KappaKidToo
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Posts posted by KappaKidToo
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Touche.
Mudd is another guy that I think got a little bit too much loyalty from the fan base. The offensive line began to crumble, and a lot of that was personnel (blame the Polians), but Mudd liked the smaller, zone scheme linemen, so he deserves some credit/blame there also. He went to the Eagles, and their offensive line wasn't very good the entire time he was there.
And at the end of the day, Mudd and Moore (and Huey as well), while they were good coaches and deserve credit and respect, were all getting up there in age. Eventually they have to be replaced. They were all here for many years, and survived several coaching changes, and all of that is great. The team accomplished a lot of good with those guys as well. But sometimes you have to turn the page, and when guys start getting to their late 60s and early 70s, it's never surprising when the team decides to go in a different direction.
Edit: Remember Dom Anile, front office guy, consultant, cap guy for the Colts? He was let go back in 2009. He was 71, and hasn't worked in the NFL since. Sometimes you have to make changes to your staff. I don't think there's always something nefarious behind it, especially when you're talking about older guys who have been doing it for a long time.
Shhhhh....Don't tell that to Tom Coughlin (66), Monte Kiffin (72), and Dick LeBeau, at the ripe old age of 75, who was born before the Hindenburg exploded. Now THAT's living a full life!
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Well I think there's a difference between being a power hungry bully (which perhaps the Polians were), and making a football decision (which perhaps Huey's firing was). I just didn't see Huey as this reverential figure that should have never been touched.
Turnabout is fair play, my friend lol...... But I do understand.
Reverential, no, but definitely an important cog in the Colts machine that briefly flirted with the word dynasty. How Polian ever saw fit to get rid of Moore and Mudd too was, to me, beyond understanding. But the past, as they say, is prologue.
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http://www.stampedeblue.com/2011/1/18/1942694/gene-huey-was-shocked-he-was-fired
http://www.stampedeblue.com/2011/1/19/1943991/final-word-on-the-gene-huey-firing
Plenty of "outrage" there, not just from Wells, but also the other media guys he quoted, and especially in the comments. There was plenty around here at the time as well (or whatever board we were on back then). Many took to calling Huey the best runningbacks coach in the NFL, and I just don't know about all that.
As far as the Chris Polian situation, yeah Irsay let that get away from him a bit. At least he stepped in before too long and straightened it out. Could say the same thing about the Caldwell promotion. But there wasn't a lot of evidence against Chris Polian at the time, and I think Bill kind of took advantage of the situation to get his son going in the league. Irsay went along.
As that pertains to Gene Huey, however, I think that if the GM wants his own guys in the building, he should be able to bring his own guys in. In a perfect world, the GM would let the head coach make the decisions about the assistants, and I'm not so sure that was happening down the stretch with Caldwell and the Polians. That might be the case with playing time and game day strategy as well. But I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with a GM taking control of his staff, once he's given control. He should bring his guys in, and move on from guys he doesn't believe in.
"The forums, here and elsewhere, went bananas, and I just didn't think it was that big of a deal."
I think that pretty much says it all. Time always reveals whether it works to the GM's advantage or not. However you are correct in that Polian had the authority and caprice to do as he pleased. And with Huey's release, it showed nothing more than a power wielded haphazardly.
A number of teams come to mind which have suffered through a GM, President or even owner's erroneous decisions. Dallas' Cowboys, the L.A. Lakers, and the Baltimore Orioles come immediately to mind, although Peter Angelos finally recognized the need to let go and allowed Dan Duchette to come aboard and get proven baseball people in to help run Angelos' organization.
Oh, and by the way, thanks for the supportive links. Very interesting commentaries to say the least.
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I never really bought into the outrage over Gene Huey being fired.
As Forum Moderator that surprises me. Why the apathy?
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".......As Adamson accurately called it in her Tweet, Gene Huey got fired, folks. The Colts can call it whatever they want, but when someone is 'shocked' that they are no longer employed anymore, that tends to suggest that the termination was something they did not see coming.
