Arrogant and Foolish: The Colts Blow Their Shot at History

(A special op-ed by Josh Desch, who never blogs anymore, so it must be a big deal).

I remember watching the New England Patriots in 2007 with disgust. As the Colts archrival, I already loathed them with all my being. Nonetheless, that loathing went to new level in 2007. First came Spygate, and the realization that the Dark Side had been cheating all along. Then came the way they played that year. They kept playing at 100% every quarter. They ran up the score. The Patriots became the first team in the modern 16 game schedule to have a perfect regular season, and if it wasn't for what is perhaps the greatest catch in football history, the Patriots would have won the Superbowl and become the first 19-0 team in the history of the NFL.

I'm here to admit that there was something I do admire about that 2007 Patriots team. I have always viewed Bill Belichick as an Evil Genius, but a football genius nonetheless. Bill realized back in 2007 what everybody – except Colts GM Bill Polian and Coach Jim Caldwell – and realize today: that in sports, ESPECIALLY in the NFL, momentum is everything. The Patriots understood that, and so they kept winning. They even played the most entertaining week 17 NFL game that has ever been played, against the eventual Superbowl Champion Giants. If you remember, that game was supposed to be on NFL network, but because of the Patriots historic run, it was put on national TV. Whether you loved or hated (like me and Betsy . . . did I mention Betsy?) the Patriots, you realized something monumental was happening. Earlier in the season when the Pats almost lost to the Ravens, I almost had an aneurysm when Rex Ryan called a timeout from the sidelines a milisecond before the Ravens stopped the Patriots on fourth down, which would have won the game.

My point is, aside from running up the score is a few games, the Pats played the game like it is meant to be played. They never lost their momentum, and with all the pressure in the world on their shoulders – and none on those of the lowly Giants – they almost pulled it off.

Now we come to my beloved Colts. First, let me say that I think that Peyton Manning is the greatest quarterback in NFL history. Let me also say, and it actually hurts me to write this, that if he had Bill Bilichick as his coach I believe he would have already won 4 Superbowls instead of 1. Anyway, Peyton is not only the most gifted athlete to ever play quarterback, he is also the smartest. They guy just doesn't get hurt. He has never missed a start in the NFL. The chances of him getting hurt are very small, as he has played over a decade in this league and Never Missed a Start! Yet the Colts showed their true colors this past Sunday. Even after the gave all of us fans such hope as we watched them comeback against the Jaguars the previous week despite resting some of their starters.

I contend that the Colts decision was both arrogant and foolish. I still wan them to win the Superbowl with all my heart. In fact, if they win the Superbowl, that won't change my opinion at all, because then I (and many others) will simply think: “See, they could have been the only 19-0 team in NFL history!!” And can I get an amen that the 1972 Dolphins are most annoying group of former pro athletes alive today. My mother's Bunco group could have given them a run for their money in 1972. The game has changed a ton since then. Anyway, Colts going 19-0 would have been like Luke Skywalker going undefeated: Everyone would have loved it. The Pats going 19-0 would have been like Darth Vader going undefeated: You hated him, but you had to respect him.

First, its arrogant. It completely disrespects the game of football. It also send the message, “We're too good for history. We're better than that.” Indianapolis Star sports writer Bob Kravitz wrote:

“They tossed perfection away like a Christmas leftover. They treated it with a casual shrug of the shoulders, disdain even, as if they were beyond such a trivial pursuit. Standing on the precipice of NFL history, the Indianapolis Colts' brain trust arrogantly, foolishly, treated Sunday's second half like a preseason game.” CNNSI writer Don Banks wrote, “I hated the way the Colts played it against New York, and there's something inherently wrong about not trying your best to win the game in that situation, with an undefeated season on the line.” Peter King, another CNNSI writer, said, “But whether players voice their feelings or not, guys like Manning and Reggie Wayne want to leave their footprints in the game forever. And you'll never be able to convince me they don't care about 16-0.” Even Jim Caldwell's mother said, “I didn't raise my boy to lay down like like a bed sheet that just got ironed!” Okay, she didn't really say that. But I bet she thought it.

Second, its foolish. It flies in the face of modern sports history, especially the Colts own history. In 2005 and 2007 the Colts did this exact same thing, and lost their first playoff game. The one year the Colts did win the Superbowl, in 2006, they were a Wild Card team and had to win 4 straight playoff games. In other words, they got hot at the right time: like the the 2005 Superbowl Champion Steelers, who were also a Wild Card. Like the 2007 Giants, who were a Wild Card. The 2008 Cardinals were 9-7 and yet made it to the Superbowl. I'm not saying I don't want the Colts to get the buy in the first round, but in today's NFL, you've got to realize the importance of momentum. In my opinion, the gap between the best teams and the really good teams has narrowed to the point that a team can't think that home-field advantage amounts to much anymore.

