usual precision as a passer and, eventually, leading to that 3-4 start.
From there, with Manning getting sharper by the week, the Colts won nine straight games to secure a wild-card berth and a meeting Saturday night with San Diego.
In that streak, Manning is 209-of-290 for 2,248 yards and 17 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. He extended his NFL record with his ninth 4,000-yard season and finished with 27 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 95.0 passer rating.
"In other years, everything started fast," Colts running back Dominic Rhodes said. "He's still breaking records. But this year, there were a bunch of negative things said in the beginning, and he brought his best when we needed his best. This is probably the best ball I've seen him play."
The folks in Indianapolis might take for granted having Manning behind center, just as Packers and now Jets fans have assumed Favre would be there every week. Favre has started 269 straight regular-season games, the record for quarterbacks. Manning's string is 176-every game since he was the No. 1 pick in the 1998 draft.
The Mannings, of course, are the first family of NFL quarterbacking, from father Archie to Peyton to younger brother Eli of the New York Giants.
"To be able to come back and play the way he has, especially the last nine or 10 weeks where they have been winning and getting into the playoffs, I'm very proud of him and the season he has had," said Eli Manning, the MVP of last February's Super Bowl.
Added Peterson, the league's leading rusher: "I know Manning is definitely worthy of the award. He's an outstanding player and I take my hat off to him."

Posted by ia3/colts at 10:11 AM
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Thursday, 7 August 2008

The Indianapolis Colts Influence

Packers Trade Brett Favre to the New York Jets

The Brett Favre drama has finally ended.

The Green Bay Packers traded quarterback, Brett Favre to the New York Jets in exchange for a conditional fourth round pick in next year's draft. That could change to a first round pick if Favre plays 80% of the snaps and if the Jets make the Super Bowl.

Harrington joins Colts for NFL preseason work

Former Mexico High School two-way football star and University of Missouri standout linebacker Dedrick Harrington hopes to come to the rescue of the Indianapolis Colts.

With up to five linebackers unavailable this week, the Colts have signed Harrington, who had been released late last month from the St. Louis Rams training camp.

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Harrington spent time on the Colts' practice squad last season and also has worked out with Dallas in hopes of continuing his gridiron career at the professional level.

After losing to Washington in Sunday's Hall of Fame Game, the Colts had Monday off and a relatively light day Tuesday before going through a pair of full-team practices Wednesday.

The Colts were to practice twice today, then once Friday morning before traveling to Carolina to play the Panthers on Saturday night.

You can kiss the RCA Dome goodbye -- starting in September

The RCA Dome, home of the Indianapolis Colts, will die a slow death. Starting in September, the 16 fans that supply air for the dome will be turned off. No big deal to you, but for the dome's ceiling it's everything. The Indianapolis Star writes that the ceiling will collapse within 30 minutes of the air being cut off.

An implosion in December will end the RCA Dome's life. But in the meantime, the RCA Dome will be torn down slowly. According to the newspaper, "Even the dome's fabric roof will be preserved and sold as memorabilia -- $60 for an 8.5-by-4-inch swath." And for you green fans, 80 percent of the stadium will be recycled.

Lucas Oil Stadium will be the new home of the Colts. The RCA Dome has been the home of Colts ever since they left Baltimore in the middle of the night in 1984. It was very similar to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis. It was called the Hoosier Dome until 1994 when RCA bought the naming rights. The stadium, which seats 57,980 for football, saw its last game when the Colts lost to the San Diego Chargers, 28-24, Jan. 13, 2008.

The Lucas Oil Stadium will seat 63,000. Interestingly, it will have the second smallest seating in the NFL. The Chicago Bears' Soldiers Field seats just 61,000. The first game at the new stadium will pit the Colts against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, August 24, at 8:00 p.m. in an exhibition game.

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Neither the NFL nor the Indianapolis Colts are an official sponsor of this contest. The use of Indianapolis Colts tickets as a prize in no way implies an association with the Indianapolis Colts. See official rules.

Coe undergoes knee surgery, out two months

Aug. 7, 2008

Colts CB Michael Coe should be out approximately two months after undergoing surgery on his left knee Wednesday.

