The long MLK Day weekend gave us some pretty compelling football, wouldn't you say? From Green Bay choking away a fifteen win season to New Orleans being exposed as a 'soft' road team, once again. Toss in a Houston implosion at Baltimore, and I'd say that three-out-of-four interesting playoff games counts as a winner for the NFL.
While it was certainly enjoyable for someone like me to see the Texans lose, the real story for us Colts fans is the fate of head coach Jim Caldwell.
Indianapolis sports radio host Jake Query used Twitter over the weekend to post this little bombshell:
#JimCaldwell will be retained as Head Coach of the #Indianapolis #Colts. Official announcement to come within 4 days.
— Jake Query (@jakequery) January 14, 2012
Indy Star columnist Bob Kravitz seemed to take Query's news with a grain of salt:
No disrespect to @jakequery but tweeted Jan 1 that Caldwell was out, and later that day tweet BillP was gonna be consultant and Chris stays.
— BobKravitz (@bkravitz) January 14, 2012
Small side note, whenever someone starts a sentence with 'no disrespect,' they are going to disrespect you. Query responded to Kravitz's attack on his credibility:
@bkravitz Never tweeted he was out. Said I was told but couldn't confirm. Said on radio BP out 2 weeks before he was. Said 18 out all year.
— Jake Query (@jakequery) January 14, 2012
While Query and Kravitz were fighting on Twitter, CBS Sports NFL analyst and former Houston Texans general manager Charlie Casserly reported that new Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson is expected to meet with Jim Caldwell this week. After that meeting, Grigson will make his recommendation to owner Jim Irsay as to whether or not to retain Caldwell as head coach.
Based on that language, the firing of Caldwell will not be Grigson's decision to make. It will be Irsay's.
At his introductory press conference, Grigson said he'd never spoken to Caldwell until that day. It's unconfirmed if Grigson will recommend to Irsay that Caldwell should stay. If he opts to do that, the 'new era' slogan that Irsay keeps throwing around when describing the 2012 Colts will fall on deaf ears. Plus, there just isn't any compelling reason to keep Caldwell. Kravitz actually summed it up best:
Re: Colts/Caldwell. If you're in a bad marriage, you don't wait for somebody better to come along to get out of the marriage. #loveyahoney
— BobKravitz (@bkravitz) January 14, 2012
Like Kravitz, I expect Jim Caldwell to be fired. If he's not, Ryan Grigson will look inept in his first major decision as general manager, and Jim Irsay's 'new era' slogan will be out of style faster than 'Discount Double Check.'
0 recs | 83 comments
I just dont see how they keep Caldwell
I feeling like hiring a new GM while keeping everything else the same is like putting nice rims on a POS car. Sure it looks nice, but doesn’t solve the issue of having a crap-box for a vehicle.
danorocks17 - January 16, 2012
I look at it more as swapping out a damaged engine on a nice car
This team was 14-2 (could have been 16-0) two years ago. The poison and mistakes of the Polians sunk this team. I think swapping out your talent evaluator and getting a couple good coordinators to work under him would make a world of difference. He does a great job of leading and keeps the penalty yardage low. We realized this year that he hasn’t had much talent other than PM to work with. Let him run out the final year of his contract before making a decision that may be too hasty. I’ve heard Schefter and others saying that Caldwell will get a coordinator and eventually head coaching position within a year. Others think he has talent and we need to stop making decisions just because we’re pissed.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
The players
Are two years older and have high cap numbers…
Time to part ways with a lot of people and bring in 23-26 year old talent. That is more important than firing Caldwell which I still support
(206)NightRidah - January 16, 2012 via mobile
i don't question his talen as a coordinator
I don’t like him as a head coach. Didn’t like the hire in the first place, and if you look at this team since he’s had it, they have regressed. Some of it may have been Polian, but I just don’t buy Caldwell as a great head coach
danorocks17 - January 16, 2012
What don't you like about him as a head coach?
His players are behind him and buy into his game plans, he went 14-2 and made it to a Super Bowl in his first season, and he maintains one of if not the least penalized team in the league. The Colts rarely make big mistakes, and I think he has the most to do with it.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
Colts D is literally to slow and unathletic to make penalties
Sad but true
(206)NightRidah - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Isn't that the same reason the Dallas D is one of the most penalized?
