Colts' history against the run

by bfett81 on Oct 8, 2010 11:57 AM CDT

I know this probably isn't a shocking revelation, but it was just interesting to me to see how bad the Colts have been against the run for basically a decade now

The two years they were respectable against the run - 2005 and 2007 - were the two years Bob Sanders actually played nearly a full year instead of just a few games.

Pretty amazing that a team with the same GM and HC for so long can let bad run defense go unchecked. I guess it has to do with their style of play, but you can argue it's held the back from winning more Super Bowls.

2010 - 29th

2009 - 24th

2008 - 24th

2007 - 15th

2006 - 32nd

2005 - 16th

2004 - 24th

2003 - 20th

2002 - 20th

2001 - 25th

2000 - 25th

1999 - 18th

1998 - 29th

1997 - 26th

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

They built there defense to play with a lead.

Works great in the regular season because Manning usually score lots of points. The problem comes in the playoffs when they have to play other good teams that keep the game close. I think that manning would have won a couple more Superbowls had the defense been a little more balanced in the past.

by saskwatch on Oct 8, 2010 12:23 PM CDT reply actions

In the playoffs...

Chiefs vs. Colts in the playoffs
17 rushes
44 yards
2.6 yds/carry

"You do not win on emotion. You win on execution." - Tony Dungy

"@StampedeBlue I hope your website gets exposed for a complete joke. There's no reason for you to do that, and its completely ridiculous." - Pat McAfee (10/6/2010)

by mookie18 on Oct 9, 2010 5:03 AM CDT up reply actions

and...

I mean no disrepect at all, but the Colts D always steps up when people count them out. Ask Larry Johnson if you know where to find him…

"You do not win on emotion. You win on execution." - Tony Dungy

"@StampedeBlue I hope your website gets exposed for a complete joke. There's no reason for you to do that, and its completely ridiculous." - Pat McAfee (10/6/2010)

by mookie18 on Oct 9, 2010 5:13 AM CDT up reply actions

You mean 2.7?

Yeah, we don’t call him by his name around here :)

I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.

by MNchiefsfan on Oct 9, 2010 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions

I think our rushing game may even be better than we think.

The Chiefs are averaging 160 yards/game rushing. And the teams that we played have been good against the run. If you take out the games against the Chiefs they are all doing well against the run (CLE- 98 yrds/game, SF- 75 yrds/game, SD- 62 yrds/game).

The Colts give up 149.5 yards/game on the ground.

by saskwatch on Oct 8, 2010 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

agreed.

My biggest concern. Colts D always play better at home and tanks on the road. When Colts D was ranked 32nd and CHiefs run game was top 5, they shut the Chiefs down not allowing a first down until the 3rd qtr. A couple completed balls over the top will unleash the run game just like you say. I just think if they don’t accomplish this, the Chiefs will struggle running the ball. I’ve never wanted to be wrong more in my life.

by Chiefs_40 on Oct 8, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah yes but....

That was back in ‘06. That was the year that Herm ran 2.7 into the ground. I’m sure he didn’t have anything left in the tank after that. He was never the same after that year. Also, Bob Sanders returned in that game, which had a pretty big impact. On top of everything, we played a recently concussed Trent Green rather than the hot hand at the time in Huard. No wonder the offense couldn’t do anything!

Now we have a fresh RB tandem, better O-line, better game plan, MUCH better in-game coaching, and no Bob Sanders.

I won’t gaurantee a win, but I don’t see us struggling with the run too much.

TOUCHDOWN! KAN-SAH-CITY!!!

by TheScootness on Oct 8, 2010 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Another nice bit of history. And I concur.

But as Dove_40 says, I also think a few completions early in the game will be key. I’d be tempted to just come out throwin’. Pull a Peyton Manning and trust that 3 pass attempts will yield 10 yards. Show no respect and don’t just come out running, even if the intention is 60-40 run-pass after an hour.

"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"

by hmills110 on Oct 8, 2010 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions

by Chiefs_40: Yoah stealin' mah thundah, monn.

