These ain't the same horseshoes

[ethurst2]

The Indianapolis Colts looked bored and uninspired.

Sure, Peyton manning was out all preseason and the o-line has some injuries but it seems like in Dungys' last year, many of those players are taking plays off and waiting for their check on Tuesdays.

In most cases, whenever a coach in the NFL says that he will coach one more year, the players seem to not be motivated to win for that coach (see Shula, Holmgren, Cowher and now Dungy).

The team underachieves and stumbles to an 8-8 or 9-7 record. I have the Horseshoes pegged at 9-7.

[fyo]

Manning is nowhere near himself. I don't know if it just the knee or what, but he's floating his passes (especially the deeper ones) way more than usual. Maybe he can't step into his throws properly, but whatever it is, something is clearly amiss.

It least they've starting trying the stretch hand-off again. That's a play the Colts just cannot do without, but Manning's knee has caused problems executing it. It still isn't as fast and fluent as last season, but one would expect that to improve.

Then there are all the other injuries... The O-line is in shambles. Saturday (C) was back against Jax, but wasn't in the whole game (although I wasn't following closely, so I don't know why or how much he played). Bob Sanders is out for a month on defense.

The Colts have been a thin team for years now. They spend so much money on their stars, they just cannot afford good backups. If they can remain injury-free, they can win it all. A few injuries, though, and the house of cards comes tumbling down.