Colts ax DC, Orlovsky to start

[ThomasTomasz]

INDIANAPOLIS -- The winless Colts will have a new quarterback and a new defensive coordinator when they head to New England this weekend.

And they may not be finished making changes.

On Tuesday, Indianapolis fired defensive coordinator Larry Coyer and announced that quarterback Dan Orlovsky will make his first start since 2008 as the team suffers through its first 0-11 season since 1986.

Coach Jim Caldwell, whose own job could be in jeopardy, said the decision on Coyer was made to "improve communication and production."

"We feel this is the most effective and realistic way to move forward and win games this season," Caldwell said in a statement before a scheduled news conference. "We appreciate all of the effort and hard work Larry Coyer put forth in his three years with the Colts."

Coyer was a defensive assistant for two years in Tampa Bay and in Denver from 2000-06, and he coached Caldwell in college at Iowa. Colts linebackers coach Mike Murphy will take over the defense.

Indianapolis has struggled on both sides of the ball this season after losing quarterback Peyton Manning, who hasn't played in a game while he recovers from Sept. 8 neck surgery -- his third procedure in a span of 19 months.

Firing Coyer is the first move in what likely will be many for the Colts as the front office faces key decisions about Manning, Caldwell and at least a half-dozen other key veterans. Indianapolis is the clear front-runner to land the No. 1 pick next spring and many wonder if the Colts will choose Stanford's Andrew Luck or another top quarterback with an eye toward the end of the Manning era.

The decision about Orlovsky has only added to the speculation.

Indy signed 17-year veteran Kerry Collins to a $4 million contract to back up Manning. But when Collins sustained a concussion late in a Week 3 loss to Pittsburgh, Curtis Painter took over. Painter, who grew up in Indiana and played at Purdue, started the next seven games and played well early.

Painter then posted four straight weekly quarterback ratings below 51.0 heading into Indy's bye week, prompting many fans to call for another change.

Caldwell stuck with Painter on Sunday against Carolina, and after another slow start, he twice got the Colts into position to possibly force overtime. But both drives ended with interceptions in the end zone and the Colts lost 27-19.

Orlovsky has started seven games in his NFL career, all during the 2008 season when the Detroit Lions went 0-16. This season, Orlovksy is 14 of 21 for 122 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Changes shouldn't be a surprise at this point, not for a team going through a jaw-dropping crash.

After going 14-2 and winning an AFC title in his rookie season, then winning another AFC South crown last season despite a rash of debilitating injuries to his team, Caldwell is staring at a winless season that would drop his overall regular-season mark to 24-24. Team officials have said they believe in Caldwell, but the calls are growing louder from fans for dramatic changes.

Owner Jim Irsay has fired only two coaches since taking over from his father in 1997 (Lindy Infante and Jim Mora), and he has offered staunch support for the front office. He's been less enthusiastic about Caldwell.

As for Coyer, his defenses performed relatively well. In 2009, the Colts ranked eighth in the NFL in scoring defense (19.2 points allowed). Dwight Freeney piled up 13.5 sacks and earned a Pro Bowl bid with Robert Mathis and Antoine Bethea. Last year was tougher after a series of injuries, thought the Colts still advanced to the playoffs. Besides his stints in Tampa and Denver, Coyer was also the defensive line coach for the New York Jets in 1994.

Murphy, his replacement, is in his 27th season as an NFL coach and 14th year with the Colts.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7...tor-larry-coyer-name-dan-orlovsky-starting-qb

Changing quarterbacks is a good idea, at least just to see what else they might have in Orlovsky (my guess is, not much.) But, do you think they could have at least put someone in there who has won a game now?

 

[ralaw]

LOL at firing the DC. They should just fire the entire staff and appoint Manning player/coach, as its obvious he was carrying everyone in that organization.

 

[MmmmBeeeeer]

Changing quarterbacks is a good idea, at least just to see what else they might have in Orlovsky (my guess is, not much.) But, do you think they could have at least put someone in there who has won a game now?

