How much sleep have you lost over the Abbott and Costello routine that continues to run daily on West 56th Street?
I haven’t missed a wink, and I’m betting you haven’t either. Let’s see: a spoiled, yet obviously disgruntled owner, with a sense of entitlement the size of the state of Rhode Island, apparently can’t conduct a confidential employment search. Forget the fact that he’s already got two gentlemen under contract for the positions he’s allegedly seeking to fill — in his opinion, he can simply write off the contract extensions he just gave them a year ago, throw a bunch of money at a coach who doesn’t want to be here, and just for good measure, attempt to lure a fallen hero to be his rookie GM, one who can help him sell tickets and $9 draft beers. Yes, Colts owner James Steven Irsay has once again embarrassed himself and the franchise he owns beyond belief, but this time I honestly feel he’s going to find out that most sane people just don’t care anymore.
Sure, he’ll have to shuffle a few new diehards in to the 65,000 or so who show up every Sunday with their authentic jerseys and faces painted, but that’s truly no problem, as there are plenty of those fools in the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area to be had. The cash register at the Colts Pro Shop will continue to sing, and when it comes time, the Capitol Improvement Board will surrender yet another check to subsidize his penchant for rock and roll memorabilia and controlled substances (not necessarily in that order, I might add). It’s simply business as usual for a guy totally out of control and one who couldn’t care less what you think about his wealth, dysfunctional behavior and total lack of business acumen. Not exactly breaking news, but certainly points well worth mentioning.
While many in the media have focused on the inappropriateness of recruiting replacements for individuals he has yet to fire, why hasn’t anyone to date looked deeper and examined the root of the problem?
Historically, no one has been able to reel in this atrocity of an owner, not even the NFL, which for years has enabled him through his extended transgressions that would have ended the career, if not the life, of most of us working stiffs. Those he employs in key positions have also continued to cash checks and look the other way, as if they were unaware of the scope of his downward spiral, and kept his seat warm as he languishes in some posh rehab facility.
What does his personal life have to do with his ability and, more importantly, his obligation to run the Indianapolis Colts responsibly? Everything and then some, if you ask this old scribe, and it’s amazing to me how so many in this city can’t connect those dots. Sure, he’s not the first trust fund baby to go off the rails with dangerous behavior, but he is the only one who has received over a billion dollars in local taxpayer monies to solidify his football empire, and for that reason alone, it’s way past time to hold him accountable. Sure, I get that he’s frustrated with the performance of the team his dad left him, but if he changed his course, allowing qualified people the opportunity to work freely without him meddling (which is his right to do as the owner), maybe the finished product wouldn’t be so embarrassing. Then again, maybe I’ll hit the Hoosier Lottery and the Powerball drawing both in the same day.
Just about everyone without the last names of Grigson and Pagano has no problem with you jettisoning them out the door, but just for good measure, why not do that first before attempting to lure a guy out of the television booth as your coach and negotiating the return of a former star on a white horse, despite his blatant lack of experience?
One could make the argument that Chuck Pagano has been a miracle worker these past two seasons, considering the personnel he has been handed. Then again, that puts it all on Grigson, and that isn’t even close to being fair. Both have struggled, and their boss now has made things malignant, with no real hope on the horizon. Instead of handing the keys of the franchise to an established entity (Parcells? Homgren?) and allowing them to turn it around before Andrew Luck ends up in traction from a lack of protection, Irsay can only apologize to his “current” GM and coach, or hire either a successful coordinator, or perhaps even a retread looking for one more payday.
While I couldn’t care less who the next guys up are, you should feel differently. I do not pay to get in on Sundays, so I have no dog in this fight. However, the easiest way to send a message to the ringmaster is to quit patronizing his circus. Stay home, read a book, take your loved ones to a movie or a museum. The options are endless. Don’t go back to a game until things get respectable in the owner’s suite. Leave your television off when they kick off, and sidestep the sponsors who bring you the game, too. Speak out with your wallet, and don’t get lured back with fake promises. It’s the only line of defense you have with this egomaniac disguised as an NFL owner, and if you siphon off some of the gravy he’s accustomed to, you’ll get his attention.
Until then, join me in sleeping soundly while the merry-go-round in Colts Country continues to turn. When he cleans up his mess, maybe you can give him another chance, but please, not until then. Grigson and Pagano will be fine regardless of what happens, as it’s Irsay who has to be held accountable, and that’s something everyone decked out in Colts blue should start doing right now.
Danny Bridges, who thinks the NFL has more problems here locally than they do in San Diego, Oakland and Los Angeles combined, can be reached for comment at (317) 370-8447 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
