It's the bye week, and we've pretty much pounded every available issue into the turf this week.  That means it's time for me to make a small announcement.  Those of you who have been reading for awhile know that I've been working on a book for the last 10 months or so.  Well, it's done.  Done, done.  It's been written, rewritten, re-rewritten, and I've finally got it where I want it. And honestly, I'm proud of it.

I liked it.  My wife liked it.  My dad said, "Well, I haven't finished it yet, but I think you are a good writer.  You've got all that bulls**t in there that a book has to have if it's not going to be boring."

He has a way with words.  Apparently, I come by it honestly.

That means I've begun the soul killing process of seeking representation and publication.  As anyone who has ever shopped a book knows, writing is the easy part, selling it is the hard part.  I'll spend the next several months trying to find an agent to represent the book, but if all avenues come up dry, I'll self-publish.  So don't worry, if you are truly desperate to read it, you'll get your chance.  I promise.

For now, if anyone is or knows of an agent or publisher interested in a novel about Indiana high school basketball complete at 79,672 words entitled Invincible, Indiana, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .  I'll be happy to send you a query letter.

For the rest of you, the book is coming...some day.

You may all now bate your breath.

With no game this week to distract us, all we have to talk about is Ed Johnson.  What's interesting is how two of the primary sources for Colts information differ in their opinions of the move to release Big Ed.

First note how Oehser handles his surprise:

One thing that really wasn't discussed by Colts players or Caldwell were a couple of fairly obvious questions -- one being, 'If Johnson was playing poorly enough to be released why was he starting?' and the other being "Are there really four tackles on the roster better than Johnson?"

The cynics among us will believe that because of those questions there is more to the release than the Colts are saying, and perhaps that's true. But the reality is the Colts were up front in the wake of Johnson's release last season, and while the Colts aren't always as forthcoming on injuries as we in the media might like, Caldwell is absolutely not a liar. If he says production was the issue, I believe it.

What does trouble me is his reports about how the players feel about the move.  It sounds like this was not a popular move in the locker room:

“Obviously, it's very, very unfortunate," Freeney said. "You never want to see a guy who's been around not here with you. As players, we can't decide who's there and who's not. I'm sure upper management had their reasons for whatever they decided to do. We just have to line up on Sundays and whoever's there we have do deal with it regardless of what we feel about it."

Freeney went on to say, "I was surprised to see it happened. Obviously, he's here today and gone tomorrow. That's part of the NFL. It's unfortunate. He's a brother. He's one of us. Life moves on and when things move on, you have to carry on. That's why the upper management – everybody has their place. That's their job, to make those decisions. Our job is to go out on the field and make plays and help this team win. That's what we're going to focus on no matter who's there or not."

Make no mistake:

This was a tough day for Freeney. This was a tough day for many Colts players

On the other side of the fence is Phil B Wilson:

I can't deny the inclination, as others have suggested, that there's more to the Johnson release than what has been publicly stated. If Johnson failed a drug test, violated his probation or this had something to do with an off-field issue, I don't see why the team would want to publicize this. First, the team can't be thrilled about admitting it was wrong about the guy again, especially if he did something stupid. Second, we live in a world where it's all about political correctness as far as confidentiality stuff goes. If Johnson had an off-field misstep, it's not legally wise for the team to discuss details.

But the part that doesn't add up, as most have asked, is why start a guy for four games this season, and also why bring him back after he let the team down once before, then release him and say it was performance? If it truly was based on his play, do you mean to tell me that LT Tony Ugoh and CB Tim Jennings aren't on that short list, too? I could hear someone say, "Well, we're thin at offensive line and cornerback and can't afford to get rid of either guy, regardless of performance." Perhaps, but Moala had yet to see the field. They started a guy who supposedly wasn't getting it done instead of throwing a rookie into the fire to see what he's made of. Nope, it doesn't make sense...

The hunch is that we will have to wait a while before the rest of the story comes out. As another blogger suggested to me, if Johnson signs somewhere else, then maybe it was just performance. But if he doesn't get a sniff, then it's reasonable to surmise the guy had another off-field issue, was possibly going to get suspended again, and enough is enough.

