Irsay met with the media Monday afternoon. (AP)

By Ryan Wilson

Colts owner Jim Irsay held a late afternoon press conference Monday to talk about his decision to fire Jim and Chris Polian, as well as the organization's direction for the future, including the futures of head coach Jim Caldwell and quarterback Peyton Manning.

"I believe it's about timing, energy and what the times call for," Irsay said about parting ways with the Polians. "It was difficult but it was the right decision to make." He added that "I didn't come to this decision until this morning … to hold open the possibility of changing your mind, but i think it's best for the franchise."

Bill Polian, who had been with the organization for 14 years, was moving towards retirement and a lesser role, Irsay said. "Bill was around a lot more than he anticipated [due to the lockout], but … I think it was time to change the personnel department -- the football side of things that wasn't coaching. In the end i was certain that that was what was needed to be done."

The search for a new general manager will begin immediately although Irsay said that he hadn't talked to other teams or individuals about the position.

As for Caldwell, who was expected to be fired after leading the Colts to a 2-14 record, his job is safe … for now.

"[Caldwell] could very well be back this year, that is not out of the realm of possibility," said the Colts owner. "Jim and I had a good conversation in terms of the immediate future."

For now the plan is for the new general manager to decide Caldwell's fate although Irsay warned that things change by the hour. If a coaching candidate becomes available that the owner thinks immediately upgrades the team then he'll move. It's what happened when he hired Tony Dungy shortly after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired him following the 2001 season.

Black Monday

Wilson: Spags tenure in STL ends poorly Judge: St. Louis needs offensive-minded guy Freeman: Bucs evaluating Raheem Morris now Katzowitz: Jags looking to interview Mularkey? Brinson: Bolts to wait 'a couple days' on Norv Eye on Football: Black Monday coaching rumors

Irsay acknowledged that fans would probably like to see a change at head coach but supported Caldwell, calling him "a very bright guy, a great teacher, and a great personnel evaluator who prepares the team well."

But when you lose 14 of 16 games, there are issues and Irsay recognized those, too. He said defensive coordinator Larry Coyer was a mistake (not a "good match as a Cover 2 guy") and that Caldwell struggled at times with game and clock management.

Irsay was asked if he had any idea if Peyton Manning, who missed the 2011 season after multiple neck surgeries, would play again.  

"I don't," he responded, pointing out that this is more about Manning's health and safety than a football issue.

The owner did say that "When you see something that has greatness with your franchise you go after it. If you have a chance to get a great one you get it." He mentioned quarterbacks, general managers and head coaches as examples, but Andrew Luck seemed like the obvious choice given that Indianapolis has the first-overall pick coupled with the uncertainty surrounding Manning's future.

"I really feel excited about the possibilities of our future," Irsay said. "I'm interested in getting it right … not winning a popularity contest."

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It's Black Monday and that means seats are heating. (Getty Images)

By Eye on Football Staff

Throughout the day on Monday (and now Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday!) week news and rumors will be flying about job security of various NFL coaches. Bookmark this page to stay updated constantly.

SUNDAY
1:10 p.m. ET

• According to reports, Mike Sherman is close to being named head coach of the Buccaneers. And he could potentially hire Brad Childress as his offensive coordinator, though Chilly might also land with the Browns.

• Gregg Williams won a Super Bowl in New Orleans, but he could reportedly follow Jeff Fisher wherever Fisher lands (read: St. Louis).

• The rumor mill surrounding Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's been weird this offseason, but he could reportedly be out the door regardless of whether or not he's getting a head coaching job.

SATURDAY
9:20 p.m. ET

• The Cardinals got Todd Haley his last job and they might get him his next one, as the former Chiefs coach is reportedly close to re-joining his old team.

• The Jets are reportedly contemplating eyeing potential replacements for Brian Schottenheimer, and a combo of Dirk Koetter and Tony Sparano could be in the mix.

• Hue Jackson talks like he's locked into the Raiders gig, but there's some rumblings that he could be on the hot seat.