They’re soo slow that they pull WR and TEs down or grab facemasks, have offsides penalties, etc. Regardless, the offensive unit is the one that survives with the least penalties. Aside from a few players with sub-par talent, the Colts offense would probably have had a a handful of penalties at all. It was constantly Richards, Diem, or Link with false starts in 2011. Hopefully none of those guys start in 2012.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
Colts D is unbelievably unathletic and soft...
No aggression no killer instinct no badasses at all cept for the DEs an Bethea. Angerer is a good player but no opposing coach plans around him…
It’s not realistic to expect an all pro at each position…but you can get athletic players and speed anywhere in the draft and as UFAs…there is no excuse to be as weak as they are
(206)NightRidah - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Agreed, but that has more to do with Coordinator and Talent Evaluation
That is not from bad head coaching.
A note on Angerer too: As the season went along, many opponents were discussing how you have to locate ‘that guy’ on the field and get a blocker on him. Angerer really shed blocks well this year.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
his in-game decision making is attrocious, the lack of picking competent coordinators is almost as bad.
If your credentials are “go to a super bowl three years ago and be the least penalized team” great, in your view he is a good coach. I do not believe he should be coaching this team. and his “game planning” this year was laughably bad (until the end of the season) Agree to disagree
danorocks17 - January 16, 2012
I gotta believe in you pick his coordinators for him, he will be greatly successful
He didn’t have much talent to work with and those 2 wins were incredible considering. Don’t through the baby out with the bathwater. For all of those wanting to pick up Andrew Luck, Caldwell is the man to lead him. He is a former quarterbacks coach and has shown the ability to develop QBs with talent. I can comfortably say that Orlavsky had the best games of his career this year with the Colts.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
What in game decision making has been bad?
I can think of the Jets time-out, but what beyond that?
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
I thought
The timeout last year at JAX was pretty bad but from this year passing the ball 4 times from the 2 or 3 yard line against CAR was terrible. And I think the 14-2 argument his first season has more to do with Peyton being the bee’s knees than anything else.
Jim"TimeOut"Caldwell - January 16, 2012
you also forgot to mention
that it took 7 4th Qtr comebacks by Peyton that year
Phillycolt - January 16, 2012
He also forgot to mention: 1) the overly conservative plan for the SuperBowl 2) Wasting the last possession of the first half last year against the Jets instead of using statistically the best 2 minute offense in the league so they could just go to the locker room up only one touchdown and then not touch the football the entire third 3) punting on 4th down against the steelers as if our D was going to get the ball back this season and gettin run on so there was no clock left to even touch the ball again before they kicked a field goal 4) doing the exact same thing the next fucking week at Tampa Bay 5) once the season was totally gone to shit punting from our opponents 40 on 4th and short down multiple scores when you know McAfee will boot it out the endzone and they’ll get it at the 20. Punting to net 20 yards down 17 and winless on the season? The list goes on. Jim Caldwell is a smart guy but a conservative spineless manager who is in over his head. Olson has his head up his ass.
southerncolt2 - January 16, 2012 via mobile
All excellent points
Jim"TimeOut"Caldwell - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Rec'd
Phillycolt - January 16, 2012
2x Rec'd
(206)NightRidah - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Throwing the ball 3 times has more to do with coordinator & game plan
The timeout with Jacksonville was pretty bad as well, I’ll give you that one. I still think he doesn well enough in the areas he is set to control to keep him around. I don’t think Peyton could have done what he did without Caldwell, but you’re right Peyton deserves a lot of success. Why are we calling for Peyton to be traded again?
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
Really? Really? Peyton needed Caldwell to win those games? You’re an imbecile.
southerncolt2 - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Really? You think Caldwell is an NFL Coach?
I haven’t seen him make 1 in-game adjustment in 3 years, and he’s single-handedly called the 2 worst timeouts in professional football that I have ever witnessed.
I don’t care if he knows football a lot, or is a great character guy who the players like. I have a hard time believing that he’s a great motivator, simply because he never shows a lick of emotion.
