Indianapolis — It had been the subject of increased speculation over the last couple of years. Would the Indianapolis Colts try to find a way to keep Chris Polian as an integral part of the team’s front office operations?
That topic was officially settled Friday when the Colts announced that the son of team president Bill Polian has been named as the team’s Vice President and general manager. Chris Polian had been serving as the team’s Vice President of Football Operations for the past five seasons.
Much as he did with former Colts coach Tony Dungy and current coach Jim Caldwell, team owner Jim Irsay wanted to make sure a line of succession would be in place when Bill Polian would decide to retire.
“I am very pleased to announce the promotion of Chris Polian to Vice President and General Manager,” Irsay said Friday in a prepared statement. “Chris has been involved in every aspect of our football operations for the past 12 years. His direct contributions are part of the reasons why the Colts have been among the league’s top teams for an extended period of time.
“Chris is a very talented individual who has worked his way through the ranks, and we are pleased to have him serve in this position. Historically, the Colts have been an organization to promote internally, and I feel this will allow the club the best opportunity to continue competing at the level we have sustained for the past few seasons.”
Chris Polian signed a long-term contract and will now oversee the day-to-day operations in all football-related areas of the franchise. The promotion, which takes place immediately, continues his rise with the franchise that began when he was first hired as the Colts’ Director of Pro Scouting from 1998 to 2000.
He held the title of Assistant Director of Football Operations from 2001-03, and was promoted to Assistant General Manager/Football Operations in 2004.
Prior to coming to the Colts, he worked with the Carolina Panthers for four years prior to joining the Colts (1994-96, Pro Scout; 1997, Pro Personnel Coordinator). He was an assistant in player personnel for the Canadian Football League’s Sacramento Gold Miners in 1993.
“I can’t say I’ve ever sat down and said at the young age and that’s exactly what I want to do. I did know that I wanted to be involved with football. And this is kind of the path that things have taken. What I’ve always tried to do is just focus on the job that you have to do at that point. And then hopefully, if those things go well, the next move will take care of itself in due time,” the younger Polian said Friday.
“I think, in the end, this is really a continuation of the process that has been taking [place] the last few years in terms of my dad delegating some more of the day-to-day daily operation type stuff while he works on issues with Mr. Irsay and league issues and that type stuff and let [Director of Player Personnel] Tom Telesco and I kind of carry the load in terms of the daily operations. This is kind of the next step in that progression.”
Coupled with the news that Bill Polian’s contract has been extended through the end of the 2012 season and beyond, the decision was not totally unexpected. Chris Polian’s name had been on the interview lists of several teams in recent years and was being mentioned for a potential general manager candidate for several teams heading into this year’s offseason.
“We weren’t actively looking [to go to another team]. We’ve had some interest. And, prior to [his promotion] occurring, I’ve had some conversations with Jim where there wasn’t any promises. But Jim said ‘I like how things are progressing. Continuity is important to me. And loyalty is important to me.’ And then when you kind of go through the process of people being interested and that type of thing. And [you] survey every different situation,” he said.
“You kind of have a feel for the 32 different [NFL] clubs. Just being in a very fortunate position here. And It’s one that we didn’t take for granted. You certainly don’t want to take the success we’ve had for granted. It’s just a very fortunate place to be in when you get all the support you get from ownership and the fans, as you do here.”
• Injury report — Quarterback Peyton Manning (glute) returned for full practice on Friday and is listed as probable for Sunday’s AFC South clash with Houston.
“[Manning] was limited [Thursday]. But we anticipate that he’s going to increase his activity [Friday],” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said before Friday’s workout.
Also listed as probable are wide receivers Reggie Wayne (foot) and Pierre Garcon (ankle); safeties Melvin Bullitt (shoulder) and Antoine Bethea (foot); running backs Joseph Addai (knee) and Donald Brown (shoulder); tight ends Tom Santi (hip) and Jacob Tamme (quadriceps); defensive end Robert Mathis (neck); cornerback Jerraud Powers (knee); defensive end Raheem Brock (neck); center Jeff Saturday (calf); and offensive tackle Tony Ugoh (knee).
Ugoh was the only probable that didn’t take part in Friday’s workout. Defensive end Dwight Freeney (abdomen), linebacker Ramon Humber (calf), offensive tackle Charlie Johnson (foot), tight end Gijon Robinson (concussion), quarterback Jim Sorgi (right shoulder), and cornerback Kelvin Hayden (knee) are questionable.
Freeney and Johnson have not practiced this week. Sorgi and Hayden, meanwhile, both returned for limited work on Friday. Robinson went through a full session after seeing limited practice time on Thursday.
Listed as out for the Texans game are defensive end Keyunta Dawson (knee), safety Aaron Francisco (ankle), wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee) and placekicker Adam Vinatieri (knee).
“[Freeney] is making real good progress. He was feeling better [Thursday]. I’m anticipating that he’s going to be okay. I’m optimistic [that he will be able to play Sunday against the Texans],” Caldwell said. He added that a decision on Johnson, who was hurt in last week’s game at Baltimore, has yet to be made.
“I’m optimistic but not real certain. Kind of day-to-day,” he said. Ugoh would most likely gain the start if Johnson is unable to play this week.
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