Tom James
Tribune-Star Correspondent
INDIANAPOLIS —
Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian wanted to set the record straight Saturday.
When it comes to the NFL’s new policy on where game officials are positioned and how those changes relate to what happens on the field — specifically how quickly the ball gets spotted before it is marked ready for play — Polian has adopted a wait-and-see attitude. A long-standing member of the NFL’s competition committee, which unanimously voted for the realignment of game officials during league meetings this past spring, he said that any problems associated with the new policy can be worked out over time.
“About five or six years ago, we experimented with putting the umpire in the [offensive] backfield [rather than lining up on the other side of the ball behind the linebackers] because we felt then that there was a physical danger issue. It was a safety issue [for the game officials]. That issue has become more exacerbated over time,” Polian explained.
“And so it was the intent of the committee and the officiating department to make sure that we created a situation that was as safe as possible for these guys. And it had reached the point where the league office staff felt that the physical danger out there and safety of the umpire was becoming an issue. And so we changed his position. We recognized that there would be mechanical issues and issues with respect to certain penalties that might or might not be called based upon the new position. When we make a change, whether it be a rule or a change in mechanics, it normally takes two seasons to see the full extent of it. We are very well aware of that.”
Game official crews spent time with NFL teams during the first two weeks of training camp, trying to explain the new policy and how it could affect teams once preseason games commenced.
“The mechanics came forth about a month ago, the first week in training camp. There’s been ongoing discussion among the competition committee people and I’m sure others around the league. [The new policy] is a work in progress,” Polian said.
“We recognized as a committee that the third preseason game was going to be a good test because, in virtually all cases, the top-line players were playing and playing a long time. In our case, we told the league office and the league officiating department that we would do all we could to push the tempo, to try and create situations where we could find out what kind of picture we were going to see. And that’s what occurred. We’ll go back and talk about the post-mortem. I’m sure there are some tweaks [to how the policy is implemented] that they will make and we’ll move forward.”
The Colts were penalized twice for illegal snaps during Thursday night’s preseason loss to Green Bay. They were penalized once deep in Packers territory as quarterback Peyton Manning tried to get a play off quickly to prevent a replay challenge after a catch by Anthony Gonzalez.
Manning was visibly upset by the penalty and wondered after the game how the rule was going to be enforced during the regular season. Several NFL teams, including the Colts, like to run a hurry-up or no-huddle offensive attack throughout a game. If the umpire is slow to spot the ball after a play, it can severely hinder an effective up-tempo offense.
Polian, though, doesn’t think it will be a lingering issue as the regular season progresses.
“I don’t think there are many [issues]. I think they are mechanical in nature. I don’t think we’ll see the full import of it until we get well into the regular season and certainly get a full season’s work with it. My concerns right now are simply mechanical and I think they’re very easily [solved],” he said.
“If we do the mechanics right, I don’t think that it ought to be an issue. It was certainly not the intent. There are mechanical issues that we’ve identified, but I think most teams see that. It’s not us [the Colts] alone. There are certain downs and distances where it’s going to become more of an issue and they’ve [game officials] got to be aware of that and adjust to it.”
• • •
• Brackett OK — Polian said Saturday that middle linebacker Gary Brackett suffered a bruised right hand in the first quarter of Thursday night’s preseason loss to the Packers and should be OK.
Brackett took part in Saturday’s short practice but wore a wrap on his hand. He was hurt when he was inadvertently hit by strong-side linebacker Philip Wheeler during a tackle pileup.
Initial reports concerning the injury were ominous, but it appears the defensive team captain may be ready to play when the Colts begin the regular season Sept. 12 at Houston.
As for other key injuries — such as center Jeff Saturday (knee), offensive tackle Charlie Johnson (foot), tight end Dallas Clark (leg), running back Joseph Addai (concussion), cornerback Jacob Lacey (concussion), defensive tackle Antonio Johnson (groin) and offensive guard/tackle Tony Ugoh (toe) — Polian wouldn’t hazard a guess as to when they might return.
“I don’t even talk about injuries in the preseason,” he said.
Clark returned to practice Saturday after sitting out the last two weeks, as did wide receiver Austin Collie (unspecified injury). Addai also participated in the workout.
Ugoh (who wore a protective boot on his left foot), Antonio Johnson, Lacey and cornerback Jerraud Powers (foot) all sat out.
• Roster updates — Team officials have confirmed a pair of roster moves from late last week.
Cornerback Marcus McCauley has been placed on injured reserve, while cornerback Danny Gorrer has been claimed off waivers. Gorrer was released by the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 24.
Also, the Colts waived four players Saturday: wide receiver Dudley Guice, offensive tackle Andrew Tyshovnytsky, linebacker Trevor Anderson and placekicker Garrett Lindholm.
