And so it begins: Colts hint at limiting their starters (1 Viewer)

[Deadman31]

I think the Indianapolis Folds is better name for them than the Colts. Classless organization from top to bottom, led by a a classless QB who is a horse's ###.

I look forward to their upcoming monumental playoff collapse.

 

[Godsbrother]

Didn't like the decision to pull the starters before the game was decided. If you were that worried about injuries why would you play them at all?

 

[jamil]

Didn't like the decision to pull the starters before the game was decided. If you were that worried about injuries why would you play them at all?

thats how i feel about it. or just play them a couple series... don't play them 2 1/2 quarters then pull peyton when it's a very close and winnable game. you could see the sideline shots of him and he looked pissed.

 

[AffVid]

Didn't like the decision to pull the starters before the game was decided. If you were that worried about injuries why would you play them at all?

Exactly.

 

[purestrength]

Didn't like the decision to pull the starters before the game was decided. If you were that worried about injuries why would you play them at all?

thats how i feel about it. or just play them a couple series... don't play them 2 1/2 quarters then pull peyton when it's a very close and winnable game. you could see the sideline shots of him and he looked pissed.

So did Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, Gary Brackett, etc. . .

 

[Ghost Rider]

The Colts kept their D starters in... Freeney did leave and come back only for passing downs, but that was the Colts D the Jets ran on in the second half.

Did you watch the game? The air completely went out of the dome and the team after the starters were pulled. I think I could have ran for 50 yards in the 4th quarter of that game, considering how deflated and lifeless the Colts looked in the 4th quarter.

The Jets wanted to rock Manning into next week.

I am pretty sure every team wants to rock Manning, but the Jets weren't getting to him. They had zero sacks of him, and weren't getting that much pressure on him, either.

To listen to some people, you would think the Jets are worse than Cleveland. You want to complain that the Jets scored on a KO return? Maybe then, I should whine about how they held Brees to less that 200 yards, no TD's, only allowed NO offense to score 10 points and the only reason the Jets lost was because the NO defense outscored their offense thanks to Sanchez. Same line of thinking. You can't pick and choose only some plays and do the "what if" game, unless you open it up to games like NO/Jets too.

I wasn't complaining about them scoring on a KO return, but nice try. If you want to focus on the bottom line, the bottom line is with Manning and the others in the game, the Colts were winning, and likely would have won had they played the whole game. If you want to be a homer and actually think the Jets would have won under that scenario, but let's not act like your bogus win is completely legit. Your team is gonna make the playoffs because of a tank job, plain and simple.

 

[purestrength]

If not for a botched XP, the score would have been 17-10 when Manning and the others left the game, and the Jets only TD came on a kickoff return, so yeah, I don't see how this was a bad matchup for them. When the starters were in there, the Colts were clearly the better team, despite a good day by the Jets defense. And I was as pissed as anyone when the Colts pulled their players. As a fan of the game, you want to see history. Caldwell and/or Pollian decided to be ####### about it.

The Jets were playing their B game, and were winning in the third quarter. The Jets started committing more to the running game in the second half, and I think they would have done that either way (Schottenheimer got too cute, as he's apt to do, in the first half). The Colts run D still stinks, after all these years; the Jets had 202 yards today, and I think the Jets have a great chance to upset the Colts if they meet in the playoffs.The Jets got outplayed in the first half, maybe even badly outplayed, but kept it within six. The Jets need the ball first next time, as the Colts winning the toss seemed to really put the Jets behind the 8-ball for awhile. The Colts drove down the field, the Jets had bad field position, the Colts then scored and had control of the game. The Colts are one of those teams that are much easier to beat when you have the lead than when you're trailing. They're far from an unbeatable team though, and you saw that again today.

Yeah, the Jets were winning in the 3rd quarter because of a kickoff return...for about four minutes until Peyton drove them down the field for another score to give the Colts a lead they would not relinquish until Manning and the others left the game. Yeah, the Jets had 202 rushing yards...the great majority of which was after the Colts pulled their starters. The Colts coaching staff/front office basically handed the Jets the win today. The Jets could very well beat them in the divisional round, simply because the Colts always lose in the divisional round when they start resting players early. It is amazing that the Colts still haven't figured out that they do not succeed in January when they operate this way. I will be SHOCKED if they make it to the Super Bowl.

by Ghost Rider

 

[gradin123]

Didn't like the decision to pull the starters before the game was decided. If you were that worried about injuries why would you play them at all?

