Without dwelling into the game stats, lets focus on one of the main causes behind the Colts loss. Manning's habit of doing certain things repeatedly,was one of the reasons why the Colts were defeated.
In most professional sports, the tendencies of every star player are usually known after a year or so..
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"What is called 'foreknowledge' cannot be elicited from spirits, nor from gods, nor by analogy with past events, nor from calculations. It must be obtained from men who know the enemy situation."
- Art of War 13
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Monday, February 8, 2010 (SF Chronicle)
COLTS/Defining drive fails to break Manning's way
David White, Chronicle Staff Writer
(02-08) 04:00 PST Miami Gardens, Fla. --
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning looked all-time greatness in the eyes. He should have known better than to stare down a target in the open field like that.
Manning reached for a second Lombardi Trophy, which was so right there to hug between the numbers - but the Saints stepped between the arranged marriage and objected with all their might.
All Manning could do was stand there, jilted and helpless, as Saints cornerback Tracy Porter returned the worst decision of Manning's career 74yards for a dynasty-stopping touchdown. The Colts lost 31-17, and Super Bowl XLIV will be remembered as the game Manning threw away.
"He made a good break on the ball and just made a heck of a play," Manning said on the losers' side of Sun Life Stadium.
Sure, Porter made a great play, but come on: We're talking about Tracy Porter. Who Dat? Precisely.
Since when did a no-name from New Orleans have any business out-shining Manning on football's most Super stage?
Manning is the one who is supposed to play the hero. He's the unquestioned leader of the winningest team this century. He's the golden arm with all the MVP awards on the wall.
Manning is the star with 43 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime in his esteemed NFL lifetime. Sunday was supposed to be No. XLIV(that's 44, for those who don't speak Roman).
"It's certainly disappointing," Manning said of his interception. "Very disappointed."
He should be. Everyone else on offense did all he could to put Manning in his customary position to save the day.
The offensive line did not give up a sack, no matter how often Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams dialed blitz. Tight end Dallas Clark ran down every- thing Manning threw his way, catching seven passes for 86 yards to become the most prolific tight end in postseason history.
Running back Joseph Addai rushed 13 times for 77 yards. His spinning 4-yard touchdown run gave the Colts a 17-13 lead in the third quarter. Not bad, for the 32nd-ranked rushing offense in a 32-team pool.
Addai threw in 58 screen-pass reception yards. Rookie receivers Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon each tossed 66 receiving yards into the hat and passed it to Manning.
Everyone led Manning's horseshoe to the water, but he's the one who had to take a swig from the grail.
Instead, Manning passed the cup right into Porter's hands. It was 3rd-and-5 at the Saints' 31. Manning was one touchdown throw away from making this a 24-24 game, and he had more than three minutes of game clock left.
Here's the real indictment of it all: Manning is reputed as the Study Hall King. No one studies more video than Manning, the legend goes. He takes the knowledge of other team's tendencies and uses it to his advantage. Repeatedly.
Well, guess what: The Saints just beat Manning at his own mind game. Porter and the Saints, too, crammed for the Super Bowl. They knew the Colts liked to stack the receivers on 3rd-and-short. Porter knew Colts receiver Reggie Wayne would release outside on a slant, and that Manning would throw to him.
Imagine that.
"It's kind of a play we've run a lot," Manning said.
/// The Compass View: If you are scouting for your competitor's tendencies, then there is a good possibility that they are also scouting for yours.
Now look at Manning. His 333 passing yards? Minimized. The 10-0 lead he forged in the first quarter? Kissed away. While Saints quarterback Drew Brees was winning the Super Bowl MVP, Manning was going 13 game minutes between complete passes in the second and third quarters.
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The Compass View: No matter how great an competitor is, he or she is predictable. By using our Assess, Position and Influence (API) process, anyone can be defeated.
Assess him/her in terms of the AoW principles. The initial step is to gather intelligence on the target.
Position him and yourself with a good plan and solid preparation.
Influence the competition toward a limited number of situations that prevents him to implement his or her strengths. Concentrate on reducing their opportunity of gaining advantages to zero. Do not let him/her gain any momentum.
Focus point #1: Nullify the advantage by zeroing out the probable momentum.
Focus point #2: When one concentrates too much on their strengths, the tendencies become obvious to the "strategic smart" opposition. It is important to change one's operational habits occasionally.
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So what if Manning joined Montana and Brett Favre as the only postseason passers with 5,000 yards? With only one Super Bowl ring, the Colts are getting pretty lousy mileage out of all those stats.
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Copyright 2010 SF Chronicle
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