Recap Of The Bill Polian Show: Week 15, 2011

After Bill Polian's meltdown on the radio following the Colts now-infamous handling of the Week Sixteen game against the New York Jets in 2009, the Colts have blocked the call-in radio program named 'The Bill Polian Show' from Internet listeners. This show features Colts vice chairman Bill Polian, and it allows regular Colts fans to call-in and ask him questions which he, frequently, gets annoyed answering. It is the only Colts content that is not streamed live on the net. Thus, because Colts fans outside the Indianapolis area cannot listen in on the show, we provide highlights from the program, which often include Bill Polian saying things he later claims he did not say. However, since the Colts and Mr. Polian do not provide fans or media with recordings of the show, you'll just have to take our word that what we write below is indeed what Mr. Polian actually said. Hope you enjoy.

Stampede Blue live-tweets the highlights while the show is happening.You can follow Stampede Blue on Twitter at @stampedeblue.

For the first time this year, our recap of The Bill Polian Show happens after the Colts won a game! Only took 15 weeks, and if you listened to the Colts vice chairman last night, the win over the Titans 'validated' all of the work done this year by the coaches, players, and front office staff.

Polian also used his show to blame former-defensive coordinator Larry Coyer for most of the team's defensive problems. Other highlights included Polian strongly suggested that Peyton Manning would not be a Colt next year; that the team needs an infusion of 'game-breaker' talent at virtually all positions; and he, once again, disagreed with the label that the Colts defense is 'built to play with the lead' even though his former head coach, Tony Dungy, has often referred to the Colts defense as one 'built to play with the lead.'

And the recap begins:

• Polian started the show by praising the defense, in particular the defensive tackles. He singled out Antonio Johnson, saying he played probably his best game as a Colts. worth noting that, last week, Polian bashed the hell out of the DTs.
• Interesting moment in the show was when Polian talked about how important it is for the Colts to get a good interior rush from the DTs. Inside pressure MAKES the pass rush, he said. He also said the Colts defense doesn't work unless DTs are penetrating and getting into the backfield. This is interesting given the front office doing virtually nothing in recent years to bring quality talent to the DT position. If it's so important, why not draft Ziggy Hood over Donald Brown? Why cut Tommie Harris when he had a strong preseason, and is now playing well for the Chargers?
  
• Polian praised Ernie Sims and the rest of the linebackers.
  
• Show host Bob Lamey said the lockerroom after the game yesterday was 'like the Colts won the Super Bowl.'

• Polian said the win yesterday 'validated' the work done by the players, coaches, and personnel staff all year. He praised effort of the team, and added the his first year in Indy (when the team went 3-13), there were plenty of people who gave little effort.
• Polian bashed officiating during the Carolina game against the Colts this year. He said the call during potential game-winning drive was 'the worst call in the history of football.'
• Polian praised the fans. Called them among the greatest in any sport.
• A caller asked if Donald Brown was going to replace Joseph Addai next year. Polian responded by saying it depends on how Colts constructs the offense going forward. The team is using a FB now, and this seems to benefit Brown. Might not do this going forward. However, Polian made it clear that, in his view, the Colts are 'more complete with a fullback.'
  
• Polian brought up former Indiana Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh. Walsh once told Polian that, sometimes, when you board the team bus or plane after a loss, you look at the team and say, 'I don't like my team.' Othertimes, you board the bus or plane after a loss and you DO like your team. Polian concluded his little anecdote by saying, 'I like my team.'
• A caller asked why certain players appeared 'smug' after the game, considering the team is 1-13. Polian responded by saying players weren't 'smug.' They were 'exhausted.'
  
• Very interesting moment in the show came when a caller asked Polian is Peyton Manning would be on the Colts next year. Polian responded, 'I don't know.' He went on to say that there are so many variables with Manning that it's impossible to give an answer yes or no. Polian's tone seemed to strongly suggest that, in his view, Manning is gone after 2011.
• A caller asked what are the Colts biggest needs this offseason. Polian responded by saying the team need young, 'game-breaking' talent at virtually all position except offensive tackle.
  
• A caller asked why the Colts defense has, essentially, sucked for so many years. Polian answered that the changed defensive coordinators this year because this season, and in previous years, 'management was not happy with the results.' While not specifically naming Coyer, Polian said the former-defensive coordinator was 'not a good fit' for the Colts.
• Polian continued talking about the defense, saying its job is to hold opponent under 17 points and get turnovers.The Colts Colts defense will always give up runs and passes. It's not schemed to stop the run. 'We're much more like Detroit Lions,' Polian said.
  
• Polian gave high praise to defensive coaches Wade Phillips and Dom Capers. He also called Capers and Dungy two of the best defensive coaches in history of NFL. side note: Capers and Dungy both worked for Polian in Carolina and Indy, respectively.
  
• A caller asked if there were any QBs the Colts were interested in drafting. After making another useless comment that insults 'draft gurus,' Polian then said he cannot comment on underclassmen who have not declared for the NFL Draft.
• Polian said it is not true that the Colts defense is 'built to play with a lead.' Interestingly, Tony Dungy (the man who built the Colts defense) often calls it a 'defense that's meant to play with a lead.'
• Polian said the Colts roster must be built to gain big plays in the passing game. The modern NFL is about passing, not running. Said the Colts need young, explosive playmakers.
• Polian needed the show by talking about the Texans (the next opponent for the Colts), and how the Colts need to control the kick return game.

Thanks to all those who followed along. You can follow along too @stampedeblue.