I don't quite see Wilson's comparisons to Ugoh and Jennings.  Jennings struggles, sure.  He also works hard and makes plays.  As for Ugoh, I think he's hurt.  I don't think the team wants to cut him until they are sure he's useless.  He found a rhythm (before getting hurt again) on Sunday night.

On top of everything else is this report by PFT stating that a grievance filed by Johnson was the reason for the dismissal

Per a league source, the team only told Johnson that he weighed in at 320 pounds, three more than his target, and that the team was letting him go.

And so there's a belief that Johnson was dumped because of the grievance that he filed after being cut by the team in 2008 following an arrest for marijuana possession.  The grievance contends that the teams have no authority to discipline players for violations of the substance-abuse policy. 

Per the source, the Colts asked Johnson to drop the grievance when he was re-signed in May.  He refused, and we're told that the team wasn't happy about it.

So there could now be another grievance -- and that's why the Colts are pointing only to Johnson's performance as the reason for the decision.

Regardless of whether it really was.

Thanks Florio.  Too bad he never seems to know anything about the Colts and routinely accuses them of conspiracies.  Cutting Johnson because he was overweight and not playing well makes a lot of sense.  The part about the grievance makes no sense.  They asked him to drop it in May when they resigned him, but only now they cut him for not doing it?  That defies logic.  Why would they have ever signed him back in the first place if that was the case?  Secondly, why is there no report anywhere that a grievance was ever filed?  I can't find any record anywhere saying that Johnson filed a complaint about his dismissal.  If he had, wouldn't it have been resolved by now? Sounds like an agent made a phone call to help his player to me.

I've stated my point of view.  I'm taking this at face value for the following reasons:

1.  Ed hasn't played well.  The evidence for it is on the tape and in the numbers.  The Colts had a ready replacement for him who has battled some injuries and is now healthy (Moala).  Sometimes, things are what they are.  They needed the roster spot and took his.  Maybe when Gonzo comes back and they can cut Baskett we see Ed back.  Although if weight was sighted as the reason I doubt his time away will help him much.

2.  I don't see that why it would make the club look bad to admit they cut him due to behavior.  I think that it would have made the team look consistent and firm.  "We gave him a chance.  He blew it."  Giving someone a second chance that doesn't work out doesn't make you look bad for giving the chance. It makes the offender look bad for blowing it.  I see no reason for the Colts to cover up anything to save face.

3.  I don't think they would have covered up something to help Johnson.  A failed test, a run in with the law, whatever...those things would come out eventually if he signed somewhere else.  I don't know what would be gained for Ed by lying now.

4.  I think the whole "starter to cut" argument isn't important.  The Colts have played a rotation at DT all year.  The fact that Ed Johnson started didn't necessarily mean he was best player at the position or even that he was getting most of the snaps.  He was just the guy that fit into that particular rotational scheme.  People are making too big a deal out of that rather meaningless designation.  Remember that Robert Mathis only started 2 games last year.

As I prepared to board a bus at 11:30 last night, I got an email on my IPod that Ed Johnson had been released. Needless to say, I was a little disturbed, but thought at the time that I had noticed him making a lot of plays.  Still, like everyone else, I assumed Big Ed's release was conduct related.  Like everyone else, I assumed it would hurt the team at least a little.  I was only saved from saying so because I was far, far from home.  As comments from the blog began to show up, I noticed some nice film work by "Preston" who wrote yesterday:

I'm sorry but I rewatched all of the first half of the Titans game after this news with the idea of evaluating Ed's play, and i came to the conclusion that he had NOTHING to do with our success against the run in that game. Instantly jumping the the conclusion that we won't be good against the run with him no longer on the team is silly. There were several run plays where Ed got blown off the line of scrimmage and the rest of the d stepped up and did a nice job. In my opinion, he was easily our worst dt in the Titans game, to heavy, not fast, and not particularly strong (didn't use good leverage). He also didn't show good effort. That's my 2 cents anyway.

