At home... :shrug: Why shouldn't I unload on this game. I think the Colts would like to make a statement and catching three points at home. Thoughts?
Colts +3
- Thread starter DIRTY Diapers
- Start date
vince young to start i believe. will dungy rest peyton after the half like last year is the ques...
- Mar 19, 2006
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To rest or not to rest. That's the big question that Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy has been mulling over since the end of last Thursday night's road game with Jacksonville
Should he rest his starters and key players against the AFC South champion Tennessee Titans this week or should most everybody play in the regular-season finale for both teams?
Dungy's decision is leaning strongly to sitting down those players who are nicked up and need some additional time to recover. He will also play several backups and rookies who haven't gotten a chance to see much work under real game conditions.
But, with that being said, the Colts coach remains intent on winning Sunday's matchup with Tennessee and taking a nine-game winning streak into the wild-card round of the playoffs. It just may be different faces getting the job done this time.
"It's a nice feeling being in the playoffs and getting ready to play. We want to definitely keep that momentum going. I think it says a lot for our division that there are only three (AFC) teams that have clinched spots and we have two of them. Tennessee has done an outstanding job, and they won the division title. We were hoping this game would mean a lot more for us, but it doesn't. That's the way it goes, but I think you have to give them a lot of credit. Watching their tape these last two days, they've played outstanding football and they deserve to be where they are," Dungy said before the start of the day's practice session.
"With that being said, we're going to try to see if we can keep momentum going. We are going to rest some guys that need rest. We're going to play to win, as I'm sure they are, but we are going to rest some people. We want to do everything we can, but you also have to take into account that you may play these guys in a couple of weeks so you may not necessarily want to shoot all of your bullets in this game. But, we certainly do want to play well. We don't ever want to lose home games, so that's the approach that we're going to take."
He knows that fans would prefer that the starters play the entire game against the Titans. He's heard and read comments concerning Indianapolis resting players in other seasons and not having any postseason success. But it's his decision to make and Dungy intends on doing what he believes is in the best interest of his team.
"The only thing that will make (fans) feel like it's the right way to go is if we win the Super Bowl. We know that going in. Whatever you do, if you win it's the right thing and you were smart, and if you don't win you did the wrong thing and you are not very smart. We are going to do what we think is best. We thought it was best then, we still think it's best now and hopefully we win and we look smart at the end," he said, adding that he doesn't think resting players before had any impact on how the Colts played in those games.
"No, I really don't. We've had different times coming off byes. We've had times when we rested everybody coming into the first regular season game and we won it. It's always great to say momentum, but really what happens the previous week doesn't determine anything in the game to come. I just don't buy into that theory. As I've said several times, when I was playing (with the Pittsburgh Steelers) that was when I got to play. We rested up some guys who were good players and they carried us to a Super Bowl win. There's no perfect way to do it. But having your guys rested and ready to go usually helps you."
After getting the 2008 season off to a 3-4 start, just the idea that the Colts are discussing the playoffs and possibly resting players this week is a situation is a welcome situation in itself.
"I can (believe it). I've seen it done before, and it's not new to me. We came back from a bunch of 3-4s in Tampa. It's what we've always said, it's November and December that determine how you do. Fortunately for us, we're playing a lot better in November and December than we did in September and October," Dungy said.
"We were watching our last game against (Tennessee), and we're a different team and I think playing better and that's good. It is kind of fun to be answering these questions again."
SERIES HISTORY
28th regular-season meeting. The Colts lead the series, 15-12. Tennessee, however, has posted wins in two straight games and in three of the last four meetings. The Titans erased an eight-point deficit in the second half to register a 31-21 win over Indianapolis in the first meeting this year on Oct. 27. Tennessee battled back after trailing 14-6, scoring on five consecutive possessions in gaining the victory. The Titans have a 1-0 lead in postseason meetings, taking a 19-16 win at the RCA Dome on Jan. 16, 2000 in an AFC divisional playoff game. Tennessee has a 7-9 road record against the Colts, including games when the Titans were in Houston and the Colts were located in Baltimore. Since the AFC South came into existence in 2002, Indianapolis has an 8-5 lead in the series.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
Should he rest his starters and key players against the AFC South champion Tennessee Titans this week or should most everybody play in the regular-season finale for both teams?