3 p.m. ET

• Although Ray Horton realizes that Jeff Fisher has to be the No. 1 choice for the Rams job, the St. Louis Post Dispatch is reporting that if Fisher takes the Miami job, St. Louis will give a second look to Horton, the Cardinals defensive coordinator. Apparently, Horton's initial five-hour interview went very well. "When it was over they called my agent and said they were blown away by him, and he couldn't have been any better," Horton said.

• According to Rapid Reporter Ron Clements, the Rams have received permission to interview Tennessee VP of football operations Lake Dawson and Titans VP of player personnel Ruston Webster for the vacant GM job. Both worked with Jeff Fisher in Tennessee.

• CBSSports.com's Clark Judge speculates that Vikings defensive coordinator Fred Pagac might be fired soon. According to Judge, four candidates have already lined up interviews to replace him -- Steve Spagnuolo, Raheem Morris, Mel Tucker and Mike Singletary.

12 p.m. ET

• The Chiefs reportedly have decided to remove the interim tag for coach Romeo Crennel, meaning the job is all his. It seems like general manager Scott Pioli wanted Crennel to have the job all along.

• It didn't take long for the Patriots to hire their next offensive coordinator to replace Bill O'Brien. It's their old offensive coordinator of course as Josh McDaniels will take over O'Brien's spot for 2012 AND will begin work immediately, helping New England in this postseason.

• According to NFL.com's Jason La Canfora, the Dolphins have permission from the Falcons to interview offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. Jacksonville already has shown interest in Mularkey.

FRIDAY
11:20 p.m. ET

• Josh McDaniels is interviewing with his old team, the Patriots, for his old job, offensive coordinator, this weekend.

12:13 p.m. ET

• Mike Tice, the Bears offensive line coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator to fill the role left vacant by Mike Martz' departure.

• Ray Horton, the Cardinals defensive coordinator, is set to interview with the Rams for their head coaching position soon.

9:03 a.m. ET

• Our Ryan Wilson takes a look at who might replace Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator for the Patriots.

• You'd think his work with the Jaguars would have kept Jack Del Rio off of coaching candidate lists. You'd be wrong: Del Rio will reportedly interview with the Chiefs for their head-coaching position.

THURSDAY

4:15 p.m. ET

• Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin has been a busy man lately, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Philben was in Kansas City on Wednesday, and by this weekend, he'll interview for the Dolphins head coaching job as well.

1:20 p.m. ET

• Although he and general manager A.J. Smith kept their job, Chargers coach Norv Turner fired defensive coordinator Greg Manusky after just one season. Interesting, because, three days ago, Turner said he thought Manusky had done a good job this year.

9:00 a.m. ET

• Raheem Morris was spotted dining with Redskins brass, and Washington could be interested in hiring Morris as a defensive coach. The only problem with that scenario is that Buccaneers were the worst team in the league in points allowed this season.

• Yahoo Sports' Michael Silver has written that the Jeff Fisher sweepstakes has become a two-way race between the Dolphins and the Rams. Fisher was scheduled to interview with St. Louis today.

• NFL.com's Albert Breer is saying that Jay (not Jon!) Gruden is the favorite to land the head coaching job in Jacksonville. The Bengals offensive coordinator, however, can't interview until Cincinnati is out of the playoffs. Until then, it sounds like the Jaguars will continue to interview every hot offensive coordinator they can find.

WEDNESDAY

8:20 p.m. ET

• According to multiple reports, Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien will interview for the Penn State job on Thursday. Though his interview with the school has been reported and then denied previously, it seems like O'Brien might have a real shot at landing this position, especially since it appears he's not a candidate for any current open NFL head coaching jobs.

5:58 p.m. ET

• The Rams have requested permission from the Ravens to interview director of player personnel Eric DeCosta for the St. Louis general manager spot, according to PFT. DeCosta is seen as the possible successor to Ozzie Newsome in Baltimore. St. Louis also has received permission from the Falcons to interview director of player personnel Les Snead.

10:53 a.m. ET

• Here's another fun rumor: the Bears job is the job that Jeff Fisher has reportedly "always wanted." Just one little problem -- the Bears are keeping Lovie Smith. For now.

• Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy's name is picking up steam. The Denver Post reports he's one of the people in the running for the Jaguars job. McCoy's also been linked to the Chiefs offensive coordinator position.