Preston later followed up his assertions with this post, detailing Johnson's performance

11:20 first quarter, 1st and 10: Chris Johnson gets stopped for no gain, and the Titians get flagged for holding. Ed was on the back side of the play but was blocked up the entire play by Jake Scott and is pushed back 10 yards off the line of scrimmage.
11:00 first quarter, 2nd and 16: gets walled off completely one on one, gain of 8 to his side.
7:20 first quarter, 1st and 10: Screen pass 6 yards to his side, Ed is left virtually unblocked takes a poor angle and doesn't even get close to making the tackle (could have been a play for no gain).
6:40 first quarter 2nd and 3: It is a run to the defensive right he is play side, does a nice job stretching it out along the line of scrimmage, along with the rest of the d. doesn't make a play thou doesn't get penetration or push in the back field. Clint shoots his gap and makes a great tackle.
4:30 first quarter 3rd and 4: Ed gets singled by the center who keeps him nearly on the line of scrimmage in pass pro, which allows the left guard and tackle to double Freeney. Lacey makes a great play on the ball and breaks it up. ed is ineffective on this play
3:05 first quarter 1st and 10: Run to the defensive left. The colts slant their line in the same direction. Ed is in the right tackle spot next to Freeney, Roos gets on Ed and pushes him 10 yards down field all the way to the defensive left sideline the rest of the defense picks up the slack and makes cj cut it back right for a gain of 4, ed is ineffective.
Plays one more play that drive that is blow dead on a false start.

4:58 second quarter 1st and 10: Collins goes back for a pass gets pressure put on him by Freeney stunting inside, while Ed slants outside, he is effective scheme wise getting Freeney free up the middle. This forces Collins to sprint to the sideline and throw it away. Ed chases takes a nice angle and Hagler comes up at the end to force the issue. Not bad not great by any means.
4:50 second quarter 2nd and 10: Ed holds his gap well and Chris Johnson hits it Ed has a chance to stop him for two yards, but he doesn't get off his block quick enough and Chris Johnson gains 7.
4:41 second quarter 3rd and 3: Pass play he gets decent push (he is only single blocked by a guard)(the double Antonio Johnson initially on the play center guard combo then slip the guard off to help with Freeney) has a chance to bat the ball down and misses. Not a bad play at all but nothing special. Results in a big completion down field.
2:15 second quarter 1st and 10: Pass play Ed gets double by the center and right guard not very exciting play gets his hand up when Collins passes short, but doesn't get a hand on the ball.
1:58 second quarter 2nd and 5: Quick pass not much he can do.
1:30 second quarter 1st and 10: Pass play Ed and Mathis slant inside to defensive right while Antonio Johnson loops outside gets pressure on on Collins. Nicely designed play but the coverage downfield is what makes it. The stunt is effective and prevents Collins from holding onto the ball. Nothing special here good or bad.
1:22 second quarter 2nd and 10: Pass play, the one where Lacey makes a great play on the ball on a post route in the end zone. Ed is ineffective gets no pass rush, however Antonio Johnson gets nice pressure up the middle.
Well that's the first half. Ed plays a total of 13 plays. (I'm pretty sure this is exhaustive) I'll let you guys make up your mind on how effective Ed was

Today, the news comes out that Big Ed was cut not because of what he did, but because of what he didn't do, namely make plays.  Preston was right, after all.  While I had noticed Mookie Johnson a ton, as well as Foster and Daniel Muir this year, other than one play in Arizona, Ed Johnson had been invisible.  With Adam Vinatieri out six weeks (talk about the buried lead!), the Colts needed a kicker, and decided Johnson wasn't getting it done.  Amazing.  Every big time analyst and small time blogger missed the story, as we all (every one of us...from Phil B to Oehser to BBS to me to anyone else you care to think of) jumped to the same conclusion while the truth was on the tape.

One of the best takes on the situation came from Paul Kuharsky who says that the Colts were unfair to Johnson by cutting him without comment.

Considering the fanfare that greeted his return, that he was a starter since he was reinstated from his Week 1 suspension and that there had been no public questioning of his play, the team had to know a release without explanation was going to prompt suspicions he’d done something wrong off the field.

Coach Jim Caldwell admitted as much when he began to address it Wednesday.

“I know some might wonder whether or not it was a character issue,” he said.

If you knew, coach, why wouldn’t you seek to clarify that it was not as soon as possible? Isn’t that what you would have liked for someone to do for you if you were in a similar circumstance?

The team could have simply put out a statement Tuesday or have word passed down from on high that it was a production issue, not a behavioral one.

