So...
When I got to watch my hometown's pro football team win yet another game this afternoon, it offered me some salve. I was hoping to have my wounds soothed with an IU or UND loss, but both of those teams seem to be on the rise. I'll take the Colts' victory, I guess.
I predicted six wins for the Colts this season...and many of my friends said I was being a bit generous. I believe Manning won three his first season as a starter...and that offense had a few offensive lineman that were experienced, Marvin Harrison at WR, Pollard or Dilfer (not sure which) at TE and an OK defense. This year's Colts roster is a bunch of guys I've never heard of, a few good DEs and Andrew Luck...along with that, they had a first year coach and a ton of moves in the front office. So obviously, it's going to take some time before this team can win with regularity. THEN, Pagano was diagnosed with leukemia, so he left his post so another guy who had never coached in the NFL could do the job in his stead.
But Andrew Luck isn't a normal rookie...and this Colts team isn't a normal bunch of no-names. By the way, I'm still pissed that Luck chose Stanford over Purdue- A few years ago, when he was a recruit out of Texas, Luck's final three were Northwestern, Purdue and Stanford. Purdue lost that sweepstakes...and Stanford became a mother shortly after.
Well, at 5-3, the Colts are officially not horrible...and passing for over 433 yards with two TDs for a rookie QB is rarified air...in fact, Luck is in his own league with that many yards in a game as a rookie.
But, the main reason I'm posting is because of this:
Pagano's postgame speech
I'm a Dad of two kids and generally a softie...so hearing another Dad talk this way choked me up. I'm not only rooting for the Colts to do well, but praying for Pagano's full recovery. Sure, I'd like to see the Colts win another World Championship, but I'd love to know Pagano got to dance with his daughters at their weddings.
9 comments:
Got to see that speech on SNF's pre game show. Very moving. Here's to a full recovery, Chuck.
It seems every football team in Indiana is doing well, except for one.
Don't sell short the contributions this team gets from veterans Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Donnie Avery (who would be more well known if not for sitting out 1.5 seasons with injuries).
Good post though. Chuckstrong!
Thanks for the write-up. Though Purdue fans seem to mostly cheer for the Bears, I think everyone can back the Colts this season. Hell, anything positive to divert attention away from the PU football situation is appreciative. I agreed with the earlier stories of the needed systemic change in the athletic program. Sports bring in money. I need to see accountability before I buy in.
What- Neither of us cheer for the Bears...so you won't read that stuff here.
03, I gave Mathis and Freeney their credit...but Wayne deserves a huge amount of props. The other receivers aren't at all proven yet. The guy I like the most in the skilled positions might be Allen though.
bdowd, I couldn't agree more. Luck was pretty blessed to still have Reggie around, the guy is a monster and one of the very best WRs in the league. That kind of veteran leadership has helped the rookie star immensely.
I hope the idiots out there hailing RG3 as king have seen the light. The Colts will be on top of the NFL again before long.
Luck's final three was Purdue, Stanford, and Rice.
I missed the "few good DEs" comment. Although DC Manusky has them playing OLB this year and it hasn't affected pass coverage as much as I would have thought!
Like you, I'm just glad to have a football team I look forward to watching. Wow, that really sounded like a comment from an IU fan in years passed.
I think you mixed up Trent Dilfer and Ken Dilger...lol
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