Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos / Photo: Newscom

Because of the loss, Brandon’s happiness was held to a minimum after the game:

“I believe it was one of those games where, whenever you accomplish something like that, it definitely feels good. But we have goals, and our only goal is to win games. I’d definitely trade in a couple of those catches for a win.”

This is not really new territory for Brandon. Last season he had 18 catches in a September 14 game against the San Diego Chargers. But today’s effort was all for naught because the Broncos, as a team, accomplished nothing—other than to prove they can stay on the same field with the unbeaten Colts. But at the end of the day, that doesn’t really matter, either—if Denver can’t beat the best in the AFC.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Brandon Marshall Sets NFL Single Game Mark

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts / Image: Zuma Press

Not surprisingly, quarterback Peyton Manning kept things in perspective:

“We certainly do not take it for granted. It’s obviously fun to win. It does build momentum, but we have taken it one week it at a time. We enjoy it when we’re allowed to enjoy it, but we have to work next week for the next opponent.”

Of course, by wrapping things up so quickly—as the Colts have done in the past—it brings about an interesting discussion on whether the team should rest its starters, thus avoiding any unnecessary injuries to key players. If the starters take too much time off (remember, they will also get a first round bye in the playoffs), they could lose the momentum they worked so hard to achieve. But if they play and a starter is injured in an otherwise meaningless game, the questioning of an unnecessary injury comes into play.

Sure, the Colts are fortunate to have put themselves in a position to make these types of decisions. But they are difficult decisions. I would treat the remaining games as preseason games, allowing the starters to play roughly two quarters and the reserves to get some valuable playing time against first-team opponents. That way you reduce the risk of injury to your best players but you also allow them to maintain the rhythm and tempo that enabled them to obtain an undefeated record in the first place. With that being said, over the course of the final few games, Colts head coach Jim Caldwell would gladly trade a couple meaningless losses en route to Miami and a Super Bowl XLIV victory.

Source: Colts.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Colts Tie NFL Record, Stay Unbeaten

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts / Photo: Newscom

If the Colts have a weakness, it’s their inability to run the football—and thus rely on the passing game. They’re next to last in rushing yards per game with a meager 87.6 average. But when you’re third overall in passing with quarterback Peyton Manning having an MVP-type season, it’s hard to argue with their strategy. They’re finding ways to win football games and that’s all that matters.

(Note: This was the Colts’ fifth straight 4th quarter comeback win, an NFL record.)

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Colts First to Clinch Playoff Berth

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts / Photo: Newscom

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 ruling. As I saw it, Kevin had the first down when he caught the ball. But because he briefly bobbled it, he was not awarded forward progress that would’ve essentially ended the game in New England’s favor.

I don’t really blame Pats head coach Bill Belichick for going for it. After all, his success rate on 4th down is over 70%. But when you’re on your own 28-yard line with the game on the line, this is a very puzzling decision. It’s having supreme confidence in your team’s ability to convert, but it’s certainly going against the percentages. And it cost the Patriots the game.

As far as the Colts are concerned, this is an amazing comeback. After Peyton Manning threw his second interception of the game with just over seven minutes to play, I felt the game was over. But with their resolve and New England’s questionable decision-making, the door was opened for their victory. And the Colts merely walked through that door.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Colts Stun Patriots to Remain Unbeaten

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts / Photo: Newscom

Speaking of decades, Peyton now only needs three touchdown passes to become the first player in NFL history to throw 300 TDs in a decade. Additionally, with today’s win, Peyton tied Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton for 4th place on the NFL’s career wins list for QBs with 125. Before all is said and done, I expect Peyton Manning to break just about every NFL passing record there is.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Peyton Manning’s 40,000 Yard Decade

Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts / Image: Zuma Press

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 four weeks with a sprained knee. That means the currently undefeated Colts (7-0) will most likely field two rookies—Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey—at the starting cornerback positions Sunday against the Houston Texans’ third-ranked passing offense. Third-year vet Melvin Bullitt will replace Bob at free safety.

I can’t help but think the Colts don’t exactly feel uncomfortable in this position—at least as far as Bob is concerned. Bob has played in a little less than half of the Colts games since he was drafted back in 2004. So, it seems Indy is always having to find ways to replace him. Of course, when he is healthy, he’s one of the best—thus his two-time Pro Bowl status during the seasons he played in 14 and 15 games respectively. But it really hurts to know there’s no chance he’ll return until next season.

