Bill Polian was GM of the Indianapolis Colts from 1998 to 2011. Owner Jim Irsay canned Polian when the Indianapolis Colts fell to 2-14 that season. As you know they bounced back really nicely and quite quickly
The Colts had a lot of money to spend and cap space to work with in free agency this offseason and awarded about $140 million in contracts to 11 players. They stayed away from the real big names and expensive guys and went after guys they felt fit in the Indianapolis Colts team culture. Mostly, that means getting rid of the guys suited to the 4-3, and bringing defenders who can play the 3-4. Chuck Pagano used the euphemism “hybrid” to describe the transition from 4-3 to 3-4.
Now an ESPN analyst, Bill Polian was asked his thoughts on the group the Colts brought in. and how the Indianapolis Colts approached it?
“The defense is obvious, how they fit in the new offense, and how the new offense fits with the talent level that’s already there,” Polian said.
“As we know, it’s essentially similar to that which they ran at Stanford. The defense in many ways is similar to that which they ran at Stanford. Andrew is certainly familiar with the offense and certainly familiar with the necessity to — with a bigger defense, to extend drives and things of that nature. They clearly are banking on being a better power running team than they were a year ago, and that’s all well and good. And ultimately the proof will be in the pudding.”
Again, this is an interesting year from an X and O standpoint. This is a team that seems to be, at least from the outside, changing their X and O approach on offense. They’ve already committed to changing it on defense, and that’ll continue.”
For a recap, here are the main guys lost: Donnie Avery, the legendary but time for him to go Dwight Freeney, Jerry Hughes, Antonio Johnson, Jerraud Powers, Drew Stanton.
And here are the main new guys brought in to the Indianapolis Colts: Gosder Cherilus, Aubrayo Franklin, Matt Hasselbeck, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Ricky Jean Francois, Erik Walden, LaRon Landry
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, a Fox Sports affiliate. He is also an analyst for 95.7 The Fan, and writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. President Obama follows his Twitter account (@PaulMBanks)