I Think This Colts Season Is Killing Me
by Brad Wells on Dec 12, 2011 12:36 PM EST
in 2011 Colts Analysis
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I'd like it known, for the record, that I take no joy in writing article after article after article about how my favorite team stinks, how the front office is run by monkeys, how the owner looks like an impotent decision-maker, and how my favorite player in the whole world (Peyton Manning) might be done for his career.
No pleasure. No fun. No joy of any kind.
Some have asked, 'Well, then why write about that stuff if it isn't fun?' The answer is THE story behind the Colts is just how dysfunctional they are. The facade of competence was propped up by Manning and, earlier, by Tony Dungy. With both of them gone in 2011, we now realize just how awful things are behind the scenes. If we ignore that, pretend it isn't there, just because it isn't 'fun' or 'convenient' for the little world we fans have propped up around these people, then that is no different than the blind, mindless ramblings we hear every Monday night from Bill Polian when he tells us Jerry Hughes is still a good draft pick, and that Jim Caldwell is an outstanding coach.
Our goal here is to write about what we, as fan editors, thinks matters the most. We fans are the paying customers. We're THE REASON this game gets played in a stadium we paid for, and continue to pay for. Thus, the important stories, the ones that truly matter, are the ones we focus on. This year, most of those stories have been overwhelmingly negative in substance and tone.
Admittedly, 2011 has taken a lot of the 'fun' out of writing about this franchise. Really, for me the 'fun' started melting away after Week Sixteen in 2009. Imagine how it will feel when the Colts go 0-16 the same year the Packers go 16-0 (and possibly 19-0). In December 2009, and later in 2010, I was basically told by the powers in charge at West 56th Street that my opinion didn't matter. That I wasn't a 'real fan' for expressing that opinion.
That's when I started to question why?
Why keep this up? Why keep covering a team and franchise that so obviously hates fans who have critical minds and (GASP!) expect accountability when things screw up?
The answer is because regardless of what Bill Polian and his idiot sons think or say, fans have power and have every right to express and use it.
This blog is an example of that power. Prior to us kicking up a storm and making a big fuss about how awful this team has drafted in recent years, or how terribly the club treats people, NO ONE else was writing comparable material.
Now, with Phil Wilson tearing it up on his blog, and even Bob Kravitz coming out and saying that Polians should be fired, we actually have HELPED our local press to grow a spine and write real stories.
Again, we aren't THE reason, but we have helped.
So, if you want to really know why we continue, it's because, on some level, we make a difference. We help push the media narrative. We bring stories that normally get ignored pushed to a national audience. This pisses Bill Polian off like no tomorrow, which is why those of you non-Indianapolis residents can't listen to his Monday radio show. But, just like the petty dictators in Africa and Arabia, Bill Polian doesn't understand they he alone does not control the opinions of people.
I genuinely feel and hope change will happen at the end of this season. True change. We fans need and deserve a clean slate. If it happens, then we were part of the reason why. I realize not everyone here is as adamant about the level of change we editors are advocating. But, I think everyone who closely follows this team agrees something must happen, and it must be more than just firing the head coach. The head coach in Indy is nothing more than a puppet of the Polians. Replacing him with another puppet changes little. The change must come at the top, and it must come from Irsay himself.
Since we know Irsay reads this site, we continuously pressure him to make the right decision (a.k.a., fire the Polians). We realize this decision would be difficult personally for Irsay, but the axe must fall on those in charge. If it doesn't, Irsay will come off as an inept, indecisive owner who is not truly in charge of his franchise.
All that said, until this change happens, the losing this season is killing me. I've never seen the Colts this bad, and I've watched a 1-15 season and three 3-13 seasons. This is the worst team ever fielded in Indianapolis, and it might be one of the worst in NFL history. I've been embarrassed to show my Colts pride. I'm embarrassed that they are my team. I'm embarrassed, period.
It kills me that things have come to this. The only glimmer of hope I have left in this franchise is that things might change. Apologies if this all comes out like rambling, but I felt the need to take this blog back to its roots a bit. Back to when I used it to just vent my feelings about the team. Use the comments below to do the same.
Note: I wrote this just as the news of the Chiefs firing Todd Haley hit the Internets. This means that two coaches who defeated the Colts this year (Haley and Jack Del Rio) are unemployed while Caldwell still is.
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Amen Brother
It doesn’t matter what happens at the end of the year if either polian are still here. Irsay can’t sell me on the idea of keeping any FO or coaching staff if we go 0-16.
