As we brace for the BIGGEST STORM OF THE DECADE and rush out to buy up all the bread and milk, I want to take a step back and think about the previous 10 years as they relate to sports fans in Indianapolis. A decade that saw the demolition of the dome and the rise of the ‘The Luke. We saw the decline of the Indiana Hoosiers and the rise of the Butler Bulldogs. However, there was no bigger difference between things up and down like the one between the Colts and the Pacers. The brawl and winning it all sum up the last few years for those 2 franchises. However, which do you think had a bigger impact on the city? Let’s discuss, shall we?
Winning a title was great, but it was expected. To be honest, I think a few more have been expected. The brawl in Detroit though changed TONS of things. The way security works at games, the way fans view the players and most importantly, the way the fans in THIS city viewed the Pacers. While I think the brawl wasn’t the thing that drove fans away from the Pacers (the strip clubs and guns did that) I think it was a defining moment that the Pacers have never recovered from.
Before Ron Artest ran into the stands, the Pacers were celebrating a thumping of the NBA Champion Detroit Pistons in their house. It was a statement game that the Pacers dominated. After that night, the Pacers were never contenders ever again. Again, it wasn’t JUST the brawl, but to me, that was clearly the beginning of the end. The Colts are still winning and chasing titles, just like they have been all decade, but the Pacers who started the decade in the NBA Finals have done a complete 180 from the Reggie Miller and Mark Jackson days. The brawl in Detroit, the “Malice in the Palace” to me was the story that had a bigger impact on the landscape of sports in Indy as the Colts continue to roll along, but the Pacers now play in front of maybe 10,000 fans and give tickets away.
If you are one of those folks who went to the game on Sunday against the Jets and feel cheated and angry, you should be ASHAMED of yourself! I have had so many people call, text and hit me up on Facebook and Twitter complaining about the Colts decision to rest their starters on Sunday. Some fans have even said they feel like they should get a refund? REALLY? A REFUND?
I understand if you want to debate if resting the starters or playing them is better for the team. That is a fair argument, but don’t feel like the Colts OWE you anything! They owe you nothing! They have earned the right to do whatever they want. Would these same people who want their money back PAY EXTRA for great games like the New England game? It’s the same logic. Stop being so spoiled. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO ALL FANS, but those who were calling and contacting me and complaining need to take this to heart. One fan even told me that if the Colts do win the Super Bowl, it won’t mean as much now. Do you even remember mid-eighties? or 1990? or 1991? Somewhere, there are fans of the Lions, Browns and Rams who are giving fans like that a middle finger.
If you know anything at all about me, you know I have lived in Indy my whole life and I love my sports! I remember when this community would get EXCITED that the Colts would win 3 games a year. The times have changed and so has the sentiment and expectations of the fans. I understand that, but the Colts don’t OWE you anything for Sunday.
They are 14-1 and have home-field throughout the AFC Playoffs. In a year when a lot of writers and media picked them to MISS the playoffs. Yet still, some fans want a refund and say that winning it all would not mean as much. STOP IT AND GROW UP! I am a Cubs fan, do you have any idea what I would do for success? Quit being spoiled brats. I will now step off my soap box and think back to the 1985 season with Mike Pagel and company. Never take for granted what you see each week here because it won’t last forever. Ask the Pacers about that.
After watching the Colts /Jax game on Thursday, it became obvious that “going” for perfection is indeed something that interests the Colts vets. All week long, the Colts put up the smoke screen that they will rest the starters and then they put 29 guys on the injury report. As Run DMC would say, that’s “tricky” of the Colts. Not only did they play the starters, they played the whole game. Aside from Freeney and Mathis (who have legit health concerns) the main players played and played well. The question then becomes, who makes the call on playing or not. I say let the vets do it.
I think Peyton, Brackett, Freeney and Wayne have all earned the right to say that going for 16-0 is something they want to do. I may or may not agree with playing starters in a meaningless game, but the Colts vets have done enough in their time in Indy to warrant the benefit of the doubt. Not many franchises can turn things over to the players. This one can. The class leadership and the resume of what the Colts core has accomplished warrants them making the decision if they want to play for perfection. I think if #18 says he wanst this, GIVE HIM A SHOT! He has earned it. Same for Reggie Wayne, Gary Brackett, Dwight Freeney, Jeff Saturday and the other Colst vets who have helped make Indy one of the model franchises in all of sports, not just the NFL. I know Caldwell and Polian may want to rest the guys, but let the vets decide. I think they have earned the right to make the call.
