Colts Owner Jim Irsay officially introduced new General Manager Ryan Grigson Wednesday at a 4 p.m. Press Conference. Here are some quotes, and you can use this as an Open Thread for discussion on the new GM.
Irsay on finding the new GM:
It was a long extensive process. We got our man. I'm really excited about that. It's a big critical decision for this franchise. There's a new wave of people in the NFL that are more qualified than ever to make that step up. It's an intuitive decision.
On Grigson:
I felt he had a vision that he had an intelligence. There's a teamwork understanding and mentality as a former Offensive Lineman. Ryan is a riser. He's going to continue to get better. He has all the tools, all the talent to rise higher.
On what exactly Grigson's role will be:
This is a traditional General Manager's job, making decisions on the 53 man roster. As an owner I have final decision, but will rarely use that.
Irsay's last line:
Building a football program is the #1 thing. Best way to work is everyone on same page: owner, general manager, coaches, players.
Grigson's initial comments:
I couldn't be more excited to be back here in my home state. My goal is to bring this team back to where it was. I have the owner that is with me, and it's been that way from the get-go.
On what he's walking into:
There's a strong foundation in place here that Mr. Irsay had in place. I have a tremendous respect for Bill Polian. It's almost like I had a baton passed to me.
On how he'll go about handling his job:
You have to have a combination of confidence and humility in this job. We need constant communication with everyone involved.
0 recs | 40 comments
$$$$
NanceyBoy - January 11, 2012
Well it's definitely a step up for the guy money-wise and on everything
hopefully he’s up to the task.
soforizo - January 11, 2012
I didn't like this "I just got here" eluding questions thing
But overall, feel better about the choice.
Too bad, he wasn’t asked about Luck.
Ty46 - January 11, 2012
Ha!
He would have just said, “I just got here. I’ve seen tape of Andrew Luck but that’s all I got so far”
IndyColts89 - January 11, 2012
I disagree
The guy has been in twn less than a day. Should we really expect him to have substantive answers on issues that could define the franchise for years to come?
EVLGNUS - January 11, 2012
Who will be our head coach?
Obviously not Caldwell. The sooner we hire the coach the better – clock is ticking…
SpanishColtsFan - January 11, 2012 via mobile
Waiting on Manning i bet
if Manning is healthy i think they will hold onto Jim Caldwell. Defensive Coordinator is a big need right now. They need to change their defensive scheme.
kbreboot - January 11, 2012
Murphy might be capable of changing it
Ty46 - January 11, 2012
Grigs
needs to purge this team of all coordinators and start over.
Dito29 - January 11, 2012
We have LeSean McCoy’s college RBs coach.
Howard Mudd’s long time apprentice.
Reich seems to be a good coach too.
Murphy did always the best with what he had, what is not much talent.
He can fire Caldwell, Christensen, Teerlinck, Alan Williams though..
Ty46 - January 12, 2012
That would
be a travesty. Caldwell needs to get out of dodge.
Dito29 - January 11, 2012
Hope not
Caldwell needs to go, his job shouldn’t be tied to Peytom’s health, Peyton will work with someone good,, if they keep him,, Caldwell should have won more than 2 games- inexcusable cannot keep a coach who wins 2 games
OBGYNOSUPREME - January 11, 2012
hey anythings better than Chris Polian
I’m from australia and news of a GM other than the Chris Polian is good news. From what i have just read Grigson is good.
kbreboot - January 11, 2012
Grigson seems
like a classy guy. No arrogant, jag-prick like attitude but you can tell he is a very serious person.
Being prudent with questions about Manning-Luck Caldwell on your first GM hire is to be expected…
BigBlueDawg - January 11, 2012
What he said ^^^^
(206)NightRidah - January 11, 2012 via mobile
to be honest, he's still enjoying the honeymoon. No one has criticized any of his moves yet.
zherebyonki - January 11, 2012
old school passes baton to new school
I have totally loved every thing I have heard or read about Ryan Grigson. He will be a total breath of fresh air for a franchise that had gotten a bit stale and was starting to slip. My hat is tipped to Mr. Irsay for showing the Universe the stoutness of his “kahones”. I appreciate his stewardship of my beloved Colts beyond my humble ability to express. Folks, I think we are going to be just fine, and I am enjoying this ride.
