Manning and Merriman may face more severe injuries than their teams are letting on...

by August West on Aug 22, 2008 1:47 PM CDT

First about Manning, from a long-time NFL employee and insider (not some message board cowboy), the National Football Post's Mike Lombardi:

I talked to several people in the NFL yesterday who know things and they assure me that Peyton Manning’s knee is a huge concern for the Colts. Apparently Manning had to go through another procedure on his knee to clean things out after having his bursa sac removed last month. What is the most concerning is not the second operation (which the Colts are denying), but that they cannot control the swelling in Manning’s knee and any physical movement causes MORE swelling. Once he returns to the game, gets hit, has to place a load on the knee, and drive the ball, there can be swelling. All I know is that there is MUCH more here than meets the eye. Manning has the trainer come over to HIS home for rehab and is rarely seen. Now, I have been with some big-time quarterbacks in my career like Joe Montana and Rich Gannon and never have they rehabbed from home. I thought this was not an issue and that Manning would be back. However, after talking to my friends in the league, it’s clear that this is a HUGE concern short- and long-term for the Colts.

In the same joint, but regarding a little less likable fella, PFT's Mike Florio reports/possibly guesses that some San Diego officials are quietly freaking out about Shawne Merriman's knee injury:

Just as the North County Times and the San Diego Union-Tribune had conflicting information on Thursday regarding whether Merriman’s offseason surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews of Alabama or by the team physician, the two papers have differing data as to the extent of the damage.

The Times, quoting an e-mail from Merriman, says that the fourth-year pro has a “loose ligament.” The Union-Tribune reports that it’s a torn PCL, among other issues.

Either way, it’s not good.

If you don't know who Dr. Andrews is, he's the guy MLB pitchers go to for either a last chance Tommy John surgery, or an order to retire.

Both stories could have a huge effect on the NFL in 2008. Manning is obviously the heart, soul and testicles of the NFL's most consistent offense. Merriman, o the other hand, will be instrumental to fueling a Charger's pass rush tasked with keeping them in games since Tomlinson and Gates are coming off surgery and their QB is a douchecanoe of the highest order who puts so little zip and so much arc on his passes they might as well be launched granny style.

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First off, let me say that I don't wish either guy ill.

In fact, I am a Vols fan and generally a Manning fan, and in a world where there are a LOT of really crappy people, Peyton Manning doesn’t seem to be one of them. I want him to get better because I like watching him play.

That said, it will be interesting to see how our friends, the Colts homers, take this news. So much of their self-esteem seems built on Peyton’s prowess that they can’t even admit that ANYONE on the Titans could possibly be better than ANYONE on the Colts, even the back-up QBs, the interior D-Linemen, or the LBers. But if the Colts really have a better TEAM then they should be able to… if not take this in stride then at least survive it with a winning record. I mean, you look at the other teams in the AFC South, and they can all go on minus a QB. Texans: Check, Sage Rosenfelds. Titans: Check, K. Collins. Jags: Check. Hell, Garrard didn’t even start until last year, and with that running game and that defense, I think they’d at least survive.

But can the Colts? Seriously, is ANYONE gonna put money on them without Manning?

Like I said, I don’t wish Manning ill, but it’ll be a bit of schaudenfraude to watch the Colts’ fans struggle with half a year’s worth of erratic QB play. It waaaaaaay past time we see how good that freaking TEAM is.

As for the Chargers, I think they’ll survive without Merriman. He might mean one game to them, but with their talent and schedule, I don’t see it as a serious issue.

DannoE

Go read FRIDAY MAD SCIENCE at www.paperbackreader.com
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Aug 22, 2008 2:24 PM CDT 0 recs

Manning won't miss the first game

Polian has said it’s his decision whether he plays in the first game, and do you seriously believe he will willingly miss the game?

Besides, it’s not an injury, it’s an illness ;)

by furrycolt on Aug 22, 2008 2:26 PM CDT 0 recs

The whole thrust of the blind item was that the teams are downplaying the injury

Also, just to be clear, Bursitis (which causes the inflammation in the Bursa Sacs) is a common repetitive stress injury … that’s why I used that term.

I hope Peyton makes it back 100% because I’m a big fan of watching living history, I love that we play in the hardest division in football and he’s funny as hell on Bob & Tom and SNL.

by August West on Aug 22, 2008 2:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

He may not miss the first game, but if he can't move around in the pocket, he might...

…not make it all the way to that first game’s finish.

DannoE

Go read FRIDAY MAD SCIENCE at www.paperbackreader.com
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Aug 22, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Sorry guys

Manning is practicing tomorrow so it looks like he will be fine.

