Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 November 2005 — Page 28

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D SECTION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2005

GAME POINT

INDIANAPOLIS 40, NEW ENGLAND 21

Send T.O. flying

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

I’m sure the San Francisco 49ers are laughing hysterically right now. They’re laughing because they knew Terrell Owens and his amazing talent to catch footballs was not worth having him on a team. They knew he was more than a handful and in the long run it was more beneficial to the team to rid itself of a crybaby whose attitude and mouth was way bigger than his football genius. I suggest that the Philadelphia Eagles take heed, undo the ball and chain and set T.O. free. Like Eagle quarterback Donovan McNabb said after they lost again, 17-10 to the Washington Redskins, it’ll be tough losing such a dynamic player but “I think we might be better off,” he said. Yathink! Philly was king of the NFC prior to T.O. True enough they hadn’t made it to the Super Bowl without him but from the looks of it they won’t be making it back with him. The Eagles need to do themselves and their fans a favor, get rid of T.O. He’s simply not worth all of the hype and he’s a grown man who cries more than a newborn baby. Suspending Owens indefinitely was too easy. Sending him back to Texas permanently is my idea of sending a message. I see no reason to forgive a man who is unforgiving himself. He’s still angry that the Eagles didn’t take the “Woe is us” route when Owens was injured games before the playoffs last year. Instead of saying, “We’re going to lose without T.O” the Eagles said, “We can win without T.O.” Owens’ feelings were hurt and he’s been complaining ever since. He’s a problem child who needs to be spanked with a definite leave of absence. There’s no mistaking how brilliant Owens is on the football field. He has 101 touchdown passes, which is fourth in the NFL. In 21 games with Philly he has 124 catches for 1,963 yards and 20 touchdowns. But is it worth sacrificing team chemistry and peace and quiet for an egomaniac that lives and dies by attention though he can catch anything no matter what it is or how far it’s being thrown? I don’t think it is. Since Owens joined the Eagles it hasn’t been about the Eagles. It’s been about him. The Eagles can win without T.O. they’ve proved it. If they take him back they deserve all of the drama they’re sure to get.

COLTS DOMINATE PATRIOTS

By BARATO BRITT Recorder Correspondent

In terms of their season, last Monday night’s contest vs. the defending champion New England Patriots was simply the finale of the an otherwise spectacular start. There are no trophies for beating the champs, unless you beat them in the Super Bowl. And, given their dubious record vs. the Pats, one game does not necessarily diminish almost a decade of domination over a team. What it does, however, may be much more. This time, the Colts entered Foxboro as the most complete team in the NFL, and they left as they

entered.

With their 40-21 victory over New England, the Colts, now 8-0, have finally rid themselves of a monkey of their backs that resembled King Kong. Though it was one game, the doubt that may have permeated in Colts camp is now removed, giving the team added motivation to continue their season’s second half in as dominant a fashion as they have

started.

Importantly, while there is no doubt the defeat of the champs in their house is a tremendous boost for morale, the Colts appear to understand the true ramifications behind the victory, where this season

is concerned.

“This is just one game at the end of the first half of the season,” reminded Colts head coach Tony Dungy, who is also beginning to exorcise a few demons of his own with regards to big game victories. “It’s important we don’t look at it as more than that. (The win) means we are three games

ahead in our division, that’s what we came to do.

“We don’t look at the past too much,” Dungy added. “We’ve lost some tough games here, but we know we have a good team and we had a chance

to show it.”

It is true the single game does not make or break their season, but the Colts clearly entered Monday night’s clash focused not only on victory, but on sending a message to the league that this Colts team is as solid on both

sides of the ball as they have ever been.

Aside from a first half interception, quarterback Peyton Manning appeared sharper than he has all season, exploiting a depleted Patriots secondary and busting out for his first 300-plus passing yard performance

of the season.

Receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne were the recipients of the majority of Manning strikes, each individually surpassing the 100

yard mark.

And on the ground, Edgerrin James again bruised another opposing defense with hard yards, surpassing the 100-yard rushing mark for the sixth time this season. Previously the Colts poster boy for their Foxboro futility, Manning admitted that being on the other side against New England has been a long time in coming. Aaid despite the circumstances, the win is as sweet as ever.

