Peter King’s weekly column highlights the Colts offense following the retirements of offensive coordinator Tom Moore and offensive line coach Howard Mudd.

It's the end of an era in Indy, considering head coach Tony Dungy and defensive coordinator Ron Meeks have also left the building. Fantasy-wise, though, the moves shouldn't induce panic.

Jim Caldwell is an offensive oriented head coach. Offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen was already rising up the coaching ladder, taking on assistant head coach duties in February. With Christensen and offensive line coach Pete Metzelaars having been groomed as replacements for seven and five years respectively, the succession plan has long been in place.

Continue reading "Colts offense remains a fantasy bonanza" »

Posted by Chris Wesseling at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

It feels weird to award Peyton Manning his third MVP when this was his worst season in a decade. But he threw for 17 TDs and two picks during the team's nine game winning streak, which started with victories over New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, and San Diego. Manning's play late to save wins against Minnesota, Houston, New England, and Pittsburgh makes the award feel well deserved. There just weren't many complete candidates.

The Giants offensive line would have been my first choice, with Manning second, and Matt Ryan third. Adrian Peterson had a chance until his fumbling problems late in the year, but it's tough to give the league MVP award to someone who often isn't on the field in crunch time because he's a liability on passing downs.

The Browns really seem to like Eric Mangini. If that gets in the way of hiring Scott Pioli, I believe they are making a big mistake.

God bless the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel for stat breakdowns from this. A couple thoughts here: Green Bay was devastated by the Cullen Jenkins injury because he was playing at an All Pro level. Donald Driver still has some of the best hands in football. And the Packers need to get younger at tackle.

Tony Gonzalez could be on the trade market again if the Chiefs change coaches. If I was Scott Pioli, the Kansas City job, with all its security, would be very intriguing.

Like anyone with thin skin, Brian Urlacher knows sarcasm is the best tool to quiet your critics. This was the season the league saw Urlacher go from a game-changing force to just a good linebacker, but I think the transition has evolved slowly this way for a while. Like Ray Lewis, Urlacher is only going to be as good as the tackles in front of him.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

I wasn't sure how to feel about the Colts offense after Monday Night's loss to the Titans. On one hand, they protected Peyton Manning better than they have all season. The offensive line also blocked well for Dominic Rhodes. This was supposed to be a brutal matchup for the big men up front, and they held up well.

On the other hand, Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison did squat. Peyton Manning oddly missed some passes. Some of his deep balls fluttered, although I suspect that was because of the wind. In the end, I'm not discouraged the Colts managed to put up 21 points. It was the Titans. And I love the Colts remaining schedule against the pass. The Colts get a favorable matchup against the Patriots Sunday night, and then the Steelers the following week. Then, nirvana:

Continue reading "Colts set up from strong stretch run" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 04:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

For a Patriots fan, I have an unnatural appreciation for Peyton Manning. All things considered, he's the best quarterback I've ever seen. Throw in my wife's Manning obsession and there is way too much Manning love in the Rosenthal household.

My belief in Manning's ability to play the hand that is dealt is why I'm relatively unconcerned with his recent surgery. It would be a shock if he's not ready for Week 1. And while he could be rusty, it would be an equal shock if he doesn't play well against the Bears, Vikings, and Jaguars in his opening three games before Indy's bye.

Continue reading "Manning isn't moving" »

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 02:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

About as relaxed and funny as you'll ever see him. Rich Eisen and Marshall Faulk's Hawaiian shirts, in addition to a Super Bowl trophy will do that to you.

After Manning gave team-oriented answers, Faulk tried to hard to get Manning to say what the title meant only to him, "I haven't really answered those questions ... people always ask that. I always spun the question... gave a cliche answer to all those questions. Hopefully I won't have to answer those questions."

Talking about the game, he thought Dominic Rhodes, Joseph Addai, or Kelvin Hayden could have won the MVP.

"As much as we felt like we were dominating the game at he line of scrimmage, I looked at the score and it was only 22-17. If Hester breaks one return or Muhammad catches a deep one, and they got the lead, and anything can happen. I wanted to make it a two score game so bad, and the defense finally did it."

All the players and stars at the Pro Bowl were congratulating Manning at the pool, and Manning was overwhelmed. Steve Hutchinson, a close friend, kidded Manning, "You've changed."

"I'm still the same guy that could never win the big game," Manning replied. "I'm a choke artist. I want to known as the same guy."

Manning and Faulk joked about offensive coordinator Tom Moore's smoking habit.

"That 45-minute halftime was the greatest thing of his whole life. He got a whole pack in."

NFL Network also showed a tape of Manning doing a tango in middle school, something he referenced as the most nervous moment of his life. A girl in the play sold it after Manning told the story at a press conference last week.

"I wish I still had hips like that," Manning said.

Okay, I leave for Tokyo on vacation in the morning, I have a column to write before I go, and haven't started packing ... and I'm liveblogging an interview no one cares about.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal at 07:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)