Stampede Blue
8-8, the losing streak continues, and this team keeps finding ways to lose. A cultural reset is clearly needed, starting from the general manager all the way down to the key players. This team is not going anywhere the way it is built, and to top it all off the Colts don’t have their first round picks for the next two drafts.
Latu is in my opinion one of the most underrated edge rushers in the NFL. Playing on a front seven that has no consistent pass-rushers other than him, he still manages to generate pressure, he has improved drastically finishing plays and getting sacks, and has stepped up batting passes and has an absurd three interceptions this year. He has lived up to the hype of the first round pick used on him, and was by far the Colts’ best defensive player this season. Imagine what he could do surrounded with players that opposing offensive lines have to pay attention to.
Zaire played much better this season with Anarumo, but his play is still subpar. Take a closer look to the third down conversions of the Jaguars’ offense, and really stare at #44. If I am able to see it I just cannot understand how the coaches don’t, unless there is some sort of explanation for it, but the amount of times he just stands there as the receiver blows past him, allowing an easy completion, is insane. Yes he is solid in the run game, and he has improved his game as a pass-rusher, but in today’s NFL linebackers need to be able to at least be competent in pass-coverage. He is also one of the leaders on a team that has not made the playoffs since he is a starter, and that has suffered several late-season collapses. When everything fails the blame starts at the top, and Franklin has positioned himself as one of the top dogs in the team, for better or worse.
Steichen gets the dud of the game because of one of the most obvious questionable calls I have seen from a head-coach: going for it on 4th & 11 near midfield. It is simple statistic here, the chances of the Colts converting a 4th and 11 with Philip Rivers at quarterback are probably around 1%, give or take. Giving the Jaguars the ball back in that position means that they are in 4th down territory (with a conversion essentially ending the game, which is what happened), or say you turn the ball over and manage to force a 3 and out, then the Jaguars punt the ball and most likely force you to start at your own 10-15 yard line. Now if the Colts had punted the ball then the Jags start at their own 20-yard line (average), too risky to go for it on 4th down in that area of the field,...