Dungy's decision is leaning strongly to sitting down those players who are nicked up and need some additional time to recover. He will also play several backups and rookies who haven't gotten a chance to see much work under real game conditions.
But, with that being said, the Colts coach remains intent on winning Sunday's matchup with Tennessee and taking a nine-game winning streak into the wild-card round of the playoffs. It just may be different faces getting the job done this time.
"It's a nice feeling being in the playoffs and getting ready to play. We want to definitely keep that momentum going. I think it says a lot for our division that there are only three (AFC) teams that have clinched spots and we have two of them. Tennessee has done an outstanding job, and they won the division title. We were hoping this game would mean a lot more for us, but it doesn't. That's the way it goes, but I think you have to give them a lot of credit. Watching their tape these last two days, they've played outstanding football and they deserve to be where they are," Dungy said before the start of the day's practice session.
"With that being said, we're going to try to see if we can keep momentum going. We are going to rest some guys that need rest. We're going to play to win, as I'm sure they are, but we are going to rest some people. We want to do everything we can, but you also have to take into account that you may play these guys in a couple of weeks so you may not necessarily want to shoot all of your bullets in this game. But, we certainly do want to play well. We don't ever want to lose home games, so that's the approach that we're going to take."
He knows that fans would prefer that the starters play the entire game against the Titans. He's heard and read comments concerning Indianapolis resting players in other seasons and not having any postseason success. But it's his decision to make and Dungy intends on doing what he believes is in the best interest of his team.
"The only thing that will make (fans) feel like it's the right way to go is if we win the Super Bowl. We know that going in. Whatever you do, if you win it's the right thing and you were smart, and if you don't win you did the wrong thing and you are not very smart. We are going to do what we think is best. We thought it was best then, we still think it's best now and hopefully we win and we look smart at the end," he said, adding that he doesn't think resting players before had any impact on how the Colts played in those games.
"No, I really don't. We've had different times coming off byes. We've had times when we rested everybody coming into the first regular season game and we won it. It's always great to say momentum, but really what happens the previous week doesn't determine anything in the game to come. I just don't buy into that theory. As I've said several times, when I was playing (with the Pittsburgh Steelers) that was when I got to play. We rested up some guys who were good players and they carried us to a Super Bowl win. There's no perfect way to do it. But having your guys rested and ready to go usually helps you."
After getting the 2008 season off to a 3-4 start, just the idea that the Colts are discussing the playoffs and possibly resting players this week is a situation is a welcome situation in itself.
"I can (believe it). I've seen it done before, and it's not new to me. We came back from a bunch of 3-4s in Tampa. It's what we've always said, it's November and December that determine how you do. Fortunately for us, we're playing a lot better in November and December than we did in September and October," Dungy said.
"We were watching our last game against (Tennessee), and we're a different team and I think playing better and that's good. It is kind of fun to be answering these questions again."
SERIES HISTORY
28th regular-season meeting. The Colts lead the series, 15-12. Tennessee, however, has posted wins in two straight games and in three of the last four meetings. The Titans erased an eight-point deficit in the second half to register a 31-21 win over Indianapolis in the first meeting this year on Oct. 27. Tennessee battled back after trailing 14-6, scoring on five consecutive possessions in gaining the victory. The Titans have a 1-0 lead in postseason meetings, taking a 19-16 win at the RCA Dome on Jan. 16, 2000 in an AFC divisional playoff game. Tennessee has a 7-9 road record against the Colts, including games when the Titans were in Houston and the Colts were located in Baltimore. Since the AFC South came into existence in 2002, Indianapolis has an 8-5 lead in the series.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
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Indianapolis (11-4) has won eight straight since facing the Titans and another win would extend the franchise's NFL record of consecutive 12-win seasons to six.
There are personal incentives at stake, too.
Peyton Manning needs 93 yards to reach 4,000 this season, and tight end Dallas Clark is within 42 yards of breaking John Mackey's single-season record for most yards receiving by a tight end.
And the Colts want to avoid their first season sweep since 2002.
"I think it's important for us to go into the playoffs winning," Colts center Jeff Saturday said. "We want to beat Tennessee, especially since its a team you might face in the playoffs."
But on the 50th anniversary of the Colts 1958 championship victory over the Giants, a game that put the NFL on the national map, forgotten names will likely to dictate the outcome.
