Five Observations: Indianapolis Colts Vs. Cleveland Browns

The Indianapolis Colts traveled to Cleveland this past weekend to take on the Browns. To start this game the Colts looked unprepared and as a result fell behind early. In classic Colts fashion the offense knocked off the rust and helped the Colts come back to win 25-24.

Defense Came Prepared

The Colts offense might not have been prepared for Sunday’s game but the defense sure was. In fact the Colts defense surrendered four less points than the offense did all game. It was much of the same from this defense when they play against inferior quarterbacks. Greg Manusky brought pressure, Cleveland WRs got open, and the QB missed them because he was being rushed. If there is one type of team that this defense can dominate, it was the Browns offense with Hoyer.

Is It 2012?

Back when Andrew Luck was a rookie, Reggie Wayne was the best Colts WR and Freeney was still wearing the horseshoe the Indianapolis Colts relied on the comeback. That year they won 11 games and 7 (SEVEN) of them came in the form of a fourth quarter comeback. There were some memorable ones like in Lucks second game against the Vikings when he led them to a last second field goal in under 2 minutes (you knew he was going to be special after this), against the Titans when Ballard had his ridiculous jump into the endzone and probably the most memorable one was against the Lions when Donnie Avery actually did something good. However, this was the first comeback the Colts had won all season. As exciting as all those comebacks were, the Colts are now the team expected to win (mostly) and that is even more fun.

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Revenge Games

I love revenge games because they almost always result in nothing but that one time a player has his best game against a former team can be so fun to watch. As many people know the Indianapolis Colts have some former Browns players on their team. Josh Cribbs and Trent Richardson both formerly played on that team and both spoke about wanting to score a touchdown and jump into the dog pound. Fans thought they would be extra motivated to show the Browns what they were missing. However, Cribbs had his worst game as a Colt and Trent ran the ball as well as he has for the Colts (not a good thing) but couldn’t make any positive difference. D’Qwell Jackson is another former Brown who would want “revenge” on his former team. D’Qwell played his average game too but sadly was probably the best former Brown playing for the Colts. Maybe it’s time for Grigson to stop trying to acquire Browns players because it never seems to work out.

Khaled Holmes Is A Real Person

Khaled Holmes was supposed to be the Colts starting center this season. Then much like last season he sustained an injury and lost his position. Also like last season Holmes was given an opportunity to play because of multiple injuries to the offensive line. However, this season he got to play much more than last season but the results stayed the same. I have not charted his numbers but from watching the game you could see that he was more than capable as a blocker. So far in a limited sample size it seems like Holmes could still be the Colts center or maybe even guard of the future.

Trent Richardson May Actually Be Done

For everyone that wanted to see Trent Richardson get benched or have his carries seriously reduced this game may have given you what you wanted. Trent did get a decent share of the RB touches but most of his work came in the first half of the game. In fact I don’t have him touching the ball just over half way through the third quarter. That alone is good news that the Colts coaching staff has seemingly realized that Boom Herron (or anyone) is a better RB that Trent. What may have been even more telling was when they gave Boom the chance to get the first down on third and then fourth down consecutively near the end of the game. Both times Boom only needed a yard or two and that is an area that the coaches seem to love trusting Trent. Instead they went with the better RB and succeeded because of it. Hopefully the time has come when the Colts turn away from Trent and start using their more talented players.

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