Pity Poor Colts

Here we are. Halfway through the NFL season and with today's news, the second half doesn't look very bright. Losing yesterday's game to the Dolphins was disheartening for a myriad of reasons. First was the complete lack of defense on throws down the field. The Dolphin receivers were ridiculously wide open. We made a star of some guy named Chambers. I mean, who the hell is Chambers? Second was the constant pressure Peyton was under. He was sacked and harassed constantly. But most damaging was the hurting the Dolphins put on us.

In the first quarter, Dominic ‘Rocky' Rhodes had to be taken to the locker room with a separated shoulder. He returned, but who knows if he'll be able to go next week. Mike Peterson suffered a tear of a knee ligament which will almost assuredly keep him out for the season. Peterson is probably the best defensive player we have, and on a team with as many defensive holes as we have we simply cannot afford to lose Mike. Steve McKinney, possibly our best offensive lineman had to leave the game and was diagnosed with a fractured bone in his back. And finally, Peyton had his jaw broken on a play in the fourth quarter. Sure he returned, but he will have surgery today. And even though he is expected to play, how effective can we really expect him to be?

But the most crushing blow is what the Colts are expected to announce at their weekly press conference later today. That Edgerrin James, who I consider the best player in the NFL, will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury that is more severe than they were letting on. Without James we are simply a one-dimensional team that has trouble keeping receivers healthy. On Peyton's arm rest our chances of salvaging anything of this season. Teams are going to know this and will tee off on P and will double team Marvin and whichever other receiver, if either, can make it through the rest of the season healthy.

The reality is that the rest of the season is probably going to be an effort in futility. We'll probably play hard, but with a banged up Peyton, no Edge, a nicked up Rock and no Steve McKinney or Mike Peterson we will struggle to get wins. Let's face it, we were struggling to get wins with those guys, now without them the prospects aren't bright. Hopefully some of the other players will step up and we can see if we have anyone who we can really use in the future. That appears to me to be what the rest of the season will bring!