"The surgery went well," coach Tony Dungy told the Indianapolis Star. "We're looking at probably eight weeks from now before he's ready to get back going."

A second-year pro out of Alabama State, Coe recorded 10 tackles in his rookie season. He was expected to add depth to the Colts' secondary, most likely seeing time in a reserve role or in the nickel and dime packages.

Coe, who injured the knee in practice last week, is the latest casualty to a Colts defense already operating without starters DE Dwight Freeney, S Bob Sanders, DE Robert Mathis, MLB Gary Brackett and SLB Tyjuan Hagler. All except Hagler and Coe are expected back for the regular season, although it's no certainty Coe will make the final 53-man roster.

Colts Ultimate Viewing Challenge

HH Gregg Ultimate Viewing Challenge

HANK FM/HH Gregg Ultimate Viewing Challenge providing HANK listeners the opportunity to win a pair of Colts Season Tickets!

HOW TO REGISTER: Until August 8, listeners can visit a local Indiana HH Gregg location to register for their chance to compete in the Ultimate Viewing Challenge.

On August 12th, 10 participants will be drawn from store registrants and announced on the Wank & O'Brien Show. These participants will compete in the Challenge on Saturday, August 16th and Sunday, August 17th.

HOW TO WIN: Contestants will get comfortable on Serta mattresses to watch a large, flat screen TV on-site for 48 hours or until one contestant remains awake at each location. These two winners will receive Colts Season Tickets or up to a 40-inch TV plus a full-size Serta mattress!

Click here for the Official Rules

Click Here to register:

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South - S. US 31
East - 10101 E. Washington Street
West - 3651 Commercial Drive
Kokomo - 2021 E. Markland
Anderson - 1921 E. 53rd Street
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Ft Wayne - 4201 Parnell Ave
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Posted by ia3/colts at 1:29 PM
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Tuesday, 20 May 2008

Congratulations
Indiana!

The greatest city and the greatest state are hosting the world's biggest sporting event, Super Bowl XLVI!

Today, (May 20, 2008) the NFL has announced that the Indianapolis Colts will be awarded
Super Bowl XLVI.

Arizona came in second. This is the second year in a row that the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee was passed up by owners in favor of another host. Last season North Texas was awarded the 2011 Super Bowl over both Arizona and Indianapolis.

Indy beat Houston and Phoenix in a vote of the league's 32 owners after losing by just two votes to Dallas for the 2011 game.

The only other cold-weather cities that have received a Super Bowl include Detroit and Minnesota, both with domes.

Average temperatures in Indianapolis for February are a High of 38, Low 20.

South Florida and New Orleans have hosted the most Super Bowls with 9 apiece. Tampa, South Florida, Dallas will host Super Bowls in the next 3 years.

Dallas' Super Bowl bid has received much publicity because of their new $1 billion stadium that is opening.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said owners were blown away by the enthusiasm and planning that went into Indianapolis' bid, along with the strength of the organization's public-private partnership.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said that Indianapolis's new Lucas Oil Stadium was a deciding factor for the owners in the decision to award the game to the central Indiana city.

The bid highlighted Indianapolis' $1.1 billion airport, a Friday night party at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and a Saturday night concert on Monument Circle before the big game.

Also the city has promised to build a practice facility for the Super Bowl that will then be turned over to the community.

Indianapolis officials said they want the game to leave a lasting legacy. Part of the proposal includes a Super Bowl training facility at Arsenal Tech High School that would become a recreational center for children on the east side long after the game is over.

"You want to have something that affects the community for years to come," Irsay said. "This is about ... helping our city and state and connecting the whole community."

The game will be played in Lucas Oil Stadium, a new $700 million facility scheduled to open in August of 2008 that will seat about 73,000 for a Super Bowl.

Holding the 2012 Super Bowl in Lucas Oils Stadium marks only the fourth time a domed stadium in a northern US city will host the event.

Over the last 25 years, Indianapolis has grown into the ideal city to host major sports championships. Our central location, uniquely convenient and connected downtown, and track record of successful events like the NCAA Final Four, Indianapolis 500 and Allstate Brickyard 400 give us a competitive advantage.

