2015 Colts: Karma Chameleon

[jimbobim]

Good to see Doyel's erratic rhetorical cannon aimed at Indy's own franchise. I think Luck can sense that he's supposed to make up for all the Colts flaws while at the same time having to shoulder one of the most uneven, ineffective, and average attacks in the league. 
 
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2015/09/22/doyel-andrew-luck-making-bad-team-worse/72407940/
 
Pagano noted that the Colts “can’t turn the damn ball over,” which is the most agitated I’ve seen Pagano in almost a full calendar year. When someone in the media tried to give Luck an out, asking Pagano if his quarterback is under too much pressure behind a leaky offensive line, Pagano refused to go along.
“He has been dealing with that for three years now,” Pagano said, saying what I was saying earlier:
Luck has had the weight of the franchise on him since he got here. Why is he buckling so badly now?
Pagano then got cruel, noting that Zionsville High could beat the Colts with all those mistakes on offense. Then he delivered the coup de grace. Maybe it was unintentional, but this is what Pagano said about all the turnovers, about Andrew Luck’s poor play:
“It’s not that hard – it’s not trigonometry.”
Luck majored in engineering at Stanford. That’s a math-based major. Not saying Pagano was specifically mocking.
Just saying. Maybe he was.
After two games the Colts are in the same position as a year ago – 0-2, but facing a run of easy games against AFC South opposition – but understand something: Andrew Luck is not having the same year. He’s worse, much worse.
After two losses last season, Luck still was completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 542 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. His passer rating was a respectable 85.5.
After two losses this season? He’s completing 54.7 percent of his passes for 493 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. His passer rating is about 57.0.

 

[singaporesoxfan]

I did feel dirty when someone mentioned hiring Patricia.

They could hire Patricia Clarkson and it would still be an improvement.

 

[dcmissle]

And can we channel some Kravitz too?

 

[Shelterdog]

Everything you ever wanted to know is in this article (which clearly has Grigson as a major anonymous source).  Including, especially, how awesome he is at chin up and bench press. 
 
What a total douchenozzle.
 
 
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2566550-the-evolution-of-ryan-grigson-the-nfls-most-unconventional-gm

 

[sodenj5]

You think that Irsay is still pumped that they took Dorsett in the first round instead of an offensive lineman?

 

[Granite Sox]

 
When Grigson gets fired, I would give my left nut for BB to go into his next presser and just casually offer him a job parking cars at the stadium or something. Just once.

 
The Pats have an opening in game-day ball preparation.  Would be great to "reach out" to Grigson via the Colts Equipment Manager/squealer...
 
Grigson is as unctuous as they come...

 

[Shelterdog]

You think that Irsay is still pumped that they took Dorsett in the first round instead of an offensive lineman?

 
Grigson gets a lot of shit for that pick but if Dorsett does turn out to be a good player it's probably a worthwhile pick.  They're going to lose one or both of their tight ends, Andre Johnson is a short term solution, Hilton is going to cost money so they need to get some relatively cost controlled offensive players for 2016-2019.  

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

You think that Irsay is still pumped that they took Dorsett in the first round instead of an offensive lineman?

There was a ton of anger among fans over that pick but in some places I also read the typical defense of "top of their draft board" and "they really love this guy." Question is why would you ever trust their draft board or scouting in any way?

To be fair, they did draft an OL...some guy named Denzelle Good at pick 255 from some place called Mars Hill.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

The Colts need to right this ship pretty quick.
 
Schedule:
@ Tenn
Jax
@ HOU
NE
NO
@CAR
DEN
@ATL
TB
@PIT
@JAX
HOU
@MIA
Tenn
 
That Patriots through Pitt stretch isn't going to be a picnic. I can easily see them losing 4 of those games, which even if they ran the table with every other game is putting them borderline at 10-6. Plus playing in Miami at Christmas is never a great time.

 

[sodenj5]

 
Grigson gets a lot of shit for that pick but if Dorsett does turn out to be a good player it's probably a worthwhile pick.  They're going to lose one or both of their tight ends, Andre Johnson is a short term solution, Hilton is going to cost money so they need to get some relatively cost controlled offensive players for 2016-2019.  

 
The fact that they have no interest in protecting their biggest asset and franchise quarterback speaks volumes about how poorly Grigson has constructed this roster. It's not like this has been a problem that just popped up. It's been going on for Luck's entire career thus far. Nothing against Dorsett, but if Luck gets hurt, they could finish last in their division.

