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INDIANAPOLIS – Two weeks ago, Colts Owner and CEO Jim Irsay relieved Vice Chairman Bill Polian and General Manager Chris Polian of their duties.

Six days ago, Irsay hired Ryan Grigson as his new general manager. 

Irsay and Grigson have met almost continuously since January 11 plotting the direction of Colts football.  Tuesday the pair made the next decision for the future, and it meant Head Coach Jim Caldwell was relieved of his duties.

The move was difficult for both parties.  It was a decision made in lockstep with an eye toward the future.  Irsay and Grigson did not move forward, however, without citing the many contributions and accomplishments of Caldwell, the 10^th head coach in the club’s Indianapolis era. 

“I want to thank Jim Caldwell and acknowledge all the outstanding things that he has done for our franchise,” said Irsay.  “This is someone who (in 2009) took us to the Super Bowl, winning an AFC Championship game at home and going to Miami again (for Super Bowl XLIV).  He did an outstanding job in the playoff game and getting us to the playoffs and winning the division (in 2010).” 

Caldwell directed the Colts for three seasons, earning a 14-2 mark in 2009 and a 10-6 record in 2010 before the team posted a 2-14 record in 2011.  Caldwell won division titles in his first two seasons and reached Super Bowl XLIV as a rookie field general.  His clubs the past two years were beset with injuries, but he was able to direct wins the last four games in 2010 to earn a second post-season appearance.  Overall, Caldwell produced a record of 28-24.

“This was a difficult decision,” said Irsay.  “It was based on the feeling that this was the direction the franchise needed to go.  I wanted to make sure we took all the time we needed to make sure it was the right decision.  (General Manager) Ryan (Grigson) and I had a chance to evaluate the situation thoroughly since he was hired.  This was the direction we needed to go.” 

Decisions of this nature never are easy for Irsay, but it was one like he made in 1998 in re-shaping his franchise.  That year, he changed his general manager and head coach.  Today, he decided on the same course.

“Just like in 1998, 14 years ago, when there was this sort of change and I decided to change general managers, change head coaches and go in a different direction, it’s a big change for the franchise,” said Irsay.  “At the same time, there are players, other coaches (and) many people on the staff that will go forward into the new day and get on with the work of 2012.  It was difficult because my affection for him (Caldwell) and knowing what a good man that he was.  That team played hard until the end last year, and that’s a great credit to him.    

Grigson and Caldwell met over the past couple of days, a period Grigson used to familiarize himself with the coach.  Grigson was duly impressed by Caldwell and admired all he was able to accomplish while directing the Indianapolis sidelines.

“We all acknowledge and appreciate what Jim Caldwell did for this franchise and for this city (and) the body of fans,” said Grigson.  “He’s a tremendous man.  We had a lengthy, lengthy talk – seven hours.  We sat and just talked ball and got to know each other. 

“You can see why people respect him the way they do and feel about him the way they do.  All coaches, they all say the same thing about him – he’s a great man, a great football coach and his heart’s in the right place.” 

In the end, Grigson and Irsay decided the time was right for a change in direction, with each knowing change is not simple.

“Me and Mr. Irsay, we talked, and this is a change,” said Grigson.  “Change sometimes isn’t always the easiest transition to make, but it’s part of this game.  It’s part of this league, and it’s part of the steps needed for us to get going in the right direction in this new era of Colts football.”

Grigson and Irsay each would like the replacement effort to be addressed in an expedient manner, though there is no time frame to conclude a process that carries the importance of the decision of a new head coach.  Grigson said it is not a matter that will be rushed into and that no decisions of a rash nature will be made. 

Grigson will meet with the coaching staff in an evaluation process.  He did confirm an interview he and Caldwell had with former St. Louis Head Coach Steve Spagnuolo about the club’s vacant defensive coordinator position.  Spagnuolo was the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants prior to being named Rams head coach in 2009.  Spagnuolo and Grigson served together with Philadelphia from 2004-06.     

“I’m excited about the future,” said Grigson, who stated he wants strong leadership from the new head coach.  “I’m with the right ownership and team and body of people within the organization.  From the day I walked in, I felt that.  I said it the other day, and I meant it.  We’re going to chip away at this thing.  Every day we’re going to try to get better, everybody within the organization moving in a common direction with a common vision and goal to be great again.”

It is a shared excitement between owner and general manager, and Irsay sees looks forward to the next person named head coach.

“I’m excited about the search,” said Irsay.  “This is something that is going to start immediately.  I really think that we’re going to get an outstanding head coach to lead us going forward. 

“When I look at the future, I see a bright future.  Just like it was in 1998 with the uncertainty and all those sort of things, it’s tough to change.  We’ve had such excellence and greatness over such a long period of time here.  That’s what I expect us to return to.  It’s not an overnight process.  (I’m) looking forward to continuing getting on with the work of getting this franchise back to all the great things it has done.”

INDIANAPOLIS – On Sunday, the Colts have the same 60-minute opportunity they have had on nine previous occasions this season.

The Colts are looking for their first victory, and there have been past occasions this year when it has been very, very possible.

What the club needs, in the estimation of players and coaches, is consistent play throughout the duration of a game.  The effort is there, but it has been a matter of execution.

On Wednesday, Head Coach Jim Caldwell and center Jeff Saturday spoke.  The origin of the conversation did not matter, but the content of it did.  Saturday addressed the full squad with Caldwell’s blessing.