The amenities and convenience of downtown Indianapolis, our experience in hosting world-class events and our storied army of experienced volunteers have made Indianapolis the destination of choice for more than 400 elite sporting events and their fans for nearly three decades. Look at our track record: the 1982 Olympic Sports Festival, 1987 Pan American Games, 17 U.S. Olympic Trials, five NCAA Men's Basketball Final Fours, an NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four, Big Ten Basketball Tournaments, world championships in basketball, swimming, gymnastics and track & field, as well as unique events such as the 2001 World Police and Fire Games and the 2005 Solheim Cup.

The Indianapolis 500 ran its first race in 1911-and treats visitors better than any other convention or tourist destination. Visitors crow about the ability to move effortlessly on foot from a sporting venue to a restaurant to a popular nightspot and back to their hotel. No need for shuttle buses to move from place to place; just a pair of comfortable shoes

And by 2012, almost $3 billion in new investment will make the Circle City an even more attractive destination, with Lucas Oil Stadium, the new Indianapolis International Airport, expanded Convention Center and new downtown convention hotel all open for business to welcome the Super Bowl.

There's no question Indianapolis is a Super Bowl city - and there's also no doubt that bringing the game here would be a major economic victory, with more than $250 million in economic benefits and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase our city to the world.

The benefits of hosting a Super Bowl begin with the direct economic activity generated by the game itself - spending by visitors. Over the last ten years, direct spending has only dipped below $120 million once, and has often topped $140 million. Miami saw $195 million in direct impact from its 2007 Super Bowl.

On the cost side of the equation, the bulk of the expenses for the Super Bowl and related events are funded by private sector contributions - in Indianapolis, the corporate community came forward with $25 million in pledges for city's 2011 bid, and early indications are that this level of commitment continues to exist for a 2012 attempt. Completing this fundraising early puts Indianapolis in an enviable position.

Public safety and security are the only major direct costs to the City itself. While we're still assessing these expenses, past experience tells us that they will be repaid several times over by the additional sales tax and other revenues generated by visitors during Super Bowl week alone.

So from a strictly short-term economic analysis, the case for pursuing the Super Bowl is overwhelming.

City and bid officials now have less than four years to prepare their vision for game week, including a Super Bowl "Village" that would transform Downtown into a week-long festival that could draw hundreds of thousands of visitors.

An even more ambitious task is their goal of leveraging game to revitalize the Near-Eastside, highlighted by a roughly $9 million practice facility that would then be handed over to Indianapolis Public Schools.

The vote was announced at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in the Atlanta suburb of Buckhead, where the NFL owners held their annual meeting. Indianapolis went first as the three competing cities gave 15-minute presentations, followed by a league analysis.

Posted by ia3/colts at 2:50 PM
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Wednesday, 7 May 2008

Do we really know Marvin Harrison?
Mood:

quizzical

Do we really know Marvin Harrison?

I have to admit, this is all VERY SHADY!

We all know Marvin Harrison. Number 88, Wide receiver for The Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning's number one go to man! Ask the Indianapolis Colts about Marvin Harrison and you'll hear plenty about what a skilled pass-catcher and teammate he is.

Or do we know Marvin Harrison?

Marvin has always been a very exceptional NFL player while he has always been reticent. Harrison, who politely refuses NFL reporters' questions almost without fail, doesn't offer up much about his personal side, even to those who play alongside him.

I think the only time anybody has seen Marvin speak to the press was in 2006 at the Super Bowl Media Day, the annual three-ring circus staged inside the stadium that teems with one of the greatest concentrations of media types anywhere.

"Hey! What's up? How ya'll doing?'' Harrison said, busting out a huge grin. "I saw ya'll on the Jay Leno show!''

However, Marvin has made headlines several times outside his NFL career.

In January of 2003 The Jets were looking into a pregame incident involving a Jets ball boy and Colts receiver Marvin Harrison today. Harrison was catching passes from Peyton Manning before warm-ups. Nearby, Jets punter Matt Turk was practicing and the ball boy, Matt Prior, was retrieving balls for him.

