Report: Bill Polian Fired, Colts Owner Jim Irsay Cleans House
by Brad Wells on Jan 2, 2012 2:53 PM EST
in Colts News
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PrintFrom ESPN's Chris Mortensen, a man who has often served as the media mouthpiece for Bill Polian in recent years, just tweeted the news:
This report comes just two hours after Colts head coach Jim Caldwell held an odd press conference to let everyone know that nothing had changed.
Bill Polian was the Colts team president from 1998 to 2010. In 2011, he took the title 'vice chairman' while his son, Chris, took on the duties of general manager.
There is no word yet on who will replace the Polians in the front office, nor do we have any 'official' confirmation from the team. But, with this news coming from Mortensen, you can bet it got to him straight from Polian, which means it is legit.
The Colts have scheduled a 5:00 p.m. ET press conference. It looks like a new era is dawning for the Indianapolis Colts.
[UPDATE]: The Indy Star's Bob Kravitz confirms the report. Polians out. And in case you are wondering, no, there is unlikely to be a Bill Polian Show scheduled for this evening.
[UPDATE 2]: From Tom James, Terre Haute Tribune-Star:
General feeling is that Bill Polian lost the locker room. Players stood up and continue to stand up for Caldwell. Not so much for Polian.
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its about time
ITS A VVVVVVCCCCCCCCCCC THREEEEEEEEEEEEE
Go ahead, you can pop the champagne now BBS...
I just hope they give Caldwell the same treatment haha
Irsay will let the new GM decide what coaches stay and who goes
by Colts Forever on Jan 2, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
makes sense that caldwell wasn't fired today
new GM will want to come in first before any coaching hire happens
Whenever you get stressed, always remember: RDWHAHB
Do we get one last Bill Polian show?
"The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they don't know the game" -Bill Shankly
Not looking forward to all the bashing
from this website, but I think heads had/have to roll. I’m just not sure getting rid of one of the best GM/Presidents in history is the answer. But I get fanatic sensationalism.
R. McKenzie = What is the Colts new GM, Alex.
Me too.
I smile because if we suck next year it will have nothing to do with the dictator being gone.
in fact
it will be because the dictator… that is why we will suck next year. Takes teams generally a few years to turn it around… a couple if they are Luck(y).
All the people that read that crap analysis about how our drafting has been good lately haven’t been watching the games. It doesn’t matter who other people got around the pick around that time. The GM’s job is to get talent, drafted, undrafted, or free agents. We had people that were labeled as “starters” that simply padded those stats but in reality were never any good. Like Fiola Moala (who was decent this year but TERRIBLE for the past two years). Special teams is generally a good way to judge a team’s talent depth… well we’ve been bottom of the barrell for a LOOOOONNNNNGGG time.
by coltsfanbeforemanning on Jan 2, 2012 3:20 PM EST up reply actions
Tell that to the apologists.
I agree with you. The result of having one player gone speaks for itself.
also
alot of people that look at those draft picks don’t realize its part of coaching and team fit as well. How many times have we seen average players blossom into superstars under the right coaches?
Jerry Hughes may be one of those. I almost think he will start at LE this upcoming year and he’s got a few games to prove his worth. If he doesn’t, he rides pine for the rest of the year and is cut. He’s obviously got talent or he wouldn’t have been drafted that early, but it may take another team/coach/scheme to get him to be a real pro.
It is in this area that Polian has failed especially bad lately. Watching Donald Brown this year do better behind an improved O-line also furthers this point.
by coltsfanbeforemanning on Jan 2, 2012 3:50 PM EST up reply actions
suck worse than 2-14... highly doubtful.
by Straight Out The Burbs on Jan 2, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
With a respectable QB, I agree.
But I also can’t imagine getting back to annual 12-4 or even 10-6 seasons without a LOT of rebuilding.
Im getting
January 2nd 2012 tatoo across my chest
TimeOut
by Jim"TimeOut"Caldwell on Jan 2, 2012 3:00 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Why am I a dumbass? For calling you out on your mobile account?
by DonkeyBoner on Jan 2, 2012 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
..because you are. I don't have a mobile account Einstein.
I saw J’TO’Caldwell’s comment, thought it was funny and repeated it, hoping some other’s would do it too. And, you immediately come to the stupid conclusion that I must be him. Get a life.
