Colts Going Out Of Their Way To Avoid Giving Patriots Bulletin-Board Material Before Sunday Night Showdown
By Matt Dolloff (@mattdolloff)
BOSTON (CBS) -- You've seen this movie a million times. Patriots opponent talks smack. Patriots stay silent, claim ignorance, and even offer effusive praise for the opponent. Then on Sunday, the Patriots annihilate those who spoke ill of them in the days leading up to the game.
It has already happened in 2015, when Rex Ryan's Bills predictably crowed about their defense's ability to finally vanquish the Tyrants of Patriot Place. Instead, Tom Brady blew the Bills off the Ralph Wilson Stadium field, throwing for 466 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Patriots ended up with 40 points, but were trying to get to 50.
Now, it's the Indianapolis Colts' turn to feel the wrath of the Patriots Scorched Earth tour, and the de facto DeflateGate snitches are widely expected to endure the biggest beating of them all. They know this - and it's obvious based on their comments this week, or lack thereof.
Colts tight end Dwayne Allen was asked who they are playing, and wouldn't even say the Patriots' name (h/t to Barstool Sports). He takes the say-nothing approach to new heights when he straight-up acts like he doesn't even know the opponent...To him, it's just the "next game." Sound familiar?
The Colts apparently prepared for the inevitable inundation of Patriots/DeflateGate questions by telling players to say as little as possible about the other team. Treat Tom Brady's name like he's Beetlejuice or Voldemort. Colts guard Hugh Thornton's deflection of DeflateGate questions would make Belichick proud, saying "I couldn't care less about [DeflateGate]...You lose breath talking about it."
Quarterback Andrew Luck acknowledged the teams' storied past, but denied any relevance of DeflateGate to this game: "There certainly is a history between us and [the Patriots], but it's also a new year."
And it's clear that the gag order came from the top. Head coach Chuck Pagano channeled his inner Belichick, literally saying he has amnesia when asked about Dion Lewis. The Patriots running back, off to a very productive start in 2015, signed with the Colts in September 2014 and got cut without seeing the field.
However, one Colts player apparently didn't get the memo: linebacker Jonathan Newsome made the same kind of innocuous remarks that the Patriots (and some fans) could twist into a scornful, ill-advised affront to the team: "I don't think they're unstoppable...I think they're a great team with a great coach, and you have to give them credit. They have been for the last decade. There's only so much you can say about that. The numbers don't lie. But I don't think they're invincible."
So there you go. Expect Newsome to get undressed by Lewis in the open field on about 17 plays.
Will Chuck Pagano know Dion Lewis's name after Sunday night? (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Know who else didn't get the memo? Colts media and fans. Resident Indianapolis Star troll Gregg Doyel, who is singlehandedly keeping the Hot Take Police in business, predictably regurgitated his tired "The Patriots rigged the AFC Championship" word-slop, into the same musty old trough, with the same do-not-go-in-there stench. It's lazy and trite at this point, but it works - Doyel has made himself into one of the most hated people in New England and one of the top DeflateGate villains, despite having nothing to do with the story itself.
There's Dana Hunsinger-Benbow, who put together a list of Patriots-loathing items to buy, and Matthew Glenesk, who compiled a list of reasons Colts fans hate the Patriots. Good content for their audience, but also set-ups for inevitable disappointment and embarrassment, the very thing the Colts themselves are trying to avoid.
And of course, there's Bob Kravitz, who broke DeflateGate before anyone else. Kravitz's initial report technically wasn't false (that distinction would go to Chris Mortensen), but he has since distorted or exaggerated facts and embraced the role of Anti-Patriots Crusader for the past nine months. His Patriots piece this week summarized the Patriots' utter dominance of the Colts in recent years, but also presented the game as "Good vs. Evil" and couldn't help but sprinkle in DeflateGate references.
And honestly, don't get me started about these idiotic Colts fans who want to fly a "Deflate this" blimp over Lucas Oil Stadium. Even fellow Colts fans were embarrassed by that announcement.
So the Colts went the Patriots route with the media this week, minimizing headline-worthy quotes and refusing to add to the media bonfire that's been crackling since January and building up to Sunday's showdown. They are keeping the focus on football and preparation for the Patriots, which is undoubtedly a good idea considering the buzzsaw they face on Sunday night.
What is Tom Brady going to do to the Colts on Sunday? (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Ultimately, the Colts' behavior proves once again that the Patriots are in their heads. Much like they dance around in the minds of every other team in the league. It's a bit of a Catch-22 - they would also show their Patriots obsession if they did what the Bills did - but the Colts know this game is going to be a bloodbath, even if they are at their best.
The Colts may stay focused and play their hearts out as they try to prevent a fifth straight curb-stomping at the hands of the Patriots, but Brady & Belichick will eventually overwhelm them. And their attempts to ignore the noise will not be able to avoid the deafening sirens that blare up and down the Lucas Oil Stadium field.
Patriots Nation has seen this movie before. But in this case, it will gladly accept another sequel.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read more from Matt here. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