I whole heartedly agree that it made him look bad, although I suppose that's as much our fault for making assumptions. This also means that possibly Ed could come back if there was injury or need.  He was first one on the chopping line, but that doesn't mean he's gone forever, although I think we'd all rather see Moala step and seize the spot that has been handed to him.

I was going to let the Rush Limbaugh-as-NFL-owner controversy go, but two things happened.  First, Jim Irsay commented on the story, thus making it vaguely relevant to the Colts.  Second, Jason Whitlock commented on the story.  As you know, we enjoy Whitlock even when he is wrong.  I think he's wrong in this situation.  Here's the facts as I see them, feel free to disagree. 

Valid reasons to exclude Rush Limbaugh from ownership:

1.  Limbaugh has a history of prescription drug-addiction, for which he was prosecuted.  If the owners need a reason to ditch El Rushbo then look no further.  The addiction makes him a liability.  Although, and I'm seriously just remembering as I type this, I believe Jim Irsay struggled with very similar issues in the recent past. 

2.  He's too controversial.  This decision is voted on by the owners, and the NFL is a business.  If Rush is too hot to touch then so be it.  It's not like Rush has earned himself a lot of wiggle room with the other 50% of the country.  He's made his own bed etc... 

Poor excuses to exclude Rush Limbaugh from ownership:

1.  He is a racist.  The evidence Whitlock provides are a pair of discredited quotes from Wikipedia.  Quotes that may or may not be made up, and are given with no context.  Is that the best Jason can do?  Whitlock falls back on our preconceived notions of Limbaugh, which isn't enough for me.  I take charges of racism more seriously than that.   

Side question:  If Rush is a racist would he really be seeking entry into an industry where 75% of the workforce is black?  I don't know the answer, but it is worth asking.  If someone can come up with hard evidence of his racism feel free to provide it.  I haven't seen any yet, but I'm not saying it is not out there.

2.  Limbaugh implied that Donovan McNabb was being propped up by the media because of his skin color.  Was Rush right?  I don't know, but I don't think it was as outlandish as Tom Jackson and others claimed at the time.  The media badly wanted first Michael Vick and later Vince Young to be the next big thing.  They ignored obvious flaws in each each player's game.  It was truly embarrassing.  Was race a factor?  Probably not, but I can't say for certain.  Was it wrong for Rush to bring the topic up?  I'm an adult and I didn't have a problem with him asking an edgy question, but ultimately it was up to ESPN to decide what topics are appropriate.       

The important thing is that Rush was badly wrong about McNabb's ability.  Turns out McNabb is really good.  But in fairness a lot of people were questioning his skills at the time (actually people were still questioning Donovan as recently as last week). 

On a sidenote, I'm not sure why Whitlock thinks this is a publicity stunt.  Limbaugh recently signed a contract extension worth an estimated $400 million.  He doesn't need the publicity.  He doesn't need anything really.  Except perhaps a really bad football team. 

Final sidenote:  Does Whitlock still think the Titans would smoke the Colts? 

I'm stranded in a small city in the interior of Argentina, typing in a dark hotel room as my wife and kids desperately try to sleep.  Meanwhile my car is nesting happily in a mechanic's shop as I wonder how and when I'll ever get home.

Today, as I sat in the blazing sun waiting for the tow truck to haul my recently troubled vehicle back to civilization, I said a prayer, and fired up my Ipod to listen to my mp3 recording of the 2006 AFC Championship game.  When things look bleak (and they are bleak, friends), it pays to remember happier times.

So, instead of getting the sleep I need, I want to take a few minutes to respond to some thoughts in the comments and my emails and do a recap of a MUCH happier time...Sunday night.  As always, I caution you that I haven't watched the tape, nor am I within a 9 hour drive of the tape.  I have barely slept or eaten in a couple of days.  I did actually manage to watch the game live, however, because this is a crazy tripped out world we live in.  Mine just happens to be crazier than most.

Reasons to Smile:

• Peyton Manning.  Yawn.
• Collie was brilliant for a second straight week.  Tremendous game from him.
• The defense was brilliant all night.  Two turnovers by the Colts: zero first downs allowed was the defense's response.
• Tim Jennings and Tony Ugoh's play in the second half.  See the note below.