I have grown up in Indy my whole life. I love the city and I love the people….ok, most of them. I have as much civic pride as anyone in town. That being said, am I the only one who doesn’t care about 16-0? Really, is risking injury worth a potentially meaningless title?
As the Colts close out the year, many fans will want them to play the starters and keep the team “sharp” for the postseason. I keep hearing my callers talk about getting too much rest like in 2005 and coming out flat. Let me ask you this, didn’t the Colts play the starters ALL THE WAY last season and still come out flat? Nobody ever brings that up. At the end of the season last year, the Colts were the hottest team in the NFL and then went to San Diego and got bounced on Wild Card Weekend.
All I want to see from the Colts is a rested AND prepared team. A team that is ready to go on a 3-game winning streak in late January and early February. I would feel better if Mathis, Freeney and even #18 had rest and recovery time. A championship parade and Super Bowl banner will be just as fun if the Colts drop a meaningless game in the final 3. I would love to see 16-0, don’t get me wrong, but if it means risking the guys that can deliver ring #2 to Indy, is the risk worth the reward.
I don’t buy the “rust vs rest” debate at all. Again, the Colts lost to Pittsburgh after too much rest and lost to San Diego after playing hard for 16 games. It doesn’t matter. It’s all about the match-ups. The Team with the better match-up wins the majority of the time. Pitt with their 3-4 blitzing defense and San Diego with the speed and special teams have created issues for the Colts in the past. It has nothing to do with rest or rust. BETTER TO BE SAFE, THEN SORRY. Keep the players healthy and make a run!
Multiple sources have confirmed that Cincinnati Head Coach Brian Kelly will become the new head coach at Notre Dame. Kelly told his players earlier today prior to a team banquet in Cincinnati. Under Kelly, Cincy has won 2 straight Big East titles and is currently unbeaten at 12-0.
Kelly has also coached at Central Michigan and at Grand Valley State. He helped turn around a dismal Central Michigan program into a bowl team in 3 seasons. Kelly was also at the helm for back to back Division II titles at Grand Valley State.
Tune into “Sports Sunday with Hammer” this Sunday from 5-8pm for more on this story. We will discuss if this is “REALLY” an upgrade from Charlie Weis and if Notre Dame will EVER get back to the program they used to be. (317) 228-1430 or send an instant e-mail to Hammer at jhammer@entercom.com
As the Colts continue to roll unbeaten into the final 4 games of the season, a lot of Colts fans are “trying” to find things to complain about. A guy called into my show last night and was upset that Austin Collie wasn’t finishing up his routes. Another gentleman was upset that Curtis Painter was still on the roster. If that is all you can complain about 12 games into the year, I think things are going well.
I believe it was the mother on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” who sang “Cheer up, Charlie” after he didn’t get his golden ticket. Fast forward many years later, and it’s Charlie who didn’t make the Golden Domers happy. To the surprise of NOBODY Notre Dame fired Charlie Weis on Monday. I believe I even heard “Touchdown Jesus” thank god it was over.
Don’t feel bad for Charlie. Charlie will find a gig in the NFL (possibly with the Patriots) as an offensive guru and be just fine. Oh, he also gets all the cash from his r-damn-diculous contract from ND. Chuck is going to be fine, as for the state of ND Football, that is another question.
Let the rumors begin. Stoops, Meyer, Gruden and even Brian Kelly from Cincinnati have all been rumored. Honestly, is Brian Kelly an upgrade? Another coach who recruits only offense and neglects the defense and lines. Been there, done that.
No matter where the Irish turn, the rebuilding process starts all over again. Will the Irish faithful be patient? I am not sure, but as Charlie leaves South Bend, is it out of line to suggest a coach who thrives on defense and running the football? Cheer up, Charlie. I think the Patriots would love to have another smug S.O.B on their coaching staff next year.
