Poke Jim Caldwell Campaign 10.0: Colts need more than a Nice Guy

by nopuntintended on Nov 15, 2011 12:01 PM EST in Humor

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 13: Jim Caldwell the Head Coach of the Indianapolis Colts watches the game action in the Colts 17-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 13, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

I like Coach Caldwell. Type in "Coach Caldwell nice guy" on Google and you will find dozens of links with analysts, media and fans alike all acknowledging that Caldwell is a friendly and upstanding individual.

He just seems so over his head. The ability to provide a steady calming influence and also keep your team playing hard is an extremely underrated and valuable talent. When you have a good team, even a mediocre team, having such an impact is critical to overcoming adversity, similar to the trying times the Colts faced last year. But, for a team in a slump - or worse, one that lacks talent - the coach must be able to make critical and tough changes, inspire the team and set a new course.

So far Caldwell hasn't be able to do that. Painter's quarterback rating has slid every game - except for a slight bounce back after the Saints game - for the past five games. The defense ranks 31st in yards per game and is the only unit to allow more than 400 yards in a game five times. Those kinds of numbers show that a coach is either struggling to get through to his players, doesn't have the talent or can't coach. For the Colts it's a combination of one and two more than three. Regardless, the whole worth and value of a coach is to get more out of his players regardless of the present talent. At 0-10 it's clear that the coaching strategies aren't working. Staying the course and remaining low key no longer has the same impact and is no longer the right strategy.

It's time for more imagination, more cajones and passion (see both Harbaughs) and the willingness to buck convention and think outside the box! If Caldwell isn't willing or able to make the necessary changes, Jim Irsay should at season's end.

* In addition to the 'poke Caldwell campaign' the Fire Larry Coyer campaign is also off-and-running. Simply put giving up 62 points and being the worst defense in football while being far from the worse talent wise, is unacceptable. So much for the 'new wrinkles.' The Coyer experiment in Indy hasn't worked.

Supporters call him stoic. Some say he's emotionless (borderline permanently grumpy) while others wonder if there's blood flowing through his veins. Whether you like Caldwell as coach or think he's over-his-head, it's indisputable that his blank, dead-pan stare is kind of creepy and a bit unnerving.

I mean come on, Coach! Show some emotion. When we score, celebrate. You don't have to chest-bump or run around like an idiot - both this guy and this guy come to mind - but give us something. A smile, an approving nod, a clinched fist. Anything to let us fans know you've still got a pulse.

We like that you are professional. That's great. We aren't asking you to go wild or be obnoxious nor do we want you to take on a shady nefarious persona either (please don't ever wear a hood).

All we want is to see a little joy, frustration, excitement. We want to see you've got passion.

Now, many - especially on the blog - feel that Coach Caldwell might not have this needed passion. In years past with Peyton running the show that was fine. With a top-tier team, major overhauls and changes weren't needed. Impassioned speeches, bludgeoned cliches and outlandish and gimmicky motivational tools had no place in the Colts organization. Stability and consistency were key. Both which Caldwell was very capable of providing.

But, unfortunately with the ship and season sinking fast and no Manning at the helm, there now might be a cause for substantial modifications and bold decisions need to be made. More importantly, a fire needs to be lit and a new uplifting energy be brought into the locker room, which is why I am launching the 'poke Caldwell' campaign.

Everyone, including Coach Caldwell, has a breaking point and it is our mission to find it. Whether it's on Facebook (unfortunately you can't poke on fan pages and I don't know his real account), at the grocery store or at a press conference, give Caldwell a friendly (but firm) poke to the ribs and see what happens.

Let's see that stoicism put to the test and unleash his inner beast.

He might not react on the first poke or even the 10,000th but at some point, somewhere down the road he will break and when he does, that fan will have released a wild and frenzied beast so intense and animated that he might just show us a fist pump.

If not, at least he will know he's officially on the hot seat. Hopefully though it doesn't push him too far.

Sorry Coach Caldwell. I hope I don't cause you too much discomfort...then again, maybe I do.

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Comments

Is it a black thing?

I mean seriously?

I know caldwell has no business being a head coach in the NFL but I feel there is a bit of racially motivated hate going on.I’m seeing more people blame Caldwell than the lack of talent or non talented DC and OC and ST.

by odiesel on Nov 15, 2011 12:10 PM EST reply actions

I believe you answered yourself. It's not a black thing. It's a can't coach thing.

by beckmania on Nov 15, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

He is the HEAD coach - he has the final responsibility.

by Peter Storgaard on Nov 15, 2011 12:42 PM EST up reply actions

Hmmm

Responsibility and accountability….these concepts seem to be lost on some people.

Besides, the Polians (and to a lesser extent Irsay) have been blasted and called out just as much as Caldwell has – especially on this site.

What do I really have left in life but this place? It ain't much of a home, but it's all I got. Well, g******it. I'll be damned if I let some foreign, graffiti writin', soul suckin', son of a bitch in an oversized cowboy hat and boots take my friend's souls and sh** 'em down the visitors toilet!

by Guy LeDouche on Nov 15, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

AGEISM!

