Perfect scenario still was not enough for Colts

INDIANAPOLIS -- Before Mike Shanahan arrived as Denver's coach, John Elway was just another terrific quarterback with no rings. Lots of individual stats and memorable plays, but no championships.

Since Bill Cowher arrived as Pittsburgh's coach in 1992, the Steelers have made it to six AFC title games, including next Sunday at Denver. They got to the Super Bowl once, in January 1996, losing to Dallas.

But at least they have another shot -- as a sixth seed, no less.

The Indianapolis Colts, despite their superb quarterback and their excellent coach, are done.

The Colts believed this was their year. It should have been.

"Everything was laid out for us perfectly," Edgerrin James said. "We folded."

Finally, they'd posted the best record in the league, ensuring no trips to icy New England or blustery Pittsburgh or mile-high Denver.

Finally, their nemesis, the Patriots, had been eliminated elsewhere.

Finally, they had a fast, fierce defense to go with the Peyton Manning-led offense that is feared by every opponent.

It wasn't enough.

"You hear people say 'what's wrong, what's wrong,"' coach Tony Dungy said Monday. "In most cases, not much is wrong, so you need to resist the urge that something needs to be overhauled."

Here's what went wrong:

-- The Colts remain a fragile, unbalanced team, despite what the numbers said this season. If their offense is unproductive against quality opponents, it winds up affecting the defense, too. That defense doesn't have enough playmakers yet, and it isn't as physical as some others.

So when Manning struggles the way he did in Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh, the Colts have to scramble. They don't do it well.

-- Manning's career almost certainly will lead him to an induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio, but he rarely is at his best in the biggest spots. Some of his worst performances have come in the playoffs, when Tom Brady, Troy Aikman or Joe Montana achieved the most. A heavy pass rush often turns Manning into a quarterback with happy feet who forces passes.

Sunday was one of those rare times when he admitted his protectors on the line had issues. For all his skills as a passer and playmaker, Manning can be rattled when his blockers, well, don't block.

"I'm trying to be a good teammate," Manning said. "Let's just say we had some problems with protection. ... I'm looking for a safe word here. Pittsburgh did some things that gave us trouble."

Unless they fix those -- other than center Jeff Saturday, the Colts' line is mediocre -- more disappointingly early endings are ahead.

-- Indy was too good in the regular season.

Say what?

The 13-0 run was magnificent and the Colts looked capable of replicating the 1972 Dolphins' perfecto. They clinched the division and the home-field edge before they lost a game.

But after San Diego beat them, followed by the death of Dungy's son, the Colts went through the motions in their last two regular-season games. Drained emotionally by the tragedy, they never got back that mental edge champions need. For three quarters against the Steelers, they were rusty and flat, a recipe for defeat.

"It's tough to stay up there year after year and not win it," Dungy said. "But I think we've got guys who are mentally tough enough to do that.

"I'm disappointed that we didn't play our best, and that always falls back on me."

Dungy is being too hard on himself; most coaches eagerly grab the brunt of blame when things go wrong. He even hinted Monday as he wrapped up this season that he isn't 100 percent certain he'll return.

That would be a shame, because he might be the classiest act in the sport. Other than Mike Holmgren and Dick Vermeil, how many coaches are lauded for being "good guys?"

And he's a fine coach who should be judged on his overall record in Tampa Bay and Indianapolis, which is very good.

But good guy and fine coach, unfortunately, almost never are winning combinations in the NFL. Maybe the Colts need a bit more fervor, an assistant coach or even a few players who can light a fire and keep it burning.

With their supreme talent at the skill positions on offense and an improved defense, the Colts had more going for them this season than any of the four playoff finalists. That's what makes this flop so painful in Indy.