Like Brad I lost all respect for that prick red head president or vice president or emporer or whatever the hell he goes by now week 16 in ‘09. I still love this team but I’m fed up with all his bs.
TimeOut
by Jim"TimeOut"Caldwell on Dec 12, 2011 12:53 PM EST via mobile reply actions
“Like Brad I lost all respect for that prick red head president or vice president or emporer or whatever the hell he goes by now week 16 in ‘09. I still love this team but I’m fed up with all his bs.”
Agree 1000%. No matter how many titles, wins, pro bowls, whatever can remove the sting of that bs in ’09.
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 Dec 12, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions
You're joking right?
0 coaches and 0 front-office staff retained from this year to the next? Do you know anything about how businesses are run? Have you ever been part of a group, company, organization during turnover?
While change is needed, if Irsay were to do what you’re proposing and retain 0 individuals from the current front office or coaching staff that would be the most ridiculous knee-jerk reaction ever.
However the season turns out there’s still talent on the roster and throughout the coaching and front office ranks. People who suggest otherwise are not logical.
Bill and Chris Polian are better talent evaluators than you, count on it.
Follow me on Twitter: @MrCrayZ
by GoHorse88 on Dec 12, 2011 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Well
I didn’t graduate from the Kelly School of Business, nor do I or have I worked for Goldman-Sachs, but I do know keeping any of these crap coaches or the Polians will give us the same resluts.
What you’re saying is we either NEED to keep our coaching staff with the stelar offense deffense and special teams, or we NEED to keep the front office ppl that created this shit storm. Firing both doesn’t seem like a rediculous knee jerk reaction. But what do I know. As you said, I’m not a business person.
TimeOut
by Jim"TimeOut"Caldwell on Dec 12, 2011 1:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
no hes saysing theres people in the FO
that had nothing to do with this shit storm and saying we need to fire the entire FO is stupid because that means the receptionist the janitor the guy who does shitty paperwork for 10 hours a day
there are other people in the FO besides the FO regular people who have done nothing wrong and to fire them is stupid and to fire them all and expect to replace every single one of those positions with valuable people in the off season is just ridiculous
No, what's ridiculous
is keeping the shitbags who are responsible for this mess that is called the Colts.
So is the FO incompetent or tanking?
You keep changing you’re thesis. Either they’re pretending to be bad or they really are bad. If you’d stick to one side people might take you seriously rather than assuming you’re just bitchin’ for bitchin’s sake.
by Fernando Nougatieri on Dec 12, 2011 1:06 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Also
Are you a journalist or a blogger, Brad? Pick one—you can be the guy who just has hisself a little ol’ opinion there or you can be MISTER JOURNALISMIST, out-journalisming the journalists and reporting the stories that reporters won’t report. Not both. You don’t get to do whatever you want whenever it suits you, and the dictatorial dictatorship squads of dictatoring on West 56th Street are absolutely right not to let you in the building as long as you keep up your histrionics.
by TehRhino on Dec 12, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
AGREED
If Irsay had balls he would clean house and get rid of Caldwell and the Polians , when u go 0-16 or 15 at the best , you have to clean out the stench!!!!! Caldwell at the least has to go before the end of the season!!!! And at least one team shined bright this weekend in Indiana one of the best games I have seen—- IU over Ky. at Assembly Hall- the magic is back,, just like when Bobby was there,, and the crowd was bazerk when Wat hit that 3 to win it!!!! With the right firings and moves it can be back for the Colts next year!!!
What is Jim Tressel doing these days?
Now that the more prominent HC positions in college football have been filled.
by MadStork on Dec 12, 2011 1:49 PM EST via mobile reply actions
lol I know
“His blogging” helped the Indystar Journalist grow a spine. lol!!
by gmitch23 on Dec 12, 2011 5:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Grow a spine....
Get real…..you need to grow a spine…..how much easier could it get than to pile on a team that is down and losing and blow away by injuries…..and has lost the best QB or one of the best ever in history…..you and I and everyone know the Colts would suck without Manning….I am not wasting my time reading reading your cop out…..you are full of crap….you could not figure out what to write except to join in on the bash the Colts party….so what if Hughes is a bust….so what if you think the Polians or any other person needs to be fired…the owner lynched….of course the D coordinator needed to be fired and the special team coach….they should have been first last year….but this still has not got squat to do with you and others bashed every thing from the owner down and fire them all….the hell with Manning….screw the whole damn organization….you are so full of it it about makes me puke….I am glad you are on here and not a true fan of the Colts….cause of you were a true fan you would shit the hell up and write all you could find on good stuff…..suggestions that make sense….I would fire your ass for being so negative 24/7…..grow up….get a spine….write positive articles and posts….any one can be negative…that is easy…..it is much harder to not be like the sheep and follow in a circle of no where…pathetic crap on here….
by Colts53 on Dec 12, 2011 2:05 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
i am really confused on your view?
