Is Ditka driving da bus?

So for one weekend only, I'm growing a mustache, putting on my dark shades, and becoming a Chicago Superfan. But first, some thoughts on the AFC Championship game:

1) Dammit, someone forgot to tell Manning that he's a choker. I don't know how he did it, but somehow he managed to overcome the pick-six he threw to Asante Samuel and finally come through for his team. How very un-Peyton-like...

2) In all seriousness, did the Pats choke away the lead? I spent a lot of time thinking about this, going over the game in my head, and finally decided that the answer was no. Now before anyone accuses me of being a Patriots apologist (which I probably am), let me first say that I never understood the concept of choking away a halftime lead. Since the game is only half over, it's hard for me to accept that an equal point differential in the second half is a choke job.

But ultimately, I never got the feeling that the Patriots were dominating the game, even in the first half. The Patriots secondary was up to the challenge of defending the deep ball but there were several opportunities for the Colts to have quickly scored touchdowns early on. Even though the score was 21-6 at the half, it had thus far seemed like a pretty even battle to me, the difference being that the Colts had settled for short field goals, and the Patriots had converted.

3) Even though the Patriots defense gave up 32 points in the second half, I don't think they played horribly. They didn't miss many tackles, there weren't a lot of blown assignments in the secondary, the D-line was getting hits on Manning, and they weren't letting the Colts get many free yards. To me, the game was won in the 3rd quarter when the Colts managed two clock-killing drives that wore down the Patriots defense to the point where several players were taking themselves out of the game with cramps. By the 4th quarter, you could tell those guys were pretty much running on fumes, and that they had little chance of being able to hold off the Colts offense down the stretch. I don't think the defense choked--they just couldn't keep up with the Colts that day. And at the end of the day, they never let up and they left everything they had on the field. As a fan, you can't ask for much more.

4) It's hard to get mad at the offense when they put up 27 points in a playoff game, but man, a few more plays here or there and we'd be talking about the Patriots' chances to win 4 titles in 6 years. The real killer was the final 3rd down that they couldn't quite pick up...a conversion there, and the Colts get the ball back with 30 seconds left...probably not enough time to win it. Dammit.

5) The game itself was pretty exhausting to watch, and sadly, very difficult to deal with...you know, seeing as how I absolutely loathe the Colts and all. I'm a little ashamed to admit that I had difficulty sleeping for two nights due to the knot that formed in my stomach once the game clock hit 0:00. On the other hand, this is why I love following a sports team so closely...why spend the time to watch and follow sports if you're not going to become emotionally invested in the outcome?

And since there's not going to be much action with the Patriots until the draft in April, I'd like to close out this entry with some reflections on the 2006 season.

1) For those without an intimate knowledge of the 2006 Patriots, allow me inform you that Rashad Baker, who came in for a few series in the Colts game, was essentially the Patriots' 7th option at the safety position (behind Harrison, Wilson, Hawkins, Sanders, Tebucky Jones, and Randall Gay on the depth chart). My point is this: the Pats were AGAIN decimated by injuries, especially on the defensive side, yet they were still one minute away from playing in another Super Bowl. Does anyone really think that the Pats aren't going to contend again next year?

2) For most of the season, the Pats carried only 4 WRs on the roster, yet Brady still managed to get this offense to be productive heading into the playoffs. Even though he didn't look quite right this season, I've never been more impressed with him.

3) So what's the final verdict on Deion Branch? I hated the fact that they allowed him to leave, but loved the fact that they managed to snag a 1st-round pick out of a bad situation. I think Seattle will find that they paid a very steep price to obtain a very good (but not elite) wideout. I still wish he played for us, but giving in to his demands would not have been smart, and I credit the Pats for not wavering from their salary cap management philosophy.

4) The Vinatieri defection though...still terrible. Did it make sense to let him go and get Gostkowski, who has a monster leg, is 10 years younger, and costs 60% less? Yes but....seeing him in that Colts uniform....it's just wrong on so many levels.

5) Guys who need to step it up for 2007:
-Chad Jackson (get yer head in the game, kid)
-Ben Watson (too many drops, too many fumbles)
-Laurence Maroney (a few more big plays, and I'm sold on getting that #39 jersey)
-Ellis Hobbs (flashes of brilliance, not enough consistency to be as cocky as he is)
-Eugene Wilson (gets a free pass for playing hurt this year)

6) Tedy Bruschi, I hate to say it, but it looks like the end is near. What a great player...so much fun to watch. Mike Vrabel, I think we'll see a bounce-back year in 2007. Asante Samuel is as good as gone, he won't find his payday at 1 Patriot Plaza. Daniel Graham, enjoy that franchise tag and the $4 million that comes with it.

And since I'm now one of Bob Swerski's superfans, allow me to make my Super Bowl prediction. I think the Colts will play admirably, but if there is a God, the old adage about defense winning championships will hopefully hold true.

Final score: 151-0, DA BEARSSS!