Monday, November 21, 2022

Half full/empty

 The Indianapolis Colts did not beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Lucas Oil yesterday, but they didn't get beat 42-17, either, and so the jury on Jeff Saturday did not so much remain out as it returned two verdicts.

Verdict No. 1: See, a guy you basically pulled off the street can be an effective NFL coach, 'cause he almost beat one of the best teams in the league.

Verdict No. 2: See, you blew a 10-point lead at home in the fourth quarter because you basically pulled a guy off the street to be an NFL coach.

The glass is half full. The glass is half empty. The glass is full/empty.

It's half full because the Colts built their 13-3 lead on solid defense that forced a couple of turnovers and an offense that threw a lot of Jonathan Taylor at the Eagles and, for the second straight week, didn't try to do what it couldn't.

It's half empty because they also missed a field goal and lost a fumble on consecutive possessions in the fourth quarter, and pitched up on the rocks at their own 40 after the Eagles took a 17-16 lead with 1:20 to play.

Matt Ryan immediately went to Parris Campbell for 14 yards to the Colts 39.

Then it went this way: Pass for one yard, incomplete pass, sack.

It was the Eagles fourth sack of the day, which does not speak well for the Colts embattled O-line but wasn't like, nine or 10 sacks, either.

And honestly, I don't know what any of that has to do with Jeff Saturday's experience of lack of same. I suspect very little. In fact I think the fact the Colts were up 10 on a 9-1 team with a quarter to play says a lot more about what Saturday has brought to the table in Indy than it does about what he hasn't.

So I guess I'm a half full guy.

But, damn. That half empty part.

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