Colts Better Off Missing The Playoffs?

With a 500. record at 6-6 the Colts may not make the post season.  The loss today shows this team cannot defeat anyone in playoff contention let alone a team completely out of the playoff race.  This relates to years of holes not being fill on the offensive and defensive lines.  Polian made an issue over picking in the bottom half of the draft every year for the last 12 years, saying it prevents teams from acquiring talent in those skilled positions.  We all know this is BS, we're being feed lines while other teams find high caliber linemen after the 1st round.  His evaluations of linemen has set this team back from winning more Superbowls.  Rodger Saffold, Sebastian Vollmer, and Charlies Brown among others Polian has watched slip by on his draft board.  While others like Tony Ugoh, Anthony Gonzo, and Mike Pollak under preform and cost first and second round selections.  Peyton Manning has hidden so many of this team's deficiencies by carrying this team on his back.  After the jump I'll go over some of the things that got us to where we are today...

In my perspective, most of the issues are correctable by next year, given there will still be football.  Polian will have to convince Jim Irsay he's still the right man for the job.  It doesn't matter what you've done in the past, the NFL's mentality is about  'what have you done for me lately'.  Lovie Smith can tell you this all too well, despite going up against the Colts in Superbowl XLI his job was serious in jeopardy if he didn't turn it around this season.  The Colts coaching staff is not on the same par as the Bears clearly.  But, one thing they did right was spend some money in free agency picking up guys like Julius Peppers.  Polian is going to have to breakdown and realize if they want to continue to dominate the AFC South his outlook on this need to change.  I'm 85 percent sure Jared Gaither will be available this off-season, adding him would be an immediate upgrade to the line.  Considering the Colts only own 6 selections in this years draft, every pick will matter that much more.  Also, a lot people were surprised we didn't go after him before the trade deadline.  The positive side to this is, now they can grab him without losing another draft pick in the process. 

Let's face reality, even if some injured players comeback for the final four games, would it be in their best interest to win them?  This is not a Superbowl caliber team even when currently healthy so, getting into the playoffs would only guarantee one thing...  Another year where the team picks in the bottom half of the draft.  It all starts with the coaches and ends with the product put on the field.   If the team manages to lose any more games a coaching change will definitely be in question.  Given high quality names like Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher, Leslie Frazier, Jim Harbaugh, and among others will be on speed dial for a vacancy. Take your pick, I'd have any of them heading up my team before Jim Caldwell.  He's providing evidence that you can only ride on the coat-tails of someone else's success for so long.  

Without a running game to accompany the passing attack we're going to lay blame to the wrong people who carry the load for us.  Same thing goes for the return game, without the right people blocking, who should care what guy is taking the ball out?  Lastly, the mentality of having a defense that only works with the lead is off, why not have a D that punches people in the mouth?  Defenses always win championships, call me a liar... The 18-1 Patriots would have my back, all the Bucs, Ravens, and Steel Curtain teams would have a beef with you for saying otherwise.  We need that running game from our linemen too, we can stop point fingers at Donald Brown saying he's a bust.  Keep on thinking he's at fault when against the Cowboy's our highest rusher had a grand total of 18 yards.   Manning's career maybe more defined like John Elway's later years, until he had a running game many questioned his ability to win the big one.  What happen the year Peyton won the Superbowl, they could run the ball and the defense showed up.  Even thou Manning had the MVP of the game, he got it purely on a popularity contest.  I don't want people to believe I think Brown is a saint, far from it, but some strength training and openings couldn't hurt to fix his stigma. 

I know for every Colts fan out there watching the losses pile-up can be sickening to the stomach.  However, we've been on the top of the mountain for so long that other teams get every opportunity to analyze what to do so they can knock us off.  Playing keep away by eliminating Mathis and Freeney with running the ball away from them and into the Colts smaller linebackers.  And, going max protect with short passing plays works so well against the teams philosophy, I'm shocked the coaches don't get it.  Instead we're force to see the agonizing looks on Manning's face when he has to go back on the field knowing the weight of the world is on his shoulders.  

Let's try to gaze into the crystal ball and decide what's best for this team.  A possible one and done in the playoffs or righting the wrongs on this ship that have been occurring from year to year.  Drop the overhead in Bob Sander, Kelvin Hayden, and Ryan Diem for suitors willing to give them a go for a late draft pick.  Pay someone in free agency to come in here that knows how to play.  Finally, use what's left of the current draft picks and trades (for picks/players) to show proof the formula you (Polian) have been using can lead us back to the promise land.