I mean.. you seem to be clamoring for positive material… but then you go on and agree with the whole article’s content? Dunno man dunno…
by coltsfanbeforemanning on Dec 12, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
I think he means we all know people need to be fired we've heard it 100 times here
move on to something meaningful and constructive something on how next year will be different or how the draft looks for us, who should stay and who should go.
Things we dont know things that havent been expressed in every article for the past 3 months
by C.Settles on Dec 12, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh so you think the same
The hell with everyone on the whole Colts team and all the coaches and owner…we just tanked it all cause these idiots said it is that way…yeah right….
by Colts53 on Dec 12, 2011 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You got soem brown stuff on your nose ther buddy
Go Blue!
Revenue - Expenses = Profit
by dezznutz1001 on Dec 13, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
Ah,....the number one gullible Colts fan
rears his ugly head again.
You’re…..not……smart at…..all…..in fact, your……quite stupid…..English….is not my…..first…..language…and therefore….I…..am really…..bad…..at grammar…..
by Coltsfan1345 on Dec 12, 2011 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Are you the punctuation police....
Read between the periods Mr Punctuation Police…
It is inexcusable for them to go 0-13 so far
They could have won games 2,3,,4,5, and 6 and Carolina game- that is 6 games right there, or at least some of them, to lose all of those games is inexcusable!!!! Also Polian said he was totally unprepared for Peyton to miss the entire season, he thought he would miss 4-6 games-, since all the medical opinions said he would be back. As a doctor what he should know is that medicine is an inexact science,, he should have had a back-up QB ready to go-again totally inexcusable!!!!!! The organization deserves to be bashed this year.
Pay NO Attention to that man behind the curtain!
Brad, you are so right! The truth is painful, but a necessary part of the process. Like many of us, I’m so f’in depressed, humiliated, embarrassed, etc……I’m sure some will disagree, but I can’t believe that some colt fans are actually still drinking the f..king Polian Koop-Aid! Unbelievable! I live for the Colts and this season is killing me a little at a time….like a thousand slices. It’s all up to Irsay, he’s got to know. Right? Right?
by RxColt on Dec 12, 2011 2:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions
agreed
When the team goes 0-16, everybody needs to go.
by coltsfanbeforemanning on Dec 12, 2011 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
sorry... "a" not "the"
When a team cannot even luck their way into a single friggin win and are pretty much getting blown away… everybody needs to go and you need to start from scratch.
by coltsfanbeforemanning on Dec 12, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
I recently heard Jeff Fisher had interest in coaching two teams . . .
. . . .Could Indy be one of them? Gets my vote.
Message Boards
Ah, it’s nice to have a place where normal citizens can come and write things that would make their grandmother turn over in her grave. I guess it’s cheaper than a therapist.
by GrizzColt on Dec 12, 2011 2:53 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Folks the reason why Kansas has the luxury to fire the"Frat boy with a smelly hat " Todd Haley is because they have a former head coach and former successful assistant head coach on the sideline. Romeo Crennel. Quick name the Colts deputy head coach or assistants after they cleaned house by letting mudd & moore go?
As confused as a baby in a topless bar.
OK . . .let's say Mr. Irsay does clean house
Anybody got any names of bright, ready for prime-time football men that could take the reins from the Polians and lead this franchise to another era of greatness ?
Maybe BP has outlived his usefulness and is now a detriment. I get that possibility. Now, who can be offered up as the savior ? Or, is all we do here is bury Caesar?
for starters
you go after the scouts from Green Bay and Detroit
i'll tell you what...
fired head coaches often make really good coordinators…
by coltsfanbeforemanning on Dec 12, 2011 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
IT WAS A JOKE
please don’t kill me….
by Peter Storgaard on Dec 12, 2011 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
There’s always the possibility of cherry picking from teams like the Steelers, Ravens, or Green Bay.
All have establish themselves as contenders year in and year out.
NeXt Man Up
by Dann Giszewski on Dec 12, 2011 8:50 PM EST up reply actions
Why this season is killing me:
We start of with a crap game with Houston, then play three games where we are halfway competitive and teased with the possibility of wins, then a couple of shit games causing me to look for bags that will fit over my giant head. Then we change QB’s and get another teasing, and now we are again poop on the shoes. FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
QBs
Just goes to prove that this FO was completely unprepared for life without # 18.
