Don't Forget Tony

When training camp started, our expectations were high for this year's team. The defense was restocked. Players were coming back from injury. The O-line was coming together. The 2009 Colts looked like they might be a sleeper juggernaut. Since then, reality has set in.

Charlie Johnson was named starting LT. Bob Sanders might not be ready on time. The rookie DTs haven't risen up to become instant starters.

The Colts still figure to be a strong team, but perhaps not the force of nature that we dreamed of.

That reality tempers the need for this post, but doesn't erase it entirely. There is a strong possibility the 2009 Colts will be dramatically better than the 2008 Colts. I think it likely they win a playoff game or more. When that happens, people will begin to whisper about whether or not Tony Dungy was really that great a coach. They'll point to a bounce from the Colts that mirrors perhaps the bounce Tampa received when Tony left the Bucs. If the defense improves, they'll praise Coyer's innovation and rail against Dungy for being too conservative. For whatever reason, they'll chose to view any future success by the Colts as a check mark against Dungy.

Don't be fooled or sucked in when it happens. Tony Dungy was the finest coach the Colts will likely ever have. I wish Jim Caldwell the best and support him fully. I expect great things from him. I will not hold his success against Dungy however.

A few weeks ago, BBS made a great point that people will overlook:

It's important to note that tweaks, like Coyer's, were not uncommon during Tony Dungy's tenure as coach. Recall last year's final game against the Jacksonville Jaguars: Dungy deployed DT Raheem Brock as a stand-up rusher coming from the interior of the defensive line. Brock would start outside and, prior to the snap of the ball, he'd swing inside. This way, when the ball was snapped, he already had a running start, and was pushing through the interior of the Jags' offensive line. The "tweak" worked. Brock was in David Garrard's face all night.

Dungy also deployed the famous (well, famous for us) Bob Sanders Beatdown Defense, which was a Cover-2 look that shifted to Cover-3 at the snap of the ball.

It will be easy to forget the tweaks and changes that Dungy made and turn 2002-2008 into a whitewash of vanilla Cover-2. It will be easy to remember the few coaching blunders he made. We all know what they were:

The kickoff in 2003 vs NE that he didn't squib
not going for fourth and 1 in NE in 2005 in the playoffs
Fisher snookering him into a 60 yard FG in 2006
Not going for it on fourth and 1 in Green Bay in 2008

What we'll forget is that those are so memorable because he so rarely made those kinds of mistakes. Tony was a great in game coach. The Colts almost never botched end of half and end of game scenarios. We remember the mistakes because there were so few of them.

Revisionist history will tell us that the 2009 Colts exceeded the 2008 Colts because of a 'fresh start' or 'new vision' or because Dungy secretly stunk but was such a nice guy that no one wanted to say it out loud.

Don't believe it. The 2009 Indianapolis Colts will surpass the 2008 club because the 2008 team was a season long shell game operated by a master. Dungy hid how bad the club by coaching the hell out of his players.

So when the Colts get off to a fast start, and the articles start flowing and the talk radio nonsense starts building, just remember what really happened.

Tony Dungy was an incredible coach. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

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Excellent
written by coltsfanawalt, August 24, 2009

Well said.

...just like the 49ers
written by Doug England, August 24, 2009

I think the best comparison to the current Colts situation, is the 49ers after Bill Walsh retired the first time. Their core was still there, and they just kept winning using what Walsh had created.

Despite effing Charlie Johnson, and barring a major injury, I really believe the Colts are going to win the Super Bowl this year. And it will be because Tony Dungy WAS the coach, not because he is no longer the coach.

Oxymoron Alert... those crafty Jags
written by Doug England, August 24, 2009

Is there any doubt, that the Jags signed Seward so they can grill him for info on what the Colts are doing being the scenes with their D? Shoot, they'll probably cut him right after the opening game.

I agree with Willy's Seward comment above
written by Bob M, August 24, 2009

Also, if the Colts win the SB this year, I imagine there will be a zillion parallels drawn with the Bucs' 2002 win. But only drunk and disillusioned Raiders fans (any other kind) and outright bigots will say both teams won it all BECAUSE Dungy left.

I think most pundits, as well as Caldwell and most Colts, will give Dungy full credit for this one and a little more credit for 2002. I like the 49ers comparison. I like it more the more I think about it.

Going back to what Doug said
written by dmstorm22, August 24, 2009

I have long been supplying comparisons to Wals leaving the 49ers to this here and on SB. I think it holds. Walsh may have accomplished more in his time, so people were not going to easily give Seifert credit, but its pretty much the same. Seifert took over a 10-6 team (albiet one that won the super bowl), and revitilized it, going 52-12 in his first four years, and winning a super bowl in his first year with the most dominating postseason run ever (they won the three games 41-13 30-3 55-10). Yet much of that credit was still given to Walsh. I think if Caldwell oversees the juggernaut that this team has the possibilty to be, Dungy should be given the same credit. Although, in terms of straight football, his presence may not be felt, in terms of character, commitment and dedication to execution, it will be.

