Ezra Shaw - Getty Images
5 months ago: MIAMI GARDENS, FL - FILE: Indianapolis Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian on the field prior to the start of Super Bowl XLIV between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints at Sun Life Stadium on February 7, 2010 in Miami Gardens, Florida. According to reports January 2, 2012, the Indianapolis Colts have fired team Vice Chairman Bill Polian along with his son, Chris. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
We'll do one more article after this one in order to fully and completely eulogize Bill Polian's career in Indianapolis, the good with the bad. For today, we focus on why his firing was so necessary, and we get a lot of help from Phil Wilson at the Indianapolis Star.
If you haven't read his most recent blog entry at the Star's website, stop reading this article right now, go here, and ingest Phil's prose. Phil accurately nails down just how toxic not only Chris Polian was, but Bill as well.
I had a friend who landed a job with the Colts many years ago. The first time we ran into each other in a complex hallway, I congratulated him. All I received was a nod as he kept walking. I didn’t know what to think. After the work day, my friend phoned to apologize.
"You understand why I can’t stop and talk to you in the building," he said.
I didn’t.
He was afraid Polian would see us exchanging pleasantries.
"He hates all of us, too," the friend said.
That stuck with me. I couldn’t get that memory out of my head when we learned Polian and his son, Chris, were fired.
Like Phil, I had a similar experience with friends who landed jobs with the Colts. Some of these people were family friends, people I deeply care for. Once the word reached Polian that they were close to me, all communication with those people stopped.
At Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, I walked up to one such friend and to say hello. Bill Polian was just a few feet away. The friend nodded and shuffled away. I didn't know what was wrong until a month later, when people told me that if anyone within the team was seen speaking with me, they could lose their jobs.
Like Phil, I couldn't get out of my head the unbelievable culture of fear that the insecure, violently paranoid Polians used to keep control of the organization. And I won't lie. I'm glad Polian and his equally odious son were fired.
Not reassigned.
Not 'allowed to resign.'
Fired.
It was a fitting end to two people who simply lacked the ability to treat others decently and respectfully, especially if those others worked under them.
Most who question why a proven football man was shown the door weren’t on the receiving end of such rude treatment. It goes beyond not liking the media, folks. I couldn’t care less about that, aside from wanting to make the man accountable for the sake of fans who have every right to expect me to know information and share it with them. When Polian disrespected the fans for questioning the infamous Jets sitdown decision in 2009, when he alone (I believe) decided at 14-0 that perfection was a meaningless pursuit, that crossed a line. Don’t insult the people who have spent so much money to give you such a great life. That goes beyond arguing a debatable football decision.
As Irsay said in Monday’s presser, you should listen to the fans. It sure helps to be respectful, if for no other reason in that position than public opinion. You don’t have to do everything they say. There’s truth to an old Polian statement about how a front-office boss who listens to fans’ advice will end up sitting with them. But by listen, I guess I mean at least hear them out, and not just on a screened-caller basis for a radio show to spin half-truths and lies. It never hurts to be polite.
For me, the beginning of the end for the Polians was that Week Sixteen game. No decision was ever more divisive. We all saw the drama within the fanbase play out right here on this blog. We had longtime readers who were zealots to the Polians bashing anyone who DARED question their genius. It didn't matter that the decision was incredibly unpopular within the lockerroom and the press box. It didn't matter that 60,000 people booed the hell out of the team the moment Peyton Manning was removed from the game mid-third quarter. It didn't matter that fans were berated, insulted, and demeaned repeatedly by Polian the next day on his radio show.
Polian was god, and if you questioned him, you weren't really a Colts fan.
This cult of personality mentality sickened me.
I despised fans who screamed at me in comments, tweets, and emails to 'STFU! Who are you to question the Polians.' No fan epitomized this mentality greater than former 18to88.com editor Nate Dunlevy. Dunlevy seemed to go out of his way to take shots at me for questioning Polian, even to go so far as to say I made up stories just to garner hits for this blog and SBNation.com. No matter how much I tried to reason with Dunlevy, nothing I wrote or said got through to him.
I was anti-Polian, and thus I was anti-Colts.
It bothered me that fans were divided, and that the Pro-Polian side was completely inflexible. They'd question your intelligence. Your allegiance to the team. Your honesty. All because you questioned the big, mouthy red-head in charge.
With friends no longer able to talk to me, fans screaming at me for writing critical articles, and the very team I grew to love and cheer for viewing me as some kind of threat, I really questioned whether or not it was worth it to keep doing this. I remember sitting in a restaurant with my friend and mentor, Tyler Bleszinski, just a few months ago.
I don't think I can keep this up much longer, I told him.
Yeah. If I had to deal with the stuff you were dealing with, I'd quit, he said.
We talked about a plan to transition to other things within SB Nation (now VOX Media, in case you didn't know). We talked about writing general NFL articles, posts about the AFC South, and NFL Draft-specific content. Anything to get me away from covering the Colts, who were radioactive and making me sick.
I was tired and unhappy. Covering football had become a chore. Nothing was fun. When blogging stops being fun, you probably should stop.
So, for me personally, I'm glad Bill Polian and his son are gone from West 56th Street, and I know manymanymanymanymany people at the complex and who cover the team that are also happy. Very happy.
The hope now is that the new bosses in charge of the football operations are a bit friendlier, kinder, and much more fair than their predecessors. The Colts sell to their fanbase the notion that they do things 'the right way.' They play 'the right way' and they treat the game and the people who support it 'the right way.' This was a false slogan while the Polians were in charge. The rotten core was hidden for many years by the warm, inviting presence that was head coach Tony Dungy. But Dungy, unlike his successor Jim Caldwell, was likely insulated from the Polians because Dungy did not answer to them.