 

[coremiller]

The Colts need to right this ship pretty quick.
 
Schedule:
@ Tenn
Jax
@ HOU
NE
NO
@CAR
DEN
@ATL
TB
@PIT
@JAX
HOU
@MIA
Tenn
 
That Patriots through Pitt stretch isn't going to be a picnic. I can easily see them losing 4 of those games, which even if they ran the table with every other game is putting them borderline at 10-6. Plus playing in Miami at Christmas is never a great time.

 
NE, DEN, and Pitt are good, but the Colts will be significant favorites against NO and TB at home, and @CAR and @ATL aren't especially scary road games either, even though both are 2-0 right now.  The NFC South is not very good.  The Colts could lose all three of NE/DEN/PITT and still pretty easily make the playoffs as long as they take care of business within their division, which is terrible.  Nobody else in the AFC South is likely to even get to 8-8. 

 

[tims4wins]

Disagree with you on @ Carolina - that is a NASTY defense and a capable offense. They are a top 4 team in the NFC IMO (GB, Seattle, Arizona, Carolina). I see them in the NFCCG - if they take care of business they are going to get a bye and a home game.

 

[Leather]

Maybe worry about some other teams once in awhile, mmmkay?
 

 

[NortheasternPJ]

 
NE, DEN, and Pitt are good, but the Colts will be significant favorites against NO and TB at home, and @CAR and @ATL aren't especially scary road games either, even though both are 2-0 right now.  The NFC South is not very good.  The Colts could lose all three of NE/DEN/PITT and still pretty easily make the playoffs as long as they take care of business within their division, which is terrible.  Nobody else in the AFC South is likely to even get to 8-8. 

 
 
I'm with tims4wins, i think the Carolina game is going to be a big problem for them. I think its very possible they lose NE, Denver, Pitt and Carolina. If Miami can get Suh in line, that game is going to be a problem for them as well.
 
It's 2 weeks and we all saw what happened last year with NE at 2-2 and then went on a tear, I just don't see Indy doing a complete turnaround with the personnel they have. I think they do end up winning the AFC South at 10-6 or so, but I don't see them making any sort of run. 

 

[crystalline]

 
When Grigson gets fired, I would give my left nut for BB to go into his next presser and just casually offer him a job parking cars at the stadium or something. Just once.

Offer him a job figuring out how to pipe noise into Gillette.

Good to see Doyel's erratic rhetorical cannon aimed at Indy's own franchise. I think Luck can sense that he's supposed to make up for all the Colts flaws while at the same time having to shoulder one of the most uneven, ineffective, and average attacks in the league. 
 
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2015/09/22/doyel-andrew-luck-making-bad-team-worse/72407940/
 

5]Pagano noted that the Colts cant turn the damn ball over, which is the most agitated Ive seen Pagano in almost a full calendar year. When someone in the media tried to give Luck an out, asking Pagano if his quarterback is under too much pressure behind a leaky offensive line, Pagano refused to go along.
5]He has been dealing with that for three years now, Pagano said, saying what I was saying earlier:
5]Luck has had the weight of the franchise on him since he got here. Why is he buckling so badly now?
5]Pagano then got cruel, noting that Zionsville High could beat the Colts with all those mistakes on offense. Then he delivered the coup de grace. Maybe it was unintentional, but this is what Pagano said about all the turnovers, about Andrew Lucks poor play:
5]Its not that hard its not trigonometry.
5]Luck majored in engineering at Stanford. Thats a math-based major. Not saying Pagano was specifically mocking.
5]Just saying. Maybe he was.
5]After two games the Colts are in the same position as a year ago 0-2, but facing a run of easy games against AFC South opposition but understand something: Andrew Luck is not having the same year. Hes worse, much worse.
5]After two losses last season, Luck still was completing 63.2 percent of his passes for 542 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. His passer rating was a respectable 85.5.
5]After two losses this season? Hes completing 54.7 percent of his passes for 493 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. His passer rating is about 57.0.

Wow. Total meltdown. When the coach starts blaming the franchise QB on TV, chaos is in store.

I'd love it if Luck gave a press conference saying
"I was talking to the defensive coach at Stanford. He said that he was in the middle of a meeting where the coaches were game planning to stop the run. He wasn't sure if the other team was going to run much, but if they do, you gotta be able to stop it. I wish our coaches did that during the playoffs last year."