Again, Gene deserved better than this from a team he helped build into a powerhouse.Huey coached 304 games as an assistant in Indianapolis, the longest of any assistant infranchise history. Bill Polian and Jim Irsay should be ashamed of themselves."
Good one DW! It's unfortunate that such a loyal employee should have to take such a hit, but that's what happened. I'm sure Huey lifted a cold one, middle finger extended, when word came of Polian's dismissal. Hopefully we'll see him attending sessions at Anderson this summer.
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I'm with you totally on the fact that Polian was pretty much a tyrant and IMO , not a very smart one the last 5-6 years. I do think you might be missing the key element in what you have above. I don't think coaches were being made scape goats , instead it was later leaked out that Chris Polian could not get along with these guys. I don't ever remember anything even hinting that these coaches were not doing the job. At the time it appeared that Moore and Mudd where just calling it quits after many years. We later saw that this was not the case. Pretty sure it was a Chris Polian issue.
Perhaps it was not conveyed in a manner which was understood, but that's exactly what I was trying to say. Most of the guys who were released didn't get on board with the "Polian Way", especially the personnel guys, who did nothing more than do their jobs and in the process made Uncle Bill look like a genius. Keep in mind that the son can only get away with what the father allows...Like the Lord Acton quote says: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Don't get me wrong, when Bill first arrived on the scene, he was well received and did great things. But things got out of hand. Once he surrounded himself with his guys (yes men) and turned the reins over to Chris to run a war room draft board, with plans to promote the son to his position as President when he retired, it became obvious that a shake up was needed
Glad it happened when it did.
Regarding Huey, I do believe that he was held accountable for the lack of rushing game. Maybe not others as much, but Gene? Definitely.
And yes, you were right, it was leaked to the public. Look no further than Mudd and Moore; the former more than the latter.
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Ahem.......Moving on, the last day of OTAs is tomorrow. Hasselbeck has looked solid; Luck has looked even better. Better pay attention or you'll miss the last day of organized activities for about a month or so.
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Yeah man tin foil. Stops the government from reading your thoughts lol.
And if you can't tell I'm having a bit of fun with you, I'm having a bit of fun with you.
I think I picked that up awhile ago, Mensa Man. I'm simply allowing you to get your jollies during a slow football period. If you haven't picked up that I'm toying with you........
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I guess this goes down to your definition of decent. Plenty of Qbs have started in the NFL who do not fall into that category in my book. Decent backup QBs? I'd say Fitzpatrick, Hasselbeck, Moore, Kolb... I'm not in the mood to think too hard, but I don't think there are many more than that.
All of those are acceptable with the exception of Kolb, who I think is overrated, even as a number 2 backup. I think Anderson and Wallace have outplayed him on a number of occasions. And of course I meant to include Hasselbeck earlier.
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Can't say I agree personally. The Texans game at LOS when a win put the #1 overall pick in jeopardy was proof enough for me.
Also, I think people underestimate how difficult it is to get a quality backup QB in this league. The good ones all wanna start.
Decent players can be had, especially when they hang out there a little too long and realize that their salary demands won't be met. Former starting QBs content with back up roles? How about Seneca Wallace with the Saints or Derek Anderson (Carolina)? Look how hard JaMarcus Russell (good luck with that one, JaMarcus) is trying to get back in the league.
I'll have to rethink that last one.....After all, I did say decent.
Seriously, House,..........Tin foil? Then again..........Hmmmmmmm?
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You sure know speculation and conjecture that's for sure
I didn't read a single thing that would resemble evidence.
That's all we're left with at this point: speculation and conjecture, isn't it? Not even the slightest shred of evidence.