To you readers, I hope you can understand my personal feelings about how the firing of Bill and Chris Polian was a VERY good thing. As Phil elegantly states in his article:
There’s such a thing as being professional, even with those you don’t like. It’s nothing short of a travesty that so many over the years lived in fear at West 56th Street.
For the last two years, I had difficultly staying 'professional' in the face the the Polian Reign Of Terror. At times, I fought it with humor, such as when I would recap Bill's nonsensical radio shows. Other times, I attacked it with aggressive defiance, such as our open campaign to push Irsay to fire Bill and his son. When bullies try and intimidate you, you either laugh in their face or smack them in the mouth.
Both actions usually send the bully running to his momma, or, in Bill Polian's case, ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
In the end, both tactics worked, on some level. I'm not ignorant and arrogant to the point were I think our push was THE reason the Polians were cast-off, but I know it factored into Irsay's decision-making. He said so himself in his press conference Monday:
Hearing our fans, whether it is season ticket holders calling in, on Twitter, on blogs and all the ways they communicate, listen, you’re always listening to your fans. They’re your shareholders, and they’re a part of this thing in such a big way. So you’re very aware of that, but let me say this, that has never influenced my decision to make a certain critical decision, because in the end you can say, ‘Oh, this is a great decision’ or ‘That was a great decision,’ but if you don’t win, if you don’t show that you are going in the right direction and if you don’t show eventual dividends in the work you’re doing, then it’s all going to be criticized. It doesn’t really matter that people are giving you accolades because they think you made a move that was right. The bottom-line is to have success, but you do hear the fans. I do, I’m very aware of the intent interest that we have in our franchise, and you want (the fans) to be heard.
Like Phil, I needed a few days to write this because... well, there was just a lot of anger. I needed days to let all that go, and approach this as clearly as humanly possible, given all that has happened. I don't wish plague or ruin on the Polian household, but I am glad that their silly little game of playing dictator is now out of Indianapolis. With them gone, and with Irsay back in charge, it's given me, both as a fan and as a writer, renewed optimism and energy.
I was ashamed I rooted for this team. I really was. Not anymore.
We have some really exciting times ahead of us. Though this rebuilding phase will likely take a year or two, it's what this franchise needed. It's what football needed. It's what I needed.
I'll close with Phil's words, because he has been masterful all season long covering the team and the Polians:
I hope others, those who lived and worked in fear for the Colts, can do so as well.
He’s gone. Put it to bed. Move on.
Trust me, you’ll enjoy the rest of your lives a lot more.
5 recs | 102 comments
I check this blog several times a day.
I personally got tired of all the hate for Polian. I now realize what a “toxic” force the Polian’s really were. I’m just glad we can move on from this black cloud that’s been hanging over this blog for a long time now.
VERNON HOWELL - January 4, 2012 via Android app
There is no gaurantee
That next one would be any better. Sometimes being the GM is being heartless. Its business in the end. Who knows the next GM may well be brought in not to rebuild but to tear apart, then bring in another to rebuild. you need to be awful for the next 3 years to get high in the draft to get young again
kbreboot - January 4, 2012
BBS
My apologies if I gave you too hard of a time. We knew it was bad at the Colts complex just not.that bad. I think we all were just tired of negative articles and bad news (which was noth compared to colts employees) also this doesnt mean you were always 100% correct with your opinions lol. keep up the good work.
gmitch23 - January 4, 2012 via Android app
Good thing Polian is gone.
I’ve always been more of a fan and rooted more for nice front office personnel than any player or team. I really don’t really care how the team performs as long as the general manager is a swell guy and brings candy and ice cream to media members and bloggers.
/sarcasm
burc - January 4, 2012
rooting for a team with a great front office is important
its what keeps you there when players like edge and manning leave. look at all the loyalty the Steelers/Cowboys/Ravens/Niners get from fans…… good front offices
gmitch23 - January 4, 2012 via Android app
Ok
Before anyone starts bashing on BBS…
I’ve read this blog for the last 2 years or so, and although Brad is guilty of posting an excessive amount of Polian bashing blogs, there has also been the ever growing amount of people who specifically comment on how much they hate Brad and his ever constant bashing of Polian and nothing else, they are as bad as they potrayed him.. (and everyone started doing it)
before you all post, and this is for Brad too.. after the next article…It’s over and lets go forward into the future and let both sides stop being so stupid in this stupid mini colts war… Live and let die we are all colts fans
dacolts89 - January 4, 2012
Yes, the reign of the winningest decade in the history of the NFL is over. The King is dead, long live the king.
And for Phil B to claim that he remained professional is laughable.
coltsdude22 - January 4, 2012
What about Peyton?
There were reports on here of a “rift” between Peyton and Polian, but did you see what Peyton said when he heard Bill was fired?? Whats that all about??
Any chance hes pissed at Irsay now and wants nothing to do with the Colts?
bigpony - January 4, 2012
Peyton
Peyton’s not going to publicly bash Bill Polian as Bill is getting kicked out of the building. From what I know, the rift was over Chris Polian, who few people in Indy cared for or respected. But, because Bill pushed Chris on everyone because of nepotism, it created a rift.
We’re writing articles about Peyton now, but, in general, the sense among many is he will not play again. If he does play, it won’t be for the Colts.