I'm guessing that
This was just a silly coincidence, right? The exact same comment posted from two accounts within a minute of each other.
It's ok though. Nothing can be proven either way, which was fairly impressive on your part.
Keep calm and carry on, sir. You can probably delete that other account in about 90 minutes anyway.
And who thinks a comment as bland and generic as that
Is (1) funny, and (2) worth repeating? Really, that’s a pretty lame excuse.
We were online at the same time you fool. This isn't an Indyshockwave
situation. I saw his comment and thought it was quite hilarious. Why am I even trying to convince you? Anyone with the name ‘DonkeyBoner’ is clearly an idiot. LMAO
You tell me. I'm curious what is so hilarious, unique and innovative
About a comment like “Go fuck yourself”. Surely you’ve seen many other, better comments and I don’t believe I’ve seen you repeat (verbatim) any of those. What stood out about this one?
I am done with you Mr. Boner,...
you’ve just been proven to be wrong by one of the site’s writers.
Unless he is in two places at once
They aren’t the same person. One of them is in Indiana, one is in Florida.
Creator and developer of the Winning Stats.
I live in Tampa.
Thanks mgrex03 for posting the info. Some people just don’t get it.
BBS, thanks for staying the course...
even in the midst of the Polian apologists (who are probably Polian relatives anyway). I hope your blogging knocked some sense into Irsay finally.
by Ayrshire on Jan 2, 2012 3:00 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Yeah...
…this blog and its writers had no effect on any decision, today or otherwise, made by Irsay or the Colts organization.
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 Jan 2, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
This is lame
Goldbugs called for buying gold for 20 years while it flat lined compared to other investments. Finally they were right. The only problem is folks made boatloads of money that they wouldn’t have if they had listened to the gold bugs. Eventually many things become true.
"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"
In the end ...
The hate of the media and the unwillingness of Polian to admit mistakes cost them their job…they gave this city a good 10 years and I’m sure other teams will gobble them up in no time
I think were in for some bad seasons in the next few years as this team rebuilds itself in the way the new GM wants it to
Hopefully gone is the undersized cover 2 D
Yes, it was the media.
Definitely hatred of the media over all else. Because that’s most important.
by willyduer on Jan 2, 2012 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
yeah it was the media... yeah.
your mistaken, it was players, personnel, coaches, apparently irsay and most important the fans not named or related to BP. You will find more fans happy he is gone than if he stayed.
by Straight Out The Burbs on Jan 2, 2012 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Ummmm
How about this possibility – It is rare to find a GM in place for 12 or more years regardless of production.
"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"
Brad,
Thank you so much for all of the wonderful work you have done in 2011. There is no question in my mind you helped get the Polians fired.
GOOD JOB!
JJ
Justin from Los Angeles
by Justin in Los Angeles on Jan 2, 2012 3:04 PM EST reply actions
Was that you on Sirius when Schein got word?
To think that an internet writer influenced the opinion of the man who owns the organization and works within the doors there is a bit over the top, though, don’t you think?
by willyduer on Jan 2, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I give him credit
I’m sure it wasn’t an easy decision, but it was necessary
Hearing the fans' collective opinion...
…and basing your decision on it are two entirely separate things.
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 Jan 2, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
how is it different after BBS articles or Wilson's and Bob's
you can see fans are tired of polian in the comments
I don't follow...
You’re suggesting that Irsay made the decision to fire the Polians because he received a virtual cornucopia of face-to-face conversations, phone calls, emails, tweets, texts, telegrams, smoke signals, etc. That’s absurd.
Irsay was acknowledging his holding in high regard of fans and their opinions, not that he made his decision because we all told him to do so.
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 Jan 2, 2012 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
no what i'm saying is irsay said on twitter
Ur feedback is heard n noted
to the fans meaning he also put in consideration what the fans had to say about polian and his son.
Nowhere did i say he did it because of the fans
and on anothor note
Don’t the fans that dislike polian read BBS articles also Bob’s and Phil’s so won’t they comment on the article against polian.
I think you and I...
…are just mired in miscommunication. Seems like we’re saying the same things, just in different ways.
