Don,
I understand what you're saying. I also have great respect for you, and
am not used to disagreeing with you. However, as Mr. Wonderfull pointed
out, the Colts basically destroyed one of the all time great offenses
by not utilizing their prolific passing game. Yes, Harrison's numbers
are a bit down (but basically similar, especially in TD receptions, to
an average season for him). Wayne's numbers are down, too, as you point
out. However, the two main casualties of the change in offensive
philosophy are Stokley and Clark. Clark's numbers are way down from
last season, and when considering that Pollard isn't there, the numbers
he would get in that offense are way, way down. Obviously, Stokley
isn't even the same player. Instead of a 1000 yard, 10 TD receiver, he
is now a typical, not terribly productive third receiver. I understand
the conventional explanation for changing a dynamic passing attack into
a run-first offense. However, I've never bought into those cliches
("defense wins championships," "you must establish the run," etc.) Yes,
the Colts needed to upgrade their defense. They did that. They also
should probably have thought about not continuing to pass when they
were already far ahead, which they did quite a bit last season.
However, to take apart an incredible passing game, and to in effect
take the ball out of their best player's (Manning's) hands, so that a
plodding, overrated back like Edgerrin James can now carry that
offense, makes liltte sense to me. Yes, they're undefeated, so the
strategy appears to be working. I just believe that if they employed
the same offensive strategy they used so effectively last season, then
they'd still be undefeated. The difference would be that they would
have scored a lot more points in the process, and Stokely and Clark
would have a lot of those TDs.
As for the idea that NFL defenses have figured out how to stop the
Colts' passing game, let me just make a point. Why does it take NFL
teams an entire season (or offseason) to figure out that the way to
stop a team that throws the ball most of the time is to put extra DBs
in the game? That is the excuse the sportscasters are using to explain
the sudden lack of passing. I say that's ridiculous. These teams
supposedly watch game film. What else could they have seen last season,
after even a few games? Yet they didn't react to the passing game until
this season? I know there are no rocket scientists coaching in the NFL,
but come on! I guess this is the only explanation for why
defenses haven't stopped playing the pass this season, and started
stacking the line more to stop James.
In the final analysis, by changing an exciting, high-scoring offense
into a rather dull, conventional one, the three main players who have
been adversely effected are Stokley, Clark and Manning. All are white.
James has seen his touches and his numbers increase dramatically.
Harrison has been slightly effected, and Wayne has been effected to a
pretty substantial degree. I celebrate Peyton Manning's
accomplishments, and his talent, and would never root against him.
However, I just think that he could have personally audibilized some
more catches and TDs over the course of the season for Stokley and
Clark.