11/23/24
September 19, 2005
Byron Sandwich: Three players stood up and sacked Byron Leftwich so hard during Sunday's Jaguars-Colts game that the hometown Indy fans gave him a standing ovation when he walked off the field. "If you've ever wondered what it sounds like when 56,460 people gasp in unison, you should have been there when Leftwich was torpedoed from behind while trying to pick up a fumble," said sportswriter David Whitley.
As a Jags fan, I'm troubled by how often I hear praise for our quarterback's ability to take punishment. Yesterday's game was a classic. The Jags held Manning to the lowest passing yards of his career. One thing the media missed completely yesterday was Tarik Glenn blatantly holding one of the Jags during Ran Carthon's six-yard touchdown run. The touchdown put the Colts up 7-3.
posted by rcade at 11:22 AM on September 19, 2005
Leftwich took a beating out there thats for sure. It reminded me of when he was in college, I was waiting for the linemen to carry him under center again.
posted by jojomfd1 at 11:42 AM on September 19, 2005
As a Jags fan, I'm troubled by how often I hear praise for our quarterback's ability to take punishment. Ummm didn't you post this story? Maybe you should switch topics if your troubled by it. Leftwitch's toughest moment is still that Marshall game where his linemen were carrying him down the field. Epic.
posted by tron7 at 11:44 AM on September 19, 2005
He deserves the praise, Tron. But it's also an insult to the offensive line and calls into question how long Leftwich holds on to the ball. He can't possibly survive this kind of beating for long.
posted by rcade at 11:49 AM on September 19, 2005
The Colts move to 2-0 thanks largely to the play of their tough defense. That statement belongs in the same category as, "The Cincinnati Bengals look strong." The category? NFL comments I never thought I'd hear this century.
posted by dyams at 12:42 PM on September 19, 2005
I hear ya rcade - it's like telling a guy he's really really good at getting his ass kicked. Oh wait, that's exactly what it is.
posted by chmurray at 12:43 PM on September 19, 2005
I agree dyams, but they do don't they.
posted by jojomfd1 at 12:53 PM on September 19, 2005
it's like telling a guy he's really really good at getting his ass kicked. Oh wait, that's exactly what it is. Leftwich took the hits in the process of making some absolutely astounding passes. It was impressive to see him stand in and take a hit in order to move the chains. There's no disgrace in that.
posted by mayerkyl at 01:17 PM on September 19, 2005
I still love the kid for playing a bowl game on a bum leg and getting moved from play to play by his offensive linemen. Plus, based on last year's NFL Network Inside Training Camp or whatever, he seems like a non-asshole.
posted by yerfatma at 01:31 PM on September 19, 2005
Leftwhcih is a good QB, who IS good at getting his ass kicked. You beat him down- and he gets right back up. Hes got balls of steel- not to mention a cannon for an arm.
posted by redsoxrgay at 01:49 PM on September 19, 2005
I was at the game, and the entire place went silent when they first showed it on the screen. Prior to that play, there were several Jag injury timeouts, many during the long TD drive that many suspected were simply stalling tactics (especially the one where the guy went down, visibly clapped his hands a few times, then after a minute or so popped right up and walked off without a limp or help), but when Leftwich stayed down we knew something was up. That guy is one tough mother. And he played a hell of a game, and earned lots of off the record honest praise afterwards from some of the guys on the Colts D. The refs missed a lot of calls both ways in that game. And their spots after punts were atrocious. The Jags had pretty much every receiver covered for most of the game, it was very impressive. They definitely got to Manning, as by the third his confidence was off. One one first down dumpoff to Edge, he checked it down way too early, missing two guys who were actually open for once, showing his lack of confidence. Worked out alright though, and it was good to see the offense make adjustments and run. Boy, will they be in trouble next year without Edge.
posted by Bernreuther at 06:05 PM on September 19, 2005
Edge will have a massive, massive year if defenses consistently rush 3-4 and drop 7-8 into coverage.
posted by chmurray at 12:50 AM on September 20, 2005
The biggest piece of acting in that game was Peyton Manning falling to the ground and grabbing a knee to draw a roughing the passer call. I've never seen someone in the midst of agony take a hand off his knee to make the "throw a flag" signal before. Manning's a great quarterback, but his pre-snap histrionics, goofy play-acting, and stunts like that make it harder to acknowledge his accomplishments. Even his brother Eli mocks the way he acts before a snap.
posted by rcade at 07:15 AM on September 20, 2005
I really like Leftwich too, but I don't see him breaking Brett Favre's consecutive-starts record.
posted by chicobangs at 05:32 PM on September 20, 2005
Leftwich is good- but not great. Obviously he wouldnt break the consecutive games record- if he always gets sacked, then he wont be in the league long enough to even play that many games. Anyway- hes good but not great.
posted by redsoxrgay at 05:42 PM on September 23, 2005
Leftwich should have been killed. I thought his leg snapped in half when I first saw the replay last night. He was quite the trouper out there. That's the kind of guts that might galvanize a team and get you an extra W down the road. Manning was invisible, I gather.