The problem with light switches, they can be turned off as quickly as they come on.
Such appears to be the case in an Indianapolis Colts regular season that can best be called erratic.
After pummeling the Baltimore Ravens and gaining their first Lucas Oil Stadium victory two weeks ago, the Colts were in turn dismantled at the hands of the Green Bay Packers in a 34-14 rout.
Dominated throughout the week 7 contest, the 3-3 Colts again find themselves answering questions that while uncharacteristic only last season, are becoming far too common.
Sunday’s dismantling was marred with inconsistencies that appear to be increasing as this season reaches its halfway point. The Colts added another dubious wrinkle to their suspect play, forfeiting 110 yards on 12 penalties. The Colts have committed 22 penalties in the past two weeks alone.
Clearly growing more frustrated with his team’s playing level and mental mistakes, head coach Tony Dungy reiterated the team’s issues are the same as they have been since week 1.
“Just up and down, some good things, but not consistent enough,” the coach said of his team’s play. “It’s something we’re probably not used to around here, playing up and down. We just have to practice through it, work to get it corrected and move forward and play much better in the middle and second half of the year than we did in the beginning.”
With regard to the increasing amount of mental errors, Dungy added that one of the problems is they are being committed also by players that have years of familiarity with the Colts’ system and focus on the details.
“We’ve always been a team that’s prided itself on not getting penalties,” the coach added. “It would be one thing if it was our young guys, our rookies getting those penalties but it’s everyone.”
Though there is still much football to be played this season, the Colts squad that appears in Nashville Monday may determine how the remainder of the team’s season pans out.
Hard as it may be for die hards to hear, the undefeated Tennessee Titans are the head of the class of the AFC South, due to a much-improved defensive unit that has dominated opposing teams.
If the Colts are to have any chance of even competing for the division crown they have held down the past five years, then the Monday night clash is for all intents and purposes a must win.
From running back Dominic Rhodes’ viewpoint, the team has essentially run out of time in terms of gaining its identity. With a most critical contest coming next week, eliminating game changing errors would be a good start.
“We need to get better, we need to find ourselves,” said Rhodes, who is carrying a larger load with starter Joseph Addai nursing a hamstring injury. “We need to figure out what we need to do to stop being inconsistent and playing good one week then the next just going out there not looking like the same team,” he said.