 

[Shelterdog]

 
The fact that they have no interest in protecting their biggest asset and franchise quarterback speaks volumes about how poorly Grigson has constructed this roster. It's not like this has been a problem that just popped up. It's been going on for Luck's entire career thus far. Nothing against Dorsett, but if Luck gets hurt, they could finish last in their division.

 
Grigson has done a kind of shitty job I just think he gets to much shit for spending a first at a position that isn't a huge need. 

 

[RedOctober3829]

As much as I have dumped on the Colts, they were 0-2 last year too.  Then they ripped of 6 wins in 7 games and 11-3 overall after 0-2.  Not saying it will happen again, but they've been in this position before and came out OK.  

 

[coremiller]

Regardless of your view on Carolina (I disagree, but don't want to sidetrack the thread), the bigger point is that a) the Colts' schedule is still fairly easy on the whole (before the season, they were projected to have the 29th hardest schedule based on DVOA); and b) their division is awful, so they will only need 8-9 wins against that easy schedule to make the playoffs.  I can't see any of HOU/TENN/JAX getting to more than 8 wins, and most of those teams' wins will come off each other.  To get to 8 wins, they could go 5-1 in the division, beat NO/TB at home, and then they need to win just one out-of-division road game somewhere (e.g. MIA or ATL).  If they can sweep the division, they probably don't need to win any road games outside their division.  They could be thoroughly mediocre and still host a first round playoff game.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Since halftime of the AFCCG, when the Colts complained about PSIs, Luck has put up the following lines:

4 for 14, 38 yards, 2 INTs
26 of 49, 243 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
21 of 37, 250 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs


51 of 100, 531 yards, 3 TDs, 7 INTs.

Maybe he's the guy affected most adversely by properly inflated footballs after all.

 

[tims4wins]

Regardless of your view on Carolina (I disagree, but don't want to sidetrack the thread), the bigger point is that a) the Colts' schedule is still fairly easy on the whole (before the season, they were projected to have the 29th hardest schedule based on DVOA); and b) their division is awful, so they will only need 8-9 wins against that easy schedule to make the playoffs.  I can't see any of HOU/TENN/JAX getting to more than 8 wins, and most of those teams' wins will come off each other.  To get to 8 wins, they could go 5-1 in the division, beat NO/TB at home, and then they need to win just one out-of-division road game somewhere (e.g. MIA or ATL).  If they can sweep the division, they probably don't need to win any road games outside their division.  They could be thoroughly mediocre and still host a first round playoff game.

 
All true, but at least from a Patriot perspective I do not see that team as a threat at all if the game is not in Indy

 

[DJnVa]

As much as I have dumped on the Colts, they were 0-2 last year too.  Then they ripped of 6 wins in 7 games and 11-3 overall after 0-2.  Not saying it will happen again, but they've been in this position before and came out OK.  

 
Last year though, even though they lost the first 2 games, Luck was playing well. He's not playing well so far, and the issues appear more systemic than they were last season.
 

 

[soxfan121]

 
Grigson has done a kind of shitty job I just think he gets to much shit for spending a first at a position that isn't a huge need. 

 
Are you talking about Dorsett or Richardson? Because while just one of those isn't shitstorm worthy, both of them are. Grigson's use of first rounders in general is pretty awful.

 

[MillarTime]

Maybe worry about some other teams once in awhile, mmmkay?
 

 
I mean, wow....that's a grandfather. In. Their. Heads.

 

[JimD]

Shouldn't we want the Colts to turn things around? Having this team in the AFC playoff field is what I want for Christmas every year.

 
Screw them.  I love the idea of fans of both the Colts and Ravens getting to watch their teams crash and burn the year after they pointed fingers at NE, while simultaneously having to stomach another Pats playoff run.  

 

[Granite Sox]

Are you talking about Dorsett or Richardson? Because while just one of those isn't shitstorm worthy, both of them are. Grigson's use of first rounders in general is pretty awful.

 
And Bjoern Werner.
 
Who?
 
Exactly.

 

[Jed Zeppelin]

Maybe worry about some other teams once in awhile, mmmkay?
 

 
Holy shit, is redbeard half-Romulan?

