Colts fans like to talk about the playmakers putting up big offensive statistics.
Perhaps it’s time the defense be viewed in a similar vein as they turned in a stellar performance and laid the groundwork for Peyton Manning and company to have a field day with the Seattle secondary, and move to 4-0 with a 33-17 victory against the Seattle Seahawks.
Indianapolis wasted little time jumping on the Seahawks with a 10 play drive that culminated with a one yard touchdown run by rookie running back Donald Brown. One series after sending the Seattle offense out without even a sniff of the end zone, the Colts would score quickly again on a nine play drive that would result in Manning finding Reggie Wayne for a easy touchdown.
The Colts defense harassed Seahawk quarterback Seneca Wallace and completely stymied the Seattle running game and the Seahawks would have to settle for just a field goal that left them trailing 14-3 with just 1:22 left in the first half. Plenty of time for a field goal for the home team, right?
Forget that nonsense, as Manning would engineer a masterful nine play, 78 yard drive that would find rookie Austin Collie on the receiving end of his first NFL touchdown from 21 yards out and the Colts would take 21-3 lead in to the locker room at the half.
The third period would be a repeat nightmare for Seattle as Indianapolis would cover 80 yards in 12 plays, with Joseph Addai putting the game on ice with a 12 yard touchdown run.
Seattle would go on to score two meaningless touchdowns in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, but for all intensive purposes, this game was over at halftime and the Colts defense was indeed the story.
“We knew could stop the run,” stated Colts safety Melvin Bullitt when asked afterwards. “We wanted to make a statement that we play a style of defense that indeed does just that.”
Notes: The Colts defense registered five sacks against Seattle with Robert Mathis picking up three. Dwight Freeney, who was questionable with a quadriceps injury played on passing situations and had a sack despite not being totally healthy.
The Colts defense also played the run beautifully allowing just 49 yet rushing yards. Not bad for a unit that was playing without injured starters Bob Sanders, Gary Brackett, and Kelvin Hayden.
Future Hall Of Famer and former Colt standout Edgerrin James returned to Indianapolis as a member of the Seahawks.
James, after playing the past three seasons in Arizona, signed a one year deal with Seattle. He managed just 16 yards in four carries, and caught one pass for six yards.
The Colts presented a special video tribute of James late in the game and the fans to no surprise, responded rather warmly.
While it was a classy move on the part of the organization to air the tribute, it caused me to stop and reflect on how Bill Polian took a hard line stance on giving James a fair contract when he became a free agent.
While a lot of that was forgotten when the team won the Super Bowl without him, many people (myself included) feel James obviously deserved better. Unlike his future Hall Of Fame teammate Marvin Harrison, James had something left in the tank when Polian played hardball with him and refused to offer him a deal that was fair to both parties. Colts owner Jim Irsay in my opinion, made a further mockery of the situation by sending James a Super Bowl ring after the Colts defeated the Bears.
I imagine James would have rather had the contract he had earned at that point Mr. Irsay. Needless to say, James did not look thrilled to see Polian after the Seattle game as the two briefly conversed. Who could blame him? Thanks Edge for all you did while you were here. You will never be forgotten.
The next Colts game is Sunday, Oct. 11 at Tennessee against the Titans in Nashville. The defending division champion Titans who were expected to again battle the Colts for the division crown, are off to a horrible start at 0-4. Despite their record, this team remains a dangerous opponent for the Colts, and I can smell an upset.
The game will be broadcasted nationally on NBC Sunday Night Football and coverage will begin at 8 p.m. EST.
Danny Bridges, who still thinks the Colts have yet to play a good football team, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
