If you were head coach of the colts....

[SportSavant]

& you were 14-0 going into the final 2 weeks.....

would you rest your starters?

play them for only part of the game?

or allow them to play?

why?

also....

is there ethics of sport here? if they do rest all their starters is that fair to teams that may be knocked out in the playoffs due to the fact that Indy didnt put their best team forward?

thanks.

 

[TescoVee]

i would play them for a good portion of the games. already will have a bye week in playoffs. dont want them getting too rusty when the Broncos or Bengals come into town.

 

[oldirtyku]

Bench them. If manning, edge or Harrison get hurt you will look like a moron.

 

[primetime21+]

definitely play them. Players get hurt in practice, you can't play scared and you can't miss a chance at being considered one of the greatest sports teams of all time.

If the colts go 14-2 and win the superbowl that will be great but down the line no one will really remember this team as being special. If they go undefeated they will be remembered for all time. can't pass that up.

 

[Dante]

BENCH them....WTF is a 16-0 record and you lose in the playoffs

means nothing


ask PITT 15-1 ...who even remembers that one they remember the loss in the playoffs

 

[oldmanTED]

I would let them start and play until I felt the game was in hand. Believe the last two games are at Seattle and at home against Arizona. Seattle may have nothing to play for at that point as well, although we'll have to see about that. Arizona will have nothing to play for except to upset the Colts. So ethics wise, not sure if there will be an impact.

The primary reason I would do this is not to necessarily go undefeated but to keep the team sharp both mentally and physically. Recognize injuries can happen anytime, even in practice, so I wouldn't let that stop me from playing the starters.

 

[Santo]

Pitt were 15-1 as you said. If they were 16-0, they'd be remembered.

I agree with OMT. Play them for a good portion, until the game is won.

 

[TheRightWing]

once home field is protected bench the starters or play it like a pre season game.....

 

[NickPappagiorgio]

I would play the starters for the 1st half and a series or two in the second half to help keep them fresh and keep their edge. They are pro players, they are getting paid for the entire season. If you sit them too long, the game may become too fast.

 

[SportSavant]

what about the 'ethics' of sport question.... if they are playing a team that is fighting for their playoff lives....

is it fair?

 

[oldmanTED]

what about the 'ethics' of sport question.... if they are playing a team that is fighting for their playoff lives....

is it fair?

Savant:

They are playing the following two teams after Week 14:

@ Seattle
Arizona

The last game won't affect the playoffs and the game against Seattle may or may not have implications, depending on the Seahawks situation. The question came up last year with the Eagles. Regarding ethics, or responsibility to the league, since the Colts have placed themselves in this position due to their performance, they owe nothing to any other teams only to themselves. They should do what is right for them as they have earned that right. Others in playoff positions are there due to their own performance. The Colts have no ethical reason to play their starters because of implications to other teams playoff chances, in my opinion.

 

[Fishhead]

They will play in liklihood from what I have been told.

FWIW, agree with the decision.

 

[oldirtyku]

I hope they play there starters and Manning knocked out a couple games. Without him they go on to lose in the first round.

Can't wait to see everyone talking about it afterwards how Dungy is an idiot. All of a sudden no one will agree with his decision.

 

[ensign_lee]

Treat it like a preseason game. Play my starters for the first half.

Players get hurt in practice too, sometimes even with *gosh* season ending injuries (TE Benni Joppru of the Houston Texans, for example). What, are you not going to let your starters practice either? And let's say you have them practice "soft"...do you really want your players getting used to playing soft?

Play your starters. If you're up by 24+ at the half, let them sit. Otherwise, keep 'em in there. This is still the NFL. Be competitive.

 

[hawkeye171]

A good comment made during a game yesterday. One year when Dungy was coaching Tampa Bay, the Bucs had the division wrapped up and Dungy rested players. The Bucs then struggled in the playoffs. I again feel, if given the chance, the Colts should play the players and go undefeated.

 

[SportSavant]

why are people saying "Play them in the first half... then rest?"?

after all, although the mathematical odds are less, he could still get hurt in the first half... then what?

 

[theD+]

I think you have to rest them. Going 16-0 is meaningless... it's all about winning the championship. Who cares about the '72 Dolphins... just a bunch of has-beens sitting in a bar every year cheering on their legacy... they weren't even one of the top 5 NFL teams of all time. Any serious football fan knows this.

 

[cofan]

What was the quote? No one remembers who won the superbowl in 1986(or insert another year here), but everyone knows the Dolphins went undefeated in 1972.

Play them.

 

[kermit16]

I don't believe you play with a fear of someone getting hurt holding you back. Key players can get hurt in practice or walking to the garage ! Really great teams play to win every single game. How many games did Johnny Wooden have Walton, Wicks, Jabbar sit ? I guess that's why they won like 88 straight games ! Resting players for complete games breaks up the all important Momentum ! Don't you think there is plenty of time to rest Manning and Harrison when Colts are drubbing Tenn ?

 

[SportSavant]

yeah, what kermit says....


PLAY THEM....

they wont need rest, they will have a BYE week anyway......

there is risk of them getting RUSTY if they do not play for so long also.....