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 Jan 2, 2012 4:01 PM EST up reply actions
then I am also to blame for Polians fireing
using your line of logic
Go Blue!
Revenue - Expenses = Profit
Yeah that was me...
I don’t think it was just Brad. It was a lot of people. I have a blog, they tweeted Irsay, and alot of other fans wrote to him. However, I think when the “toxic environment” article broke, and the mainstream media picked it up it was over for the Polians.
Justin from Los Angeles
by Justin in Los Angeles on Jan 2, 2012 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
I was replying to willyduer that I was on Sirius when the news broke
the way the replies work on here is kinda weird, but whatever.
Justin from Los Angeles
by Justin in Los Angeles on Jan 2, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
Seriously??? LOL LOL LOL
"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"
Just want to say one thing here
Bill Polian did GREAT things in Indianapolis. However, he was a terribly divisive figure, and his presence drove a wedge through our fanbase. Now that he is reportedly gone, it’s time to stop the bickering and get back to simply rooting for the team.
We’ll update the story and provide editorial features today and tomorrow. Keep it here and on Twitter for updates.
As always, thanks for reading. Go Colts.
SB Nation's Indianapolis Colts blogger at Stampede Blue and editor of SB Nation Indiana.
Yes, he drafted Peyton.
That was the right decision. And, he had a 50/50 shot of getting it right. Everything else was because of the greatness of Manning. So, more accurately, would be that ‘Manning did GREAT things in Indianapolis.’ All Polian did was keep Manning from reaching his incredible potential. If we’re really being truthful,…just sayin’.
by Ayrshire on Jan 2, 2012 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Well said
Quitting on perfection, the SB loss, and 2-14 are now in the past. Go Colts!
+1
now fans will be divisive on luck versus rg3 or trading down. LOL
But its good to see someone in the media who stuck to his personal beliefs even if they were no popular and go back and forth or give the “company line”.
by Straight Out The Burbs on Jan 2, 2012 3:21 PM EST up reply actions
He was just there too long
There is no doubt he was instrumental in building the franchise. I’m grateful for that, he’s probably a hall of famer, but it was too much, he was tearing apart what he built. Plus, putting his son in charge was a big mistake.
Justin from Los Angeles
by Justin in Los Angeles on Jan 2, 2012 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Absolutely
"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"
A very correct and gracious statement, Brad
Bill could really evaluate talent, but I agree he could be a cranky old fart and terrible PR man.
I acknowledge speaking up for Bill, and don’t apologize one whit. But, as Jim Irsay said . . .it was time. Polian had gotten stale and it is absolutely the right time for the franchise to make this move.
Thank you Bill Polian for helping guide the Colts back to national prominence, and godspeed.
It has been reported that Tony Dungy would be a general manager for the right team
I think one of the CBS guys said it. I could see him in Indy, Irsay loves him, he comes in as GM and keeps Caldwell..you never know.
please don't make this true
we need Mackenzie
please army don't give irsay that thought...
that would end bad and we have the most likeable staff and coaches but choir boys as players and get beat down like that england team facing the Pats from Family Guy.
by Straight Out The Burbs on Jan 2, 2012 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
lol true we need agressive guys on did who will strike fear on offenses
we only have two who do that freeney and mathis and angerer is becoming the thrid
but you nailed it on the head
I am pulling for mckenzie to be part of this front office. you want proven personnel and he is part of that success. look at what the team did without Rogers, they still brought in the proper pieces that’s the front office I want… one that can build a team and have them play through injuries, rest, etc.
by Straight Out The Burbs on Jan 2, 2012 3:42 PM EST up reply actions
How the mighty have fallen
Bill Polian was great at what he does at one point. He really was. But in the world of “what have you done for me lately” it was time to go.
Here’s to hoping that Caldwell is next to go and that Fisher still wants to “feel like a winner.”
HALLELUJAH
It’s about god damn time they got pink slipped.
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
greatttt!! BBS do your realized that...
90% of your writing material is now gone? hahaha..
