[amphibian]

HoosierDaddy, on Jan 10 2009, 11:48 PM, said:

I find it extremely strange that the only time the Colts didn't lose a playoff game to a 3-4 defense to exit the off-season is the only time they've won a Super Bowl. 5 out of 6 is not merely better defense, it is a trend. Any Colts fan will tell you that Peyton struggles with a 3-4 defense because he has a harder time recognizing where the 4th and 5th blitzer are coming from. They will also note that 3-4 blitzes tend to get a far better interior pass-rush, i.e. directly in Peyton's face, than other 4-3 pass-rushes.

I've seen this argument elsewhere and the following is the best response I've encountered:

Quote

3 close wins over 5 years is nothing even close to proof they struggle against bad 3-4s. Plus it's actually only two since the Raiders ran a 4-3 last year.

Here is the results of each season going back to 2003
2007 lost Chargers (scored 4 less points than season ave, gave up 12 more points than season ave including a game winning drive with Rivers and LDT on the sidelines, thanks to Freeney being out and Mathis/Brock being injured)
2006 won Superbowl
2005 lost to SB Champ
2004 lost to SB Champ
2003 lost to SB Champ

4 of the last 5 AFC champs (3 of 5 SB Champs) have run a 3-4, it's not the Colts having a problem with a 3-4 it's the best teams running 3-4s over the last few years.

It's not the 3-4 defense, even though it may cause more confusion in Manning AND the offensive line - it's more that Indy is playing very talented defenses which happen to run the 3-4. Correlation does not mean causation.

[Slum]

Well, I just got back from spending the day with some now very unhappy Giants fans. What an awful game for NY - the offensive play calling was dismal. Seriously, where is it written that Eli can only throw on 3rd down? They couldn't run at all, and when they did throw, well, it was shit. Shit.

And even though Pitt's got a lead at the half, Rivers has looked damn good. At least the Pitt/SD game has had some awesome plays from both teams.

The Giants game was just...shitty.


EDIT: 7:45 - I am just LOVING this San Diego BEATDOWN! Take that, fuckers. Steelers for SB champs!

This post has been edited by Slumgullion Spitteler: 12 January 2009 - 12:46 AM

[Binder of Demons]

Despite the fact that they have some great weapons, I'm really hoping that Arizona doesn't make it. I mean i don't want a team that mailed it in so badly in the 2nd half of the season make it to a superbowl.

Glad to see the Chargers get stuffed too. I can't begrudge the Steelers their success since i like the way that organisation is run. Pick a coach, stick with him. Pus i like that the Steelers play hard, no real frills, just pound your opponent.

I've been really impressed by the Ravens though. That is a serious defense. Between Ray Lewis and the ball magnet Ed Reed, they must be a nightmare for QB's. And imagine if Flacco got to win a title in his rookie year!

But at the the end of it all, I'm kinda hoping Philly make it, and then Donovan McNab leaves the team to stick it to the fans who've unjustly ripped him for so long. Plus it would be funny to hear the various NFL analysts that mock Andy Reid come up with ways to say how great he is etc.

But really, as long as Arizona don't win it I'll be happy.

[HoosierDaddy]

Tony Dungy. Thank you for the 7 years you gave us in Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. You have irrevocably changed Indiana culture. The state that the creator of basketball said perfected the sport, became a football state, thanks in part to you. Your leadership and coaching have created a legion of Colts fans, young and lifetime Colts fans at that. Thanks in part to you, the city of Indianapolis will host Super Bowl 2012 in our brand new state of the art stadium, drawing world-wide attention. You've made me shout, you've made me cry tears of sorrow and joy, and you've been a source of consitency that can only come with being a true fan. You might not have been born a Hoosier, but you will remain one 'til you leave this earth. The state of Indiana will be forever grateful for everything you gave to us.

God Speed, Coach Dungy.

This post has been edited by HoosierDaddy: 13 January 2009 - 04:38 AM

[Daser]

Dammit HoosierDaddy you made me think the man had died suddenly. Scared the shit out of me.

Well if you have a strong organisation you will still be going strong even if Tony Dungy has decided to do other things with his life.

[Slum]

I think Caldwell will do fine - he's been groomed by Dungy to take over as head coach.

[HoosierDaddy]

It was a funeral-like attitude in Indianapolis yesterday. Caldwell is 2 and done at the most, simply because the Colts will want a bigger hire fairly soon. TD had enough respect and reputation to be able to stand toe-to-toe with Bill Polian. The relationship with him and Caldwell, in my opinion, will be much different.

[Slum]

Yeah, you're probably right. I don't know much about Polian and how he runs things...he certainly seemed to be very fond of Dungy in the news conference.

[HoosierDaddy]

Slumgullion Spitteler, on Jan 13 2009, 12:41 PM, said:

Yeah, you're probably right. I don't know much about Polian and how he runs things...he certainly seemed to be very fond of Dungy in the news conference.

