Pat Kirwan is calling you out.

[Patagonia Chris]

Do you have links to back up that claim?

 

Also this "No, they had a hard time selling tickets in general after one bad season" does not equal this "I would say that the percentage used for away games would be a much better indicator of a teams fan base,"

 

To my knowledge there is no person or software who keeps statistics of the number of home team fans vs. the number of away teams fans at games so that's a mute point on both ends. However, there are still many articles on the internet that discuss the Colts troubles with selling tickets going into the 2012 season that can be found by doing a simple google search. Despite the fact that they had just drafted a once in a generation QB.

 

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2012/5/30/3052497/the-issue-with-the-colts-ticket-sales

 

http://www.ibj.com/articles/35850-colts-sellout-streak-in-danger-single-game-tickets-set-to-go-on-sale

 

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2012-05-28/indianapolis-colts-peyton-manning-andrew-luck-drop-in-ticket-sales

[Patagonia Chris]

It didn't have anything to do with the temperature. Hell, they ice fish for god's sake.

Anyway, why should people plunk down money for season tickets if they not sure what the direction of the team is? Fans don't owe the franchise any kind of blind loyalty.

 

A small amount of people in a city go ice fishing so the whole fan base should have no problem sitting through a game that could potentially leave them frost bit.

 

[BOTT]

A small amount of people in a city go ice fishing so the whole fan base should have no problem sitting through a game that could potentially leave them frost bit.

Yes, because it is out of the norm for Green Bay fans to attend a cold temperature game. You do know where GB is located, right? But you can keep arguing to argue and posting cute lil pictures....

[AntonMcG]

You still have offered no ideas or solutions how to improve... The only thing you fall back on is "well it's not that bad". I'd like to remind you that you are on a message board with Colts fans who are a little more passionate than your average couch potato. The purpose of this board is to discuss issues regarding "your team". Not to sit back and make fun of people who seem to know a little bit more about football and care a little bit more than you do. There is nothing wrong with being a ho-hum aww shucks type of fan, but don't call me out for discussing obvious glaring issues. If you want to hear something profound and original a sports forum isn't the place to be hanging around. 

 

While I do not yell at the TV.. I rarely change my posture during games.. But I'm pretty sure you don't even watch them. We need fans that support the Colts no matter what, I get it..

 

The most important measure you can give a football team is the eye test, and it's clear your "academic view" of Colts has led you to a false sense of hope.

 

So far all I've got from you was 1.) ZZZZ 2.) Crap about how I'm just like any other fan after I requested that you refute any of my first post 3.) More crap about how I like to yell and throw things at my TV LOL

 

You sir are a piece of work. If you're not going to respond to any of my questions and instead make veiled personal attacks, do us all a favor and don't respond. 

 

I am well aware of the purpose of this board, I have been coming here and to the previous board for ten years. And I have yet to miss a game in that period, or long before that.

 

My solutions are time, patience and progress.

 

We have serious issues with the interior line, but, we also had the second highest average snap-to-QB-release time in the league last year, and that trend has continued. This year, unlike the tail-end of last year, we have more options for the short and intermediate routes, but we have a very complex playbook and getting all of those pieces in place and gelling takes more than training camp. So in the interim, we have tried things on offense that haven't worked, but anyone who believes we are not going to get significantly better in that regard as the season goes on is simply foolish.

 

We are also giving away an inordinate amount of penalties on offense whilst 2 years ago we were the least penalized team in the league, this is something that will undoubtedly be corrected as it has cost us dearly in our opening two games.

 

Our run blocking has been very poor, and a lot of that is down to the interior line. Herremans is pathetic in that regard and Louis isn't much better. The coaching staff and GM have continually missed on the interior line, and I have never been a fan of the blocking schemes. However, no team is perfect... they have drafted and signed FA interior linemen and they simply haven't worked out due to injuries and poor play, that happens. It is not a reason to give up on the season.

 

Our big problems on defense last year were covering TE's (or anyone over the middle), pass rush without blitzing and run-stuffing against the Patriots (and only the Patriots). Grigson and the coaching staff seem to have made efforts the combat these deficiencies and I believe our pass rush will come good as the season progresses. Our run defense has been stout. Defending the middle of the field has been okay.

