Ray Rice On Verge of Becoming Football’s Brightest Star?

For all the chatter about Ray Lewis and the Harbaugh brothers, as the Harbowl campaign is sweeping the nation this week, Ray Rice, for the first time in his noteworthy NFL career, is emerging into a star running back after the Baltimore Ravens stopped abandoning the running game. The most he can do, if he’s handed the ball and knifes through San Francisco defenders, is validate his name as one of the most dynamic speedsters in the game.

With all his might, he’s quickly becoming a component on the Ravens offense, changing the team’s psyche that relentlessly results in fame and fortune. He’s done a good job for the Ravens. He is the ideal all-purpose running back for any offense, particularly under Jim Caldwell who is the Ravens offensive play-caller and knows how to utilize Rice, even though he’s conservative and has been criticized for not knowing the playbook. Early in the season, when Cam Cameron was calling the plays and couldn’t direct a stagnant and impotent offense, Rice wasn’t used to his fullest. But now, he’s clearly the centerpiece of the offensive attack, a dangerous player in open field, bursting through the holes with nifty moves.

It’s painful enough watching Baltimore not exploit its offense based on the speed and playmaking skills of the three-time Pro Bowler sometimes. The nausea, as Rice was forgotten and as the Ravens neglected his open-field brilliance, is finally gone and he is easily vital in the backfield for Baltimore to have success in the most important game of a long marathon. What has been lost in an incalculable, nauseating discussion is where Rice ranks in the National Football League, which is a bit absurd and shouldn’t be debatable when he’s indeed an elite runner in the game today. The man eludes multiple tacklers, he’s crafty and shows acceleration, but what overshadows Rice’s rush attack is QB Joe Flacco’s vertical passing.

The assumption has been that he will have the game of his life, will have monster yards on a night that he’s embraced by an audience tuning in to the most popular sports event. If he dares, he’d duplicate a 131-yard rushing performance that he had on a night spent in the frigid Mile High City, where he gave fans a Mile High Salute, which was a traditional touchdown celebration of Broncos all-time running back Terrell Davis. In his fifth NFL season, Rice has not lost his touch, running faster than ever, scampering into the end zone. So here he is this week, finally after five years, making his first trip to the Super Bowl.

He could be one of the Ravens players to flip the coin on Sunday, call heads or tails, and depending on which side the coin lands, then he may be running the ball early to fuel a crowd during a three-hour event of thrills and titillation, especially when he’s the team’s leading rusher. He could reign supreme in an offense that has become revolutionary in its own way. If Rice goes racing down Bourbon Street, not just to smell and taste Cajun food or Chef Emeril’s savory meals, he can easily be the real MVP of the Super Bowl and burst into view. All of which would be enough to make him elite, famous or a main attraction. But there’s more. As disturbing as it’s been to watch the running back position devalue recently, with the NFL turning into a pass-happy league this era, Rice is, respectively, the loudest man, as well as Ray Lewis, in the locker room. Once Lewis retires, which he’s announced weeks ago, Rice will take over as team leader. If he’s given the chance in Super Bowl XLVII, he will make tacklers miss, explode through the hole and dash into open field.

Amazingly, he’s come a long ways, wearing a smile during news conferences and speaking kindly of Lewis, who has been a father-figure to him and someone he can obviously look up to for guidance and consultancy. It would be nice to see Rice have a breakout performance, and not suddenly sputter when he can win his first Super Bowl and leave New Orleans happy, realizing he will be entitled to wear bling bling on his ring finger.

If only we could revere what Rice accomplished this season and wish him the best moving forward, he makes his sojourn in Baltimore, where he’s adored and his jersey is glorified. And when he was bad — as in terrible — he bounced back from adversity and ended his on-field woes, becoming an important player offensively and had the second-best postseason game a couple of weeks ago in zero-degree weather in Denver.

