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Everyone here knows I am a die hard Indianapolis fan. Everybody here also stated many times, myself included that the Colts don't care about the perfect season, they care more about the ring at the end more than anything else.
When Coach Caldwell pulled the starters in the 3rd quarter I do feel like he may have cheeted the fans and players out of more than just history, but also the play-off momentum period. Here are the facts: 1) The colts clinched home field two weeks ago, but last week you let the starters play the whole game, risking injury. 2) If injury was that much of a concern why play them in for 5/8 of a game that didn't matter in the first place. 3) Could they have won... Well the have beaten better teams with way worse scenerios. 4) The players were not happy. Yeah they tow the line and give the good sound bytes agreeing with the coaches decission, but their body language said otherwise. The fact is the starters didn't act like they were done, they kept their helmets on, and thought they would at least get to go in to reclaim the lead when necessary. 5) Did this kill their momentum or their fighting spirit?... well the mojo is tough to get going, and unhappy players tend not to perform, and unhappy fans tend to not give supporting messages to the team, which I think are all factors when making a decission that Caldwell did.
But here is the thing that bothers me the most. This is the one thing that upsets me more than a chance at history gone, or that people paid to watch a lame duck of a game (from professionals), this is the thought that there is some sort of collusion amoung owners to rig the play-offs. Because the colts folded when they had 2 aces 1 in the flop and one coming down the river, the New York Jets now have a shot at the play-offs. They shouldn't have the opportunity that they do now. Many other teams are also screwed over by the decission. I think the Screwings will just get worse.
Their are two teams in the NFL next week that can decide the fate of the play-offs. The New England Patriots can dump to the Texans and put them in the play-offs, as can Cinci do for the Jets. I have to not put it out of my head that this is done on purpose to give those two teams, the ones that must play in the wild-card week, an easier match-up in the first round. They can dump their games and ensure an easier week one in the play-offs. Is it smart? Well fuck yeah it is. Is it fair? Of coarse not, but if the other teams had performed better than it wouldn't matter anyway. Just the fact that it could (and probably will) happen, kind of makes me feal ill inside.
Based on that, did Caldwell make the right decision? Hell no! The colts would have been better off making sure the Bengals and the Patriots wouldn't be able to cow-tow into a game with the Jets. At least the Steelers or Baltimore, or even Denver has a shot at beating Cinci or the Pats. But now it is left up to the fates, and billionaire owners with secret handshakes.
When Coach Caldwell pulled the starters in the 3rd quarter I do feel like he may have cheeted the fans and players out of more than just history, but also the play-off momentum period. Here are the facts: 1) The colts clinched home field two weeks ago, but last week you let the starters play the whole game, risking injury. 2) If injury was that much of a concern why play them in for 5/8 of a game that didn't matter in the first place. 3) Could they have won... Well the have beaten better teams with way worse scenerios. 4) The players were not happy. Yeah they tow the line and give the good sound bytes agreeing with the coaches decission, but their body language said otherwise. The fact is the starters didn't act like they were done, they kept their helmets on, and thought they would at least get to go in to reclaim the lead when necessary. 5) Did this kill their momentum or their fighting spirit?... well the mojo is tough to get going, and unhappy players tend not to perform, and unhappy fans tend to not give supporting messages to the team, which I think are all factors when making a decission that Caldwell did.
But here is the thing that bothers me the most. This is the one thing that upsets me more than a chance at history gone, or that people paid to watch a lame duck of a game (from professionals), this is the thought that there is some sort of collusion amoung owners to rig the play-offs. Because the colts folded when they had 2 aces 1 in the flop and one coming down the river, the New York Jets now have a shot at the play-offs. They shouldn't have the opportunity that they do now. Many other teams are also screwed over by the decission. I think the Screwings will just get worse.
Their are two teams in the NFL next week that can decide the fate of the play-offs. The New England Patriots can dump to the Texans and put them in the play-offs, as can Cinci do for the Jets. I have to not put it out of my head that this is done on purpose to give those two teams, the ones that must play in the wild-card week, an easier match-up in the first round. They can dump their games and ensure an easier week one in the play-offs. Is it smart? Well fuck yeah it is. Is it fair? Of coarse not, but if the other teams had performed better than it wouldn't matter anyway. Just the fact that it could (and probably will) happen, kind of makes me feal ill inside.
Based on that, did Caldwell make the right decision? Hell no! The colts would have been better off making sure the Bengals and the Patriots wouldn't be able to cow-tow into a game with the Jets. At least the Steelers or Baltimore, or even Denver has a shot at beating Cinci or the Pats. But now it is left up to the fates, and billionaire owners with secret handshakes.