So let’s see – a guy who has no time management skills, makes no in-game adjustments, and not a great motivator – that’s what you want from your Head Coach?
kmbryant09 - January 16, 2012
Thank kmbryant09,
for saying exactly what the situation is with Caldwell. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Hopefully, Grigson is smart enough to see the obvious as well. I’m a bit worried about his age. At 39, he could just be so happy to land the job, that he really won’t have the ‘stuff’ to make the decisions which counteract Irsay. Bottom line, hiring Caldwell in the first place was beyond stupid. Keeping him would take stupidity to the next level. And, that’s a level I hope the Colts don’t explore.
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
In game adjustments are, once again, a coordinator thing
Head coaches have too much going on to have created backup plans for every facet of the game. I don’t think you can say he isn’t a great motivator just because he’s calm on the sidelines. Players continue to play hard and overpreform for him. Players came to play week in and week out this year and the 2-14 record, in my opinion, was completely due to bad coordination and game planning.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
I'm sorry, am I speaking with Jim Caldwell??
Players have over-performed for him? What the F*CK are you talking about? This team went to the SB 2 seasons ago, and just went 2-14 – with the major difference being Peyton Manning.
What player has over-achieved for this franchise the past few seasons – and how can you possibly attribute that directly to Jim Caldwell? Wasn’t Caldwell a QB’s Coach before he became the HC? How could he not salvage even a decent performance from Collins/Painter/Orlovsky.
I do agree that the in-game adjustments are ALSO a Coordinator’s job – but guess who hired those Coordinator’s (Caldwell). And what exactly does Jim Caldwell have going on that he’s too busy to adjust his (own) gameplan? Time Management? Failed. Motivating his players during the game? Failed.
I mean, seriously, what do you think Jim Caldwell brings to this team that any decent replacement couldn’t bring? Because I know that whoever replaces him (if it happens) will bring a better sense of time management, in-game adjustments, and be more accountable as a coaching figure of the Indianapolis Colts.
kmbryant09 - January 16, 2012
Coodinators
Sorry man, but that’s a cop out. If the coordinators continually fail make in game adjustments then the head coach needs to step and take charge.
You know, actually do head coaching things.
Guy LeDouche - January 16, 2012
But less than a month ago we were preaching he wasn't alowed to take charge
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
I am in complete disagreement that Grigson will look inept by retaining Caldwell
Let’s not forget, that in Caldwell’s inaugural season he went 14-2 and maybe would have gone 16-0 had it not been for Polian’s ‘ineptness’. The guy can coach, but apparently can not pick coordinators. Yes he made a mistake with the time-out in the Jets game, but it’s early in his coaching career. There was a neat stat not too long ago about how Tom Landry and other hall of fame coaches didn’t have winning seasons until 4 or 5 years in. I don’t think it’s time to let Jimmy go.
Another reason he should stay, he has the locker room. Give Jimmy another year and let’s look at what he can do with a healthy quarterback. A new GM will win over his players if he retains a coach they all respect. The guy is clearly a leader who was hindered by Bill/Chris Polian. Even though the Colts ranked at the bottom of the league last year, they were still one of the most disciplined teams in the league (least penalized team.) We saw a team that wasn’t down and out or throwing in the towel. They battled week after week and when they finally got a good game plan from a coordinator (Murphy). They pulled off the upset. They even beat a playoff team the next week in what was set up to be a let down game.
Jim Caldwell gets his team to the field and they make smart decisions while they’re there. Teams taht overhaul everything fail for quite a few years before things start rolling again. Let him stay the final year of his contract and pick his coordinators for him. If he isn’t okay with that, let him leave.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
For some odd reason
I’m warming up to the idea of keeping him.
mlc2656 - January 16, 2012 via mobile
It would have to be a very, very odd reason.
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
yeah
Now that I’ve had my memory refreshed, I’m flip flopping. That is – I’m not warming up to retaining him as head coach.
mlc2656 - January 16, 2012 via mobile
LOL
Peyton Manning led the team to a 14-2 (potentially 16-0) season, not Jim Caldwell.
Jim Caldwell is 2-28 in games that Peyton Manning hasn’t fully played in. 2-16 in the regular season, 0-12 in the preseason.
I don’t care how old or young a guy is into his career, the Timeout against the Jets was inexcusable. And he made the exact same mistake against the Jaguars earlier that season.
“We saw a team that wasn’t down and out or throwing in the towel”. In other words, players were playing. This is a team that didn’t have a lead for nearly 2 months of football. This is a team that was embarrassed on National Television 62-7. Bill Polian (and Chris) had his share of f*ck-ups, but that doesn’t completely exonerate Jim Caldwell.
