I was rooting for his team to make history. Now I will actively root against his bad example to sportsmanship.
Everyone knows what went down on Sunday. The Colts had a legitimate chance to go 15-0 heading into the last week of the season and make a run at an undefeated season, and their coach went and pulled his starters in the 3rd quarter, thus forfeiting the game to the Jets. Everything about that is just wrong. Not “wrong” as in a poor coaching decision, but wrong as in morally corrupt.
First, giving a game to the Jets has serious playoff implications. Since a loss would have knocked them out of the playoff picture, their win drastically changed the playoff picture and will likely allow them to play in the post season as opposed to a superior team like the Broncos or Steelers. If I were one of those teams, I would sue Jim Caldwell for the loss in revenue over the (at least one) game that they are missing out on. Throwing a game that shifts the balance of the playoffs is an affront to the spirit of competition, plain and simple.
Secondly, he says that he pulled them to preserve their health; that keeping them fresh for the playoffs is his main concern. I would like to remind him, and anyone else who doesn’t remember, that the only time the Colts have won the Super Bowl this decade despite their amazing record ever year is the one season when they didn’t rest their players. In 2006 they had to fight for home field advantage until the end, the result being that their players were focused and on point as opposed to being rusty from being benched for the last few weeks of the season before their playoff bye. In fact, their are numerous examples of that happening throughout NFL history (the ‘97 and ‘98 Broncos, etc.). So Jim, going by history what you just did hurt your chances to win in the playoffs.
He also hinted at wanting to keep his players from the distracting questions that go along with maintaining an undefeated season. Now, THAT, my friends, is the work of a giant wuss. He’s more worried about coddling his players (who are adults and professionals) than he was excited at the prospect of making history. He folded from the pressure BEFORE the pressure could even be applied. He crumpled under the weight of lofty expectations before the burden had even been hoisted onto his team’s shoulders. Also, it shows that he has little faith in his players’ mental fortitude and ability to block out distractions. If I were a Colts player, and I’m sure many are thinking this, I would have lost all respect for him right then and there. I wouldn’t want to play for someone who is governed by his fears, who plays the game scared.
Maybe they’ll win the Super Bowl, and much of the criticism will die down, but not from me. For me, Jim Caldwell will always be a coward.
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