Exactly.What made it Ok to play them for 21/2 Quarters and then not the rest of the game? Were they more likely to get injured in the last 11/2 Quarters? Obviously not.I think the complete meltdown of the Colts after Manning went out obviously proves he is the MVP of the league. Would the Colts even win 5 games without him?Jim Caldwell had almost nothing to do with the fact the Colts were 14-0 so it shouldn't have been his decision to throw away their chance at perfection. It should have been Peyton's.I will say this though. Manning was a class act as usual but maybe too much of a class act. If he insists on going back in after the Jets went ahead can Caldwell really stop him? I don't think so. Maybe this week he should have pulled a Favre.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Didn't like the decision to pull the starters before the game was decided. If you were that worried about injuries why would you play them at all?

Exactly.What made it Ok to play them for 21/2 Quarters and then not the rest of the game? Were they more likely to get injured in the last 11/2 Quarters? Obviously not.I think the complete meltdown of the Colts after Manning went out obviously proves he is the MVP of the league. Would the Colts even win 5 games without him?Jim Caldwell had almost nothing to do with the fact the Colts were 14-0 so it shouldn't have been his decision to throw away their chance at perfection. It should have been Peyton's.I will say this though. Manning was a class act as usual but maybe too much of a class act. If he insists on going back in after the Jets went ahead can Caldwell really stop him? I don't think so. Maybe this week he should have pulled a Favre.

Caldwell guided a team that you expected would miss the playoffs to the #1 seed in the AFC. He doesn't deserve credit for vastly exceeding expectations?

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Poor, poor decision. I really hope the Jets come back and beat the Colts in the 2nd round of the playoffs. That would be poetic justice.

 

[Cenobite]

Wonder what the Indy media is saying. I was shocked that most of the starters were pulled. It was game #15. It's not like the Colts needed to win 4 more to go undefeated. I would be flipping if I was a Colts fan. As it is, I am disappointed in the way they gave the game away. The Colts had a chance to make history and bowed out. Being that close, I think it was a mistake.

 

[Tom Baker]

Good reading here: http://www.indystar.com/comments/article/2...-perfection?s=d

 

[gradin123]

Didn't like the decision to pull the starters before the game was decided. If you were that worried about injuries why would you play them at all?

Exactly.What made it Ok to play them for 21/2 Quarters and then not the rest of the game? Were they more likely to get injured in the last 11/2 Quarters? Obviously not.I think the complete meltdown of the Colts after Manning went out obviously proves he is the MVP of the league. Would the Colts even win 5 games without him?Jim Caldwell had almost nothing to do with the fact the Colts were 14-0 so it shouldn't have been his decision to throw away their chance at perfection. It should have been Peyton's.I will say this though. Manning was a class act as usual but maybe too much of a class act. If he insists on going back in after the Jets went ahead can Caldwell really stop him? I don't think so. Maybe this week he should have pulled a Favre.

Caldwell guided a team that you expected would miss the playoffs to the #1 seed in the AFC. He doesn't deserve credit for vastly exceeding expectations?

NONE!Without Peyton this team would be 5-10 IMO and that might even be generous.I honestly believe that I could have coached this team to the #1 Seed. Just hand over the reigns on offense to Peyton and hire other talented assistants.I think this is the first time all year Jim Caldwell has actually been noticed for doing anything.

 

[DoubleG]

Didn't like the decision to pull the starters before the game was decided. If you were that worried about injuries why would you play them at all?

Exactly.What made it Ok to play them for 21/2 Quarters and then not the rest of the game? Were they more likely to get injured in the last 11/2 Quarters? Obviously not.

I think the complete meltdown of the Colts after Manning went out obviously proves he is the MVP of the league. Would the Colts even win 5 games without him?

Jim Caldwell had almost nothing to do with the fact the Colts were 14-0 so it shouldn't have been his decision to throw away their chance at perfection. It should have been Peyton's.

I will say this though. Manning was a class act as usual but maybe too much of a class act. If he insists on going back in after the Jets went ahead can Caldwell really stop him? I don't think so. Maybe this week he should have pulled a Favre.

Caldwell guided a team that you expected would miss the playoffs to the #1 seed in the AFC. He doesn't deserve credit for vastly exceeding expectations?

What?

 

[gradin123]

[Caldwell guided a team that you expected would miss the playoffs to the #1 seed in the AFC. He doesn't deserve credit for vastly exceeding expectations?

What?

I'll own that to some degree. When the Colts first hired Caldwell I said it was a bad move and I even questioned whether they would make the playoffs this year. What I didn't anticipate was the complete meltdown of the Titans early this year.But even so it was a bad prediction on my part because I completely underestimated the value of Peyton Manning. I think this year he proved he is the best QB of all time. The Colts Defense this year has been very mediocre and they honestly were very lucky to be 14-0 in the first place but It was still a very bad prediction on my part because I probably was going overboard to make a point that I didn't think Caldwell was a good hire.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Didn't like the decision to pull the starters before the game was decided. If you were that worried about injuries why would you play them at all?

Exactly.What made it Ok to play them for 21/2 Quarters and then not the rest of the game? Were they more likely to get injured in the last 11/2 Quarters? Obviously not.