Harrison apparently became upset that the punts were sailing near him and Manning, and he confronted Prior, knocking him to the ground, according to Marty Lyons, a former Jet. Lyons, an analyst on the Jets' radio broadcast, reported that Harrison put his hands on Prior's neck before security guards ended the confrontation. The Jets confirmed that there was physical contact between Harrison and Prior and said that the league was aware of the incident.

Then in 2005 Harrison was sued after the 2005 Pro Bowl when three boys accused him of attacking them when they tried to get his autograph. The suit alleged Harrison "violently and physically attacked" the minors, including placing a "potentially deadly choke hold" on one of the boys, but it was later dismissed.

And now this . . .

Marvin made headlines big time May 2, 2008 which involved a bar fight and a shooting in and in front of a bar owned by Marvin Harrison in North Philadelphia, where high crime and unfettered poverty have earned this area a reputation as a slum.

On April 29 in Marvin got into a fight with a man and followed him out to his car. Gunshots broke out, and the alleged intended victim was shot in the hand and has refused to identify the shooter.

Media is claiming that Marvin was simply being questioned and Marvin himself claims he was not involved with the shooting.

Yet . . .

The recent development is six of the bullet casings found at the bar after the shooting came from a gun that belongs to Marvin. While Marvin was interviewed last week, the police still have no suspect. His people say his gun wasn't a part of the shooting, and that he wasn't even there. Although, to contradict his not being "present" claim, he did own up to being a part of a fist fight that very night at his bar. Marvin also admitted to owning the same gun used in the fire fight, but said his gun never left his home. But the kabosh was put on that when the authorities actually found his gun in a bucket at his car wash (which is about a half mile away from his bar). Ballistic tests showed it was in fact the same gun used in the shooting.

"It's mine, but I left it at home." That was Marvin's excuse.

Marvin claims he was there, but he was fist-fighting, not gun-fighting; and the gun was his, but it had been at his home the whole time. Regardless, he can be placed at the scene, and his gun can be placed at the scene as the weapon used. Six of the bullet casings -which implies that there are more? Which would mean there is more than one gun involved,

Now, I am not in anyway suggesting that Marvin Harrison is guilty as I believe he is innocent.

But . . .

I have to admit, this is all VERY SHADY!

Posted by ia3/colts at 3:47 PM
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Sunday, 27 April 2008

NEW COLTS PLAYERS
Mood:

a-ok

I present to you . . .

The New Colts Players:

Colts do not have a first-round selection Saturday.

But they do have offensive tackle Tony Ugoh, who they selected last April with a second-round selection exchanged with the San Francisco 49ers for today’s first-round selection.

And to Polian that means today’s draft actually began a year ago.

Colts take Pollak with 1st draft pick In the second round

Mike Pollak.
School: Arizona State.
Position: Center.
Height/weight: 6-4, 293.

The Indianapolis Colts chose Arizona State center Mike Pollak with their first choice in today's NFL draft.

Pollak, who is 6-foot-3 and 293 pounds, was taken with the 59th pick overall and was projected by some as the top center in the draft. But the Colts have no glaring need at that position with three-time Pro Bowler Jeff Saturday entrenched as the starter.

Instead, the Colts intend to give Pollak a chance to compete with veterans Charlie Johnson and Dylan Gandy for Jake Scott's old starting job. Scott signed with Tennessee as a free agent during the offseason.

He excelled in the classroom at ASU completing his undergraduate degree BEFORE his final season. In 777 pass plays during his Junior and Senior seasons, he is charged with only allowing his man (opponent) to sack the quarterback seven times. He is a big, strong lineman that should see some playing time early with the way the Colts like to platoon players along the offensive line.

Indy waited more than five and one half hours to make its only pick of the day. It has eight more picks tomorrow.

Colts take LB in 3rd round

The Indianapolis Colts selected linebacker Philip Wheeler in the third round of today's NFL draft.

Philip Wheeler
Round 3, 93rd overall
School: Georgia Tech.
Position: Linebacker.
Size: 6-1, 238.

He was the 93rd pick overall and adds depth to the Colts defense. Wheeler had 19 career sacks at Georgia Tech and is considered a strong blitzer.