Brad Wells - January 4, 2012
thanks BBS
I realize the Peyton Era is most likely over too, it just seemed odd that he made so many compliments towards Bill…even saying he possibly would’ve pulled an “Eli” if Polian wasnt here when Indy drafted him!
And the respect for Chris Polian was obviously never there. Irsay didnt even mention his name in the press conf!! He wouldve flushed this franchise right down the shitter, glad hes gone…
bigpony - January 4, 2012
I think PM will be a Politician someday- he appreciates Bill for the draft, but I can't imagine he approves of his activities as a boss.
VermVerm - January 4, 2012
Not to mention Polian never gave Manning good enough talent on defense.
VermVerm - January 4, 2012
Can't take the risk on Peyton
Greatest QB talent I have seen but he isn’t bionic man. At some point a Dr. Is going to advise him to shut it down.
Even if he plays again, there is no guarantee that he will be able to take a hit. Luck isn’t a sure thing neither is Griffin, but it would be suicide not to acquire one of those guys.
If they bet the farm on Manning and he gets knocked out in week five then they are left with Dan-O who should be a third string QB. I think if Irsay makes the right hires they will be good with Luck sooner than people think
(206)NightRidah - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Reign of Terror?
So if Bill Polian is Robespierre than what does that make Chris?
melvin shot out of a gun bullit - January 4, 2012
"I was tired and unhappy"
that shines a light on why there were all the negative articles. Now go have a Belhaven for god-sakes.
danorocks17 - January 4, 2012
Glad this is over...
Been reading the site for years and the Polian negativity was beginning to wear thin on me and push me away because I just didn’t like TE climate here anymore.
I live out in Seattle where there are very few Colts fans! I am dependent on streaming 1070 and coming here or reading the star online for info. It was a good firing for the right reasons and I’m Glad he is gone and glad Stampedeblue can go back to being the #1 source of Colts info on the triple W!
Kudos to BBS emiller mgrex stew and the rest on a GREAT job reporting as things developed this week!
(206)NightRidah - January 4, 2012 via mobile
I have to say
honestly, that I never thought the Polian reign or terror would end any time soon. I have a new found respect for Irsay. He did the right thing. It will be interesting to see what develops over the next few months.
Ayrshire - January 4, 2012
Yeah
It’s clear Irsay had enough and wasn’t going to let Chris run his franchise. Bill had many was but at least had put together some teams that were contenders. Chris is a complete nobody and him running the team was an absolute joke.
Irsay reminded us all that HE owns the Colts. I think that he will bring in a GM that will be a silent partner and will share power with the coach as Irsay calls the shots…
(206)NightRidah - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Agree about Irsay
I think the tweeting his assistant does makes him look foolish sometimes but the way he moved on this, despite his personal feelings, gave me a newfound respect for him as an owner and as a football mind. I don’t understand why Caldwell and the rest of the staff is still here but I suppose we will see. Irsay deserves a lot of credit for making this difficult decision and it is irritating to hear the national media look at a fraction of the issue (Polian’s draft record from 10+ years ago and the WL record compiled by Manning and a bunch of guys that couldn’t win 3 games without him) and question Irsay’s process and intelligence in making the move.
FatDT - January 4, 2012
I know what you mean,
but it doesn’t surprise me though. I’m sure after some of the national media read Phil Wilson’s blog in the Star, they’ll open their eyes more, and more stories about the lunatic that was formerly in charge of the Colts will be forthcoming.
Ayrshire - January 4, 2012
The mistake you are both making
is making these articles about yourselves. Brad’s article even more than Phil’s is all about him and how he feels not about the colts. This is not your personal blog or confessional. We are not your therapist. Being a professional means you set your personal feelings aside and do your job. That is the opposite of making your job about your personal feelings. Until you realize that you will not be a professional. Its pretty clear that you are far too thin-skinned and petty. You know it kind of reminds me of Bill Polian.
blue1224 - January 4, 2012
You have a point...
He may be thin skinned or unprofessional but it IS his blog. You read it by choice. If you don’t care for his style or opinion, stop reading his articles.
Music Man - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Part of any blog is responding to the blogger.
I did not say there are no good things about this blog. There are many great things and I think it makes sense to express myself about what I think are major distractions from what this site should be about. Also although Brad is in charge this blog is bigger than him. That is precisely the lesson to learn from what happened to Bill Polian.
blue1224 - January 4, 2012
I think.
BBS is trying to clear the air with this article. Now everyone can move on and focus on what we all love and that’s the Colts.
VERNON HOWELL - January 4, 2012 via Android app
YES !!!!
RvHauler1 - January 4, 2012
AND MY AX!!!
Poorly Timed Gimli - January 4, 2012
ahh music man... a student of the polian my way or the highway charm school
the same thing people bashing BP for was immolated right here perfectly.
Straight Out The Burbs - January 4, 2012
'This is not your personal blog or confessional.'
Well, it kind of is my blog. I’m in charge of it and run it.
And part of blogging is confessing, on some level. Part of what I do around here is express how I, as a fan, feel about the team and league. Then, people comment. This isn’t just a straight ‘we blog the news’ and then people comment. For me, that’s boring.
Brad Wells - January 4, 2012
There is a clear difference between giving your opinion about the colts
and making the focus of this blog about your personal feelings about your job or other individuals that you dislike. No one wants this blog to just be straight news but some of us don’t want it to be about you personally. I think very few people come here wanting to know whether or not you are frustrated with your job. We want to know what you think about the team.