oldecoltsfan - January 11, 2012
I have really liked what I have read about Grigson
Here’s to a successful defense scheme and a quickly resolved QB situation!
pc3 - January 11, 2012
AND a new head coach
fire him now, so he can try to find a new job somewhere and it sends a message that Colts are serious about getting a good new Head Coach , Colts need one who is qualified, caldwell qualified to be an assistant coach
OBGYNOSUPREME - January 11, 2012
Steve Spags
Since the Eagles were rumored to be interested in Steve Spags due to the Andy Reid – Spags connection, with Andy Reid normally being loyal to his coaches (he made ex-OC Juan Castillo the new DC and chances are, he might not cut him loose citing the last few games when their D was gelling), I hope Grigson brings in Steve Spagnuolos as DC more than anything else.
Whether it is Fisher, Brian Billick or Caldwell, if we are not going to run the same 4-3 D, bring in someone with a fresher outlook for D, where most of our issues were. The issues with O will be resolved with the right planning for the QB position.
chad72 - January 11, 2012
Steve Spags - Cont'd
Since the Eagles were rumored to be interested in Steve Spags due to the Andy Reid – Spags connection, with Andy Reid normally being loyal to his coaches (he made ex-OC Juan Castillo the new DC and chances are, he might not cut him loose citing the last few games when their D was gelling), I hope Grigson brings in Steve Spagnuolos as DC more than anything else.
Whether it is Fisher, Brian Billick or Caldwell, if we are not going to run the same 4-3 D, bring in someone with a fresher outlook for D, where most of our issues were. The issues with O will be resolved with the right planning for the QB position.
Its funny….As soon as I read about the promotion of this guy, I also wondered whether there would be a tie to bringing aboard Steve Spagnuolo as DC. That, along with introducing Fisher or someone of his caliber as HC would be a MAJOR coup. Spags will demand a strong, disciplined defense and Fisher has shown, from time to time, he is capable of showing his emotions on the field and knows at thing or two about an onside kick….
Ouch! That had to hurt a little…..
KappakidToo - January 11, 2012
i really hope
he sticks by what he said about not necessarily gutting all the all the coordinators just because he’s starting a new. we have a lot of coaches on this team that have been with us for a very long time, not just this past year. i’m all for change but i think 100% overhaul will only happen with manning gone
GoHorseshoe - January 11, 2012
Ya know what, guys . . . .
It might just occur that our fresh new general manager concludes that the best course for this franchise to take is to saddle up a healthy, rejuvenated Peyton Manning for the next 4-7 years and shout out . . . .: “Ya-freakin-hoooo This team is riding Peyton off to his glory years, and Andy will just have to succeed elsewhere.” Let us just see what bounty that first pick overall can bring us. My heart . . . not my head. But I know for damn sure that there are a bunch of my friends that really, really DIG what I just posted.
oldecoltsfan - January 11, 2012
Best of luck (no pun intended) to you guys
I really hope you guys get things straightened out and turn things around next year. Why would a Texan fan want this? To explain, I take you back into the 90’s. The Houston Rockets won back-to-back titles. And most sports writers and analysts couldn’t help but say, “Oh yeah they won because Michael Jordan wasn’t playing.” I’ve read/heard a few snippets here and there about the Texans only winning the division this year because Manning didn’t play. So I truly hope you guys are back and nasty as ever next year. That way if we win again, we can have all those f’ers eating BBQ crow.
SubCrim - January 11, 2012
Best of luck this weekend
BBQ the crows this year not next. I am looking forward to watching y’all thrash the Ravens!
ferm - January 11, 2012
The crows
I agree with ferm… get ‘em this year… I have to be honest, I’m surprised y’all did as well as you did without Schaub… I’ll be pulling for the Texans the rest of this year… (never said that before… lol) Good luck to you all in the playoffs, but rest assured, we will be back next year and we can return to those classic battles between two outstanding football teams!!!
coltsfan9710 - January 11, 2012
you dont want us back to full strength
you still couldnt beat us in Indy THIS YEAR, you really want us to improve??
Enjoy this years division title, and good luck in Bmore…you’re gonna need it!
bigpony - January 12, 2012
good luck to you!
Hope your teams reps AFC South this weekend.
67ChevILL - January 12, 2012
How about a pic of the guy?
