If there is such a thing as retreating from perfection, the 2009 Indianapolis Colts could write a book on it.
Indy has been the machine of the AFC for the past decade, winning at least 10 games in each of the last eight years. It’s a great accomplishment for a franchise that suffered through consecutive 3-13 seasons in 1997 and 1998.
But when it comes to history, these Colts are ignoring its power and avoiding its advice.
Jim Caldwell rested several of his stars — including Peyton Manning — for most of the second half Sunday against the Jets. He pulled Manning late in the third quarter of a game the Colts were winning, 15-10. Manning’s replacement, rookie backup Curtis Painter, lost a fumble, took two sacks and tossed an interception as the Jets reeled off 19 straight points to win, 29-15, and end Indy’s march toward a perfect season.
The Colts, on paper, had nothing to play for, having already secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC. But, as we noted just two weeks ago, Indy — and most NFL teams — generally struggle when they rest starters late in the season and then try to flick the switch back on when the playoffs begin.
In this case, the added kicker is the pursuit of perfection, which the Colts, openly, do not seem to care about. In fact, Caldwell appeared downright determined to remove the undefeated season from the equation by pulling his starters.
Caldwell yanked Manning at a point when one more touchdown drive would have buried the Jets. Why? Manning has played 191 NFL games. He’s never missed a start. This isn’t a movie, where every starter left in a meaningless game is doomed to be injured. Say what you will about the 2007 Patriots, but they understood the need to play all-out every week. The chances of a team going flat are much higher than the chances of a durable quarterback getting hurt for the first time in his career.
The Colts have earned the right to prepare for the playoffs in any way they choose. They should start by looking at history, before they become one of its cautionary tales.