If I was the Colts coach last week. I would have left Peyton in the entire game. If he gets hurt, then so be it. He might also get hurt walking his dog around the neighborhood. Let me repeat. He has never missed a start. You've got to be willing to take some chances in football, as in life. Then I would go to Buffalo this week and let Peyton throw at least 3 touchdown passes before I pulled him. As one of my favorite writes, Joe Posnanski, said about the Colts loss, “When I saw Peyton Manning stewing on the sideline while the Colts' undefeated season was flushed away, it FELT wrong. Because, I guess, at the end of the day, if you're not trying to be perfect... what are you trying to be?” Well, even though Luke Skywalker is not going to go undefeated, I and every other self respecting Colts fan in the universe is not going to satisfied if the Colts don't win the Superbowl. And if they lose in the playoffs, even in the Superbowl, I think we can legitimately ask, “what if they had played hard the whole season, and kept their momentum? Then what would have happened?”

Two must read articles on this are Bob Kravitz, “By Pulling Manning, Colts Forsake Chance at Perfection” and Joe Posnanski, “Colts Decision to Rest Starters May Cost them More than Perfection.”

Bedtime

Often it seems like bedtime is the hardest time of the day. By then Josh and I are completely out of gas, Howie is bouncing off the walls, Justice is cranky, and we move at a snails pace as we get the boys ready for bed. We got some pics tonight of the process underway on my new phone... who knew you could email yourself pics on your phone?? OK, maybe everyone else knew that, but it was news to me.

Closing In On 2010

Wow, it's hard to believe that 2009 is already coming to a close!! It's been a wonderful, busy, frustrating, exhausting, joyous, exciting, trying, and stretching year. The last several weeks have been very full, but now that Josh is on his semester break we want to catch up our blog just a bit!! These are family pics that were taken sometime in November by our super talented friend Caylee, who also photographed Justice's birth in September. Howie had just fallen off of a ledge outside our apartment onto a concrete step a few days before the photos were taken, so his battle wounds are forever immortalized. The little ones change so fast- I know we'll cherish these pics.

One More Babe...

Just to piggyback on my last post, here's a funny babe story. Josh preached this morning at a CRC church to fill in for their pastor, and the boys and I went too. After the service I picked Howie up in the nursery and we went to the sanctuary to find Josh, who was talking to people from the congregation. Howie was happy to see him and grabbed Josh by the hand... after being patient with his chatting for a few minutes, Howie dragged him down the aisle of the sanctuary saying, " Babe! Babe! Babe!" I don't know if anyone else understood him, but I found it hilarious.

Babe

Howie has taken to calling Josh and me both "Babe" because that's what we always call each other (although it sometimes doesn't sound very affectionate... for example, "what the heck were you thinking, BABE??") Anyway, here's a quote uttered by Howie tonight during a dance party after dinner, in response to seeing me come onto the dance floor (our brown living room rug) and no doubt desiring me to spin him around:

Howie: Pick up me, Babe.

He's also taken to calling Josh "Josh" or "DaddyBabe." It's pretty dang funny!!

Back Again

Here are some pics from the past several weeks!! Our camera finally started kind of working... I'm convinced that these techie people make these things in such a way that you have to replace them fairly quickly or they're horribly outdated and possibly inoperable. We're fighting for this camera's life, and seeing as it's only slightly older than Howie, it's surprising that we're having to do so. But anyway, I managed to squeeze these out today and hopefully more are on their way! These are in no particular order.

Doesn't Justice look a bit like Howie did so long ago?

Bojangle makes her blog return as Howie feeds her a bottle

Inaugural double stroller ride- Howie's actually riding with his brother and not bags or groceries

Howie giving cousin Pax some love, who was here for Justice's birth

Howie Quote

In the middle of a small temper tantrum yesterday morning:

Daddy: Howie, you have to wear a coat. It's cold outside.
Howie: Go back to sleep, Daddy.

Rebellious, yet wickedly funny.

A Quick Word To Let You Know We're Not Dead

Friends, we are still alive here in St Louis but very much bogged down in the whole becoming-parents-of-2 thing. I have so many pictures to post but our computer is not recognizing our camera for some reason, so as soon as I get that ironed out they will be here!!

We're all doing fine- here is a general update.
1. JUSTICE- feeling good, figuring out life outside the womb. Sleeping pretty well during the day, pretty horrible at night. Does fairly well until about 4 or 5 am, when he decides to fake us out and pretend that he'll sleep, only to wake up 5 minutes later and scream. Repeat until around 7. Growing like a weed, developing the fat folds on legs that are the cutest thing ever. Trying to figure out how to smile. Squeaks all the time. Completely precious and kissable.
2. HOWIE- feeling great, loving being a big brother, trying to hug and kiss Justice at almost every moment, playing hard as ever, giving Mama and Daddy a run for their parenting money as he moves fully into the role of a 2 year old. Leaves Mama and Daddy praying for wisdom at the end of the day, but is a joy in every way. Talking like crazy. Hilarious.
3. JOSH- generally swamped with school and completely exhausted. Ends most nights falling asleep on the couch prematurely as a precursor to "doing more homework." Loving being the dad of two most of the time and relearning all of his baby-soothing skills.
4. BETS- feeling kind of like poo most of the time, staring down 10 loads of laundry waiting to be folded, looking at the same pot that has been waiting to be washed for 4 days every time I go into the kitchen, staring at the empty refrigerator which hasn't been refilled from a trip to the grocery store and wondering what to feed everyone if someone isn't bringing us dinner, accruing a gargantuan library fine because I can't find the time to take my books back, running interference to keep Howie from smothering Justice with love, playing solitaire on Josh's phone in a middle of the night feeding session to ward off the creeping depression at being awake, showering very infrequently, wearing mostly the same clothes... but on the brighter side, loving 2 little boys more than I knew I could, learning patience in new ways, kissing baby cheeks as much as possible, cherishing baby and toddler moments because they pass so quickly, embracing the messiness of my house because there are more important things than a clean kitchen and folded laundry in this season of life... in short, I'm doing well.

