Professional football is a game of inches. As the New England Patriots were in the process of squandering a 17-point 4th quarter lead, they gambled on a fourth-and-two from their own 28-yard line—and lost by an inch. A Tom Brady to Kevin Faulk completion was ruled just short of a first down and the Indianapolis Colts proceeded to turn it into a 29-yard yard touchdown drive to come from behind and shock the New England Patriots 35-34.
The Pats couldn’t challenge the controversial decision because they wasted two timeouts on their final drive and had nothing left to possibly overturn that …read more

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning is having an MVP-type 2009 season. At the halfway point, he’s first in the National Football League in completion percentage (70.6), second in passing yards (2,545) and touchdown passes (16), and third in overall passer rating (105.2). Most importantly, his team is still undefeated at 8-0. This afternoon, he made some long-term noise by becoming the first quarterback in any decade to pass for 40,000 yards. Peyton was 34-of-50 passing for 318 yards and one touchdown as the Colts beat the Houston Texans 20-17.
Speaking of decades, Peyton now only needs three touchdown passes to become …read more

Indianapolis Colts two-time Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders is headed to injured reserve. He tore his Herculean left bicep against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, just one game after he made his season debut from an offseason knee injury. That means his 2009 season (just three tackles and one interception) is over and the Colts will be without one of the best free safeties in the National Football League to bolster their defensive secondary.
To further exacerbate matters, the Colts also places starting cornerback Marlin Jackson on IR. And CB Kelvin Hayden will be sidelined for the next three to …read more

Marvin Harrison is not considering retirement. After being released by the Indianapolis Colts — his employer of 13 years — a few months ago, Marvin has kind of disappeared. And don’t look for him to reappear until just before training camp begins. But look for him to reappear. At 37-years-old (he’ll be 38 in August), Marvin wants no part of mini camps and OTAs. But according to his agent, Tom Condon, the future Hall of Fame receiver feels his bum knee is healed and thinks he can still play. If he really is healthy, plenty of teams will be interested …read more

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Marvin Harrison can’t find common ground with the Indianapolis Colts, so he wants to be released by the team. The two sides were “trying” to restructure a deal, but there is no agreement — except to disagree. Colts president Bill Polian acknowledged yesterday that it’s a tricky situation, but I disagree. And Mr. Polian is probably just being respectful to one of the game’s all-time great receivers. I don’t think it’s tricky at all. As important as Marvin has been to the Colts over his 13 years there, his numbers have been declining (only 20 …read more

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Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance
by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker, 260 pages, $24.99
Tyndale House Publishers | CoachDungy.com
Just a couple weeks after announcing his retirement from the coaching ranks of the National Football League, former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy has a new book — Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance — in stores today. I received my review copy last week and went cover-to-cover right away. I can enthusiastically say it’s the most uplifting, down-to-earth life lesson book I’ve ever read. And I’ve read my fair share.
You probably remember coach Dungy’s first book, …read more

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There’s a rather disturbing story about Marvin Harrison in the new ESPN Magazine (01.26.09). I’ve always admired Marvin for his stellar play and the way he performed his job. Who hasn’t? He and Peyton Manning hold the record for most receptions between a quarterback and receiver with 956. All the while, Marvin has seemed like a good guy — quiet and unassuming. He’s a lunch pail kind of player. He comes to work, does his job (well, I might add) and goes home. In this era of overpaid, high maintenance, loud mouth, prima donna receivers, …read more

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My sources tell me that because of coach Tony Dungy’s retirement announcement a couple days ago, his publisher is moving the release date of his new book, Uncommon, up from February 17 to January 27. My review copy is on its way so I’ll have a post on that with my thoughts before it hits stores.

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Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy announced his retirement from the National Football League today. I was saddened — but not shocked — to hear the news earlier this afternoon that the Colts had scheduled a 5 p.m. presser. I anticipated what was coming. I didn’t feel it would do coach Dungy justice to pull quotes from a transcript, so here’s the whole thing.
Coach Dungy has always been one of my favorite NFL coaches and he’s been an inspiration to me in my own life. I greatly respect who he is as a person and …read more

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was named the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player today. It was a landslide win as Peyton received 32 votes, well ahead of Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington and Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner, who received four votes each. It was Peyton’s third time to win the NFL’s highest individual honor. Only N.Y. Jets quarterback Brett Favre has won as many league MVP honors. As usual, Peyton had the right words to graciously capture the moment:
“I know it’s an individual award, but … truly, in my opinion, a team …read more