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Thread: Colts tough to stop in second half

  1. #1
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    Default Colts tough to stop in second half

    Analysis:
    By Jeff Legwold
    The Denver Post

    Posted: 12/10/2009 01:00:00 AM MST

    eyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts is pictured during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 6, 2009 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

    Stop me if this sounds familiar, but there will be a defense on the field Sunday touting its work in the second half of games during a long winning streak.

    The Broncos? No, that was then — as in the team's 6-0 start.

    This is now — and it's the 12-0 Colts, who have seen an injury-riddled defense that has replaced three quarters of its starting secondary keep teams out of the endzone after halftime, especially in the third quarter.

    The Colts have allowed 17 points in the third quarter, and when you have an offense like Indianapolis', that's roughly the amount of time it takes to put most games away.

    It's a week-to-week formula in which the Colts have built a lead in the first half — the Colts have scored 116 points in the second quarter, their highest total in any quarter thus far this season — and then slammed the door right after halftime.

    So, in essence, Indianapolis can come back to win as it did after trailing Houston 17-0 or it can put up a last-minute drive for victory, as it did against the Patriots, or it can simply do it the old-fashioned way of leading wire-to-wire.

    Basically the no-news newsflash here is, if you're undefeated this late in a season, you've done an awful lot of things right and had your fair share of good fortune.

    But it does show that the Broncos can't afford the kind of lulls they've had in most of their games this season if they are going to be the first team this season to send the Colts into the night with a loss.

    It's not enough to build a lead and coast in, not enough to come out slow and then rally late. It's not enough to play three good quarters, because the one that's left will get them beat.

    But folks around the league will often say that a successful first- and third-quarter team is usually one that has prepared well and executes well once it resets at halftime.

    Contrary to the constant week-to-week chatter about halftime adjustments, by the time 53 players go to the washroom or see the trainer, etc., there are only a few minutes to go over strategic moves. So a team is really relying on its preparation through the week, as well as its players' ability to take the information they are given and transfer it to the field for the start of the game as well as after halftime.

    It doesn't always guarantee success, but the good teams typically have those kinds of results. Detroit, for example, has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the league in the first quarter — 74 points, behind only Philadelphia and New England. That's a good coaching staff, the team just don't have the roster to keep up momentum the entire game.

    For their part the Broncos are tied for 15th in the league in first-quarter scoring and 10th in third-quarter scoring.

    The only teams currently in the top 10 in both categories are a who's who of the playoff races: San Diego (9-3), Arizona (8-4), Minnesota (10-2) and New Orleans (12-0).

    A fast start is a must for the Broncos on Sunday if they hope to end the Colts' run at history, but that alone won't be enough. They may have to do it twice.

    Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com

    http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13961964

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  3. #2
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    "...Contrary to the constant week-to-week chatter about halftime adjustments, by the time 53 players go to the washroom or see the trainer, etc., there are only a few minutes to go over strategic moves. So a team is really relying on its preparation through the week, as well as its players' ability to take the information they are given and transfer it to the field for the start of the game as well as after halftime.

    It doesn't always guarantee success, but the good teams typically have those kinds of results. Detroit, for example, has been one of the highest-scoring teams in the league in the first quarter — 74 points, behind only Philadelphia and New England. That's a good coaching staff, the team just don't have the roster to keep up momentum the entire game..."
    I've heard so many NFL players say this as well.... I still don't know how the talk of "Halftime adjustments" gets so out of whack.

    Oh well.. interesting take and article.
    (the previous comment was not directed at any particular individual and was not intended to slander,disrespect or offend any reader of said statement)

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ravage!!! View Post
    I've heard so many NFL players say this as well.... I still don't know how the talk of "Halftime adjustments" gets so out of whack.

    Oh well.. interesting take and article.
    You're kidding, right?

    99.9% of the people on this board *and past boards* have CONSTANTLY ridiculed the Broncos coaching staff, past and present, of NOT making "Halftime adjustments".

  5. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by rcsodak View Post
    You're kidding, right?

    99.9% of the people on this board *and past boards* have CONSTANTLY ridiculed the Broncos coaching staff, past and present, of NOT making "Halftime adjustments".
    Same thing I say about the Chiefs at halftime


  6. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by rcsodak View Post
    You're kidding, right?

    99.9% of the people on this board *and past boards* have CONSTANTLY ridiculed the Broncos coaching staff, past and present, of NOT making "Halftime adjustments".
    Thats my point. NFL players, and some ex-coaches, have talked about how little adjustments are made at half-time. That you continue what you have practiced, studied, and prepared for ALL week long as opposed to changing everything in the 5 minutes you have in the locker room.

    Phil Simms commented on their SB win when fans and the media complimented them on their Half Time adjustments... and he said they didn't make any. He said he took a short nap, and most the players were getting re-wrapped or whatevers.

    So no... I'm not kidding.
    (the previous comment was not directed at any particular individual and was not intended to slander,disrespect or offend any reader of said statement)

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