INDIANAPOLIS -- Jim Irsay said it won't be drastic, but the Indianapolis Colts' owner and chief executive officer said there will be change at the top of the team's organizational structure.
And that change is starting this offseason.
Chris Polian, the team's vice president and general manager, will have increased workload and responsibilities, while his father -- Colts President Bill Polian -- will have a slightly lesser workload, Mike Chappell of The Indianapolis Star quoted Irsay saying.
"Bill's still going to be extremely active," Irsay said, "but I like to see things change slowly in transition."
Such change has been the norm in various parts of the Colts' organization in recent seasons. Jim Caldwell, who recently finished his second season as the Colts' head coach, spent a year as the team's associate head coach before succeeding Tony Dungy. Clyde Christensen assumed responsibilities within the Colts' offense before taking over as offensive coordinator for Tom Moore this season.
Bill Polian long has been one of the most influential and successful front-office executives, with Chris Polian taking on increased responsibilities in recent seasons.
Irsay, who this week said Caldwell will retain that position despite widespread public criticism in the wake of a 17-16 first-round playoff loss to the New York Jets Saturday, also said the Jets loss was among the toughest he has endured as Colts owner.
"The Super Bowl last year is the toughest," he said, "but (the Jets loss) was tough because you're home, you're favored, you know you've had difficulties all season with injuries, but you've overcome them a lot.
"You feel like you should have won the game. A lot of stuff happened in the last three minutes. It'll be debated."
Irsay said the Colts finishing 10-6 and winning a seventh AFC South title in eight seasons was an accomplishment considering what he called an "unprecedented" run of injuries. Eighteen Colts players finished the season on injured reserve, including tight end Dallas Clark, wide receivers Anthony Gonzalez and Austin Collie, safeties Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt and cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden and Jerraud Powers.
Running back Joseph Addai, middle linebacker Gary Brackett and outside linebacker Clint Session also missed multiple games, as did defensive tackles Dan Muir and Antonio Johnson.
"There are a lot of other teams that would have been 6-10 and put up the white flag," Irsay said. "We prevailed."
Bill Polian to See Decreased Role, Colts Owner Jim Irsay Reportedly Says
Jan 12, 2011 – 7:52 PM
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