LightninMax
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Posts posted by LightninMax
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do you have any memories about how bad irsay was? i read on here someone talking about a drunk irsay deciding to fire a coach at halftime or some such.
I do. Too many. I was watching the game when the coach was fired at halftime. Seems like '74 or '75. Look it up in history. Don't remember drunk being mentioned at the time, but in retrospect.... The GM took over in the 2nd half w/Irsay on the sidelines. It started what would become the darkest of days turned into years for a franchise.
Bob's style started with being pompous and autocratic and ended with always taking the "cheapest" path. He seemed extremely reluctant to spend the money needed to build a franchise. While traveling the Fla. keys in the summer of '78 or '79, I remember a Sports Illustrated article interviewing Bob's mother. I was shocked at how scathng a mother could talk about a son. She had absolutely nothing good to say about her own son in a national publication. It was more like a warning to anyone that knew him. Very sad. I truly hope they both found reconciliation and peace.
I think Elway read the same article.
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The forum is based on one simple premise. Please be respectful of others and their opinions and keep it family - friendly.
I don't see why that should be a problem.
There are plenty of forums out there where you can post anything you want, but if you want to post here please abide by the rules you agreed to when becoming a member.
...and it's specifically for this reason that the forum can only be better than the past. I was on the old forum very briefly and left because of the senseless arguing and fighting.
I come to a forum for up to date information, explanations, insight, and discussions among like minded persons. I have found this forum in a short few weeks to meet those objectives. The bonus has been witty, jovial, and salient perspectives by experienced thoughtful participants. At least 90% of them anyway. A high batting average as far as forums especially sports forums go.
This I credit to attentive, diligent, dedicated and wise moderators.
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I'm sure that the Colts have been in Indy long enough for the fans to agree at this point, that a team "belongs" to a city as much as it does to an owner. It shouldn't be so easy for them to get up and go. If the Colts left Indy at this point I would be just as disturbed as I was when they left Baltimore.
I even feel a greater personal ownership everytime I pay for my dinner and my bar bill!
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Public speculation at the time was that Elway didn't have confidence that Bob Irsay was trying to build a championship team. It was not hard believing him to come to this conclusion simply based on the public actions by Bob and his record of leadership in managing the team to that point. I'm sure Elway had his sources that were even closer to the situation. His being drafted in MLB was the key to his leverage. Most players only have the leverage of sitting for a year.
In John's case, he struggled for many years with Denver. It was becoming very common for the sportscasters to question his ability to win. Not being able to win the big one was becoming closely associated with John Elway when Denver developed a solid defense and Terrel Davis became the running game. With a team around him, Elway became comeback winner and final drive expert.
If a player is that dissatisfied then he is fully justified to sit and wait to what he believes is a better situation. Whether it's the right decision or not is only told by future events.
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A year or two more experience is always a plus.
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I will always be thankful to Dungy for our great superbowl win in 2006/07 but Im so sick of him injecting his opinions in on the Colts I could puke. Shut the H up Tony and quit trying to make your incompetent * of a buddy sound like he's a great coach. He was a baffoon with very little skill as a head coach, an embarrassment to the franchise, so just keep your mouth shut Tony. I, for one am glad we have severed all ties from the Tony Dungy era.
I certainly respect your opinion, but there is nothing in what you say that couldn't be further from the truth. You've missed the mark on this one.
There have been times your input and thoughtfullness has given me pause to consider my own perspective. This is not one of those. In fact it really makes one question the judgement with which it was written.
But, to each his own...
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The further Dungy is away from this franchise the better off we are.
Boy are you ever right! Just look at how bad he was for the Colts and Indianapolis all the time he was here!
He never disrespected anyone publicly or privately as far as I know. He was a man of character. He inspired not only players but anyone that knew him. He never made a fool of himself in a press conference or a bar. He suffered personal tragedy(more than once) with dignity and showed people how to be strong and keep your focus on life when you are at your lowest point and most would give up. He readily gave of his time and money to others. He accomplished things with the Colts that haven't been seen since Weeb Ewbank or Don Shula. Simply put he was an example of a man that was a winner in his life, his career, and his relationships.
...and you know what, Jim Caldwell was just as "bad" for this franchise and city.
People of this city should hope and pray that they'll get a new coach that is just as "bad" as Mr. Dungy or Mr. Caldwell.
I must say I'm shocked that more people don't see the logic in this statement by FJC.
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I'm really not sure. First in mind is Eli and Giants passing game, but they have a strong running game. Defensively, again I'm not sure. Bottom line. I think it just insures a knockdown dragout battle. Maybe one for the kickers!
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What if he does retire before bonus time, then unretires and makes new Colts contract and starts next season and takes Colts to the Super Bowl, would the tree still fall in the woods and who would get credit?
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It's after 4:00PM, does that mean that all possible times for press conference announcements are over for today?
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There are no easy games or teams in the NFL, thus the statement, "On any given day..."
I really believe teams approach from both sides of the issue. Teams definitely pursue improving their weakness with the best talent they can find through draft or FA within cap restrictions. If faced with two possible choices at two different areas of the team and only being able to take one, then most teams will protect against divisional rivals first, simply because they play them twice each year.