Also, Caldwell failed to change this team’s mindset for the first 12 games of the season. He really expected Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky to execute an offense built around Peyton Manning. We had an improved run game. We spent our first two draft choices on offensive lineman. We had no QB play. THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL FOR THIS TEAM TO RUN THE BALL. Yet Caldwell (and Christianson) still wanted to throw the ball 40 times a game.
And you’re going to excuse this 2-14 season because they beat 1 playoff team?? At home? Against a 3rd string QB? Against a team that had already sealed its playoff birth??
WOW.
kmbryant09 - January 16, 2012
One of the main things you pointed out
was Caldwell’s complete failure to make in-game adjustments. That’s the whole essence of being a football coach. When things clearly aren’t working, you make a change. Caldwell sticks with it. That’s the definition of insanity. Yes, I believe he’s insane. And, at one press conference after the J-ville game, he still was defending his frighteningly bad use of the timeout (which lost the Colts the game). Grigson hasn’t been following all of this most likely. I hope someone brings him up to speed on the stupidity that is Jim Caldwell.
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
Albert Einsteins definition of insanity
The Colts had one 2-14 season taht was preceded by the longest playoff run in NFL history. Other teams are laughing at us. All I hear from everyone is ‘why did the Colts fire Polian?’. I can defend the Polian argument, not the Caldwell one. He took a team to 14-2 in his first year and after a string of bad drafts and an injury at the most important position in football, ended up 2-14. Let’s get this guy some talent again and move forward. Give him 1 more year. BBS says we’re getting a max of 6 wins next year anyways. What coach would want to come here now anyways?
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
Caldwell didn't take his team anywhere.
You’re apparently not getting that. Keeping Caldwell would be the equivalent of passing on Luck and putting your faith for next season in Painter.
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
How are those two remotely close to the same?
Painter never had success or suffered a major setback to cause him to be bad. He was just bad…
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
Caldwell is just 'bad' too. Now do you get it?
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
You're missing the point.
Caldwell did not take/lead/charge/motivate/etc. the Colts to the SB a few seasons ago. That roster was extremely talented, and Peyton Manning completed one of the most impressive QB seasons of all-time (7 4th quarter comebacks, and I believe his highest QBR of his career).
That same team was 12-4 the year before, and they “ONLY” won 12 games because Peyton was recovering from off-season knee surgery. They started off 3-4, only to win 9 straight games as Manning won another MVP trophy. Caldwell wasn’t the difference maker. He didn’t put us over the top. He didn’t get players to “over-perform”. If anything, his coaching mistakes cost us the SB against the Saints (some1 needs to be held accountable for the onside kick – COMING OUT OF HALFTIME, the decision to run the ball 3 times to try and kill the 1st half, only to have it backfire and cost us 3 points, the decision to attempt a 52 yard FG with a kicker who clearly didn’t have the leg for it).
You keep saying give him 1 more year? The reason people always say that is because the recent performances have been bad, and it’s no different with Jim Caldwell. The NFL is a “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately-league”. If you suck at your job, you don’t get “1 more year”. Sorry.
kmbryant09 - January 16, 2012
Yep I saw more coaching acumen out of Harbaugh in one playoff game than I have of Caldwell in 3 seasons.
If that’s not a bad sign at the coaching position I don’t know what is.
CF4L - January 16, 2012
By the way: Gary Kubiak
His fan base was ready to give up on him, all he needed was decent coordinators. It took Wade Phillips to completely turn that team around. If Schaub or Williams stayed healthy, I think we see the Texans in the AFC championship with the Pats very concerned.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
Kubiak
Difference is that you could see Houston improving every year. The Colts regressed every year that Caldwell was in charge.
Guy LeDouche - January 16, 2012
We get it man, Mark Olson has no argument.
Everyone besides him knows that.
Coltsfan1345 - January 16, 2012
Gary Kubiak
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
They were 6-10 and he was on the hot seat. We went 2-14 and were lucky to even get that.
Coltsfan1345 - January 16, 2012
6-10 with a healthy starting QB
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
Any more judging on hind-sight and crediting everyone except he head coach?