Source: Colts.com, NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Colts Send Bob Sanders to IR, Season Over

Marvin Harrison / Photo: Newscom

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Marvin Harrison Plans to Play in 2009

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

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 catches in an injury-plagued 2007 and 60 catches last season), he’s 36-years-old and he’s no longer a player they can afford to keep around — the Colts are looking at a $13.4 million salary cap hit if they keep him on the roster. Be serious. Plus his recent legal issues (and violent, psychotic behavior?) have certainly tarnished an otherwise exemplary image.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Marvin Harrison Finished in Indy

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

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, Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, and Priorities of a Winning Life, which claimed the top spot on the New York Times Best Sellers list back in August 2007. It sold over a million copies and became one of the best-selling sports-related titles in history. I expect the same from Uncommon. Actually, I expect more.

Uncommon is not a football book. Sure, you’ll find your fair share of football analogies and examples. After all, the game has been too much a part of coach Dungy’s life to have it any other way. But this book focuses on what it means to be a man of significance in a culture that is offering young men so few positive role models. You don’t need to be a young man to enjoy this, though (although that is the target market). You don’t even need to be a man. Ladies, you’ll want to check this out as well. It’s an important book for everybody who’s interested in an honest and heartfelt example of how to live a significant life — an “uncommon” life that can be far from how the world is defining success these days.

Coach Dungy has a way of taking himself off any pedestal you might think he’s on (not that he’s given anyone a reason to think he’s on a pedestal). I have to admit, I’m almost intimidated by his “goodness.” When have you heard anything negative about coach Dungy? You haven’t. It almost seems as though the guy is perfect. But he’ll be the first to tell you how far from the truth that is. Certainly he’s not shy to talk about his feelings and opinions on the many different topics we all face in everyday life (and it seems like they’re all in this book), but he does so in a way that makes you feel like there’s still hope. In Chapter 6 (”Fatherhood”) coach says:

“We’ve all come up short. That doesn’t mean you can’t gather yourself, draw a line of new commitment in the sand, and move on.”

You can apply that to fatherhood, but you can also link it to any area of your life. In Chapter 10 (”The Power of Positive Influence”) coach says:

“… you were created for a reason. It doesn’t matter what you missed or how you may have messed up; the fact is that your future is still ahead of you. What will you do with it?”

Uncommon is divided into seven sections — Develop Your Core, Love Your Family, Lift Your Friends and Others, Your Full Potential, Establish a Mission That Matters, Choose Influence Over Image, and Live Your Faith — with 32 chapters on just about every topic that affects each of us in one way or another. I dare you to find a chapter that doesn’t apply to you. But this is by no means a stern lecture. It’s kind of a guidebook for living. I can certainly visualize the father figure behind the words, but to know coach Dungy is to understand he also has a sense of humor amidst the serious issues he discusses. In Chapter 14 (”Career, Work and Money”) coach says:

“Many of us walk in the door at the end of the day carrying our frustrations with us. We know we need to learn to let it go, but that’s easier said than done. When we lose a game on a last second field goal, it’s tough for me to really be excited about playing Candy Land with the kids as soon as I get home. But I have to make myself do it. It’s not their fault that we lost, and I can’t let my job, which already takes me away from my kids too much, negatively impact the time I do have with them.”

At the end of the book is a 32-page Q&A with coach Dungy that refers back to each chapter. It’s a great way to gain a further perspective on his thoughts with specific examples from his own experiences. Coach Dungy says he considers this book to be his legacy message. One thing I can assure you. When you’re done reading it, you too will want to be “uncommon.”

Special thanks to Jessica Atteberry Quinn.

Order “Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance” from Amazon.com.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Book Review: Uncommon

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, he’s been a breath of fresh air.

That was on the field. Off the field, I guess like most people, I didn’t know much about Marvin. And I still don’t. And I don’t need to. I respect the guy’s right to have his privacy. I know I wouldn’t want the media meddling in my life if I were in his position. The only thing I can remember about him (from a Monday Night Football interview many moons ago) is that he likes junk food — which seems strange for a professional athlete. Anyway, after last April’s shooting incident left three people wounded in Marvin’s hometown of Philadelphia (two witnesses are pointing at Marvin as the shooter), it brought to light an entirely different side of Peyton Manning’s favorite target — the great Marvin Harrison, a future Hall of Famer, was something of a thug. As it turns out, he showed a violent side before this shooting. Now in his late 30s with steadily declining numbers and these off the field problems, his National Football League playing days appear to be numbered.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Who is the Real Marvin Harrison?