After this week, I believe there will be NO undefeated teams in the NFL. I am fully aware that this may not be the most POPULAR opinion, but I believe the Colts will lose at Houston this Sunday for the following reasons:
1.) Texans are too good to drop 3 straight and 2 in a row at home.
2.) Colts have been walking on “thin-ice” all season and eventually there will be a game where the breaks go the other way.
3.) It means more to Houston. This is the season on the line for Houston. A chance to punch big brother right in the mouth and make the league take notice. Houston also needs a win to stay in the playoff hunt. Win or lose, Colts are still pretty set.
4.) Colts are just due for a loss. Ok, this is totally unscientific, but after winning 19 in a row, the Colts are due for a loss. In case you haven’t noticed, it’s pretty freaking hard to run the table in the NFL!!
5.) This game is bad timing. Coming off 2 emotional wins over the Patriots and Ravens AND the Thanksgiving holiday, this may be a bad time to go on the road for a divisional game against a team that always gives them fits anyway! Focus shouldn’t be a problem, but again, I just don’t like the timing of this game.
That being said, do I still think the Colts are the best team in the NFL if they do get beat? Yes, I do. I just think the timing is right for a bad performance. Everyone has a stinker from time to time. Just hope that the Colts don’t pick the postseason as the time to have thiers.
A few closing thoughts on the wild Colts/Pats Sunday Night thriller.
1.) Belichick’s Reputation: I know he has a reputation as a “genius,” but that decision on 4th Down was awful. Even if they converted it was wrong. I am soooo SICK of all the “Genius” supporters trying to make this sound like he did the right thing…just STOP IT! Quit drinking the Kool-Aide.
2.) The Colts Vets: Stepped up and delivered the game. Mathis, Wayne, Manning and Bullett all played very well. Mathis and Wayne played WELL BEYOND WELL!!!!
3.) The Colts Youngsters: Garcon and Collie had rough outings. Garcon caught a huge TD, but dropped a lot of balls. Collie had a few bounce of the hands as well. The younger guys looked like younger guys for the first time all season.
4.) The Rivalry: Still fun, still a blast when the Colts/Pats hook-up, but it doesn’t feel as nasty as it used to. Bruschi, Harrison and Vrabel are all gone as is Marvin Harrison and Tony Dungy. It’s steal heated, but I don’t feel the hatred anymore. Lots of mutual respect.
5.) Rematch?: I know Pittsburgh and San Diego will be tough, but does anyone else get the feeling we may see round 2 later this year?
Let’s stroll down memory lane and recall the “finer” moments of the “ALWAYS CLASSY” Randy Moss:
1995 - After signing a letter of intent to play his college football at Notre Dame, Moss took part in a racially-motivated fight at his high school in Belle, West Virginia. Moss pled guilty to battery and received probation and a 30-day suspended jail sentence. Because of the incident, Notre Dame revoked his scholarship and one person went to the hospital.
1996 - While serving a 30-day jail sentence related to the previous incident, Moss tested positive for marijuana, violating his probation. He was released from the Florida State football program and served 60 extra days in jail for the probation violation.
1997 – Said the 1970 Marshall University plane crash “was a tragedy, but it really wasn’t nothing big”
1999 – Fined $40,000 for squirting an NFL referee with a water bottle during a game.
2002 – Arrested after bumping a traffic officer with his car.
2003 - The NFL fined Moss $5,000 for his role in a fight with the Chicago Bears during a September game. In November, he was fined another $5,000 for spiking a ball at the foot of Detroit Lions cornerback Dre’ Bly.
2004 – Walked off the field during the game where his team was down by 3 points.
2004 - Moss was fined $10,000 by the NFL after an end-zone celebration in which he pretended to pull down his pants and “moon” Green Bay Packers fans. When asked about it, Randy was quoted of saying “Ain’t nothing but 10 grand. What’s 10 grand to me?”
2005 - During HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel”, Moss caused a bit of an uproar when he admitted he “might” still partake in the use of marijuana once “every blue moon”.
2006 – When being questioned about his frequent lack of effort during games with the Raiders, he famously said “I play when I want to play”