You jerks only hate on Polian and Irsay cuz they’re old! OLDISTS!

by FatDT on Nov 15, 2011 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

I blame Polian more than anyone else for this mess...

is it because he’s white? No.

by SoCalHoosier on Nov 15, 2011 7:52 PM EST up reply actions

Seriously?

I dislike Caldwell as much as the next guy, but you’ve written the same article 10 times now.

by James Broschat on Nov 15, 2011 12:42 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

That’s the point with this article… every week until they get a win.

First part is an update. Second part is exactly the same.

Writer for Stampede Blue.

by nopuntintended on Nov 15, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

What is the point?

Why are you writing these? If I may ask.

by James Broschat on Nov 15, 2011 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

That sounds...

…pointless and redundant.

If at first you don't succeed, quit and watch TV.
In the name of the Colts, the Hoosiers, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Amen.

by The Learned Hand on Nov 15, 2011 6:19 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Completely agree.

by James Broschat on Nov 15, 2011 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

I hope the Colts get this right .....

If you are going to clean house, dont hire a HC before getting a new GM. Unless you get rid of the Polians, Caldwell may be brought back. This season without Manning was the coaching staff’s opportunity to show their worth, and they have come up woefully lacking. Management hired this coaching staff, so what makes anyone think they will do it right if given another chance.

My vote is to clean out the front office, fire the coaching staff, and bring in a new GM to hire a new coaching staff and decide what to do with the first pick in the draft.

by MadStork on Nov 15, 2011 12:51 PM EST reply actions

I hear a lot of people screaming for a new GM...

but who do you want?
Simply getting rid of the Polians isn’t going to fix anything. We need a better alternative, and so far I haven’t heard ANYONE come up with one. It’s too easy to point fingers without suggesting how to fix the problems. And no “get a new GM” isn’t a solution. Hiring me as GM probably won’t make the Colts win more football games.

That said I agree that simply firing Caldwell probably won’t help either. If we want to change the culture of the team, we need to start from the very top. But do we want that? Except this season we have been quite successful over the last decade. I, for one, haven’t made my mind up just yet…

by Peter Storgaard on Nov 15, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

Reggie McKenzie

People love to say “Yeah but who would you get instead?” like no one has ever thought that far ahead. I’ve posted this same response multiple times.

First choice for me would be Reggie McKenzie from the Packers. Great personnel guy, helped build a team that won a SB even with half the roster on IR. He’d likely bring Winston Moss with him to be the HC.

by FatDT on Nov 15, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

Do you think of him as "available"?

by Peter Storgaard on Nov 15, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

It would be a pretty big promotion

Going from Director of Football Ops (a cog in the wheel, albeit a big one) to running an entire NFL team, remaking it as he sees fit, installing his own coaching staff (though I’d hope the new HC would have some autonomy), hiring his own front office people, etc.

I also think getting a guy that has worked for a team owned by an entire community would help repair the damage Polian has done to the Colts relationship with the local media and fanbase. I know a lot of people don’t care about this but a cooperative and accessible team would be a lot more fun and interesting for fans IMO.

by FatDT on Nov 15, 2011 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, you are probably right.

I don’t know him well enough to have an opinion on whether or not he will be better than the Polians, but thank you for at least introducing me to what seems to be a nice alternative.

The last part of your post is probably the most important, because I don’t think we, the Colts fans, would be so much up in arms against the Polians, if they were a bit more accessible and stopped insulting the fans; and stopped acting like politicians afraid of losing the next elections by repeating the same worn down phrases over and over again.

by Peter Storgaard on Nov 15, 2011 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not being paid millions to make those decisions

and by virtue of having a life, I do not have the time to do the research on my own and make any recommendations. But no doubt Jim Irsay can call a few of his fellow owners and get some recommendations; and I am sure there are consultants out there who are available for this job.

by MadStork on Nov 15, 2011 1:02 PM EST reply actions

This is also a good point

You don’t have to have a cure sitting around in a box full of syringes to know that malaria is bad.

by FatDT on Nov 15, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

You sure don't, but...

how can you be so sure, that there is someone better (who is available) out there?

Just because we are having an awful year, everyone doesn’t become idiots all of a sudden. They are still the same guys who put a team together that was the winningest team of the last decade. They must have been doing SOMETHING right.
And we do have talent on this roster. Up-and-coming LBs, one of the leagues top FS, the D-line is vastly improved with Nevis, the O-line is getting there, probably the best receiving TE-duo in the league, above average wideouts and a future star at running back in Delone Carter, not to mention top 5 talent on the punter and kicker.
Yeah, the DBs (not named Bethea) and our backup QBs suck, but that’s about it. Draft Luck or get Peyton back, and we are just about getting there.

Come on guys, we are not THAT bad compared to most other teams.

by Peter Storgaard on Nov 15, 2011 1:13 PM EST reply actions

It's not just one season though

It’s one season that pulled the lid off of what many have been complaining about for years.