I think the complete meltdown of the Colts after Manning went out obviously proves he is the MVP of the league. Would the Colts even win 5 games without him?

Jim Caldwell had almost nothing to do with the fact the Colts were 14-0 so it shouldn't have been his decision to throw away their chance at perfection. It should have been Peyton's.

I will say this though. Manning was a class act as usual but maybe too much of a class act. If he insists on going back in after the Jets went ahead can Caldwell really stop him? I don't think so. Maybe this week he should have pulled a Favre.

Caldwell guided a team that you expected would miss the playoffs to the #1 seed in the AFC. He doesn't deserve credit for vastly exceeding expectations?

What?

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...t&p=9805237

 

[Chase Stuart]

[Caldwell guided a team that you expected would miss the playoffs to the #1 seed in the AFC. He doesn't deserve credit for vastly exceeding expectations?

What?

I'll own that to some degree. When the Colts first hired Caldwell I said it was a bad move and I even questioned whether they would make the playoffs this year. What I didn't anticipate was the complete meltdown of the Titans early this year.But even so it was a bad prediction on my part because I completely underestimated the value of Peyton Manning. I think this year he proved he is the best QB of all time. The Colts Defense this year has been very mediocre and they honestly were very lucky to be 14-0 in the first place but It was still a very bad prediction on my part because I probably was going overboard to make a point that I didn't think Caldwell was a good hire.

A question I have never gotten close to answering is "how do you measure the ability of a coach." Is it winning more games than you expect in the pre-season? Is it winning the close games (this is one of the few I've ruled out, since Lombardi was .500 in close games while Vince Tobin has the best record in NFL history in games decided by 3 or less). Is it winning Super Bowls? Is it winning more games than you should, not based on pre-season expectations but on peripheral stats (offensive/defensive efficiencies). Is it beating the teams you're supposed to beat consistently? Is it beating teams better than you at least on a semiregular basis?I don't really know. I feel very confident in saying that if you've got a team that is actually not that talented sitting with the best record in the league, you're doing a very good. Say Manning all you want, but Bill Walsh went 10-6 with Montana and Jerry Rice in 1988 (before winning the SB). Having the GQBOAT doesn't mean you're automatically going to be the #1 team in the league.

 

[Jeremy]

Whew...fortunetly it was not a train wreck at least for me. But I gotta tell ya you could see Manning seething on the sidelines...he wanted this game...he wanted perfection no doubt in my mind.What a shame. A chance to make history and part of that includes winning the Super Bowl.....I don't know of another team that would have laid down like the Colts staff made their team do today.Sorry you can tell me all you want about injury and all that horse ####. This is what these guys live for....history. And the Colts blew a chance at football immortality. I know they can't win if a key starter got hurt...then everyone would cry how dumb they are.....but we are not talking about a meaningless game in my book....we are talking history.And I am a Dolphins fan......but I would have loved to have seen it done by someone else in this age of football. And Manning is the one guy that can lead a team to perfection and the Colt's front office and coaching staff took that away from this team.Again what a shame for them...and for us the football fans who pay their salaries and enable them to entertain us with a game played on a field.

Whether they win the SB or not, there's going to be a lot of regret over the years for this decision. If they don't win it, they'll say it's because of this and perhaps justifiably so. If they do, they'll be thrilled to win the SB, but 43 teams have accomplished that. Only 1 has been perfect in doing so, and none have been 19-0. They'll be talking about this missed opportunity for YEARS. And how bizaar they way they did it. Had they each played a quarter or a little into the 2nd quarter, that's one thing. The game was 3/4 over already and they had the lead and the ball. For 3 quarters you don't worry about injury, but in the 4th quarter all of a sudden that matters so much you're willing to piss away a chance at NFL history? They were almost home! Very strange. I do feel a little cheated as a fan and I'm not a fan of that team either.

 

[gradin123]

[Caldwell guided a team that you expected would miss the playoffs to the #1 seed in the AFC. He doesn't deserve credit for vastly exceeding expectations?

What?

I'll own that to some degree. When the Colts first hired Caldwell I said it was a bad move and I even questioned whether they would make the playoffs this year. What I didn't anticipate was the complete meltdown of the Titans early this year.But even so it was a bad prediction on my part because I completely underestimated the value of Peyton Manning. I think this year he proved he is the best QB of all time. The Colts Defense this year has been very mediocre and they honestly were very lucky to be 14-0 in the first place but It was still a very bad prediction on my part because I probably was going overboard to make a point that I didn't think Caldwell was a good hire.

