Edge or Wayne - what would you do?

[still_life]

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060122/SPORTS03/601220453/1004/SPORTS

I'd let Edge walk because of

1. age
2. short yardage troubles
3. lack of production in the playoffs

And Wayne is just perfect in that offense. He's the real threat, not Harrison anymore. They're in a pretty good position to draft a RB in the 1st round to replace Edge, or they could go with Rhodes.

[YouMadeTheScene]

2 Problems

1) I don't think Edge wants to come back
2) If Wayne gets #1 reciever money from another team, he is bolting.

[yeat182]

i'd take edge because i think its probably easier to find a number 2 reciever either in the draft or in free agency than it is to find an MVP caliber running back. he's got some weaknesses, but you can replace wayne.

[mat1419]

I let Wayne walk because I want him for the Eagles.

But honestly, you can get another Reggie in the 2nd round of the draft it you need to. Stokley can step in right now and fill in.

You can't get Edge right now, so you keep him.

I think either way they're fine, but more than anything, Edge has some respect...if he's gone, Manning is blitzed every game like the last one until someone shows they're a superstar

[still_life]

2 Problems

1) I don't think Edge wants to come back
2) If Wayne gets #1 reciever money from another team, he is bolting.

Wayne's not going anywhere if they use the franchise tag on him, which will give him the big money for a year.

Edge wasn't happy going into this season. I'm sure he has a lot of friends on the team and likes picking up so many yards with ease, but I think it's time to move on.

[Drew Beringer]

Edge had a lack of production in the playoffs this year because the Colts were fuckin retarded and only gave him like 15 carries the whole game, a major reason why they lost. Edge had 53 yards at half vs Pittsburgh, but the Colts went into panic mode in the second half and abandoned the run.

I dunno what I would do if I was Bill Polian. It's gonna be a hard choice.

[LeftWideOpen]

Edge had a lack of production in the playoffs this year because the Colts were fuckin retarded and only gave him like 15 carries the whole game, a major reason why they lost. Edge had 53 yards at half vs Pittsburgh, but the Colts went into panic mode in the second half and abandoned the run.

totally agree. the colts blew that game bigtime w/ their gameplan.

i agree with the others here who say you keep edge and let wayne walk if you must, because of the depth at each position for the colts.

[YouMadeTheScene]

Edge had a lack of production in the playoffs this year because the Colts were fuckin retarded and only gave him like 15 carries the whole game, a major reason why they lost. Edge had 53 yards at half vs Pittsburgh, but the Peyton went into panic mode in the second half and abandoned the run.

I dunno what I would do if I was Bill Polian. It's gonna be a hard choice.

fixed that for you.

[still_life]

I let Wayne walk because I want him for the Eagles.

But honestly, you can get another Reggie in the 2nd round of the draft it you need to. Stokley can step in right now and fill in.

You can't get Edge right now, so you keep him.

I think either way they're fine, but more than anything, Edge has some respect...if he's gone, Manning is blitzed every game like the last one until someone shows they're a superstar

Stokley is not a legit #2. I think he showed this year (and any other year) that 2004 was a product of Manning, not Stokley being that good. Wayne has turned into the clutch receiver that Harrison used to be. If it's 3rd and 9, Wayne will get the 10 yard catch. I think he's very important for this offense. What they lose in Edge is a good pass blocker.

[still_life]

Edge had a lack of production in the playoffs this year because the Colts were fuckin retarded and only gave him like 15 carries the whole game, a major reason why they lost. Edge had 53 yards at half vs Pittsburgh, but the Colts went into panic mode in the second half and abandoned the run.

I dunno what I would do if I was Bill Polian. It's gonna be a hard choice.

They were down 14-0 not even 12 minutes in the game against the best rush defense. That changed any gameplan, no matter how retarded it was to begin with, they had. They should have tried some more runs in the 3rd quarter, but I don't see a problem with the 1st and 4th quarter.