TUESDAY

6:06 p.m. ET

• Jeff Fisher's the hottest name on the coaching circuit and he officially visited Miami -- even flying there on a helicopter! -- to talk to owner Stephen Ross about the Dolphins gig.

2:40 p.m. ET

• Perhaps the most shocking news of the day came when the Chargers announced that they were keeping Norv Turner and A.J. Smith in 2012. Unless you're CBSSports.com's Clark Judge anyway -- he wrote this was happening yesterday and doesn't think it's a surprise.

2:20 p.m. ET

• But the Bears weren't done! Well, actually they didn't do anything, but offensive coordinator Mike Martz did resign from the team. Our Mike Freeman writes that the Bears are in a state of upheavle.

10:19 a.m. ET

• General Manager Jerry Angelo gets the boot by the Bears, but Chicago decides Lovie Smith "will remain."

MONDAY
6:00 p.m. ET

• Colts owner Jim Irsay calls firing Bill and Chris Polian a tough decision, and adds that "it's not outside the realm of possibility" that Jim Caldwell returns as head coach. When asked if Peyton Manning will play again he responded, "I don't."

4:28 p.m. ET

• According to CBSSports.com's Clark Judge, the Chargers are considering retaining coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith.

• The Rams will interview Jeff Fisher this week for their vacant coaching job. If they land Fisher, then they would try to find a general manager.

4:03 p.m. ET

• The Jets just finished their season-ending press conference with Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum, who said that nothing will change in 2012! But no, really, Brian Schottenheimer will be back, Mark Sanchez will start, and Santonio Holmes will be back. Also, Rex explains why he cried in the locker room.

3:44 p.m. ET

• According to the Buffalo News, Bills defensive coordinator George Edwards has been fired and replaced by Dave Wannstedt.

2:42 p.m. ET

• There are mutliple reports that Colts owner Jim Irsay has fired front office executives Bill and Chris Polian. Jim Caldwell isn't officially gone, but it's not looking good at this point.

• According to the Chicago Tribune, Bears special teams coach Dave Toub will interview for the Dolphins job.

1:59 p.m. ET

• Our own Will Brinson put together a list of potential candidates to replace Steve Spagnuolo in St. Louis.

• A report from the New York Daily News says that Brian Schottenheimer will interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Because the Jets offense was just so awesome this year, apparently.

1:22 p.m. ET

• According to a report, the Jaguars have called the Panthers seeking permission to talk with offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who, along with Cam Newton, took the Panthers from the NFL's worst offense in 2010 to seventh-best in 2011.

• Although there were reports that Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien was the prime coaching target for Penn State, it sounds like O'Brien won't be headed to Happy Valley after all.

12:45 p.m. ET

• During his last regular-season news conference, Colts coach Jim Caldwell said he's "moving forward" with his day-to-day work. Caldwell also said he met with owner Jim Irsay on Sunday night and with executives Bill and Chris Polian on Monday morning. Obviously, at this moment, Caldwell is still employed. Which led Indy Star reporter Phillip B. Wilson to tweet, "Colts fans, to be honest, I have no idea what's going on ... maybe team won't announce changes for another day or two, IDK."

11:56 a.m. ET

• And we have victim No. 2: Raheem Morris was fired by the Bucs on Monday after closing out the season with a 10-game losing streak.

• An interesting set of tweets from UniversalDraft.com's Chris Kouffman: "<s>@</s>ArmandoSalguero with a stunning revelation that Carl Peterson was told to have dinner w/ Jon Gruden and allowed to offer Gruden the job ... which included total control over football operations, ability to hire and fire whomever he wanted...and Gruden TURNED IT DOWN. Yikes."

• The Dolphins release a statement saying they're gearing up for their coaching search.

11:32 a.m. ET

• The Rams made the Spags firing official and also fired general manager Billy Devaney. CBSSports.com's Clark Judge believes St. Louis should target an offensive-minded coach in order to build around quarterback Sam Bradford.

10:37 a.m. ET

• We have our first victim on Black Monday! Steve Spagnuolo, as expected, was fired by the St. Louis on Monday. Spags was 10-38 in three years with the Rams but should be a hot name for defensive coordinator positions.

