Joey Porter doesn't like audibles. He is bothered by Peyton Manning's gesticulations at the line of scrimmage. He is peeved when the Indianapolis Colts adjust their formations without having to huddle and discuss the situation. Well, too bad Mr. Porter. That is what makes the AFC South Division champs so entertaining to watch. The Steelers linebacker appears to dislike the intellectualization of football or the concept of offensive ingenuity. He wants the Colts to play a smash-mouth style and show their hand by running straight at Pittsburgh's defense. He is daring them to be conventional Sunday when the two teams meet Sunday at the RCA Dome. But the Colts are new wave.

  The Field General

They have established a unique identity as coach Tony Dungy and offensive coordinator Tom Moore have channeled the offense through Peyton Manning. And as a result there is arguably not a more valuable player to his team in the league than Manning. The eight-year veteran quarterback is responsible for reading the defense, calling the plays and then executing them.

The process is mesmerizing to watch, and it must be intimidating for a defense, which not only has to find a way to match up with the Colts' various weapons but also must attempt to understand all of Manning's utterances and movements he uses to communicate with his teammates. Apparently, Porter is not a fan.  

"They don't want to just sit there, line up and play football," Porter explained to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "They want to try to catch you off guard. They don't want to play smash-mouth football, they want to trick you. ... They want to catch you substituting. Know what I mean? They don't want to just call a play, get up there and run a play."

But Porter doesn't get it. What the Colts have done is take the playcalling out of the booth and put it on the field. Manning, who is both cerebral and extremely meticulous, is the conduit. After setting an NFL record by throwing 49 touchdown passes in 2004, he helped the Colts average 362.4 yards per game this year. Indianapolis ranked third in the league in total offense behind Kansas City and Seattle while compiling a 14-2 record in the regular season.

It's a wonder why more teams aren't copying the Colts. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Indianapolis' schemes require extreme precision in distracting situations. Not many quarterbacks have the work ethic of Manning, who is known for spending hours on end in the film room. And there are few offensive linemen who could stay in the stance like they do and not react to the all the exhortations Manning makes when the play clock is winding down. Such a complicated offensive system requires a lot of preparation.

Porter should realize this. What the Colts do is not trickery. They attack what the defense gives them.  It's ingenious. Deep down the Steelers linebacker probably respects what Indianapolis does. But like so many defensive players who have been burned by the Colts' offense, he is frustrated by it. And it shows.