Colts fire Bill and Chris Polian

[lb_sa]

Caldwell likely to be next.

[freethrowtommy]

I guess Irsay finally realized that all they brought in was Peyton Manning.

Really, they should just have Peyton be the offensive coordinator of the team and bring in a defensive minded head coach. Caldwell rode in on Dungy's coat tails, he is not a coach...

[pmannings#1fan]

Caldwell likely to be next.

I was reading this but not too sure why Polians are ousted. From 1998 til now Bill has done an exceptional job but I guess when a team is built around 1 superstar it is to be expected. IMHO Caldwell & only Caldwell should be let go.

[Pacerjones20]

other then manning what have they done?.....

[pmannings#1fan]

other then manning what have they done?.....

I thought they brought Wayne in & Addai or built their defensive line up?

[w.engelman]

They where probably fired because they weren't planning on drafting Luck but trading off the pick. If that would have happened Indianapolis probably would have been burned down due to the riot.

[freethrowtommy]

I thought they brought Wayne in & Addai or built their defensive line up?

Addai is an injury prone back and really nothing special. Wayne could be argued as a product of Mr. Manning, but he is still pretty good, so it could go either way.

[pmannings#1fan]

Addai is an injury prone back and really nothing special. Wayne could be argued as a product of Mr. Manning, but he is still pretty good, so it could go either way.

Ok & as for Freeney & Mathis, the top sack duo in the NFL?

[bdubs3316]

Addai is an injury prone back and really nothing special. Wayne could be argued as a product of Mr. Manning, but he is still pretty good, so it could go either way.

How about Freeney and Mathis?

[freethrowtommy]

How about Freeney and Mathis?

So 4 players including Manning and Wayne? You think that makes it a convincing argument to keep them around?

Anyone want to look at how the Patriots did when Brady went down and Cassel came in? Pretty sure they didn't start out 0-13...

[pmannings#1fan]

So 4 players including Manning and Wayne? You think that makes it a convincing argument to keep them around?

Anyone want to look at how the Patriots did when Brady went down and Cassel came in? Pretty sure they didn't start out 0-13...

Also pretty such that our backup QBs suck but when thrown to or running our WRs & RBs were still producing yards & our defense was still stopping....at least our front 7 were!

[freethrowtommy]

Also pretty such that our backup QBs suck but when thrown to or running our WRs & RBs were still producing yards & our defense was still stopping....at least our front 7 were!

Really? They were 29th in run defense. Doesn't look like they were stopping anyone in the front 7...

Actually, their pass defense was 15th... average.

[omahacolts]

There's no doubt Manning was the leader on that field. He commanded his teammates with authority. They've always been bad on run defense and pass defense was always so so. With manning out, and a coach who just didnt look like he cared(kind of the wade philips when he was in dallas) I dont think the colts really cared once they started their losing streak. It sucks that they fired the Polians but you gotta do what you gotta do. Its time to start building for the future and that starts with Luck. Let manning play another 2 or 3 years and lets continue the dynasty

[pmannings#1fan]

Really? They were 29th in run defense. Doesn't look like they were stopping anyone in the front 7...

Actually, their pass defense was 15th... average.

That's fine I'm gonna stop arguing anyways I don't live in Indy anymore, I only followed Manning throughtout his careers so basically I'm done with the Colts. Now that Manning may be done there is no reason for me to follow them or root for the Blue again.

[pskell02]

I don't/haven't followed Indy terribly closely over the years, but I have always thought that their O-line was one of if not the best in the NFL over the last decade. They have never given up many sacks IIRC, which is impressive to me considering they had a relatively slowfooted pocket QB for the whole time.

Whether or not that, plus Manning, Wayne, etc. are enough to save jobs is not something I can answer though.

[BostonNut]

Dang...now who are the Colts going to hire to get rules changed in their favor?

[SethMurphy]

I don't/haven't followed Indy terribly closely over the years, but I have always thought that their O-line was one of if not the best in the NFL over the last decade. They have never given up many sacks IIRC, which is impressive to me considering they had a relatively slowfooted pocket QB for the whole time.

Whether or not that, plus Manning, Wayne, etc. are enough to save jobs is not something I can answer though.

