Polian on Mike and Mike
by shake n bake on Jan 13, 2009 8:50 AM EST
26 comments
Woke up to Golic and Greenburg talking to Bill Polian and caught some really interesting points.
Polian spent hours talking Tony Dungy into returning after last season and kept his promise to Tony not to do the same this year.
Polian told 3 stories about Dungy,
- about first hearing his philosophies and recognizing it from Marv Levy, a coach Dungy never worked with but Dungy is a coaching decedent of through Bill Walsh.
- Dungy's response to the Jacksonville disaster, everyone else was wringing their hands and didn't think they would be able to pull it together. Dungy told them, we can do this, we just need a few changes and to do some things better.
- How Dungy dealt with fighting. First year with the team, two players got into a fight in practice. Coach Dungy stops practice and tells the team, "I don't like fighting. First of all because you might hurt yourself, secondly because it always hurts the team with a 15 yard penalty. If you fight, you will be standing next to me and you will not play." According to Polian there hasn't been a fight since.
On Caldwell, Polian said that there won't be a lot of difference that the public sees. Caldwell is the same kind of quiet, determined guy as Dungy.
He is allowing Caldwell to make any changes on the staff that he wants, and are discussing that today.
There will be no philosophy or scheme changes on either side of the ball. Caldwell has been part of the offense for the last 7 years so it's his style and he's commited to the Tampa-2.
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Well my grieving process for Dungy’s departure ended last night when I went to bed. I’ve come to grips with it, and all we can do now is look towards the future. In doing so, there were 2 things Polian said during that segment that made me happy.
When Polian answered Mike’s question on what if any changes should we expect to see with the promotion of Caldwell, Polian responded by saying that there will be improvements made on the defensive line and the secondary. Obviously, the defensive end position is not what Polian was referring to, so this tells me that the Colts will be looking for a stud DT in the draft. I’ve been saying this all along, and I seriously hope Polian follows through with it.
He also mentioned upgrading the secondary, which I also agreed with. Marlin is going to be a little slowed next season after coming off of that ACL injury, and to me, Jennings isn’t good enough to be a starter.
In the end though, I love the fact that Polian is concentrating on bolstering the defense. I don’t think any changes need to be made on offense, only that they need another lineman or two in the draft and a running back (Rashad Jennings). Year in and out, the one constant in the NFL is that great defenses can lead you to the promise land. Yes, there have been a few years where the Colts defense is up there in terms of stats and whatnot, but never have the Colts had a dominant defense. If Polian and Caldwell could create a dominant defense, I see no reason why the Colts couldn’t win another Super Bowl.
This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.
by KingRichard on Jan 13, 2009 9:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Yes
I’m not sure if people keep ignoring me or whatever, and I’m not saying it’s your Richard, but this isn’t the first time in an interview I’ve seen from Polian where he’s strongly hinted at DT. I actually think our LBs need to be bolstered a little more than our DBs after he announced he’s going to do his best to resign Hayden. I like our LBs but we don’t have much depth at the position like we do at DB. You’re right about Jennings, but I think Bethea could make a decent DB in his place. Bethea’s coverage skills are good and he shows good ball hawking ability like a good T2 DB. But he needs to work on tackling and it’s easier to tackle a WR than a RB or TE which is what a safety is designed for. I think moving Bullit as the starter on FS, Bob at SS, Hayden as DB1 and Marlin as DB2 until he gets healthy with Bethea as the nickel and Jennings as the dime would be fine.
And if Manning retires in 5 years or so, our defense will still be relatively young and that always helps transitioning QBs a much more gradual learning curve. Flacco and Ben are great examples. Although Ben’s overrated because his defense is just SO good, but that’s my opinion.
And you and me are driving this Jennings bus. He’d be a complete steal in the 3rd round.