Reasons to Frown:

• The Colts still aren't running the ball with any regularity.  Neither back is getting it going.  To be fair, Indy has played 3 of the top 5 run defenses in the NFL through 5 weeks, so it may just be a scheduling quirk.  The bad news is that they play 3 more of the top 8 in the coming weeks, so it's not going to get better anytime soon.  This is the one GLARING weakness for this team.  We've all seen too many playoff runs aborted because of a criminal inability to move the ball on the ground.  I'm not giving up hope that the run game will find itself, but there is a long way to go before I feel confident this team can put away a close game when it matters.
  
• Tony Ugoh's and Tim Jennings's play in the first half.  Jennings is what I said he was:  a not bad weakest link.  He makes plays, but largely because he gets more opportunities to make plays than most CBs.  He is always the #1 target out there, and sometimes he makes a play.  Other times, balls bounce off his head, go through his hands, and WRs break his ankles.  Ugoh could not have played much worse for the first 25 minutes or so, but was nicely invisible in the second half.  In the first half, it was stunning how bad he was.  I know he is still battling various injuries, but wow, did it ever look like he had gone seriously backwards.  In the end, he showed why he's still around.  It's not too late for him (yet).
  
• Jeff Fisher is a coach I always had respected.  I'm not sure how I feel about him any more.  His was a gutless, uninspired game plan.  In the end, he shocked us all...by playing it straight and getting destroyed.  Bad form, Jeff.  Bad form.
• Both roughing the passer calls were legit, but I HATE the first one.  I hate the Brady rule.  I know it keeps QBs healthy and what not, but I don't think it's fair to hamstring the defense that much.  The second call was a text book late hit, and Fisher should not have been whining about it.

Best Call

• Going for it on fourth and one early.  It's almost always the right play.  Caldwell has been forward thinking on this all year, and I for one appreciate it.

Worst Call

• Can anyone explain to me taking a 2nd and 15 over a 3rd and 8?  I guess I get the field position thing considering they were in long FG range, but it was a bad swap as the Titans threw for 11 yards, making it 3rd and 4.  This is tied with the pointless early blitz of Brackett that lead to an easy completion to the TE.  I'm quibbling, I know.  It's hard to find fault when you win 31-9.

Reasons I'm Flyin'

• The defense is for real.  It's now 15th in the NFL against the run, and other than Miami's wildcat, it has been 'gash proof'.  MJD had one big run verses a blitz in week one, but for the most part running against the Colts has been a no go.
• It's easy to point out that Indy hasn't played anyone, but as FO noted a couple of years ago, blowing out bad teams is a better indicator of success than beating good teams.  Indy has rolled three straight opponents.  That's a GREAT sign.  Regardless of what anyone thinks, it's actually a better indicator than Denver squeaking out close wins over teams with winning records.  The haters won't like it, but facts are facts.
  
• Two consecutive bye weeks is awesome.  What?  You mean I forgot about the Rams?  No.  I didn't.
• The AFC South is OVER.  Indy is playing for a bye.  At this point, anything less than 13-3 and a first round bye has to be a major disappointment.  Anything less than 14-2 and a #1 seed is a minor disappointment.
• When this team gets Hayden and Sanders back...watch out.  This defense is going to be incredible.

Reason's I'm Dyin'

• Uh, hello?  Did you read the first paragraph?  You don't want to be me right now.  Seriously.
• Argentina needs a tie verses Uruguay to secure a World Cup berth.  That's effed up.
• I also misidentified the Jets QB the other day as Matt Sanchez.  Cut me some slack.  That internet connection was crazy slow, and I never got around to fixing it.  Still, it was an inexcusable mistake.  Normally, I just misspell stuff.

The Bottom Line

This team isn't quite 2007 good (yet).  It still has to run the ball effectively, but it's close.  This defense might be the best yet in Indy, and it hasn't even gotten it's secondary anywhere close to healthy.  The big games are coming soon (NE, @Balt, Denver), but for now, the Colts can feel strong about where they are and where they are going.  Ladies and Gentlemen:  Your 2009 AFC South Champions...the Indianapolis Colts (well, more or less).

