The Indianapolis Quilts
Published January 7, 2010 | 
Don’t worry, thats not a typo, its an indication of the lack of competitiveness and softness of the Colts franchise over the last few years.
Year after year, Peyton Manning dominates the regular season, putting up insane stats consistently, and beat the best teams in the league (at least of late). However, come time for the playoffs and things unravel. The coaches decide to sit their players, give their team a rest, and sit back, and watch other teams fight for playoff spots. Is the wild-card weeknd Bye week not enough rest? Sure, dont play your most injured players obviously. Pulling Peyton and his offense off the field serves no good. This offense works so well because of their rhythm and preparedness.
Those are just the reasons for every OTHER season that this has happened. THIS year, the team was close to something no one has ever done and every player wants it. Going 19-0 for the season means more to players than they will let on from their politically correct mumbo jumbo in the press conferences after the game. You ruined the hopes and dreams of your players. They have a Superbowl already, sure they want another but perfection would mean far more than just one more ring. By essentially quitting on the last two games of the season Caldwell has stripped a good 50% of their playoff motivation away from them. Not only that, but players start questioning their coaches when they make stupid calls like that.
Now the history of this decision for the Colts. When resting players and ‘shutting it down’ the last game or two of the regular season, the Colts are 0-5 in playoffs in terms of Superbowl victories. Now the one year, 2006-2007, that they needed to work and keep momentum to actually make the playoffs, ended in their lone Superbowl. Second guessing your players and their health just makes them think about it themselves even more. Caldwell, you’re no Belichick. Because He never rests his player and just gives up on the last games of the season. He keeps momentum and keeps the competitiveness of the team up entering the playoffs with force. Thats why the Patriots have 3 rings to the Colts 1.
After you lose in your first game this year Caldwell, please change your soft uncompetitive ways and take a play out of Belichicks playbook and get Peyton a few more Superbowls.
Disclaimer: I am a Colts fan over any other NFL team(esp. Patriots), but since the coach and GM gave up on the players and fans of the Colts, I am heavily considering giving up on the Colts.
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