Don't Mess With Manning
INDIANAPOLIS--Don't tug on Superman's cape.
And don't try to knock Peyton Manning out of a game.
The Washington Redskins got some big first-half hits on Manning here this afternoon. One resulted in a penalty, and the Colts thought the other should have as well. An obviously shaken Manning had to call a timeout at one point to gather himself and the Redskins led, 14-13, at halftime.
But Manning gathered himself at halftime and threw three second-half touchdown passes to keep the Colts unbeaten with a 36-22 triumph.
"We never like to see our quarterback get hit," Colts Coach Tony Dungy said. "It's something that we try to not have happen. He got hit a couple of times today, and fortunately he was fine and got through it.... At halftime, I asked him if he was okay and he felt like he was fine, back to normal. And he was on fire in the third quarter.... We got organized at halftime and we were very sharp."
Manning ended up completing 25 of 35 passes for 342 yards and four touchdowns. In the second half, he was 10 for 12 for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
Manning never has missed a regular season game. He has missed only one play in a regular season game because of an injury. He never had even missed a practice during the regular season until being absent during the Colts' recent bye week to attend his grandmother's funeral.
But in the first half today, the Colts had to hold their breath when Manning got up slowly after being bent over backward when he was hit high and low simultaneously by Redskins defensive ends Andre Carter and Phillip Daniels.
Daniels knocked Manning's helmet off on the play, and Manning hit his bare head on the RCA Dome turf. There was no penalty called on that play. But a roughing-the-passer penalty was called on another hit later in the first half in which Manning was twisted awkwardly.
By Mark Maske |
October 22, 2006; 11:47 PM ET
| Category:
Colts
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Posted by: Stephen Bailey | October 23, 2006 9:22 AM
Call me crazy, but Gibbs isn't even handling X's and O's at this point. I don't think we could call this season Gibbs 2.0 anymore, because honestly, what the heck does he have to do?
Posted by: Gregarious | October 23, 2006 12:06 PM
Too bad the Redskins could not have traded "Offensive Guru" Al Saunders to Atlanta for T.J. Duckett instead of a high draft pick.
Posted by: Wheeler Dealer | October 23, 2006 2:26 PM
Let's talk about the defense-less. Where is the spark? Where is the fight in the defense? Can they cover anyone? As far as questions one and two are concerned, he is in NY/NJ...lastname Arrington. Question three...the answer is NO. The corners were getting shook by elementary moves. What has happened to that fighting defense from the past two seasons?
Posted by: BUCK | October 23, 2006 3:30 PM
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Hello. As I life long skins fan I must comment on a few very obvious shortcomings of this team.
First, on a practical point, the Redskins do not pass block well. They run block, well, but do not pass protect. That is why they never can come back from a deficit. That is why the short passes are all Brunell throws, because he doesn't have time for things to open up downfield. They never give Brunell enough time to throw the ball. That is why Gibbs old system worked better then this system, because he gave maximum protection to the QB (using tight-ends and fullbacks) to pass protect. The touchdown late yesterday happened because they kept people back to protect Brunell. The new Saunders system reminds me of the Spurrier system where we had only the 5 down lineman pass-protecting. We compained about it then. It doesn't work with this group of guys and unless they get better real quick, it will continue to be a long season.
On a general note, the system of Mr. Snyder, of giving up draft picks for "proven" telent now does not work. Players sign big contracts here and think they have "arrived". Thay have nothing to prove, they are already stars. They are not hungry. We need to build more from the draft and get players who have something to prove. Free agency isn't a candy store. We give away draft picks like M&M's. Why did we acquire DJ Duckett Why did we acquire Lloyd from San Fran?
Which gets me to my last point. We need a REAL general manager to make personnel decisions. We need someone full time thinking about players and who will work best here in this system and think about the salary cap. Gibbs is a real good X's and O'x guy but not a great personnel guy. We need to get rid of that sycophant Vinny Cerato and hire someone who might make the Danny think once in a while. Vinny reminds me of Wormtongue from the Lord of the Rings. Not dictate to Snyder, but bring a fresh perspective. Unfortunately, the Danny's reputation may preclude anyone good and established from taking this job.
What a year! It's already over for the skins. So start Jason Campbell, because if anyone thinks the Skins are going to go 8 and 1 with Brunell at QB to finish the season and have a shot at the playoffs, they are NUTS! Even if the division leader is only 2 games in front of the skins.
Another offseason to look forward to...