• The Jaguars have asked permission from the Falcons to interview offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.

• You want to talk about a coach in demand? How about Jeff Fisher. Mike Freeman writes that the two jobs that intrigue him the most are Indianapolis and Tampa Bay.

9:39 a.m. ET

• Speaking of the Jets, their public relations staff announced that BOTH general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Rex Ryan will be at Monday's press conference. That's not "normal" and it could mean that people's jobs are in trouble.

• Despite a disappointing season in which the Jets didn't make the playoffs, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine -- whose reputation has largely remained intact this year -- has reportedly drawn interest from the Dolphins.

• Norv Turner's unlikely to be fired on Monday. Yes, we're surprised too. But Chargers president Dean Spanos wants to take "a couple days" to evaluate Turner and general manager A.J. Smith.

9:07 a.m ET

• CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman reports that the Bucs spent all evening gathering intel on Raheem Morris from players. Ownership is starting to believe that though they don't want to fire Morris, they might have to fire Morris.

Previously:

• CBS Sports Charley Casserly reported on Sunday that there was "strong sentiment" in Indy to bring Jim Caldwell back as Colts coach in 2012.

• There was plenty of scuttlebutt Sunday morning about Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien making his way to Penn State.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, Like Us on Facebook, subscribe to our NFL newsletter, and while you're add it, add our RSS Feed.

By Will Brinson

The Colts are believed to be locked in on the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. (And, thusly, locked into Andrew Luck, the top prospect on Rob Rang's big board.)

But not so fast, my friends -- Indy still hasn't technically "won" the first pick in the draft, because of their win Sunday over the Titans. In fact, they haven't even locked in a top-two pick in the draft, although they could do so on Thursday if they lost to Houston.

According to Matt Pomeroy of the NFL Network, a loss Thursday for the Colts eliminates the Rams from contention for the No. 1 pick. However, the Vikings are still in play -- if Indy then beat Jacksonville, their best possible strength of schedule would be equal to Minnesota's worst possible strength of schedule.

So if the Vikes lose out, Indy goes 1-1 and everything strength-of-schedule wise breaks correctly, the Colts and Vikings would have a coin toss to determine who gets the rights to draft and/or trade the rights to draft Luck.


The odds still heavily favor the Colts, especially considering the Texans will be pushing for a bye in the AFC and Indy's inability to stop the run.

For Bill Polian, who seems unsure whether about his 2012 situation, that's probably a good thing.

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Bill Polian on Peyton Manning coming back in 2012: 'I don't know the answer to that.' (Getty Images)

By Will Brinson

There's a reasonable chance that Peyton Manning's already played his last game in a Colts uniform. But you'd never get anyone in the organization to admit the possibility that Manning wouldn't return, at least not right now.

Or would you? Bill Polian, speaking on his weekly radio show Monday night said he "didn't know the answer" as to whether or not Manning would be back with Indianapolis next season.

Indy's Big Decision

Wilson: Polian thinks rookie QB would struggle Brinson: Colts say they wanted to draft Yates Casserly: 'No scenario' where Peyton is traded Wilson: Are the 'Skins in Peyton's future? Podcast: Archie Manning talks Peyton, Luck

"I don't know the answer to that," Polian said, per our Colts Rapid Reporter Tom James. "There are so many variables involved that it's impossible to tell at this point in time. It's our fervent hope that he is. But I couldn't unequivocally give you an answer of yea or nay."

Polian's radio shows are almost always an exercise in interesting comments -- and it might seem like the prudent thing for Polian to do in this situation is simply avoid commenting.

After all, the decision to bring Manning back is on the team. As Polian is the guy who makes that decision (although ultimately answering to owner Jim Irsay), he would know whether or not Manning is going to return.

What that means is Charley Casserly's report of the Colts wanting to renegotiate the terms of Manning's option, or at least the deadline for the option, is likely correct.

The Colts will ask Peyton for more time to evaluate his health before committing $28 million to him in 2012. And that's fair. But it's still an ominous sign for Peyton's future in Indy that the guy making the call can't commit to whether or not his franchise quarterback will return.