I think they need to complete a couple over the top, too. Colts have always (seemingly) been undersized and vulnerable to the run, but able to dial up the run defense against poorer passing teams at key moments. If you’re good enough with the pass to plant that doubt in their mind, you can be successful against their D. If you aren’t, they can pin their ears back and attack with a D that’s built to attack.

Nice bit of history you shared, there.

"I ain't lyin' 'bout nothin'."
"Oh? So what exactly are you lying about?"

by hmills110 on Oct 8, 2010 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions

As long as Peyton Manning is there...

…the run defense is a non-issue. The Chiefs are going to run all over the Colts, and would not be surprised to see both TJ and JC get ove 100 yards. This has the potential to be a high scoring game. The Colts will rule the air, and the Chiefs will rule the ground.

Indianapolis buy your tickets now, because here comes the Kansas City Chiefs and their version of The Nutcracker. =P

by ChiefsFan90s on Oct 8, 2010 5:06 PM CDT reply actions

if the Colts rule the air the way they USUALLY do, the Chiefs won't be running nearly as much as some might think ...

… because we’ll be scrambling to keep up after Manning tosses a TD or two or four

Winner: 2009 Nostradamus of Arrowhead Pride Award (I'd like to thank my producer, my director, all of my wonderful fans ... )
"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
"It's always easier to sell 'em some shit than it is to give 'em the truth" - Shel Silverstein, The Perfect High
Come back, Jason!
hi, Mo! 5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Oct 8, 2010 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions

While the Chiefs aren't interested in playing catch up

I don’t see them moving away from their game plan which should be to complete short passes in space to the receivers with speed (McCluster, JC). This will pull extra defenders away from WR’s and force more 1 on 1 situations wide and deep.

All of this along with running, running, running JC and Jones all over the field.

[The Kansas City Chiefs] are now a team that knows how to win. The power that was unleashed in that last stand (Chargers wk 1) is a rare thing. Teams spend tons of money in search of it, but it can only be found in the collective conciousness created by team builders.
--Aiken_Drum

Twitter: @GiftNate

by giftedchiefsfan on Oct 8, 2010 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah I see a lot of 1:1 matchups

and seeing if speed kills—which, so far it has

by Ren on Oct 9, 2010 12:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Your receivers were are almost garunteed 1 on 1 anyway.

I don’t think any of the receivers on your team has earned the automatic double team. Bowe may come closest but I don’t think he does either. He may get some but won’t most of the time which means unlike against Houston, or Giants probably we can have one more person who is in the box or at least isn’t attached to a WR.

Site Moderator on MockingtheDraft, AnaheimCalling, and Coltzilla.

Lead organizer of the annual 7-round live mock draft at MtD

by TheAngelsColts on Oct 9, 2010 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions

We've got a better shot keeping up running with JC

and sticking to our normal offense than airing it out. That’s the advantage of a home run hitter.

Shifting to pass mode gives them exactly what they want.

When you’ve got a back that goes for 7 yards a carry (and can go for 50 anytime), it keeps the running game as an option even when down by a couple of scores (at least before the middle of the 4th)

I love my wife, my kids, and the Chiefs. In that order. Except on game days.

by MNchiefsfan on Oct 9, 2010 7:22 AM CDT up reply actions

of course there's basing predictions on past performance, risky at best

by upamtn on Oct 9, 2010 11:21 AM CDT reply actions

Responding to the post

The Gm hasn’t done anything since 2004. As long as Manning is playing everyone has a job. He keeps everyone working, including coaches who seem to call timeouts at the end of games for the other teams who appear totally useless to the rest of the world, but in indianapolis this is accepted. “Business as usual” is what their motto is as long as we can still have number 18 out there. Bill Polian hasn’t replaced the probowl caliber talent he’s lost via Tarik Glen, Edgerin James, Jake Scott, Rob Morris, Marvin Harrison, Bob Sanders,Brandon Stokely, and his draft replacement since 2004 has been horrible. He’s a so called genius that can’t seem to put together an offensive line or a stable defense that can stop the run…..

by jay16 on Oct 9, 2010 2:52 PM CDT reply actions