Backup quarterbacks Jim Sorgi and Vince Young are expected to play at least a half.
The Colts may start Joseph Addai but are likely to rely more on backup Chad Simpson, and receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne will probably make early exits, too.
Tennessee is likely to follow suit with players like rookie running back Chris Johnson. Those who have been here, such as Titans safety Chris Hope, understand. Hope won a Super Bowl in 2005 with Pittsburgh.
"You have to be smart about it," he said. "You've already given yourself a chance to play in the next season. You have to go out and have a great week of practice and go out with the attitude of winning the game no matter what."
But Dungy believes the risk of losing timing and momentum versus the risk of injury is a no-brainer - regardless of what others believe.
"Whatever you do, if you win it's the right thing and you were smart. If you don't win, you did the wrong thing and you are not very smart," Dungy said. "We are going to do what we think is best. We thought it was best then (in '05 and '07) and we think it's best now and, hopefully, we win and look smart at the end."
? Back ? 1 ? 2
Copyright 2008 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
There are personal incentives at stake, too.
Peyton Manning needs 93 yards to reach 4,000 this season, and tight end Dallas Clark is within 42 yards of breaking John Mackey's single-season record for most yards receiving by a tight end.
And the Colts want to avoid their first season sweep since 2002.
"I think it's important for us to go into the playoffs winning," Colts center Jeff Saturday said. "We want to beat Tennessee, especially since its a team you might face in the playoffs."
But on the 50th anniversary of the Colts 1958 championship victory over the Giants, a game that put the NFL on the national map, forgotten names will likely to dictate the outcome.
Backup quarterbacks Jim Sorgi and Vince Young are expected to play at least a half.
The Colts may start Joseph Addai but are likely to rely more on backup Chad Simpson, and receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne will probably make early exits, too.
Tennessee is likely to follow suit with players like rookie running back Chris Johnson. Those who have been here, such as Titans safety Chris Hope, understand. Hope won a Super Bowl in 2005 with Pittsburgh.
"You have to be smart about it," he said. "You've already given yourself a chance to play in the next season. You have to go out and have a great week of practice and go out with the attitude of winning the game no matter what."
But Dungy believes the risk of losing timing and momentum versus the risk of injury is a no-brainer - regardless of what others believe.
"Whatever you do, if you win it's the right thing and you were smart. If you don't win, you did the wrong thing and you are not very smart," Dungy said. "We are going to do what we think is best. We thought it was best then (in '05 and '07) and we think it's best now and, hopefully, we win and look smart at the end."
? Back ? 1 ? 2
Copyright 2008 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and The Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
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first team to 10 points...even money
not a bad hunch play..
Colts would like nothing better..
get the records in front of the home folk and then pull the starters..
lose and less folks upset..
then go to SD and kick their ass..
not a bad hunch play..
Colts would like nothing better..
get the records in front of the home folk and then pull the starters..
lose and less folks upset..
then go to SD and kick their ass..
- Mar 19, 2006
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PLAYER NOTES
--QB Kerry Collins' day will probably not go past the first half, if that long, on Sunday against the Colts. The Titans want to keep Collins healthy for the playoffs, but don't want him to get rusty by not getting any work against the Colts.
--C Kevin Mawae is not likely to play at Indy in order to rest his sore right elbow for the playoffs. Leroy Harris will start in his place.
--CB Nick Harper sat out Wednesday's practice with a sore groin. Harper has had a variety of ailments this season, with a foot injury, an ankle injury and now the groin problem.
--RB LenDale White was out sick in Wednesday's practice. It is not known how much White and Chris Johnson will play Sunday. RBs Quinton Ganther and Chris Henry could see action. Henry, a second-round choice in 2007, has not played all season.
--WR Paul Williams might bear watching on Sunday. Williams, who is usually inactive for the Titans, might get a chance to play. He has not caught a pass in a regular-season in two years in the league.
GAME PLAN
The Titans will have two major missions in Sunday's game. One is to stay healthy heading into the playoffs. Any player with anything beyond minor bumps or bruises likely will not play, though for the most part Tennessee enters the game relatively healthy.