[YouMadeTheScene]

They were down 14-0 not even 12 minutes in the game against the best rush defense. That changed any gameplan, no matter how retarded it was to begin with, they had. They should have tried some more runs in the 3rd quarter, but I don't see a problem with the 1st and 4th quarter.

They ran the ball once in the 4th quarter. That is a problem

[ThriftWhore]

Easy call, Wayne. The two receivers with Peyton are what keep the offense going. I don't believe that Edge has another few years in him, while I think Wayne has a lot of years left.

[Drew Beringer]

They were down 14-0 not even 12 minutes in the game against the best rush defense. That changed any gameplan, no matter how retarded it was to begin with, they had. They should have tried some more runs in the 3rd quarter, but I don't see a problem with the 1st and 4th quarter.

I dunno, with the Colts offense, they SHOULD be able to stick to their gameplan and come back (did so against the Rams). They should have enough confidence to keep their gameplan, but of course Manning did a horrible job with his snap count.

[still_life]

They ran the ball once in the 4th quarter. That is a problem

You would actually keep running the ball down 21-3 in the 4th quarter? You'd last about a month as a coach.

I dunno, with the Colts offense, they SHOULD be able to stick to their gameplan and come back (did so against the Rams). They should have enough confidence to keep their gameplan, but of course Manning did a horrible job with his snap count.

You can't compare the Rams to the Steelers. Rams lost Bulger and their defense was abysmal this season. And I think the Rams may have kept piling it on if Bulger didn't get hurt in that game.

[yeat182]

Easy call, Wayne. The two receivers with Peyton are what keep the offense going. I don't believe that Edge has another few years in him, while I think Wayne has a lot of years left.

without a running game, peyton will not be as deadly as he has been with Edge. it opens up the play action and allows him the benefit of giving the defense 2 things to shut down as opposed to one. we've seen this year that you can rattle manning if you know he's going to pass every time and the pats have proven in previous years that you can cover everyone and give him no where to throw. they have to be able to mix it up and if you don't have a legit threat like Edge, you aren't going to make defenses split their attention. almost any reciever is going to play above their talent level playing with manning, but only if they have the complimentary run game.

[mat1419]

You would actually keep running the ball down 21-3 in the 4th quarter? You'd last about a month as a coach.



with a full quarter...you still need to keep the blitz honest. not that they should have relied on it, but one time is way too little.

[Drew Beringer]

You would actually keep running the ball down 21-3 in the 4th quarter? You'd last about a month as a coach.



You can't compare the Rams to the Steelers. Rams lost Bulger and their defense was abysmal this season. And I think the Rams may have kept piling it on if Bulger didn't get hurt in that game.

That's not the point, they were down 17-0 early in that game and didn't abandon the running game.

[mikeford]

much easier to replace a RB than a real top tier WR

[still_life]

without a running game, peyton will not be as deadly as he has been with Edge. it opens up the play action and allows him the benefit of giving the defense 2 things to shut down as opposed to one. we've seen this year that you can rattle manning if you know he's going to pass every time and the pats have proven in previous years that you can cover everyone and give him no where to throw. they have to be able to mix it up and if you don't have a legit threat like Edge, you aren't going to make defenses split their attention. almost any reciever is going to play above their talent level playing with manning, but only if they have the complimentary run game.

Take a look at what Rhodes did as an undrafted rookie in 2001. If he could rush for 1200 yards, and more importantly, the defense continues getting better, they will win their division again. Colts went 6-10 that year because it was one of the worst defenses in league history, not because they couldn't move the ball.

with a full quarter...you still need to keep the blitz honest. not that they should have relied on it, but one time is way too little.

And even with passing on 25 of the last 26 plays, they were a FG away from OT. Do you really have a problem with those results? The one poor drive in the 4th was the one before Bettis' fumble, but that was in a situation when you need to go about 60 yards in 2 minutes to have a shot. That's a passing, 2 minute drill situation all the way, and the Steelers were coming in unblocked.