They didn't give up a lot of sacks, but it wasn't all the line's help. Manning was great at getting rid of the ball quickly to avoid the hits.

But you can also see the demise of the line when they chose not to resign Ryan Diem (lost to Tennessee and the difference he has made there)

[NeonStatus]

Dang...now who are the Colts going to hire to get rules changed in their favor?

No one, the Patriots take care of that.

[VintageCards4Me]

Really? They were 29th in run defense. Doesn't look like they were stopping anyone in the front 7...

Actually, their pass defense was 15th... average.

Youre my Aaron Rodgers dude Tommy but cant agree... Their pass defense was terrible. They were 15th against the pass because teams didnt need to throw on em in the second half.... They were riddled with injury and not all that good to begin with. Bullitt hurt them really bad and Brackett didnt help either. Their front 7 is respectable. Good player in Angerer and the DEs of course....

I do agree they needed an overhaul.... The regime wasnt all bad. They swung and missed on a lot of picks but had a few winners too...

[Chiefs2011]

I understand it but don't agree with the move

[BostonNut]

What rules did the Pats influence? :confused:

Illegal Contact is a direct result of Bill Polian complaining about his receivers being roughed up.

No one, the Patriots take care of that.

[bigzig]

What rules did the Pats influence? :confused:

Illegal Contact is a direct result of Bill Polian complaining about his receivers being roughed up.

Wasn't that right after the 2003 championship game where the pats were flat out mugging the Colts wr's?

[IndySportsCards]

Dang...now who are the Colts going to hire to get rules changed in their favor?

http://leafprobably.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/wonder.jpg

[NeonStatus]

What rules did the Pats influence? :confused:

Illegal Contact is a direct result of Bill Polian complaining about his receivers being roughed up.



“Tom Brady Rule.’’

[freethrowtommy]

“Tom Brady Rule.’’

Don't forget the "Tuck Rule"... direct result of Brady's fumble in the AFC Championship. And, yes, it was a fumble...

[BostonNut]

Ummm no. That would be the Carson Palmer rule. Nice try though.


“Tom Brady Rule.’’

[BostonNut]

Oy vey.

The tuck rule was already in place...that was why it was called.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

And it was the division round...not the AFC Championship.

Don't forget the "Tuck Rule"... direct result of Brady's fumble in the AFC Championship. And, yes, it was a fumble...

[freethrowtommy]

Ummm no. That would be the Carson Palmer rule. Nice try though.

Even from Boston.com...

Brady rule: Steps taken to protect QBs' knees - Boston.com (http://articles.boston.com/2009-03-24/sports/29263608_1_brady-rule-chiefs-safety-bernard-pollard-knee)

[BostonNut]

I can play too:

During the off-season, the league's Rules Committee modified the rule regarding low hits on quarterbacks. The new rule prohibited defenders from hitting a passer at or below the knee unless they are blocked into him. Injuries to Palmer, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, and Tampa Bay's Brian Griese were cited as reasons for the new rule. The rule now requires that defenders take every opportunity to avoid hitting a quarterback at or below the knees when the quarterback is in a defenseless position looking to throw with both feet on the ground.

Carson Palmer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carson_Palmer)

Even from Boston.com...

Brady rule: Steps taken to protect QBs' knees - Boston.com (http://articles.boston.com/2009-03-24/sports/29263608_1_brady-rule-chiefs-safety-bernard-pollard-knee)

[freethrowtommy]

I can play too:

During the off-season, the league's Rules Committee modified the rule regarding low hits on quarterbacks. The new rule prohibited defenders from hitting a passer at or below the knee unless they are blocked into him. Injuries to Palmer, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger, and Tampa Bay's Brian Griese were cited as reasons for the new rule. The rule now requires that defenders take every opportunity to avoid hitting a quarterback at or below the knees when the quarterback is in a defenseless position looking to throw with both feet on the ground.

Carson Palmer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carson_Palmer)

I don't see any citation there? Got a better source with the actual rule? You obviously didn't read my link. That has the actual rule and reason for it. Pretty sure any jackass can modify Wikipedia.