I think Caldwell’s decision to call timeout in the jets game was wrong, but his reasoning mades sense. If the Colts stop the Jets instead of giving up that first down and then drive down the field to score a game winning field goal, the timeout was brilliant. Was it the wrong decision though? Yeah, by a long shot. I’m sure though he was flashing back to the playoff loss to the Chargers in overtime and having deja voux.
It’s unfair for everyone to completely credit Manning for a 14-2 season, but then blame a 2-14 squarely on Caldwell. We also made our reasoning for firing Polian that he wasn’t bringing talent to the roster. Now all of a sudden it was Caldwell? Should we not have fired Polian? The same goes with your Orlovsky/ Painter argument. Before Caldwell was a mindless puppet who didn’t get to make any decisions and Polian should be fired. Now Caldwell made all the calls and should bear all responsibility. Before Polian had control over Christianson and now it’s Caldwell?
People are pissed off about this last season and I am too. Like Grigson said, it’s important to think clearly through decisions and not to just react immediately when managing a team. I think firing Caldwell would be reacting out of anger.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
Why do you care?
Caldwell isn’t great…he is mediocre at best (I personally think badbadbad)
Wouldn’t you rather have a better coach? What does Caldwell do great? He is certainly a good guy…but isn it time for some fire, some anger some bravado…
I dont mean Rex Ryan type foolishness but isn’t it time for some aggression and butt kicking from the coach? Teams take their coaches personality. Maybe they coul use a defensive genius like Zimmer…that’s what I hope for.
(206)NightRidah - January 16, 2012 via mobile
I don't think you can lure a better head coach...
and I think he’s better than ppl give him credit.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
This is a waste of bandwidth...
Colts got worse every year under him. It’s not all his fault but losing 62-7 and basically being a punching bag for half the season from a competitive standpoint is enough…
I can’t imagine a better coach isn’t available
(206)NightRidah - January 16, 2012 via mobile
WHAT COACH DO YOU HAVE IN MIND?
Are you sure he will be better?
javen - January 16, 2012
His reasoning made no sense
If you know football at all. I think everyone (including me and obviously Peyton) had a WTF face on after he called that timeout. Stop defending his retarded coaching decisions.
Coltsfan1345 - January 16, 2012
There's always one who's going to defend things like that.
I think the far majority ‘get it’ regarding Caldwell. Jim Caldwell is a nice guy who is so far in over his head that he doesn’t know which way is up. Jim Irsay renewed my faith in him a few days ago with the Polian firing, and I thought Caldwell was a ‘dead man walking’. If, by some chance, Caldwell stays on as head coach, it literally will go down as one of the craziest decisions ever by an owner. You don’t keep a job after going 2-14. Maybe 5 or 6 wins would have made Irsay take another look, but not 2-14, especially when many of those loses were a result of failing to adjust/poor coaching. And, on the other side of the coin, you don’t hire a coach to begin with, who has a college resume of 26-63. You just don’t do that. Grigson needs to start with a fresh slate. It sickens me to think we could have made a play for Sproles, Harbaugh, etc. We need a coach like Jim Harbaugh or Sean Payton….a smart, passionate coach who knows how to motivate the team, manage the clock, and anticipate the other teams’ moves. I hope they get it right.
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
trust me when that happened
i wanted to throw my chair at the tv
Phillycolt - January 16, 2012
Like Kravitz, I expect Jim Caldwell to be fired. If he's not, Ryan Grigson will look inept in his first major decision as general manager
Already?! Lol…
(206)NightRidah - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Whatever happens, it's time for it to happen
Colts need a LBers & ST coach anyway and hopefully a DBs and DL coach too.
Ty46 - January 16, 2012
I would say the OC needs to go too
The DC could be replaced with an upgrage (i.e. Spagnuolo with his ties to Grigson.) I’m not incredibly confident that Murphy can keep up high quality defense an entire season (i.e. week 17 vs. the Jags). Can Murphy mold and adjust to teams that figure out how he’s been calling plays?