This is so much more than just a game. This is one of the proudest moments of Rice’s life, finally playing for what he’s been chasing since stepping foot into the league, since developing into a stud, reminding everyone that running backs are still relevant in this era. In his continuing quest to prove he’s the soul of Baltimore, like it or not, the running game is still alive. Over the years, though, teams have relinquished the running game.

Take last year’s Super Bowl, for instance. My point being is, even if it seems unrealistic and inaccurate, that the New York Giants won the contest having the league’s lowest-ranked ground game. As it is, ultimately, the NFL is a quarterback-driven, pass-crazed sport and nothing else seems to matter when a number of teams are lucky enough to have promised a franchise quarterback residency and megabuck deals to serve as their leader rightfully so. It was unfortunate, with his gifted speed and moves, to see Rice plagued by turnovers, for which he couldn’t ever hold on to the ball without fumbling it, so emotionally hurt on the sideline after a costly error.

It’s fine to say he’s made up for his mistakes, and has learned from them, not overwhelmed by his abundant recklessness that overshadowed his miraculous performances. It simply isn’t hard for people of football knowledge to fathom that conversations won’t revolve around him, with the media and the masses in general focused on that inevitably feel-good story of a veteran linebacker who will play the final game of his career and ride off into the sunset.

Get with it, folks. Rice, 25, is a downhill runner and rushed for 1,143 yards and added 478 on receptions. Rather than leave this guy out and insult him, he should be mentioned heavily in conversations throughout the week. It’s only fitting for someone who has entered his prime of his respective career. These football advocates, sugarcoating and refusing to credit Rice for his accomplishments, aren’t sure exactly whether he’s worth all the hype, all of which he will have to emerge from the tunnel on Sunday and play impressively. If so, he will convince every football watcher at the right place, at the right time, the game of roman numerals, the game where legends are born.

There is no way that he’s not a star, rushing for 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons, at the height of his compelling career, in a week of one of the most outstanding adventures. The irony in all of this is that Rice has compiled so many numbers on the field that he’s painted a lovely story of his own, a contiguous tale of deeds in effort of beating opponents to capitalize on victories, which is how the Ravens made it to this point. He is the guy with the best attributes as a running back, having agility and lateral quickness, having the ability to quickly stop and change direction in his route with balance and body control to make tacklers miss.

This would be the moment for the Ravens, if they don’t, to realize just maybe how fortunate they are to inherit one of the top running backs in the league, as they are not commonplace but are scarce.

With Rice around, the Ravens are an ultra threat.

Watch out, San Francisco.

Rice is coming to a Superdome near you.

Manning Doesn't Have Good Health Benefits

Words aren't necessary. The horror alone Monday is reasonably glaring perceptions in which Peyton Manning shouldn't be permitted to start in the season-opener. The first instinct is to figure he won't be playing anytime soon and it is very likely his iron-man streak is coming to an end.

It is true, however, all good things must come to an end, but it is certain that he never expected for it to end because of an injury to limit his capabilities on Sundays. He is a frustrated maestro caught in a whirlwind from an everlasting media circus who is the face of the Indianapolis Colts, in which he is the endearing icon within a community where the population heavily embraces the godlike hero.

There is the god of football, when he's not really the god of football, after all -- but the epicenter of sports in America. He is the pass thrower everyone believes in, an athlete we can revere and endorse as our favorite hero, which is the explanation for 24/7 news coverage as the nation wonders about his health status for Sundays season opener. Without him, if he's not ready physically or mentally to play come Sunday, the Colts truly will reveal a football identity never discovered during the Manning regime.

A loyal city can suffer in despair with the absence of Manning, deprived of an iconic figure whose heroics played a huge role for the Colts in previous seasons. As in one of the smallest towns in Indiana, the die-hards are inhaling and holding their collective breaths, worried greatly about Manning's health. In many respected ways, he brought much exhilaration to the city, rapidly emerging as one of the greatest players to ever stand on turf at the toughest and most dignified position in sports.

