Quote:
Originally Posted by rm1369
Wasn’t their high level play in the past largely under the same coaches? Was Nelson and Smith so well coached in college they are just now losing their technique and understanding? Sorry I’m not buying it. 2/5 of the expected starting unit sucked. That has a huge affect on a unit required to work as one. Especially early with stunts that require trust and communication. There are likely other issues as well (Qs back, Kelly’s mental health, Covid), but coaching as the primary issue makes no sense.
Let’s see how this team finishes the season before we claim it’s just as good. Frank was 3-3-1 prior to being forced to start Ehlinger. He has a proven history of recovering from slow starts. We won’t know if the same would have happened this season. With all the new offensive Additions I’d expect improvement as the season progresses. We’ll see what we get.
And for the record, the Saturday hiring wasn’t bad because of Xs and Os. At the point you fire a coach mid season you pretty much are writing the season off. Losing every game from here on out is in the Colts best interest. In that respect I believe Saturday is a better choice than Reich. The Saturday hiring was bad because of the perception around the league. Coupled with the QB interference from Irsay, the Colts are a clown show. The top candidates aren’t looking for clown shows. It’s possible Irsay overcomes that with money, but I don’t see the Colts being regarded as a top destination for coaches in the off-season. Irsay and Ballard’s handling of QB position, Reich, and Saturday will be a huge reason why. Anyone who thinks guys that have spent their careers working their way up the ranks won’t be put off by the firing of Reich (after the QB debacle) and the hiring of a guy with no experience is simply wrong. That’s the issue with the situation.
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I largely agree with your last paragraph, with the possible exception of writing the season off (With the loss to the Steelers, I'll admit its probably over, but this wasn't a "normal" midseason firing - Irsay even said it was Saturday or nobody else). Regardless, like you I absolutely hate the perception all of this has created, and the media is more than happy to goose the controversy every time something goes wrong. As far as coaches/GMs, it might be mostly irrelevant if (as I tend to believe) Ballard and Saturday will be back next year. Assistant coaches are the main concern in that scenario, though. Irsay seemed to have a pretty good track record up this year, and the guy has been exceedingly loyal and patient in the past, so hopefully any candidates can see past this situation and remember that.
As to your other points, I absolutely agree everything's a work in progress and we'll know much more by the end of the year. I was just railing (again) against the media and fans who have somehow already reached their verdicts on Reich and Saturday. I liked Reich honestly and was sad to see him go. I think he's a good coach and I hated how it all went down. But then Sirianni kind of irritated me with his "THIS IS FOR FRANK" garbage after his team underperformed and barely squeaked out a victory against Saturday and the Colts, and I started thinking, "are you really that dense to not understand how the Irsay might have been distressed at the team's performance?" It's not like Frank is a martyr or anything - whether you like it or not Sirianni, anyone in his position, particularly after the collapse last year, is going to be on thin ice.
11-30-2022, 10:03 PM
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