Hope, Horses, and Haiku

Hope springs eternal for fans of all NFL teams at this time of year. In some cases, this hope has no basis in reality, but fans of the Indianapolis Colts have every reason to salivate this year. With all the key players returning on offense and a young, fast, and hungry defense, the Colts are in position to make a legitimate run at the Super Bowl.

This marks the third year of the Horseshoe. Like the defense, the 'shoe has a new look and a new attitude. The changes can be summed up in two words: football haiku. The two were made for each other. Both use speed, grace, and force. Both capture moments from the ridiculous to the sublime. Most importantly, both are just plain fun. So, this year, instead of a lengthy analysis each week, you will find 5-10 haiku, each dealing with some aspect of the upcoming game. Silly? Well, yes. Guilty as charged. But hopefully the new Horseshoe will give you Colts fans a different perspective on the game.

I welcome your submissions. Honest, they are not difficult to write. I am using the 5-7-5 form, meaning the haiku should consist of three lines, the first line being five syllables long, the second being seven syllables, and the third five syllables. Submit haiku here!

In addition to the haiku, every week, I'll pick winners for the full slate of NFL games. I finished last season picking 72% of the winners. Not too shabby! Jim Conway, my father, is returning this year to try and put me back in my place.

 

Haiku: Colts vs Jets

Be kind, ligaments
anterior and cruciate.
Colts need you Sundays.

Two interceptions.
Young colts gallop down green fields.
Oh, Testaverde!

Referees replaced.
Upon further review, the
game is hurt the most.

Hey ref. Ref! You got
eyes like a rhinoceros!
Don't you know the rules?

Defense is like cheese.
Some are sharp, others smelly.
Colts like both sans holes.

Ten broken tackles.
Would somebody please stop him?
Please, no more this year!

Touchdown Monkey smiles.
The Colts have won the Jets game.
Vinny dropped the ball.
- submitted by Francie Broadie

Colts cook in New York.
Barbeque for everyone.
Mmm, tastes like chicken.
- submitted by Francie Broadie

Azure Cerberus
Peyton, Edgerrin, Marvin
Holy Trinity.

Colts need time to gel.
We may struggle early on.
Mid-season, watch out!

Envious gazelles
ask, "how do you do it, Marvin?"
Two words: tasty kakes.

Blue horseshoe, green plane.
New York doesn't realize,
Jets run on horse power.