A question I have never gotten close to answering is "how do you measure the ability of a coach." Is it winning more games than you expect in the pre-season? Is it winning the close games (this is one of the few I've ruled out, since Lombardi was .500 in close games while Vince Tobin has the best record in NFL history in games decided by 3 or less). Is it winning Super Bowls? Is it winning more games than you should, not based on pre-season expectations but on peripheral stats (offensive/defensive efficiencies). Is it beating the teams you're supposed to beat consistently? Is it beating teams better than you at least on a semiregular basis?I don't really know. I feel very confident in saying that if you've got a team that is actually not that talented sitting with the best record in the league, you're doing a very good. Say Manning all you want, but Bill Walsh went 10-6 with Montana and Jerry Rice in 1988 (before winning the SB). Having the GQBOAT doesn't mean you're automatically going to be the #1 team in the league.

Manning! Manning! Manning!Where do you think the Colts would be without Manning? Honestly.

The Colts were 14-0 going into this week but IMO they were very lucky to be so. Manning saved their butts time after time on late drives and other teams seemed to collapse late against them on many occasions. They also had a very easy schedule for a first place team.

Last year Brady got hurt in Week #1 and the Patriots still managed to finish 9-7 and just miss the playoffs. That was good coaching. Do you think the Colts would have finished 9-7 if Manning went down in week one?

I don't know if there ever has been a team in history who is so dependant on one player for their success as the Colts are. Yes he has some very good talent(Wayne,Clark) to work with but he still drives everything.

I'll put it another way Chase.

Do you think the Colts would be better off with you as their head coach and Manning as their QB or Caldwell as their head coach and Painter/Sorgi as their QB?

I believe Manning is a free agent after 2010. If he leaves and Caldwell stays I guess we'll get to see how good a coach he is.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...t&p=9805237

Nice find Chase.And great call by Fatness, too. Who predicted Gradin would do exactly what he's doing here.

 

[Yenrub]

Did the Bills rest starters when Polian was their GM?

 

[gradin123]

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...t&p=9805237

Nice find Chase.And great call by Fatness, too. Who predicted Gradin would do exactly what he's doing here.

What's that? Owning up to a bad prediction.All i said on this thread originally was that it should have been Peyton's call on whether to play. Not Caldwell's or Polian's. I own up to my bad prediction Chase now can we let it go already. But that doesn't mean I have to give credit to Colts success to Caldwell. Because I really don't think he deserves it.

 

[Rovers]

The Colts kept their D starters in... Freeney did leave and come back only for passing downs, but that was the Colts D the Jets ran on in the second half.

Did you watch the game? The air completely went out of the dome and the team after the starters were pulled. I think I could have ran for 50 yards in the 4th quarter of that game, considering how deflated and lifeless the Colts looked in the 4th quarter.

The Jets wanted to rock Manning into next week.

I am pretty sure every team wants to rock Manning, but the Jets weren't getting to him. They had zero sacks of him, and weren't getting that much pressure on him, either.

To listen to some people, you would think the Jets are worse than Cleveland. You want to complain that the Jets scored on a KO return? Maybe then, I should whine about how they held Brees to less that 200 yards, no TD's, only allowed NO offense to score 10 points and the only reason the Jets lost was because the NO defense outscored their offense thanks to Sanchez. Same line of thinking. You can't pick and choose only some plays and do the "what if" game, unless you open it up to games like NO/Jets too.

I wasn't complaining about them scoring on a KO return, but nice try. If you want to focus on the bottom line, the bottom line is with Manning and the others in the game, the Colts were winning, and likely would have won had they played the whole game. If you want to be a homer and actually think the Jets would have won under that scenario, but let's not act like your bogus win is completely legit. Your team is gonna make the playoffs because of a tank job, plain and simple.

MY bogus win? LOL... I didn't play in the game. Yes, I think the Colts would have won if they stayed with their starters, but that isn't some lock-down no doubt about it outcome either. Tone down the tool factor. My bad, you are correct, the Colts did pull some D starters too. Beleive me, I would have much preferred to watch the Jets finish that game against all of ther Colts' starters, not just half of them. If that meant the Jets lose, so be it. In fact, while I also think the Jets would have lost, I got cheated out of seeing them possibly stop the winning streak legitimately. The Jets will go no where in the playoffs with Sanchez this year anyway, unless he shows more than he has so far. The Colts pulling players robbed Sanchez of having to actaully play like an NFL QB has to play to win. I'm not even excited about their playoff chances now. Now, had the Jets somehow won against Indy's best players, I would be tickled pink. This was like kissing your sister. Worse.

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

I think the Indianapolis Folds is better name for them than the Colts. Classless organization from top to bottom, led by a a classless QB who is a horse's ###.I look forward to their upcoming monumental playoff collapse.

You can't be that stupid. While I hated the decision yesterday, to say they're a classless orgainization from top to bottom shows your ignorance. The Colts have been one of the classiest organizations for the last dozen years. Calling Manning classless is even more stupid. If anyone is a horse's you know what, it's you.

