The Future of Caldwell and the Polians [Mega-merge]

[1959Colts]

http://www.stampedeb...onday#storyjump

I am sorry to say, But I do fear whats been written will come true...

That the Polians will stay, and they will hire a boring, recycled head coach. Another puppet.

[basketballsteve]

It will be a long time (comparatively) a month or more before the Colts will make any major change. I think they will drag their feet because they will wait for some puzzles pieces to fall into place regarding Manning's health. Doesn't mean some position coaches might be let go immediately but I doubt that Caldwell will get the ax right away and the longer it goes the less likely it will happen. If, however, Irsay has a coach that he really wants and it takes a while for him to secure that coach then I think we could see Caldwell go 4-8 weeks down the line. I think Irsay will call the shots this time on the new coach like he did with Tony.

[Nadine]

I hope that bbs is wrong just because I would really enjoy him being wrong

Other than that, I trust in what ever Irsay decides

He knows a heck of a lot more about it than I do

[turner46992]

out of all the possible coaches they listed as likely to show up in indy next year, Sherman is the only one id like...and Im not even happy with that idea

He brought the packers to an overall record of 53-27 in a 5 year time, I believe....and took them to the playoffs 4 times out the 5....

He is the headcoach at Texas A&M now, and has a record of 25-25..but just signed a contract extension through the year of 2015....so I dont think he will come

[adubb84]

Pretty depressing read at 8:40 in the morning... but I really hope Irsay does make some necessary changes to get the colts back on track (Winnning). With everything going on with the draft to re-signing aging vets and the "hopefull" return of P-money its going to make for interesting off season.

[swflacoltsfans]

A healthy Peyton covers up some of the mistakes. It worked in the regular season for the past ten years. Give this team a few nice draft picks and forget that free agency is a bad thing and we have another sb winner.

[MTC]

Yea it's probably going happen. The Polians need to go, their just going to ruin this franchise even more.

[pacolts56]

I'm not sure how much of that blog I believe.... Chris Polian's alleged skulduggery, for instance, will probably be proven or disproven by how hotly he's pursued by other NFL franchises if and when his days in the Colts front office are over. Being on the outside.... we don't know that these things are true.... but if they are you can bet its known in NFL circles.

Anyway..... we've had a great run with Peyton Manning, and if we can squeeze another 3-4 years as a Super Bowl contender out of the Manning era.... then by all means we should do so if his health, balanced against his contract, allows us to.

BUT, with or without Peyton Manning I think we can and should go forward without Bill Polian, Chris Polian and Jim Caldwell & the offensive staff, so IMO.....Irsay should fire them all.

Any potential new head coach that we'd realistically pursue.... I prefer Brian Billick.... knows full well what Peyton's abilities and strengths are when he's healthy, and would almost certainly have the good sense to continue the offense on its path, with hopefully some upgrades at WR and OG, and a better ball-control and rushing capability. Those very doable tweaks plus a full off-season of OTAs and training camp should have us back to form.

I also think that the continuity we've enjoyed that Irsay talks about centered more on Peyton's coordination with guys like Tom Moore and Howard Mudd anyway. Those guys are gone and I'm not convinced their replacements are up to the task nearly well enough to stay on. OC Clyde Christensen has proven to be as much a clipboard holder as any 3rd string QB is. If Peyton comes back healthy.... I simply don't see how the absence of Christensen and his blank stare will make or break us.

If Peyton's medical outcome and/or contract situation brings bad news and we are forced to move forward with another QB at the helm then a new offensive approach will have to be adopted anyway, because Peyton Manning IS our "system" and its highly doubtful anyone can duplicate it and the offense needs more balance anyway. And I hardly trust the likes of Caldwell and Christensen to maximize the talents of Andrew Luck, Nick Foles or any of the other QB prospects..... in whichever direction the offense goes, post-Manning.

Defensively..... two late season wins against injury-riddled opponents and even a win at Jacksonville Sunday would hardly be enough of an audition for Mike Murphy to absolutely secure the DC job.... but we are playing better. And in fairness, the man has been here for 14 years and has dealt with lousy DT play almost the entire time plus a revolving door of personnel at OLB....so IMO.... he's earned a further look. But if Irsay were to decide that a clean sweep of the coaching staff includes Murphy too.... well, so be it.

