Like most people, I have many, many things for which I can be thankful on this day for remembering such things.
On Wednesday I learned that one of the things I can’t be thankful for is the Indianapolis Colts making a good quarterback decision for Sunday’s game at home against Carolina.
In case you don’t know yet, the Colts announced that Curtis Painter will start at QB instead of Dan Orlovsky. It is nearly enough to make me not want to watch the game. I really need to send George Bremer an apology because I was the one who assigned him the duty of covering the game.
Sorry, friend.
I can’t fathom the reasons why this seems like a good idea to coach Jim Caldwell. I can’t even understand what this is supposed to accomplish, unless they truly are trying to lose and win the No. 1 draft pick. That Painter can likely help pull off.
For most of this season Painter has proven he is less than what is needed to get this team into the end zone, let alone win a game. There are four major reasons why he is a bad choice.
The first reason is that Carolina is a team that is beatable. The Panthers’ defense is more than just suspect. But their offense will put points on the board, something Painter hasn’t shown the ability to accomplish lately.
The second is that the fans deserve to see the team making an effort to improve. How does starting Painter indicate an effort to do that? It doesn’t.
Next, Orlovsky deserves a chance to practice with the first string for an entire week, game plan and then see what he can do in a game.
Finally, if the Colts take Andrew Luck in the draft, then there won’t be room for both Painter and Orlovsky on the roster. The best way to make that decision is to compare Painter and Orlovsky under similar situations. So let Orlovsky start the remaining games on the schedule. Then a concrete head-to-head matchup could be made.
I would even have rather seen Dan LeFevour moved up from the practice squad and given a chance.
This really is symptomatic of the problem with the team under Caldwell. He is, if possible, even more conservative than former coach Tony Dungy. It has shown up in play selection for two years and now it has reared its ugly head in this quarterback choice.
u u u
It was announced Wednesday that former Madison Heights standout Bobby Wilkerson has been named as one of next year’s inductees to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. It really begs the question why hadn’t this happened before? But the biggest thing is that it is happening. We will contact him prior to the March 21 induction ceremonies. Congrats to this Pirate alum.
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Contact Rick Teverbaugh: 640-4886, rick.teverbaugh@heraldbulletin.com
Discussion
Rick Teverbaugh: Woeful decision by Colts
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