He is admired so that we tend to forget he is nothing more than human like the rest of us, although he's ultimately a fantasy owner's best friend or even the most accomplished athlete we all recognize so well. But this year, he's doubtful for the season-opener in Sunday's game against Houston and the team announced today that Colts top player began feeling soreness in his back last weekend.

His rehabilitation from off-season neck surgery has been slower than imagined and, for once in his career, he is in jeopardy of missing his first game in his 14th season, having started 208 regular-season games straight -- including 19 more in the playoffs. He has attained historic plateaus no other quarterback in the NFL has ever accomplished, reaching two Super Bowls, winning a lone title, earning individual achievements and elevating his Hall of Fame status.

Without Manning, the Colts are limited, harmless and could be doomed in an erratic division where the Houston Texans are likely favorites to prevail in the AFC South, now that Manning is ailing and inactive listed doubtful when he has not fully recovered from neck surgery.

Because he has started since he was a rookie in 1998, it seems very strange he could actually miss his first game since high school, a streak no player in the league has came close to matching as he has always been essential to the Colts' success. Before he can smile or work harder than ever in preparations, he can only look weary, disgusted and frustrated, not fully healthy and could potentially have a setback if he's brought back too early without monitoring or evaluating the injured veteran.

He is, evidently aging and debilitating by his ailing body -- incapable in performing at his very best -- even if Manning has the body of work, given his incredible plateaus he set as one of the finest quarterbacks to reach such a peak in a team sport.

With him calling audibles in command as the leader of the offensive team, accountable for directing all the plays offensively, when he was clearly handed the playbook, the Colts have appeared in the playoffs 12 times of Manning's 14-year tenure, all with the lone franchise, including the last nine.

For all Colts' players, the season is uncertain if Manning doesn't return as quickly as possible, wondering precisely whether or not the team can prevail without him, wondering what would Indianapolis be without him. With less than a week to rehab, which isn't logical from what it seems, he won't be healthy in time for the season-opener, he'll be painfully glancing from the sideline inactive.

For the first time in his spectacular career, he'll spend time with the clipboard and earpiece, recovering from a neck injury when he honestly thought and had in mind that he'd be back in time for the beginning of the season. This season Manning, who is still recuperating from a disk in his neck and has been feeble and inefficient after he was cleared to practice for just one week, is entering with much uncertainty listed doubtful.

Now he has been ineffective in practice and has a diminutive measure of improvement in his rehabilitation that has slowed, no longer the Peyton Manning we were once familiar in seeing on the field every Sunday, an intimidating thrower with plenty of weapons around him.

He was returning to normalcy to potentially be robust to start the regular season as a supreme quarterback and main ingredient in the Colts' potent offense, but doctors were consulted and suggested that Manning's inactiveness could extend further into the season.

By Sunday, he just wishes he can have a speedy recovery and produce multiple wins for the Colts, to carry the classy franchise to the postseason and, even greater -- if imaginable, the Super Bowl in which Manning can have a chance in winning his second Super Bowl championship. As we are aware already -- in the history of quarterbacks -- Manning is fittingly deserving of standing in the company of nifty quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL.

We all realize he's a very good, crafty, well-rounded player, so of course he'll be missed, but it's not worth risking a career-threatening injury or worse a life-threatening disaster for one of the all-time greats. It is his health that really matters, not winning football games for the Colts. Make no mistake, he's a much-needed element in the Colts' offense, but more than ever, his health is more vital than steering Indianapolis to the Super Bowl.

What good is Manning if he suffers a career-threatening injury, what good is he if he has a setback and miss the remainder of this season?? There is just too much being made about Manning's absence, for what has literally turned into a media circus, hijacking headlines in the local newspapers in Indianapolis and even nationally he's chronicled on television and online.

By the way, much of this is from fans when Manning is clearly the symbol of the league, if not one of the world's most interesting men after fans boosted his ego and popularity. Let's face it, he comes from an indigenous culture of his football-oriented family, the son of the legendary Archie Manning, who introduced his boys, Peyton and Eli, to football during their youth.

