Point Counterpoint - The Blitz

Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts were helpless against the Pittsburgh Steelers and their blitz packages in last month’s AFC playoff game. Manning, the master of the audible and game’s best gunslinger, spent most of the afternoon forcing passes, trying to avoid getting crushed or getting crushed. After the game, Manning hinted that he didn’t have the best protection. The offensive line, running backs, extra blockers and offensive coaches couldn’t slow down the hard-charging Steelers. Manning was right about one thing. It takes a team effort to stop the blitz. And with defensive coordinators picking apart game film, looking for the smallest clink in the armor and exploiting it to the max, offenses need to be prepared as much as possible for what’s coming at them full-speed ahead. Indy wasn’t prepared. The pressure came. And the Colts buckled. The blitz vs. protection.