As far as the Polians, I respect and credit what Bill did over his years here and I'm all for continuity, but there are also cases in a GMs career when their management style and their nearly-absolute autonomy can become a problem.... whether its stale, abrasive, nepotistic or all of the above.... which by many accounts, Polian's has.

And if Irsay is indeed nearing the time when he intends to transition ownership to his 25 year-old daughter.... then it's all the more reason the Polian's need to go.

I say we should begin the search for a new front office regime and offensive coaching staff this Monday even IF Peyton eventually returns healthy..... and especially if we go forward in another direction and Peyton is gone.

[Smonroe]

I hope that bbs is wrong just because I would really enjoy him being wrong

Other than that, I trust in what ever Irsay decides

He knows a heck of a lot more about it than I do

BBS is the National Enquirer of Colts blogs. His act got old years ago. Everything he posts has to fit his anti-Polian agenda.

Whenever I seen an article (poorly) written by him I just move on.

[JColts72]

What happens, nothing, going to be upset Caldwell still here

[Nadine]

What happens, nothing, going to be upset Caldwell still here

I suspect many agree with you

I'm bracing myself for Colts Fan backlash

[wallieump99]

If Jeff Fisher is available, Caldwell is fired, and Peyton plans to return - any other NFL team will have a very hard time trying to beat out the Colts for Fisher. He'd love to coach Peyton.

[BIGugly]

Dungy will be smokin' the phone lines to Irsay and Polian pleading for Caldwell's retention. I can hear it all now...

"He still has one more year on his contract...He won the last 3 games vs division opponents...He's just now coming into his own...He got you to the Super Bowl once, he can do it again...Manning was hurt all year...PLEEEASE..."

[bap1331]

i feel like its not his fault. idk why but i got him a present for the offseason!

Does anyone have his address?

[Ownagedood]

It's only part his fault.. Hes still a horrible coach nonetheless.

[bap1331]

It's only part his fault.. Hes still a horrible coach nonetheless.

idk about that. Did you see what happened when we fired the DC? Maybe Curtis Painter was just BAD!

I have a feeling that if we had Orlovsky we could have probably been 9-7. With Peyton coming back for the playoffs!

[deedub75]

I'm sure Jim Tressel hand delivered a copy already.

[Coltsman1788]

I feel bad for him as a person. But as a football coach it's time to go. He showed some emotion on the sidelines the last 3 weeks when his future was hanging in the balance. Would have been nice to see the same intensity from him earlier in the season. It is what it is. Next man up.

[MTC]

Goodbye Caldwell!! It's been a nice rinse.

[Balzer40]

I hope Caldwell is packing up his stuff for the last time tomorrow.

[Balzer40]

I feel bad for him as a person. But as a football coach it's time to go. He showed some emotion on the sidelines the last 3 weeks when his future was hanging in the balance. Would have been nice to see the same intensity from him earlier in the season. It is what it is. Next man up.

Noticed the same thing. Funny how rumors of losing your job makes you show like you're at least alive on the sidelines. 3 yrs. here and he started showing emotion 3 weeks ago.

[Big UKE]

Dont know what Steve Beuerlein was reffering too when he said Caldwell did a terrific job this season. How did CBS hire this guy??

[deedub75]

Noticed the same thing. Funny how rumors of losing your job makes you show like you're at least alive on the sidelines. 3 yrs. here and he started showing emotion 3 weeks ago.

His fake show of intensity didn't help much.....

[JoKeR]

Good luck to Jim Caldwell

[chad72]

If we use the theory that Caldwell was given a bad hand given how bad the talent was that was provided to him, then the Polians should go as well. But unfortunately, life is not fair, and Bill Polian has a longer history of success than Caldwell. So, Caldwell is the odd man out and has to go.

I still believe not making defensive (and even offensive) adjustments time after time in the first 13 games, continuing to stick with Curtis Painter a bit too long and expecting him to run the O like Peyton, all of those have to go back to the head coach. That is why Caldwell has to go.

[BillCowher]

idk about that. Did you see what happened when we fired the DC? Maybe Curtis Painter was just BAD!

I have a feeling that if we had Orlovsky we could have probably been 9-7. With Peyton coming back for the playoffs!

Are you out of your mind? Who is in charge? Who had Painter out there and who had the DC as DC?

9-7 with Manning coming back for playoffs and going ot Super Bowl? No wonder people fall for Ponzi schemes.