Don't you also find it interesting that those who didn't always agree with Uncle Bill Polian's "my way or the highway" authority were unceremoniously released or "retired"? Names like Moore, Mudd, Anile, Champlin, Huey, and Powers come to mind. Bright minds all.....Or maybe you don't find it interesting. Gene Huey, long a mainstay in the Colt coaching stable, became a scapegoat when the offensive line became suspect. He wasn't the OL coach, so why was he given his walking papers? Wasn't he the RB coach during the Marshall Faulk, Edgerrin James and Dominic Rhodes eras?
Uh ohh.........Shift change and the night nurse is coming around with the meds.
Gotta go.
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Thanks. I can live with that. Here is what I do know. Management showed it's hand in 2009 by pulling its starters during an undefeated season and allowed a team (NYJ) that was behind to come back and win. If you looked on the sidelines, you could clearly see that the players did not want to let up on the gas and allow an opportunity to slip away. Fast forward to 2011, when it became apparent that Peyton Manning was not going to be able to play. The team physicians knew it early on and so did management. Curtis Painter, who had done absolutely nothing to indicate, in previous seasons, that he was remotely capable to doing anything more than correctly holding a clipboard was virtually handed the reins and looked terrible in the process. Scrambling at the last moment, Bill Polian virtually threw money away to convince Kerry Collins to come out of retirement hoping that there was at least a quarter of gas left in his tank. Backup Dan Orlovsky was never given an honest chance to start until late in the season. Not saying that Orlovsky would have been able to turn the team's fortunes around, but his play indicated that he did not want to be labeled as a loser again, given he had been part of the quartet in Detroit that failed to win a game in 2008. Orlovsky kept the team competitive and should have been inserted earlier.
But, then again, I'm delusional so what do I know.
:clap:
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Like New Colt Fan's emoticons indicated earlier, you two have been going at it for quite some time. This is almost like a congressional hearing!
AMG, I think your point is valid. Hasselbeck costs way more in salary and cap space, but he provides a level of comfort, experience, and familiarity within the AFC South and throughout the league in general. Had we had him here when #18 was on board, Manning still would have him on all aspects of the game, but it would have been nice to have a quality backup at the ready. On the other hand, had Hasselbeck been here at that time, we wouldn't have been nearly as putrid, our deficiencies wouldn't have been glaringly apparent, and we DEFINITELY would not been in a position to draft St. Andrew, who has already rescued us from NFL purgatory and is on track to put us on an annual hunt for the Lombardi after a one year hiatus. So we'll count the "Suck for Luck" campaign as a successful one. I don't care what spin Uncle Bill has said subsequently, anyone who thinks that Polian didn't intentionally tank the season once it became obvious that the season was lost is kidding themselves. I've read his comments after the fact. For those of you who think differently, feel free to follow him without question. Spare me a rehashing of the details
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AMG and Narcosys, save the broadsides for the trolls in Nashville, East Rutherford, Houston, and Denver. And while we don't play New England this year (surprise, surprise, SURPRISE!), you can definitely count on a troll or two from Foxborough to pop up like a dandelion on the back nine at Augusta. It's gonna happen.
Be content that the both of you are rooting for the same team. You could tag team and wear the rest of us out........
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So please summarize what message were suppose to get? Are we supposed to feel angry and bitter like other Baltimore fans, feel unjustifiably betrayed? Please, tell me.
Recognition and respect, my good man; no more, no less. Regarding to your link, read between the lines. Read the first sentence of the letter again and recognize the team's need to send a letter in the first place. I did not make the news, nor was it ever substantiated; I simply asked if you remembered it. A memo going to such great lengths to explain management's actions was done for a reason. Namely, that there were a number of rumors swirling around during that time.
Look, I seek neither to vindicate my position or condemn yours. Old Crow said it best: "...While distinct, separate eras, they are inescapably linked. It remains the same Colt franchise from years ago.....whether you like it or not. And there will be those who will bring up the move from time to time. Their voice is no less legitimate than yours.
Tell 'im, Stryker..Case closed.
