Richmond Confederates defeat Indianapolis Colts in overtime squeaker
A soft rain fell in Indianapolis, Indiana. That didn’t matter to the capacity crowd gathered in the RCA Dome to witness the clash between the Colts and their newest division rivals, the Richmond Confederacy. It was a battle of relatively uncertain footing, given the wide swathe of changes that Mr. Woods, the new owner implemented under his crack staff of diligent front-office workers.
Of the Tennessee Titans, but a few, based on the strength of their game, remain. Gone is Steve McNair, once thought to be the face of the Titans. He was replaced by Jeremiah Lewis, a hot commodity in the draft, after leading his team to a loss in the national championship game a few years ago.
Also gone are a large chunk of the defense, replaced by character players who better reflect the face that Woods would want on his franchise.
Players like Marco Williams whose stellar rookie season, the last in Tennessee, turned heads. Players like the revamped offensive line who find no more sincere pleasure than paving the way for another Tennessee holdover, Chris Brown. Ben Troupe, not drafted by Woods, but in the last year of GM Floyd Reese and owner Bud Adams, has found a niche, filling in admirably at fullback while the starter is on the mend.
At kickoff, the Colts were witness to the new-look Confederacy as the home-team won the toss and elected to kick it off. Pac Man Jones was an all-too-willing returner and averaged a more-than-respectable 25 yards per return.
Throughout a first half that saw very limited offense, Indianapolis capitalized on some mistakes that Lewis made. They went into halftime, leading 10-3.
By and large, the game in the second half was controlled by Chris Brown and DT Randy Starks, who wound up the game with 3 sacks. Trailing 23-3, designated team controller Liam Johnstone said, mentally and out loud, “It’s time.” And time it was.
An errant pass by Manning was picked off which, through a short field, led to a touchdown pass to Troupe who, normally a tight end, has come to appreciate the playing time that fullback has offered. Erron Kinney has a lock on the starting position, which may be up in the air when the regular fullback returns from injury.
Another drive stalled, which led to a field goal for the Confederacy and the comeback was on.
Three 3-and-outs were forced by the Confederacy defense, largely on the efforts of Starks and linemate Kyle Vanden Bosch, who, through harassment of Peyton Manning, forced incomplete passes and knocked the perennial all-star and MVP-candidate to the ground.
A quick turnaround that involved a rare rushing touchdown for Troupe saw the Confederacy down by 3. Time was running out and a defensive stop was desperately needed. Enter: the Confederacy secondary.
Safeties and Corners, heeding the message of Tom Jackson of ESPN Prime Time, knocked down balls, stopping the clock in what seemed to be strange strategy for the Colts. However, a punt was forced and, with the ball at their own 45, the Confederacy took over.
Unhurried, Lewis called the team to the line and running play after running play had the ball moving toward the Indianapolis goal line. The clock continued to run.
With 18 seconds left and the Confederacy finally stymied at the Colts’ 23 yard line, the kicker marched onto the field and nailed the tying field goal which sent the game into overtime.
Normally, Indianapolis winning the coin toss would be a disastrous scene but, given the Confederacy defense’s performance to that point in the game, Richmond’s coaches were fairly confident of a stop.
To the stunned silence of the Colts faithful, a three-and-out brought the end of the offensive drive.
Boom goes the punt and the Confederacy take over, once again in prime position.
Three Chris Brown runs saw the Confederacy well into position for the winning field goal but Johnstone had another trick up his sleeve.
Young running back Wesley, spelling a winded Brown, took the ball on a counter and turned his opportunity into gold, scampering 27 yards for an easy touchdown that crashed the hopes and dreams of the Colts and continued Richmond’s modest 2-game winning streak.
In the end, Lewis was inconsistent and inaccurate, lending credibility to the speculation that the option-offense he ran in college hid the true flaws in his throwing motion. Too many interceptions and bad decisions marred this game which would not have been close were it not for the turnovers.
Brown was his usual steady self, carrying the ball 36 times for more than 100 yards. Wesley had the one long gain and a couple more carries.
Troupe led the way receiving, with 5 catches and 1 touchdown.
The offensive line continued its mauling ways, with the young centre and the left tackle leading the way in the pancakes category.
Starks, as metioned, was a monster, with three sacks on four tackles.
Starks was named the player of the game, and, while this assessment is fair, it is equally fair to say that the contributions of Ben Troupe on offense led to this victory.
