The Patriots do not deserve the kind words Peyton Manning gave. The idea that the Pats are classy because Manning did not publicly bash them is ridiculous. Manning took the high road, as he is entitled to, by speaking kindly about the team his Colts defeated. He had nothing to gain by doing anything else. If he'd done anything but what he did, he would have been killed in the media. If your math teacher tells you that 2 + 2 = 3 and you'll get an "A" if you answer 2 + 2 = ___ with 3 (instead of 4), are you going to write the "right" answer or the one that is going to serve you best in that situation?
The Patriots' coach was surprisingly quiet after the game. After wins, he has all the answers. He didn't have anything to say yesterday. Why was that? I don't buy for a minute that the Patriots didn't want to steal the spotlight from the Colts. It had nothing to do with the Colts. Belichick didn't want to admit that his defense didn't have an answer for the Colts in the second half. He didn't want to admit that he got conservative and was playing not to lose. He didn't want to have to say that his QB made a horrible throw that sealed their fate.
What amazes me is that Brady kept making the same mistake. It finally bit him in the ass. On Daniel Graham's one catch, Brady just barely got the ball by an Indy LB. Then, leading 34-31, Brady threw a pass that Bob Sanders almost intercepted as he cut in front of the intended receiver. The game took its final turn with the Pats trailing 38-34 when Marlon Jackson cut in front of a receiver to intercept a Brady pass. All three were intermediate length throws to receivers just to the right of the middle of the field. On the first one, they showed how Brady "looked off" the defender. The commentators noted that while the Colts know Brady intentionally looks off the defenders, they react enough to allow him to zip the ball in. Well, how'd that work for him the last couple times?
Quickly, I'm glad to hear that Michael Vick did not have an illegal substance in his water bottle. It begs one question: what was the hidden compartment for? Even with that news, I think it's important for the Falcons to evaluate their options going into next season and figure out whether or not Vick is the best fit for their group. Edgerrin James was a good RB for the Indianapolis Colts, but they never made it to the SB with him in the backfield. That isn't a knock against James. Maybe the Rhodes/Addai duo was better than James, maybe not. But, they were good enough at RB that they didn't have to use the extra money to keep James. The Chargers may have loved to have the security of Brees and Rivers, but you can't pay two QB's and it is a waste to have one sitting on the bench.
One of the panelists on ATH mentioned an idea I had last week. Vick to the Raiders! It would give Al Davis a big name QB who can definitely chuck it deep. Plus, he might be the only QB in the league who could survive with that offensive line. He might end up getting hurt, but it would give him lots of opportunities to improvise and produce highlight reel plays. The only problem is that the Falcons won't be able to get as much for Vick as they gave up (LT +). Vick's contract is enough for a team to take on without giving up this, that and the other. The truth is, if Vick isn't a good fit for Atlanta, they may have to pull a Tom Hick's, cut their losses, and move on. They might be hampered for a bit, but they won't be stuck with him for years to come.
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