Maybe you guys should just focus on, you know, getting a real QB rather than just hoping the guy that owns you gets hurt. Just some friendly advice for you.

by MasterRWayne on Aug 25, 2008 2:10 PM CDT 0 recs

I was in no way hoping he's hurt, if you read the parts i actually wrote

I was clearly hoping that Merriman was hurt, because I can’t stand the Chargers.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Aug 25, 2008 2:24 PM CDT up 0 recs

Of course nobody wants anyone to be hurt

but karma’s a powerful force, ain’t it?

by BeansCarter on Aug 25, 2008 7:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Nobody was hoping he was hurt.

It doesn’t change the fact that the Colts’ season rests on the shoulders of a 5’9" safety with an injury history.

DannoE

Go read FRIDAY MAD SCIENCE at www.paperbackreader.com
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Aug 25, 2008 3:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

What?

Injury history? Bob Sanders played in 15 games last year and we have a great backup in Matt Giordano.

As for “seasons resting on play XXX shoulders” how about the fact that your season rests on a QB that cannot…

A. Throw accurately

B. Read a defense

C. Work hard

D. Stay healthy

In short… you have wayyyyyyyyy more problems then we do. Manning is fine, but we have a lot of guys on defense that are banged up. Really no one on IR just some guys that need 2-4 weeks to get fully healthy.

Besides you guys took a big step back on defense because Fat Albert Haynesworth isn’t playing for a contract this year. He will probably go back to “dawging it” like the bum he is.

by MasterRWayne on Aug 25, 2008 3:50 PM CDT 0 recs

How is he not playing for a contract this year?

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on Aug 25, 2008 4:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Playing on the franchise tag > contract year

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Aug 25, 2008 4:09 PM CDT up 0 recs

Haynesworth

He was franchised, which means he’s year to year. I don’t think the Titans can franchise him after this season, per new rules. Not locking him up had more to do (I think) with the Titans not trusting Haynesworth, which was smart on their part. Haynesworth was dog meat prior to last year (a contract year), where he was a legit defensive player of the year candidate. It remains to be seen which Haynesworth will show up this year.

The issues with the Titans defense are their pass rush and secondary. Kearse is done, Odom is gone, and LaBoy is gone. Their corners and safeties are nothing great, and beyond Haynesworth they don’t have a lot of depth at DT.

Again, just my observations. Thoughts?

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Aug 25, 2008 4:16 PM CDT up 0 recs

So Haynesworth is still in a contract year

because he is signed to a 1 year deal.

Neither Odom or LaBoy were any good. Kearse is a fine replacement for those guys.

In the secondary, Hope is solid. Griffin and Finnegan are rising stars.

You are absolutely right about DT depth.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on Aug 25, 2008 4:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Jimmy

That’s just ignorance, dude. Odom gave you 8 sacks and a forced fumble last year; and LaBoy gave you 6 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and an INT (and he didn’t eve start). If you think Jevon Kearse can replace that production, you are so totally blind to reality it is almost scary. It’s been 7 years since Kearse was a dominant defensive player, and it’s been 3 years since he came close to getting 8 sacks. Kearse is done. He’s started only 10 games the last 2 years.

D-O-N-E.

Now maybe, maybe rookie Jason Jones can give you something, but is he even starting?

As far as the secondary goes… please. Titans have very little depth, relying on an old and injured Nick Harper. The secondary benefited tremendously from a very good front 4 last year, and that front four is weaker in 2008.

Look, I don’t underestimate the Titans, but I see less talent on this team than from last year’s, and last year they barely got into the playoffs, and once there they were destroyed. With Texans better and the Colts still the class of the AFC South, I don’t see how the Titans are “better.” We’ll see, but right now it doesn’t look good, IMO.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Aug 25, 2008 8:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, and Odom and LaBoy had that production primarily because, unlike KVB and Haynesworth, they weren’t getting double-teamed on every single play.

Not being the focus of the opponent’s blocking can make many a D-Lineman look good.

Odom, since going to the Bengals: injured on day 1 of training camp, no word since.

LaBoy, since going to the Cardinals: hasn’t been half-bad (10 tackles, 2 sacks), but he’s still a second-teamer, even for them. And those numbers are probably inflated because he’s playing against the opponent’s backup O-Line.

They’re completely replaceable, and other teams overpaid them dramatically.

by hartley on Aug 25, 2008 9:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

Haynesworth is a baller when healthy

He was inconsistent, and didn’t get a ton of sacks, but he still tore-up backfields before last year… Our rookie Jason Jones has been lights out in the preseason playing both inside and outside (think Kevin Carter circa 2003). Mookie Johnson was a draft pick who lost all of last year, and he’s got great size and strength in he middle, but hasn’t played a down yet. Tony Brown shows some flashes.

There’s a lot of talent along the D-Line when everybody is healthy. Boom King (KVB) and Albert can terrorize teams on there own, so a platoon at the other spots can still be effective for a bit…

In the secondary, Griffin and Finnegan are about as good as it gets. If Hope is all the way healthy after that crazy neck stinger last year, and Harper can play as well as he did last year, our D will be right back where it was, if not better.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Aug 25, 2008 4:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

You're still an arrogant prick. Other than that, I think you've under-rated our secondary.

