Is Jim Irsay owed an apology for controversial Jeff Saturday rent?
To date, Jeff Saturday’s lack {of professional} expertise hasn’t resulted in speedy catastrophe for the Colts. Does that imply Jim Irsay did the correct factor?
Two weeks faraway from Frank Reich’s mid-season termination, the 3-5-1 Colts at the moment are 4-6-1 below present head coach Jeff Saturday. Saturday’s two video games up to now — a 25-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders and a 16-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles — have confirmed to be two of essentially the most aggressive video games for the Colts up to now this season.
The Colts appear to have made the correct determination by transferring on from Frank Reich, however is the group’s current surge a results of Saturday’s course, or is there a confluence of different components?
It’s nonetheless slightly early for NFL analysts to line up and apologize to Jim Irsay, however it’s true that the rent hasn’t been the “disgrace” to the teaching occupation that some anticipated.
Is Jim Irsay owed an apology for hiring Jeff Saturday?
The Colts did defeat the Raiders in Week 10, however the Raiders have been one of many NFL’s most inconsistent items this season. And the Colts practically defeated the Eagles, who stay the NFL’s No. 1-ranked group. Regardless of the wins and losses and the opponents they’ve confronted, the Colts have executed properly reverting again to Matt Ryan, and the offense has operated extra effectively. Saturday is the explanation for that, however there’s extra to it than Irsay’s preferences.
The Colts have renewed deal with their offensive line, because of Saturday’s veteran expertise and perception as a former NFL middle. In Week 10, Johnathan Taylor noticed his most profitable efficiency since Week 1, dashing for 147 yards and a landing on 22 makes an attempt. Towards the Eagles, Taylor noticed 22 dashing makes an attempt once more, however solely went for 84 yards and a landing. Taylor’s efficiency has opened up the offense, however a part of that’s that his return to form coincides with Saturday’s arrival.
The return of Ryan additionally means elevated utilization of Michael Pittman Jr., catching six of seven targets for 75 yards. Parris Campbell caught 5 of six targets for 67 yards, as he has additionally seen a lift because the return of Ryan. Basically, shifting to Sam Ehlinger at quarterback proved to be an ineffectual mistake, and the offensive enhancements are a results of Ryan and his favourite targets with the ability to carry out effectively. Sadly, Taylor scored the one Colts landing in Week 11, however the Colts have been main your complete sport earlier than the ultimate two minutes.
However one other key issue right here is that nobody within the NFL has substantial tape on Saturday or his offensive coordinator, Parks Frazier. Even the worst coach goes to be better off in a chess match the place no opponent can predict their strikes. A change in scheme and predictability gave the Carolina Panthers a mid-season enhance after the firing of Matt Rhule; the Colts could possibly be benefitting from the identical. Total, interim head coaches tend to fair poorly as they overtake troubled rosters, and the game-planning enhance may fizzle out as extra tape accrues in opposition to Saturday and his crew.
The Colts are enjoying higher, and within the brief time period, the hiring of Jeff Saturday appears to have the Colts working far more efficiently. However an correct evaluation of Saturday’s rent goes to wish extra information than two video games.
Even when the Jeff Saturday experiment is a triumph, it doesn’t detract from initial concerns concerning the rent, reminiscent of Irsay displaying favoritism to a good friend.