In the Colts division you better be able to contend with the run or Foster, Jones-Drew, and C. Johnson is going to give you nightmares. Six times in one season alone. Rookie corners and solid cover 2 can protect against the QB's, but you better prepare for the run.
Now if I'm a team in the same division with Brees, Newton, Ryan, and Freeman guess where my priority might be. One must still prepare for all phases of the game, but if it forced to go one minute direction or the other, then the teams you face the most dictate your top priorities.
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I think the big reason we are seeing so much change is that Irsay was not happy with Chris Polian and he knew Bill was paving the way for that transition. Irsay used the 2-14 season as a reason to do it now. He had fan support in the matter, I am not sure I agree with changing everything so quickly, it almost seems to me as Indy is wanting to move on totally. If you really wanted Peyton for another 2-3 years you keep something so he is familiar with.
Its almost like they are doign a total reboot from top to bottom. We will see how it turns out.
I agree with the Polian thing. Bill had one foot in retirement and got forced back in the game last year with Peyton going down. Irsay saw that the man at the top has to be 100% committed and pulled the trigger. Likewise, new GM wants to put together his own team.
Peyton doesn't have to be familiar with anyone but his receivers, he'll handle change better than anyone. Other familiarity(even with a new center if necessary) will just be part of the game to him. It's not a total reboot, more of a cold start.
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Thankfully It is... I'm just not sure what I want to change it too..
Oh, well.... You could always open it up for suggestions from the Colts wire here. There's some bright folks that I"m sure could help!
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There are so many rumors, I've chosen to stick with what I know. Both Manning and Irsay have said all along they both want Peyton to finish his career in Indy. I believe they will figure out how to make that happen. What makes the least sense is to let a healthy Peyton play for any other NFL team.
I believe the real question is, "Can Peyton get healthy enough to still play?"
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Teams really can't rebuild like they could in the past, prior to free agency. They fill the skill positions with the top talent and find adequate talent to plug the gaps. Every year every team loses some of its key people. Every year teams pick up replacements for their key people from the other teams that are losing them. Kinda a team shuffle. Each team does what it takes to hold on to whichever pieces of the puzzle they deem most important. So it's not true rebuilding. Most fans want to win now. Chicago and Houston are two good examples and there are others of teams with great defenses, good running games, and excellent special teams that lost out last season for the lack of a good QB.Why is it so hard to believe the team is rebuilding? The window for a SB for this old team has CLOSED. People talked about it closing years ago and now it has. The Colts are simply rebuilding to make another run and the #1 is a great place to start. We WILL win again. Peyton only won 3 games his first year. It will probably take at least two seasons but we will be back and the way to do it is not to throw a ton of money at aging and declining players. It's hard to let go of a successful era......I get that.......but a new era is beginning and I find it exciting. Just imagine if the team actually gets good in the areas of Defense, Special Teams, and Running Game. It's been so long.
If fans really believe a team is going to sacrifice a few years many of them will take the attitude of "let me know when we're in the hunt and I'll get tickets again'. Short sighted. Sure. That's fandom though.
Your opinion may be right about the window being closed on this team. I don't buy into it though. This team made strides with its running game this past season. We uncovered a new set of talented linebackers and a healthy improvement in the Dline. Put a solid deep threat receiver opposite Reggie Wayne and watch what happens. There is absolutely no reason why we can't build for the future and play for now too!
I wonder how often fans in Cleveland have thought, "we're just a couple years away from having a new and competitive team". There are no guarantees. The highest probabilities for the Colts rest with a healthy Peyton Manning.
Just be Patient!!!
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Some really far out wild rumors floating around, but that is the nature of the beast. Peyton has said all along that he wants to finish his career in indy. Irsay has said all along that he wants Peyton to finish his career in Indy. As of now, I'm still taking each of them at their word.
Peyton has shown a unique willingness over his time in Indy to work with management on his contract to benefit the team. He restructured a few years ago to help resign some veterans. Manning and Irsay have always shown a high level of trust and respect for each other. I've seen no evidence to indicate this has changed. Peyton was good friends with Mora but made the change to Dungy without a hitch. He can do the same again. These men will find a way to make this work.
If Peyton's house is for sale it's probably because he's moving into a bigger one down the street!
The quickest way to a super bowl for any team is one part adequate defense with one part adequate running game and one full part healthy Peyton Manning!
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Some of the posters over the past couple of weeks have been simply viscious and mean spirited. When I look at what's available for replacement, I see many that I would regard as worst choices than Jim Caldwell as head coach and very few that would be any better. Mr. Caldwell is a class person and will turn this change into one for the better.
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In '98 it was very appropriate to talk about heading in a new direction. AFter all, the old direction was being a last place team from "83 till '98 with one season becoming a wild card playoff team. Now we've had a decade of playoff teams. Two super bowl appearances and last season. I think our "direction" has been just fine. Last season was more of a train wreck, but it wasn't caused because our direction was wrong. Just how different will the new direction be?