For that reason, the LJ Player of the game goes to reserve tight end and penciled-in fullback Ben Troupe.
This is all, from LJ Sports.
Next up, the Birmingham Woodchuks versus the Houston Texans
Of the Tennessee Titans, but a few, based on the strength of their game, remain. Gone is Steve McNair, once thought to be the face of the Titans. He was replaced by Jeremiah Lewis, a hot commodity in the draft, after leading his team to a loss in the national championship game a few years ago.
Also gone are a large chunk of the defense, replaced by character players who better reflect the face that Woods would want on his franchise.
Players like Marco Williams whose stellar rookie season, the last in Tennessee, turned heads. Players like the revamped offensive line who find no more sincere pleasure than paving the way for another Tennessee holdover, Chris Brown. Ben Troupe, not drafted by Woods, but in the last year of GM Floyd Reese and owner Bud Adams, has found a niche, filling in admirably at fullback while the starter is on the mend.
At kickoff, the Colts were witness to the new-look Confederacy as the home-team won the toss and elected to kick it off. Pac Man Jones was an all-too-willing returner and averaged a more-than-respectable 25 yards per return.
Throughout a first half that saw very limited offense, Indianapolis capitalized on some mistakes that Lewis made. They went into halftime, leading 10-3.
By and large, the game in the second half was controlled by Chris Brown and DT Randy Starks, who wound up the game with 3 sacks. Trailing 23-3, designated team controller Liam Johnstone said, mentally and out loud, “It’s time.” And time it was.
An errant pass by Manning was picked off which, through a short field, led to a touchdown pass to Troupe who, normally a tight end, has come to appreciate the playing time that fullback has offered. Erron Kinney has a lock on the starting position, which may be up in the air when the regular fullback returns from injury.
Another drive stalled, which led to a field goal for the Confederacy and the comeback was on.
Three 3-and-outs were forced by the Confederacy defense, largely on the efforts of Starks and linemate Kyle Vanden Bosch, who, through harassment of Peyton Manning, forced incomplete passes and knocked the perennial all-star and MVP-candidate to the ground.
A quick turnaround that involved a rare rushing touchdown for Troupe saw the Confederacy down by 3. Time was running out and a defensive stop was desperately needed. Enter: the Confederacy secondary.
Safeties and Corners, heeding the message of Tom Jackson of ESPN Prime Time, knocked down balls, stopping the clock in what seemed to be strange strategy for the Colts. However, a punt was forced and, with the ball at their own 45, the Confederacy took over.
Unhurried, Lewis called the team to the line and running play after running play had the ball moving toward the Indianapolis goal line. The clock continued to run.
With 18 seconds left and the Confederacy finally stymied at the Colts’ 23 yard line, the kicker marched onto the field and nailed the tying field goal which sent the game into overtime.
Normally, Indianapolis winning the coin toss would be a disastrous scene but, given the Confederacy defense’s performance to that point in the game, Richmond’s coaches were fairly confident of a stop.
To the stunned silence of the Colts faithful, a three-and-out brought the end of the offensive drive.
Boom goes the punt and the Confederacy take over, once again in prime position.
Three Chris Brown runs saw the Confederacy well into position for the winning field goal but Johnstone had another trick up his sleeve.
Young running back Wesley, spelling a winded Brown, took the ball on a counter and turned his opportunity into gold, scampering 27 yards for an easy touchdown that crashed the hopes and dreams of the Colts and continued Richmond’s modest 2-game winning streak.
In the end, Lewis was inconsistent and inaccurate, lending credibility to the speculation that the option-offense he ran in college hid the true flaws in his throwing motion. Too many interceptions and bad decisions marred this game which would not have been close were it not for the turnovers.
Brown was his usual steady self, carrying the ball 36 times for more than 100 yards. Wesley had the one long gain and a couple more carries.
Troupe led the way receiving, with 5 catches and 1 touchdown.
The offensive line continued its mauling ways, with the young centre and the left tackle leading the way in the pancakes category.
Starks, as metioned, was a monster, with three sacks on four tackles.
Starks was named the player of the game, and, while this assessment is fair, it is equally fair to say that the contributions of Ben Troupe on offense led to this victory.
For that reason, the LJ Player of the game goes to reserve tight end and penciled-in fullback Ben Troupe.
This is all, from LJ Sports.
Next up, the Birmingham Woodchuks versus the Houston Texans
posted by Liam J. | 9:17 AM
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