 

[Football Jones]

I don't think you can criticize the decision to get Manning out of the game. You've got to assume the Colts' brass knows what's best for their team. That said, no way I would've taken Manning out of the game given the circumstances. I was kinda flipping around, but did he even get touched? It's hard to get hurt when you don't get hit (again, I didn't see every play).

It would've been different if Manning was getting hit often, but that wasn't the case. I'm not a Psych major or anything, but something tells me this could take some wind out of their sails. They're only human. This has to hurt. Is it the type of thing where they rally & come together for a common cause (a championship)? I'm not so sure it'll work that way with this thing. In fact, I believe it could have an opposite effect (but like I said, I'm no Psych major).

In the end, you have to give the Colts the benefit of the doubt, but man, I can't see not going for a perfect season (within reason...& keeping Manning in that particular game was within reason, IMO).

 

[Carver]

Last year Brady got hurt in Week #1 and the Patriots still managed to finish 9-7 and just miss the playoffs. That was good coaching.

Actually... I think they went 11-5. Point still well taken though.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Remember the saying: Those who ignore history about bound to repeat it.

Well, the Colts are ignoring their own recent history. When they rest players early when having a first round bye, they lost in the divisional round, and yet they are doing the same thing again. Fools. It is unbelievable that they continue to do this when it is bit them in the butt in the very recent past (in '05 and in '07).

I will be curious to see what the line is on the Colts/Bills game next week, as you know Manning will play one series, maybe two, and then he is done, along with the rest of the key starters.

 

[Bills_Fan11]

Been telling everyone all week that this was not a good matchup for Manning. Hopefully not too many people played him; 192/0 is not a good day. Jets hold Colts to just 15 points.

Does your head coach know whether his (and your) Jets have a chance at the playoffs after this week?Glad you feel compelled to pat yourself on the back for this "call." Seems pretty self-indulgent and terribly weak given that you beat a bunch of backups.

Beat a bunch of backups? The Jets played who was on the field. Would the Colts have beaten a bunch of backup since the Jets don't have Leon Washington or Kris Jenkins or had Damien Woody get hurt? Who knows what would have happened if the Colts had kept in their starters, but the result may have been very similar. Manning didn't look like he was going to have a big fantasy day.

YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS !!!-John McEnroe

Leave it to ridiculous-sensitive Jets fan to derail an interesting topic into the equivalent of "the sun is cold" argument. "Hey lets equate October injuries with benching a HOF QB with the lead when we haven't beaten a good team since Week 2!". Lol, just classic.

 

[Bills_Fan11]

Did the Bills rest starters when Polian was their GM?

Yah. The Bills were never 14-0.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Remember the saying: Those who ignore history about bound to repeat it. Well, the Colts are ignoring their own recent history. When they rest players early when having a first round bye, they lost in the divisional round, and yet they are doing the same thing again. Fools. It is unbelievable that they continue to do this when it is bit them in the butt in the very recent past (in '05 and in '07). I will be curious to see what the line is on the Colts/Bills game next week, as you know Manning will play one series, maybe two, and then he is done, along with the rest of the key starters.

Ignore the saying: Correlation does not equal causation.

 

[menobrown]

Just a poor decision all the way around and I think it has a great chance to come back to bite them like it did last time. The Colt's last full game they will play before the playoffs was the game against the Jag's which was December 16th or 17th. Their starters won't play another full game until Jan. 16 or 17th so they are going to go 30-31 day's in between an entire NFL game. No way can I ever be convinced this is a good idea to take a team with all the momentum in the world on their side and make them wait 30+ days to play a full game. Dumb, dumb, dumb. They pissed on their fans, their players and the NFL with this decision.

 

[gradin123]

Last year Brady got hurt in Week #1 and the Patriots still managed to finish 9-7 and just miss the playoffs. That was good coaching.

Actually... I think they went 11-5. Point still well taken though.

Yeah you're right 11-5. I forget their record was that good. This year 8-8 might be good enough although probably 9-7.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Just a poor decision all the way around and I think it has a great chance to come back to bite them like it did last time. The Colt's last full game they will play before the playoffs was the game against the Jag's which was December 16th or 17th. Their starters won't play another full game until Jan. 16 or 17th so they are going to go 30-31 day's in between an entire NFL game. No way can I ever be convinced this is a good idea to take a team with all the momentum in the world on their side and make them wait 30+ days to play a full game. Dumb, dumb, dumb. They pissed on their fans, their players and the NFL with this decision.

I don't see how playing 2.5 quarters was not enough to keep them in their "groove." If they were up 38-0 midway through the third quarter and removed their players, would that still not be enough since it wasn't an entire NFL game?