 

[E5 Yaz]

Chuck Pagano with some very pointed post-game comments about a) his quarterback not making smart decisions with the ball and b) roster strength. The Pagano-Grigson rumored animosity will be interesting to watch

 

[soxhop411]

SI NFL ‏@si_nfl  24m24 minutes ago
Broken relationship between Pagano, Grigson to blame for Colts' woes, writes @SI_DougFarrar http://on.si.com/1L3Ae8q
 
 
he wont last the season at this rate

 

[Pandemonium67]

More banners for Lucas Oil Field.
 

 
Courtesy of Masshole Sports  http://www.massholesports.com/2015/09/the-colts-lost-20-7-to-friggin-jets.html?m=1

 

[riboflav]

It's amazing how many professional coaches and players can't just lose without throwing more gas on the fire after the games. It seems far worse in the NFL than MLB and the NBA.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

So John Gruden is the obvious hire here, correct?  Do they take a run at Nick Saban? Perhaps Sean Payton and the Saints decide to part ways and Jerrah doesn't fire Garrett to get him?
 
 
I would think they will have their pick of coaching candidates in the offseason, since coaches will fall all over themselves for the chance to coach Andrew Luck, and they could blow out that rat Grigson at the same time and offer plenty of control over player personnel.

 

[Average Reds]

Maybe worry about some other teams once in awhile, mmmkay?
 

 
Nice to see that Donald Sterling has turned his attention to football these days.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

So John Gruden is the obvious hire here, correct?  Do they take a run at Nick Saban? Perhaps Sean Payton and the Saints decide to part ways and Jerrah doesn't fire Garrett to get him?
 
 
I would think they will have their pick of coaching candidates in the offseason, since coaches will fall all over themselves for the chance to coach Andrew Luck, and they could blow out that rat Grigson at the same time and offer plenty of control over player personnel.

 
Word is that Gruden is making 5 million a year or so from ESPN, so unless he gets laid off or really really wants to coach, its going to be hard to attract him. Cake job at ESPN, millions a year, working minimal if any and you're getting paid to talk football
 
Is Gruden the new Bill Cowher? How many years did it take for people to stop saying he's going back to coaching?

 

[dcmissle]

Cowher and Gruden both have SB rings, and it's a nice life. It would have to be a perfect spot even to make it tempting to them. This is far from a perfect spot.

 

[DJnVa]

Cowher and Gruden both have SB rings, and it's a nice life. It would have to be a perfect spot even to make it tempting to them. This is far from a perfect spot.

 
I don't know. Gruden is all about the QBs, from his show with the rookies, etc. If he's going to jump this would seem to be a spot.
 
You're not going to find many teams out there with a potential stud QB and a great roster around them--those coaching positions don't come open. So, this one fits half the bill.
 

 

 

[edmunddantes]

A weird thing about the grandpa in the deflated football is that the team he would be mocking isn't even there. 
 
As a Sox fan, this was like the Yankees Sucks (pre '04) chants at Patriots games/rallies or when the Red Sox were playing the Orioles, Blue Jays, etc. 
 
Patriots are so in their heads. 

 

[dcdrew10]

A weird thing about the grandpa in the deflated football is that the team he would be mocking isn't even there. 
 
As a Sox fan, this was like the Yankees Sucks (pre '04) chants at Patriots games/rallies or when the Red Sox were playing the Orioles, Blue Jays, etc. 
 
Patriots are so in their heads. 

I'm not entirely sure that he's wearing it to troll Pats fans. I think it's a football patterned Scottish Bonnet (Scottish version of a beret) that he's wearing…to a football game. Nothing more. Let's not read into things anymore than necessary, everyone is getting in our heads. Even if he is tweaking the Pats, who cares? His team are losers, the joke is on him.

 

[Kenny F'ing Powers]

As much as I have dumped on the Colts, they were 0-2 last year too.  Then they ripped of 6 wins in 7 games and 11-3 overall after 0-2.  Not saying it will happen again, but they've been in this position before and came out OK.  

I agree that they aren't done.

I'd also say that this team has the same flaws as last year, if not worse. Their gameplan appeared to be "have same team, hope people don't exploit it in the AFCCG again", which is goddamn dumb.

They had the cap space and draft picks to patch real holes on this team, and they really fucked up.

 

[rodderick]

I'm not entirely sure that he's wearing it to troll Pats fans. I think it's a football patterned Scottish Bonnet (Scottish version of a beret) that he's wearing…to a football game. Nothing more. Let's not read into things anymore than necessary, everyone is getting in our heads. Even if he is tweaking the Pats, who cares? His team are losers, the joke is on him.

