The big mystery in the Colts' decision to roll over

[VJCPatriot]

No, the Colts were actually up 15-10 when they pulled Manning

Had just completed a 80 yard TD drive before, it's unbelievable

And the majority of us Colts fans are irate. at Stampedeblue.com, The Colts Forums, 18to88, I mean it is unbelievable how mad some of us are for a 14-1 team

It's just very disappointing to me to see our team tank with the lead. If that's your strategy why even play Manning in the 2nd half at all? Why have the starters go all out last week in Jacksonville on the road?

If they were going to pull the starters, that was probably the worst possible way they could have done it, people paid good money braved a blizzard to see the Colts win and watched Polian/Caldwell tank a game instead

LOL, I don't understand the reasoning either. It's a close game and if you keep Manning in you've got a chance to win it all and football immortality with an undefeated season. I guess the coach could care less whether his team went undefeated or maybe he thought tanking a game would 'relieve the pressure' of trying to be perfect??

 

[ctpatsfan77]

If they were going to pull the starters, that was probably the worst possible way they could have done it, people paid good money braved a blizzard to see the Colts win and watched Polian/Caldwell tank a game instead

On the plus side, at least you know you'll be warm in the stadium.

On the minus side, you won't get a moment like this:

 

[NJPatsfan26]

No, the Colts were actually up 15-10 when they pulled Manning

Had just completed a 80 yard TD drive before, it's unbelievable

And the majority of us Colts fans are irate. at Stampedeblue.com, The Colts Forums, 18to88, I mean it is unbelievable how mad some of us are for a 14-1 team

It's just very disappointing to me to see our team tank with the lead. If that's your strategy why even play Manning in the 2nd half at all? Why have the starters go all out last week in Jacksonville on the road?

If they were going to pull the starters, that was probably the worst possible way they could have done it, people paid good money braved a blizzard to see the Colts win and watched Polian/Caldwell tank a game instead

Ah thanks for the correction. Agree completely......

 

[The Dynasty]

It really didnt make any sense at all. Their playoff game is not for another 3 weeks. They should be more worried about their players being rusty rather than being injured. Did Caldwell really want the pressure of going undefeated to go away?

 

[ctpatsfan77]

There were lost of fans on this board that wanted the patriots to rest their starters in 2007 rather than go for the perfect regular season. Those fans thought that the regular season was meaningless and all that mattered was increasing the chances to win the Super Bowl.

A question for speculation: does John Tomase take a dump on the Patriots if they were heading to the Super Bowl at 17-1 or 16-2 instead of 18-0?

 

[Gunnails]

My theory is that the reason they pulled Peyton and Co., was because of Bart Scott and his aggressive play which epitomized how the Jets (#1 D in the NFL) were playing.

That tripping penalty on Scott could of won the game for the Jets.

:snob:

 

[Dr Pain]

My theory is that the reason they pulled Peyton and Co., was because of Bart Scott and his aggressive play which epitomized how the Jets (#1 D in the NFL) were playing.

That tripping penalty on Scott could of won the game for the Jets.

:snob:

Although he tried to trip him the runner actually impacted his hip and torso so he did not trip him and it was a bad call.

 

[mgteich]

We are two of the three great teams of this decade. We have had one the best riovalries the NFL has ever seen. Our players respect each other.

And today, I am embarrassed for you guys. You have had one of the greatest seasons ever; and you front office has decided to embarrass the team and its fans.

No, the Colts were actually up 15-10 when they pulled Manning

Had just completed a 80 yard TD drive before, it's unbelievable

And the majority of us Colts fans are irate. at Stampedeblue.com, The Colts Forums, 18to88, I mean it is crazy how mad some of us are for a 14-1 team

It's just very disappointing to me to see our team tank with the lead. If that's your strategy why even play Manning in the 2nd half at all? Why have the starters go all out last week in Jacksonville on the road?

If they were going to pull the starters, that was probably the worst possible way they could have done it, people paid good money braved a blizzard to see the Colts win and watched Polian/Caldwell tank a game instead

 

[PatsDeb]

Manning did not like that was the plan

He looked livid

I can't say that I blame Peytie Pie. What's wrong with going for the record? In my mind (and it seems, Peytie Pie's too) it sets up a "loser" mentality for the playoffs. If you play and lose, fine, but they had a good chance to win if he stayed in the game.