For more NFL news, rumors and analysis, follow @EyeOnNFL on Twitter, Like Us on Facebook, subscribe to our NFL newsletter, and while you're add it, add our RSS Feed.

Indy president Bill Polian doesn't think a rookie 'marquee player' will 'come in and contribute immediately.' (Getty Images)

By Ryan Wilson

The Colts are on a collision course with 0-16. This eventuality means a couple things: the inglorious end to the Jim Caldwell era and, quite possibly, the beginning of the end to the Peyton Manning era because Indianapolis will almost certainly draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck with the first-overall pick.

Except that, unlike Caldwell, Manning's Colts career might not already be over. Any number of variables will determine his future -- his health and the $28 option bonus he's due in March chief among them. And based on recent comments by team president Bill Polian, any scenario that has Luck playing as a rookie is a scenario that's fraught with possible disappointment.

“If we were to take a rookie quarterback [in the 2012 draft] and if we were to play him, he would struggle," Polian said during his weekly radio show, according to the TribStar.com. "Remember, Peyton was 3-13 his rookie year. He did not really look like the quarterback that he became until, ironically, this time of year in Baltimore [in 1998] where we lost a shootout [38-31]. ...

“It’s going to take any rookie, whether it be [2011 first-round draft pick] Anthony Castonzo [at left offensive tackle] or anyone else, a good long time, one year to get their feet under them and really know what the National Football League is all about," he continued. "Then you have an off-season program and the second year [and] now he’s ready to contribute. No matter who we draft next year, there’s going to be a break in period for them. You won’t see the real quality of that player until a year later and in some cases, depending upon what the system is and how he fits. It takes time for young players to develop,” he added.

“Even if we were to draft a marquee player in the first round, no matter who it is, that guy’s not going to come in and contribute immediately, unless he were a running back. That’s the exception.”

That's a great theory except for names like Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, and in the last few weeks, T.J. Yates, Jake Locker and Christian Ponder. As for rookies who don't play quarterback or running back there's: A.J. Green, Aldon Smith, Von Miller, Patrick Peterson, Julio Jones and Mike Pouncey, (see where we're going with this?).

So, yes, Polian's partially right -- there is a break-in period with rookies -- but it's a stretch to say that we won't "see the real quality of that player" for at least a year.

Also worth considering: if Luck truly is the best quarterback prospect since John Elway, it's all the more reason to get him on the field immediately and let him learn by doing. What's the downside? The Colts can't lose more than 16 games in a regular season. Plus, after Peyton's 3-13 effort as a rookie he went 13-3 in Year 2. And from 2000-2011, the Colts made the playoffs 10 of 11 times.

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Hardly shocking, we know, but 0-16 could mean curtains for Jim Caldwell in Indy. (US PRESSWIRE)

By Ryan Wilson

In the immortal words of Joe Theismann, you don't have to be Norman Einstein to know that Colts head coach Jim Caldwell isn't long for Indianapolis. Never mind that he was hand-picked by Tony Dungy, he's 24-8 in his previous two seasons, including a Super Bowl appearance in 2009.

The reality is this: Indianapolis is 0-13 and there's a reasonable expectation that by the time it's over, they'll be 0-16. Not having Peyton Manning has almost everything to do with the Colts' predicament. And that only makes things worse for Caldwell; if Indy's success hinges on Manning's health -- not Caldwell's ability to coach without one of his best players -- why keep him around?

Which is why, barring a miracle only Tim Tebow could deliver, Caldwell will be looking for work on or about January 1.

During his weekly Monday night radio show, team president Bill Polian admitted that, "I bear a lot of responsibility for what happened here and it weights heavily on me. It breaks my heart that there are good players and good coaches who are going through an awful time because we didn't build a strong enough football team."

But he also hinted that, ultimately, Caldwell could be held responsible.

"My fervent hope is that Jim's job is not in jeopardy because my fervent hope is that we don't go 0-16," he said, according to CBSSports.com Rapid Reporter Tom James. "And we're doing everything we can to try and avoid that."