 

[Hoss_Cartwright]

Phillip B Wilson's Blog - Indystar.com

Subscribe via RSSDecember 28, 2009I know you're tickedRead Comments (7)..If there's ever been a day on this beat when so many have voiced their anger and disappointment in the Colts, I can't remember it. Not with the early playoff exits, injuries, mistakes, anything. Today has been surreal.It began almost as soon as I woke up. I exchanged emails with a Colts fan on the East Coast. She was furious. Like so many others, her words expressed the popular sentiment that she had been betrayed. And she asked a rhetorical question for which there really isn't a profound answer: "Why should I care so much about a team that doesn't really care about me?"This isn't a rationalization, folks, but to be honest, there has always been a disconnect between fans and the team. That's why this blog has become popular. That's why we try to offer more information and insight online in addition to what is read in the newspaper. And every now and then, the regular Joes and Janes are reminded of this divide. Yesterday, it was thrown in the faces of the masses. And it sure does sting. Nothing I can say or write will take away that pain, the unsettled feeling in the pit of your stomach, that awful taste in your mouths.In anticipation of an 8 p.m. chat tonight that's going to be full of irate fans, I thought it necessary to try to tell you that I do understand. I didn't agree with the decision Sunday to sit Peyton Manning midway through the third quarter. It didn't make sense to me. Why risk it then against Jacksonville for a full game? Do many of you understand now why I picked the Jaguars to win that game? Because I believed what I had heard from the Colts' Jim Caldwell and Bill Polian in recent weeks. I was just one week too early. Who knew, for whatever reason, they would decide to win that meaningless game, presumably for the sake of staying in some perceived semblance of game sync, and then throw away the next one against the Jets?Yet that's what the Colts did. They gave the game away. Well, Polian and Caldwell did. And if I could offer one viewpoint that you don't see mentioned among the mainstream reactions: This wasn't really Caldwell's call. He can take the hits because he's the coach, but this was Polian deciding what was best. And Caldwell, who is about doing his job and trying to manage what is best for the team in terms of winning the Super Bowl, stuck to the company line. Blame anybody you want, you're entitled, but as most of us should know from conflicts in our lives, it all starts at the top. Polian runs this team.I've read a lot of emails that have targeted players, too. They criticize Manning for not insisting he finish the game. They think this is going to turn into another Brett Favre-Brad Childress controversy like in Minnesota? Manning did what the team wanted. And while it's easy to suggest he could have used his influential position to try to change this plan -- maybe he did -- it sure seems like this was out of his hands. I can't help but be curious, years from now, about if someone such as Manning will inevitably say what was really on the players' minds, that they wanted to go for 19-0 and they didn't agree with the decision. That they really hated this, too. I wonder if someone will say that with as much conviction, with as much sound and fury expressed by fans this day? We can only hope. Because knowing enough about these guys, it's fair to say most of them didn't want to be deprived of this chance at history.Which brings me to another observation that is probably lost amid the unrest. The Polian plan had to be put into place for this game. If the Colts beat the Jets to go 15-0, how do you sit players and not go for the perfect season at Buffalo, when presumably it wouldn't take every key guy playing to achieve the objective? No, the Colts had to take this step back this week or they would have been thrust into a situation that inspired perhaps even more scorn a week later if they could somehow tank it against the Bills. I certainly wouldn't have agreed with the decision to throw away a game against the Bills any more than gift-wrapping one for the Jets. Come on. Just go for it.I guess it doesn't matter now. What's done is done. I see more emails. Fire Polian. Fire Caldwell. This team is doomed. Here comes another one-and-done in the playoffs. And perhaps the worst: Even if the Colts win the Super Bowl, the question that remains for probably a 17-2 team is "Do you regret not going for 19-0, because it was there for you?" I'm not interested in hearing the response because company lines are always followed. But how can you not think, if this team accomplishes the final goal, that they could have won it all without giving away a couple games?I wish there was something I could tell my one friend who has sworn off the Colts. There are others, sure, who have taken the time to email me directly and vent. That's what I'm here for today, no doubt. And the sensitive side to me wants to say the right thing. I want to give you what I can't, the reasonable explanation for why a team would give away a chance at history.I'd like to be able to explain how a guy like Manning, who practices so hard and is so meticulous in his preparation, would need to play six and half quarters of meaningless football, but then sit down because he could get hurt. I don't get how he needed to be out there in the first place, if the Colts' company line was to play it safe. It doesn't make any sense. And I'm not buying this team needed to play some for fear of rust, a lack of momentum or staying in sync, whatever spin somebody wants to give it. Polian has already said he doesn't believe in rust or momentum theories. He's also suggested preparation is muscle memory, and that memory isn't lost unless a guy doesn't practice for three weeks. Again, if that's true, then why did you risk it when you did? Why did you give the fans hope that this unprecedented accomplishment could be realized? The players were still going to practice the next three weeks, right?The Colts basically said, "It's right there. And you know we could do it. But we've decided not to."The perfect words at a time like this? I don't have 'em. Hopefully fans won't keep quitting this team like my friend has. Hopefully they will be rewarded for their tested devotion with another Super Bowl victory.If the Colts don't get the job done, for whatever reason, I'll understand if many more fans will decide to stay away. I'll hear you when you say it's not worth the investment, be it financial for season tickets or with your soul because you care.I know you're ticked, folks. And you should be.