Bonus Trivia Question:

How many different Colts have had 100 yard games with Peyton Manning as their QB, and can you name them? (tip to Stan for the question)

Bonus Debate:

Would the Colts still win the AFC South if Peyton Manning didn't play another down the rest of the year?

Colts 31 - Titans 9

Welcome to week five of the NFL.  The Jaguars went down hard today (surprise, surprise).  The Texans lost in heartbreaking fashion at Arizona.  The Patriots and Ravens fell as well.  It has been a good day, thus far.  The game is about to start.  Time to find my place of zen. 

First Quarter

1.  The theme song plays.  They briefly flash each team's record on the screen.  We know the records are meaningless... but I have a feeling Al and Chris will be mentioning the "winless" Titans non-stop tonight.  What other story line is there?  I'm ready for a street-brawl kind of game.  Should be fun.  "Field goals are wins," says Jeff Fisher.  Tony Ugoh will start says Andrea Kramer. 

Rushing is a step from a big return.  Colts start at the 23.  Game starts with a major injury timeout for Craig Stevens of the Titans.  Short toss to Clark to get things going.  Nothing doing for Addai, Ugoh didn't hold his block very long.  Really nice footwork from Peyton as he buys times and hits Addai for the first down.  Addai right for three.  Big pressure on second down, Peyton throws it away, takes a big hit.  Quick toss to Clark, well short.  Punt.  Touchback. 

2.  Swing to Johnson for four.  Holding call wipes out a short run for Johnson.  Draw to Johnson.  3rd and 8.  Blitz.  Big first down to Bo Scaife.  Simply a huge play early on. FUMBLE.  Big hit by Bethea on Crumpler. 

3.  Colts get good starting position after the fumble.  Addai for 6.  Offsides.  First down.  Nearly picked.  Gijon was held.  Manning throws it away on second down.  Ugoh is struggling early.  Addai is short on a pass on third down.  Looked like a bad spot.  Colts will go on fourth.  Manning designed rollout out right.... TOUCHDOWN Reggie Wayne.  Jim Caldwell passes a crucial test in a big, big way. 

4.  Screen for 7 yards.  CLINT SESSION whacks Chris Johnson.  Big guy.  Third and two and Kerry Collins throws at Kenny Britt's ankle.  Ugly.  Punt.  Ball hits Jennings in the back.  Titans ball.  Just an unforgivable mistake on a fair catch attempt by Rushing.  Holding call on a Johnson run.  Why don't the Colts decline it to set up 3rd and long?  Weird.  2nd and 14 instead.  Terrible coaching decision there.  Instead its 3rd and 4 after a completion.  Lost four yards on the exchange.  Incomplete to Gage.  Field Goal.  Jennings costs the Colts three points.  Colts lead 7 - 3. 

5.  Colts will start at the 20.  Clark down the seem for big money.  Brown for 5 yards.  Past midfield.  Manning hit as he throws, interception.  That is all on Tony Ugoh, who is playing a horrible game.

6.  Johnson for 4.  Bullit makes a great tackle on second down on Johnson.  Another holding call.  2nd and 16.  False start.  2nd and 21.  White for a couple.  3rd and 19.  Offsides - declined.  Scaife for 17 yards.  Field Goal.  Colts lead 7 - 6.  The defense is playing well, but the Colts have given up 6 points off two turnovers.  That's a recipe for getting beat by a lesser team. 

7.  FUMBLE by Rushing on the kickoff.  His elbow was down.  Thank goodness.  Addai for a loss of 7.

Second Quarter

1.  The Colts offensive line of 2008 has decided to make an unwanted appearance.  Addai for four yards.  Addai for 13 yards.  He needed 14.  Couple of desperate looking plays there.  No time at all.  Punt.   

2.  Titans start at the 32.  The old bullshit defensive holding call (on a run).  I never see that flag thrown on anyone, but the Colts D.  White for six.  White for three.  3rd and 1.  Deep incomplete for Gage.  Weird playcall, unless you plan on going for it on fourth down.  Punt.