Colts receiver Reggie Wayne dives into the end zone for a touchdown. Wayne caught nine balls for 124

yards. (Photo/M. Patton)

“We came out and executed, we set out to get a lead on these guys,” Manning said. “It does feel good to beat these guys. These guys are tough up here. Anytime you come up here, you have to throw the records out.” Manning added that this trip to New England was a bit different, and not just because of the outcome. This time, Manning and crew also brought a new look defense to the party. Defensively, the Colts first half finale ended in a fashion that has become familiar. The Colts applied heavy pressure to All Pro quarterback Tom Brady, while holding the Patriots rushing attack to 34 yards, nearly 100 yards less than the Colts output. “We are more of a team,” Manning said. “We feed off each other. It’s a bit of a different feeling. I sleep a lot better knowing that Dwight (Freeney)

can get a sack anytime.”

For their fans, the euphoria of breaking through in New England just might last the entire season. The Colts however, are already over the victory and are now focused on a second half that starts at home against the

Houston Texans.

Like the Colts/Pats rivalry, this series vs. division rivals has been equally lopsided. Houston has yet to gain a victory of any kind against Indianapolis, but as the Colts so effectively displayed Monday, streaks are meant to

be broken.

At this point, however, the most important streak on the team’s collective plate is 8-0. Though talk of an undefeated season is way too premature, particularly given their tougher second half schedule, the Colts will take their record and run with it, one game at a time.

SHOW MEEKS THE LOVE

Defensive coordinator key to Colts improved ‘D’

Defensive coordinator Ron Meeks has been key to the Colts' 8-0 season. (Photo/W. Thomas)

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

Ifyou wantto impress Ron Meeks you have to be able to hit, hard. “Football is an aggressive and physical game,” he says. “I hate guys that don’t play it physical. You have to respect the game.” As defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, Meeks is a head coach and a player’s dream. “Ron is a perfectionist and that’s what you’re looking for when you’re instituting a system, you want it put in right,” says head coach Tony Dungy. “He works hard to make sure everything is right everyday and I think that has rubbed off on a lot of our players.” David Thornton, starting linebacker for the Colts agrees that Meeks is a perfect fit for the team. “He’s a very passionate coach and he’s extremely intelligent,” Thornton said. “He understands his players as well as the opponents we play week to week. He puts together a very good game plan that pretty much echoes the type of defense that Coach Dungy wants us to play, which is a relentless, fast style of play.” Since Dungy is widely respected and known as a defensive minded coach,

Meeks’ football IQ,often gets overlooked. “Everybody looks at our defense as if it’s my system,” Dungy says. “But Ron does all of the coaching on the defensive side of the ball and runs the meetings. He’s done a great job.” In fact, Dungy brought Meeks with him to Indianapolis saying he was the perfect man to help change the defense around. And he has. In his first year with the Colts during the 2002-03 season, Meeks helped the defense improve from 29th and 8th in NFL overall defense, while jumping from 31st to 7th in NFL scoring defense, which was third best in the AFC. So far in 2005, the Colts (8 - 0), have allowed only 12.3 points per game. The defense is ranked fourth overall in the NFL allowing only 279-1 yards per game. Defensive end Robert Mathis is the No. 1 defensive leader with 28 total tackles, nine sacks and six forced fumbles while linebacker Cato June is No. 2 in the take-a-way category with five interceptions. “All I’m doing is trying to apply a system that has really worked great in other places where Tony has been and get the players to work within

the system,” Meeks said. “I wanted the guys to get to a point doing the things that the system requires you do, which is play with a lot of speed and energy, be very disciplined and be accountable.” The system Meeks says has been four years in the making. Now that the growing pains seem to be over, everyone from the NFL to fans are seeing the fruits of Meeks’ and the entire defensive staff’s labor. “As years go by you should get better and as your personal changes, they begin to understand the defense and getting more things done,” Meeks said. “I think the addition of some of the guys we’ve had over the past two or three years have made a big difference.” However, if you can’t hit, don’t expect Meeks who played defensive back at Arkansas State and has been coaching for 20 years to seek you out to join the improved Colts defense. “My players have always told me that I’m meticulous about certain things and demanding,” Meeks said. “I’m meticulous about doing things the right way and getting things done. I love turnovers and I love to see players hit hard.”

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