Bill Polian Takes A Shot At His Punter Pat McAfee, Who Then Responds 'Best Hangtime In League'

by Brad Wells on Dec 12, 2011 7:16 PM EST in 2011 Colts News

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 13: Pat McAfee #1 and Adam Vinatieri #4 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrate a successful field goal attempt during their game at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 13, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Jaguars defeated the Colts 17-3. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)

Bill Polian just concluded his weekly radio show, and, just as he always does, Bill stuck his big fat foot in his big fat mouth. Despite an 0-16 season that has the Colts defense (which Polian has repeatedly praised) ranked dead last in points allowed (30 ppg) and an offense ranked 29th in scoring at 14 ppg, one of the few bright spots has been punter Pat McAfee. The Colts are No. 6 in punting, averaging 46.4 yards per punt (39.1 net).

Yet, despite McAfee playing well, Polian decided to use the pulpit of his show to take a shot at his punter.

Early on, when asked about what needs to improve with his 0-13 team, Polian singled out McAfee and said:

Pat McAfee needs to take the next step. He needs to become a better directional and strategic punter.

Again, just to place this in the right context, McAfee is having a good year as a punter. The Colts are 0-13, and flirting with 0-16. The offense and defense are terrible. Yet, Polian takes time on his weekly show to call Pat out for no reason whatsoever and criticize him for not being very good at directional punting.

Of course, the moment Polian said this, and the second I tweetscribed it, everyone and their mother fired the tweet off to McAfee, who has an active Twitter account. Apparently, Pat heard Polian's critique on the radio. After the jump, Pat responds:

Here's Pat:

Heard what boss said on his show..Respect his opinion..Best hangtime in league and top 10 in punts out of bounds..Can always get better.

Bill Polian also said, and this is a direct quote, that it is his 'fervent hope that Jim Caldwell is not fired.'

So, yeah. Bill said lots of stupid stuff tonight. We'll have it all summarized and posted later this evening. For now, just sit back and marvel at how much of an ass he is singling out his punter when the rest of the team is pretty much cow manure.

Site note: Pat McAfee and I have no love for each other. Like, none. But, he has been playing well this year, and Polian singling him out like this just further illustrates just how clueless Polian is.

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the real gem tonight...

Polian: ‘It is my fervent hope that Jim Caldwell is not fired.’

Vamos Colts!!!

by COLTS_CR9 on Dec 12, 2011 7:25 PM EST reply actions

That caller who spent two mintues saying thank you was a douche.

Go Colts Dammit!

by Ram27 on Dec 12, 2011 7:28 PM EST reply actions

Best comment all day

TimeOut

by Jim"TimeOut"Caldwell on Dec 12, 2011 8:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

OK, bitching out the only consistent player on the team....

borders on the insane….hell, it don’t even border. I’m not one who has spent alot of time barking about Polian, but he is really starting to suffer from dickheaditis. What a douchbag statement from him. The freaking punter makes half the damned tackles on the punt returner….why doesn’t Polian call out the ST’s?

by tim55 on Dec 12, 2011 7:31 PM EST reply actions 3 recs

He's right, though.

The only difference between 0-13 and 13-0 is a couple punts right?

by ActionOxford on Dec 12, 2011 7:50 PM EST reply actions 4 recs

I wonder why you and McAfee have no love for each other? Too funny.
Pat McAfee needs to take the next step. He needs to become a better directional and strategic punter….that is the truth from Polian….Heard what boss said on his show..Respect his opinion..Best hangtime in league and top 10 in punts out of bounds..Can always get better…..McAfee admits he could do exactly what Polian said…get better….so that is a shot at his punter….no that is the damn truth…..he can get better….you are the one taking the shot…at Polian….I am taking it at you….

by Colts53 on Dec 12, 2011 7:52 PM EST reply actions

The next step for McAfee is the homing punt.

It seeks out a blockers leg, bounces off and then up into a gunner’s hands for a TD. Why can’t he do that?

by ActionOxford on Dec 12, 2011 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs

You gotta be fucking kidding me ...................

You really think the difference with the Colts being 0 and whatever, and making the playoffs is the performance of the punter?

Polian needs to look at the big picture which is the abject failure of the coaching staff to modify the offensive game plan to respond to the loss of the best QB in the league; which exposed just how shitty a job he (Polian) has done in drafting players for the defense.

by MadStork on Dec 12, 2011 8:13 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Everybody look out!

