Jim Caldwell winning over Colts fans by canning Russ Purnell, promoting Frank Reich

Lots of fond memories of Frank Reich. His playing job was difficult (understudy to Jim Kelly), but his new coaching gig is pretty easy. Good luck to him and to your team.

It was the greatest comeback in NFL History, not just the playoffs.

“Reich will work with Peyton Manning as Caldwell did for the past seven years.”

You need to switch “Peyton Manning” to Jim Sorgi. One of the best backups to play. Played behind a HoF QB. Knows what it takes to keep a career backup in the right mindset on the rare occassion he has to come in. Just playing, but I don’t think it’s a coincidence.

And I’d say that yeah, definitely awesome comeback and the most points to come back from, but I’d say the 2003 TB, 2008 HOU, and albeit to a lesser extent because of point differential but because of the team dominance to that point, the 2006 AFC Championship game were pretty decent efforts. And the 2005 one would’ve been pandamonium if Brackett scored that TD. Not trying to take anything away from them, but in those games, aside from the Patriots one, it was seriously ridiculous to think the Colts could pull those off. Of coure Manning does it so often it’s basically expected at this point.

Oh yeah, heard Caldwell on sirius today. If he coaches as good as he talks, we’ll be fine. In fact, and nobody take this as disrespectful because I revere Dungy as a HoF coach, but if I were an owner and Dungy and Caldwell had absolutely no history, I’d like them both enough to hire them, but Caldwell just sounds amazingly confident and intelligent. Not saying Dungy doesn’t, but his speaking always played second fiddle to his aura if that makes sense to anyone. From a spiritual, “Win one for the Gipper” standpoint, Dungy was the man and was a phenomenal behind the scenes coach. And we’ll have to see how well Caldwell slides into that kind of role. Because you can be an insanely intelligent coach and not have the “aura” you need. Cowher had it, Gibbs had it (he’s the only coach I could really say reminds me of Dungy to a degree), Landry, and you guys know the list. Whereas coaches I think are amazing football minds and great people get walked on or just seem to not have “it”. Those would be the Norv Turners, Mike Nolan, and I would’ve said Mangini until he completely screwed up his season on his own. Hopefully Caldwell can emit his own “aura”, keep the confidence, and maybe add just a hint of fire. Football’s an emotional sport, calm and even keeled is great, but sometimes you need a pinch of fire and energy to get you going. Besides, I’m hoping history repeats and another QB coach takes a Dungy to a SB and wins it. 1 more and people may shut up about Manning, not that he has to prove anything to Colts fans or people who actually know what they’re talking about. No Chuckie faces please though.

Anyway, here’s a writeup of the dude.

FRANK REICH

Frank was a third round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 1985. He came from Maryland University, where he had once engineered, what was then, the greatest comeback in NCAA Division 1 history. As the Terrapins were losing to the Miami Hurricanes 31-0 at halftime, Reich replaced the starter Stan Gelbaugh. ( Gelbaugh played 10 years in the NFL, and was the Bills 3rd string Quarterback, behind Reich, from 1986 to 1989. He also was 1991 World League of American Football Offensive MVP while leading his team in winning the first WLAF Championship ). Reich went 10-20 in 7 games in his first 3 seasons. He got his first significant action in 1989, when Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly was injured. Frank went 3-0 as a starter, which greatly helped the Bills win the AFC East Division title. Reich was called upon the next season when Kelly was hurt again late in the season. He helped the Bills clinch their division, and home field advantage through the playoffs. Kelly returned, and the Bills would go on to lose the first of their 4 Super Bowl losses. 1992 featured a Wildcard playoff game between the Bills and Houston Oilers that would engrave Reichs name forever in NFL lore. Kelly was hurt as the Oilers built a 38-3 lead. Frank stepped in and led the Bills to a 41-38 win by tossing 371 yards and 4 touchdown passes. Reich then chucked 2 TD’s the next week, as the Bills beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-3. Kelly then returned to take the Bills to another Super Bowl, losing to the Dallas Cowboys 52-17. Frank was asked to try to lead the Bills back again after Kelly was ineffective. He went 18 of 31 for 194 yard and tossed a touchdown pass, but it wasn’t nearly enough to help Buffalo. Frank was there as the Bills won 4 AFC Championships, but no Super Bowls. He was left exposed to the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft, and was scooped up by the Carolina Panthers. He started the first 3 games for the franchise, and tossed the first touchdown pass in Panthers history, before he was replaced by first round draft pick Kerry Collins. Frank then went to the New York Jets in 1996. He ended up replacing fellow Terp Neil O’Donnell at quarterback, leading the 1-15 Jets to their lone win. Frank then joined the Detroit Lions in 1997, and was asked to replace Scott Mitchell when the Lions were losing 20- 0 in the 3rd quarter of a playoff game versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Frank went 11- 15 for 129 yards, but the Lions fell short 20-10. The next year, he was asked to start 2 games for the 5-11 Lions, and threw 5 touchdown passes. Frank Reich retired after the 1998 season, but will be forever remembered by Bills and NFL fans for his exceptional relief efforts.

Brackett TD in 2005 were you talking about if you can refresh my memory?