"If anything, we want to go out there and step it up. Of course it will be different (without Manning), but it’s one of those things that if it happens, everybody else has to step up. It’s next man up." - Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea
Be careful
What you wish for. I simply hope the next guy in builds a team as good as the Colts have been over the last few years
I’m completely shocked they are gone though. Will definitely be interesting
Yeah, I'm Shure.
by Music Man on Jan 2, 2012 3:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions
WOW
this is news. Good to see that Irsay is proving you guys who doubted that he had the Cajones to pull the trigger.
by BleedingBlueAndWhite on Jan 2, 2012 3:13 PM EST reply actions
You know this goes to show that we occasionally can influence peoples minds with what we say here on the board. Lets plant the seed about Caldwell. Although if that seed hasn’t already germinated then i don’t know what will happen. Also now we know who the real boss is. It came down to Peyton vs Pollian i suspect Irsay chose Peyton.
As confused as a baby in a topless bar.
it's best to fire the GM before the coaches
when the new GM comes in he chooses who he wants as his head coach
Polian was the root of the problem.
I’m not remotely worried about Caldwell. He’ll be gone. My fear was that they simply were going to swap out puppets.
Delusional
"If they want me to be a crazy, emotional, frenzied fan in section 603, then they can't expect me to be reasonable about the business of football"
So..
Does this have any impact on if Manning stays with the Colts. Negative or Positve. Any speculation?
by BleedingBlueAndWhite on Jan 2, 2012 3:17 PM EST reply actions
it won't effect it imo
if peyton can play he’s playing
He lost the locker room?
I bet. I am sure the players were furious with sitting on the bench watching their opportunity to go undefeated go down the drain.
by Odin1980 on Jan 2, 2012 3:17 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
i'm sorry if that was me i would've have came out and said something after that
you don’t get that shot to go undefeated everyday
Finally, Jim Irsay "grew a pair"
According to BBS, Irsay reads this blog so congrats for helping us get rid of the Polians. All those articles insulting them were worth it.
by SpanishColtsFan on Jan 2, 2012 3:19 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You’re evil…lol
stop ruining what has been a good day
by manningtoharrison on Jan 2, 2012 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
I would like to see Gonzalez back
I don’t think the Bill P gave him a chance, I would like to see what he can do, out of the dog house.
I hope not
Go Blue!
Revenue - Expenses = Profit
Effing awesome
I take back everything bad I ever said about Irsay – and I did spew some awfully vicious vitriol
Between his stated loyalty to Peyton and this latest move, Irsay is starting to seem like he has his priorities in order
by manningtoharrison on Jan 2, 2012 3:21 PM EST reply actions
Irsay and Manning
Bill was retiring anyway, so people think it’s crazy but we weren’t going to have Bill around that much anyway. It would be Chris and Chris “ain’t built nothing”. Irsay will end up getting a GM that is OK with Manning staying on. Manning will end as a Colt.
Well there was rumor of friction between the Pollians and Manning.
Is this actually Irsay siding with Manning?
lol i just notice something
were’s the guy using Jim Irsay’s name as an account he said changes was gonna come yesterday.
I think the Polians just became toxic
It was a bad year and stress levels were up and it brought out their bad side. Remember when Irsay had to say something on twitter to Bill P. I think Irsay was just tired of the fight with them.
Why not?
Fisher produced winners in Nashville despite never having an elite QB. As a fan of a Division rival, I promise you I would HATE to see Fisher go to Indy and get Peyton or Luck as his QB.
So what makes us think the player hated bill polian?
I mean… he did draft them all… I’ve heard nothing from any of the players saying they disliked him
He's not their boss anymore...
Anyway, I’m asking how we know that all the players hated him. It’s an honest question: I’ve seen no quotes or evidence of it. Sure we can assume all the players hated him… but I was just wondering..
How is that so ridiculous?
I could see how various players would hate him (IE: Gonzo, Tryon, etc.)
Jim Irsay is one of the smartest, most astute owners ever.
Irsay gets it. Winning matters in a small market like Indy. It makes a big difference in income to the team and in how the community sees the team.
I felt like this year was a “suck for luck” campaign since about week three of the season. It really looked like the Irsays were setting things up so Caldwell would take the fall and Bill would retire and Chris would inherit the Colts with Manning coming back and with the first pick. Looks like Irsay didn’t go for setting things up for junior to be the next executive of the year and losing stuck in his craw just a little bit too much.
