Things I've learned over the last 10 days :
* Aroldis Chapman is as good as advertised. I love it when a player lives up to the hype. For every Chapman, LeBron James, and Tiger Woods; there are dozens of Harold Minor's and Terrell Owens'. Chapman's simply terrific. His own team mate Bronson Arroyo's fastball tops out around 89 MPH. For Chapman? That's a slider. That breaks 2 feet. If I'm Reds' brass, he's the closer now, and for the forseeable future. Good night, Irene. Turn out the lights. With Mike Leake, Travis Wood, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto, and Homer Bailey; the Reds have plenty of young starters. Sam LeCure and Matt Maloney - both quality pitchers in their own right - are there for backup if needed. That troop spells long-term success for the Reds; and don't we deserve it after a decade and a half?
* The Indianapolis Colts simply did not look ready to play a meaningful football game. I wish it weren't that simple; but it is. They were man-handled on both sides of the ball, pushed around and made to look totally inferior. Anthony Gonzalez simply HAS to keep his feet in bounds. Pierre Garcon has to hold on to the ball when he's got first down yardage and no one's on him. Jamey Richard would do well to get just a little lower and actually stop the momentum of his opponent..he looked terrible. Linebackers might not want to over-pursue EVERY time. And maybe we find a defensive tackle who can actually fill a gap and take away even a single running lane? Oops...what? Bob Sanders just got hurt climbing off the training table?
* The AFC South is good. The Colts have an uphill climb if they want to win it, and the target on their back has only grown. Eventually, teams are going to hit it, and if week one's any indication; the time might be now. "Manning Bowl II" is by no means "must win" for the Colts, but they'd do well to hang a good one on the Giants. Ahmad Bradshaw is a tough, strong runner who was held mostly in check against the Panthers this week. The Colts have a lot to work on, and their character has never been questioned. We will see if Jim Caldwell's worth his salt this week, and I hope his message to his team is "Peyton can't do it alone." I mean, with just a little help, the Colts still have an opportunity to win that game; and there were just enough mistakes to prevent the chance. By the way? Peyton Manning is good.
* Tiger Woods will win at least 2 majors next year. Remember where you heard it. I saw some mojo in his game the past couple of weeks. I saw a more connected swing, very different from the flailing effort he took to the British Open and PGA Championship. He rolled it better and his short game came back a little bit. You know he'll be practicing like crazy preparing for the Ryder Cup next month, and with most of his toughest competitors playing in the Tour Championship, he has all of that extra time to devote to his game. I think he's back, and the Tour's better for it. But Dustin Johnson's the next big thing. Mark it down.
* I heard a story a year and a half ago about Anthony Gonzalez and a pretty unflattering way he treated someone at the 2009 Indy 500. Seems a fellow Buckeye went to shake his hand, showing him the Buck nuts he keeps in his pocket. Gonzalez just turned away and didn't give the guy even so much as a smile. he lasts 5 plays in 2009 and got hurt again yesterday after whining about playing time and his role on the Colts. Karma is a beautiful thing. The Colts won't miss him, and if I'm the GM? Assuming he's healthy, I trade him for a defensive tackle.
* Lots of Hoosier fans have been pointing to the Michigan game on October 2nd as a big one for Indiana, but I have news for them. Denard Robinson will run through them like plants through a goose. Indiana is a terrific offensive team, but the defense is too young and too small to keep up with Michigan. Last year was their chance, I'm afraid. Indiana will have to figure out a way to beat Northwestern and Illinois if they want to be bowl-eligible; and if I'm Bill Lynch and want to avoid a hot seat, I make sure Indiana doesn't give away late leads like it did last season.
* Sanders just got hurt walking to the X-Ray room.
RT Brightman
3 comments:
Not a Colts fan but they really need to get rid of Sanders and look at drafting a top S or singing one in free agency.
As a UM football fan IU has no shot this year. Robinson is an absolute stud. Now if only UMs defense comes along throughout the year and they get a rb ill be really excited for next year.
Really hard for me to say Indiana has "no shot" against Michigan. Not after last season almost winning in the Big House, this being a home game, and a big one for Indiana. IU has a terrific offense, and UM's defense won't "be there" by October 2. Would I bet on Indiana to win? probably not. But I certainly wouldn't say they have "no shot," either. Peyton Manning is a stud who had a stud day and the Texans made his stats irrelevant. One player won't do it.
I thought the Colts should have let Sanders go after last year. What an embarrassing situation.
Maybe I overstated no shot. Id say Id put there chances of winning at 15%. UM defense is still better than last year and the offense is much better. So an improved defense and an even better offense doesnt bode well for IU regardless where the game is being played.
The texans really surprised me against the colts. I knew the colts would struggle against the run but my goodness that was unexpected. I thought Walter Payton was playing for moment.
Anyways, Keep up the good work with the blogging. Really enjoy it. IUfan1981
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