It would be flat out retarded to sign any more quarterbacks this season. I would rather them put Pat McAfee (our punter) in at QB than to sign someone.

 

[Archer]

LOL at firing the DC. They should just fire the entire staff and appoint Manning player/coach, as its obvious he was carrying everyone in that organization.

They just wanted a scapegoat.

All these clowns on the coaching staff were hired by Polian who has had the fortune of Manning covering up his mistakes for years.

 

[TheImmortalGoud]

Mike Hartline should be the QB.

 

[Bear Pand]

Lol at firing Coyer who wasn't even really allowed to run his defense. And I'm not saying that to defend Coyer, it's just clear what's going on here.

Yay another year with Caldwell

 

[Apocalypse]

YAY Orlovsky! I honestly never thought I'd see the day the Colts would have a chance at being 0-16..lol

 

[Fappin Raptor]

If the Colts go 0-16 are they even worse than the 0-16 Lions?

 

[G-men]

If the Colts go 0-16 are they even worse than the 0-16 Lions?

No because Peyton Manning will come back next year and get them to the playoffs.

Still waiting on the Lions....

 

[Rblake]

BS moves. Not defending Coyer, but the main problem is LACK OF TALENT not lack of coordinating. We have about 7 players currently playing Off & Def that would start anywhere else in the league (Special Teams excluded).

Wayne
Saturday
Clark
Addai (?)
Mathis
Freeney
Bethea

 

[Archer]

If the Colts go 0-16 are they even worse than the 0-16 Lions?

Yes because most of these games have been over by half-time.

BS moves. Not defending Coyer, but the main problem is LACK OF TALENT not lack of coordinating. We have about 7 players currently playing Off & Def that would start anywhere else in the league (Special Teams excluded).

Wayne
Saturday
Clark
Addai (?)
Mathis
Freeney
Bethea

Not sure how good Saturday would be at his age and current ability on a new team.

Garcon might make a few teams.

 

[Cornelius]

How weird would it be to have Orlovsky only have starts for completely defeated teams?

 

[Houston]

If the Colts go 0-16 are they even worse than the 0-16 Lions?

I think the fact that they were in the playoffs last year and they had like 4 primetime games in the first 5 weeks this year makes it even more dramatic. So yes:shifty:

 

[ThunderHorse]

I believe they're already statistically worse than the 0-16 lions squad. if they aren't worse, I know they are on pace.

Rough season, and now it's looking like there's no doubt - Indy is taking Andrew Luck.. Schefty is usually right about these things.

 

[ThunderHorse]

BS moves. Not defending Coyer, but the main problem is LACK OF TALENT not lack of coordinating. We have about 7 players currently playing Off & Def that would start anywhere else in the league (Special Teams excluded).

Wayne
Saturday
Clark
Addai (?)
Mathis
Freeney
Bethea

Like Archer said, Saturday's best days are behind him and Garcon would probably get some legitimate looks.

as for Mathis? I think he's overrated. take Freeney out of the picture and Mathis routinely fails to show up - which is funny, because Freeney doesn't need Mathis for anything.

Addai could be a 3rd down back for most teams in the NFL, I'm not sure if he's a legitimate starter. maybe I'm still a little salty from the Panthers game, where the best Colt tailback was the fucking bust out of uconn.

Wayne has jumped out to me this year, I can say I truly understand what kind of guy he is. I think Wayne does need Manning to be in that elite wr class, but I don't think Wayne would need manning to be a good WR in this league. this season has been evidence enough, despite the rest of the team sucking, Reggie will play football when he wants to play football (emphasis on WHEN HE WANTS TO).

The Mathis vs. Wayne issue coming on at the end of the season is going to be a lot more interesting imo.

 

[Aso]

Since the Saints game Painter has thrown 1 td to 8 int's. He shouldn't be on an NFL team let alone be starting half a season.