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The board has heard the story, but the message has obviously not registered. Your response confirms it.
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Narcosys, allow me to put it in proper perspective. I can remember when my dad used to take me to Memorial Stadium. All of my friends and family at the time were Washington Redskin fans, but we could never get tickets. When the two teams would play (regular or exhibition) games, we went to Baltimore. As a result, I became a Colt fan. I vaguely remember Johnny U, but did get a chance to watch him, as well as Earl Morrall, John Mackey, Bubba Smith and Tom Matte. As time went on, those players were replaced by the likes of Bert Jones, Roger Carr, Glenn Doughty, Freddie Scott, Fred Cook, Lydell Mitchell, Ray Chester, and Joe Ehrmann, whose name echoed through the stadium when he made a sack because the announcer (and crowd) prolonged the "R" in his name, much like the announcers do at Latin American soccer games. We sat on metal benches in the end zone and when the team was either in trouble or about the score, the crowd would stomp on those benches and make such a loud noise that it occasionally influenced the outcome. We had lukewarm hot dogs, cold sodas, and even colder beer. Denver has Coors, but the Colts had National Bohemian (or as the locals called it, National "Bo"). It was amazing to be able to root for a team and have updates during EVERY newscast. The Colts now use Anderson University's facilities, but back then everything was held in Westminster, MD. I recall staying up to watch Joe Washington single-handedly beat (of ALL teams), the New England Patriots on MNF, with Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford, and "Dandy Don" Meredith looking on in disbelief. I jumped as high as Jim O'Brien did when he kicked the winning field goal to beat the Cowboys in SBV - the first super bowl after the AFL-NFL merger........
I also remember when the Colts left in the middle of the night to go to Indianapolis. We all blamed the Maryland legislature, but we REALLY hated Bob Irsay, who had purchased the team only a short time earlier. The team had fallen on hard times and attendance was at rock bottom. As a businessman, Irsay did what most businessmen would do; he left for a sweeter deal. However, it was the way in which it was done which sealed his fate in the hearts of the good people of Baltimore. A lot of grown men cried in the aftermath. Even the mayor, "Hisonner" William Donald Schaeffer, whose beloved status took a huge hit which never recovered, shed tears as well.
I'm proud of this team and pleased that the son, Jim, has not embodied the same ideals, wrath, and attitude as his father. Keep in mind, that at one point in time before LOS was built there were rumblings that the Colts' hand might be forced and the team might leave for sunny LA. You might not remember this, but I do.......
We can all celebrate our team's success, but also recognize the cost and livelihood of some that were forced to deal with the "unthinkable." Why do you think that Browns' fans so loathed respected but departed owner Art Modell?
Can you imagine the city of Chicago being without the Bears or the Rooneys selling the team and having the Steelers move? Like I said, appreciate and adore the Colts, but have some respect for Charm City. Not many will admit it, but there were many older Ravens' fans who secretly cheered and nodded in approval for Dungy and Manning during SBXLI as the Colts beat the Bears.
The love is still there, but it's buried under the weight of a Mayflower Van.
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Must be a slow newsday for OTAs and random football news on ESPN. Suzy Culver and the gang at NFL32 led off the show with Hasselbeck's comments about St. Andrew and launched into a segment regarding sophomore players and expectations. Guess Matt must have been REALLY impressed with Luck huh?
As far as Polian goes, he is certainly a good football guy and I'll be the first to admit that, once upon a time, I trusted him implicitly with ALL of his personnel moves, but I had a hard time with his bringing on his sons at the expense of great football minds like Dom Anile, Clyde Powers, and Steve Champlin. These guys were never fully recognized for doing their due diligence and making Polian look as good as he did during the dynasty years in which we ruled the AFC South. It wasn't until their forced departures and the questionable nepotism by Papa Polian toward his sons that we started seeing the "Real Deal with Bill."
