Indianapolis Colts - Irsay's Idiocy

Indianapolis Colts – Irsay’s Idiocy

By: Greg Rector

Indianapolis Colts fans are in disarray and as is so often the case the problem begins with the owner of the Colts Jim Irsay who along with General Manager Chris Ballard is now in the third round of interviews for the head coaching vacancy after firing Frank Reich mid-season. The Indianapolis Colts owner still has former Colts center and interim head coach Jeff Saturday who is still under consideration for the job on a permanent basis. The fan reaction has been far from enthusiastic to seeing Saturday still in the running.

The Indianapolis Colts were 1-7 with Saturday at the helm. No previous experience as a coach at the NFL level. Most Colts fans are fed up seeing the owner appear so strongly in favor of a former star. I’m sorry but I saw a few of those Colts games and it wasn’t pretty. Not the least of which was blowing a 33-point to the Minnesota Vikings. This team was a total mess on the field and now off the field appears to be just as rudderless thanks to an owner’s meddling. A subject as a Cowboys fan I’m only too familiar with on an intimate basis. Irsay could not sway the mind of former Colts quarterback and another friend Jim Harbaugh to leave his current NCAA job, at least we know Jim Harbaugh can coach.

The Finalists

In addition to Saturday, the final set of interviews could include former Broncos DC Ejiro Evero, Rams DC Raheem Morris, Giants DC Wink Martindale, Bengals OC Brian Callahan, Packers ST coach Rich Bissaccia, Eagles OC Shane Steichen, Detroit Lions DC Aaron Glenn. Notice how many current or former defensive coordinators are listed? in the modern coaching hire era, the trend has weighed far more to hiring a head coach from the offensive of the ball. I understand GM Chris Ballard wants to get this right because his job is on the line if this hire doesn’t work. I also get having an offensive guy in Reich that didn’t work out may make someone think the opposite direction is the way to go. The name that is missing from this list? Yet again ERIC BIENEMY, I have no idea what needs to happen in order for Bienenmy to get his well-deserved opportunity as a head coach.

The Direction

Until the head coach is hired what Indianapolis Colts fans are so desperate to see is impossible. That’s the direction the Colts will take for the 2023 season. Will they yet again sign a veteran quarterback or will they draft one of the top three quarterbacks in this draft class? Will they have to trade up in order to get the guy they want to be the franchise quarterback? If they do need to trade up that will mean losing draft capital now and in the future. Indianapolis Colts fans want to know the direction going forward. Far removed from the days of Peyton Manning and Jeff Saturday. Colts fans want their franchise to return to competing for division and AFC Championships. They are also tired of their meddling owner making them a laughingstock in the eyes of football fans across the NFL. Jim Irsay much like Mark Davis is another son of a man who first owned the franchise Robert Irsay who also meddled infamously once firing every assistant coach without the head coach he was doing so. He writes the checks but his football acumen like so many other owners is slim to none. The billionaires need to focus on the business side of the game and allow the football decisions to be handled by those they hire to do so. You don’t see the Hunt family interfere and they are going to their 3rd Super Bowl in 5 years, Robert Kraft mostly has stayed out of the way in the Patriots’ era of going to Super Bowls as well. The Colts, Raiders, Commanders, and of course my Cowboys with their meddling owners can’t even sniff getting to the game’s ultimate showcase.