Ask around the city about where the Indianapolis Colts are and more importantly what direction the team is heading in, and you will get a number of different answers.
Some are still mired in the Peyton Manning era and believe the Colts were foolish to allow him to walk away. Others feel that Andrew Luck is a sure fire prospect and indeed the next big thing in the National Football League. Some of you are convinced that the rebuilding process will be lengthy and painful. Who knows?
Lets face it Colts fans, you have been spoiled. You expected (and received) annual playoff appearances as if they were automatic or perhaps even some sort of entitlement. Sure, you faithfully purchased tickets and came out in droves to root them on, but did you really think it would last forever?
As Father Time settled in on the core roster, the inevitable injuries occurred, and the decline came, probably quicker than many of you loyal fans could have imagined. Now with a complete change of the guard from top to bottom there is a new version of Colts football in town and the uneasiness about being on the outside looking in terms of the post season must be dealt with.
However, there doesn’t need to be panic across the board, as many players you never have heard of now have an opportunity to entertain those of you who find Vitamin P (pigskin) to be a necessary and essential part of your diet.
Many of these new faces come from small colleges and have had some trouble in terms of sticking with their previous teams. While it may be their last chance to make it in the NFL, there are also those who are finally getting an opportunity to showcase their skills. While we continue to look for the familiar names that romanced our affection for years, the reality is they are gone, and we need to embrace their replacements, regardless of the drop off in productivity and results.
All you really need is a 53 man roster that leaves it all on the field each day. Chances are they will not win a ton of games this year, but the schedule due to last year’s debacle is certainly forgiving and that too will help increase the chance of winning some games.
In some respects. the uncertainty of it all to me is quite more entertaining than I thought it might be. Heaven forbid some players step up, grab the opportunity to play and demonstrate the ability to compete. What would really be wrong with standing toe to toe with a superior opponent and giving them all they can handle before coming up short?
Sure, they are going to take some serious lumps this season, but I am willing to say they will also surprise a few folks in the process and win a game or two that nobody gave them a chance in. Will that be enough for those who bleed Colts blue? Probably not.
I still contend that these guys are going to impress you with their effort, even when the scoreboard says they are out of it. Everything I have seen in training camp and the preseason tells me that and then some, and while only time will tell, can we not be optimistic and give them the support this community is famous for?
Selling out two meaningless preseason games was certainly a strong message from the fan base to this unproven squad, and it will be needed as they forge ahead. Can they make the playoffs this year? Highly doubtful. Can they play spirited football, the kind that tells the opponent they will have to beat you as we aren’t going to roll over? Yes indeed and you should expect that in exchange for the financial commitment that many of you have made now for years.
As someone who does not pay to get in, I salute you and respect you as well.
By keeping things in perspective (again it is just a game, not life or death, right?), we can revel in the joy that will occur at some point when they perform above the level of expectation. Along the way, be patient and recognize good effort when it is given and do not let the scoreboard be the defining factor in the opinion you foster. Look at what it is instead of what it could have been, or what you think it should be.
Expect your Colts (sorry Mr. Irsay, they are ours not yours) and remain positive. Do not look back and simply allow that success to cloud your judgment on what is beginning to transpire. As a community, we have show cased our ability to support a franchise that became synonymous with winning games and even championships. It took some time to get there and certainly some patience was needed too.
All I am saying is, the time to be patient is here again, and if you do not bring that to the game with you, it is possible you just might miss something special in the making. The choice is yours, but if you give them a chance, this team just might grow on you, and entertain you. Patience is described by many as a virtue. This season it is simply mandatory.
Danny Bridges who generally has no patience in life period, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
