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.
This week Bill Polian called into his own show from the road, and after a glitchy, messy production that essentially ended ten minutes early (Bill said goodbye at the 6:50 mark, leaving Bob Lamey flying solo for the final segment), what we got out of the Week Ten episode of the Bill Polian Show is Bill will be at Stanford this weekend presumably to scout the quarterback the Colts will take in April should they have the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
I also got the feeling (and this is pure speculation on my part) that Polian was throwing hints out to listeners that he will be retiring at the end of the 2011 season. Such speculation isn't anything new. Polian is less visible at the complex this year, and his son, Chris, has pretty much taken over all the day-to-day football operations.
Yes, the same Chris Polian many respected personnel people and coaches consider 'toxic.'
Anyway, here's the recap of last night's show, where Bill Polian said the reason for Indy's historic 0-10 start wasn't bad coaching or incompetent management. It was 'fate.'
- Polian said the Colts defense did a good job Sunday.
- Blocking errors, failure to get movement against the Jaguars defensive line, unforced penalties, turnovers, sacks and 'pressures galore' all doomed the offense. Polian said, 'Other than Saints game, this was the worst offensive performance of the year.'
- Polian said he doesn't view Donald Brown as a wasted pick or bust. Said Brown was running better because Colts were blocking differently. He also credited runningbacks coach Gary Walker.
- Polian said Pat Angerer, Philip Wheeler, and Kavell Conner 'play as well as any three linebackers in the league.'
- Bill made it a point to say, 'I told Chris [Polian] today there are a lot of bright spots on this team.' Side note: Lines like these from Bill gave me, and others, the distinct impression that he wil be retiring at season's end.
- After a caller rambled for five minutes about inane nonsense (callers were pretty clueless last night overall), Polian cited injuries as reason Colts are struggling on offense.
- Polian made it clear that trick plays and 'pulling out stops' is 'a prescription for failure.' FYI everyone: Conservative play and 'keeping the stops in' have the Colts at 0-10.
- A caller made the comparison between Jim Caldwell and Mike Davis, former basketball coach at I.U. who took over for Bobby Knight. Polian said he can see how people can compare Caldwell with Mike Davis. However, Polian said the difference is I.U. went down hill after they lost in championship game in 2002 due to Davis being an ineffective coach (that was his insinuation), whereas Colts have regressed not because Caldwell sucks, but because of injuries.
- Polian really had a hard on for Caldwell all show long. Said the play of the safeties and front seven on defense 'speaks volumes' of coaching ability of Caldwell.
- Polian: The future is bright no matter what happens to Peyton Manning going forward.
- A caller asked why Clint Session wasn't given a video tribute for his return game. Polian answered by saying Session didn't play long enough for the Colts to warrant a tribute.
- A caller asked if the Colts plan to bench Curtis Painter and start Dan Orlovsky. Polian answered by saying he was pretty certain Caldwell has not made a decision on starting QB for after bye.
- A caller reminded Polian that, a year ago this time, he had called in and asked about the team's back-up quarterback plan, saying that, 'Without Peyton, this team doesn't win a single game. Not one.' Now, at 0-10, the caller thought it appropriate to remind Bill that he was right and Bill was wrong. ''The fans know talent, and there is none out there,' the caller said. Polian answered by saying they tried to get a quality back-up prior to the start of the season, but couldn't find anyone. 'I don't know who is a bonafide backup quarterback,' Polian said.
- Polian said he his confident Colts will win a game his year.
- Polian said the hit that gave Kerry Collins the mystery concussion no one believes was an actual concussion was an illegal hit. He did not cite the play or the person who made this alleged illegal hit.
- Polian guesses that Dallas Clark will be out three weeks.
- Polian said the 0-10 start is a result of 'fate.'
- 'Fate deals you these kinds of hands.' -Bill Polian
- A caller asked if the Colts will draft Andrew Luck. Polian said he would not comment on any particular player. But, he followed that up by saying he will personally scout at Stanford this weekend.
- Caller told Polian that Curtis Painter is 'horrendous.' 'No one with sound mind can say he's good.' Polian basically told the caller he isn't watching same tape the football operations people are.
- Bill Polian: I take vast majority of the responsibility for team's performance.
Bill then signed off the show 10 minutes prior to its ending.
Thanks to all those who followed along last night. You can follow along too @stampedeblue. Phil Wilson also is now doing live coverage of The Bill Polian Show. Check the Indy Star website and @pwilson24 for details.