[yeat182]

much easier to replace a RB than a real top tier WR

i disagree, i think its much harder to replace a MVP caliber running back than a 2nd reciever.

[yeat182]

Take a look at what Rhodes did as an undrafted rookie in 2001. If he could rush for 1200 yards, and more importantly, the defense continues getting better, they will win their division again. Colts went 6-10 that year because it was one of the worst defenses in league history, not because they couldn't move the ball.


.

i think alot of teams would love to edge leave and wayne stay. and they would love to see rhodes as their featured back.

[still_life]

That's not the point, they were down 17-0 early in that game and didn't abandon the running game.

Because they were playing the Rams in a regular season game. Come on man, the Rams gave up 429 points this year, worse than the 49ers. You could do what you want against that defense, and they did. Playing a hot Pittsburgh team that wasn't fucking around is not even close to being the same situation.

[Drew Beringer]

Because they were playing the Rams in a regular season game. Come on man, the Rams gave up 429 points this year, worse than the 49ers. You could do what you want against that defense, and they did. Playing a hot Pittsburgh team that wasn't fucking around is not even close to being the same situation.

And this was a Steelers team the Colts trumped earlier in the year.

[mikeford]

i disagree, i think its much harder to replace a MVP caliber running back than a 2nd reciever.

edge is not mvp caliber anymore.

[yeat182]

edge is not mvp caliber anymore.

that may be true.

[still_life]

And this was a Steelers team the Colts trumped earlier in the year.

Doesn't matter. I watched that MNF game right before the playoff game. They were completely different teams. The Steelers kept running the ball on 1st and 2nd down, putting Ben, who was in his first game back in almost a month, in 3rd and long situations that he couldn't pick up. Marvel Smith was owned by Freeney, because Smith was injured. Insert rookie Trai Essex, and you're just asking for trouble. The Steelers got healthier, wised up and threw the ball early and often and built their lead. Indy was playing their worst football heading in, the Steelers were at their best for a change.

[still_life]

Edge hasn't been the same since his knee injury. He's had two of the biggest under the radar 1500 yard seasons ever for a good reason. He just doesn't impress you as a RB when he carries it. When's the last time you saw Edge break a 40 yard run? The Colts need some more power and speed in their running game, some fresher legs to carry it.

[mikeford]

indy also hadnt played a game that meant anything in over a month.

[bigmike]

i think you let edge go, and pick up a RB in the draft.

[ActorInThisPlay]

they need a good running game in order to keep their passing game as effective. they either need to have a good RB locked and give up Edge or just give up Wayne. Maybe they can pick up Davis from the Texans after they sign Bush...who knows.

[Scott Weber]

Maybe Seattle should let Alexander go if they can get Edge in the offseason. Wayne is so key to that team, and Harrison's getting old fast.

[ActorInThisPlay]

Maybe Seattle should let Alexander go if they can get Edge in the offseason. Wayne is so key to that team, and Harrison's getting old fast.
Seattle and Indy can just switch RB's...

[Scott Weber]

Seattle and Indy can just switch RB's...
Seattle will probably resign Shaun to a huge deal anyways.

[still_life]

Seattle and Indy can just switch RB's...

No point in doing that. Alexander is looking for the big bucks, and that's why they can't even keep Edge now.

[ActorInThisPlay]

No point in doing that. Alexander is looking for the big bucks, and that's why they can't even keep Edge now.
yeah i didn't seriously think it would happen...

[bigmike]

i disagree, i think its much harder to replace a MVP caliber running back than a 2nd reciever.

reggie wayne isn't a 2nd reciever. he just is on that team beacuse Harrison is there. however, wayne is becoming the bigger threat. he's a #1 on most other teams.

