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| Randolph Charlotin. 29th December, 2009 - 8:31 pm
 Like most other teams with dreams of going undefeated, the Indianapolis Colts' bid for perfection came up short. But it didn't end when the clock read 00:00 in the fourth quarter, but 5:36 in the third when head coach Jim Caldwell pulled his starters from the game and surrendered.
And just like that, a shot at history was turned down, leaving fans very disappointed and the players with a void in their competitive nature.
The goal of competition is to win at every opportunity. And for more than half the game, Indy was focused on putting the New York Jets away, but Caldwell opted to protect his best players instead of attempting history.
They say the best decision is the hardest one. For Caldwell, the decision to forfeit a perfect season for a healthy team in the playoffs shouldn't had been hard at all. Going 16-0 wouldn't have given the Colts an automatic spot in the Super Bowl. Indy already has home field throughout the playoffs and a first-round bye. Two more wins wouldn't have benefited them in any way.
But fans don't respect when teams wave the white flag. There isn't a more dishonorable action than giving up. It's a lack of integrity to ignore why sports are played. Caldwell disrespected the fans and the spirit of competition by pulling the starters in the third quarter.
Anyone can understand Caldwell's desire to protect his players. With every advantage secured for the playoffs, the final two regular season games are meaningless. The ultimate goal is to win the Super Bowl and the Colts' best chance of reaching the championship game is with their best players healthy.
This deep into the season, everyone has their nicks, bumps and bruises. Why wouldn't Caldwell take advantage of the situation and take his players out of harm's way so they can be healthy when the postseason starts?
Fans can respect protecting the players, but they don't want to be led on. Caldwell played the starters for more than half the game, giving everyone the impression that the Colts were playing to win.
Instead, he pulled his starters with 5:36 left in the third at a deflated Lucas Oil Field. If Caldwell either sat the starters completely or pulled them from the game early, the outrage wouldn't have been that bad. Caldwell would have seemed more honest about protecting his players by doing so in an upfront manner.
It's contradicting that Caldwell waited more than half the game to protect his players. Would it have made more sense for the starters to play a few drives in the first quarter and then shut them down? No one got hurt, but someone could have in the second quarter or in the first several minutes of the third.
It's a no-win situation for Caldwell. If the Colts win the Super Bowl, Indianapolis fans will always ask, "What if..."
If Indy fails to win it all, then Caldwell is ridiculed for giving up on the second ever undefeated regular season. No matter how the playoffs go for the Colts, fans won't forget the empty feeling Caldwell's decision gave them.
The 1972 Dolphins can celebrate again, now that their perfect season is protected for another year. The tradition of opening a bottle of spirits goes on. But this time it's beer instead of champagne. This victory feels hollow to them too.
Read more by Randolph Charlotin at his New England Patriots blog at . He can be reached at talktome@randolphc.com. |