Now if you want to take the position that this is your personal blog and you can say what you want that’s fine. But this is inconsistent with also saying you deserve respect/access from the colts organization because that requires professional behavior.
blue1224 - January 4, 2012
You should demand your money back
FatDT - January 4, 2012
Polian and Knight
Same guy. Lousy people, great at their jobs.
I hope as a Colts fan it doesn’t take the same amount of time to find another great GM as it took to find another great IU coach.
Music Man - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Maybe they were both great at their jobs
at other times in their careers, but if they were both still great at their jobs, I think they’d probably still have them.
Ayrshire - January 4, 2012
so true.
Sparhawk - January 4, 2012
Age has a way of catching up in more than one way and lots of times not so good.
RvHauler1 - January 4, 2012
Knight wasn't bad when he got fired
He simply didn’t change with the times. Polian probably the same way. If Knight had won a National championship a few years before he left, he would probably have survived.
Music Man - January 4, 2012
But, he didn't win a national championship a few years
before he left, probably because he didn’t change with the times. That’s being bad. You can’t coach your players to pass the ball around a minimum of 5 times before taking a shot. They’re not that good to be able to hold it that long without turning it over. If you have an open shot, take it! Many times, Knight-coached teams wouldn’t even get a shot off, before turning it over.
Ayrshire - January 5, 2012
It took me awhile to jump the dump Polian bandwagon.
I could see he had an arrogance problem. But I had no idea that his employees and coworkers were in fear of the guy. Nobody should have to spent a third of their life in those conditions. After the draft, I was pretty happy with who Chis picked up. But you have to be a pretty big dillhole to run an organization with fear as a motivator.
tim55 - January 4, 2012
Oh, yeah.........
And I still hope your wrong about Peyton not playing for the Colts again. Call me sentimental, just don’t call me late for dinner.
tim55 - January 4, 2012
your late for dinner.. j/k
i am a little sentimental about Peyton as well.. I did after all name my first born (girl) Peyton..
67ChevILL - January 4, 2012
Suprise of the decade
BBS is happy that the Polians were fired. Ha.
You try to make it seem as if people who worked under Polian were oppressed, simply because they couldn’t talk to the media. Hell, I’d say that’s a favor.
I don’t blame Polian one bit for not wanting his people talking to you after all the BS you gave them. And I think a lot of the reason why posters here gave you hell was because of your attitude toward the readers, and that if they disagree with your OPINION, then they are idiots and should not be listened to.
Polian deserved some criticism for bad picks. No doubt about that. But, it certainly seemed like you were ready to sensationalize every borderline and sometimes premature issue, just to have a reason to bash Polian.
yellowsnow - January 4, 2012
that third point nails it
muncie_in_this - January 4, 2012
If I was the GM like Polian I would have also fired those employees if they talked to BBS
If you work for the Colts and are relative of a journalist and blogger there is a risk of gossip (to say the least) being spilled out that could be detrimental to the organization.
codrutc - January 4, 2012
this is the first time I agree BBS you JUST might be pouring it on here a bit
I was 100% with you that BP had to go and made no apologies. I even read your other blog about him leaving, Irsay moving on from him, and other write ups but eventually BBS you have to move on. The more you keep piling on BP and son you only make risk turning some fans against you. Yes we know he had to go, he’s gone, let the healing start and move on from the past….
Straight Out The Burbs - January 4, 2012
great news.
All in all great news that the Polians are gone but only he we find a GM has succeses him. Also great news that Norv Turner is staying in SD,, BBs had be really scared on talks about Norv in indy.
It going to be a crazy off season and how much everyone is going to be covering news about INDY. I just hope we can get back to the elite team we have grown so a custom of.
67ChevILL - January 4, 2012
Good article...
too bad some of your readers can’t comprehend doing one “good Bill” and one “bad Bill” article to complete a eulogy. Don’t know how you tolerate some of the dumbassery that is spewed in these comments. It’s like some folks are begging to be called hillbillies.
SoCalHoosier - January 4, 2012
Overall
the people that comment here are worse than on Youtube. Some people are very upset that they can’t wear their Polian jersey anymore.
FatDT - January 4, 2012
Disagree!
I think 95% were ready to see him go and 120% think Chris is a worthless sack of crap! Just because some don’t have the personal hatred for BP that others do doesn’t make them stupid or uninformed :-)
Glad it’s over! Hopefully JC is next!
(206)NightRidah - January 4, 2012 via mobile
Disagree!
I think 95% were ready to see him go and 120% think Chris is a worthless sack of crap! Just because some don’t have the personal hatred for BP that others do doesn’t make them stupid or uninformed :-)
Glad it’s over! Hopefully JC is next!
(206)NightRidah - January 4, 2012 via mobile
I was critical of you in the past...
But I was wrong. I’ll admit it. I owe you an apology.
LetsGoHorse - January 4, 2012
Can BBS and the other writers do anything right?
Damn, some of you are the whiniest babies. Harden the F up. And you call yourselves football fans.
A blog is geared to the opinion of the writer. If you want news and/or rehashed new links (with very little commentary and thought), there’s other sites for that.
It’s 2012, welcome to the internet.
JWilder - January 4, 2012
Colt fans please read this
BBS, First I would like to compliment you and your staff of writers for the best, IMO, blog site in football The only nfl site close is New England Pats. Altho I disagree with many of your conclusions thru the years, I find the writings always entertaining and well researched. I know I am atypical of most readers, being Polians age, nevertheless the Colts are more than just a favorite sports team, I consider them a hobby. I am one of the fans that travels to a couple of games each year. I take great pleasure when more than once a pro player has told me that its a pleasure to speak to a fan who is very knowledgeable about pro football. Therefore when Polian mentions the “pundits” who think they know the game and dont, I took it very personally,,as if he is saying,,,I have wasted 50 years watching the game.
