Polian Discusses Why He Was Dismissed, Denies Feeling Animosity Toward Irsay

Former Colts Vice Chair Bill Polian said that “not grooming a replacement” for injured Colts QB Peyton Manning “was the primary reason the Colts collapsed this season,” according to Michael Marot of the AP. Polian said, "I've always told the staff that our approach should be to hope for the best but plan for the worst, and I didn't do an adequate enough job of planning for the circumstances we were in. It led to this catastrophe." He added, "I understand what the dynamics are. So when you have the kind of season we had, there's always some accountability and that includes me. Was I surprised? No. The timing of it was a bit surprising, but not the end result." Marot wrote the “outside perception was that other factors played into” Owner Jim Irsay's decision to release Polian. Some suspected the August acquisition of QB Kerry Collins “didn't go over well within the organization,” while others “questioned Polian's recent drafts” (AP, 1/4). Polian “denied feeling any animosity toward Irsay, whom he has known for three decades, but he didn't deny the pain resulting from Irsay's decision” (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/5).

TAKING THE HEAT UNFAIRLY: Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz said Polian was fired in part because he "had his son move up in the organization the way he did," and Chris Polian essentially served as Colts GM and President. Kravitz: “Everybody nationally looks at this from a distance like this was a repudiation of Bill Polian. The truth of the matter is this was a referendum on Chris Polian. Bill had one foot out the door anyway.” The firings were an acknowledgement by Irsay “that he didn’t feel comfortable with the succession plan” ("Outside The Lines," ESPN, 1/4). Meanwhile, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported people around the NFL likely will look at Bill Polian to “see if he has any interest in rejoining the NFL as a general manager." Schefter: "He can be brought on as a consultant, he can do a lot of things. ... We’re talking about somebody who was a six-time NFL Executive of the Year voted on by his peers. So clearly he’s got immense respects levels in the league” (“NFL Live,” ESPN, 1/4).

MORE TO THE STORY? In Indianapolis, Phillip Wilson wrote under the header, "Polian Dismissal Means No More Fear." While Polian took the Colts to "places they have never been" and will eventually be elected to the Pro Football HOF, there is "so much more people don't know" about him. Wilson went on to detail several examples of Polian being rude to team employees and players and wrote, "Jim Irsay does have class. He can make reference to 'deficiencies' without saying anything more. He knew that we knew, those of us who have been there for years." Fans questioning why a "proven football man was shown the door weren't on the receiving end of such rude treatment," something that "goes beyond not liking the media." Wilson: "As Irsay said in Monday's presser, you should listen to the fans. It sure helps to be respectful, if for no other reason in that position than public opinion. ... It never hurts to be polite." Wilson added, "I choose to try to learn and grow from the continually challenging experience of dealing with the man. I hope others, those who lived and worked in fear for the Colts, can do so as well" (INDYSTAR.com, 1/4).