 

I don't buy into this rhetoric that the same problems have existed for four years, with the exception of the interior line, but efforts were made, they just did not work out.

 

We are a better team than we were last year, and to judge this team on the opening to games, in isolation and without perspective, is silly. Football is situational, a fix this week is not the fix next week. If you are going to try and fail, try and fail early in the season, then learn and evolve, a la 2014 Patriots

 

If we get all of our key players on the field, and on the same page, we will be fine. The coaching staff will make the necessary adjustments because they know they have to.

 

If changes need to happen, do it at the end of the year, when the season can be evaluated in a more holistic sense.

 

Until then, appreciate the fact that things can come together and there is still plenty of room for optimism.

 

Or else continue to wallow in the 'major league' fandom, but don't try to bring the rest of us down with you.

[Patagonia Chris]

Yes, because it is out of the norm for Green Bay fans to attend a cold temperature game. You do know where GB is located, right? But you can keep arguing to argue and posting cute lil pictures....

 

There is a difference between a cold weather game and a game that can leave you with frost bite. Their ticket sales are just fine in December. -20 degrees with the wind chill was the projected forecast for that game. That game was the exception, not the rule. The Packers had also gone 8-7-1 and didn't clinch the division until the last game of the season, so most fans didn't probably didn't buy their playoff tickets by the deadline. Especially since Aaron Rodgers had been injured most of the season. The Colts still had DOUBLE the amount of tickets left on that Wednesday leading up to the game though despite playing indoors. Thanks for proving my point.

 

http://nypost.com/2014/01/02/nfl-playoff-games-including-lambeau-struggling-to-sell-out/

[aaron11]

When did we go 0-8? More hyperbole...

 

started the 2011 season 0-13

 

fun fact, the colts have more 3 win or less seasons than any other team since the 16 game format. 

[AntonMcG]

started the 2011 season 0-13

 

fun fact, the colts have more 3 win or less seasons than any other team since the 16 game format. 

 

Yeah I know that, I was referring to this year...

[aaron11]

 The Colts still had DOUBLE the amount of tickets left on that Wednesday leading up to the game though despite playing indoors. Thanks for proving my point.

 

http://nypost.com/2014/01/02/nfl-playoff-games-including-lambeau-struggling-to-sell-out/

the weather sucked here too.  that was the worst winter in 100 years for most of the country. this isn't green bay where everyone is used to dealing with that much snow.

 

also there was a fairly small window to buy the tickets

[aaron11]

Yeah I know that, I was referring to this year...

sorry i havn't read the entire thread for context

[Patagonia Chris]

the weather sucked here too.  that was the worst winter in 100 years for most of the country. this isn't green bay where everyone is used to dealing with that much snow.

 

also there was a fairly small window to buy the tickets

 

There was a snow storm that night but it wasn't until hours after the game. I was at that game (like every other home game). Road conditions were fine all over central Indiana leading up to that game.

[Yoshinator]

Look, we aren't doomed yet as long as the secondary returns and Luck gets his act together. There are bright spots right now. If Luck struggles against the Titans, there's reason for concern, give it one more week. Donte Moncrief and this rookie class is doing amazing. 

[aaron11]

There was a snow storm that night but it wasn't until hours after the game. I was at that game (like every other home game). Road conditions were fine all over central Indiana leading up to that game.

it was cold and there was a threat of bad weather coming in.  that's enough to make people think twice

 

people were fed up with that winter at that point

 

the Bengals had similar problems iirc too.

 

you are making a mountain out of a mole hill here

[ColtsfaninTexas]

I am well aware of the purpose of this board, I have been coming here and to the previous board for ten years. And I have yet to miss a game in that period, or long before that.

 

My solutions are time, patience and progress.

 

We have serious issues with the interior line, but, we also had the second highest average snap-to-QB-release time in the league last year, and that trend has continued. This year, unlike the tail-end of last year, we have more options for the short and intermediate routes, but we have a very complex playbook and getting all of those pieces in place and gelling takes more than training camp. So in the interim, we have tried things on offense that haven't worked, but anyone who believes we are not going to get significantly better in that regard as the season goes on is simply foolish.