I noticed not only were the Polians fired, but another high level executive was let go,,no doubt a Polian guy. Irsay had to realize that there has to be some level of comaderie between his business and the community. In a small market, its very easy to lose the interest of the community, just look at Jacksonville, where you can buy a ticket for 15 dollars at game time.
However, this blog site, the Star and other sites have missed the most damaging effect the Polians have had on the Colts. Polians stubborness and resistence to change has been detrimental to the Colts organization. His philosophy of drafting has always been, best athlete available, rather then position requirements and fit for the team. Manning was able to compensate for lack of talent, especially when rules started favoring a passing game. Now just think,,what if Gonzo, Brown and Hughes were all healthy, and playing solid nfl football. Would the Colts be that much better? They still would have a terrible offensive line, still have terrible run defense and pass defense.
I dont blame Polian on Ugoh failure (he was highly rated), but I do blame Polian for not finding a quality replacement, thru free agency if necessary. There was a time where best athlete philosophy could work,, before all the reliance on schemes, strategy..back in the days if you ran faster and were stronger, you would dominate. Obviously thats not the case anymore, thats why you see players becoming more or less a factor when they switch teams.
On my bucket list was to be at the game where Manning breaks either all time completion record or yardage record..probably not going to happen. But I would like to attend one more championship game or at least a playoff game. I think this is only way possible,,clean house build a team around Luck. If Manning can play next year, then I hope so and Luck will learn from him. Whoever is Colts qb, there must be at least 2 new offensive linemen plus Ijalana or 3 new ones and a quality WR to replace Wayne or re-signing Wayne.
oldnjcoltsfan - January 4, 2012
I don't think he always took the best athlete I think he drafted for nee a year or two ahead of time.
It's Magc - January 4, 2012
Phil B's article is weak
I read it and was wondering what all the fuss is about. “Reign of Terror”?? Phil cites 2 examples in the piece and both fall along the lines of “unpleasantness” rather than “terror.” He cites no other specifics other than Polian wouldn’t talk to him. Boo, hoo. It was a shoddy piece of reporting and if I was his editor I would tell him to either beef it up with specifics or tone it way down. When you use “Reign of Terror,” you better be able to back it up with copious examples. Otherwise, it sounds like a lot of whining and kicking a guy when he’s down. Why didn’t Phil have the balls to write this before Polian was canned?
JTBLA - January 4, 2012
I agree
it was half-assed. Either talk about how bad it was or don’t. Don’t say “I’m going to take the high road” and then kinda sorta take some limp-wristed shots anyway. PhilB is better than that.
FatDT - January 4, 2012
Keep dancing on that grave
The hypocrisy of this article would be funny if it weren’t so sad.
The guy who frequently refers to people he doesn’t like as “moron”, “idiot”, “prick”, etc, is giving a lecture about being respectful?
The guy who banished a number of community members for disagreeing in the wrong tone is complaining about intolerance for dissent?
The guy with no editorial standard who routinely shrugs off criticism by claiming to be “just a blogger” is telling others how to behave like a professional?
The guy who went out of his way to insult and attack the Polians on literally a daily basis was so sick of it that he wanted to quit entirely?
Come on. Don’t piss on my head and tell me it’s raining.
Bill Polian built a team that succeeded through hard work and dedication, but also while holding to a higher standard of character and personal discipline that nearly any other team in pro sports. Divas and head cases like Randy Moss, Tank Johnson, and Pacman Jones were unheard-of in Indy. Polian intentionally set a standard that favored intelligent, mature people over raw talent. Indy always won the “right” way.
But he was mean. Meany mean mean. And he wounded the pride of media folks who made it their personal mission to run him out of town. And now, after the team somehow survived 13 years of Polian and his “odious” character flaws, his detractors get to celebrate their victory. Well, congratulations on feeling less small because you had a part in tearing down a bigger man. While you’re at it, be sure to take shots at people who disagreed with you and dared to defend the Polians. Good for you.
Jim Irsay is still a great owner and the ideals of the Colts are his ideals too. I’m sure that the next GM will also want to win the right way. I just don’t think he’ll be as successful at it because nobody else in NFL history ever has.
I’m sorry if Bill Polian hurt your feelings. He did it while building the most successful AND classiest decade of any franchise in the league, ever. If that’s less important than your ego then, yes, I do question your devotion to the team. I think your personal gratification hinders your ability to fairly and intelligently cover the Colts and you should find something else to do.
szquirrel - January 4, 2012
You're a prime example of what
SoCalHoosier was talking about above.
Ayrshire - January 4, 2012
i agree with all u just said
but, didnt u read the part that tomorrow’s article will focus on Bills accomplishents????
gmitch23 - January 4, 2012 via Android app
Only after first poisoning the well
Giving equal time to different views pre-supposes that both are of equal merit. It’s an ancient rhetorical gimmick.
szquirrel - January 4, 2012
its what you say last about a person
is what people remember. it would be disrespectful to make this article your last to someone. Why am i even arguing this, im not a bbs fan most of the time either. But what he isdoing today and tomorrow isnt bad. Actually iys out of his character.
gmitch23 - January 4, 2012 via Android app
That will depend on the article tomorrow, won't it?
