It’s become more than just fashionable to bash the Indianapolis Colts of late. Sure, they’ve given us plenty of ammunition for such, but in my humble opinion, this team was average at best when it broke training camp.
From a coach who declined a contractual extension, to a general manager who perhaps thought he was a modern-day Paul Brown, this team probably was doomed before the season ever began. Despite the glaring issues on the offensive line and an equally questionable defense unit, the Colts faithful refused to fasten their seat belts and sat back for what they assumed to be a fast ride to the Super Bowl. How they ever arrived at that conclusion is a story for another day, but when yours truly predicted a 9–7 record, I was declared incompetent and received emails that questioned whether or not I should be allowed to have sharp instruments in my dwelling. Yes indeed, I was truly off kilter and out of touch.
My prognostic transgressions aside, there is one party who hasn’t garnered any of the blame for the wheels falling off the Horseshoe Express, and that seems rather interesting to this alleged simpleton, who now wonders if his win total prediction is realistic. That individual is Jim Irsay, and when he isn’t making headlines for his quest to defeat his personal demons or acquiring multi-million dollar pieces of rock memorabilia, he’s still the owner of the franchise.
Clearly, it’s none of my business how Irsay spends his fortune, despite the fact a large portion of it stems from the sale of replica jerseys and $9 beers at the stadium we all chipped in to pay for. It’s his money, and that’s where the conversation ends. However, at some juncture he must take responsibility for hiring a general manager with little experience in terms of NFL personnel management, as well as a rookie head coach.
If you want to point to the initial success this trio has had, have at it. Just make sure you factor in the futility of the AFC South when calculating those win totals. Was it truly the work of collective geniuses, or did they simply catch lightning in a bottle, and in the process declare Andrew Luck as now Johnny Unitas reincarnated and that multiple Super Bowl trophies would soon be residing in the lobby on West 56th Street? I’m going with the latter of the two.
Regardless of how you slice it, Irsay has to be held accountable and stop gallivanting long enough to hit the reset button. Firing the coach is the easiest solution, as he can attach all the blame on a guy who has certainly done an above average job. Just pepper the press release with polite cliches and get it over with, right?
That leads us to Grigson, who without question is Irsay’s golden boy. How can the owner jettison Pagano without giving his GM the same warm, fuzzy send-off? The two are attached at the hip as a result of being hired by the same guy. Yes Irsay, not Grigson, hired Pagano, and he did it quickly and without hesitation. Despite the number of available iconic names out there with the itch to run an NFL team, the self-proclaimed Messiah of the Colts Nation went shopping in the clearance aisle and didn’t hire any of them when he appointed those currently entrusted with making personnel decisions and coaching the team. Again, his money, his decisions. The question now is, will he clean house and pick up the phone and call a Bill Parcells, or a Mike Holmgren, and allow them to make all their own hires and run the entire organization as he simply signs the checks? Probably not. More than likely he will keep Grigson and attempt to make a splash hire to replace Pagano. There are plenty of rumors, such as Nick Saban, Sean Payton and even Jon Gruden, who generally is mentioned with any job that is open. All seem laughable to me, but who can say?
Clearly, Irsay will rely on Grigson for the search process, but once again, he’ll have the final say. It’s actually what he pays his GM for, but in reality, look where that has gotten him to date. From questionable free agent signings to a draft record that falls below the average line, Grigson has struggled more than he has prospered. Is that enough reason to fire him? Probably, but instead, he’ll get the benefit of the doubt that Pagano should’ve received as well.
Things are beyond dysfunctional with the Colts, and it all starts with Irsay. He must relinquish control of the team to someone with experience and pedigree, before the window of opportunity with a promising quarterback closes.
Chances are he’ll put another inexpensive bandage on it, hoping the bleeding will subside. The real question is, how long will a fan base tolerate that and continue to dine on the euphoria of a distant Super Bowl crown? At what point do empty seats at Lucas Oil Stadium equate to the need for change? Some say that’s impossible. Think again.
Just ask the Pacers what a declining product means in this market. The Colts season ticket waiting list will become a thing of the past, and that will undoubtedly cut into Irsay’s penchant for expensive toys. Then again, this team has become nothing more than his personal plaything, and nobody seems to care. Making bold changes is the only option that makes sense and that includes the guy at the top. The owner taking full responsibility is a good start.
Danny Bridges, who will not be incognito with sunglasses and a floppy hat this Sunday in the press box, can be reached at (317) 370-8447 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