 

[menobrown]

Just a poor decision all the way around and I think it has a great chance to come back to bite them like it did last time. The Colt's last full game they will play before the playoffs was the game against the Jag's which was December 16th or 17th. Their starters won't play another full game until Jan. 16 or 17th so they are going to go 30-31 day's in between an entire NFL game. No way can I ever be convinced this is a good idea to take a team with all the momentum in the world on their side and make them wait 30+ days to play a full game. Dumb, dumb, dumb. They pissed on their fans, their players and the NFL with this decision.

I don't see how playing 2.5 quarters was not enough to keep them in their "groove." If they were up 38-0 midway through the third quarter and removed their players, would that still not be enough since it wasn't an entire NFL game?

2.5 quarters is far from a whole game and more to the point it's about intensity. You can't take 30+ days off between full games and expect your team to maintain it's intensity and momentum. All intensity for this team is now lost until Jan 16 or 17th.

 

[djcolts]

Polian has a weekly call-in show in Indy - and the show ended 10 minutes early, probably because of angry fans taking it to him.

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/12/28/122...colts#storyjump

I blame Polian 100% for this mess. This is on him, and he's done nothing but made it worse after the game was over.

 

[djcolts]

I think the Indianapolis Folds is better name for them than the Colts. Classless organization from top to bottom, led by a a classless QB who is a horse's ###.I look forward to their upcoming monumental playoff collapse.

The only classless (significant) Colt is the GM. He's an arrogant ### - and this is all him, don't kid yourself.

 

[purestrength]

Want more evidence that this was a bad move?

As previously noted by various posters, the Colts will have a ton of rest before their next meaningful game. Well, this isn't exactly the same, but I can only think of once (2007 against the Saints) when the Colts played a good offensive game in the season opener (after getting a similar amount of rest).

I realize they've won most of their season openers, but the opponents weren't as good as what they'll be facing in the upcoming AFC playoffs.

Bottom line, the Colts play their best when they're used to playing hard every week.

 

[Bills_Fan11]

Polian has a weekly call-in show in Indy - and the show ended 10 minutes early, probably because of angry fans taking it to him.

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/12/28/122...colts#storyjump

I blame Polian 100% for this mess. This is on him, and he's done nothing but made it worse after the game was over.

He once hung up on Francessa in NY because he didn't agree with him about something (probably this very topic). You would think a Manager in any profession who basically made his living lucking into two HOF assistants (ie Quarterbacks) would be chill/grateful and not so angry all the time.

 

[purestrength]

Bill Polian can be a very angry man when you do something he doesn't like or you don't agree with his genius opinions.

 

[cobalt_27]

Been telling everyone all week that this was not a good matchup for Manning. Hopefully not too many people played him; 192/0 is not a good day. Jets hold Colts to just 15 points.

Does your head coach know whether his (and your) Jets have a chance at the playoffs after this week?Glad you feel compelled to pat yourself on the back for this "call." Seems pretty self-indulgent and terribly weak given that you beat a bunch of backups.

Beat a bunch of backups? The Jets played who was on the field. Would the Colts have beaten a bunch of backup since the Jets don't have Leon Washington or Kris Jenkins or had Damien Woody get hurt? Who knows what would have happened if the Colts had kept in their starters, but the result may have been very similar. Manning didn't look like he was going to have a big fantasy day.

The Colts intentionally benched Manning, Wayne, Clark, Saturday, et al.. Are you serious about equating this decision to the normal course of a season where players get injured?

If you want to boast about how your scrubs beat up on Indy's scrubs, by all means, be my guest.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Been telling everyone all week that this was not a good matchup for Manning. Hopefully not too many people played him; 192/0 is not a good day. Jets hold Colts to just 15 points.

Really petty stuff here from someone on staff. Like I said before, you should have created your own Jets vs. Colts fan thread to prop up your team. Peyton had a Wayne drop in the endzone and another drop by Clark that could have ended up a TD. He's done most of his damage late in games this year and to type up an "I told you so" post boasting about how your Jets held Curtis Painter to 15 points is pretty weak imo.

 

[cobalt_27]

Been telling everyone all week that this was not a good matchup for Manning. Hopefully not too many people played him; 192/0 is not a good day. Jets hold Colts to just 15 points.