Regarding the restructuring of contracts, I vaguely remember that we did do it, Manning in particular, to create cap space. I believe he did it after we won the Super Bowl..... And he wasn't the only one. Need some help here guys. Anybody else remember this?
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Yes of course the value of an experienced, proven backup is their ability to come in when the #1 goes down... but the reason for Hasselback's large contract is that his added value lies in his tutelage and video room expertise.
All of the above!
And for those of you counting, that's 8 Hasselbacks, nine counting the original post. Mom Hasselbeck would take exception to that..... lol
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By a considerable distance, yes. Two entirely different situations though, how much would Manning have benefited from Hasselback's experience?
Too true, Anton. But it always pays to have an experienced QB in the fold. For a long, long, time, the Colts were able to get away with inexperienced quarterbacks who were more than content to chart plays and look the part of a qualified backup. We later discovered that both Jim Sorgi and Curtis Painter were unfit replacements. Subsequently, so did the Giants and Ravens, respectively.
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Kevin, you beat me to it. Great insight...
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Agreed RC, but I also believe, like TKnight alluded to, that Luck will benefit from Hasselbeck's experience in ways that Drew Stanton couldn't. He'll be worth his weight just to be able to lend a hand with preparing for the Titans and the other teams in the AFC South, as he started in 8 games for Tennessee last year. One more thing will be evident, especially, during preseason. Should Matt go under center, all things being equal, he'll be able to move the chains and "matriculate" (thanks Hank) the ball downfield.
If you'll painfully remember when a certain player wearing #18 went down to injury, we had no one to pick up the slack. Now we do. A lesson learned the hard way....
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Nice piece on Hilton and great to read comments from a WR who wants to get better, rather than reading boasts from a guy who thinks he's already "made it." Hilton was a beast at FIU in South Florida, but some football experts thought he was too slight to be factor in his first year. So glad he proved them wrong. Here's hoping Coach Pep digs through the film archives and rings Coach Moore to get some additional wrinkles to the playbook. I know Hamilton is his own man and more than capable on his own, but we have a veritable treasure trove of potential firepower at our disposal. It would be a shame not to use it to our advantage. One more thing....Baylor University's program, as of late, has really been working to produce some exceptional wideouts. Keep an eye on undrafted free agent Lanear Sampson.
Heard it here first......
Ahmad Bradshaw visiting Colts/Colts now in 'heavy negotiations' with Bradshaw again. (merge)
in Colts Football
Posted
Old Rotoworld reports, but still worth a look: (uh ohhhh)
Feb 2, 2013:
Despite the "minor" scope, yet another foot surgery is yet another red flag on Bradshaw's chronically injured feet. The latest procedure replaced a screw in his right foot. Bradshaw has now undergone three separate surgeries on his right foot, in addition to a left foot operation and surgeries on both ankles. The buildup of all the surgeries is an obvious concern for the 27-year-old's outlook. We expect 2012 first-round pick David Wilson to receive every opportunity to replace Bradshaw as the Giants' feature back in 2013 training camp. After the season, Bradshaw said he wasn't even convinced he'd be back in New York at his scheduled $3.75 million salary.
Source: Jenny Vrentas on Twitter
Feb 5, 2013:
Ahmad Bradshaw's latest right foot procedure replaced a smaller screw with a larger one.The original screw was implanted following the 2009 season, but a 2011 fracture and 2012 bone bruise complicated matters. There are fractures -- plural -- now requiring a larger screw to hold them together. "It was giving me a little bit of problems, and now I feel a whole lot better," Bradshaw said, which is no departure from what he claims every offseason. "I just went through too much this year." Bradshaw expects to be able to put weight on his foot this week and be cleared for workouts in eight weeks. He'll carry a ton of red flags into his age-28 season.
Source: Newark Star-Ledger
Since we seem to be acquiring players who have recurring foot issues, does anyone know whether there are any manufacturers out there that make orthotic boots in speed blue? It's always good to know these things well in advance..... Let's hope for the best.