stormdriver

This was a letter one fan wrote to the NFL website:

"Tony Dungy has recently said that he would rest starters if the Colts had home-field advantage locked, even if they were still undefeated. Even though I think Tony is a fantastic coach, I have to disagree with him on this issue. Here are my reasons why: First of all, if they have home field locked through the playoffs, then they will already have one or two bye weeks. If you rest them one to two weeks before that, it may be a month's worth of rest, which may result in the players being rusty. Secondly, I believe it may lower the players' morale if you don't let them try for something that has only been done once in NFL history. Finally, I think that it's a bad idea because the Colts would lose their momentum. So I say this to Coach Dungy: Go for the undefeated season, do it for the fans, the players and yourself."

I fully agree with the assesment here, and say they need to go for it. I am always open to hearing other opinions though, So have at it.
Question is: Is it worth it to sit players like Peyton Manning, Marvin Harrison, and Edgerrin James out for the last few games to avoid injuries and make sure they're well-rested for the playoffs, or should Tony Dungy and the Colts continue to shoot for the second-ever NFL undefeated season?

MickeyG

nice point on that the players could be very rusty going into their first playoff game and i tend to agree that they have to go for the 16-0 record. to be only the second team in history. i just don't understand how a coach or player can pass that up. Besides they could probably play the starters for the first half and then rest them and still win the game. Just a thought i had.

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jeter4982

While I don't agree with his decision, can you imagine the uproar if Peyton Manning got hurt in the last game, and was unavailable for the playoffs? I think in all odds they would only be looking to sit out for the last week, as the Seahawks in their second to last game can still supply a fight. You also have to take into consideration that if they get homefield advantage, they will have a bye for the first round of the playoffs. So if you sit them for the last two regular season games, then you are really sitting them for three weeks, which in my opinion is way too much for an NFL team. I would understand Dungy treating it like a preseason game however, taking out the starters after two or three quarters.

stormdriver

I agree, that's probably the best way to go about it.

Manster

I have not seen who they play the last few weeks I know they have to play the Jags and the Cards and I would think that they could win both those games with their startes only playing part of the game. I wonder what some of the other teams they face will do, if their season is all ready over do you start playing young guys so they can get some game time or do they go all out and do everything they can to be the first team to beat the Colts this year.

stormdriver

That's a thought too. The Jags and Seahawks both have a pretty good shot at the playoffs though, Seahawks have already clinched their division in fact. Tough call.

jeter4982

There remaining schedule is the Jaguars, Chargers, Seahawks, and Cardinals. Out of these games, I think the Jaguars should be an easy win without Byron Leftwich, and the Cardinals will not put up too much of a challenge either. I think if they are to lose, it will be to the Chargers, because Ladanian Tomlinson is such a veristile player. I mean he can run, catch, or block, and you can't take him for granted at all. I think the Colts will win the game, but it won't be an easy game at all in my opinion. The Seahawks will also put up a challenge, and you won't be able to take out your starters against them and still win, but with the starters they are definitely very beatable.

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-Tom