The second objective is to not let any rust accumulate. The Titans would like to stay sharp and focused in this game, even though backups are likely to log a lot of snaps, especially in the second half.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Titans RT David Stewart vs. Colts DE Robert Mathis. Mathis is a speed rusher, who complements Dwight Freeney well enough to make the Pro Bowl in his own right. Stewart is a classic mauler-type tackle, who plays to the echo of the whistle and a bit beyond. The contrast in styles should be interesting.
Titans RB Chris Johnson vs. Colts SS Bob Sanders. It will be interesting to see how much Johnson plays in this game, since the Titans don't need it regarding playoff seeding. Sanders didn't play in the first meeting, and he is the player as much as any other, who makes the Colts run defense go.
INJURY IMPACT
Kyle Vanden Bosch, Albert Haynesworth and Kevin Mawae won't play, and several other dinged Titans players could be limited. Expect backups aplenty in the second half of the game for Tennessee, and likely for Indianapolis as well, since the Colts are locked into the No. 5 playoff seed.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
--QB Kerry Collins' day will probably not go past the first half, if that long, on Sunday against the Colts. The Titans want to keep Collins healthy for the playoffs, but don't want him to get rusty by not getting any work against the Colts.
--C Kevin Mawae is not likely to play at Indy in order to rest his sore right elbow for the playoffs. Leroy Harris will start in his place.
--CB Nick Harper sat out Wednesday's practice with a sore groin. Harper has had a variety of ailments this season, with a foot injury, an ankle injury and now the groin problem.
--RB LenDale White was out sick in Wednesday's practice. It is not known how much White and Chris Johnson will play Sunday. RBs Quinton Ganther and Chris Henry could see action. Henry, a second-round choice in 2007, has not played all season.
--WR Paul Williams might bear watching on Sunday. Williams, who is usually inactive for the Titans, might get a chance to play. He has not caught a pass in a regular-season in two years in the league.
GAME PLAN
The Titans will have two major missions in Sunday's game. One is to stay healthy heading into the playoffs. Any player with anything beyond minor bumps or bruises likely will not play, though for the most part Tennessee enters the game relatively healthy.
The second objective is to not let any rust accumulate. The Titans would like to stay sharp and focused in this game, even though backups are likely to log a lot of snaps, especially in the second half.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Titans RT David Stewart vs. Colts DE Robert Mathis. Mathis is a speed rusher, who complements Dwight Freeney well enough to make the Pro Bowl in his own right. Stewart is a classic mauler-type tackle, who plays to the echo of the whistle and a bit beyond. The contrast in styles should be interesting.
Titans RB Chris Johnson vs. Colts SS Bob Sanders. It will be interesting to see how much Johnson plays in this game, since the Titans don't need it regarding playoff seeding. Sanders didn't play in the first meeting, and he is the player as much as any other, who makes the Colts run defense go.
INJURY IMPACT
Kyle Vanden Bosch, Albert Haynesworth and Kevin Mawae won't play, and several other dinged Titans players could be limited. Expect backups aplenty in the second half of the game for Tennessee, and likely for Indianapolis as well, since the Colts are locked into the No. 5 playoff seed.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.
i expect a let down after the steeler crushing, but this team gets a bye anyway. they should be pretty focused early. imo
sorgi sux, there is no way that i would play coltz, but GL.
sorgi sux, there is no way that i would play coltz, but GL.
My power rankings system has this line set at Indianapolis -1. While it is all public knowledge, it's no secret that Dungy likes to rest his starters before the playoffs, meaning we will most likely see Jim Sorgi by the 3rd quarter. Manning is only 93 yards away from 4000 total on the season, so I expect him to play for the entire first half.
Tennessee has been under the spotlight for most of the season and from what we've seen is that Fisher has been relentless against his opponents. The guy challenged a completion against the Lions being up 47-10 with less than 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter. If Dungy opens the gates for a free win by putting in Sorgi and the rest of the bench, you better believe Fisher will take it.
If I were you, I'd feel much more comfortable with a first quarter/half bet with Manning in the game rather than entrusting your bet in Jim Sorgi's hands for the entire game.
Good luck.
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Last year they played in week 17 as well...
...the only thing different this year will be Collins/Young flip-flopped, and White probably won't play.
Personally like the under. :shrug:
...the only thing different this year will be Collins/Young flip-flopped, and White probably won't play.
Personally like the under. :shrug:
- Mar 19, 2006
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