“As a matter of fact, he and I discussed it and talked prior to (the meeting).  It wasn’t just to the offense,” said Caldwell.  “He’s a leader, and that’s what leaders do.  I try to encourage that, that we have guys that will stand up and certainly be accountable.  I think that’s good.  I have not been around a team yet where the leadership on the inside, from players, is not extremely important.  We’ve always had that around here from (Dwight) Freeney, Reggie Wayne and the rest of the group of guys that do a tremendous job of sort of stepping up and trying to make a difference.”

Saturday is a leader, and he is a difference-maker.  He is just one of 53 players passionate for victory.  Until this season, he had been a part of just one losing season with Indianapolis.  The majority of the club’s active roster never had experienced a losing NFL season at all until last week’s setback to Atlanta sealed the fate.

It is not about the past or the future.  It is about the present, and that is Jacksonville on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“Jeff is one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around,” said tight end Jacob Tamme.  “When he speaks, everybody listens.  There are a lot of things we need to get better at.  There are things we have to do better on Sundays.  Guys have been working hard.  Guys have been preparing well.  We just have to find a way on Sunday afternoon to play to the best of our ability and make the plays it takes to win the game.  Definitely, it’s always good to have guys on the same page and to get things going a little bit.”

Quarterback Curtis Painter heard Saturday’s remarks, and Painter looked at the talk as a positive.  While this is a business, it is about going out to ‘play’ football.

“He kind of challenged up to keep things going,” said Painter.  “We need to get better and maybe approach this week with a little bit of fun.  In the whole scheme of things, you want to have fun playing.  You obviously will (have fun) if you have a little success.  I guess it’s don’t try too hard in a sense that you try to do too much.  Just kind of take what’s given to you.  A lot of times you try to push too hard and you get yourself in trouble.”

For the Indianapolis offense, it is about executing plays, converting third downs, trying to extend drives and avoid turnovers.  It is a specific aim to maximize possessions.  It is an aim that hopefully keeps Indianapolis from having a large deficit early in the game, as it has in the past three outings.     

“That’s the number one thing, trying to stay in phase and keep mistakes to a minimum,” said Painter.  “You can’t get it all back in one series.  You can’t get it back in one play.  There’s a lot of time left in the game.  This last game (against Atlanta), there was a lot of time left.  I think the biggest we need to do if the situation comes up again is stay patient, chip away at it, not force things on all accounts.  Being able to get in a rhythm and stay in phase is a big thing.”

Tamme concurs on the need to take full advantage of every offensive opportunity.  It has been an area of emphasis for a long time in Indianapolis.

“That’s something we’ve always talked about around here,” said Tamme.  “It’s as important now as ever.  We have to protect the ball and execute.  If we do that, we’ll keep moving it, keep those drives going.  When we get them going, keep them going and get to the end zone.”

Wide receiver Austin Collie heard Saturday’s urging.  He like the message and believes it can have an impact in helping the team correct its play.  He views Sunday as an opportunity, just as every team views a chance to compete.

“Yeah, I think we’ve taken a step back, but I expect big things this week,” said Collie.  “Jeff Saturday kind of took it upon himself to kind of kick the offense in the butt and make sure we get things going.  The season is not over with.  I think offensively you’re going to see a different offense.  You’re going to see an offense that’s going to fight until the end.  Obviously, it’s (struggling) not fun.  It’s a bit embarrassing, but it’s our responsibility as players to go out there every single Sunday and to perform to our best.  We haven’t been doing that.  I think that’s going to change.  There’s definitely a pep in our step this week, and I think we’re ready to turn this thing around.

“I think every week we have an opportunity.  This week is no different than last, and this week will be no different than the next.  So we just need to make sure that we’re ready to play, and ask a little bit more of ourselves each game as we continue.”

Tamme concedes it is difficult to look at the standings.  The best way to improve is to focus on fundamentals and be on detail.  Doing so collectively as a team can provide an opportunity for a different outcome, even against a tough divisional opponent.

“It’s tough, it’s very tough,” said Tamme.  “The struggle is to stay focused on this week, because I can’t change anything that we’ve done so far.  None of us can.  We have to stay focused on trying to go out there Sunday and get a win.  That’s what we have to do as professionals.  We take a lot of pride in what we’re doing.  That’s why it’s frustrating.  No one’s happy with where we’re at.  At the same time, we’re not going to mope around here and give up on this thing.  It’s time to get better and do the things we need to do to find a way to get a win on Sunday.”

Every player focuses on personal improvement.  Caldwell looks at everybody.  He sees Painter making improvements that others may not see.

“Oftentimes the numbers don’t tell the whole story,” said Caldwell.  “Sometimes there are a lot of factors involved in that.  There’s dropped passes.  There are all kinds of things that occur.  You can’t look at those (game numbers) strictly.  What we have to look at is what he’s been doing in practice, how’s he developed in his understanding of what we want him to do and whether or not he’s getting that accomplished.  Regardless of what you see in terms of stats and all that kind of stuff, I’m talking about the nuts and bolts of it.  I can see a steady improvement and a maturation process that’s developing.  Every guy, I don’t care who it is, even the great ones have bad games.  He may not have performed as well as we’d like to see him in the past ballgame, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not progressing.  I’ve seen steady improvement.  Oftentimes, like a lot of things, we talk about some things here or with a particular individual and I will (say), ‘I’m telling you I can see improvement in practice.’  Then down the line all of a sudden this guy starts playing a little bit better, and it’s like, ‘Where did that come from?’  It’s kind of like that iceberg that the great majority of it is submerged under the water, but just the tip’s showing.  Then later on, obviously, it begins to rise.  I think that’s the exact same thing that’s happening with a number of our guys out there, Curtis in particular.  He keeps improving.  He’s kept working.  We anticipate that he’ll keep getting better.”