Poker

See the excerpt below from the recent Polian corner on Colts.com. I highlighted a couple of phrases below from his first answer.
A couple of things struck me:

(1) We all know he's a whiner, but the comment about "rules stacked against" Indy is over-the-top and unprofessional, esp for a guy who is parades his competition committee role.

(2) More importantly, I don't think it's smart strategically to ever publically suggest these excuses are present. I understand the context --Polian was paying his team a compliment, that they didn't accept excuses. It just makes me appreciate BB's philosophy even more. He would never actually say these things this way, not even close. He would never complain about injuries, schedules, and I would be my last dollar he doesn't believe in "fate" for a football team. Certainly he would never say the rules were stacked against him. I think it's stronger just to be that way. Polian's approach reminds me of companies that are always publically talking about their values and culture.

(excerpt from recent Polian Corner)--------------------------------------

Question: A 21-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Cal., on Sunday. The victory clinched a fifth consecutive AFC South title, this one coming in a season in which the division appears to be by far the strongest in the NFL . . .

Answer: It’s a great tribute to (Colts Owner and Chief Executive Officer) Jim Irsay and every member of this organization and most of all, to a great coaching staff, a great group of players, a great scouting staff and football operations staff, trainers, doctors and equipment people – all of whom do everything they can every week to give us the best chance to win. Obviously, it’s a great group of players who have not taken no for an answer. They haven’t accepted bad luck, injuries, fate, a tough schedule –anything like that. They have not allowed it to stand in their way, and they have done a terrific job. We’re very proud of all of them and it’s a wonderful thing to reach such a milestone. Consistency at the highest level in a sport where the rules are stacked against you is a wonderful thing to have achieved. We are all very proud of it.

BelichickFan

What rules are stacked against them exactly ?

patsox23

All the ones he hasn't yet been able to change as a member of the rules/competition committee. Honestly, what a little b!tch he is, truly hateful.

PatsFanSince74

quite a number actually. as examples:

1) that the Colt's opponent can have 11 men on the field

2) that the Colt's opponent gets four downs

3) that the Colt's opponent doesn't have to go 15 yard for a first down

4) that the Colt's opponent doesn't have to kick off from their goal line

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Poker

I don't know exactly what he meant. Colts.com certainly wasn't going to do the follow up inquiry...

I guess giving him the benefit of the doubt, he might have generally meant all the NFL rules to ensure parity--winners play tougher schedules, draft lower, etc--those types of "rules".

I never would have noticed this as much until the last few years of learning to appreciate and understand BB's approach. Now, I think Polian talks too much for Indy's own good.

onegameatatime

There are some ways the league promotes parity -- drafty order and schedule strength come to mind, along with a salary cap over the longer term.

BelichickFan

I could see that although it applies to "other" teams too.

TheGodInAGreyHoodie

I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say where the rules are stacked against you clinching the division 5 times. the question was about winning the division 5 times

Same rules that are stacked against the Pats doing that as well.

The NFL rules are designed against a team winning the division 5 years in a row, which is what makes the Pats and Colts dynasties so impressive.

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indycolts685

I could be wrong but it sounds like he is saying the rules are stacked against you in maintaining a winning team on a consistant basis.

edit to add: I guess I should have read the whole thread before responding, most of you have pretty well said the same thing I did. I admit he is a tool with a big mouth and should just (Please be quiet - edited) most of the time.

juxtapoz15

I'm a Pats fan but agree with this take on the quote. I think Polian meant this statement was geared towards the fact that the salary cap and draft order makes it very hard for teams to compete year in and year out.