4 articles about Ryan Gringson so far and all of them have Irsay’s mug on them lol. Anyways, I hope he brings many great years to the Colts and isn’t afraid to pick up a free agent every now and then. If Manning does leave, I really hope he goes to the NFC.
stlocolts - January 11, 2012
here he is...
http://ww1.hdnux.com/photos/07/61/14/2036492/3/628×471.jpg
coltsfan9710 - January 11, 2012
Still time for Jeff Fisher?
Does anyone believe Grigson could get settled soon enough to talk with Jeff Fisher? I think Fisher would be the right guy for this team and now that the Colts have a GM perhaps there’s still a chance to sign him.
I know I’m wishing more than thinking clearly.
SouthDakotaColt - January 11, 2012
Sources say Fisher is trying to decide between the Rams and the Dolphins (with Miami getting the edge).
Taken from NFL.com: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d825e740c/article/fisher-could-make-decision-to-join-dolphins-over-rams?module=HP11_headline_stack
I expect he’ll announce today that he’s going to Miami. Don’t know why he’d want to go to the Rams anyway. He already moved one team from Texas to Tennessee, why on earth he would want to move the Rams from St. Louis to California is beyond me.
It’s funny though… every time I see Fisher’s name brought up as a possible HC in Indy, I keep thinking of that fundraiser where he wore Peyton’s jersey. He caught so much flak for that. It would be sort of ironic.
NFLFan83 - January 12, 2012
Funny
67ChevILL - January 12, 2012
Grigson..
isn’t going to have the power Polian had. Irsay is going to be much more involved. Irsay said this—he’s going to have the finally decision, but he’s not going to use it very often. Not very often is a lot different from never. Grigson isn’t qualified yet to pick a head coach—he’s a player evaluator. Irsay is going to pick the head coach and the head coach is going to pick the assistants.
I think Caldwell is out because Caldwell had to fire too many assistant coaches that Caldwell had hired. I really think Caldwell is a good organizer and good at preparing his team—you don’t go to the Superbowl accidentally. Caldwell could work out under a new GM that didn’t break his balls all the time. I actually like Caldwell over a number of other popular favorites. Caldwell is PROVEN to be able to lead a team to the Superbowl. He can work on his shortcomings.
My choice for the new coach is the spectacularly evil Bill Belichick. If we can’t swing him, I guess it doesn’t really matter. All the other coaches are basically average to bad. You have to have a head coach, though. Belichick met the devil at the crossroads, like Robert Johnson. I wonder how often Jim Caldwell gets down to Clarksdale, Mississippi?
wcwills - January 12, 2012
Really?
In 11 seasons as a head coach, he has had 3 winning seasons. Two of those seasons he had Peyton Manning as his QB and a Super Bowl caliber roster. How would you explain going from 14-2 and a SuperBowl to 2-14 in two years with essentially the same roster??
I think everyone would agree that the Polians were a big, big burden on him, and to be fair you can’t discount the effect losing Manning had, but he had a real chance to show his coaching prowess this past season and had this team the on the brink of the one of the worst seasons ever. I would bet money that Caldwell won’t be a NFL coach again.
They went with some new blood at GM, how about some new blood for head coach as well??
Guy LeDouche - January 12, 2012
'you don't go to the Superbowl accidentally'
..that may be the funniest comment I’ve ever heard. You’re right, you don’t go accidentally. You have the greatest to ever play take you there. That’s hardly an accident and it doesn’t have jack to do with Caldwell. If the the Colts were somehow stupid enough to keep Caldwell, then they deserve exactly what they get. You don’t keep a coach who should never have been hired. You don’t keep a coach who went 2-14, and was a contributing factor in losing two very important games due to his complete lack of clock management, and you don’t keep someone who went 26-63 in college. There are real candidates out there who could actually benefit the team, not hold it back.
Ayrshire - January 13, 2012
Caldwell?
Is he going to be let go? Looks like Fisher is headed to the Rams. Who else is available?
If I were a betting man, my guess is that Caldwell will be retained for one more season.
Antillar - January 12, 2012
Please don't hire Marty Friggin Mornhinweg!!!
That would basically be throwing away the next 3 seasons…
I’d rather them keep Caldwell
(206)NightRidah - January 12, 2012 via mobile
ummmmm
ANYONE is better than Caldwell!!!!!!
Dito29 - January 12, 2012
Possibly the understatement of the year.
Ayrshire - January 13, 2012
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