Published: Monday, January 16, 2006
Colts' Dungy: smart football won the game
The Colts had chances, just not the best execution.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
INDIANAPOLIS — Aching after one of the most heartbreaking losses of his successful NFL career, Colts coach Tony Dungy chose to praise the Steelers for jumping out to a 21-3 lead.
"We practiced well," said Dungy after the top-seeded Colts lost, 21-18, Sunday at the RCA Come. It was the Colts' first meaningful game since Dec. 18. "I attribute it to Pittsburgh really coming in and playing smart football.
"They picked up their tempo, they played very hard," Dungy said.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was under fire for most of the first three quarters, finally sparking his team with two fourth-quarter touchdown drives to get back into the game.
Execution, protection weak
"Pittsburgh mixes up their blitzes and their looks every single week," the two-time NFL MVP said, "It's kind of the signature of [defensive coordinator] Dick LeBeau. We had some chances, but just didn't have the best execution.
"Let's just say we had some problems in protection," Manning said. "I'll give Pittsburgh credit for their blitzes and their rush, but we did have some protection problems."
In the first half, Manning struggled, completing 8 of 15 tosses for 91 yards. Six of those came on the drive late in the second quarter when the Colts trailed 14-0 and marched from their 2 to the Pittsburgh 2.
The Colts thought that they had a second-quarter touchdown on fullback James Mungro's 1-yard run. But left tackle Tarik Glenn was whistled for a false start.
Then Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith jumped offsides. On third-and-3, linebacker Clark Haggans and safety Troy Polamalu stuffed running back Edgerrin James at the 2, forcing the Colts to settle for Mike Vanderjagt's 20-yard field goal.
The Colts' woes continued in the third quarter. On their second possession, Manning threw two incomplete passes then was nearly sacked for a safety by linebacker James Farrior.
A line-drive punt by Hunter Smith from the end zone and Antwaan Randle El's 20-yard return set up the Steelers' third touchdown and 18-point edge.
Tide turns
Things eventually turned in the Colts' favor. On Manning's second pass of fourth quarter, Dallas Clark caught the ball about 10 yards downfield and the tight end/fullback spun free of several Steelers defenders for a 50-yard touchdown with 14:09 to go.
Trailing 21-10, the Colts won a replay challenge that kept their hopes alive after Polamalu was credited with a pickoff with 5:33 to go.
Given new life at their own 44, Manning completed passes to Clark, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne to set up James' 3-yard score with 4:29 to play.
Manning hit Wayne in the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion that reduced the Steelers' lead to three points.
"No question, we're disappointed," Manning said after the Colts' 14-2 regular season. "It's football. All I'm going to do, and I get tired of saying it, is keep working.
"I think we put ourselves in a good position with the bye, but we just weren't able to take the next step and I'm disappointed. It's hard to swallow."
Center Jeff Saturday agreed, saying, "It's disappointing because I think we have a better team than we showed today. Up front, we didn't do a very good job to begin the game. You can't spot a team like Pittsburgh in the playoffs."
williams@vindy.com
Monday, January 16, 2006
The Colts had chances, just not the best execution.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
INDIANAPOLIS — Aching after one of the most heartbreaking losses of his successful NFL career, Colts coach Tony Dungy chose to praise the Steelers for jumping out to a 21-3 lead.
"We practiced well," said Dungy after the top-seeded Colts lost, 21-18, Sunday at the RCA Come. It was the Colts' first meaningful game since Dec. 18. "I attribute it to Pittsburgh really coming in and playing smart football.
"They picked up their tempo, they played very hard," Dungy said.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was under fire for most of the first three quarters, finally sparking his team with two fourth-quarter touchdown drives to get back into the game.
Execution, protection weak
"Pittsburgh mixes up their blitzes and their looks every single week," the two-time NFL MVP said, "It's kind of the signature of [defensive coordinator] Dick LeBeau. We had some chances, but just didn't have the best execution.
"Let's just say we had some problems in protection," Manning said. "I'll give Pittsburgh credit for their blitzes and their rush, but we did have some protection problems."
In the first half, Manning struggled, completing 8 of 15 tosses for 91 yards. Six of those came on the drive late in the second quarter when the Colts trailed 14-0 and marched from their 2 to the Pittsburgh 2.
The Colts thought that they had a second-quarter touchdown on fullback James Mungro's 1-yard run. But left tackle Tarik Glenn was whistled for a false start.
Then Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith jumped offsides. On third-and-3, linebacker Clark Haggans and safety Troy Polamalu stuffed running back Edgerrin James at the 2, forcing the Colts to settle for Mike Vanderjagt's 20-yard field goal.
The Colts' woes continued in the third quarter. On their second possession, Manning threw two incomplete passes then was nearly sacked for a safety by linebacker James Farrior.
A line-drive punt by Hunter Smith from the end zone and Antwaan Randle El's 20-yard return set up the Steelers' third touchdown and 18-point edge.
Tide turns
Things eventually turned in the Colts' favor. On Manning's second pass of fourth quarter, Dallas Clark caught the ball about 10 yards downfield and the tight end/fullback spun free of several Steelers defenders for a 50-yard touchdown with 14:09 to go.
Trailing 21-10, the Colts won a replay challenge that kept their hopes alive after Polamalu was credited with a pickoff with 5:33 to go.
Given new life at their own 44, Manning completed passes to Clark, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne to set up James' 3-yard score with 4:29 to play.
Manning hit Wayne in the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion that reduced the Steelers' lead to three points.
"No question, we're disappointed," Manning said after the Colts' 14-2 regular season. "It's football. All I'm going to do, and I get tired of saying it, is keep working.
"I think we put ourselves in a good position with the bye, but we just weren't able to take the next step and I'm disappointed. It's hard to swallow."
Center Jeff Saturday agreed, saying, "It's disappointing because I think we have a better team than we showed today. Up front, we didn't do a very good job to begin the game. You can't spot a team like Pittsburgh in the playoffs."
williams@vindy.com
Monday, January 16, 2006
Aching after one of the most heartbreaking losses of his successful NFL career, Colts coach Tony Dungy chose to praise...
