At halfway point, Colts appear to be team to beat
By DAVE GOLDBERG
Associated Press
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The Colts are unbeaten again at the midway point. And that obstreperous receiver known by his initials still gets his air time, this year in Dallas, where his coach calls him "the player."
Yes, the 2006 half-season might seem like a replay of 2005.
But think Saints. Think Marques Colston instead of Reggie Bush as the team's (and the NFL's) best rookie.
And wade through 11 snapshots on the first half of NFL 2006:
1. COLTS
The defense that was pretty decent last year has slipped. It was a little better Sunday night against the Patriots, but it's still last in the NFL against the run. Tony Dungy says that's good because it makes for close games, which toughens his team. The final eight games will be a preseason for the postseason, allowing Peyton Manning to demonstrate again that to beat Indy, you have to have the ball last. Root for the Colts because Tony and Peyton deserve to shed the "yeah, but ..." label.
2. 'THE PLAYER' AND THE TUNA
Overlooked: Terrell Owens isn't a very good player right now. ESPN managed to ignore his key Monday night drop against the Giants by cutting to a six-minute promo for "Dancing with the Stars." T.O. dropped a few more against the Redskins on Sunday, including a sure TD pass that would have clinched a win that became a loss.
Bill Parcells? It turns out his quarterback switch from Drew Bledsoe to Tony Romo was good — it should have been done earlier. But the Cowboys are 4-4 and the Tuna is unhappy. He blamed "the chart" for an ill-advised 2-point conversion attempt in Washington. Parcells at his best is the opposite of a "chart" guy. He goes by his instincts, which have always been outstanding. The Cowboys have talent, but are playing like a .500 team with a .500 coach (29-28 in Dallas). That won't be good enough to make the playoffs. Coach Jerry Jones might be happy if Parcells walks away after the season. Parcells might be happy, too.
3. STEELERS
Now we know how much Jerome Bettis meant. Yes, Ben Roethlisberger has had a star-crossed year. It's hard to say a quarterback peaked in his first two seasons, but maybe Ben did. He's more a flaky kid than a leader. Hines Ward can lead, and Willie Parker is trying. But with Bettis gone, it's time for the quarterback to step up. (Charlie Batch would, but he's a backup).
Even Bill Cowher, with a new home in North Carolina, seems to be looking for a year or two off.
Yes, the Steelers could win their last eight, make the playoffs at 10-6 and storm on to a second straight title. They won't.
4. SAINTS
A feel-good story: city and team recovering from Hurricane Katrina; Deuce McAllister and Drew Brees recovering from 2005 injuries; Reggie Bush recovering from Heisman hype; Marques Colston recovering from being ignored in the draft because he went to Hofstra instead of Southern Cal. The Saints lead the NFC South and might just win it, even with a tough closing schedule.
5. MEDIOCRITY
Eight underdogs won last week, led by Miami (1-6) handing Chicago its first loss — at Soldier Field, no less. The unbeaten Colts (see above) have holes on defense. Denver (6-2) has a so-so offense and was riddled by Manning in the fourth quarter. The Giants, if healthy, might be quite good. They're not healthy. Same for Seattle. Teams like Carolina, Atlanta and Dallas look great one week, awful the next. That's why the NFL is mediocre, especially the NFC.
6. BAD OWNERS
Those who ignore the principle rule in any sport: "Hire good people and get out of the way." Such as:
7. BENGALS
Five years ago, a 4-4 mark at midseason would have had folks dancing in the streets of Cincinnati. Not now. Carson Palmer seems tentative, excusable for a QB coming off a devastating knee injury. Chad Johnson has only two touchdown catches and his loud act has gotten old.
Worse: all those arrests and convictions. Most teams stay away from bad guys these days. Marvin Lewis doesn't, then bristles when his players get in trouble and it's brought up.
8. BEARS
The Dolphins put an end to those comparisons with the '85 Bears. The salary cap means no one is that good now. In 1985, the Giants, 49ers, Redskins, Dolphins, Patriots, Raiders, Jets, Broncos and Rams probably were better than any team playing today. The Broncos went 11-5 that year and didn't make the playoffs.
Yeah, Chicago will win the NFC North, maybe get to the Super Bowl. But Rex Grossman is flawed and the injury to safety Mike Brown takes away a defensive leader.
9. MANNINGS
Eli will never have Peyton's numbers playing in the windy Meadowlands. He's just not as good as his brother. But who is? They're only compared because they are the famous sons of a famous father. Eli is good late in games. Throw out his 1-6 start as a rookie and he's 17-7 as a starter. A top 10 QB.
10. DAMON HUARD
He had thrown one pass in the past five seasons until he replaced Trent Green for the Chiefs after Green went down with a concussion in the opener. He's second to Peyton Manning in the NFL in passer rating with 11 TD passes and one interception. Chiefs are 5-2 in games he's started. What happens when Green is ready? Herm Edwards will decide when. Maybe Green will never be "healthy."
11. CHAMP BAILEY
"Shutdown cornerback" is an overused phrase. Not with this guy. Almost as dominant on defense as Peyton Manning on offense. And Al Wilson, Denver's middle linebacker, is as good as the more publicized Brian Urlacher. With Bailey and Wilson, you could throw nine nobodies out there and the Broncos' defense would still be good. Nine nobodies? The defensive front is mostly ex-Browns.
P.S. Dan the Fan got rid of Bailey for Clinton Portis. Memo to Snyder: Running backs are easier to find than shutdown cornerbacks.