DannoE

Go read FRIDAY MAD SCIENCE at www.paperbackreader.com
Go Titans!

by DannoE on Aug 26, 2008 6:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

Agreed

I understand that about Haynesworth and I should have worded is differently.

My issue, as many of you have stated on here, about Haynesworth is that he is lazy. I mean prior to last year the guy was total crap. Then boom in a contract year he turns it on and is productive. Now if I am the Titans that shows me that the guy is utterly useless. He just simply will never play hard on a consistent basis and is therefore not worth the money. I would have franchised him then traded him to get some sort of value.

As for your D I believe it will be fine this year. Your D and your offensive line are your two strengths, but the Titans are missing some serious pieces. I am not saying this to put you down, but rather I am giving some analysis. The issue is you cannot win in this league without a strong passing offense. Just look at how the Jags and Steelers changed from a slow offense to a quick strike one. They realized that today, in the modern NFL, you have to score points and potentially maybe a lot of points to win Super Bowls. Currently, your team has no QB and no skills at the skill positions at WR and TE. Without that you are nothing better than a 10-6 wild card team. Chris Johnson is a start, but… you guys have to (barring a major turnaround) divorce yourselves from Vince Young and start over on the offensive side.

I know it hurt believe me. I went through the Jeff George era as a Colts fan and I really wanted George to work out for the Colts. Sometimes though, you have to call a Spade and Spade and admit that you made a mistake in drafting Vince Young.

by MasterRWayne on Aug 25, 2008 6:02 PM CDT 0 recs

VY has won with a great D last year

and a crap D his first year. All we’re asking is to give the man a chance to show you what he can do. As you guys should know from Peyton, 25 starts does not a career make. National pundits assumed the kid was a 3 year project anyways.

I know you’re judging a lot based on what you ‘see’ and your ‘instincts’, but that can trick the best of them sometimes. Let’s just hold off before we count VY as a net negative to the team, please.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Aug 25, 2008 6:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Net Negative?

The guy can’t throw! He is a HUGE net negative!

And yes you can call it a “three year project” but I call that a load of crap. I don’t care who the player is whether QB, WR or CB if you do not show improvement from year to year then you are just “not worth the time.”

Besides Vince Young was a top 10 pick. You spent a top 10 pick on a guy who was a “three year project?” Sounds like you just spent your pick on garbage.

Oh and I have seen Vince Young this pre-season and he looks even worse. When are you guys going to take up and realize that you have “Michael Vick Light” on your team?

by MasterRWayne on Aug 25, 2008 10:37 PM CDT 0 recs

let me guess

you have ADD.

Michael Roos doesn't eat pitas because NOTHING BREAKS THE POCKET ON HIS WATCH!!!

by August West on Aug 25, 2008 10:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

Seriously

Your reaction to “Peyton MIGHT be hurt worse than they say” is “Vince Young suxxxxxx!!!!!”

You douchebags need to find a new argument.

by gramsey712 on Aug 26, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up 0 recs

Surprise

I’m actually going to agree with you here, gramsey712. The argument has gotten old. I was actually starting to think that Vince had turned a corner, based on what I’ve been reading from reports from camp. But, based on his preseason performance, he’s looked dreadful. Collins outplayed him and really should be starting. Vince just can’t play QB.

I personally think that what frustrates us Colts fans about how you Titans fans make excuses for Vince (because you so) is we see a reflection of ourselves many years ago when we made excuses for Jeff George, another talented college player who sucked.

Guys like MasterRWayne aren’t here to simply troll and thumb their nose at you. They see a bad QB, EVERYONE sees a bad QB, and they are mad you don’t see it too. But I agree, the argument is old. It’s now time to just play it out.

One thing I do know: If Vince Young plays this season the way he has done during preseason, he will get benched by Week 4, and the Vince era will start to end.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Aug 30, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up 0 recs

We didn't watch the same preseason.

Most of the time, while Vince was looking bad, Collins was looking WORSE.

Seriously, our best preseason QB play came from Ingle Martin. And yes, there are people suggesting he should be the starter, even though odds are he won’t even make the roster.

by hartley on Aug 30, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

BBS

If you don’t have anything other to talk about than how bad Vince is just stay on your own site. Collins has terrible this preseason. I don’t know there numbers off hand, but BOTH of them were bad. Ooooh look at Titans fan said VY was bad.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles

by Jimmy on Aug 30, 2008 1:38 PM CDT up 0 recs

And as bad as they were

Both were better than the jokers the Colts trotted out there this preseason.

SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue. Please make an account and post a diary, add some comments, and make some noise. Accounts are free, and only require an email address.

by BigBlueShoe on Aug 31, 2008 5:19 PM CDT up 0 recs