Tonight the weekly, hour-long local radio show for Indianapolis Colts General Manager Bill Polian was yanked off the air 15 minutes early after Polian endured a steady stream of heated complaints from callers to the show.
The programming was actually abruptly ended in the middle of a comment from yet another caller taking Polian to task for the team’s decision to pull its starters in the third quarter of a 29-15 loss to the Jets yesterday. The defeat snapped 14 consecutive wins for the team to open the season.
Part of the reason for the generally irate nature of the calls was Polian’s refusal to acknowledge that pulling the Colts starters was a bad idea. An idea that he most likely helped implement with first-year coach Jim Caldwell.
Polian:
“16-0 to us was inconsequential. … It was not something that we felt we owed anyone, our fans included.”
“We could take a poll and ask Colts fans in August if they would be happy with 14-1, most would be happy with that.”
Now you can probably understand why things only got worse as the show went on. (Not coincidentally, the program isn’t archived on the station’s website.)
During my sports radio career, I interviewed Polian several times. He’s always been one of the more media-friendly general managers, so long as you don’t dispute his opinions. That high-profile arrogance finally came back to bite him tonight. Ironic when you consider he’s the steward of one of the most successful NFL franchises of the past decade.
9:36 pm on December 28th, 2009
That kind of arrogance may keep me from buying any Colts tickets in the future.
11:14 pm on December 28th, 2009
And we, as fans, owe Polian and the team we’ve supported through HORRIBLE years as well as great, nothing at all if he’s going to throw games and not be concerned when we’re dropping $250 a ticket to watch our team ignore history, ignore its fans and display such an arrogance toward what they “owe” us. Without us, by the way, Bill, this team would be relocated to L.A.
Ass.
11:51 pm on December 28th, 2009
Polian is right…in August we would be ecstatic with 14-1. The problem is the Colts were 14-0 with a 15-10 lead over the Jets in the 3rd quarter.
If injuries are such a concern, why play any starters? I don’t get this taking the foot off the gas philosophy that the Colts constantly buy into. Sometimes, you have to have a feel for what you’re playing for. I understand that 16-0 isn’t a stated goal for any team at the start of the season. But you get to 14 wins and are leading with 20 minutes left, do you think maybe their goals should adapt to the surroundings?
The company line is now spouting out all their accomplishments this season, and they’re right: It’s been an amazing season. It’s just been tarnished by an awful decision by management and the coaching staff.
It’s not August, Bill. You’re acting like a man that thinks computers are going to ruin the world.
Of course, Indianapolis will forgive with a Super Bowl Championship. I just don’t think they’ll forget Sunday’s actions.
12:14 am on December 29th, 2009
I’d rather win the Super Bowl than try to exercise the Ghost of Don Shula and Larry Csonka.
But that’s me: I prefer championships over style points and long-term excellence over short-term bragging on a bar stool.
This country needs more vapid self-absorption and focus on the little picture.
Paging Sarah Palin!
12:48 am on December 29th, 2009
Knocking boots with Beyonce has never been one of my goals, but if presented the opportunity, you best believe I won’t labor through 20 minutes of foreplay and signal for Curtis Painter to finish the job……I’m 100% against anything good happening to the Colts the rest of the year.
1:35 am on December 29th, 2009
Big L - The ends still don’t justify the means.
I’m all for winning Super Bowl rings and saving resources toward the end of a long season, but this wasn’t a game that was easily in hand, so it’s undeniable that they threw a portion of the season under the bus….
The midnight move to Indy was bad enough, but Johnny U must be spinning…..
2:12 am on December 29th, 2009
This will make NFL Films in one of their all time blunder moves by a franchise… next time Colts see Miami - it will be vs the Dolphins.
4:12 am on December 29th, 2009
The Colts are gonna get KO’d by San Diego in the playoffs. Book it.
8:07 am on December 29th, 2009
We won’t know until the conclusion of Super Bowl Sunday whether this was a good decision or not. The trouble for Polian and Caldwell is that anything less than a victory on February 7 and they will be forever vilified. You better run the table boys! It’s a narrow window for redemption.
8:10 am on December 29th, 2009
Somewhere a bunch of fat ol’ retired Dolphin players sit and hoist a few to re-celebrate their perfect season against inferior competition….and I sit on my yacht getting some trim.
9:09 am on December 29th, 2009
The only manuever missing here is when the Colts are losing their upcoming playoff game , Jim Caldwell sprints across the fied and bites off the opposing coaches ear.
9:13 am on December 29th, 2009
Please insert this “L” in the field above
11:50 am on December 29th, 2009
I think a refund is in order to fans!
9:36 am on December 30th, 2009
Colts dont deserve to be in the history books, worst 14-0 team ever. Without a defense, you dont deserve undefeated. Your lucky the loss to my Jets didnt count for 2. Take your 1 loss and enjoy it.
2:13 pm on December 30th, 2009
Polian isn’t just the steward of one of the most successful franchises of the last decade - he’s the CAUSE of that success. His personnel moves and management of the team are the reason they have been so good. Just wait until he leaves and the Colts return to their prior irrelevence.
3:10 pm on December 30th, 2009
Ignatz,
It doesn’t mean a damn thing.
Win the Super Bowl.
That’s all the matters.
4:01 pm on December 30th, 2009
The way I see it, it’s a no win situation now for Polian.
If they happen to get derailed in the playoffs like most Charger fans think, then everyone including this fan, will say they still had a chance to do something that only 2 teams have done 16-0. But if they should win the Super Bowl most of us fans will go “I wonder if they had played those last 2 games to win”
11:38 pm on January 1st, 2010
GloryDaze
You Wrote: I prefer championships over style points and long-term excellence over short-term bragging on a bar stool.
… When did you start believing that championships, style, long-term excellence and bragging rights are somehow mutually exclusive?
Paging Gomer Pyle