On a side note, how is George Seifert not in the hall. He won two super bowls with a great team he inherited, but that excuse only lasts so long. By the time his second SB team came, it was a totally new team. He was a great coach, going 98-30 and 10-5 in SF, only once losing the first playoff game.

...
written by Guy, August 24, 2009

What I've learned from your last two posts is that Bob Sanders won't be cut and Tony Dungy was a great coach. Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

Next edition: Peyton Manning plays quarterback.

...
written by J.C., August 24, 2009

Yea like the way you used an 11-5 record last year as a check mark against Tom Brady.

Right?

-1

...
written by peytonsthebest, August 24, 2009

The 2009 Indianapolis Colts will surpass the 2008 club because the 2008 team was a season long shell game operated by a master. Dungy hid how bad the club by coaching the hell out of his players.

Very well put. Last year's team was nothing close to previous years' teams. I'm still amazed we went 12-4, to be honest.

...
written by DZ, August 24, 2009

@ Guy
Yet somehow those ideas are controversial.

I agree, they are pretty obvious points. The first opinion(Sanders) has been all over the net for a week or so. The second may be a strawman now, but I promise you, someone will write it. It'll probably be Kravitz or CHFF. They've been setting up that argument for more than a year now.

Sorry to have write such obvious posts, but hey, it's not my fault people are crazy.

...
written by DZ, August 24, 2009

Here's the link to the SB story

http://www.stampedeblue.com/2009/8/12/986732/jim-caldwell-is-now-not-certain

where the idea of cutting Sanders' sprang to life again. I didn't link to it because I didn't want anyone to think I was singling out BBS. I let it go until I saw it reappear in Chappell's mailbag. Once an idea becomes mainstreamed, I feel like it merits a response, though at the time I chalked it up to crazy ranting.

absolutely...
written by Borninblue, August 24, 2009

I couldn't agree with you more. The quiet unassuming man we know on the sideline coached his players beyond their draft position, beyond the expectations of the pundits, and held together an injury riddled team to finish 12-4. With that said it helps when you have the MVP.

Jaguars
written by coltsfanawalt, August 24, 2009

I also doubt they are as interested in Seward as they are in what Seward knows. We'll see how long he lasts on the team. Anybody here think such tactics make much difference?

HoF is a popularity contest
written by Derek, August 24, 2009

Seifert isn't in the HoF because it is (partially) a popularity contest. He won 2 SB's but so did the coach of the Raiders in the 80s and he isn't ever even mentioned.
Let's talk about Mike Curtis for a minute as well... Why isn't he in the HoF? Lots of inconsistencies happen when it comes to that. Even people that have a vote for the HoF have no brain sometimes. Peter King seems to hate Marvin, but he should definately be a 1st ballot.

As far as Dungy and Caldwell, IF the Colts win the SB (and I hope they will, every year) then it will probably look more like a Jim Johnson/Barry Switzer situation. The misconception will be "Great coach and great team...replace coach and surely it can be done by anyone of the same cut that doesn't change too much." It is all just BS. Even Tony Dungy said that he doesn't deserve the credit heaped on him from the TB SB win.

Why do people argue about this crap still?

...
written by Derek, August 24, 2009

As far as the tactics thing with Jaguars...

Who got the game ball from the 2003 AFC championship game for the Pats?

A former Colt that mimed PM for the NE defense. I believe that was Mr. Huard. Check back on it.. If it wasn't the game ball, it was at least public recognition by the coach in the locker room. Maybe the game ball went to the refs......

Ahhh, Mike Curtis
written by Bob M, August 25, 2009

Could well be the reason the Mike LB position is called that. He's not, but he defined the position in my mind as an impressionable youth. Plus he flat-out nailed a fan who ran onto the field mid-game with great glee.

Hey everybody, party at Bob's house. Edge just signed with the Seahawks. Now I have to somehow get down to the field level before a game with my son's old 32 jersey for him to sign. Doubt i can buy a new one... Problem is, the 6 year-old wore it to tatters and outgrew it, but now the 4 year-old wears it. The numbers are all jagged-edged. Maybe Edge would sign my Addai jersey--that'd be weird but I am sure he's laugh and smile at it.
Bigger problem--my sister-in-law has season tix but I do not. I might convince her to get the jersey signed if I watch her kids that day. Or gargle Drano. Decisions, decisions....

Derek, you have coaches mixed up
written by dmstorm22, August 25, 2009

Flores was the coach who won two super bowls with the Raiders. That is another story.

Seifert should absolutely get a HOF nod.