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

My theory is that the reason they pulled Peyton and Co., was because of Bart Scott and his aggressive play which epitomized how the Jets (#1 D in the NFL) were playing.

That tripping penalty on Scott could of won the game for the Jets.

:snob:

Puff Puff, pass it to the left.

 

[Gunnails]

Puff Puff, pass it to the left.

=====================================================

Jets D terrorizes QBs.

 

[reflexblue]

I don't think its a mystery at all Caldwell didn't want to go into the playoffs with the pressure that would be on an undefeated team. Manning has a hard enough time dealing as it is.

 

[RWayne911]

I'd like to share my input on this entire fiasco.

I strongly disagree with the decision by Caldwell. Wayne and Clark looked upset. Manning had the death stare on his face, and the fans were angry. Polian still hasn't gotten the grasp of this trend, has he? Seems like Caldwell listened to Dungy as well. That's a double fail.

It was inevitable what was going to happen in that game today (I'm not talking about the starters being randomly pulled). The Jets offense couldn't get much going at all and their defense looked out of it. We were moving the ball at will offensively, up and down the field. Manning missed two big throws, to Wayne and to Clark. Eventually, we stopped making mistakes and went on an immediate 80 yard drive. Everybody watching the game knew we had the blueprint to beat the Jets deadliest aspect (their defense). My prediction is that we were without a doubt going to pull away, the Jets can only live off of our offense's silly mistakes for so long.

Caldwell apparently thought Curtis Painter could come in and hold a 5 point lead against the #1 defense in the league. Great call Jim, I wouldn't be surprised if this completely f*cks up our team chemistry and causes us to go one and done again.

 

[reflexblue]

I'd like to share my input on this entire fiasco.

I strongly disagree with the decision by Caldwell. Wayne and Clark looked upset. Manning had the death stare on his face, and the fans were angry. Polian still hasn't gotten the grasp of this trend, has he? Seems like Caldwell listened to Dungy as well. That's a double fail.

It was inevitable what was going to happen in that game today (I'm not talking about the starters being randomly pulled). The Jets offense couldn't get much going at all and their defense looked out of it. We were moving the ball at will offensively, up and down the field. Manning missed two big throws, to Wayne and to Clark. Eventually, we stopped making mistakes and went on an immediate 80 yard drive. Everybody watching the game knew we had the blueprint to beat the Jets deadliest aspect (their defense). My prediction is that we were without a doubt going to pull away, the Jets can only live off of our offense's silly mistakes for so long.

Caldwell apparently thought Curtis Painter could come in and hold a 5 point lead against the #1 defense in the league. Great call Jim, I wouldn't be surprised if this completely f*cks up our team chemistry and causes us to go one and done again.

I think Caldwell/polian did the right thing, and i wish they hadn't. This takes all the pressure/hype about an undefeated season off the team, and it pisses Manning and the rest of the team off imo they'll come back and try to prove something.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I think Caldwell/polian did the right thing, and i wish they hadn't. This takes all the pressure/hype about an undefeated season off the team, and it pisses Manning and the rest of the team off imo they'll come back and try to prove something.

Yeah, but if they don't play next week, as it seems likely they won't, it may not make a difference. . . .

 

[SammyBlueCat]

If the plan was to rest or "roll over", why play the starters at all???

 

[Joker]

Hey CT...playoff tickets already online...check out the AL East football thread at WC...Fenway Frank put up the link...just scored two seats in section 114...WOO HOO!!! GO PATS!!!

 

[RWayne911]

If the plan was to rest or "roll over", why play the starters at all???

That's what I've been saying.

We should just forfeit the game to the Bills next week. Might as well if we're going to pull Manning in the middle of the god damn game.

 

[IcyPatriot]

If the plan was to rest or "roll over", why play the starters at all???

Yup ...................... :yeahthat:

 

[DaBruinz]

Caldwell was absolutely stupid not to put the starters back in after Painter fumbled the ball..