We also saw how great Clydes game plans are without PM calling the plays this year. I also think the Colts need to be more aggressive in their playcalling. There have been too many frustrating years of getting a lead and then ending up with a few 3 and outs in a row because they let their foot off the gas on offense. I like the playcalling of the Packers, Pats, and Saints who grab a hold of the opponents throat and don’t let up until they go limp.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
I dont know about you, but I was rooting for the Texans to win
Its not like we have some hateful rivalry with them where we can enjoy watching them lose, ala the Pats…
Anyways, if your going to clean house in the F.O. then you are also saying you need to clean house at the coaching position as well… time to get rid of Christensen too
dezznutz1001 - January 16, 2012
Yep
Texans will be a legit SB contender and Indy will get up to play them as underdogs. Once Luck gets a few year under his belt it should be really competitive!
(206)NightRidah - January 16, 2012 via mobile
Texans have UFAs Mario Williams and Chris Myers and RFA Arian Foster:
That’s 20+ million right there. After next season Foster will command even more money
Ty46 - January 16, 2012
The Texans game was very meaning full
They still have yet to win a game in Indianapolis. Here’s to hoping that keeps going into eternity.
I agree taht Christensen goes, but you have to be careful about not losing your lockerroom. Players will probably trust and follow Grigson a lot better if they keep the guy they’ve really been pulling for and love. He gets players to get up and play. The game plans have been questionable at best which I, again, believe has more to do with the coordinators he’s hand selected and not the HC.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
I disagree to a point
Players are professionals, they can and will move on…ESPECIALLY if the new OC is someone who commands respect by the players via his abilities, gameplans.
And yeah, I also was thinking how meaningful that win over Houston was…lets me know we are not as bereft as talent as the first 13 games of the season was leading us to believe
dezznutz1001 - January 16, 2012
Isn't this a similar situation to what the Texans had with Kubiak last year?
It seems like an infusion of a couple draft picks, a free agent move, or two and some high quality coordinators put the Colts in an extremely enviable position.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
Firing Caldwell
is a must. You don’t keep a lame duck head coach in the NFL. The only alternative would be extending his contract, and you don’t extend a coaches contract after a 2-14 season. If they don’t fire Caldwell, you’re not going to be able to sell this 2012-13 team to me or most Colts fans.
Oh, and here’s to hoping the Patriots don’t win the Super Bowl!
Coltsfan1345 - January 16, 2012
Agree with you on all counts.
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
He's only lame duck if he's got nothing to fight for
He wants to be retained. Going to the playoffs and winning a Super Bowl would secure his job. I think he can do it with some infusion of talent, a return of manning, and quality coordinators.
Mark Olson - January 16, 2012
But who will hire the coordinators?? You already stated the problems with the current coordinators but those were Caldwell’s guys, right?? What makes you think the can get anyone better and what coach would want to come here if he can’t pick his own staff??
Guy LeDouche - January 16, 2012
There are a lot of guys who could do it under those circumstances...
this season has shown that we need someone who can do it when everything doesn’t go exactly according to plan.
EVLGNUS - January 16, 2012
..and not going to plan means no Manning playing for the year.
We have another team in our division that finished the season fairly well without their starting quarterback. They made the playoffs and even won their first playoff game. The Colts went 2-14. That pretty much says it all.
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
Turn the page
Look at the coaches remaining in the playoffs. You want to give your chips to Caldwell and play poker with those guys ?
I think Sean Payton pulled Jim’s pants down in Super Bowl…
vinfromJersey - January 16, 2012
We don't need to fire Caldwell
We could just relocate him within the organisation. And I think we should do that. He is obviously an awful game day coach, but the players seems to really like him, and he has the guys playing their guts out week in and week out.
He could go back to being assistant HC or QB coach. Or some other title. My gut feeling is to keep him around. He has been key for Peytons development as a young QB, and he could be the same for Luck.
Peter Storgaard - January 16, 2012
I can't think of a single example of a HC sticking around in any other coaching capacity.
It’s just not how it works. (except for the occasional “interim” HC) There needs to be one HMFIC. Having the last guy hanging around in some new, lesser capacity creates confusion within the organization.
EVLGNUS - January 16, 2012
Whatever the decision, enough of the hand wringing over Caldwell.