3.  Colts will start at the 20.  The offense needs at least one first down to take some pressure off the defense.  Wow.  Wow.  Wow.  Horrible play.  I won't waste time describing it, but a block in the back negates it anyway.  Brown for 5.  2nd and 14.  Short toss to Clark for 5.  3rd and 8.  They give Peyton time and he finds Collie for 13 yards.  Screen to Collie for 9 is nearly wiped by yet another flag on Garcon.  Flag is picked up.  Addai for four and a first down.  Wayne for 12 along the sidelines.  Manning is getting a little time now.  Past midfield.  Addai for 4 yards.  Clark for 7 and first down on a shoestring kinda deal.  Tons of pressure, but Manning finds Addai for 6 on a dump.  Wayne on a slant to the five.  19 yard gain.  Addai inside the one.  Substitutions.  Touchdown Joseph Addai.  The upside of Ugoh?  His run blocking is very solid.  That time he sticks a trap block to make a huge hole for Joe.   

4.  Touchback.  Big gainer to Nate Washington to midfield.  Johnson for 3.  Johnson drops a short pass.  3rd and 7.  Huge play here.  Timeout, Tennessee.  Washington picks it up.  Way too much time for Collins.  Brackett spills Crumpler for a short gain.  Two minute warning.  3rd and 10 after Lacey climbs Gage's back to knock one away in the end zone.  JENNINGS.  Drops an easy pick after the Colts blitz.  Colts lead 14 - 9.  A very disappointing 14-9, I might add. 

5.  Flag on the kickoff.  Illegal wedge on Ugoh.  So much has one wrong in the first half, and yet the Colts lead.  They must be a pretty good team.  Vanden Bosch goes at Peyton's knees.  Scary moment.  Personal foul.  Addai gets out of bounds for six.  Finds him again for three yards.  Timeout.  Big third down.  Addai for four and first down.  Second timeout.  Ball is on the Colts 43.  Addai out of bounds for a short gain.  Another roughing the passer penalty, this one on Ford.  PEYTON TO COLLIE.  39 yard touchdown.  93 yard drive.  That was beautiful.  Colts lead 21-9.

HALFTIME

The Colts get a huge drive just before the half to open up a 12 point lead.  You can't turn the ball over twice, but all things considered I think Jim Caldwell can live with what he saw.  The D is hitting.  The O is finding ways to move the ball.  Joe Addai had 8 catches for 50 yards.  Most of them helped Peyton avoid taking a sack.  Clark has been a safety valve as well, with six catches for 55 yards.  The run game isn't producing yards, but it is picking up first downs (and a touchdown).  Should be an epic second half.          

Third Quarter

1.  Touchback.  Titans ball at the 20.  Tim Jennings!  A huge pick on third and 6.  Colts ball. 

2.  Addai is banged up on a short gain of 3.  A big loss if he can't return.  He's been bailing Manning out all night.  Brown snags a pass and picks up a big first down.  Collie for 7 yards.  Ball on the Tennessee 13.  Harper is shaken up.  2nd and 3.  Need to cash this in.  Pass is tipped at the line.  Manning swats it away harmlessly.  3rd and 3.  Holy smokes they run it with Brown!  We haven't seen that in a long time.  First down.  Offsides.  1st and goal from the 5.  Brown for 3 yards.  Holding on Pollak.  1st and goal from the 15.  Screen to Garcon for 10 yards.  2nd and goal from the 6.  TOUCHDOWN AUSTIN COLLIE.  Looped it over the entire defense and Collie gets his feet in.  Colts lead 28-9. 

3.  Having technical difficulties.  Big third and 3 at midfield.  Wow.  Tons of pressure and Collins throws up a prayer that is answered by Justin Gage.  Huge play.  Huge.   The pressure is starting to get to Collins, though.  Johnson for 5.  Third and five.  Incomplete, good pressure forced a quick throw.  Poor throw.  Titans go for it on fourth down.  Incomplete.  Jennings wants a flag.  Comical.  Colts ball.

4.  False start.  1st and 15.  Really nice run by Brown for 7 yards.  Very patient.  Incomplete to Brown.  3rd and 8.  Brown for 4 on a pass to the sidelines.  Punt.  Great punt and even better coverage.  Titans will start at the 8.

5.  Kenny Britt with a first down past the twenty.  Titans need 7 here, and quickly.  White for 6.  Britt for another first.  Titans are driving.  2nd and 2.  Big sack by Freeney.  BIG DAMN SACK.  3rd and 11.  Offsides on Freeney.  3rd and 6.  IT HITS LACEY IN THE HANDS.  Ugly throw, worse catch by the rookie.  Punt.  Rushing fair catches at the 25. 