Caldwell should be coach of the year with your reasoning!

[Zachris]

You have nothing to back up your topic thread. Why do we keep him? Anything? Any thought to it? I can show you countless reasons why we should get rid of him. Why should we keep him?

[BillCowher]

I am so increduouls at this post that I cannot leave it alone. Let's start a post to keep Norv Turner. Lets just keep everyone who is not getting the job done. That's the American way. Keep losers because they are good guys.

Edited January 1, 2012 by Coltssouth
Edited to remove political comment

[coltfily]

If we use the theory that Caldwell was given a bad hand given how bad the talent was that was provided to him, then the Polians should go as well. But unfortunately, life is not fair, and Bill Polian has a longer history of success than Caldwell. So, Caldwell is the odd man out and has to go.

I still believe not making defensive (and even offensive) adjustments time after time in the first 13 games, continuing to stick with Curtis Painter a bit too long and expecting him to run the O like Peyton, all of those have to go back to the head coach. That is why Caldwell has to go.

Please someone help Jim Caldwell pack. Nice man. Horrible coach.

[DILLIGAFER]

Umm, Mr. Caldwell with all do offense.. go away!!!

[JColts72]

Keep Caldwell? Is that a twilight zone episode? He Blows and needs to be part of Black Monday coaching firing-Not Black Monday becasue he's Black; just in case those easily senistive colt fans get wrong idea.

[BillCowher]

Some of the fans drink from the Bill Polian Kool Aid fountain! They will think any way Polian tells them to think.

[MAC]

idk about that. Did you see what happened when we fired the DC? Maybe Curtis Painter was just BAD!

I have a feeling that if we had Orlovsky we could have probably been 9-7. With Peyton coming back for the playoffs!

I like Caldwell and I'm fine with him returning, but as far as Orlovsky is concerned, did you notice that today the Colts couldn't run the ball, Orlovsky had to pass more, and his errors were the difference in the ball game? Rietz not playing was a contributing factor. Painter had his good moments this year as well, but when the oline was wracked with injuries and he had to pass constantly while running for his life, he made errors which were the difference in ballgames. What's the difference? Painter was in there because he is more talented, and if the line were better we would have won more ballgames. But neither one of them is good enough to overcome the line and win anyway - which Peyton clearly can do. The decision to play Painter over Orlovsky was not a major issue.

[ColtsPacersfan]

I am sure Caldwell is a stand up and wonderful human being. But as a Coach he just can't coach. He could not coach at the college levels, just ask any Wake Forest fan. He can't coach at the pro levels! But that being said, its time to canned him. Get a real coach in here. That will light a fire under the players that will get into their faces and etc.

[OLD FAN MAN]

I like Caldwell and I'm fine with him returning, but as far as Orlovsky is concerned, did you notice that today the Colts couldn't run the ball, Orlovsky had to pass more, and his errors were the difference in the ball game? Rietz not playing was a contributing factor. Painter had his good moments this year as well, but when the oline was wracked with injuries and he had to pass constantly while running for his life, he made errors which were the difference in ballgames. What's the difference? Painter was in there because he is more talented, and if the line were better we would have won more ballgames. But neither one of them is good enough to overcome the line and win anyway - which Peyton clearly can do. The decision to play Painter over Orlovsky was not a major issue.

i agree build a brick wall o-line and any average qb can compete, what would brady be without his brick wall o-line?

[Andy]

I want the Colts to interview a bunch of candidates and Caldwell and let them choose who the best guy is. It probably wont be Caldwell.

[Fatboyslim11]

I feel bad for him as a person. But as a football coach it's time to go. He showed some emotion on the sidelines the last 3 weeks when his future was hanging in the balance. Would have been nice to see the same intensity from him earlier in the season. It is what it is. Next man up.

Agreed. Too little, too late.

[OLD FAN MAN]

I want the Colts to interview a bunch of candidates and Caldwell and let them choose who the best guy is. It probably wont be Caldwell.

good plan, lets see if someone else is out there who is better

[billpolianx]

michael lombardi reporting caldwell not going anywhere as long as polian is around per nfl gameday this morning

[BillCowher]

good plan, lets see if someone else is out there who is better

The problem is no great coach will come here as long as Polian is in charge. Polian will not let anyone else have a say. Caldwell is probably safe because he will not challenge Polian.