Considered by some as one of the best blitzing linebackers in the nation, with good speed and balance. He started 39 games in his last three years and recorded 242 tackles (35 for a loss), 19 sacks, 4 interceptions and 14 pass break-ups. Should be a very good addition to a position that is a little lean with the losses of Morris and Boiman.

Indy took center Mike Pollak (PALL-ick) with its only choice yesterday, at number 59. The Colts are expected to make seven more picks before the draft concludes tonight.

Their third selection (fourth round) is a tight end, Jacob Tamme of Kentucky

Jacob Tamme
Round 4, 127th overall
School: Kentucky.
Position: Tight end.
Size: 6-3, 239.

A very intelligent football player - completed his Bachelor's degree with a 3.82 GPA in only three semesters, and then followed that up with a 3.83 GPA in graduate school. He is the all-time leading pass catcher among UK tight ends and second in SEC history - 133 receptions for 1,417 yards (10.7 yds/catch) and 11 touchdowns. He began his career as a Wide Receiver but moved to TE during his junior season. Some question his blocking abilities at the next level, but not his ability to get up field and catch the football.

The fourth selection of the draft (fifth round), Marcus Howard of Georgia

Marcus Howard
Round 5, 161st overall
School: Georgia.
Position: Linebacker.
Size: 6-1, 237.

Howard is a guy a lot of people expected the Colts to get. As a defensive end, he is undersized. A lot of teams would probably convert him to an outside linebacker and hope he'd become a beast at that position. I bet the Colts see an SEC version of Robert Mathis with this pick. Howard has fantastic speed, but is 6'1?, 237 lbs. He's certainly not an every down guy, but I think he may turn some heads.

During his senior season, he recorded 41 tackles (12 for losses), 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three pass break-ups - all in what most people would agree was the toughest conference in college football last year. Some of the experts questions whether he can stay at DE at the professional level, but all I can say to that is we heard the same EXACT things when the Colts drafted Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

The sixth round could prove to be a real bounty for the Colts this year.

Tom Santi
Round 6, 196th overall
School: Virginia.
Position: Tight end.
Size: 6-5, 250.

Their first pick here, tight end Tom Santi of Virginia, provides a more traditional "blocking" tight end. At 6'4?, 248, he's not quite as big as Ben Utecht, but he'll likely fulfill the same role. He should be able to make a big catch here and there, but he won't really outrun anyone.
Santi will be used more as a blocking TE, but does possess decent hands in the receiving game compiling 61 receptions for 766 yards and three touchdowns. He also played a little fullback at Virginia and could see some time there on short yardage situations

The Colts ended up with three compensatory picks in this round.

They used the first one to select center Steven Justice

Steve Justice
Round 6, 201st overall
School: Wake Forest.
Position: Center.
Size: 6-3, 284.

Again, Indy uses a pick to bolster the offensive line. Like Pollak (their first round selection) I expect Justice to be a bright guy who should learn a lot from playing behind Jeff Saturday. I like everything I've read about the guy so far. Seems tough, dedicated, and hard-working.

During his last two seasons as a Demon Deacon, he registered 121 knockdowns, 21 touchdown resulting blocks and only allowed TWO quarterback sacks in 701 pass plays - very productive numbers for a center.

Mike Hart
Round 6, 202nd overall
School: Michigan.
Position: Running back.
Size: 5-9, 202.

This was a steal in my opinion, to get a guy with Mike Harts production at this point in the draft. Did not run a very good 40yd dash at the combine, and the experts indicate that is what resulted in his sliding down the board. He ended his career at Michigan with 1,015 carries for 5,040 yards and 41 touchdowns. He may be the kind of power running back that the Colts have longed for, for quite some time. He was only the fourth player in Big Ten history to rush for more than 5000 yards, and actually carried the football 1,005 times between fumbles - that is unheard of at ANY level of football.

Pierre Garcon
Round 6, 205th overall
School: Mount Union.
Position: Wide receiver.
Size: 6-0, 210.

Playing for a Division III school does not get you much recognition with most teams, but this is once again where the Colts excel - finding productive football players when others don't. This guy was VERY productive in leading his team two National titles in just three years. He caught 246 passes for 4,380 yards (17.8 yds/catch) and 60 touchdowns - SIXTY!!! He has 4.48 speed and is another weapon that Peyton will have to throw the ball to.