If Manning can't play, then the un-retired Kerry Collins takes his place as the starter, also capable of bringing leadership based on his experience and poise. The all-pro quarterback, an NFL four-time most valuable player, is bothered by a neurological recovery.

For once, the Colts -- who usually are vague about releasing the specifics on injured players -- issued a statement and said that Manning's rehabilitation is "slowed." As for his coach, Jim Caldwell, he described Manning's steak as "an incredible feat."

"He's been an ironman; there's no other way to put it," Caldwell said Monday. "It's doubtful that he plays this week, but it takes a very unusual individual to have that streak."

At age 35, Manning is having it hard with these unexpected speculations, a frustrating development that he hasn't handled too well, battling with the most severe injury of his remarkable career. The question is now: Will he ever be able to perform efficiently and productively without his body giving out on him?

In the meantime, he's amusingly missed only one game because of an injury in his career, leaving a game against Miami in 2001 when he suffered a broken jaw but returned shortly after. That brings us to the moment he had surgery in mid-July to remove an infected bursa sac in his knee and missed much of training camp and all of preseason.

But this injury here is totally a different story, not so minor like his prior injuries. He's frustrated and irritable, but more than ever, helpless if he doesn't play and owner Jim Irsay truly believes in Manning, which explains why he addressed a new contract to lock the franchise megastar into a long-term deal, signing him to a five-year, $90 million deal. It's not a waste, and so far it's a disappointment, not only to the Colts faithful or the front office but Manning, too. And from what has been heard, it's not good apparently that he's slowed in his recovery.

"If he has specific weakness in a muscle group, that means whatever intervention that he's had done was probably not completely adequate to address the problem that he has," said Dr. Ty Thaiyananthan, neurosurgeon and co-medical director of the Chapman Neurosurgical and Spine Institute in Orange.

It's understandable, dating back to the summer, that Manning was upset and frustrated when he wasn't allowed to meet with trainers during the lockout, so he took his rehabilitation slowly while working with unusual faces.

There was no need to even think about the backup quarterback position if Manning was healthy, but now Collins is the last resort, learning the Colts' playbook less than two weeks. And maybe now the Colts' rush attack, a team that once consisted of an innocuous ground game and ranked 28th in rushing attempts and 29th in yards, could come to their aid with Joseph Addai and Donald Brown. For years, the Colts depended on Manning and he has produced, but now he doesn't have good health benefits. It would be interesting to see whether the Colts survive or wilt without Manning if he's not available.

I often wonder.

Colts: What's Not to Love? Manning, Indeed, a Franchise Megastar

The annual circus arrived and light rain dropped, lifting insanity in Miami, an active community opportune in hosting festivities.

There were no clowns, stomping elephants, wild monkeys, alligators, or even entertaining acrobats, but there had to be close to thousands of media personnel, crowded together and cramped near the podium interrogating.

The fortunate are ones inching closer in stepping on the biggest stage to master triumph. On a peculiar afternoon, the Colts handled the madness by answering any eccentric question thrown at them.

Unable to elude all the surrounding photo shots, there were constant bright flashes and inane queries came from the mouths of bold reporters, with five days left before Super Bowl kickoff.

The state of Dwight Freeney’s ankle injury is absorbing all the attention, when the Indianapolis Colts are explosive and refined on offense, rather than an erratic defense.

But amid all the craziness, Tuesday at Media Day, where the Greatest Exhibit on Turf staged in the center of Sun Life Stadium, the Colts were the main event. If they were affiliated with the media, reporters were ecstatic when Peyton Manning grabbed the microphone.

Not surprisingly, the four-time MVP stole the spotlight on the wackiest stage, where he described the biggest game as the pinnacle event of the NFL.

Seemingly, pinpointing the irony is simple, if pertaining to the Great Manning himself. Any team can advanced to the Super Bowl, but it’s rare for any team to seek a promising chance of perfection.

Twice in his career, Manning has almost finished the unprecedented by leading the Colts amazingly to NFL’s first 19-0 record. Once in his career, he has won a Super Bowl, at the same site where he returns attempting to hoist another piece of hardware.

