Former Colts GM Bill Polian defends his record after hearing Jim Irsay’s criticism

(USA Today Sports Images)

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay’s comments earlier this week may have been inadvertently directed at Peyton Manning, but it was definitely a reflection on his opinion of former general manager Bill Polian.

Irsay recently said the reason his franchise parted ways with Manning was because Indianapolis was knocked out the first round of the playoffs seven times during 11 appearances. In addition, Indianapolis had one Super Bowl victory during Manning’s tenure, while Pittsburgh, Baltimore and the New York Giants won multiple titles.

Polian spoke with Jim Corbett of USA TODAY Sports and defended his record at Indianapolis.

"We never lost to Baltimore in the playoffs,'' Polian told USA TODAY Sports, referencing the Colts' 24-9 wild-card loss to the Ravens last January. "Last year, they lost in the playoffs and were one and done.

"That aside – our record is what it is. We didn't win multiple Super Bowls. But I think we did a hell of a lot to make the city and state of Indiana proud — on and off the field.''

Polian later pointed out the obvious.

No matter what, Indianapolis had a Super Bowl win during his tenure.

Polian paused before adding, "And here's the most important thing of all — and it goes unfortunately unspoken because of the focus on the Super Bowl and the failure to win more than one Super Bowl: We did it — and Peyton did it — the right way, honestly, fairly and squarely," he told USA Today Sports.

While the smack talk delivered by Broncos coach John Fox, Irsay and Polian is somewhat entertaining, but as ESPN’s Michael Wilbon noted on PTI yesterday, these comments are similar to children surrounding a schoolyard fight and egging on the participants. Ultimately, this game is about Manning trying to get a win and Colts quarterback Andrew Luck making sure his team does not fall to 4-3.

Considering Manning avoided the topic this past Wednesday, hopefully, there is nothing more for anyone to say.

- - - - - - -

Anwar S Richardson is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at NFLAnwar@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

via Y! Sports Blogs - Yahoo Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/former-colts-gm-bill-polian-defends-record-hearing-134230748--nfl.html