Scouts say he's the best blocker among wide receivers in this year's draft. He's also not afraid to step across the middle to make the tough catch. He performed very well in the combine, putting in outstanding numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.48), vertical leap (36.5), bench press (20), and 20-yard shuttle (4.19). Physically, he can hold up to just about any other receiver in the draft.

Jamey Richard
Round 7, 236th overall
School: Buffalo.
Position: Center.
Size: 6-5, 301.

A third player taken that played center in college

Proving once again how important protecting the franchise is for the Colts, they took another offensive lineman with their final pick. Jamey Richard is a small-school guy from the Buffalo in the MAC. He's also another center! That's right, three offensive linemen, three centers. From what I've read up on Richard, he's very athletic. He's very tall (6'5?), but is more of finesse guy than a power blocker. It also sounds like he's got a bit of a nasty streak in him that causes him to be overaggressive and pick up penalties on occasion.

Samuel Giguère, who ranked second in Canadian college football with 45 receptions for 871 yards in his final season at Sherbrooke, signed a free-agent contract Sunday night with the Indianapolis Colts.

So, there you have it. Three offensive linemen, an inside linebacker, an outside linebacker/defensive end, two tight ends, a running back, and a wide receiver.

We Welcome You All!

Posted by ia3/colts at 11:12 PM
Updated: Sunday, 27 April 2008 11:15 PM
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Monday, 18 February 2008

It doesn?t matter that The New England Patriots cheated!
During their season-opening game Sept. 9, 2007 the Patriots were caught filming the signals of Jets coaches, a violation of league rules. On Sept. 13, Goodell fined Belichick $500,000 and the Patriots $250,000, and took away a first-round draft choice, a penalty intended to send a chilling message through the league. The Patriots then submitted all information they had illegally obtained, and the N.F.L. destroyed it Sept. 20 in Foxborough, Mass., where the Patriots are based, by two league vice presidents, Jeff Pash and Ray Anderson.Destroyed it! Destroyed all evidence?Goodell said that he destroyed the evidence, in part, because there was no use for it. The Patriots had already admitted wrongdoing and accepted their punishment.At a news conference two days before the Super Bowl, Goodell said that the league collected six tapes, some from the 2007 preseason and the rest “primarily” from late 2006. He also said that the league confiscated some notes. Goodell said that the notes dated back to 2002.Goodell said Belichick probably had been videotaping opponents’ signals his entire career as a head coach, perhaps dating to his five-year stint with the Browns in the early 1990s.Goodell said Belichick told him he believed the taping was legal; Goodell said he did not concur.“He thought that it was permissible to use electronic equipment as long as the information wasn’t used in the same game,” Goodell said. “That’s not my reading of the rules, and that is why I disciplined him so aggressively.”Goodell was asked how far Belichick’s actions may date. "He said that's always been his interpretation since he's been the head coach," the commissioner said. "We are going to agree to disagree on the facts."Belichick has lead the Patriots to four Super Bowls, with three victories, since becoming coach in 2000.It also doesn’t matter if Matt Walsh, a former Patriots employee has what he claims to be tapes that could prove damaging to the Patriots, including one of the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002. Goodell noted that "we were the ones that disclosed" the Patriots' illegal taping of the New York Jets' defensive signals in Week 1 of last season. Further, Goodell said, they had an admission by Belichick.

