Why you should never listen to the "experts"

Troy Aikman has a nice article about why Peyton Manning's passing yardage and passing touchdown totals are down this year. One small problem -- his explanation is just flat wrong. Troy says Manning is playing well and he's right. Manning has been playing QB at a level never seen before. But this is the reason Troy gives for the reduced passing "Because the defense is so much better, the Colts are running the ball more and passing it less."

Wrong. Manning comes to the line and decides, based on what the defense presents, what is the best play to run. This is what he has been doing for years and no one has ever come close to doing it as well as he does. Last year, defenses looked at the weaknesses in the Colt offensive line and thought they could get quick pressure on Manning. This was especially true after 3 starters in the line went down with injuries. Yet, he showed repeatedly that he had the ability to read coverage quickly and deliver a perfect pass before pass rushers could get to him, even when they were unblocked! After his phenomenal passing success last year, teams have gone to plan B.

Since even unblocked blitzers cannot get to him in time to disrupt the passing game, they are dropping everyone into deep coverage and daring the Colts to run the ball. Given the weakness in the O-line, this is a reasonable plan. Fortunately for the Colts, Manning's unique ability to get the handoff wide to James on the outside zone stretch delays the secondary in providing run support and helps open holes for Edge to run through.

The increased use of the running game has nothing to do with the Colt defense. It has everything to do with opposing defenses using different strategy. Troy should know better.