 

We are also giving away an inordinate amount of penalties on offense whilst 2 years ago we were the least penalized team in the league, this is something that will undoubtedly be corrected as it has cost us dearly in our opening two games.

 

Our run blocking has been very poor, and a lot of that is down to the interior line. Herremans is pathetic in that regard and Louis isn't much better. The coaching staff and GM have continually missed on the interior line, and I have never been a fan of the blocking schemes. However, no team is perfect... they have drafted and signed FA interior linemen and they simply haven't worked out due to injuries and poor play, that happens. It is not a reason to give up on the season.

 

Our big problems on defense last year were covering TE's (or anyone over the middle), pass rush without blitzing and run-stuffing against the Patriots (and only the Patriots). Grigson and the coaching staff seem to have made efforts the combat these deficiencies and I believe our pass rush will come good as the season progresses. Our run defense has been stout. Defending the middle of the field has been okay.

 

I don't buy into this rhetoric that the same problems have existed for four years, with the exception of the interior line, but efforts were made, they just did not work out.

 

We are a better team than we were last year, and to judge this team on the opening to games, in isolation and without perspective, is silly. Football is situational, a fix this week is not the fix next week. If you are going to try and fail, try and fail early in the season, then learn and evolve, a la 2014 Patriots

 

If we get all of our key players on the field, and on the same page, we will be fine. The coaching staff will make the necessary adjustments because they know they have to.

 

If changes need to happen, do it at the end of the year, when the season can be evaluated in a more holistic sense.

 

Until then, appreciate the fact that things can come together and there is still plenty of room for optimism.

 

Or else continue to wallow in the 'major league' fandom, but don't try to bring the rest of us down with you.

 

 

I'm gonna generalize some of your polite tirade

 

Correctable Issues

Penalties

Turnovers

Missed FG's

Not being able to put the ball in the endzone

 

Perrenial Issues - Less Correctable

Seemingly being outschemed by opposing coaches or being too "predictable"

Not being able to protect Andrew Luck (see below)

Andrew Luck holds onto ball

Slow offensive starts -

     A lot of Andrew's stats in year 1 were garbage stats when teams started to relax schematically. 

 

Improvements so far 2015

Run blocking (more runs against a defense that is creased and first contact is behind the DL)

Run Defense (much improved against 2 very good rushing teams)

 

 

So let's fix all of the easily correctable issues, and we beat the jets and own the AFC South.. So what? If we can't improve on the things that have plagued us since Andrew and Chuck got here, then we aren't going to make any serious push in the playoffs. 

 

I am judging this team two games into the season but also using the last few years as a guide... We still can't protect Andrew, and we still have slow starts.  

[BOTT]

There is a difference between a cold weather game and a game that can leave you with frost bite. Their ticket sales are just fine in December. -20 degrees with the wind chill was the projected forecast for that game. That game was the exception, not the rule. The Packers had also gone 8-7-1 and didn't clinch the division until the last game of the season, so most fans didn't probably didn't buy their playoff tickets by the deadline. Especially since Aaron Rodgers had been injured most of the season. The Colts still had DOUBLE the amount of tickets left on that Wednesday leading up to the game though despite playing indoors. Thanks for proving my point.

 

http://nypost.com/2014/01/02/nfl-playoff-games-including-lambeau-struggling-to-sell-out/

good god, posters like you are annoying. You pull a statement out of nowhere about the brawl then go looking for internet links to prove that Indy has bad fans. Ok....you win.

Edited September 26, 2015 by SteelCityColt

[ColtsfaninTexas]

good god, posters like you are annoying. You pull a statement out of your * about the brawl then go looking for internet links to prove that Indy has bad fans. Ok....you win.

Kinda agree.. just not as adamantly. Comparing the colts fan base to Green Bay who has been in once city for almost 100 years is a little off. 

