BINGO!

Sadly, you're right.

If Herm is so damned concerned about our opposition getting the ball on back to back possesions why doesn't he kick off in the first half when we win the toss? Its not like our offense is going to drive the ball anyways. Put your defense on the field and try to win the battle of field position. If you get behind which is what happens every week anyways at least you get the ball to start the second half.

Exactly. In warfare, we call it "situational awareness". Knowing where the enemy is and what the conditions are on the battlefield so that you can exploit opportunities for tactical advantage.

This was a tactical blunder as we played right into their strengths with a "play-not-to-lose" mentality that lost us the game.

I love Croyle - I want him to play. I just think expecting him to go into Indy where the Colts average giving up only 1 passing play of over 20 yards and get 2-3 interceptions or strip sacks a game and expecting him to light it up is unrealistic. Especially behind this O-line that nearly got him murdered in the 2nd quarter. Holthus is right - we played in the manner that gave us the best chance to win in overwhelmingly difficult surroundings. No one expected us to win, but we almost did by minimizing negative plays from our passing offense. It won't look like this when we're at home and playing against worse defenses.

Nah, I'm not offended by anyone. The fun is getting sucked out of this place. I just think Carl Peterson has pretty much flushed the optimism out of the fanbase, I can't blame anybody for that. We're pretty much playing for the future and I just think it's pointless to spend 100 posts about running out the clock at the end of the first half.

I don't think everything Herm's done is perfect or close to it, but I think there are far more positive things going on in this rebuilding effort than people realize because everyone's brain has been turned to mush over "mediocrity" and all that. Like Croyle... I'm a huge fan of the guy... but I really think letting him get 8 more weeks of practice snaps has made him look a lot better than he did at the end of the preseason when he looked rattled. I think Herm handled it fairly well, but he'll never get credit for that.

They were without 3 starters, not half their offense. Manning, Addai, Wayne, and Clark is still plenty good. They were up 2 scores on the Pats a few weeks ago without Harrison too.

One thing is clear: Herm will never be a popular coach. Regardless of whether he ends up winning a game here and there, his methods are absolutely maddening. I've never been as close to throwing something through my new HDTV as I was last weekend.

I have a serious question.

What other active coach in today's NFL is as conservative as Herm? I know a lot of people cite Martyball, but he's not active right now. Anyone else come to mind?

FAX

You need to get married and start a family so you can take your frustrations out on them. After all, their wounds will heal, but your TV sure as hell won't ever fix itself.

Uh.....they were missing so many WR's Thorpe was on the field as a starter.....half their Oline was down.....

When it flashed up and said Croyle 8 completions for 44 yards that's is sad....you don't have to throw it 50 yards but you should average close to 10 yards a completion.

Constantly throwing 2 yard passes to Bowe is not my idea of passing offense.

Martyball looks like the GSoT compared to this offense.

Jack Del Rio is pretty conservative but I don't even think he's as bad as Herm....

Herm was winning some support by the bye week. It all came crashing down, though. Sad.

Jack Del Rio can afford to be more conservative. His running game rewards that philosophy.

Herm's doesn't. He should adjust. In fact, he was, until they put in Brodie. Then it was back to runrunpasspunt.