ACR Contributing Writer Ben Homrig

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images | The Colts need to have some faith

The Colts fan base is divided into groups of ‘Homers’ and ‘Haters’. A homer is a person who vehemently defends their team’s decisions with eternal support and, often times, stubborn and positive pride. A hater is a person who takes a critical stance rather than a blind one, cheering cynically with a keen eye to the reality of things.

In an attempt to summarize what has been learned about the 2011 Indianapolis Colts, I will bypass the obvious.

Everyone admits the Colts are the worst team in the league by a very wide margin. This point was punctuated by a 62-7 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints on national television. A franchise cannot positively move forward with defeats like Sunday’s without extreme change. This is all pretty well understood by every fan at this point.

When haters and homers collide for conversations, there are two main points each present. Homers say, “(Colts President) Bill Polian drafted Peyton Manning and led us to nine straight playoff appearances and he deserves to keep his job and fix this this because without him we are in Los Angeles.”  A hater responds, “Blow it all up, start from scratch. Fire Polian and (coach Jim) Caldwell and suck for Anderw Luck.”

Here is your Colts fans Hater/Homer guide to fixing the 2011 Indianapolis Colts’ topical problems:

Firing President Bill Polian and GM Chris Polian

Homer: “Polian built us up from obscurity when he drafted Manning over Ryan leaf in 1997 and craftily assembled a perennial contender for a decade. He drafted Manning and the only reason we have a new stadium to host this year’s Super Bowl is because he made all of this happen. If anyone can get us out of this mess, it’s Polian.”

Hater: “Four of his last five first round draft picks (WR Anthony Gonzalez, OT Tony Ugoh – Traded for a first round pick, RB Donald Brown, DE Jerry Hughes) all are busts. We have a depleted, undersized defense and our roster is littered with old vets. He is old, senile and left the Colts with a bare cupboard for the Post-Manning era. Time to put him out to pasture.”

Verdict: Although Polian created a championship team and revitalized professional football in Indianapolis, his moves since winning Superbowl XLI are certainly questionable. I think he and his son deserve a chance to fix this problem regardless how this year shakes out.

Sucking for Luck

Homer: “Peyton Manning is the greatest thing that has ever happened to Colts. He deserves another two or three cracks at winning a Superbowl. The Colts need to rebuild with the intentions of letting Manning go out on top.”

Hater: “Manning is done. His injury will never let him come back to full strength. Why not go forward with the surest thing since 18 himself?”

Verdict: The Colts have problems at multiple positions. It would be wise to get a cornerback and another offensive or defensive lineman with their inevitable high pick. But to pass on the chance at letting Manning pass on his knowledge to Luck is pure insanity. Football is a business and it is more valuable to shore up 15 more years of relevant football by taking Luck. This is a no-brainer regardless of how well Manning recovers from surgery.

Resigning Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis

Homer: “Wayne and Mathis have been superstars in the league for a long time. Cutting two Pro Bowlers loose is basically waving the white flag. Reggie is as consistent a wide receiver in the league and Dwight Freeney doesn’t thrive without Mathis on his side.”

Hater: “The cap room you would save by letting those guys loose would give the Colts room to address other needs. Plus, they are old and the team doesn’t need to spend its money rewarding guys whose best years are behind them.”

Verdict: Indy can afford to lose both of these guys, but they shouldn’t. I would be more comfortable losing Wayne than Mathis. Skill at the wide receiver position is more available than ever and Wanye’s abilities are on the decline. Mathis is still a very relevant pass rusher who gives the Colts elite talent at a position where little exists.

Firing Jim Caldwell and Changing the Defensive Scheme

Homer: “Yes, please.”

Hater: “Yes, please.”

Verdict: Clearly both opinion angles from Haters and Homers agree with ultimately a new coaching staff and a new way of playing defense. Caldwell is exposed as a man more equipped at coaching at the High School level. This is obvious. The Tampa-2 Defense has run its course as more quarterbacks emphasize accuracy and efficiency in the passing attack. Spotting a receiver 10 yards to run free during a pass play is a horrible philosophy to deal with.

Regardless of who is playing quarterback or making the decisions in the organization, the Colts need some major changes to get back to playoff caliber football. While a new coach and philosophy are inevitable for next season, the jury is still out on how much it all will change.