On Wednesday, NFL Network's Jason La Canfora pretty much confirmed through sources what Polian intimated Monday. "…Unequivocally, an 0-16 finish by the Colts will cost Caldwell his job."

The possible follow-up question from some Colts fans: "Hey, Bill, what about you and (your son, Colts general manager) Chris?"

After all, a series of poor personnel decisions played a non-trivial role in Indy's current plight. (Forget Polian's recent admission that "we were getting ready to draft" T.J. Yates -- just take a look at the team's first-round picks from '05 to '10.)

A month ago, back when Indy was just 0-8, owner Jim Irsay said this about the Polian's future.

“I’m committed. In [the Polian's] defense, it’s pretty radical after the successes we’ve had to start even talking about the question, in my opinion. If this is five or six years or losing; you’re talking about eight weeks. The great things we’ve done, there has been a tilted sort of perception when you win so much that it’s disappointing."

Irsay was less certain about Caldwell.

“When it comes to changes and Jim’s status and that sort of thing, it’s something that eight games going forward, more will be revealed," the Colts owner said on November 4, according to the Indianapolis Star. "This situation is always changing. But it’s really going to be always what’s best to give us a chance to win. I don’t have any predictions or any votes of confidence or anything like that. I don’t have any non-votes of confidence. At this point, continuity is a good thing if it makes sense in terms of winning.”

Let's see: the Colts are 0-13 and their starting quarterback is Dan Orlovsky, the guy who was 0-7 as a starter with the Lions in 2008 (that team went 0-16), and is currently 0-2 in that role in Indy. Pretty sure continuity would be a bad thing. And who knows, when the Colts draft Andrew Luck, that thinking could extend to Manning, too.

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By Will Brinson

T.J. Yates didn't save the Texans season, but Sunday's come-from-behind win made it pretty clear that they've got a better chance at making a Super Bowl run with him under center than a lot of other players.

Like, say, Dan Orlovsky or Curtis Painter, the two guys currently swapping starts for the Colts because, according to Bill Polian by way of our Colts Rapid Reporter Tom James, Indy just missed on drafting Yates in the fifth round.

"We were getting ready to draft him in the very same round,” Polian said on his Monday radio show. "Houston picked before us if Im not mistaken.

"Should we have taken him a round earlier? Yes, without question."

One problem: the Colts didn't have a pick in the fifth round, so it's fairly unlikely they were about to take Yates at that spot. In fact, they traded their fifth-round pick to the Redskins who later traded the pick to ... the Texans.

Yes, that's right -- Yates was taken 152nd overall, which was originally the Colts fifth-round choice. Indy dealt the pick away along with the 53rd overall pick (their second-rounder) in order to move up four spots and grab Villanova tackle Ben Ijalana with the 49th overall pick. Ijalana hasn't played since Week 4.


Polian's second piece of logic remains the same, though: if the Colts thought highly of Yates, then they should have taken him late in the fourth round. Of course, hindsight and draft opinions are almost always through the gaze of 20/20 vision.

Polian essentially admitted as much by pointing out, via Brad Wells of Blue Stampede, that the Colts would have used a first-round pick on a quarterback in 2010 if they'd known that Peyton Manning would miss the entire season prior to the draft.

Polian didn't say which quarterback, but it's widely believed that he was interested in selecting Andy Dalton, now with the Bengals. Traveling back in a time machine and drafting Dalton or Yates probably wouldn't matter much for Indy; without Manning, they're pretty clearly doomed to mediocrity. (Polian also said, per Wells, that he made "poor judgment" on believing Curtis Painter was a capable backup.)

The only thing that matters is whether or not Polian and the Colts front office are smart enough to recognize their predicament now and address it the next time they have an opportunity to take a quarterback in the draft. Or as you might know it, with Andrew Luck and the first selection in 2012.

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Posted by Ryan Wilson

On Sunday, prior to the Colts-Patriots game, Peyton Manning joined The NFL Today crew to talk about where he is in his rehab from multiple neck surgeries (he's making progress); what his future holds as a player, coach (prognosis: not good), and television analyst (he's gunning for Marino's chair); and his thoughts on the Colts drafting Andrew Luck. 

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