You know there is the Scrooge direction. A fellow at the bar relayed this thought the other day. He said, "From a business perspective, it could be time to take some profit. After all Irsay now has the city committed to their staying long term, they take every dime of revenue that exists anywhere at anytime within Lucas Oil, and he's rewarded the city with a Super Bowl on site. Cut payroll costs and beef up the coffers. Pay attention to the fan polls and give them what they want, after all if it goes wrong it's what they wanted."
Personnally, I couldn't believe anybody would think that way. I guess in the cold hard nature of the pro sports world anything is possible.
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I thnk it's still to early to talk about "eras". While I've had great respect for Polian's abilities, if he was wanting to retire then that is what he should do. I think Mr. Irsay(his friend) is simply helping him in that direction. I definitely had qualms about installing an unproven Chris. I suspect Mr. Irsay did also.
I had no beefs with Caldwell. I believe he was a solid coach. The blame for this past season starts with the owner and ends with the last player on the practice squad. There are no changes that can be made that will change last seasons results. I read so many posts that seem to want change simply for changes sake. It almost resembles revenge or punishment for making us the fans feel so badly last year.
I've no desire to be be too quick to start over from scratch. The last time I watched the Colts come off a decade of championships and start all over set the Colts into a tailspin that lasted for nearly 20 years. There's no formula that guarantees when you rebuild you'll be back in the big one in just a few years.
You know, there is a worst case scenario. Peyton retires, Luck or whomever doesn't pan out or gets hurt.
As it stands, I truly believe, the quickest way back to a Super Bowl is with a healthy Peyton Manning. The neck not age is the issue. Be patient. Time will tell.
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If it's Giants vs Patriots, I hope New England gets sent home with memories they will never forget of why they can't win in Lucas OIL.
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Honestly, had that been Manning I'd be hollerin' bigtime! It was very clear. I'm not a super fan of the rule, but it is what it is.Delicious hit by Whitner. Wonder if he gets fined for that helmet to helmet hit?
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I really think the Saints are the best team 2 out of 3 times. I wonder how dependent the Saints are on dome play. San Fran's field leaves alot to be desired. For those that don't remember A. Smith and A. Rogers were both drafted in the same year as first round picks. Smith was drafted ahead of Rogers. Don't know that means anything, but fun facts ....
Ok swami sez "Who Dat beat dem Saints?" 49'ers 24-17!
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This is a sound approach. Mac I like the way you think! Personally, I'm good with Caldwell. Maybe I'm not knowledgeable enough to see some of the coaching flaws that so many seem to take for granted. Sure there there was the time out mistake of season before last. It looked to me like JC had good control over the team. Many times teams experiencing losses to the degree of this past season give up and partake in finger pointing. We didn't see that. I certainly applauded the effort each and every week. The team was ready to play. I was proud of this team and I apologize to no one for feeling that way. I was most impressed with the defense that seemed to be always on a short field and always on the field. Rookies as starters were playing as veterans by year end. A revamped Oline produced an improved running game. A few young players looking as if they were becoming ineffectual actually stood out in their performance several times. A replacement Colts LB was near the top of all tacklers in the league. All of these are not only a reflection upon the players but the coaches as well. I'm good with next season being tell tale for JC.Keeping Caldwell for right now is far and away the most logical choice. There is enough going on right now without dumping all the coaches as well. Despite what some seem to think, the Colts are NOT the St Louis Rams - throwing out the baby, the bathwater, the bathtub, and starting over clean. If Grigson decides over time that he'd prefer another coach, he can let Caldwells contract expire and replace him next year - earlier in the offseason and after a proper search - when he is the established GM instead of a newbie who is still trying to figure out where the office supplies are kept.
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Actually, I adjusted in Week 4!
Tony Dungy
in Colts Football
Posted
One reason people admire Tony Dungy is because he was very good at his profession.
Another reason people admire Tony Dungy is because he speaks the truth and often what's on his heart. This attribute is rare among analysts and sportscasters. Most only say what they think others want to hear. Most are afraid to tell their true beliefs. It's what makes Tony so good in the booth. He'll tell if he knows for sure, or his experience, or if it's speculation. That gives perspective to what he says.
He's not trying to persuede anyone. He never tried to take any credit for any of Caldwell's success. In fact Tony attibuted the Colts being in the playoffs season before last to "Caldwell's management of personnel".
From what you've seen, do you really think anyone "persuedes" or "guilts" Jim Irsay into hiring or firing whom he wishes? The lack of past persuasion or guilt management would suggest that is a very myopic view. I would more speculate that when Tony told Mr. Irsay he was leaving and his mind was made up, that Mr. Irsay was thankful that Jim Caldwell was available to step into the head coaching position.
It's my speculation that losing Caldwell in favor of a new team of coaches has more to do with giving a new GM a clean start than because Jim Caldwell was stoic, conservative, etc. The new GM was more a result of the old one wanting to semi-retire than probably anything else.
Words like "incompetant", "*"(short for ^fool^ I assume), and "buffoon" do not in any way shape or form descibe the men to which we speak.
That's the way I see it.