The first sentence of this one promises “the good with the bad”. So really we get one “bad Bill” article and one “good and bad Bill” article. I’m setting the over/under on Bill-bashing to Bill-praising at 50%.
szquirrel - January 4, 2012
why even judge it until you read it?
like i said, i agreed 100% on what u had to say about bbs but u ha e to give him credit for finally atteptimg to change his tune.
gmitch23 - January 4, 2012 via Android app
I'll believe it when I see it
His first impulse was to write yet another 1500+ words about what a shithead Bill Polian is. And he closes the article with “put it to bed, move on” to declare that his word is the last word. Nothing about the tune is changing so far.
Being gracious starts at the beginning of the day, not after you’ve got what you wanted.
szquirrel - January 4, 2012
It's not gracious at all -
It’s one last stab at Polian (God, I hope it’s one last and there are no more coming).
What BBS basically said in this article is, “it’s personal”. So no matter what Polian did or did not do, or change or whatever, BBS would come out against it and rail on this blog against the Polian’s. BBS is pissed that Polian blew him off, and told his own employees not to speak to BBS. If that’s even true, can you not blame Polian for that given what BBS posts 99.9% of the time recently?
So I get it, that’s BBS’s take – and if I don’t like it then I should reading the things BBS posts.
Fair enough.
Given how unilaterally one sided BBS posted on the topic of the Polian’s, it would be really hard to take any other articles from him seriously. What if Andrew Luck refused to shake BBS’s hand? Should we expect 50 articles on what a jack-bastard Luck is?
You can be critical about someone without posting what a “moron” “loser” “jerk”, etc. they are, by the way. Somewhere in 6th grade your teach tells you to stop writing that way, I believe.
buymymonkey - January 4, 2012
Should "not" be reading. Sorry.
Clearly I should be proof-reading. :-(
buymymonkey - January 4, 2012
Nice knowing you Szquirrel...
(206)NightRidah - January 4, 2012 via mobile
I'm immune
I asked to be banned months ago since it’s not possible to “un-join” an SB Nation site. Hence, my punishment is to remain not-banned. I’m the fucking Wandering Jew of StampedeBlue.com.
szquirrel - January 4, 2012
You can "un-join" as long as you haven't posted a comment.
I’m stuck on the Giant blog because of one comment I don’t remember making.
It's Magc - January 4, 2012
Well said!
If you media whores had issues with Bill Polian why didn’t you go to the owner Jim Irsay. When the internet stream was cut off why didn’t you ask Jim Irsay to overrule Bill? I am sure Bill Polian has his faults like everyone does, but isn’t this the “pot calling the kettle black”. I have no respect for the Indpls media. Getting in a war of words with Jeff Saturday and saying Jerry Hughes looked like he “peed in the corner” in so unprofessional and insulting. The media insults and attacks on anyone disagreeing with them or just to create controversy is getting old.
I think the real reason Bill was fired was Jim Irsay was scared sh*tless of Chris taking over the full-time GM responsibilities.
pwbbny - January 4, 2012
Now complaining about how Bill P. is disrespectful and mean.
Next paragraph, bash Nate Dunleavy for the 900th straight article because you are incredibly insecure.
What a fucking hypocrite
udllama - January 4, 2012
Was this a response to pwbbny?
buymymonkey - January 4, 2012
No I hit reply on the wrong portion.
It was just a reply to BBS and his usual raving lunacy. He holds others to a certain standard but can’t live up to it himself. I think he lacks integrity and logic.
udllama - January 5, 2012
+1,000,000,000
Perfectly stated.
JTBLA - January 4, 2012
To me the problem was that Bill Polian was a jerk...
and treated the media poorly. It was about the nepotism – he held everybody to a higher standard, but not his son, who wasn’t making good decisions.
Yougotme - January 4, 2012
Should say "was NOT a jerk" in the title there...
Yougotme - January 4, 2012
Hard to disagree with anything here
Except the last sentence. I like this blog I like this blog because, say what you will about BBS, his articles are fodder for discussion.
BenD - January 4, 2012 via mobile
I'm not sure the national media understands the situation
Dan Patrick made it very clear today on his show that the decision to fire Polian was Irsay having to choose between Bill and Peyton. I regularly watch/listen to DP, like him very much actually, but I think he’s failing to grasp the basic fundamentals of the situation.
The organization needed a culture shift. Desperately. And even if the relationship between 18 and Polian factored into Irsay’s decision, it did not make up the bulk of the reasoning behind the decision.
The Polian era was one of greatness, no doubt about it. The success teams like GB, the Aints, and the Pats are having in 2011/12 are because they duplicated the Polian era formula to a T. (Remember when Pats fans used to say, All the Colts do is throw the ball, they’re not a real team). But BBS is right, ever since that decision in week 16 to sit everyone, the Polians have not been a credible, consistant example of leadership the team needs.
The one thing that stuck with me the most from Irsay’s presser was the need for the new GM to understand the franchise’s role in the community in its totality. Polian lost that somewhere, and I don’t think he will get that back (some would argue he never had it).
The bottom line is, I don’t begrudge Bill or his boy, but a change was desperately needed. Recent draft history, public relations, fan relations, these are all things the Polians failed to grasp or own over these last two years.
Polian was great. But it was time to change. I wish there was more of a focus on that dichotomy, as opposed to Bill vs. Big P.
RockyRippleColtsFan - January 4, 2012
Much like Sean McDounough the other night questioning the firing of...