So when he appeared near the table, Manning stared at millions of reporters, logic that justifies he’s a valuable specimen.

“I am excited for New Orleans,” Manning said. “It’s a special place to me. My family lives there…I enjoyed watching the game last week. I surely felt that emotion.”

If there’s one quarterback the game truly embraces, it’s Manning, a savvy team captain who deserves to be characterized as the brand name of the NFL.

Think about it.

He’s the marquee player of the league, and constantly reaches historic marks, regardless if the plateaus are done individually or as a team.

What’s not to love about the endearing megastar?

Having seen Manning hurl eye-opening passes is enough to appreciate him as NFL’s biggest attraction.

Having seen thrilling audible called at the line of scrimmage, which transformed into exceptional touchdown completions, are usual traits that has fans at Indianapolis believing in blue and jovial of the lustful style and humbleness he has shown since the emergence on the pro level.

What we’ve seen over the years was a bright team president, Bill Polian build a solid franchise. After experiencing these proudest memories before, the Colts are here again, attempting to reach the climax by the end of Sunday night. All year, Manning dreamed of returning to the biggest dance.

While wearing a blue uniform, he has proved to the world that he’s a valuable specimen and will be in the running to seize a championship. As years progress, his popularity has expanded greatly. And because of fame he declared citizenship in the smallish town, where if he was to run for major, he’ll probably favor all voting ballots.

What’s not to like about Manning?

He tries to focus on the positives.

He tries to think of strengths, rather than weaknesses.

He tries to garner a positive belief on the game. And he tries to downplay all the individual awards.


In other words, all things are done as a team effort, not individually. There’s not a day that passes, without Manning praising the team or crediting a teammate for their contributions. For those who know him very well, he’s straightforward and genuine. Pretty much, Manning isn’t a worrywart, but has acknowledged that his teammates will have to raise the intensity.

Rarely, does he wind up frustrated, unless he’s harassed on the turf in a contest. Even if Freeney cannot play, he’s confident in teammates and coaching staff. If he fought through adversity in the season and played with confidence, there’s no question he has strong belief in the up-and-coming receivers, such as Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie.

For much of the season, he relied on youth after losing top-name receiver Marvin Harrison and former Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders.

There was a trust level he had developed after building a strong relationship with Tony Dungy’s successor, Jim Caldwell, who proved that he’s mentally equipped to lead a NFL franchise. And this just in, owner Jim Irsay expects to sign Manning to the most lucrative contract in NFL history, which makes him the richest quarterback in history.

But if you have blue pride, you’re probably thinking of Manning. It’s obvious the superlative season in which he threw for 4,500 yards, has the gifted megastar regarded as the face of pro football.

From most perspectives he’s the perfectionist of the game. Without much debate, he is the greatest of all-time, given us every reason to believe in sports.

He's the epitome of a lovable icon, and defines the true meaning of humanity.

He was asked some of the weirdest questions ever on Tuesday, but answered each of them with dignity and heartwarming messages. There’s no doubts in our minds, he the noble peace maker of the NFL. Let’s take a listen.

“I understand the question—you have to do this and that. But this is a team game,” he said. “And this has been a team season for us. Look at the games, and you’ll see we have not dominated. We’ve had to grind and muscle, with different guys doing it in different games.

He then went on to say: “I don’t look at what it means for me. I don’t know what legacy means for me. I don’t have an option on that. I go out and play, and if other people form opinions, that’s their right. I know that this game is important to our franchise, our owner and our fans. That’s how I look at it being an important game.”

We can argue with U.S Today that Tom Brady wasn’t worthy of receiving the best quarterback of the decade honors, but given that he owns three Super Bowl rings, it gives him the nod. Of course, if Manning won multiple titles this decade, he would have definitely been considered the best of the decade. Now, even greater, he has a chance to prove he’s the greatest quarterback by winning on the national stage, the national holiday when friends and relatives unite for parties rooting on the next champ.