I haven’t posted in other threads about it, but I’ll miss you Tony. But I’ve trusted everything you and Polian have done even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned so I trust in Caldwell. At least for a year. I understand learning curve etc, but we’ve only got so much time left with Peyton.
by monstersbox on Jan 13, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
uh
Bethea was pretty awful in coverage this year in the few games where he had to slide up and cover someone from the line. He is much better when allowed to roam up top and provide support. Covering guys from the line of scrimmage is not his thing at all.
I think Dante Hughes not stepping up to be a go to guy has been a bit of a disappointment for us all. He was a great pick when they got him but hasn’t quite panned out.
by willyduer on Jan 13, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Er
Going from starting FS to nickel isn’t a promotion. Not in a T2. What you just said was sort of my point. He can get interceptions on known pass plays in a nickel.
by monstersbox on Jan 13, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Like it or not
I think Mr. Polian will still devote his attention primarily to the offense first.
The #1 pick’ll likely be a WR. Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Gonzo, and Marvin, all #1 picks. Definitely a precedent. And Manning definitely missed having the home-run threat especially toward the end of the season. I don’t think Mr. Polian is going to replace Marvin with a low pick and then hope that the pick’ll turn into a star. Next, I’m supposing he’ll go after an OL to shore up the line and improve the running game.
After that, I’m guessing that beginning with the perennial unlucky third-round pick he’ll address the defense. And also try to find a RB in the lower rounds or in the undrafted ranks. Will there be any good DTs left by the time the Colts draft in the third round?
But it’s a new era, so who can say for sure what Mr. Polian’s up to….
by N Colter on Jan 13, 2009 11:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You’re right, I could be wrong, but I just don’t see Polian drafting another receiver this year. I just don’t see it. Throw in the fact that he specifically brought up improving the defense, with no mention of the offense tells me that his main concern is getting a stud DT and cutting the fat in the secondary (aka Jennings).
Like I’ve said before, I think it would be a grave mistake if he drafts a receiver in the first round again. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that picking up a running back in the lower rounds or undrafted just doesn’t work. I truely believe if Polian drafts Rashad Jennings in the 3rd, he’d break that 3rd round draft curse. But something tells me he won’t do that. I keep picturing this scenario:
1st: DT
2nd: RB
3rd: OT
4th: CB
5th:CB
6th: LB
7th: WR
This line will remain in my signature until the Colts draft Rashad Jennings in 2009.
by KingRichard on Jan 14, 2009 8:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Other things
Polian also said how things change every year and he mentioned approaches to free agency which surprised me (we know Polian’s reluctance to work through free agency). He also said he thought Caldwell would boost the running game. I hope that’s the case, but I’m not sure if this will mean a slight change in philosophy—going after a power back for instance—or maybe returning to the good ol’ stretch play. It’ll be interesting to see how things change. I too will miss Dungy, but I also think that the veterans on this team will respond in a positive way to new things, new changes (as slight as they may be), and new challenges. This might be a good shot in the arm for the Colts.
by tenyardfight on Jan 13, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I heard about that mike and mike interview
I didn’t listen to it, but someone told me Caldwell is going to make changes to the staff. He also said Caldwell will make tweaks to the defense, in particular players on the d-line and in the secondary.
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by BigBlueShoe on Jan 13, 2009 9:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I was a little surprised by the coaching staff comment, but it made since
Polian said it’s his staff and his right to pick it. Hard to argue with that.
Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Jan 13, 2009 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
*sense
Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Jan 13, 2009 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Speculation
I think Tom Moore retires. They’ll need to find a new OC and (right now) a new QB coach. Caldwell will also need to promote someone to Assistant HC. It is also probable that Ron Meeks will leave. He will look to establish himself outside of the Dungy shadow, and it is totally understandable if he does so.
With Rod Marinelli in Chicago now, I wonder what coaches Caldwell will go after.
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by BigBlueShoe on Jan 13, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope not
The FO and roster is strong enough to survive that, but I’d rather not see the staff gutted. I know Meeks got a HC interview with the Jets, but he could just be gettting the Rooney Rule runaround.
Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA
by shake n bake on Jan 13, 2009 10:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He'd only go to a T2 team probably
And there’s a few teams that try to run it but aren’t that great at it. Herm Edwards and KC try to run it, and you know Herms ties to Tony. I could see him going there as an assistant head coach or D coordinator. Or who knows, maybe HC. You’re right though, I hope they don’t gut our staff. That was the whole point of putting Caldwell there. If they all decide to jump ship then we shouldn’t be married towards not being able to do a coaching search. I’m sure that was in the way they set things up or a understood negotiation if/when Tony left.
by monstersbox on Jan 13, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I seriously hope there aren't going to be any major changes in coaching.
Too much change too quickly just isn’t good.
Meeks – ok to leave
Moore – most certainly not!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Jan 13, 2009 10:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would bet money
that tom moore will retire the same year peyton does.
An expert is someone who knows more and more about less and less until they know everything about nothing...
by bluegirl on Jan 13, 2009 10:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They should have some kind of clause in Tom Moores contract where he can’t retire until Peyton does lol
by skywalker on Jan 13, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Isn't
Moore’s contract till 2010?
"Winning is not everything;the desire to win is" - Vince Lombardi
by rangerover76 on Jan 13, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Meeks
Meeks leaving would put us at more of a disadvantage than Moore. I think we’d see some floundering on defense with both him and Dungy leaving.
by monstersbox on Jan 13, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would have totally agree with you on that
but I think Meeks will stay.
by ColtsFanNChiTown on Jan 13, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
NO CHANGES ON OFFENSE!!!! ARE YOU CRAZY!!! WE NEED A STARTING RB!!!
Okay first and foremost, we need a running back. I mean a starter. Joe Addai is not going to get it done. How many more seasons do we need to see Addai underperform? He is at best a #2 running back and that’s the facts. He has sucked for 1 1/2 seasons, I don’t think we need to make it 2 1/2 to figure that out…..Whatever went wrong, I don’t know, but he has been incredibly uneffective and if ANYONE Mike hart etc, outshines him, he will get benched. Domminic is just old.
Edge NEVER slowed down……sure he got hurt bad, and he didn’t break the big ones, but he CONSISTENTLY dominated in his time with the COlts……Theymade a mistake in going away from Edge…..period……I think Edge still shows resiliency, granted he is a number 2 back now…but he still runs for 80 years a game…..We liost this year becuase ADDAI is finished!!!!! You heard it here friends….WE NEED A STAR RUNUNNING BACK…not a guy we are going to make excuses for 1 1/2 seasons……
Back to work….
by peterbones on Jan 13, 2009 12:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Seriously man
You don’t remember Edge’s 3rd year when he tore his ACL and missed 10 games in 2001? Then he followed it up next year with a 3.6 ypc and 2 TDs and missed 2 more. From 2001-2003 he missed 15 games. And our O-line was in much better shape. By your logic we should’ve gotten rid of Edge. Hind sight’s 20/20 and mistakes are regretted forever.
by monstersbox on Jan 13, 2009 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Changes?
When I was in SD for the playoff game, I asked someone with the Colts how special teams coach Russ Purnell keeps his coach. Was told, by someone who loves Dungy, that he simply hates firing coaches. Was then told that Caldwell won’t have the same hesitation. I don’t think changes need to be made for the sake of changes, but the special teams (save for AV kicking FGs) has been an obvious weak area for years.
by JTBLA on Jan 13, 2009 2:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Amen to that!
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Jan 13, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
Seriously. It has sucked for a long time now. In years past it may have been coverage, but this year the return game stunk and the punting in the playoff game ended up losing it for the Colts.
Fire Purnell. It’s long overdue.
by yellowsnow on Jan 13, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
But we will need to be patient with the replacement, because in this cash-tight year it’s unlikely that even the best ST coach in the world will make a huge improvement. I expect another year of bad special teams before they truly turn it around.
by willyduer on Jan 13, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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