BILL Polian, these guys continue to forget that it was CHRIS Polian who was actually fired. BILL Polian was retired for all intents – he was more a puppetmaster than decision maker. His son was seriously screwing up the organization and the two of them are package deal. The old Bill Polian was a brilliant tactician and shrewd GM. The new Bill Polian was buying time in a futile attempt to make his son his successor and it failed, but the national media isn’t in tune with reality in Indy. They just see the 14 time exec of the year in the NFL fired and draw conclusions based on the team going 2-14 without Manning.
Yougotme - January 4, 2012
Its strange how many talking heads have defended Polian as if he's some kind of victim
RockyRippleColtsFan - January 4, 2012
I agree
especially when they either don’t know the circumstances or choose to ignore them.
FatDT - January 4, 2012
and the never mention his recent drafting failure
i think it was mcshay who said polian has “missed hear and there.” mcshay should take a closer look, ol bill was missing a lot the last few years.
BLOODontheTRACKS - January 4, 2012
Honestly...
…the drafting is almost secondary to the other issues. At least for me, it is. I don’t like being called a “rat” because I agreed with Kravitz’s opinion, nor do I like being fed contradictory information. If perfection or records or numbers don’t matter, fine. But don’t stick your starters into a snow storm so they can rack up bonuses the next week, you know?
Also, he was out of touch this year. Utterly and completely out of touch. He put himself out there as the voice/mouth piece of the franchise but never once took any responsibility for the decisions he made in terms of staff and or players. Not that Tryon or Harris would have made a difference, but could they have done any worse?
I don’t want to bash Polian, I just want people to be realistic, especially the national media who seems to hosting the biggest pity party for Polian the world has ever known.
RockyRippleColtsFan - January 4, 2012
I'm convinced
most of these people who blindly support Polian would support him no matter what he did. I truly believe they’re sociopaths. There’s no other rational reason for it. If BBS was sick and tired of reading their ridiculous, short-sighted drivel, I can tell you many other people were just as sick of it. For a long time, reading their comments was embarrassing and made me feel that Indianapolis had the most idiot fanbase in the league. But, then I started reading many comments in the Indianapolis Star from rational people, and realize that the Polian-supporting fools who comment here are the minority.
Ayrshire - January 4, 2012
What do you call "blindly"?
Seriously, I want to know. Because it seems like every time I post anything positive about Polian, you’re the first to respond with an insult. Even though we’ve never met you talk all kinds of shit, calling me an idiot or a loser or saying I have Polian’s nuts in my mouth.
Nobody says Polian was a saint but he also wasn’t Satan. People are rarely all one thing or all the other.
By all accounts Polian has a filthy temper. He was hyper-controlling and too suspicious and very rude to anyone he thought was second-guessing him.
But he didn’t demand all the credit. He was quick to give glory to his players. He almost always defended them from criticism, so much so that when he didn’t it was big news. He dug up gold from the bottom of the draft. Hell, he hired every single player that Colts fans love and cheer for today.
So tell me, what does the man have to do to get a little credit?
szquirrel - January 4, 2012
National media has a big picture perspective
We see more and follow the Colts. WR know BP is a mega douche and treats people like dirt. We know his son is a toolbox…
But the media knows that GMs that build .650 win pct teams don’t grow on trees. BP isnt universally hated. He isn’t a god or a genius and should have been fired but fans take it too far and say he was the reason the Colta haven’t won 6 SBs.
The answer is in the middle somewhere.
Hopefully this is the last thread about them! I’m looking forward to the Luck years and a revamped D!
(206)NightRidah - January 4, 2012 via mobile
szquirrel, I have no problem
with a different perspective, but I’m certainly going to give my perspective too, especially when I see people like you commenting. I think Polian made some great draft picks early on in his career, and I think many of them became stars with the team, especially Manning. So, yes, I give him credit. But, in fairness, I also think if a different GM had been with the team, he would have picked Manning too and probably different supporting players, and I believe the different supporting players would end up being household names with the Colts as well…largely because Manning elevates everybody’s level of play. I think many of Polian’s other decisions limited the potential of a Manning-led team. But, I think things broke down terribly with Polian in the last few years, especially with the decision of week 9, which Polian still defends, even though every player on the Colts was disgusted with that decision….as well as 99 percent of the fans. Sometimes you have to let a team go for its dream. Polian didn’t. He lost me completely there. I think BBS had every right to start focusing on all the short-sighted mistakes of Polian. I understand that BBS can be over the top and a bit sensational in his writing style, and you clearly don’t like that. But, nobody deserves to be told to ‘die in a fire’….which were words you used, that I’ll never forget. So, hopefully, this week can put all this Polian stuff to bed. It would be nice to focus on other things.
Ayrshire - January 5, 2012
I meant to say 'week 16'
Ayrshire - January 5, 2012
Fair enough
The “die in a fire” line is a meme that I figured people would recognize. It’s no worse than the hateful, histrionic writing Brad’s done about the Polians all year so I thought I’d see how he likes it. I’m far, far from the only person here spewing trash.
I just find it hard to believe that you and Brad and the rest of the Fire Polian bandwagon were so sick of the topic when you all kept writing about it almost daily. There’s a difference between “focus on” and “obsess about constantly”. It was a shouting campaign, and anyone who tried to argue any differently was shouted down with made-up numbers like “99 percent of the fans”.
This was never a debate; it was a lynching. And given Brad’s history with Polian, I doubt it was about his concern for the long-term health of the Colts. But whatever, it’s done now.
szquirrel - January 5, 2012
I can appreciate your position.