No defense. Bad OL. Poor running game. Having to rely on Manning to much. That last point was just academic and was brought up more in the playoffs when Manning struggled and was usually NOT helped out by his teammates.

It’s not just this season.

by FatDT on Nov 15, 2011 2:22 PM EST up reply actions

The isn't perfect

by any means, but what teams would you consider perfect in the NFL today? The Packers? Maybe the 49’ers, if Alex Smith can keep it up? The rest have major deficiensies.

Our OL looks like it has been fixed. The running game is heading in the right direction as well. The defense only needs to improve the secondary.
We are not 0-16 bad. Not anywhere near that. We are just a team without a secondary (except Bethea) and without a QB (with Peyton out) in a passing league. If those two things are fixed, we will be fine.

by Peter Storgaard on Nov 15, 2011 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

Areas that need help

Special teams – we’ve been bad a long time here. I’d be nice to have some guys that can be difference makers like the Darrell Reids and Robert Mathises of yesterday.

LB – The team could use upgrades at both outside LB positions IMO. Our standards are low and other areas need more help, but I would not call the current LBs good or even solid. I like Angerer as a piece of the puzzle but he isn’t a premier 4-3 MLB like Urlacher, Beason, Vilma, etc. Could that change, maybe. But I doubt it.

DT – I like Nevis and Mathews is a good rotational guy. The rest of them are JAGs. We have needed a Corey Simon-type (without the mysterious polyarthritis) since 2005.

DE – need pass rusher depth for sure, Freeney and Mathis are old and Mathis might not be re-signed. I like Anderson as a Raheem Brock-type DE on the left side. But the rotation needs a talent infusion.

CB – I think our guys are somewhat scheme-limited. Powers is a better player than he’s been able to show this year. Jury might still be out on Thomas and Rucker, it’s hard to tell but neither looks very good. Lacey is terrible, Johnson isn’t much better. Need a ton of help here and a change in coverage philosophy.

S – Bethea is the only guy worth keeping IMO. Bullitt is injury prone and not a very good starter. Fine backup but I don’t think he’s willing. Caldwell can hit, maybe keep him for depth. We need a real starting SS, badly.

by FatDT on Nov 15, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions

You have to look at the team from a salary cap perspective.

And we can’t have elite players at every position.
Therefore I see the secondary as our primary/only priority the coming off-season. The QB-situation will sort itself out one way or the other, and we should resign Mathis; especially if Peyton is coming back.

However, we could cut loose some of the veterans, if we are indeed entering the Luck-era…

by Peter Storgaard on Nov 15, 2011 5:40 PM EST up reply actions

Hola? Agreed - Every team (yes even the vaunted Packers) have deficiences)

No one has a perfect team. It IS about the matchups. It is about playing to your strengths and attacking your opponent’s weaknesses. Good coaches know how to exploit that. Good coaches tailor these things to their teams (49ers, Bears) And of course finally, good players help, but so does execution.

What the last decade has taught us is that we don’t need to be perfect. Many teams that aren’t perfect win.
Patriots have issues. 49ers have Alex Smith. The Packers D can be beat. Saints D can be beat…..etc

Dear Diary, Kevin is so hot. Today he was raking the yard. God I wish he'd throw me into that pile of leaves.

by GotDebt on Nov 15, 2011 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

We've found out that Peyton was a huge band-aid

since he’s been gone, gaping wounds have been found everywhere throughout the organization. But honestly, we Caldwell was a problem before Manning went down. We’re just piling on the guy now.

by JG23 on Nov 15, 2011 1:18 PM EST reply actions

Wouldn't you agree that Ray Lewis and Ed Reed

are bandages for their offense?

Dear Diary, Kevin is so hot. Today he was raking the yard. God I wish he'd throw me into that pile of leaves.

by GotDebt on Nov 15, 2011 6:30 PM EST up reply actions

CALDWELL AND FRIENDS

Caldwell with all his coaching staff should go ASAP.
We need a real HC that can help the Colts to be the team he was since Peyton was drafted.
I do not mind is he is red, white black, I really want a real good HC like Tomlin for example or Jim Haurbough with a very good D-coach
Did you remember Peyton´s face when Caldwell took the TO last year? I was so mad at Caldwell because he lost the game, not the team
Without Peyton Caldwell cannot do a thing because Manning was the coach in Indy

by Violeta C on Nov 15, 2011 1:23 PM EST reply actions

everyone knows he needs to go along with the rest of the caoching staff have to clean house

can not let the stench of 0-16 or 1-15 at the best linger into next season!!!!

by OBGYNOSUPREME on Nov 15, 2011 7:41 PM EST reply actions

Nopuntintended

It’s COJONES not “cajones”. I’m spanish and I live in Spain, so please correct it because it’s not the first time you spell it wrong. Cajones in spanish means like shelves (from a wardrobe for example). The word you’re trying to use is cojones and it’s…you know balls

by SpanishColtsFan on Nov 17, 2011 11:41 AM EST via mobile reply actions