I thought all of this Polian leaving his show early talk was nuts since, like Eric Hartz of ColtPower.com, I listened right up until 7:00 last night on 1070 AM.  In fact, I got into my car during the final segment and heard the caller that was supposedly cut off talking with Polian.  At the very end of the show, Bob Lamey had maybe 60 seconds to close things out and he did that by himself.

Now we have an explanation from 1070's Program Director, Kent Sterling.

http://www.1070thefan.com/sterling/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10077484

While this still doesn't excuse Polian's combative behavior, I think it at least dispels any notions that he left early.  Unfortunately, the heat may now be on Stampede Blue for not getting the story "correct" - especially since it was picked up by several national media outlets.  It's certainly not the site's fault for bringing attention to the possibility that it may have happened - the other sites that picked it up without checking facts are probably as much or more to blame - but it may have been better to question what happened instead of say that it, in fact, did happen.  We'll see.  Anyway, having plenty of experience in the radio industry, this explanation makes perfect sense as Lamey was forced to lengthen many of the show's segments due to the heavy call volume and intense discussion.  But you have to pay those bills at some point - it was just at the end of the show being broadcast on 97.1 in this case.

Solid preview of Sunday night's game  BBS.  Overall, I agree, Arizona is the type of team the Colts D tends to match-up with pretty well.

I will take exception to the comment about the Colts having arguably the best secondary in football right now.  When everyone's healthy, sure.  There are two Pro Bowl safeties (although one was a deep alternate the year he got in, but still), and two CBs in Hayden and Jackson perfectly suited for the Colts defensive scheme.

But right now?  I think the poor run defense Monday night is masking some issues in the secondary.  We can all be hyped about what the future holds for Powers and even Lacey, (I know I am) but let's be realists for a second and not just Colts fans.  They are rookies.  And it's Week 3.  Here's the secondary right now:

CB that was hurt Monday and hasn't practiced: Kelvin Hayden

ROOKIE CB whos is hurt and would be playing his 2nd NFL game banged up: Jeraud Powers

CB coming off serious injury that coaching staff isn't comfortable with outside yet: Marlin Jackson

Tim Jennings: Nuff said (and I even like him a bit more than most)

Undrafted Rookie: Jacob Lacey

Guy I thought might actually get cut when they signed Jordan Senn: TJ Rushing

Safety coming off a year in which he regressed: Antoine Bethea
(I'm not saying he's bad, I just know it's been talked about even on this site, that Bethea was just not as good last year as he was in '07)

Safety that's probably better than 10-15 starters in the league, but not elite: Melvin Bullitt

And then there's Bob

Their opponent: The NFL's best passing attack from a year ago including 2 of the best receivers in the league.

In a perfect world, the secondary is back to being one of the strengths of this team in a few weeks.  I'm just pointing out waht I see to be a concern right now that's not getting talked about much.  Is it the biggest concern?  No.  But when you really break down position-by-position, you start to see what the team is really working with.

Adam Schefter (busy at work in his first day of at ESPN), mention on Twitter that not only does it look like Marvin Harrison may play, but the Titans have called to gauge his interest.  Sounds like the right offer may get him to play (I guess that's the case with anyone though).

"Marvin Harrison isn't done yet. Would like to play this season, given choice. Tenneesee has called. Harrison waiting for right opportunity."

http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter

While it would suck big time to see him with another team in the division, I can't say he would scare me in any way. Not at all.   And I have 2 Harrison jerseys hanging in my closet.

Kravitz and Eddie are under no direct ESPN control. There is NO way they would have received a memo from ESPN. Chicago, Dallas, LA, Pittsburgh, and NY are the ONLY ESPN owned and operated affiliates. All of the other affiliates merely bid for the rights to be ESPN affiliates.

Having worked for 2 ESPN radio stations - 1 an affiliate and 1 an ESPN owned and operated station, I can guarantee, without a doubt, that no station in Indy was restricted on what they could say or report in regards to Roethlisberger or Marvin. ESPN needs to radically overhaul they way they do business - I think we can all agree on that. It's why we see so many other news organizations calling them out.

And sure, ESPN missed a HUGE one on Big Ben that will likely haunt them for a long time, but to think a story on Harrison shouldn't be reported is asinine.

Don't lose sight of the big picture here - both stories have value and should be reported. Marvin may be as innocent as a newborn, but it's still a story, and there sure is some damning evidence as to his involvement in SOME form - no matter how big or small. Only an irresponsible journalist with big Colts speed blue glasses on would refuse to acknowledge that.

Unfortunately, BBS, you have decide to make this a personal vendetta to prove Harrison is 100% innocent.  I'd say there is damning evidence to the contrary.  Doesn't mean he pulled the trigger or ordered a hit, but it most of the evidence would suggest Harrison has been involved in some, maybe even miniscule, but some way.  Really, you can't see that?

Sometimes heroes let you down - even if it's a VERY little bit.  LEt's tick to the great football analysis this site can do.

In a move many have dreamed of for a while, Jim Caldwell has let Special Teams Coach Russ Purnell go:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090114/SPORTS03/90114042

Wonder how much of this had to do with Caldwell noticing the efforts of Darrell Reid acting more like the special teams coach this season?  

Should be interesting to see if any more changes are made as this seemed to be the most logical one of the group.

This has been pretty confusing because the common perception is that after 6 weeks a player is eligible to come off the PUP list within the three weeks that follow.  This is true, but often misread.  Here is how it should be phrased:

Once the mandatory 6 week period of PUP status to start the season has expired, a team then has a 3 week window to allow that player to start practicing.  Once the player does start practicing, a separate 3 week clock begins on the player in which the team has to decide whether to activate him to the 53 man roster or place him on IR and end his season.

The Colts actually give us a perfect example of the complete rule this season.  After 6 weeks Tyjaun Hagler began practicing immediately.  From the day of his first practice, the Colts would have had 3 weeks to active or IR him.  They deemed him ready right away and activated him (he took the roster spot vacated when the McCargo trade fell through and he was sent back to Buffalo - essentially LuJaun Ramsey's roster spot).

This brings us to Ryan Lilja.  Wednesday marked 3 weeks since he was eligtible to come off the PUP list. So the Colts HAD to allow him to start practicing or IR him.  This was the latest possible date they could start the 3 week "do or die" clock on his status.  They NOW have 3 weeks to decide his fate.  He DOES NOT take up a spot on the 53 man roster, so no one will have to be cut to make room for him.

It's very confusing because the rule widely reads as if the whole process takes 9 weeks max (6 on PUP and then 3 to practice and make a decision).  The real rule, however,, is that it can be UP TO a 12 week process (6 on PUP, up to 3 to either IR the payer or begin his practice "clock", and then the subsequent 3 week "clock" that Lilja is now mandated to be on).

Hop all this helps clear things up.