Our Defense is still the weak link.

This is the first game in a while where we have broken even on TOP. That stat alone can help an average defense look much better. Honestly, if you take away the two brainfarts by LT that gave up huge chunks of yardage and points, we actually played very well. Addai only had 59 yards. We didn't sack Peyton, but we bothered him a lot, and hit him a few times. Let's face it, this wasn't some second rate QB we were facing. All things considered, it was a great performance.

 

One was Hope not LT

 

Hardly a great performance. Adequate but not great.

We still gave up two huge plays to Harrison and for the life of me I don't understand the Colts not putting the ball in the air more often. Manning was almost unstoppable. They did us a favor by running the ball as many times as they threw it.

 

You are correct, I just watched a highlight on ESPN. And Soxcat, considering the level of talent we have on the field, it was a great performance....

 

Lamont Thompson needs to go, we need to pick up a cb to match with pac or help some of the younger guys, the linebacking core is great, and the d line is okay

 

I'm still very impressed when Finnegan is in the game so I'm not so sure about another CB. Lowry had a good play too, but how much playing time is he actually getting that isn't ST?

 

Completely agree...

Compared to our other defensive performances, it was great to hold the Colts to under 20 points. However, there is still a lot of improvement needed if we are to become a playoff team. We won't be one with a defense near the bottom of the league.

One of the 'benefits' to us of Manning running whatever plays he wants to run (not really having an offensive coordinator) is that he only sees the field and has it in his head that he wants to run the ball at least a good chunk of the time. An OC would/should be telling him to pass the majority of time vs a 4-3 D when you have 3 WR in the game. In fact, if you look at our personel, we played a lot of 4-3 against their 3 WR package and they still ran a lot. That's not smart.

And considering we actually did a good job vs their run, they should have gone back to more playaction deep throws since we were not getting any consistent pressure and LT IS the weakest link.

And while Hope got beat on the first TD play, it looked like LT was supposed to be deeper to at least make the tackle. If you look at the replay of that play, while they are chasing Harrison into the endzone, Hope is talking to LT. And since it appeared they were in a half/quarter, 3 deep or rolled d, LT is supposed to clean up the mistakes. Heck, Finnegan almost caught him from the otherside of the field!

Gut

 

The worst stat of the day for the defense was 3rd down conversions. The Colts were at 62%. That has to be cut down.

 

JIM SCHWARTZ : Unsung Hero?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9855582

 

Let the argueing over Shwartz continue