It's absolutely an allusion to deflategate, and people are only pointing it out to laugh at the guy, no one here is offended by it.

 

[Leather]

Ya, that's a fucking deflated football on his head.
 
That's why I posted it, because he's not even watching the Patriots.
 
 

 

[Stitch01]

I still have to think the Colts are going to have a really good passing game, so they'll still end up being a good team, but KFP nailed it.  They the chance to set up a really good team, particularly while Luck was cheap, and they traded a 1st rounder for Trent Richardson and then later  went out and signed two old name skill players and drafted a WR this offseason after they got destroyed at the line by their biggest competition.  Not once mind you, but four times in a row over two seasons.  This after they already were burnt trading a 1st rounder for a glitzy running back.  They're run by idiots.

 

[edmunddantes]

They have wasted his cheap years.

It's only going to get harder to fill out that team when they have to pay Luck market rate.

Does anyone have any faith that Grigson can do that? Is Irsay smart enough to get in a good talent evaluator?

 

[Gunfighter 09]

KFP and Stich are right on this one. It is especially galling when you consider that guys like Nick Fairley and Terrance Knighton, who would have addressed their biggest need, signed on one year prove it deals. They did sign Trent Cole to try and keep the Patriots from running them over again, but one of the big DTs on the market certainly would have helped.
 
 
Further, for the $12M in cap space that they are using on Johnson and Gore, they could have afforded Mike Upati ($7.5M) and Orlando Franklin ($4.6M this year)

 

[Hoya81]

So John Gruden is the obvious hire here, correct?  Do they take a run at Nick Saban? Perhaps Sean Payton and the Saints decide to part ways and Jerrah doesn't fire Garrett to get him?
 
 
I would think they will have their pick of coaching candidates in the offseason, since coaches will fall all over themselves for the chance to coach Andrew Luck, and they could blow out that rat Grigson at the same time and offer plenty of control over player personnel.

I would think it would be Jim Harbaugh, but the ransom to pry him away from Michigan would be too high even for Irsay.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

They have wasted his cheap years.

It's only going to get harder to fill out that team when they have to pay Luck market rate.

Does anyone have any faith that Grigson can do that? Is Irsay smart enough to get in a good talent evaluator?

 
This is the big hurt coming. His cap # this year is 7, next year it's 16. Even if they do a massive deal and restructure he's going to be doubling that # without an issue. 

 

[Shelterdog]

 
Are you talking about Dorsett or Richardson? Because while just one of those isn't shitstorm worthy, both of them are. Grigson's use of first rounders in general is pretty awful.

Dorsett. The Richardson trade was atrocious.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Dorsett. The Richardson trade was atrocious.

 
Grigson should have gotten fired for that alone
 
https://twitter.com/JimIrsay/status/380446242083323904
 
https://twitter.com/JimIrsay/status/380441743562244097

 

[nolasoxfan]

 
Grigson should have gotten fired for that alone
 
https://twitter.com/JimIrsay/status/380446242083323904
 
https://twitter.com/JimIrsay/status/380441743562244097

Those Irsay tweets are comedy gold.  'Shock and…awwww…’   is more like it.

 

[Tony C]

 
Grigson should have gotten fired for that alone
 
https://twitter.com/JimIrsay/status/380446242083323904
 
https://twitter.com/JimIrsay/status/380441743562244097

 
It isn't just that these are hilarious -- though they are -- it's why talk of getting a big name coach like Gruden is insane. Grigson is a problem, but Irsay is THE problem. No one who has their stripes will want to work for him, he has to get a young ambitious dude like Grigson, only...a smart one. 

 

[E5 Yaz]

 
It isn't just that these are hilarious -- though they are -- it's why talk of getting a big name coach like Gruden is insane. Grigson is a problem, but Irsay is THE problem. No one who has their stripes will want to work for him, he has to get a young ambitious dude like Grigson, only...a smart one. 

 
Unless there's some tarnish on the resume ... as in how Harbaugh left SF. A motivated Harbaugh, willing to prove the end of the 49ers tenure was an outlier, could be a fit. 
 
Or Irsay could just clean house and let Grigson go to his eventual position in the NFL office under Kensil and bring in a Saban-type to run the whole show