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 Dec 12, 2011 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
The fact that
Jim Caldwell hasn’t been fired yet is a joke and it is pathetic. I’ve lost all faith in the front office and everyone involved in this team. If Irsay doesn’t fire the Polians, he should just sell the team. This is a really inept and dysfunctional franchise, and I’ve actually tried to stay positive throughout this shit show and think about how we’ll be better next year, but at this point this is really a joke and painful to watch. Enough is enough. I’m pissed off beyond belief. Amen to this article, bbs.
so what youre saying in this article is
- Absolutely nothing new, no story, no report
- Same thing youve said in every other article
-No resolution a always of who would take over if everyone or anyone at all was gone
So basically this is your livejournal page?
you ramble on about your feelings towards the FO and hate anyone who doesnt have your extremist view yet offer no constructive points about who w should change to. You talk shit about a very successful owner because he doesnt do what YOU want him to do.
If every owner were to do what whatever some fn told him to do that would make him
s an inept, indecisive owner who is not truly in charge of his franchise.not him making HIS own decision for HIS TEAM. Just because you dont like it doesnt make it inept or cowardly or anything you say it is because the truth is you have no idea what youre fucking talking about because you have no clue what goes on in that office or what decisions are being made.
Man up put your big boy pants on and stop crying. Instead of writing the same shit every day writ something that will help the team and if he does read this blog like you claim with your all powerful all knowing eyes maybe to what this site thinks about the draft or the team and who should be kept and who needs to be traded or released.
Save your fingers...
It ain’t a gonna change anytime soon. Maybe once the season is over, it will get back to talk of the draft, players to keep, etc. But mind you, if the Polians are still around as we head into the draft, be ready for more pejoratives like this one.
I’m trying to understand this from a psychological point of view. Even if unequivocally true, what’s the point of posting the same articles over and over expressing the exact same position? And it results in pretty much the same posts. 50% agree, 50% disagree.
I get what youre saying but
if BBS can justify his rant and raves as people need to speak up against the FO and changes need to be made for the better and if you want change you have to demand it well….
BBS youre th FO and w are demanding change, we are speaking up so will you listen? or will you silence us like the Polians do to their critics are we the rats who lie because we dont believe every word you say? we are all idiots if we dont agree with you sounds a lot like Bill
Ok its too early for the draft talk? how bout Luck wanting to be behind a solid QB (Manning) how bout the implications of the signs pointing to Luck and Manning together whether you like it or agree is not the issue it is whether or not its likely to happen and if it does it puts the FO it a position where they need to hit on every single draft pick we wont get the #1 pick every round for a very long time they better make this count.
How bout Mannings progress is on the exact timeline it was suppose to be which is a great sign that recovery is going well
Or what about the recovery itself whats the projected outcome some people say oh he will never be the same but others even people who have had the surgery too say that he could be even better than he has been the last couple years? how about finding the possible results.
There are 52 players on this team and all i ever hear about is the FO
BBS's distaste for the Polians is the ultimate irony
because he runs Stampede Blue just like Polians run the Colts. If you dissent his opinions you are banned. If you point out his silliness you are immediately silenced with again a ban. I guess sometimes you are lucky and maybe are just called stupid without a ban but regardless it is very childish on his part. He doesn’t realize how many more readers he would get thanks to the well put together SB Nation websites if he could cater to readers at least a little bit.
by 5.56 InYoFace on Dec 12, 2011 6:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Tony Sporano fired as well
So now Sporano, Haley, and Del Rio fired. All of their teams, have you know, actually won games this year. All better coaches than Caldwell. I’m honestly fearing right now that the Colts won’t make any changes this off-season (i.e. they’ll keep Caldwell, Christensen, and the Polians).
if that happens
I’ll be convinced there not trying to win if we go 0-16 and no changes are made
Dude
Pats fan here.
What’s the point of firing Jim Caldwell now, just cause other teams didn’t want to wait till the end of the season? The season isn’t over. As soon as it is, Jim Caldwell probably is done. Don’t worry about it. Who knows, if you get Luck, you can probably attract some big time coach who will want to bring Luck under his wing.
I learned how to make a sig just so it can say "DFA Darnell MacDonald". That means it must happen.
Actually BBS, I thought their record was making the terrible seaon nationally known...
on a better know, BBS my mom stopped watching soaps just to read your articles…
by Angerer_Has_Anger_Issues on Dec 12, 2011 4:07 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
So basically...
the Colts suck.