Colts53 is taking a shot at BBS. Take cover! lol

by Ayrshire on Dec 12, 2011 8:15 PM EST up reply actions

Gotta admit, though.

This gets me really excited for next year’s draft. Not often you blow a 1st round draft pick on a punter. But, by God, if the punter’s the problem we gotta have a new punter.

Apparently that will solve everything.

by ActionOxford on Dec 13, 2011 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

To many of these...

…

I am a college student that sleeps with a St. Louis Cardinals Fredbird Pillow Pet, and I am proud of it.

by Sir Sci on Dec 12, 2011 11:05 PM EST up reply actions

If he drives McAfee away...

Fuck it all

by indy41 on Dec 12, 2011 7:52 PM EST reply actions

Senility must be setting in.

Maybe he’ll blame Justin Snow for the loss next week.

by Joseph* on Dec 12, 2011 8:12 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

The water boy needs to be crisper in his pouring

by armycolts25 on Dec 12, 2011 8:13 PM EST reply actions

Next week - the detergent used by the team manager

in washing the game-day uniforms. Switch to Cheer for some wins.

by MadStork on Dec 12, 2011 8:15 PM EST up reply actions

One of the few bright spots on

this train wreck of a team is McAfee, and Polian calls him out. Typical Polian.

by Ayrshire on Dec 12, 2011 8:14 PM EST reply actions

He may start talking Coach of the Year for Caldwell if they manage to win one.

by Joseph* on Dec 12, 2011 8:18 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

We are 0-13 because Blue has been off his mascot game, coach Caldwell is working with him

by armycolts25 on Dec 12, 2011 8:24 PM EST reply actions

My god is it not obvious?

It was constructive criticism come on now, it’s not like he said he outright sucked. Jesus.

by BswizzleKdizzle on Dec 12, 2011 8:30 PM EST reply actions

Could he maybe "constructively criticize" his head coach?

or maybe his defense?

by SoCalHoosier on Dec 13, 2011 2:29 AM EST up reply actions

Or look in the mirror, and possibly consider the fact

that he, through his arrogance, and the ~~possible~~ probable dementia has turned a once proud organisation into a laughingstock.

by tim55 on Dec 13, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

And on top of that,

Pat’s play wasn’t the only thing that got “bashed”. Bill also mentioned how the colts need to clean up oline play and on top of that, he said that the colts dont have players on offense to make big plays. Its not like he singled out Pat. Come on.

by BswizzleKdizzle on Dec 12, 2011 8:37 PM EST reply actions

It just keeps getting funnier and funnier

Calling out a punter when the team you put together is 0-13? I’m thinking Polian’s probably senile at this point.

by Coltsfan1345 on Dec 12, 2011 8:49 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

How old is he anyway?

Wikipedia doesn’t give any personal stuff.

Go Colts Dammit!

by Ram27 on Dec 12, 2011 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

Probably like 75. At least 70.

by Coltsfan1345 on Dec 12, 2011 10:25 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe Polian should gets some players who can cover on ST. Thats been the only glaring hole we’ve had in years…..oh shit I forgot DT, CB,OL, and S

by Ralla32 on Dec 12, 2011 9:08 PM EST reply actions

polian and his love for CALDWELL

two coaches get fired today who actually coached their teams to winning some games….and we are still stuck with cheese dick…oh ya and a GM analyzing the punters skillset

The best part of this whole thing is that the guy who truly is the biggest ass out of everybody is irsay…..ball-less and lost
He has no idea where this team has slipped to…

by sundaywager on Dec 12, 2011 9:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs

I live and work in a community where...

…the city’s elected officials are just as out of touch with their constituents as Polian is with his fanbase, staff and players. I think its partially a generational thing, but also I think its someone who used to a position of power and success and doesn’t know how to adjust to anything else.

I’m not giving him a pass. Not at all. I just think he’s clueless. Kinda sad, really.

Polishing brass on the Titanic, as Tyler Durden once said.

