Given that the Colts had two former 1st round picks (Marlin Jackson and Anthony Gonzalez) and a 2nd round pick (Bob Sanders) on IR and had a much better season in 2009 than the Patriots irregardless of what happens in the Super Bowl, I think that the Colts had better depth than the Patriots. I ask those who disagree with the notion - "the Colts had better depth than the Patriots" to explain why they feel that the Patriots had better depth than the Colts. Because if the Patriots had better depth than the Colts, it did not show up in the field and more importantly in the win-loss record.
If the Colts had better depth than the Patriots, how did that happen?? If it was not because the Colts have drafted better recently than the Pats, what is it?? If it was not because the Colts have done a better job recently of player development, then what is it???
Because Gasper's main point was
"How do they go about catching up with the Colts?
The answer is to beat them at their own game -- the draft and player development.
That's a game the Patriots have lost to the Colts the last few years and it is the primary reason they watched yesterday's AFC Championship game from their living rooms while confetti rained down upon the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium."
The Colts 2009 draft class will have played in 1 Super Bowl. The Patriots 2009 draft class - 0.
The Colts 2008 draft class will have played in 1 Super Bowl. The Patriots 2008 draft class - 0.
The Colts 2007 draft class will have played in 1 Super Bowl. The Patriots 2007 draft class - 1.
The Colts 2006 draft class will have played in 2 Super Bowls. The Patriots 2006 draft class - 1.
The Colts 2005 draft class will have played in 2 Super Bowls. The Patriots 2005 draft class - 1.
The Colts 2004 draft class will have played in 2 Super Bowls. The Patriots 2004 draft class - 2.
The Colts 2003 draft class will have played in 2 Super Bowls. The Patriots 2004 draft class - 3.
When one has to go back 7 draft classes to have the Patriots draft class to have played in more Super Bowls, one (Gasper) should be able to opine that the Colts have done a better job in drafting recently and in developing players lately without being attacked.
Does anyone really think that the Colts did not have better depth than the Patriots this year??
FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2009 Adjusted Games Lost Totals