Now we’ll get a new GM, and we will see if Caldwell stays. My gut is that there are too many proven good coaches out there to keep Caldwell. That said, I like Caldwell as a human being. He’ll land on his feet when the time comes.
-- Life is to short to take everything serious. Especially sports blogs.
by indymike on Jan 2, 2012 3:43 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Irsay 1 more thing
go and hire this guy for GM pleaseee ohh pleasee http://www.packers.com/team/staff/reggie-mckenzie/1e5734a6-56db-4fb0-a20e-8a8cc786e1b5
"If anything, we want to go out there and step it up. Of course it will be different (without Manning), but it’s one of those things that if it happens, everybody else has to step up. It’s next man up." - Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea
Wow, this is a scary time
Yes, the GM was mediocre and not nearly as effective as he was early in his career, but this is a scary time for the Colts. This could be really good for the team or really bad. Like someone posted previously, all you have to do is look at the post-polian bills and panthers to wonder if the Colts could be heading down a dark road.
I for one hope this means the resigning of players like Wayne and Mathis that have meant so much to the franchise and have shown they are still as effective if not more effective than years past.
"It's about the journey--mine and yours--and the lives we can touch, the legacy we can leave, and the world we can change for the better."
— Tony Dungy
with the polians out... will dungy come back to indy?
in any form that can help with the rebuilding
"If anything, we want to go out there and step it up. Of course it will be different (without Manning), but it’s one of those things that if it happens, everybody else has to step up. It’s next man up." - Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea
I was watching the Dark Knight last night and this line caught my attention and it made me think of this whole situation
“You either die a hero or you live long enough to become the enemy”
Whenever you get stressed, always remember: RDWHAHB
i think so
sometimes I have a bad habit of watching movies on TV that i own lol
Whenever you get stressed, always remember: RDWHAHB
Good riddance is all I can say.
I kinda knew Bill went off the deep end when he called out Pat McAfee for his failures at directional punting. Kind of reminded me of Mr. Burns when he coached Homer’s softball team, demanding that Don Mattingly shave his sideburns.
Anyway, Nate over at Colts Authority appears to be despondent about the firing, and is predicting seasons of famine and pestilence ahead. I dunno, call me dumb, but I haven’t felt this refreshed and optimistic about the franchise in two years. Now hopefully Manning will get a fairer look at ending his career as a Colt from a front office that’s not clouded with (frankly, inexplicable) bitterness towards him.
And if we don’t keep him in the end, at least we know it will be for real reasons, not just crotchetiness.
by HoosierDammit on Jan 2, 2012 4:37 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I think about the only thing that is certain is that things will be different. Maybe BBS and several of the other bloggers will finally get the press credentials they deserve. It’s not 1985 anymore. Yes, BBS, I just said you deserve to get press credentials.
-- Life is to short to take everything serious. Especially sports blogs.
Short of winning the SB
This is turning out to be the best season possible.
anyone with a link to the live press conference?
"If anything, we want to go out there and step it up. Of course it will be different (without Manning), but it’s one of those things that if it happens, everybody else has to step up. It’s next man up." - Pro Bowl safety Antoine Bethea
jim caldwell
still under evaluation
ITS A VVVVVVCCCCCCCCCCC THREEEEEEEEEEEEE
what a horrid, horrid move
you can forget about competing for a superbowl in the manning era. Its going to take quite some time to rebuild the whole roster
I guess I'm in the minority
Because I agree. A complete ransack of the team? Unless something miraculous happens, look for a terrible few seasons (hopefully only a few). Stability is what seems to make football teams successful (Steelers, Packers, Patriots). Look how little CHURN those guys have had over the last 10 years. Rarely can a team dump the entire front off and coaching staff, and bring in all new players, and then generate some positive vibe on the field.
But I’m sure if things go badly next year, this blog will be the first to say “ooops, we were wrong”.
And Manning is "shocked"...
http://www.indystar.com/article/20120102/SPORTS03/120102056/
He usually has no comment, but I’m telling you, he would have never come here without the Polians here.
funny you should say that
For there were several here who yelled “fire” bill polian. Ill wait and see as well. I hope to god this was the right move, but it could easily end up being something Colts fans could live to regret in regards to their wish
by metal_militia on Jan 3, 2012 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
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