Pics to come ASAP!

Here HE Is... Justice Emmanuel Desch

(although not obvious in this picture, Howie is crazy about Justice)

Well, it's official... the Desch family is now a family of 4!! Josh and I now have TWO BOYS! Justice Emmanuel finally arrived Wednesday 09/09/09- pretty much the coolest birthday ever. He is sweet as can be and looks a lot like infant Howie to me. Many more pics to come!

Howie Gets a Nativity Set in August

The other day we took Howie to pick out a new toy since he's going to be a big brother hopefully quite soon, and we came home with a nativity set complete with Mary, Joseph, some wise men, a shepherd, assorted animals, and of course, baby Jesus. Howie is completely obsessed with them. He has wanted to play with little else since these little people came into the house. One of his favorite things to do is to put little baby Jesus down for a nap in his manger and then say, "Get up, baby Jeje!!" (Howie's not really big on naps right now in his life.) The nativity scene has also hosted some people and animals that you wouldn't necessarily place there just from reading the biblical account, such as a fireman, policeman, 2 historical Vikings, and a dalmation. I guess the broader principle to be had is that Christ came for all, across every time and age.

Howie working on getting Mary's hat to stay on

Look closely for the dalmation, Vikings, and public service members

Howie rousing baby Jesus from his rest

Happy Bday, Noah and Nathan!

This past Sunday we had a wonderful time celebrating Nathan and Noah's birthdays at Stacy Park! It was probably the most beautiful day in the history of the world, and all of the kids ate lots of junk food as is fitting for a birthday party and had a great time. (Just as a side note, I think this is what Howie ate on Sunday: peanut butter cereal for breakfast and lunch, cheetos, pretzels, chips, cake, and a cookie at the party, Sun Chips and part of a Twizzler after evening church, and maybe one random apple thrown in for a pathetic nod to good nutrition. Yes, I am a good mom.) Anyway, it was so fun to be with friends on such a gorgeous afternoon and celebrate birthday #3 for Noah and Nathan!

Nathan and Noah, the birthday boys

Sharon and Abe

Me and Caroline Ruth- did you know it was possible for a little person to be this cute??

Rach, me, and Caroline... I think Caroline was hoping for some of Howie's junk food

Summer in Review

I can't believe this summer is coming to a close... Josh starts Year #2 bright and early tomorrow morning. While I'm happy for him that he gets to go off to school each day and take great classes, Howie and I will really miss him. The last however many weeks since Hebrew ended have been amazing... Howie has been ecstatic to have Daddy home for so much playing. So have I. The most common thing we hear every day is "Daddy COO COO TAIN!!" (read it out loud... that says choo choo train), or "Daddy TRACTOR!!" or "Daddy PAY PAY PAY!!" (PLAY NOW, DAD!) I'm sure we'll get used to having Josh around just a wee bit less once class gets underway, but we'll both miss him a lot. I was thinking about it today and then it hit me that we'll also have a new baby at home to adjust to while Josh is in class!! Oh yeah! Forgot about that one, even though we are wishing labor to begin itself at almost every moment.

I am also slightly envious that Josh gets to have the first-day-of-school experience tomorrow. I kind of miss that- the excitement of a new year, looking at a syllabus and saying "holy cow, I'm most definitely going to fail this class," seeing people you haven't seen all summer, etc. I guess Josh won't go to school with a new lunchbox or saddle shoes, but that was also a fun part of back to school back in the day. I'm glad that I don't have to put the work into all of the classes, but in some way I do miss the school routine.

Here are some pics for your viewing enjoyment from this summer that I missed posting for some reason...

That horse is so cool... Howie admires Louis astride his horse in Forest Park

Howie vs. spaghetti, round 500... spaghetti wins every time

Clean-up takes a while when you've had such an intense battle

Howie discovers the beaches of Lake Michigan on vacation with my family in July


Little better than beating the heat in the pool!!

Pouring fun with Mom and Aunt Jennie

Dude, that beach seriously did me in

My BFF Kelly visited us in July... college roommate, amazing friend... we had an awesome visit

Howie entertains Aunt Kelly at dinner at Panera... I think he kept drowning some chips and bread in Josh's soup. Mushy, soup-laden items give me the creeps.

Quick way to Howie's heart... read him a book