He’s the most popular and endearing figure, if not all of sports.

He, indeed, showed it at Media Day.

No Super Bowl Triumph for Colts Without Dwight Freeney

This early, in the year, NFL teams are unwilling to arrange a vacation to Florida. Indeed, it’s a refreshing vacational spot for relaxing and aloof from reality.

Given that the Indianapolis Colts earned a trip to Miami after clinching the AFC title against the New York Jets, Peyton Manning and the gang didn’t travel to Florida for a vacation in paradise or to visit the vicious alligators in the Everglades. The Colts have landed in South Beach for one objective.


That’s to win the Super Bowl on Sunday, and celebrate its first championship in four years. But there’s a scare, and fans are holding their collective breaths, worried heavily about the latest health status of Colts monstrous defensive end Dwight Freeney, who has a torn ligament in his right ankle. Minus the Pro Bowler, the Colts' defense is depleted by this troubling injury. Given that he’s arguably the best pass-rusher in the game and the supreme leader on defense, Freeney’s unavailability is a heartbreaker.

According to team spokesman Graig Kelley, he’s being treated in Florida. “He’s under the care of our athletic training staff”, Kelley said. “Nothing we have seen changes our diagnosis that he is questionable. He has a third-degree, low basketball sprain.”

Any team that loses a star player due to injuries is mind-boggling. Whichever way you envision the sudden tension, the Colts are suffering and dealing with the agonizing loss of a defensive weapon, a reliable source to help pressure Drew Brees and make a three-hour event miserable.

In a positive context, the Colts are classifying the injury as a low-ankle sprain and listed Freeney as questionable for Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday. No matter if there’s a Pro Bowl gunslinger in Manning, no matter if there’s the inspirational sensibility of wideout Pierre Garcon, who’ll be playing with a heavy heart as many of his relatives are coping with the catastrophic earthquake that ravaged his native country of Haiti, the legitimate winner usually sustains triumph from a defensive effort.

Beyond the usual presumption that defense wins championships, Manning is capable of delivering a last-second miracle. Anything can happen if he fires his massive passes deep across the field. It’s rare to see a quarterback defy the unprecedented, including the lone Super Bowl title, the four MVP awards, and the passing records.

He brings back memories of Joe Montana and Dan Marino. Similar to their unique brand, Manning could eventually be a Super Bowl hero. Knowing him, he could fling a game-winning pass to Pierre Garcon or Reggie Wayne, two leading receivers he targets greatly. So, in the prior years of witnessing breathtaking finishes, could the Colts replicate an instant classic?

Currently, it’s tough to determine, when a must-needed piece is hit with a horrific injury. The latest news is a disadvantage, especially when it involves a player who means so much to a franchise. Hearing that the problematic injury is a torn ligament is bad news.

In reality, Freeney’s effectiveness isn’t as stout, which effects his ability to pivot and apply speed as a way to intimidate Brees. Before dwelling on a dramatic offense, panic about the declining defense. If Freeney is sidelined for the festivities, the pass rush is less of a factor and the odds of capping a dream victory could suddenly shrink. The weakest link is the Colts’ secondary, and their task is difficult against the Saints bottomless receiver core of Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey, and Devery Henderson.

But worse is not having the necessities for hindering New Orleans’ invaluable passing game. Understand that Freeney is the face of an ailing defense and a NFL brand name. Unfortunately, he may have to watch from the sideline and miss out on the most important game. He may have to bear a painful scene if the Colts suffer a loss.

His ability to bulldoze and send quarterbacks crashing to the turf is instrumental in a game when all components matter. Being hampered by health issues, Freeney has been inactive and missed three days of practice last week. If anything, the Colts are in a position where they must explore options on defense. We all know losing a fallen star is a huge blow, especially when it involves winning the hardware and marching in a parade next week.

“There’s been many weeks where he’s had some situations that have looked like he would not be able to play but he’s been able to battle through it and not only play, but play well,” Jim Caldwell, the first-year head coach, said on Sirius NFL Radio. “So he’s a quick healer and we’re praying for the same thing to happen this week as well.”