[BostonNut]

Sigh...are you EVER wrong? :rolleyes:

The "Brady Rule" is a continuation of the "Palmer Rule." Before Brady players were not allowed to go after the knees. After Brady players were not allowed to go after the quarterback once they were already on the ground.


I don't see any citation there? Got a better source with the actual rule? You obviously didn't read my link. That has the actual rule and reason for it. Pretty sure any jackass can modify Wikipedia.

[freethrowtommy]

Sigh...are you EVER wrong? :rolleyes:

The "Brady Rule" is a continuation of the "Palmer Rule." Before Brady players were not allowed to go after the knees. After Brady players were not allowed to go after the quarterback once they were already on the ground.

I am wrong quite often. Didn't you read where I predicted Clausen would be better than Newton? I was also wrong about the Tuck happening in the AFC Championship game. I have no problem admitting when I am wrong.

You just come in with your "holier than thou" attitude and try to one up me with "I can play that game". If you want to "play that game", at least come with some valid proof in a link.

Don't be so butt-hurt that Brady is pampered by the refs... everyone knows it already... it really will be okay.

[BostonNut]

Oh the irony....

I am wrong quite often. Didn't you read where I predicted Clausen would be better than Newton? I was also wrong about the Tuck happening in the AFC Championship game. I have no problem admitting when I am wrong.

You just come in with your "holier than thou" attitude and try to one up me with "I can play that game". If you want to "play that game", at least come with some valid proof in a link.

Don't be so butt-hurt that Brady is pampered by the refs... everyone knows it already... it really will be okay.

[bdubs3316]

So 4 players including Manning and Wayne? You think that makes it a convincing argument to keep them around?

Anyone want to look at how the Patriots did when Brady went down and Cassel came in? Pretty sure they didn't start out 0-13...

I didnt say that....I was giving more examples than you were willing to admit to, as you said Polian ONLY brought in Manning.

So, willing to admit you misspoke?

[BAMBAM]

I can't believe this thread. Bill Polian will go down as one of the best talent evaluators in the history of the NFL. Colts probably wanted to get rid of Chris and Bill said I'm out as well. If he doesn't retire, Bill Polian will have no problem finding a job.

[JasonH]

I can't believe this thread. Bill Polian will go down as one of the best talent evaluators in the history of the NFL. Colts probably wanted to get rid of Chris and Bill said I'm out as well. If he doesn't retire, Bill Polian will have no problem finding a job.

Exactly! Can't tell Bill to fire Chris so they both had to go. I would also guess that the owner and Bill probably aren't agreeing on what to do with Luck and Peyton. Hard to move forward on such a big decision for your franchise if everyone isn't 100% in agreement.

[jlzinck]

I can't believe this thread. Bill Polian will go down as one of the best talent evaluators in the history of the NFL. Colts probably wanted to get rid of Chris and Bill said I'm out as well. If he doesn't retire, Bill Polian will have no problem finding a job.

This should be the only post that is read in the entire thread.:)!

[Andrew Jones]

This should be the only post that is read in the entire thread.:)!

I disagree. Bill Polian semi-retired and turned the reigns of the Colts over to his son who hasn't proven anything. Polian (either one) hasn't made a good move in years. Look at the Colts' last five 1st round picks - Castonzo didn't show much, Hughes has been a bust, Donald Brown has been mediocre at best, Tony Ugoh (picked in round 2 but they gave up a 1st round pick for the pick) is a joke, and Anthony Gonzalez can't even get on the field. They've had no impact FA signings, given bad contract extensions to veterans, etc. Bill Polian was a great GM at one point in time but his time has passed. Just because someone was good at their job 10 years ago doesn't mean they don't deserve to get fired today, nor does it mean they deserve to get re-hired elsewhere.

[jlzinck]

At least 10 wins in 11 of 14 seaons.
Throw out Mannings rookie season and it 10 wins in 11 or 13 seasons with 14-2 as recenlty as 2 years ago.

I can't see this as reason for firing.