Whichever way he decides to go, what more could Irsay possibly need to see or hear that he hasn’t already seen or heard in the past 3 years? If he is going to fire him, he is doing him a dis-service by hanging on while other teams fill their coaching staff postions. (and also while potential replacements are being hired by other teams) If he is going to keep him, he already knows that, so go ahead and drop the other shoe and lets get on with putting this team back on the right track. Likewise, if it is Grigson’s decision it will be based on his own desire to bring in his own staff and not on anything else. He already knows if that is what he wants to do so go ahead and do it already….or don’t. But either way hold a press conference and say either Jim Caldwell will coach the Colts in 2012 or Jim Caldwell will not coach the Colts in 2012.
EVLGNUS - January 16, 2012
Caldwell? Are you guys serious??
I’ve enjoyed most of the posts and won’t go into a long, detailed post. I cannot for the life of me understand why, after everything that has happened, are we STILL talking about James Caldwell. Other than his initial season as head coach, I really can’t see any reason on Earth to keep the man in the same capacity. If you want to move him back to QB coach, fine and dandy. Based on a number of factors, including performance on the job or lack thereof, Jimmy Irsay saw fit to release the Polians, especially CHRIS. “Coach” Caldwell earned a ticket to ride on the same train.
KappakidToo - January 16, 2012
It's comical, isn't it?
That there’s actually serious discussion on whether or not to fire the worst excuse for a coach in NFL history. Hopefully, the decision to get rid of him has already been made and the speculation that’s been floating around about keeping him,….is just a bad rumor.
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
It's pretty simple....
We’re STILL talking about Caldwell because as of today he is STILL the head coach of this team.
EVLGNUS - January 17, 2012 via mobile
hard
I would think it would be a hard decison. He takes th eteam to the playoffs and when Manning gets hurt the team falls apart…do you throw the coaach under the bus for Manning’s injury that doomed this season or do you believe his previous playoff appearances warrant another try with Manning back or Luck….if Manning is back I say why not try again…..if Manning is gone and Luck is drafted then I say maybe he is gone….but really I say keep him period…I just do not see how you fire the coach becuase the GM’s did not have a real backup QB on this team…..I understand firing Coyer..he deserved it and so did the special teams coach….but I am not sure I think at all the Caldwell deserves to be fired over an injury to Maniing,…because if Manning was there all season we for sure would not have been 2-14……
Colts53 - January 16, 2012
But what does he bring to the table?
Clearly “he” didn’t take the team to the playoffs, PMoney did. So why not go in another direction and try for a guy that can stand on his own whether Manning is playing or not?
EVLGNUS - January 16, 2012
Peyton's fault
This is all Peyton’s fault. If he didn’t single-handedly put the team on his back and take them to the SB despite Caldwell’s incompetence, Caldwell would look like the incompetent coach he is. We wouldn’t even be having this discussion. Damn you #18, why did you have to be so unbelievably good?!?!?! Lol.
Coltsfan1345 - January 16, 2012
Honestly I agree with most people with Caldwell being fired...
But honestly, looking at that team, they are nothing without Manning. QB is the most important position in the league today, and we had an inept one. People are quick to blame Caldwell for the 14 losses, but isn’t it Polian’s fault for not bringing enough talent in? People always said Polian had the most power, and would not let Caldwell have his way. So why is it suddenly Caldwell’s fauly?I still think Caldwell does a good job of motivating his team, and the Colts as a whole do not commit veyr many stupid plays.
ColtRock - January 16, 2012
I seriously doubt
that Polian demanded that Caldwell not make any in-game adjustments…..adjustments which would benefit the Colts. I also doubt that Polian told Caldwell to call those ridiculous time-outs, which quite possibly kept the Colts from advancing in the playoffs. Let’s face it…..Caldwell was a puppet. He’d agree with anyone in the Colts organization to keep his job. This team needs more than a puppet.
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
on a broken string
OBGYNOSUPREME - January 16, 2012
Good Stuff
Discount Double Check. Where’s Nike at Rogers?
PeytonsForeHead - January 16, 2012
Now, there's a new column
in the Star by Mike Chappel which says that the Colts are going to announce within a day that Caldwell has been retained as head coach. (jumps off cliff)
Ayrshire - January 16, 2012
He is not a HEAD COACH
He should have already been fired ,, does not matter if Peyton stays or goes with regard to Caldwell, he helped us lose winnable games this year and too many totally bad games this year and he helped us lose the SB and Jets playoff game last year,,the sooner he is gone , the sooner we can get someone in there who is much better than he will ever be
OBGYNOSUPREME - January 16, 2012
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