Has Peyton Manning & The Colts Offense Been Figured Out?

[PhillyPhreak54]

Granted we are only 3 games into the season, but the Colts offense certainly isn't lighting it up like we're used to seeing them do. If it wasn't for them playing zesty offenses (Baltimore, Jacksonville, Cleveland) and having their defense shut them down, the Colts could be 1-2 or 0-3.

Peyton Manning in 2005:

Week 1 (@ BAL) -- 21/36 254 yards 58.3% 2 TDs 0 INT 98.6 rating
Week 2 (vs JAX) -- 13/28 122 yards 46.4% 0 TDs 1 INT 44.0 rating
Week 3 (vs CLE) -- 19/23 228 yards 82.6% 0 TDs 1 INT 89.9 rating

The modus operandi of opposing defenses against the Colts used to be to try to rough Peyton up before he could get off passes to his weapons. But as we all know, the NFL is a copycat league. And New England showed how to stop or slow down that offense.

This year, just like NE last year, teams are rushing 3 and dropping 8 into coverage and tying up his passing lanes.

I know you're probably thinking that the Colts should combat this drop 8 philosophy by running Edgerrin James more often to draw up those guys and give Harrison & Crew room to work.

But they are running Edgerrin James:

Week 1 -- 23 carries 88 yards
Week 2 -- 27 carries 128 yards
Week 3 -- 27 carries 108 yards

Edge is #2 in the NFL in carries (only Cadillac Williams has more [88])

So the Colts are attacking that scheme by running Edge like they should be doing but they still cannot score many points (17, 10, 13).

So do you think that the Colts have been figured out?
Can teams sustain this against them?
Will their defense be good enough to shut down good offenses?

[Larry]

I always thought the Colts' defense was OK.  What the Colts really need a big receiver (either a big WR or a big TE).

Everything Manning and the Colts do is based on timing.  You throw that off (by pressuring Manning or mugging their WRs), their offense is stuck in neutral.

In the Patriots games, Manning could've used a big target:  a guy whom he could just chuck the ball to and depend on him to make a play.  That would've forced double teams which would, ion turn, open up the rest of the offense.

[Wingspan]

you see, a balance running attack makes you only score 1 TD a week. even with harrison, wayne, manning, and james.

[dpierce]

Possibly. The Colts do most of their damage with their passing game, so it's only natural that someone would finally ground it with an eight-man zone. Repeatedly mauling Indy's receivers (within the allotted 5 yards) isn't a bad strategy, either.

Daring Indy to beat you with the running game is a lot less risky than leaving passing lanes open for Manning.

[hunt]

the Indianapolis CoreySimons are winning games on D this season.   

[PhillyGirl]

the Indianapolis CoreySimons are winning games on D this season.   

Don't even sit here and say that Simon is the reason. I'll farging puke.

[hunt]

the Indianapolis CoreySimons are winning games on D this season.   

Don't even sit here and say that Simon is the reason. I'll farging puke.

that's very tempting but i won't say it...........................................maybe in a few weeks though.

[JTrotter Fan]

the Indianapolis CoreySimons are winning games on D this season.   

Don't even sit here and say that Simon is the reason. I'll farging puke.

He's so fat, he sits in the middle of the D-Line and plugs the holes...you can't run up the middle on them.  I despise Simon now.  Fat bastich!

[PhillyGirl]

the Indianapolis CoreySimons are winning games on D this season.   

Don't even sit here and say that Simon is the reason. I'll farging puke.

He's so fat, he sits in the middle of the D-Line and plugs the holes...you can't run up the middle on them.  I despise Simon now.  Fat bastich!

Wrong.

[JTrotter Fan]

I didn't mean that he was good...i just meant that his fat ass just sits there and doesn't move.  He's too fat to move.

[PhillyGirl]

I didn't mean that he was good...i just meant that his fat ass just sits there and doesn't move.  He's too fat to move.

That doesn't make him a good run stopper. You think RBs just look at him and say, "Oh, he's too fat...I can't run that way."

They look at him and say, "He's a fat slob who was a pass rusher for his entire career and has now no quickness at all....I'll run around him".

[JTrotter Fan]

I didn't mean that he was good...i just meant that his fat ass just sits there and doesn't move.  He's too fat to move.

That doesn't make him a good run stopper. You think RBs just look at him and say, "Oh, he's too fat...I can't run that way."

They look at him and say, "He's a fat slob who was a pass rusher for his entire career and has now no quickness at all....I'll run around him".

I didn't do very well at trying to point out what i wanted to say.  That is what i mean, he's a fat slob, he is not good at run stopping, he just sits there and doesn't do anything.  He never lived up to his #6 pick hype.  He shoulda been 10 times better.  And i hate him for it.

[WEST is GOD]

I'm gonna have to give it at least 6 weeks before I even think about calling it figured out. They still have a ton of weapons. I think losing Pollard hurts them a bit though and Stokley is banged up.

Their defense has to play a top offense for me to buy into them being great. They have a good pass rush, but to me as of now that is where the greatness ends with that defense.

[FreakisaKearseWord]

Yes, they pass alot