I think it's more about wanting to keep Manning and making Luck a backup for a year or 2 than it is anything else

[Andrew Jones]

The 10+ win seasons were products of the first 10 years of the Polian era when he did a very, very good job. That being said, the last five years have been a disaster. Their last 5 draft classes have produced only a handful of decent NFL players and have been loaded with busts:

2007
1. Anthony Gonzalez
2. Tony Ugoh
3. Daymeion Hughes
3. Quinn Pitcock
4. Brannon Condren
4. Clint Session
5. Roy Hall
5. Michael Coe
7. Keyunta Dawson

2008
2. Mike Pollak
3. Philip Wheeler
4. Jacob Tamme
5. Marcus Howard
6. Tom Santi
6. Steve Justice
6. Mike Hart
6. Pierre Garcon
7. Jamey Richard

2009
1. Donald Brown
2. Fili Moala
3. Jerraud Powers
4. Austin Collie
4. Terrance Taylor
6. Curtis Painter
7. Pat McAfee
7. Jaimie Thomas

2010
1. Jerry Hughes
2. Pat Angerer
3. Kevin Thomas
4. Jacques McClendon
5. Brody Eldridge
7. Ricardo Mathews
7. Kavell Conner
7. Ray Fisher

2011
1. Anthony Castonzo
2. Benjamin Ijalana
3. Drake Nevis
4. Delone Carter
6. Chris Rucker

The Colts roster has virtually no young talent and the depth is terrible. Just look at the results this season. The Colts had the worst record in the league this year. Now, you can say that was mostly due to the injury to Peyton Manning, but Polian's job is to have a Plan B in place if something like that happens (i.e. the Patriots with Matt Cassel). Also, if the roster is talented across the board, a team should still be able to withstand an injury to their starting QB and win a decent number of games, not two.

What have the Polians done over the past five years to justify not being fired? If all you can point to is wins that carried over from the personnel decisions made 5+ years ago, I'd say that speaks volumes.

[BAMBAM]

What have they done ? You act as if everyone drafted should be a stud and play 10 years. The NFL draft is far from an exact science and if you are constantly picking near the bottom in each round you are at a serious disadvantage.

Here are some numbers for you to ponder. Going into the 2010 draft, the Colts had one of the more impressive track records from the previous five years in the entire league. Colts made 43 picks, many were near the bottom of each round because of their success. Of the 43 picks, 2 were pro bowlers, 8 are starters, 23 were backups and only 5 were out of the league all together. The fact that only 5 guys out of 43 mostly bottom of the round picks is out of football is tremendous. A team many consider at the top in drafting the past few years, Green Bay, has had 51 picks, 3 pro bowlers and 12 already out of the league. Plus consider they were usually picking 5 - 10 spots ahead of the Colts and what does that tell you ?

[Andrew Jones]

I don't think every draft pick should be a stud. However, I do think that a front office that believes in building through the draft and doesn't believe in signing FAs should actually hit on a couple of picks per year, especially first rounders. Just take a look at what other successful franchises have done at the bottom of the first round and early-middle rounds of the draft. The Steelers have drafted guys like Pouncey, Woodley, Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, Rashad Mendenhall, etc. The Packers are drafting guys like Clay Matthews, Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, JerMichael Finley, Brian Baluga, and BJ Raji. Meanwhile, the Colts are drafting a bunch of guys who are out of the league and/or were able to win 2 games this year. Saying they have drafted well simply because the guys they selected are starters or backups is misleading because they were starters or backups on the worst team in the league. That's like saying Matt Millen was a good GM because so many of the guys he drafted were starters or backups for the Lions prior to 2011.

You also mentioned Pro Bowlers. The Colts had one Pro Bowler in 2011 - Dwight Freeney, a 1st rounder in 2002. That actually backs up what I'm saying - they haven't drafted well in several years, nor have they made moves via free agency to make up for those poor drafts (like Philadelphia has, for example). If the Polians brought in solid players, they wouldn't have put a 2-14 on the field this season.

You ask what I would have done? Well, I'm not a GM or an owner so I can't tell you what I would have done. However, as good as Bill Polian has been in the past, he hasn't done anything in the past five years that would lead me to believe he didn't deserve to be fired. The NFL is a what have you done for me lately league and the Polians haven't done squat lately. I'm not a Colts fan, but I think they made the right move. They have an opportunity to rebuild that franchise and, given the Polians' recent moves, having someone else in charge of those decisions makes plenty of sense to me.