 

Also comparing the Colts to a major market team like the Jets or the Giants is ill advised

 

Indianapolis is the 33rd largest MSA in the country with just under 2 million(Indy - Carmel - Muncie). There is 5 times the population of our MSA within the 5 burroughs of NYC.. NYC's MSA has 10x greater population than Indy.

 

SO, there is far greater demand for athletic events in the major markets. Add on top the fact the colts are relatively new to the city and took a while to endear itself to the fans, we're not doing too bad.. 

[BOTT]

Kinda agree.. just not as adamantly. Comparing the colts fan base to Green Bay who has been in once city for almost 100 years is a little off. 

 

Also comparing the Colts to a major market team like the Jets or the Giants is ill advised

 

Indianapolis is the 33rd largest MSA in the country with just under 2 million(Indy - Carmel - Muncie). There is 5 times the population of our MSA within the 5 burroughs of NYC.. NYC's MSA has 10x greater population than Indy.

 

SO, there is far greater demand for athletic events in the major markets. Add on top the fact the colts are relatively new to the city and took a while to endear itself to the fans, we're not doing too bad..

i wasn't disputing any of what you just wrote. Colts fan probably aren't as dedicated as packers/steelers fans, but who cares....not many fans are. Fans here are about average for the league...and that was my point.

[ColtsfaninTexas]

i wasn't disputing any of what you just wrote. Colts fan probably aren't as dedicated as packers/steelers fans, but who cares....not many fans are. Fans here are about average for the league...and that was my point.

I'm confused, hah. I thought I was agreeing with you... The other poster was complaining that we had more available tickets than the Packers... Kinda forgone that they have a more rabid & engaged fan base compared to Indy.

 

I think when you compare the colts to the other new teams in the league, we are pretty solid... Albiet a little fair-weatherish. Some of that shows itself in the ticket sales due to the lack of demand in our market... I'm sure other fan bases have just as many people dumping their tickets when the team isn't playing well.

 

Heck I went to arrowhead a couple years back and they didn't sell out Arrowhead and I scored 40 yard line seats 6 rows back from Indy bench for about $100/each. It was a little chilly that day, but not too bad.. Like 15-20 degrees. 

[Narcosys]

this is brilliant.

Do you measure yourself on your 'major league' attitude toward the sports teams you follow?

I can only apologize of my inability to demand sustained greatness from a group of people I have never, and will never meet. How dare I not panic when they lose games.

The passion you exhibit whilst shouting vigorously at your television screen is clearly testament to the man you are today.

Lol ruthless.

[Narcosys]

I'm confused, hah. I thought I was agreeing with you... The other poster was complaining that we had more available tickets than the Packers... Kinda forgone that they have a more rabid & engaged fan base compared to Indy.

I think when you compare the colts to the other new teams in the league, we are pretty solid... Albiet a little fair-weatherish. Some of that shows itself in the ticket sales due to the lack of demand in our market... I'm sure other fan bases have just as many people dumping their tickets when the team isn't playing well.

Heck I went to arrowhead a couple years back and they didn't sell out Arrowhead and I scored 40 yard line seats 6 rows back from Indy bench for about $100/each. It was a little chilly that day, but not too bad.. Like 15-20 degrees.

Ugh, if that was the same one on went to, that was terrible. I sat in the end zone section that was constantly in the shade. It was pretty dang cold to me. I think we ended leaving early. Admittedly I did wear shoes that weren't so weather appropriate.

[Patagonia Chris]

good god, posters like you are annoying. You pull a statement out of nowhere about the brawl then go looking for internet links to prove that Indy has bad fans. Ok....you win.

 

A majority of the 00's Colts fan base is made up of 90's Pacers fans who no longer really care about NBA basketball. That's all I'm saying. The MAJORITY of the fan base isn't die hard.

[Patagonia Chris]

it was cold and there was a threat of bad weather coming in.  that's enough to make people think twice

 

people were fed up with that winter at that point

 

the Bengals had similar problems iirc too.

 

you are making a mountain out of a mole hill here

 

The Bengals always have that problem. Their ticket prices are always in the bottom third of the league with the Jacksonville and Oakland's of the world. Cincinnati isn't a fan base you should want to compare yourselves to.