If he’s not available on the greatest stage on Sunday, the Colts will miss Freeney’s athleticism. As it stands, he’s their top defender with plenty of individual accomplishments. The Colts need Freeney, a defender tied for third in the league this season with 13.5 sacks. In his injury history, he’s known for fast recoveries, including earlier in the season when he returned seven days after blowing out his quadriceps. The way disconcerted people may want to treat the issue is by wishing for a speedy recovery.

Who knows, he may recover in time and contribute enough to turn around the team’s personality. It makes sense to panic over the dire affliction, as it makes a difference on an entire franchise. Even more so, with 13.5 sacks this season, Freeney has produced double-digit sacks six times in the last eight seasons.

“It’s hard to speculate at this point,” Manning said. “Dwight is one of our best players, we know that. But all season long coach Caldwell has talked about picking up the bayonet. Someone’s got to step up. If Dwight were not to be able to go that would be tough, but somebody else will step up and we’ll feel confident in whoever that is.”

Even though he has a tendency for healing faster than normal, the ankle injury likely will create angst. It nearly owns headlines over any other football-related topics. As Super Bowl week is under way, Freeney is nursing an injury in which he suffered in victory over the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game. Shortly after a light workout, the team boarded the charter flight and arrived to Miami, ready to go without Freeney if necessary. But still, it’s not the same.

There’s a feeling of emptiness, for all the sudden obstacles. This may have a large impact on the Colts, reducing their likelihood of leaving Miami victorious, a position they’ve set their eyes on during the regular season as a reason for shunning perfection. The Colts want to win and sustain this euphoria, but now it appears inevitable without Freeney having an impact.

Sorry: no Freeney, no Super Bowl.

Colts Arrival On Miami's Block is More Imperative Than Historic Plateau

Anyone can debate whether now is a good time to rest players, and ignore a historic plateau.

And somewhere today, the arrogance of the ’72 Miami Dolphins has awakened.

By the time the Thursday night game finished, the Indianapolis Colts arrived inches closer of shattering a seemingly unbreakable record.

What seems untouchable is capable of being broken, but should be the least priority for the Colts. It’s obvious they’re focused on perfection, not arriving at Mercury Morris’ block for the Super Bowl.

For all it symbolizes, the Colts are jeopardizing health, putting the franchise at risk.

At 14-0, why is a franchise in pursuit of the improbable, unthinkable finish of the ages, prompting an arrogant Morris to scream and utter sarcastic remarks?

Why is a franchise trying desperately to reach a pinnacle, with historic deeds of all-time in sports history?

The least of their worries is a glorious achievement—particularly if dancing in Miami and winning a Super Bowl title is imperative for illustrating a memorable season.

Being on the brink of self-destruction when it matters the most could deprive an arrival onto the national stage, which distinguishes a heartbreaking moment. And when there’s a rookie coach in the picture having an impressive season, losing late can hurt Tony Dungy’s successor Jim Caldwell.

Good teams are bound to falter, but realistically, it seems the Colts won’t lose this season. They are unbeaten and armed with tremendous weapons to rise to a climax.

Meanwhile, greediness of attaining glory can doom a promising season. Pursuing the unprecedented plateau of all-time isn’t everything.

When a dream suddenly looms and you’ve already clinched home-field advantage, and earned a top-seeded playoff berth, the ultimate trip to Miami is a priority.

It would be nice surpassing an incredible mark in all of sports, but it’s unpleasant if key players suffer vital injuries and are unable to contribute.

But it’s good to know, the Colts are on the verge of winning their second Super Bowl title, knowing its reputation for moving from Baltimore to Indianapolis overnight without informing the fans. Besides, owner Jim Irsay has developed a contiguous bond in Indianapolis as fans appreciate the much-respected franchise.

This is a team with guts. This is a team with enough heart to seek history. But what matters the most is, using Herm Edwards' words, is playing to win the game, not to prosper historically.

