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Brackett: out. Deshawn: depressed.

The news that the emotional and mental leader of the Colts defense is out (likely for the rest of the regular season) with a broken leg is crushing news. For a team that has already had to deal with a back breaking run of injuries over the past 14 months, this one is especially painful because the Colts are likely starting something called a Buster Davis instead of a Pro-Bowl caliber MLB who excels in coverage. I'm not going to get into the merits of this seemingly insane move, because I'm sure Tony has his reasons for it. Still, the downgrade from Brackett to a guy who has spent most of the season on the inactive list is huge. Couple this with the loss of Dawson for a couple of weeks, and the future doesn't look bright. The Colts will probably still win these next three games simply because their opponents are among the dregs of the NFL. Still, any hope we had of seeing this team finally get healthy and come together to play at the level we all believe them to be capable seems gone.

If Gary Brackett is truly done for the season, I can't imagine the Colts beating any playoff team. Even Denver. Yes. He's that important. I suppose we might see something truly insane like Bob Sanders playing MLB, with Bullitt on the field for the playoffs if Brackett can't go. I don't think the Colts would try this in the regular season because of the injury risk for Sanders, but in a pinch, it would at least get their best available players on the field all at once.

Yikes.

Demond Sanders: Check out the latest MVP rankings from Bucky Brooks. He's got three of my five, and I certainly can't fault him for having Eli at the top spot. He's got Portis and Peterson on the list, which I understand. They have very similar numbers and they both star for teams with a limited passing game. I'll consider adding them next week, but I'm not totally sold on them yet. Peyton is nowhere to be found, which isn't a surprise. He is going to look a lot better after Sunday.

My Five Favorite Grandpa Ted Moments

In driving around town the last couple of days, I put on my audio copy of Super Bowl XLI. It happens to be the last game in which Ted Marchibroda served as color man. A quick listen to the tape reveals why...as well as some of the most unintentionally funny moments in broadcast history.

1. Ted insists on referring to Bob Sanders as Robert throughout the entire broadcast.
2. Ted refers to great seasons by "so many players" including someone named "Alvin Betheeeah"
3. During Bob Lamey's monologues recapping the season, Ted spends the entire time mumbling incoherent assent with everything Bob said. No matter what Bob said, Ted would reply, "mmmhmmuh youahr righ".
4. In the broadcast of the AFC Championship game, Ted was so excited to pointout that Fletcher had a mismatch in his favor that he almost comes out of his shoes pointing it out after Peyton hit him with the huge pass down to the NE 38.
5. After a Ben Utech catch he inexplicably says, "He looked it right into his chest and dropped it. You can't just catch every one with your hands". One play later, Manning would through a TD to Reggie Wayne. Ted attributed it to a major mistake by the Colts secondary.

I'm not trying to pick on good old Ted. I just found it hilarious, that's all. He's a good man, and valued member of the Colts community...but it's a good thing he's not in the booth any more.

I can't stop watching this

MVP Update

This week was a debacle for most of the MVP favorites. As a result there has been a signifcant shake-up in the order and the addition of a player who was nowhere to be found last week. You could put these five players in almost any order and I would not argue. Peyton is ranked first based on the fact that his next two opponents are a combined 1-22. There is a ton of football left to play and the pressure is on each player to distinguish himself.

1.) Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Stats: 19 TDs, 12 INTs, 2948 YDs, 85.3 Rating
Team Record: 8-4, 2nd place AFC South
Last week: 2 INT in a win at Cleveland
Remaining Games: CIN, DET, @Jax, TEN

Manning's stats took a big hit this week, but remarkably his MVP stock rose. The race is far from over, and he will need to pad his stats over the next two weeks. Peyton is certainly aware of the opportunity in front of him. Don't expect to see much of Jim Sorgi as Manning subtly guns for the award.

2.) Eli Manning, New York Giants
Stats: 19 TDs, 8 INTs, 2624 YDs, 91.3 Rating
Team Record: 11-1, 1st place NFC East
Last week: 1 TD, 1 INT in a win at Washington
Remaining Games: PHI, @Dal, CAR, @Min

Little brother has better stats and more wins, but that alone won't be enough. He'll need to keep it up and hope the other contenders struggle down the stretch. The media and fans have slowly warmed to Eli and thus an MVP award would only be a minor upset.

3.) Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
Stats: 24 TDs, 11 INTs, 3741 YDs, 99.4 Rating
Team Record: 7-5, 1st place NFC West
Last week: 3 TD, 3 INT in a loss at Philadelphia
Remaining Games: STL, MIN, @Pats, SEA

I could have dropped Warner much farther, but I think Peter King was harsh enough for the both of us. I think the Cardinals are a fraud and Warner has played poorly in their toughest games. Sadly, I can still see a path to the MVP for him because of a relatively friendly remaining schedule (3 of 4 at home).

4.) Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Stats: 21 TDs, 8 INTs, 2559 YDs, 103.2 Rating
Team Record: 8-4, 2nd place NFC East
Last Week: 3 TDs, 1 INT in a win over Seattle
Remaining Games: @Pit, NYG, BALT, @Phi

Romo is having another great season, despite missing three games with a hand injury. Dallas went 1-2 with Romo out. He is currently the NFL's highest rated passer. He would be much higher on this list if Dallas didn't have a difficult remaining schedule. Don't be surprised to see Romo rising to the top.

5.) Brett Favre, New York Jets
Stats: 20 TDs, 14 INTs, 2708 YDs, 90.4 Rating
Team Record: 8-4, 1st place AFC East
Last week: 1 INT in a loss to Denver
Remaining Games: @SF, BUF, @Sea, MIA

Favre has plenty of time to make up for his unspectacular play against Denver. His remaining schedule is favorable so there is no reason to count him out.

Others in the conversation: Matt Ryan (needs stats), Adrian Peterson (needs wins), Michael Turner (needs stats)

If you have any names to add to the list please shout them out.

Head on over...

to Stampede Blue for a nice little clash over whether or not the Colts are 'average'. Some one has taken exception to my statement last night. I defend it (rather conclusively) in the comments below.

For the record, I said they were average with an 'it' quality. It's not much of an explanation, but then again, I don't really have one. The Colts are 8-4. They probably shouldn't be, but 18, 93, and 98 have been amazing all year. Without any one of those guys...I don't want to even think about what the record would be. Anyway, enjoy the debate.