I’ll begin by saying that it’s most likely more healthy to only overlook about final season and transfer on to learn how to win subsequent yr, however like lots of you, I’ve to view the beginning of subsequent season in a approach that jogs my memory quite a lot of final season. The resolution to stay establishment with our management, makes it troublesome to see subsequent yr being completely different. I don’t recall different organizations permitting such a protracted studying curve for the GM and Head Coach.
I, like most of you, went into Sunday night pondering that the likelihood existed of seeing the Colts make some adjustments within the GM and/or head coach. The sentiment was creeping in that they might be retained, however I didn’t hear any reasoning that I purchased into (in order that’s on me), and given the Colts have been good at preserving their enterprise in home, I felt the percentages would possibly nonetheless be about 50-50. My private selection was that they let each the GM and HC go. I felt that their “must win” alternative was this previous yr and it had eluded them.
I’m extra out on Steichen, primarily based primarily on him showing to be extra concerned in X’s and O’s, than getting 53 guys working collectively to win video games. I merely don’t suppose he can run the offense and the workforce on the identical time. I’m out on Ballard as a result of I wouldn’t need him discovering my subsequent coach, or any coach for that matter. I blame them each for the “Rivers Experiment”. Not as a result of I consider it failed, however as a result of they didn’t perceive that workforce constructing must be a continuing phenomenon that isn’t deserted when the going will get robust.
Steichen ought to have been a specializing in getting Leonard prepared, the minute AR was injured. RL ought to have been taking first workforce reps as quickly as Jones was injured and the HC ought to have been promoting the workforce at every cease that Riley can be the person when wanted and that they might rally round him, when and if he was referred to as upon. Ballard ought to have had a QB that he had at the least some degree of confidence might be a backup on sport day. If you had no thought that Rypien might fill that position, discover another person.
Riley Leonard had a fairly good day for a season finale. I’m solely counting the primary half, since he noticed the 2nd string within the 2nd half. He did rating 17 in that half, towards a workforce that solely provides up 16 a sport. This would possibly make some followers say that you simply’ve seen sufficient out of him to make him the starter or backup for subsequent season. I’d like a bit extra information and I really feel we received robbed of this by bringing in Rivers. A 4 sport pattern dimension might need uncovered whether or not he was the man making downfield connections, or the man who threw a foul INT and fumbled. On the speeding landing he scored, he held the ball like a loaf of bread and a greater hit might need seen him free management. Even if him enjoying the 4 video games didn’t reveal something, it will have been 4 video games towards 4 stout defenses to place in his bag and 4 video games of movie to work on over the offseason.
Full disclosure, I used to be towards bringing in Rivers the primary time. I’ve a protracted reminiscence when a participant taunts a crowd as he exits a playoff sport in our dwelling stadium. Especially, when he didn’t play. By the best way, if you end up doing an interview, the place a Colts hat. Yep, I’m outdated.
Part 2 right here is an admission. I shared that I assumed if Steichen was fired, I might simply go away Cooter in place and have him name performs. After watching RL on the sidelines this week, I’ve to ask simply what JBC contributes? SS clearly calls the performs. They confirmed Jones carrying a head set, sitting with the coaches upstairs and Turner sitting with RL on the sidelines, however what the heck was JBC doing? I noticed him stroll into the image as soon as and he was clapping. I could also be flawed, however I’m not even certain he was carrying a headset? To see him calling performs is a suggestion that I’m glad nobody paid consideration to.
In that very same state of affairs, I had Lou shifting into the HC position. I assume I’m not utterly nuts, since he has been requested for an interview with two groups. It is feasible that it’s nonetheless a foul thought and that the groups inquiring aren’t trying in the best place for his or her subsequent man. I’m hoping there is a little more of a shakeup on the defensive facet, except for seeing Partridge go away. Health was an issue, however so was producing an actual and visual go rush, together with getting a LB the place they have to be in protection. It was doubtless extra personnel than scheme.
We clearly must make some adjustments and to this point they haven’t come to the administration degree. This doubtless signifies that except somebody sees Lou as the reply to their issues, all of our adjustments will contain gamers and we is not going to hear a lot in regards to the roster till March third, after we could have a way of whether or not or not it takes the franchise tag to convey D. Jones again. Shortly afterwards, March 9 – 11, we get the authorized tampering with free brokers. These aren’t secrets and techniques, so you already know when you’ve got acquired or misplaced gamers, quite rapidly.
There is the mix sprinkled in there, however hopefully the scouting division is trying much less at RAS, than guys who’re good at soccer. Without a 1st spherical decide, it’s going make our mock drafts lots much less enjoyable. We truthfully have little or no to sit up for for the remainder of January and all of February. This might even see us ranting about final yr, longer than we wish to. I do know I simply did.
So, I’ve laid my blame on the ft of the GM and the HC. Do you could have a unique villain, or possibly the identical villains for a unique cause? Feel free vent, as a way to put 2025 within the rear view mirror.