Extraordinary. That man is a balls-to-the-walls hardass. It was shocking to see him emotional, let alone shedding tears!

[Thelomen Toblerone]

Brilliant, experienced Shanahan out, inexperienced (at HC anyway) offensive coordinator in. At least the Broncos wont change style I suppose, offence heavy it is. I hope they get a truck load of defensive players int he draft and free agency though.

That's gonna be a weird old game for the NFC championship, I have a sneaking suspicion the Cards will pip it and then get DESTROYED in the Superbowl - let's face it, the Ravens and Steelers both have defences that would maul them.

What do you guys think is better incidentally, the 3-4 or 4-3? Still getting acquainted with the game, apart from the obvious more/fewer linemen etc, tactically it seems like 3-4 would give more options to me, but I figure it would be more popular than it is if that were the case?

This post has been edited by Thelomen Toblerone: 13 January 2009 - 09:17 PM

[HoosierDaddy]

3-4 is a harder defense to run and requires more specialized players.

This post has been edited by HoosierDaddy: 13 January 2009 - 09:19 PM

[Sparkimus]

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAA

Gruden's gone baby!!!!! Could it be that I predicted this all along and we end up with Shanahan???

[HoosierDaddy]

Gruden was a shocker. If they go after Dungy I will hate Tampa Bay with every fibre of my being.

[Slum]

Gruden's probably done as a head coach for the near future...he doesn't have a great reputation anymore, and he won the Superbowl with Dungy's squad and Kiffin there to help him.

I doubt Dungy would do that to the Colts, HD. I mean, I guess it's where his family is and all, but...I don't know, it just doesn't seem like a Dungy move. Maybe in a couple years...after he gets done spreading the word of God or whatever he feels he needs to do.

I could see Shanahan in Tampa...or Dallas, if Jerry Jones wasn't such a monumental fucktard of an owner. They both have fairly talented young RBs (well, is Cadillac still young? he's been around a while now...).

[Sparkimus]

Yeah Caddy's still young(ish).

Any predictions on how the Bucs will be next year? No Allen, no Gruden and no Kiffin.... I'm going to go lay down a bet that they win the Super Bowl, I'd like to see those odds.

[Slum]

Sparkimus, on Jan 16 2009, 07:52 PM, said:

Yeah Caddy's still young(ish).

Any predictions on how the Bucs will be next year? No Allen, no Gruden and no Kiffin.... I'm going to go lay down a bet that they win the Super Bowl, I'd like to see those odds.

Ummm...8-8, I wager...


So, I've been lazing around watching regurgitated ESPN all day...doesn't seem like anyone's picking the Cards or the Ravens - they all admit it'll be a fine day of football, but no one has the nuts to pick the underdogs. Neither do I.

Steelers v. Eagles would be a classic east coast showdown. Still, Warner's got God on his side...that's all that really matters, right. I kid.

I loved Warner in his Superbowl win over the Titans way back when...but he's a little too churchy for me these days.

[Shinrei]

The sports networks have to be pretty upset. Small market teams that no one cares about outside that market. The Cardinals? The Ravens? The can't be happy the Giants are out.

If the Cardinals are in the SB this year, at least we can look forward to seeing Kurt Warner's wife in the stands every five minutes.

[Daser]

Quote

So, I've been lazing around watching regurgitated ESPN all day...doesn't seem like anyone's picking the Cards or the Ravens - they all admit it'll be a fine day of football, but no one has the nuts to pick the underdogs. Neither do I.

I agree that Ravens is a longshot but i aint afraid to pick Cardinals agaisnt the Eagles. Wide open game as i see it.

[Thelomen Toblerone]

Shinrei no Shintai, on Jan 17 2009, 10:36 AM, said:

The sports networks have to be pretty upset. Small market teams that no one cares about outside that market. The Cardinals? The Ravens? The can't be happy the Giants are out.

If the Cardinals are in the SB this year, at least we can look forward to seeing Kurt Warner's wife in the stands every five minutes.

Just searched Kurt Wrner's wife. Either that was a really bad picture, or your sarcasm is far too acid for me to comprehend. Mine eyes are pained!


Im going for Ravens Eagles final. Just to be different.

[Slum]

Daser, on Jan 17 2009, 10:21 AM, said:

Quote

So, I've been lazing around watching regurgitated ESPN all day...doesn't seem like anyone's picking the Cards or the Ravens - they all admit it'll be a fine day of football, but no one has the nuts to pick the underdogs. Neither do I.

I agree that Ravens is a longshot but i aint afraid to pick Cardinals agaisnt the Eagles. Wide open game as i see it.

If they play anything like they did last week, Cards are going to be tough to beat. Then again, the Eagles aren't going to fold like the Panthers (what the hell is up with that? they were horrendous), I hope.

Steelers-Ravens is going to be the real Superbowl in my mind. Either one of them will handily dispatch the NFC champ...