rmoran

The Colts - Jets matchup isn't one that many expected.  I'm sure most were hoping for a Charger - Colts matchup. That doesn't mean it's a matchup that many won't like. It's hard to get a better one if you like the unstoppable force versus the immovable object.  The Jets bring the top-rated pass defense into Indianapolis while the Colts have the second rated passing offense.  The Colts also have the league MVP in Peyton Manning while the Jets bring the runner-up in the Defensive Player of the Year Darrelle Revis (many think he should have won it).

Player to watch - Darrelle Revis.  Revis qualifies as a shutdown conerback.  He was rarely test against San Diego and that shows a great deal of respect from a team that can pass the ball effectively.  When he was tested in that game he came away with an interception. Revis has shutdown practically every wide receiver he has faced.  It may be a long day for Reggie Wayne.

A pair to watchout for - Collie and Clark.  The CC's will give the Jets trouble.  Collie regularly beat Lito Sheppard in the last matchup and that was only for a portion of a game.  Clark had 57 yards with still a quarter and a half remaining before he was pulled. 

Verdict - I give the slight edge to the Colts in this one.  The offensive line will give Manning the time to be patient in the pocket and find his receivers.  He is so adept at picking up blitzes that they should not be an issue for him.  He reads defenses better than most and will find the open receiver during a blitz.

My pick - Colts 27 Jets 16

I have been curious as to where the tipping point began that makes it ok for current NBA players to think it is a good or wise thing to carry weapons.  It would probably take a bit more research than I have in me, but it seems to have been more prevelant over the last 5 years.  There have been many high profile players who have been caught with guns where they shouldn't have them.  Gilbert Arenas is the latest.  He brought it to work, stored it in his locker and pulled it on a teamate as a joke.  Right.  I'm sure a lot had to do with the debt that Arenas owed his teamate and wasn't willing to pay.  At least not soon enough for the teamate.   He is calling it a big mistake.  Yeah it was, and he may be facing some serious penalties.

Another recent instance is when Delonte West was pulled over for speeding on a motorcycle and had a guitar case with two loaded hand guns and a loaded shotgun.  Really?  A guitar case with guns while riding a motorcycle?  How dumb is that?

I would not deny that these players have the right to own guns.  I'm not going down that street.  However, with ownership of a gun comes a certain responsibility.  You should not use it in any manner that puts innocent people at risk.  That includes bringing it to work, carrying it in the glove box, or having it under your seat in the car.  It should be in your home locked up.  Or in a position of some safety if you have children around.

Professional athletes in this country are viewed by impressionable kids as stars. That`s the life they want to live. They want to be just like them. They work hard because some day maybe they`ll get a chance to be a big-time basketball star in the NBA. With the visibility comes the responsibility.

Look what recently happened in Tennessee. Four Tennessee basketball players, including starting senior forward Tyler Smith, were charged with gun possession and other counts after a Friday traffic stop.  Why do you think these players thought it was ok to carry guns?  Because the players they idolize carry them.

Prior to the 90's I can't seem to remember any players that were arrested on weapons charges.  Maybe it just wasn't as sensationalized as it is today.  I think Plaxico Burress brought the situation to a head when he accidently shot himself.  Do we think Magic, Bird, Jabbar, or Chamberlain carried a gun in the glove box?  Possibly.  Maybe they were never caught or maybe they never felt the need to pull it.

I'm not sure what posseses a person to put themself in a position where they will need a gun outside of personal home protection.  Why would any of them ever visit a night club or bar or strip joint where a gun is needed to protect yourself? 

I think today's "modern NBA player" believes they need the protection of a gun because of the violence they grew up around.  As a society, we need to understand this, however, as individuals we need to take steps to curb this behavior, and it starts with the Commissioner's of the respective leagues.  They must ban players from ever doing what Arenas and others have done with severe penalties.  Long suspensions.  Or possibly banishment if the situation warrants it.

Lets face it.  There are so many people on both sides of the issue on whether the Colts should have played their starters the entire game against the Jets.  The funny thing is the people most vocal about the issue are non-Colts fans.  You would think from a pure fan perspective they would want to Colts to do just that to keep them from being sharp come playoof time.  Don't get me wrong here, there are a great number of Colts fans who feel the same, yet that is their right to feel that way.  The others not so much. 

Lets look at the situation here.  The starters played almost three quarters against the Jets.  Probably another quarter (my guess) against the Bills.  They have been playing meaningfull football since early September.  That means that after the quarter against Buffalo they will have two weeks of rest.  Does anyone really forget how to do their job in two weeks?  I expect most don't.  Personally I would have loved to see the starters play through both games and win the super bowl simply to shutup Mercury Morris and the rest of the 72 Dolphins.  It didn't happen, but I'm serously ok with that decision. 

There is a possibility that the Colts could face these same Jets in their first playoof game.  We will then see what the Jets are really made of.  Then it's probably a game against New England or San Diego.  Either one is fine with me.  We can beat them both.  It would be interesting to face San Diego again for a little revenge, but that's up to them to get to that game.

A lot has been mentioned about the disgust on the Colts players faces as they watched after being pulled from the Jets game.   I tend to think that it really wasn't disgust, but pain felt for the things that werer happening to their team mates.  No one wants to see a team mate fumble the ball for a touchdown or throw an interception.  Painter got a serious lesson on what's expected of of an NFL quarterback.  If he's going to be any good he will learn from that lesson.  I don't believe anyone can say thatthose players on the field didn't play as hard as they could.  The game reminded me of the old "Chicago Charities College All-Star Game" where they had the college allstars (Colts 2nd and 3rd string) against the NFL champions from that's years NFL championship game or Super Bowl.  I think they stopped playing it in 76.  Most times it was a close game only because it was a preseason game for the NFL team and they usually didn't play their starters the entire game.

Any way, rest assured that the Colts made the right decision and will go on to win the Super Bowl.  Feel free to slam me if they don't.  I'm a big boy and can handle heat or criticism.