Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian took serious issue with an argument that his son Chris has had a big hand in the team’s 0-9 record this season, so we definitely welcome a chance to hear what he thinks is to blame for the team’s record.
Albert Breer of NFL.com gives us a chance to find out in an interview with Polian. The Colts exec isn’t taking the easy way out and simply blaming things on the absence of Peyton Manning. He’s also doesn’t want to hear from anyone who thinks Indy is too reliant on its star player.
“That’s like saying New England is too reliant on Tom Brady,” Polian said. “You rely on your stars. There’s no credence to that theory.”
Well, there’s a little credence to that theory. It’s the 11-5 record the Patriots posted in 2008 when Brady blew out his knee and Matt Cassel stepped in to replace him at quarterback.
Polian also doesn’t blame coach Jim Caldwell, something that’s become a fairly popular outlet of frustration in the Colts’ season. Polian says that he thinks Caldwell is doing a “better job” this year than when they went to the Super Bowl and then doubles down by saying Caldwell has been “magnificent” this season.
So, what is to blame for the 0-9 start for a team that’s barely competing on a weekly basis?
“I think it’s 70 percent that we’re just not playing well, and we need to figure out why and get that fixed,” he said. “And then, it’s 30 percent talent at certain positions. At defensive tackle, it’s injuries. At cornerback, perhaps it’s talent, and it’s definitely needing better depth. Beyond that, we just need to play better. … (But) I agree with (Bill) Parcells, when he says you are what your record says you are.”
Hard to argue with that last point.
When a lack of talent keeps coming up -- and, really, what’s 70 percent not playing well other than a nicer way of blaming the lack of talent -- you have to look at the people who put together the team. Polian doesn’t go there, probably because he doesn’t want to make a public declaration that he and his son haven’t done all that good of a job constructing this year’s team. Realistically, everyone has a hand in the debacle of a season but the buck needs to stop with the guys at the top.