As it stands, the Colts are the hottest team in the league, improving its record to a perfect 14-0 with two games remaining.

Allowing Indianapolis to attempt NFL’s unthinkable, can provoke a freak accident in the upcoming weeks as an essential star is vulnerable of a devastating blow.

In a contest that wrote a highly intense and dramatic finish lasting until the final minutes of Thursday night, the Colts held collective breaths, nervous of a near-loss hurting the journey to perfection.

They almost lost their first game of the season, stumbling in a back-and-forth, turn of events fray that had nine lead changes.

What was Caldwell thinking to use the starters, not only in the first-half, but the second-half, too?

The least he could have done was allowed the monstrous defensive ends, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, to play until halftime, and remove them in the second-half.

It is time to rest each superstar, ensuring all the primary weapons on the roster are robust and energized when the playoffs arrive.

From the look of their body languages, the Colts defensively are fatigued and need rest to fully recharge for a successive journey. Judging by the motions, you could say the calendar reads February, not mid-December—a month when the Dallas Cowboys are doomed, you sing Christmas carols, deck the halls with decorations and drink egg nog.

But most gamblers predicted the Colts were favorites to pummel the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It wasn’t a pushover victory, nor were the Jaguars intimidated of the Colts’ solidity to dominate and own spotlight for a 23-game win streak—one of the longest streaks in major sporting history.

Let’s come to an understanding, Peyton Manning has 14 wins, has yet to lose and is favorite to win his fourth MVP award.

You’re accustomed to seeing a vintage Manning shatter some of the greatest records of all-time, solidifying a spot within the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. But surely the least worry is individual marks, when the Super Bowl remains his next desire.

Even though Manning had a flawless outing and threw four touchdowns for 308 yards, he should have sat the second-half to prevent the possibilty of a severe injury. By resting in the late quarters, it could have harmed an impeccable journey of managing to hold on to an undefeated season.

As a result, the Colts would not have salvaged a high-scoring 35-31 win on a tense and threatening night in Jacksonville.

I don’t believe a breathtaking finish was possible, if Manning sat on the bench staring at the second unit.

He connected with top receiver and primary target, Reggie Wayne for a 65-yard touchdown. That pretty much clinched the win, extending the Colts’ stupendous win streak to 23 consecutive regular-season wins, a large achievement, becoming the third-longest streak in American sports.

My favorites to win the Super Bowl are the Colts. There’s a fearful notion someone is vulnerable of getting banged up, but Caldwell is encouraging his players to venture, not even thinking of the negatives.

What about the fans?

Well, I’d speculate it’s normal to have the jitters each week, worried of the welfare of a player’s health. There are only two games left, and now is good timing to sit it out. The more rest, the more a promising goal is probable. And to master a Super Bowl, all eleven strong must have healthy limbs, bones and painless muscles to contend.

Later in the postseason, the Colts may actually need the heroics of tight end, Dallas Clark, who scored twice.

On the bench, they were anything but unflappable. Manning nervously watched, with a towel in his month to calm nerves. Same went for Clark, who stared tensed as an incredible milestone nearly impaired.

Jacob Lacey, the Colts cornerback, happened to be in the right place at the right time taking away the ball from Jacksonville.

Otherwise, the Jaguars shattering the hearts of the Colts was the story of the year, particularly when David Garrard was on target much of the night in the passing category, and Maurice Jones-Drew caused damage on the ground and rushed for an amazing 110 yards.

Thus far, the Colts met their biggest challenge, but somehow had enough adrenaline to pull it off as the ideal pursuit remains intact.

Maybe playing in the first-half is logical to avoid rust, but returning to the field in the second-half brings on troubling aspects. But health is critical for the playoffs, rather than an extraordinary milestone that’s meaningless if the Colts collapse, attempting to win on the biggest stage.

I’m sure the Colts prefer to dance on Mercury’s block, rather than surpassing the ’72Dolphins.