Playing back-to-back games in front of a national audience, the Curtis Painter to Pierre Garcon connection couldn’t carry the Colts as they lose at Tampa Bay 24-17, falling to 0-4. The Colts were previously 9-1 in their last 10 games on Monday Night dating back to 2003.
With Painter under center, things look much more familiar to Colts fans, but about 1/20th of the way Manning runs it. He finished his first career start with a loss, completing 13 of 30 passes for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Painter was signaling, pointing out the defenders, changing plays and running the play clock down. He looks a lot more comfortable than Kerry Collins and he should — he’s been in the offense for three years compared to one month.
Painter however, wasn’t getting the protection he needed from his line which led to many forced throws and one fumble lost. That’s partly due to inexperience as every guy but Jeff Saturday is new to his position, and also due to a rash of injuries.
Anthony Castonzo went out on the first series and his replacement, fellow rookie Ben Ijalana was hurt in the second half.
Donald Brown who has yet to carry the ball this season, was awful during pass protection, giving Painter little time to assess the defense. That explains why the former first-round draft pick has done so little and is behind rookie Delone Carter.
The Buccaneers shot themselves in the foot with their decisions and so many penalties. Most notably, Arrelious Benn scored from 62-yards out in the first half but he was flagged for illegal touching when he stepped out of bounds and then caught the ball.
The Bucs were flagged for nine penalties for 64 yards in the first half alone. They finished the game with 14 for 106 yards. It certainly made for a long game — over four hours. Plus, the Bucs missed a 46-yard field goal was missed after hitting the the right crossbar.
Curtis Painter put the Colts in some better situations like when he called an audible, which I’m guessing came from Peyton Manning upstairs watching in the booth — and hit Pierre Garcon 20 yards down the field and he scored from 87 yards, the 5th longest in Colts history. It was Painter’s first career touchdown in the game where he got his first ever start.
And like the Colts offense with Manning, they spent the majority of the game on the bench. Tampa Bay dominated time of possession 39 minutes to 21…making it even more challenging to a new quarterback and making every drive count.
The pair hooked up again in the second half, this time on a bubble screen that Garcon took 59 yards for his second touchdown. It is probably my least favorite play but Garcon made something out of it. Dallas Clark and Reggie Wayne through terrific down-field blocks and Garcon did an even better job of turning on another gear and using those blocks.
How you know this isn’t the Colts season…in addition to all the injuries, Adam Vinatieri missed his second field goal of the season, this one from 43-yards out. It was a rare bad snap but long-snapper Justin Snow that holder Pat McAfee struggled a bit to bring down. Anything like that can mess with the kicker, like someone yelling in your back swing.
And such a rash amount of injuries in devastating to this Colts. Eric Foster’s was the most serious, calling to be carted off immediately.
Legarrette Blount was just a beast to contend with. He sealed the win for the Bucs with a 35-yard sprint, all 255 pounds of him. As the Bucs wanted to wind down the clock, he was a big-body back that the Colts struggled to tug down.
The Colts competed as they should but there were so many factors that hurt the Colts chances. In the last three games, they have lost by an average of just six points. Very respectable.
Next week when Kansas City comes to town is the Colts best chance to win of the remaining schedule.
What I liked…
–The pass rush by Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis remains the best duo in the league. Not only do they alter the opposing teams strategy, but they cause chaos on the offensive line. Mathis’ contract is up after this season and has already proven his case to be re-signed and be paid.
–Garcon, who has been very quiet in the first three games stood out with his two scores. Both of his touchdown were because of yards after the catch. These weren’t long-bombs despite the yardage covered. It was all on Garcon dicing through the defense and bursting down the field. It’s games like these that frustrate Colts fans because Garcon looks like a top receiver…but other games he doesn’t even resemble NFL talent with numerous drops and poor mistakes.
–Jerry Hughes registered his first NFL sack on Josh Freeman in the third quarter…of course Jamaal Anderson negated the great effort with a personal flag penalty. Hughes then talked trash with a Bucs lineman — very bold for a guy that has done so little in two years.
–there was a special fire in receivers eyes that hasn’t been there with Collins. They really do support Painter and want him to succeed.
The NOT so pretty…
–Painter’s got to get rid of the football sooner. He’s holding onto it way too long and allowed a couple sacks and a fumble. That’s one of the little things Peyton did so well and didn’t get a lot of credit for…he took very little sacks meaning no big losses.
–Defensive tackle Eric Foster went down nasty in the final minutes of the first half. His right ankle was fallen on byTyler Brayton of the Colts, and his ankle moved in ways it isn’t suppose to. Foster will remain in Tampa over night for observation but it doesn’t look good. At least a broken ankle, possibly leg and he will be out a considerable amount of time.
–Way too many gaping holes on defense. They’re prevent Tampa 2 allowed Tampa Bay’s receivers to run a 15-yard post route and be wide open. Indy’s corners give the receivers way too much cushion and the Bucs took advantage.
–Does Coach Jim Caldwell ever change his expression…like it or not, he shows no emotion.
–Finally, the game’s over, meaning no more Jon Gruden. Time for some Tylenol.