Most Colts players have been tight-lipped about club president Bill Polian’s decision to bench front-line players down the regular season’s stretch. While it would appear that Polian’s tactic paid off considering where Indianapolis currently stands, center Jeff Saturday is still fuming.
He made his feelings public at Tuesday’s Super Bowl Media Day.
“The truth is, (the decision) had nothing to do with us (players),” Saturday said. “There was nothing we could do about it. I can tell you every player wanted to play, every player tried to play, but that wasn’t what our front office and our coach decided.”
Colts right tackle Ryan Diem also called Polian’s decision “a little disappointing,” while free safety Antoine Bethea defended Indianapolis’ higher-ups.
The Colts’ bid to be considered the greatest team in NFL history died when Peyton Manning was pulled in the third quarter of Week 16. Win or lose on Sunday, that’s not something Indianapolis -- as a football organization and city -- can ever get back.