They say there is a fine line between being brave and being stupid. But Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, first year Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell proved that in football there is an even finer the line between being cautious and being cowardly.
With the undefeated Colts leading the Jets 15-10 mid-way through in the third quarter, Caldwell made the most controversial decision of his young coaching career. On one hand, with the playoffs looming and risk of injury ever-present, he could play it safe; pull the starters; and concede the perfect season. On the other hand, Caldwell could man up and play for keeps; leave the starters in, risking injury for a shot at glory and the first perfect season since the ’72 Dolphins.
The team would be heralded as the best team in NFL history. Champagne would flow. Confetti would fill the streets. Payton Manning, with his forehead so big it could double as a landing pad at Indianapolis airport, would finally get a date.
But Caldwell sent in the scrubs.
Champagne bottles were re-corked. Confetti was recycled. And Payton Manning took his seat on the bench and watched rookie QB Curtis Painter throw away the game and the team’s perfect season.
For 14 games and 2 quarters, the Colts had outplayed anyone who stepped on the field with them, pounding opponents into submission with a potent passing attack and swarming defense. The team had all the signs of a magical perfect season—blowouts, come from behind wins, a little luck. They were just six quarter away from only the third perfect regular season in NFL history. But two days after Christmas, Caldwell played the grinch.
In post game interviews, the coach defended his decision saying a championship is the team’s number one priority, not a perfect season. He said he was thinking about the big picture, not one meaningless win. But if you ask me, that’s a bunch of Colt crap.
I’ve got news for Caldwell, sports are about more than championships or wins and losses. It’s about the story. What if White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen pulled Mark Buehrle at his 100 pitch count during his perfect game this summer? Or what if Yankees skipper Joe McCarthy decided to give Joe Dimmaggio a day off during his 56 game hitting streak in 1941? The bottom line is there is a time to be cautious, and there is a time to be a man. Sometimes you have to listen to the crowd and send the offence back onto the field on fourth and one.
But you know, I shouldn’t be mad. I should be grateful that Caldwell acted like the overly protective parent who won’t let his son jump on the trampoline. Because a contact shy momma’s boy like that does deserve to be remembered among the gridiron greats. Caldwell had a chance to ride his Colts into the post season perfect and primed like a band of wild horses. But instead he pulled back on the reins and turned his Colts into a bunch of petting zoo ponies.
The 1972 Miami Dolphins will remain the NFL’s only perfect team. But as for Caldwell, he’ll be remembered as something else.
