Jim Irsay Back in the War Room for the Colts

This past week we've actually heard quite a bit about Colts owner Jim Irsay, the first significant info about him since his arrest on March 17 on charges of driving while intoxicated and possession of a controlled substance.  Colts COO revealed that Irsay will travel to Atlanta to pitch Indianapolis for the 2018 Super Bowl to the other owners later this month, the first indication that he was out of rehab and getting more involved, and then on Thursday night the Colts owner made a reappearance on twitter, saying:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Just wanna thank ColtsNation for all the love n support! Humbling! Quiet night in DraftRoom/ back at it 2morrow(but I never know with Grigs)</p>&mdash; Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimIrsay/statuses/464600185885429761">May 9, 2014</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Really missed you guys! Your kindness will never be forgotten! Doing everything I can to make 2014-15 season special for all of us! Go Colts</p>&mdash; Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimIrsay/statuses/464608782094716930">May 9, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Thursday night, Colts owner Jim Irsay was present in his team's war room:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>NFL Network shot of Colts war room. Yes, Jim Irsay is there. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Colts&amp;src=hash">#Colts</a> <a href="http://t.co/iqkmDWBqkT">pic.twitter.com/iqkmDWBqkT</a></p>&mdash; Josh Wilson (@Coltsfanwilson) <a href="https://twitter.com/Coltsfanwilson/statuses/464934886328258560">May 10, 2014</a></blockquote>

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Obviously, this is great news for the Colts franchise, as their owner is back.  Punishment from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is certainly coming (and it's expected to be a suspension and a fine), but Goodell himself said that it was most important for Irsay to first get help, and it appears that he has done so.  I'm hoping that he's doing well and it's great seeing him in the Colts' war room.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson agreed, and he said as much last night when asked how it was having Irsay back in the war room:

"It was great.  Great.  He brings great energy, football wisdom, all those years of experience.  He knows how to push my buttons in terms of when we're making a pick to see if I'm really feeling it - same thing with Chuck, he looks you in the eye and he wasn't to know about the player, wants to be able to feel that passion when you're making the pick and know that you really want that guy.  He has a great feel for that kind of thing.  He can kinda usually tell, when you're talking to him, who you like and who you just kinda like or who would maybe just fill a need."

Grigson later said more about Irsay, saying:

"He wants to know the plan.  He wants to know, if he's not there, what we're going to do.  He wants to know the trade value and who I'm talking to, if we're going to trade out of the pick if our guy is not there."

Colts head coach Chuck Pagano also talked about what it was like having Jim Irsay back in the war room:

"It was, like Ryan said, a shot of adrenaline, if you will.  Again, he brings so much to the table and to the organization, and he is the organization, he is the 'shoe.  So to have Jim back in the building and back in the room with us today is pretty darn special."

It is special indeed having the Colts' owner back, and it's a great sign.  I'm happy to see him back, and I'm hoping he got the help he needed and is ready to get back to running the franchise that he loves so much.