6.  The Colts are dumping off on almost every play.  First to Addai then to Clark.  Personal Foul.  Facemask.  Ball at midfield. 

Fourth Quarter

1.  The Titans need three touchdowns to take the lead.  Too bad the Colts have the ball with only 15:00 to play.  Manning deep, overthrown.  Addai for six on the draw.  3rd and 3.  Just enough time to find Wayne behind the defense for 15 yards and a big third down.  Addai loses one yard.  Manning rolls out to find Collie along the right sidelines for 5 yards.  Third and 6.  Delay.  Third and 11.  Manning buys time and hits Clark for a HUGE FIRST DOWN.  Ball is on the 22.  Addai is stuffed.  Screen to Wayne for four.  3rd and 7.  Collie is having a giant night.  First down inside the ten.  Addai for 3 yards.  Clock is really moving now.  Timeout.  2nd and goal.  Addai for short gain on yet another catch.  Wayne drops a touchdown on third down.  Crap.  Oh well.  The Colts lead 31-9 with just 7:32 to play. 

2.  VY!!  VY is in!  Jennings drops a pick.  If he had mitts, he'd have three tonight.  White for 5.  Young on a nice scramble for 6 yards.  Session is hurt.  More VY please.  White for 8 yards.  3rd and 3.  Session breaks it up.  Punt.  Rushing tackled immediately at the 21.  Willing Manning get his 300 yards?

3.  Kind of wish the Colts would punt so we could watch more Vince Young.  (I love the clips of the pre-game wildcat warm-up, btw).  Brown is stuffed.  Manning to Wayne for the first down and 300 yards.  Nice.  Colts are rolling picking up first downs and generally dominating the Titans.  I am impressed.  I thought the O-line might be their undoing, but Peyton was very patient and found Addai and Clark over and over.  Collie was the game-breaker, though, which was a very pleasant surprise. 

So says Mike Chappell

Neither Hayden (hamstring) nor Jackson (knee) accompanied the team to Nashville. But Sanders (knee) and offensive tackle Charlie Johnson (knee) made the trip. Sanders still is listed as doubtful while Johnson is questionable.

Boo, as they say, Yah.

Let's hope nothing tightens up on the short flight.

It's early, but who cares?  Here's our take on who to root for in week 5:

Bengals at Ravens

In theory, it would be better for the Ravens to win since the Colts play the Ravens, but let's be honest: no one really thinks the Bengals are a threat for a bye.  I think everyone would like to see the Ravens drop this game.  Personally, I think their defense is a major question mark right now.  Seriously.  They miss Rex Ryan.

These three are all easy to figure.  AFC team at NFC team.  Even one win out of the three would be helpful.  Two of them should be tough, close games...I'll let you guess which ones...

NY Jets at Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins are at 1-3 so normally, I'd favor them over a 3-1 team.  But in this case, a win would possibly put the Pats back on top of the AFC East.  The Jets are (in theory) a top contender.  Personally, I'll pull for the Jets because if worse came to worse, I'd rather play Matt Sanchez on the road in January than at New England.

New England at Denver

Same thing as last week.  I'm not making that mistake again.  I'm rooting for the Broncos.  I don't think they win, but at least I won't feel dirty after the game.

Last week's give and take with Seahawkaddicts.com was well received, so this week were are giving you a double dose.  I asked the same questions to two different Titans blogs.  The first is Total Titans on the MVN network.  You may remember this blog for its excellent breakdown of Collins' 15 straight incomplete passes a couple of weeks ago.  Total Titans asked some questions of yours truly as well. Be sure to head over and check out my answers.

I also hooked up with the Bloguin network blog Titans Tracker, which is run by a big VY fan.  Always an interesting exchange there.  He also hit me up for some Colts knowledge which I dropped like I was Braylon Edwards.  Be sure to visit both sites as they asked different questions.  Here's what they had to say about Sunday's game:

DZ:  1.  What has happened to the Titans secondary?  How do you go from 12 TD passes in 16 games to 10 in four games?