Back to Caldwell, I think he'll be given alot more credit than Switzer or even Seifert. Mainly because of the media's perception that Dungy is not a great postseason coach, Caldwell may actually get extra credit if they win the super bowl.

@DZ
written by Guy, August 25, 2009

That was my way of saying that I agree with you. Sanders will not get cut and Dungy is an HOF-worthy coach. Anybody who says otherwise is missing some very obvious information.

Same Pedigree
written by NormFThomas, August 25, 2009

I find it difficult to believe that people would scapegoat Dungy in Indy like they did in Tampa Bay. Two different situations. First of all, Gruden and Dungy were two completely different coaches. Gruden also hadn't been with the team as an assistant for a number of years. Caldwell has been with the Colts for years and is a direct descendant of the Dungy coaching tree. There are some tweaks, but no dramatic difference (like Coyer's Colts "D"). Secondly, the Colts have already won a Super Bowl under Dungy, whereas the Bucs had not, so it would be difficult to blame Dungy for a lack of success when he's the exact reason we won a championship. In hindsight now I think Bucs fans think Gruden's SB win was actually Tony's team (especially given the few years following that championship under Gruden). If Caldwell wins one I think Colts fans will give him his due credit, but we'll all also credit Tony because in many respects this is still his team.

Shut the **** up
written by NPM, August 25, 2009

Wow, I didn't know n****rs could learn to read and write.

Nice name, Deshawn. Is that your African name? Or is it just Shawn with De added to it, so it sounds cool to negros?

-1

Whoa!
written by J.C., August 25, 2009

It's about time we get some vigilantes over here.

NPM - his real name is Nate and he's a witch doctor in Argentina.

He spends his off time writing novels and finding ways to take shots at the Patriots.

-1

...
written by DZ, August 25, 2009

NPM has been banned.

We tolerate a lot. It takes a lot to boot someone.

That did it.

...
written by Guy, August 25, 2009

Yikes. I don't often get surprised by what I read in the comments section. That was surprising.

...
written by shake n bake, August 25, 2009

Wow, all I can say about that one was.

not cover 3
written by stanb, August 25, 2009

When Sanders comes down into the box, the Colts are more likely to be in cover 1 with Sanders playing a robber. With Sanders robbing the short or intermediate middle, it's certainly not a standard cover 3 (although the corners can bail to deep third. In that case, Sanders as a robber is more of a run stopper and the LBs end up in more of a matchup similar to what they do in a 2 man-under coverage.

Sometimes Sanders isn't robbing the middle, but is actually coming down to take the RB man to man. If run, he's already coming. If pass, he's got the RB in coverage if he releases.

@stanb
written by Guy, August 25, 2009

Cover 1? I don't think so. When do we ever play man coverage? Like 5 percent of the time, and only when we are playing Baltimore?

It is definitely cover 3, if it needs to be defined at all. The corners drop deep and Bethea covers the deep middle, or some variation of that (Brackett can cover the deep middle on a cloud coverage). Sanders will usually cover the flat if it's a pass play. We've seen him break up a couple of hook routes on the outside from this coverage. Think AFC championship against the Pats when they needed a 3rd down conversion to ice the game. That was a zone play. Why else would he run to the flat? Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't his anticipation of the pass. It was his assignment. If it was man coverage, he wouldn't have gone out there. Also, he is always outside the linebackers when he comes down. If it were man, he'd be manned up on somebody or blitzing.

Wow.
written by Cass, August 25, 2009

I don't believe I've ever seen something as random and disgusting as that comment from NPM.

Cass
written by J.C., August 25, 2009

If that was the most random and disgusting thing you've ever seen, you're a pretty big pussy.

I mean....c'mon - I've written worse things than that.

The difference is....my s h i t is funny.

Please educate me.
written by Cass, August 25, 2009

What have you written that is more disgusting than NPM's racist crap?

I suppose
written by J.C., August 25, 2009

You'd have to go waaaay back to the old blog when a) I was juiced out of my mind b) The Pats had just lost the SB and c) I HATED Ashy-Larry Tony Dungy and his preachy f**king bulls**t.

'C' still applies.

I won't reiterate anything I said then but some of it was pretty nasty.

...
written by DZ, August 25, 2009

yeah, but some of that was in private emails.

Big difference.

OK, I get it.
written by Cass, August 25, 2009

But remember, I didn't even know this blog existed until the middle of last season. I didn't start really commenting on 18to88 until the end of last season. I haven't seen any of your really bad stuff. I guess it's for the better that I don't

Holy Strombolis!
written by peytonsurdaddy, August 25, 2009

What the hell was that NPM guy even talking about? I mean "shut the f**k up" about what? That was about as mystifying as someone driving by a synagogue, throwing a bucket of rubber chickens out the window and yelling "Die Hitler!".
Had to have been a Pats fan. lol