[FondestMemory]

because of players like samkon gado and willie parker you go with reggie wayne.

running backs put in the right scheme can be found anywhere. sure, they may not put up edge-type numbers, but they can put up enough numbers where the running game is still a threat. and that's all they need.

wayne plays like a #1 now, but he'd be smart to stay with the colts and remain a #2. i don't know how he'd be as a #1 without having so much attention paid to harrison on the other side.

[yeat182]

reggie wayne isn't a 2nd reciever. he just is on that team beacuse Harrison is there. however, wayne is becoming the bigger threat. he's a #1 on most other teams.

you don't know that. alot of recievers have looked great at the #2 spot on one team and then can't handle being a #1 on another. (peerless price). he's got the best offense in the league surrounding him so thats going to raise his game above what it might really be. we'll have to wait and see i guess but i'm not sold on him being a number 1 yet.

[bigmike]

you don't know that. alot of recievers have looked great at the #2 spot on one team and then can't handle being a #1 on another. (peerless price). he's got the best offense in the league surrounding him so thats going to raise his game above what it might really be. we'll have to wait and see i guess but i'm not sold on him being a number 1 yet.

right. but some of those nubmer 2's that move to other teams to become the primary reciever struggle because they're the focal point of the other teams defense. Chad Johnson puts up good numbers because he's go Houshmanzadeh or whatever his last name is, with him to draw attention away from him. Much like Harrison does for Wayne, so to say that the ones that go and struggle elsewhere because they're not legit isn't a good argument, there's few people that can dominate a game without another reciever threat with him.

Although, peerless price did suck.

oh, and if i were wayne, i'd definitely stay in Indy. but he's from "Da U" so i could see him money grabbing and leaving a good situation.

[still_life]

I have a feeling Wayne will be a Peerless Price esque bust if he leaves Indy. If he wants the best situation where he's going to keep putting up numbers, then he should stay in Indy and play with Manning and Harrison.

[yeat182]

I have a feeling Wayne will be a Peerless Price esque bust if he leaves Indy. If he wants the best situation where he's going to keep putting up numbers, then he should stay in Indy and play with Manning and Harrison.

i agree.

[bigmike]

I have a feeling Wayne will be a Peerless Price esque bust if he leaves Indy. If he wants the best situation where he's going to keep putting up numbers, then he should stay in Indy and play with Manning and Harrison.

he may be, and he may not be.
whatever the case is, it's agreed that he's better off staying in Indy for a few more years.

although, i'd like to see him elsewhere to just see if he could be a #1. I think he could.

[ThriftWhore]

i'm hoping they release wayne, no matter what he does, he'll always be considered the #2 behind harrison. if he left, he'd be such a star. he barely was outshined by harrison this year.

[Ralph Wiggum]

He's the real threat, not Harrison anymore.

Harrison not a real threat anymore? He's not that old yet, he can still make big plays and is still better than reggie wayne (see the regular season steelers game). You would keep Edge. There is good depth at reciver on the Colts. Stokley can step up at #2 and dallas clark is a great recieving te that can put up some YAC. Stokley might not be as good as reggie wayne, but when you have peyton you don't need all-star recivers filling all your spots. Also the Colts struggle as it is to establish their running game sometimes. They need a pro bowl running back to keep the defense honest. Also with Edge at running back the Colts execute the play pass better than anyone else in the league.

[still_life]

Harrison not a real threat anymore? He's not that old yet, he can still make big plays and is still better than reggie wayne (see the regular season steelers game). You would keep Edge. There is good depth at reciver on the Colts. Stokley can step up at #2 and dallas clark is a great recieving te that can put up some YAC. Stokley might not be as good as reggie wayne, but when you have peyton you don't need all-star recivers filling all your spots. Also the Colts struggle as it is to establish their running game sometimes. They need a pro bowl running back to keep the defense honest. Also with Edge at running back the Colts execute the play pass better than anyone else in the league.

Teams show every year that you just need to hit Harrison a lot and he'll disappear (see his entire playoff career). Wayne is the go to guy.