Really petty stuff here from someone on staff. Like I said before, you should have created your own Jets vs. Colts fan thread to prop up your team. Peyton had a Wayne drop in the endzone and another drop by Clark that could have ended up a TD. He's done most of his damage late in games this year and to type up an "I told you so" post boasting about how your Jets held Curtis Painter to 15 points is pretty weak imo.

Petty and weak only begins to describe how he is behaving after this. Imagine dunking on your little sister and going into all sorts of histrionics and chest-thumping. That's what this is all about.

 

[jamil]

Been telling everyone all week that this was not a good matchup for Manning. Hopefully not too many people played him; 192/0 is not a good day. Jets hold Colts to just 15 points.

Really petty stuff here from someone on staff. Like I said before, you should have created your own Jets vs. Colts fan thread to prop up your team. Peyton had a Wayne drop in the endzone and another drop by Clark that could have ended up a TD. He's done most of his damage late in games this year and to type up an "I told you so" post boasting about how your Jets held Curtis Painter to 15 points is pretty weak imo.

Petty and weak only begins to describe how he is behaving after this. Imagine dunking on your little sister and going into all sorts of histrionics and chest-thumping. That's what this is all about.

exactly. this guy is staff here? wow.

 

[Deadman31]

I think the Indianapolis Folds is better name for them than the Colts. Classless organization from top to bottom, led by a a classless QB who is a horse's ###.I look forward to their upcoming monumental playoff collapse.

You can't be that stupid. While I hated the decision yesterday, to say they're a classless orgainization from top to bottom shows your ignorance. The Colts have been one of the classiest organizations for the last dozen years. Calling Manning classless is even more stupid. If anyone is a horse's you know what, it's you.

Dont let him fool you. He bit his lip after the game but come playoff time, he will throw everyone under the bus. He is a classless whiny little baby. Why do you think he never took his helmet off yesterday. You know the old saying if it looks like a horse's ### and acts like a horses's ###...

 

[cobalt_27]

Been telling everyone all week that this was not a good matchup for Manning. Hopefully not too many people played him; 192/0 is not a good day. Jets hold Colts to just 15 points.

Really petty stuff here from someone on staff. Like I said before, you should have created your own Jets vs. Colts fan thread to prop up your team. Peyton had a Wayne drop in the endzone and another drop by Clark that could have ended up a TD. He's done most of his damage late in games this year and to type up an "I told you so" post boasting about how your Jets held Curtis Painter to 15 points is pretty weak imo.

Petty and weak only begins to describe how he is behaving after this. Imagine dunking on your little sister and going into all sorts of histrionics and chest-thumping. That's what this is all about.

exactly. this guy is staff here? wow.

Yup.

 

[TxBuckeye]

Article on ESPN today stating Polian is surprised at the backlash from Indy fans over pulling the starters. He's just astonished that going undefeated mattered to them. Really? Not an Indy follower, but is this guy legally r-tarded or something?

 

[roadkill1292]

Been telling everyone all week that this was not a good matchup for Manning. Hopefully not too many people played him; 192/0 is not a good day. Jets hold Colts to just 15 points.

Really petty stuff here from someone on staff. Like I said before, you should have created your own Jets vs. Colts fan thread to prop up your team. Peyton had a Wayne drop in the endzone and another drop by Clark that could have ended up a TD. He's done most of his damage late in games this year and to type up an "I told you so" post boasting about how your Jets held Curtis Painter to 15 points is pretty weak imo.

Petty and weak only begins to describe how he is behaving after this. Imagine dunking on your little sister and going into all sorts of histrionics and chest-thumping. That's what this is all about.

exactly. this guy is staff here? wow.

Yup.

I am inordinately pleased by this piling on of our homerific friend, Chase.

 

[purestrength]

I think the Indianapolis Folds is better name for them than the Colts. Classless organization from top to bottom, led by a a classless QB who is a horse's ###.I look forward to their upcoming monumental playoff collapse.

You can't be that stupid. While I hated the decision yesterday, to say they're a classless orgainization from top to bottom shows your ignorance. The Colts have been one of the classiest organizations for the last dozen years. Calling Manning classless is even more stupid. If anyone is a horse's you know what, it's you.

Dont let him fool you. He bit his lip after the game but come playoff time, he will throw everyone under the bus. He is a classless whiny little baby. Why do you think he never took his helmet off yesterday. You know the old saying if it looks like a horse's ### and acts like a horses's ###...

Deadman, are you serious? Sounds like nonsense to me.

 

[Yenrub]

I caught some of Polian’s interview on ESPN yesterday and he certainly didn’t do anything to help smooth things over with the fans

He talked about how winning the most games this decade and owning the regular season winning streak record were important to the organization but going 16-0 wasn’t important.

After hearing that if I was a Colts fan I would be really upset too