I've always considered writing the most hateful kind of work ... I suspect its a bit like fucking, which is only fun for amateurs. -Hunter Thompson

by RockyRippleColtsFan on Dec 12, 2011 9:13 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Very well put.

by Ayrshire on Dec 12, 2011 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

like the idiots who thought bike lanes were a good idea

by 5.56 InYoFace on Dec 12, 2011 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

so let me guess

you live in the USA? hahaha

i don't give autographs

by muncie_in_this on Dec 13, 2011 11:25 AM EST up reply actions

HA!

Well, all of the officials here are white guys in their 70’s and 80’s. That’s what I meant. Retirees who are supremely out of touch with the working class people of the city. I know its not unique, especially in Florida, but it just reminds me of Polian’s approach to public relations.

I've always considered writing the most hateful kind of work ... I suspect its a bit like fucking, which is only fun for amateurs. -Hunter Thompson

by RockyRippleColtsFan on Dec 13, 2011 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

old white guys ruin everything

polian is no exception haha

i don't give autographs

by muncie_in_this on Dec 14, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

Also...

…its really fucking sad and funny to think that if only McAfee could improve his direction and strategy the team wouldn’t be so awful. There has to be a t-shirt somewhere in that quote, use it as the sequel to the canal swim team shirts.

More sad than anything, I think.

Also, also, does anyone worry about Costanzo? He played like shit. Penalty after penalty or just getting whooped by Suggs. What’s up with that?

I've always considered writing the most hateful kind of work ... I suspect its a bit like fucking, which is only fun for amateurs. -Hunter Thompson

by RockyRippleColtsFan on Dec 12, 2011 9:18 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, imagine that. A rookie getting beat by Suggs.

Suggs sucks. Totally. He’s awful. Not good at all. A rookie who has missed some games and had no off season to prep should dominate that shitty Suggs. Agree totally. The only reason Suggs starts is because the Ravens defense is absolutely terrible and always has been. They really scrape the bottom of the barrel for their ALL STARS.

He’s got 13 sacks, 5 pass defenses, 2 INTs, and 6 forced fumbles. He’s a beast. And you’re wondering why he’s being “whooped” by Suggs? Do you know anything about football?

by ActionOxford on Dec 13, 2011 12:47 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Ouch

I agree, but there was a sequence of four snaps, I think, where Costanzo gave up two sacks and two holding penalties. I know that Suggs is “a beast”, but you have to admit, that sequence is no good for a first round pick, especially when he’s touted as the anchor for the oline for years to come.

I've always considered writing the most hateful kind of work ... I suspect its a bit like fucking, which is only fun for amateurs. -Hunter Thompson

by RockyRippleColtsFan on Dec 13, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

Also

Suggs never recorded a sack against the Colts, and then puts up two or three in one game? I’m not saying its the end of the world, it just caught my eye.

I've always considered writing the most hateful kind of work ... I suspect its a bit like fucking, which is only fun for amateurs. -Hunter Thompson

by RockyRippleColtsFan on Dec 13, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

peyton was the QB doesn't count dirty dan is the QB now

if Peyton was playing it would be one sack

by Phillycolt on Dec 13, 2011 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

It makes no sense...

to criticize the one player on the team that deserves to sniff the probowl this year. Polian sickens me. His radio show seems like he is delivering deadpan comedy but he’s serious. No team deserves what he is doing.

by tapper on Dec 13, 2011 7:59 AM EST reply actions

McAfee to the ProBowl?

He shouldn’t even have a chance. He really hasn’t done that well this year. Fans like his personality, and he’s probably an above average punter, but BP is absolutely right when he says he needs to improve his situational/directional punting.

by James Broschat on Dec 13, 2011 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

Do you think

that singling him out in response to “what can be done to improve this winless team” was appropriate?

by FatDT on Dec 13, 2011 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

No, not at all.

I’m just saying that BP was actually right in his comments about McAfee. But, his stubbornness to criticize the coaching is ridiculous.

by James Broschat on Dec 13, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

BP was right

but in the context of not criticizing anyone else, it comes out as plain stupid.

by Peter Storgaard on Dec 13, 2011 2:44 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting,

I don’t usually agree with Mr. Wells, but in this case he is right. I am starting to hate BP. Why single out Patty Mac for the woes of this team? How about the defense, or the QB play or, maybe just maybe, the coaching staff?. Sure, he can always get better, but come on there are other reasons why this team is the worst in the league.

by fanatik on Dec 13, 2011 5:37 PM EST reply actions