And even though we see it differently, it’s done now. Thank God.
Ayrshire - January 5, 2012
I'm one of the people who think Chris got fired and Bill had to go with him.
It's Magc - January 4, 2012
Thank goodness..
Joey Kirby - January 4, 2012
So, he was an asshole?...
…Boo-freeeeeeeakin’-hoo. All the success that spoiled us as Colts fans? He built the teams responsible.
The man built a winner, one we all root for and follow, but times they are a-changin’. What remains is whether change is both good AND necessary.
The Learned Hand - January 4, 2012
He drafted Peyton Manning
He didn’t build a winner. He built a team that couldn’t win 3 games without Manning. Gosh how horrible to see him go.
Maybe that was all Chris’s fault. I doubt it, but even if it is, Bill signed off on all of it and made him the GM.
FatDT - January 4, 2012
FatDT, many of the people here clearly don't understand the Manning variable.
You have the greatest of all time masking many problems on this team for years, and his greatness was enough to still produce wins, even with all the ongoing problems around him. Unfortunately, people just assume that Polian must be great because of those regular season wins. Well, you saw what happened when the Manning variable is removed from the equation. Bill Polian gets exposed, and ultimately gets fired, as he should have.
Ayrshire - January 4, 2012
People Skills lacking....
…..but he was in his day a genius of football talent and personnel. I can tell you obviously had issues with his treatment of fans and media types but denying his talent as a scout and manager would be remiss. His downfall, as seen in Buffalo and Carolina, has always been his inability to sustain the team after the initial placement of talent and draft picks. He inherited players such as Marvin Harrison and laid the other pieces in place with Wayne, James, Freeney, Sanders and Manning. He rested on those laurels too long just like Kelly, Thomas and Reed in Buffalo. Nothing prepared for future but win now mentality. We had a great team for over a decade now so thank you Bill for that but as Mr. Irsay said, the time for a change is here now and we as a fanbase should be ready for some bumpy years. I have been a Colts fan for 40 years now and have seen those bad years collect with vigor, so I for one am glad to have had this opportunity to be a fan of this team. I am glad he is gone now but when we were winning I am glad we had him.
Chip Emerick - January 4, 2012
Edgerin James
right before he was let go had said that the Colts weren’t the perfect clubhouse that everyone thought we were. He mentioned there was some dysfuntional things going on. I don’t remember anybody ever talking about that but I always thought it odd and we all know that Edge was a straight up talker and said what he thought. Could have been a reference to Polian. I don’t know what else it could have been. It might be because he knew he would be let go.
GrizzColt - January 4, 2012
Interesting...
Phil Wilson never remained professional. Neither did BBS. Both had a VERY strong personal dislike for Polian that clouded any ability to accurately convey any news that concerned Polian. That is exacly why I have been one who has posted to this blog openly questioning BBS’s articles. Regardless of whether or not you’d like to label this site as news, blog, or somewhere in between…writing just one article (let alone an entire season’s worth of articles…) ranting and screaming about how much you hate somebody instantly dilutes your credibility and detracts from this site, as a whole.
I can obviously tell that BBS (BBS, I hope you get a chance to read this) is a huge fan of the Colts. I am too. I sincerely hope that with the Polians gone, you can move forward and let it all go. There’s no doubt our favorite team has taken steps to make change in the organization. We’ll just have to wait now and see if those steps are heading in the right direction.
NFLFan83 - January 4, 2012
to compare Phils gripes with BBS
is way unfare to Phil. Phil has remained professional and has never disrespected his readers.
gmitch23 - January 4, 2012 via Android app
I'm not comparing the two. Allow me to clarify.
Phil Wilson is a great reporter and I have enjoyed a great deal of his work; however, he has not always remained professional as he claimed in his article that BBS references. If you go and read some of his other work, you’ll see that on more than one occasion he let his personal disgust for Polian bleed through into his articles. That’s all I intended to point out.
NFLFan83 - January 4, 2012
ahh gotcha
gmitch23 - January 4, 2012 via Android app
Double-Edged Sword...
As a professional myself, I’m never happy or excited to see that a person has lost their job. At the same time, I’m glad that those people who work within the organization aren’t walking around on egg shells worrying about losing their jobs.
As a fan of the Colts, I have to look at results, and the Colts (outside of this year) have been winning games for a long time. Polian may have been a jerk, but he undeniably had a hand in building a pretty successful team. One aspect of the whole “fire Polian” crusade that has been lacking from the beginning, is what the Colts will do AFTER he’s gone. Change may have been necessary, but it’s not necessarily going to be good.
NFLFan83 - January 4, 2012
"reign of terror"
is a little harsh. Also bad Karma to gloat about someone being fired. That being said I think Irsay made the right decision.
coltsgolfbeer - January 4, 2012
I agree entirely that it was time for Polian to be gone,
and I agree with the article as a whole. However, (and I didn’t read above comments to see if this has already been said, so sorry if it has) I find it a bit silly for it to be written that those who were pro-Polian were inflexible and would “question your intelligence. Your allegiance to the team. Your honesty.” Well,. yes, some did. However, many articles written here on Stampede Blue would be jsut as inflexible in its hate on Polian with often the defense being something along the lines of “You’re an idiot if you don’t agree.” I mean, I’m on the side of the author here in that Polian needed to go (I’ve kinda always been in the middle on the whole thing), but to say that pro-Polian people are inflexible would be, excuse the old saying, the pot calling the kettle black.
Sir Sci - January 5, 2012
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