Colts :(

Where to begin? It’s been almost 20 hours since the Colts dropped their latest disappointment on us fans. Yesterday, in the final Colt game to be played at the RCA Dome the Colts lost to the San Diego Fucking Chargers 28-24. Besides being disappointed I am downright pissed off. The Colts came out and just played like crap. Other than an opening drive that produced a TD nothing came easy and more often than not, the defense failed to make plays.

After watching the Chargers last week I didn’t really think they had much of a chance. They played a lackluster game against the Titans and barely eked out a win at home. While I didn’t really think they were going to be a pushover, I didn’t expect them to really compete with the Colts. Boy, was I wrong! And like I said, the Colts played like crap!

Marvin was back after missing almost all of the season. He looked small and afraid out there and his first quarter fumble showed he really shouldn’t have been out there. Manning was okay, but he didn’t do anything above and beyond the call of duty. His two picks were tipped by the receivers. But when it counted most he overthrew Dallas to end the game.

The Colts only ran the ball 17 times. Neither the Mayor, nor Keef ever got untracked. Manning failed to look off his primary target continually and missed several wide-open guys down the field. He had time all day, but didn’t see very well.

So offensively we sucked, but we made up for it with shit defense. No pressure on Rivers gave him all day and their tall receivers made our midget DB’s look foolish. Hell everyone on D was a step behind all damn day. It didn’t make sense to me that we could neither get any pressure on Rivers nor could we hit their receivers at the line of scrimmage and slow them down. They toyed with us all day. And I knew when Volek came in we were in trouble. We’d seen that asshole beat us when he was with the Tacks.

It is all just so sad. Our last game in the dome, wasted. I don’t really think we were going to go to Foxboro and win, but at least we had another week. Now we have nothing. Maybe even less if Tony Dungy steps down as many expect him to. Many even think Marvin is going to call it a day. I don’t know if either will happen, but it will be sad to see either or both go.

As for the dome, I’ll miss it. For years I have said it is a great football stadium. Sure it lacked a lot of the creature comforts of the newer places, but as it is configured the fans are right on top of the action. Plus with only two levels everyone seems together. Like one big happy family. I love Conseco as an arena, but it has such an antiseptic feeling to it as well as having a real have and have-not feel to it. When I sit down low I feel no connection to those in the upper deck. Conversely, when I sit up there I feel no connection to the lower level. I pray the Luke isn’t like that, but I think it will.

But, the dome, home for 24 seasons of Colt football. We’ve nicked the Steel Curtain banner in the first year. Dressed in tuxes the day after one of the guys got married to go to the game. We’ve made friends with those around us. Talked to an Indiana legend. Drove some fans away. Yelled until it hurt to yell any more. Hung our heads in disgust at some of the play. Cheered at some of the more inspired play. Suffered through the darkness of 1-15 and 3-13 seasons. Roared our approval as the team won its first 14 games a couple of seasons ago only to have our hearts ripped from us much like yesterday. We’ve been to the top of the mountain beating the Patriots last year in the AFCCG and ultimately the day after the Super Bowl win, in the dome for a celebration for our conquering champions. I’ve been to NCAA tournament games, IU-Kentucky basketball games. I’ve seen the Rebels win state championships there. Watched IU play football. Been in the suites and sat near the top row of the place. All told I figured up last year that I had missed a grand total of 11 games since the Colts have been here. 12 after the Titan game this year. No one can call me fair weathered. 14-2, 13-3, 9-7, 4-12, 1-5. You name the record, I’ve been there.

I’ve seen Montana, Marino (too many times), Young, Favre, Elway, Aikman, Kelly and Esiason. I’ve seen Barry Sanders run and Jerry Rice catch. I’ve yelled at Mike Ditka and gave the finger to countless opponents.

I’ve seen our own teams, some with superior talent, some with minimal. I saw us waste 5 years on the Jeff George plan. I’ve seen Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk and the Edge all run the ball for us. Lately we’ve had the pleasure of watching Marvin, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark catch the balls Peyton Manning throws. And while he may have not been as sharp yesterday, for the past 10 years I’ve watched nearly every play Manning has played.

I saw a team led by Jim Harbaugh take the team to the brink of the Super Bowl. Captain Comeback may have had the biggest heart of any QB to play the game.

I know enough not to be spoiled by the current run of success, but I also know to appreciate it and not forget what came before. I appreciate what Jim Irsay has done to make the franchise a winner. I may not care for Bill Polian’s attitude, but I tip my hat to his football mind.

Yes, yesterday is a tough pill to swallow. Hell, listening to the National Anthem for the last time got me all misty. I was almost in tears in the car going just thinking about it. I had to tap this out today because it will help me get over the bad part of the game. But I have great memories of the dome. After this I am ready to start building memories in the new place!