It was 1997 and Lindy Infante was head coach. Jim Johnson was our defensive coordinator. Captain comeback was behind center and by week 10 we were 0-10. The team had struggled for years just to win a few games and the fan base was always outnumbered by opposing fans for many games. That year we did not win a game until week 12. By year’s end we had a 3-13 record. We were -88 in points and that was only because we won a single game 41-0. Our offense and defense ranked in the bottom of the league. All we as fans had to look forward to was another draft and the chance at finally getting a pick that could possible make a difference. Since moving to Indianapolis the team had not had a ten win season. The playoffs were a dream; well there was that one run that had us all excited. Then HE CAME!!

               The drafting of Peyton Manning was in hindsight a great choice. Many experts said we picked the wrong QB, but he was the man. Also keep in mind we had a few choice guys on the team ready to help with our new guy. Tarik Glen to guard his blind side. A young rookie wide receiver named Harrison. A great tight end named Dilger. Oh yea some guy named Faulk to carry the ball. So we draft a new quarterback and he gets a fighting chance right from the start.

               Flash forward 14 years. A franchise with more winning seasons in ten years than any other NFL team. A new stadium filled with BLUE every Sunday. Then it all comes crashing down. All good things must come to an end as they say. We as fans had, of course, hoped for a more elegant end to the Manning era. Perhaps one more glorious run and then he rides off into the sunset. But this? No we did not want this. Sure if you believe Bill Pollian he will be back next season and ready to play again. But we all know this is looking more and more like a promise that Uncle Bill cannot keep.

               But unlike 1998 the drafting of a new Quarterback in 2012 may not be the answer. In football more than any other sport, one man does not make a team. Look at the history of great young quarterbacks being drafted by teams with no support structure. They end up broken and beaten and a footnote in the NFL history books. Can Castonzo be the next Tarik Glen? Will Reggie even be there to catch a pass from a new QB? Is there a Faulk in the backfield? These pieces to the puzzle have me more concerned about the future than any first round draft pick. Not to mention that fact the Bill Pollian is not the one making a lot of these choices now. Do we really feel the Prince of Pollian has what it takes to build this team? Based on the exodus of good coaches and support staff in the last few years I would say it is very doubtful. Not to mention the questionable signings of players and the release of others.

               So my fellow fans I ask, do we believe in LUCK? I for one do not believe that LUCK wins games. I believe TEAMS win games. If Peyton does not return, and I for one am sorry to say he may not, then it’s time to start rebuilding this franchise from the top down. We need a leader on the sideline on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. We need new ideas and fresh blood. We need FIRE and BRIMESTONE. Then we need to rebuild the team around that ideal and give whoever is behind center a fighting chance to perform. Without these things the 1980’s and 1990’s will be back and this franchise will never be the same. Let’s not leave everything to LUCK!

GO COLTS !!

Greg Woods aka PT

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