It’s now been two days since the Colts decided to bail on their players and the success they had all season, to “rest their starters.” This decision does not make sense, and never will.
If the Colts achieve their “ultimate goal” and win the Superbowl this February in Miami, fans will argue that the team should have gone undefeated and earned the right to be known as the “Best NFL Team Ever.” Lose and the whole resting situation does not matter because the Colts didn’t achieve their team goal anyways.
Each week the Colts stress two mottos: one of course is “Next Man Up,” in regards to dealing with injuries. The second one is “play one game at a time, focus on those 60 minutes.”
By not playing Peyton Manning and other healthy starters, management completely contradicts motto number two. Go back to the week before the Patriots game, Coach Jim Caldwell stressed that the team is only focused on the Texans this week. Fast forward to Sunday when Polian/Caldwell (99% Polian) make the decision to pull Peyton and other healthy starters. What are you taking them out for? At the time, the Colts held a narrow 5 point lead that was not safe by any means. If they were focused on one game at a time, why were they looking ahead to the playoffs, or even the Superbowl thinking about Manning’s health?
Herm Edwards says it the best, ironically a former Jets coach.
You play to win the game! The guys practice, watch film in preparation of Sunday’s game, to WIN the game. Without winning, why play? Winning is a measurable allowing teams and players to compare one another. As Coach Edwards says, “You don’t play to just play it…you play to WIN.” That’s just what you do.
Peyton Manning is arguably the best and smartest NFL player ever. He knows how to avoid getting hit and usually gets the ball off before so. He has been sacked the least this season and he has also been the least hit QB. Certainly the offensive line led by Jeff Saturday needs some of the credit, but a lot of it has to do with the wit of Manning. He is not stupid, he does not force throws, and he is not afraid to throw it away.
Many fans have the statement that they demand their money back. That is just ridiculous. They paid to come to Lucas Oil Stadium for an NFL game. This was better than a preseason game where tickets are the same price. Nobody is forcing anyone to pay and come to the game as well. I was at the game on Sunday and like most fans very upset at what transpired. However by no means did I feel violated or want my money back.
Bill Polian had an interesting radio show last night. Each Monday he comes on to talk about the previous week, look forward to the next week and answer fans phone calls. The lines were lit up even before the show. The first segment of calls went 10 minutes beyond normal time missing the commercial break. Fans are outraged and for good reason.
This is their team. They are the taxpayers that help support Lucas Oil Stadium. They are the customers that pay for overpriced licensed gear. They are the one that pay for overpriced tickets to each game (including the rip-off preseason games). And they are the ones paying $5 for a hot dog and $9 for a beer. The fans continue to support the team and ensure a sellout each week.
At the end of the year, the end goal is obviously winning the Superbowl…that has been stated over and over by GM Bill Polian. Polian has no doubt lost the support of many Colts fans for this arrogant move, and move that possibly would but the 2009 in the NFL history books for ages. Not many people remember the years of Pittsburgh’s steel curtain, or the dominant defense of the Bears; but every NFL fan remembers the 1972 Dolphins led by Don Shula, Bob Griese and Mercury Morris. Colts fans, and players alike want to go down in history for the ages. Think of guys like Ryan Diem, TJ Rushing and Dan Muir. Little is known about them and it would remain that way, unless the team put their stamp on the season and finished undefeated 19-0.
I feel bad for the players, especially Manning, Wayne, and Clark. As a former athlete, you can’t tell me being on the brink of history, possibly going 19-0 which has never done before, was not a big deal to these guys. Manning is a student of the game. He appreciates the history of the sports probably more than any player. In one season, Manning possibly could win his NFL record 4th MVP, go undefeated, win his 2nd Superbowl, and his 2nd SB MVP title. What a resume…that would essentially crown Manning as the best QB ever, not to mention Peyton breaking nearly every QB record imaginable.
It was a tough decision by GM Bill Polian and Coach Jim Caldwell. My guess is that 99% of the decision was Polian’s. It’s hard to doubt a man that found guys like Jacob Lacy and Jeff Saturday who went undrafted. He is man of genius, though his arrogance may have caught up with him here with the decision to “rest” healthy starters and ignore the possible accomplishment this team would achieve.
The Colts marketing campaign reads “Make It Personal.” And Colts fans have done just that.
I still do not understand what Polian was thinking. As you said Scott, you PLAY TO WIN THE GAME! Let the players have the opportunity to take care of business.
You have to go for it. We shell out hundreds of dollars to go to games. We wanted to go 19-0.
While I completely disagree with the move, they better win the Superbowl now. No excuses.
Nobody remembers who had the most wins in the 70s, 80s or 90s, who cares who has the most REGULAR season wins in a decade. The fact that Polian believes those two records were more important than a chance to go 19-0 is unfathomable.