Pat McAfee 2012 Pro Bowl bound!
Anthony Calvillo - 72,382 passing yards - pro football's all-time leader
Jon Stewart for President 2016
OCCUPY BILL POLIAN'S OFFICE
We fear change
The Colts fear change…just keep staying consistent, stay the course, work on the little things…
BBS fears change…just keep re-posting the same articles every week.
The denizens of Stampede Blue fear change…Colts lose, BBS rants, members post hilarious comments and wail on moderators and each other for a few days.
Pretty much been the formula since week 1, why change anything now?
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 Dec 12, 2011 5:11 PM EST up reply actions
If Irsay does read this ...
… I certainly hope he doesn’t listen to you. Firing the Polians would be dumb, dumb, dumb and set back the franchise for years. They have built a winner and having one disastrous season does not negate that. I would trust Irsay would have more sense than to take football advice from a blogger.
Yeah, Irsay's done really great.
The only thing that is dumb, dumb, dumb,….is your comment.
Good God...
…all of you really need to get over what happened in 2009! That was TWO YEARS AGO. Counseling, have someone hug you, SOMETHING, just get over it already.
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 Dec 12, 2011 5:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions
...?
Excellent comment; you added much to the discussion. Bravo, just bravo.
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 Dec 12, 2011 9:18 PM EST up reply actions
Good God...
…all of you really need to get over what happened in 2009! That was TWO YEARS AGO. Counseling, have someone hug you, SOMETHING, just get over it already.
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 Dec 12, 2011 5:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
i lol'ed at "Jerry Hughes"
Do you have nightmares about him?
Other than that, i think your “note” at the end sums up my feelings quite well
I actually agree with the things you are saying
From the little i read (i cant stomach reading your columns in its entirety). Yes they should be fired. But the constant hate is why a lot are tired of reading your articles or take them seriously because its all hate. It’s not negavite its HATE! Big difference. Yes there’s a lot of bad when your team may go 0-16 but its hard to tell if you even root for Indy.
It's too bad your job is to write for them
Ive been a rabid colts fan or over 20 years.. So this year, I just stopped watching and am waiting for next year. I can take it as a mulligan. But in your case, HAVING to follow this garbage, I could see how excruciating it could be.
by BenD on Dec 12, 2011 7:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
We could only be so lucky.
"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't."
- Jack Dempsey
by infinityzero.systemerror on Dec 12, 2011 8:39 PM EST reply actions
I am not goign to point fingers,
but this season football has been terrible for me. I’m talking college and pro. There have been no positives, nothing to hold my attention. I mean, ya, sure, I’m still rooting for the Colts, I’m still wearing my Colts jersey and hat, and so on, so it’s not like I’ve jumped off the wagon or anything, it’s just that there’s no joy for me in football this year.
Probably in contrast with the Cardinals winning the WS. I’m still high on baseball.
I am a college student that sleeps with a St. Louis Cardinals Fredbird Pillow Pet, and I am proud of it.
Did you just compare Bill Polian to African dictators?
Dictators, who kill hundreds (thousands) of people just to show they can…
I thought so.
Listen, I like analogies as much as the next guy but, dang…
What if...
What if – Peyton is healthy next year, we trade the top pick for an impact defensive player and multiple draft picks, this year and next. What if – we still manager to draft Manning’s eventual replacement, and we plug several holes in our defense through the draft and free agency… What if – the Colts offense averages 31 pts a game next year (that would have been good enough for 9-4 this year), and our defense creates turnovers again? I think it’s entirely possible for the Colts to make a serious run for another Super Bowl or two with just a few additions to the roster, starting with a fully recovered Peyton Manning.
Quick Question
If the Colts trade the first pick for a load of draft picks to reload the roster for a healthy Peyton, can we fire BBS? He would be 100% wrong on his claims about what the team will do. He keeps saying Manning won’t be back no matter what. If he comes back, shouldn’t BBS lose his job for the same ineptitude he constantly whines about from the front office?
It seems more likely that he would watch the team go back to the playoffs with that load of young talent, and say he was wrong about Peyton. Who else made claims about a QB, and recently came out to say he was wrong? Oh right. Bill Polian.
Maybe he does end up being right about this whole situation. If so, we can all admit we are the idiots he thinks we are. If not, he should be held to the same standards he’s putting on the front office. Clear house.
by PeytonTheManning on Dec 13, 2011 5:27 PM EST reply actions
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