"I have nothing to hide," Goodell said. Goodell destroyed the New England Patriots Spygate tapes because
a) Belichek admited to cheating and
b) he was afraid the tapes would fall into the hands of other teams.c) The issue is not stealing signals. That is allowed, "and it is done quite widely," commissioner Roger Goodell had said. The issue, rather, is the method of acquiring the signals. "I'm not sure that there is a coach in the league that doesn't expect that their signals are being intercepted by opposing teams," It is why, as Goodell pointed out, coaches cover their mouths when barking instructions. It is why teams use complicated hand signals and often have someone send fake signals to confuse opponents.At least one former player feels the Patriots' practices had an affect on the outcome of a game he played in. Willie Gary, who played in seven games for the 2001 Rams, was one of four plaintiffs named in a lawsuit filed against the Patriots, owner Robert Kraft, and Belichick in New Orleans Federal Court yesterday that seeks more than $100 million in damages.The lawsuit contends, "The ticket purchasers and attendees of the game were damaged by watching and paying for a game tainted by the defendants' illegal activities," and "all Rams employees were damaged by having played in a Super Bowl game tainted by the defendants' illegal activity and by the loss of the game also caused by the defendants' illegal activity."The lawsuit seeks damages on behalf of Gary, two fans who attended the Super Bowl, and a Rams season ticket-holder. They won’t win!Why? Why won’t they win? Why doesn’t it matter if the Patriots were caught cheating?The commissioner Roger Goodell and the league are protecting the league, not the patriots. There's a whole lot more at stake here than just the court of public opinion and the patsies. This is a huge cash cow that can't afford to be crushed by a cheating scandal. The pats get off light for the BULLSHIT because it's better for the league. It's the same reason why the Steelers aren't going to go after the Pats.

The NFL has adopted a sit down, shut up, and let it all blow over mentality with this.

Posted by ia3/colts at 6:13 PM
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Monday, 11 February 2008

Patriot Fans write NFL a petition about UNFAIRNESS?
Mood:

don't ask
It appears some Patriots fans are tad bit angered about a time clock error during the N.Y. Giants’ final, game-winning drive in the Super Bowl. They’re so mad, in fact, they’ve started a petition to get the game reversed.Are you fucking serious?!!!!!!First, let’s take a look back in 2005. Those lil’ Patsie Fans didn’t have a problem September 25, 2005 when a clock error added 52 seconds to the fourth quarter of the Patriots-Steelers game resulting in a Patriots 23-20 victory.Secondly, I read the first 96 signatures and their comments. You have got to be kidding me. Unfuckingreal!Bradley Whitaker writes, “the referees seemed as though they wanted the Patriots to finally lose.”Hey Bradley, welcome to our world. It seems the refs are always wanting Colts along with other NFL Teams (see above –Steelers/Patriots and The Time Clock Error) to lose against the Patriots.A Chip wrote, “We deserve to have won the superbowl”
Hey Chip, Steelers deserve to win the September 25, 2005 game. The Colts deserved to have won the 2004 AFC Championship Game.https://www.angelfire.com/ia3/colts2/history.htm#cheatedJeffrey Alexandre wrote, “I Want Justice” Don’t we all, Jeffrey? Spygate!!!!!!Matt Crescenzo wrote, “A possible error this big should be reviewed” Ya think? We as Colts fan along with many other NFL Teams and fans feel a lot of Patriots Games should be reviewed . . .Along with Spygate!!!!!!!Michael Lehner writes, “Make it fair” YEAH, Goodell. Make this entire Patriot cheating bullshit fair.Michael J Tremblay writes, “Such an error is unacceptable and highly suspicious”. SUSPICIOUS? UNACCEPTABLE? Did he really say that? Suspicious and unacceptable? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!Dave Rosenthal writes. “I can't believe this isn't a big story. I mean, we should be 19-0, but the NFL hates that Pats, so instead we have to go through this the rest of our lives knowing we got jipped.” Newsflash, Dabe, the whole world hates The Pats. Do ya know why? They cheated (Spygate). Nobody likes a cheater. Nor do they like a loser. Alex R wrote, “The Pats Deserve an Investigation!” Don’t worry Alex, you’ll get your investigation. Spygate Back in the News: Time for Another Look at the Patriots’ Illegal Looking?
http://blogs.houstonpress.com/ballz/2008/02/spygate_back_in_the_news_time.phpIt’s just a shame it’s being investigated by Crafts best friend, Roger Goodell. Goodell will probably just destroy all the evidence again.And Myles Fraser claims, “We must spread the truth and get the NFL to investigate this game.”The truth Myles? The truth is the Patriots cheat. How do you pathetic losers have any grounds to pronounce unfair acts!Face it! You lost! Cheaters never win!

Posted by ia3/colts at 2:14 PM
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