FanHouse BillPolian

The Montana-Young 49ers, the '70s Steelers, the '70s Dolphins, the '90s Cowboys, the Belichick-and-Brady Patriots: what do they all have in common? They are all-time great NFL teams that racked up many wins in a handful of seasons. You know what else they have in common? None of them have ever put together as impressive a regular season resume as the current Peyton Manning-era Colts.

That's right, after beginning this season 5-0, the Manning-era Colts are now 80-21 since the beginning of 2003. The '70s Steelers went 87-27-1 from 1972-1979. From 1981-1998, the 49ers were always pretty stout, but they never put together a six-plus season run where they played close to .800 ball like the current Colts (they came closest from 1987-1992 when they went 75-20). The '90s Cowboys went 70-20 in their best stretch. From 2001-2007, the Patriots went 86-26. Shula's '70s Dolphins, at 67-16-1, check in as the best competition.

So, these Colts should go down as one of the best teams of all-time, right? Uh, no. Not yet, at least.

Scoreboardgate, originating in the Dallas Cowboys' new stadium, has taken another turn. Remember, the Cowboys debuted in their new digs this past weekend. Everything about the stadium is extravagant, and we'd expect nothing less in a Jerry Jones operation. The only problem thus far is that there are massive hi-def video boards over the center of the stadium that are able to be hit by punted balls.

Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.

I often chuckle at the amount of time people spend whining about how you can't accurately evaluate the draft immediately. We know that. We also don't know exactly who is going to do what in each season, but that doesn't stop us from giving preseason predictions or fantasy football advice. Sometimes you just have to have a little bit of intestinal fortitude and put yourself out there. The reader demand is there, so we'll provide the supply.

One of the few cases (along with teams like the Steelers and Patriots) where it's probably not a good idea to say anything bad, though, is when it comes to Bill Polian and the Colts.

When the Colts used their first-round pick on a running back (Donald Brown of Connecticut), I was quite surprised. I knew they needing running back depth, but defensive tackle, middle linebacker and wide receiver seemed much more pressing -- all with quality options on the board. However, I'm not about to question a first-round pick by Bill Polian. Click through this link to see his history with the Colts.

What the pick does mean, though, is that Joseph Addai has probably fallen out of favor with the Colts, at least as the every down starter. Let's try to envision the fantasy fallout for this coming season and beyond.

With the draft approaching, we ignore projections and identify the dream scenario for each team in a series we call The Perfect Draft.

The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2009 season as one of the NFL's marquee franchises. They have made the playoffs nine of the last 10 seasons, and have won at least 12 games for six straight seasons. There's a reason for that. Well, there are many reasons, but everything starts with how well the Colts draft. Beginning with the franchise-making decision to take Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf in 1998, Bill Polian has missed once in the first round. I imagine Colts fans are pretty trusting of their Team President when Roger Goodell strolls to the podium.

The combine is over, we're a week into free agency, and the draft is less than two months away. For NFL teams, this time of year is about finding cheap, young talent to replace aging or ineffective veterans, and the draft evaluation process is a big part of that.

Everybody agrees that Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez are the draft's two best quarterbacks, the only question is where they will end up. The Lions, who have the first-overall pick, are the favorites to take Stafford, but they could very easily select an offensive lineman -- just as big a need -- at No. 1. (And it may also help explain all the Jay Cutler trade talk.)

Rumors started swirling last Wednesday. NFL Network's Adam Schefter reported that Marvin Harrison's days were numbered in Indianapolis. Then, on Sunday, Harrison asked to be released after refusing to take a pay cut. The Colts were apparently for his release, before they were against it, before they were for it again.

Shorter, clearer version: Indy officially cut Harrison Tuesday afternoon. Hardly surprising given the buildup, but it's another big change in an offseason full of them for the Colts. Head coach Tony Dungy retired, defensive coordinator Ron Meeks was fired and now Harrison, the team's 1996 first-round pick and eight-time Pro Bowler, is no longer with the organization. Team president Bill Polian sounded the right tone in announcing the move:

The Marvin Harrison saga in Indianapolis rolls on. Beginning Sunday night, Harrison reportedly refused to take a pay cut from his gargantuan salary, and then reportedly asked for his outright release. The discussions seemingly ended Monday evening when sources reported the Colts would grant Harrison's request and let him walk.

Tuesday morning, however, a new wrinkle was added in the ongoing Indianapolis drama. Jim Irsay, the Colts' owner, really doesn't want Harrison to leave. Thus, he's staging a last-ditch effort to retain the best receiver in franchise history.

At some point in the near future -- maybe six years from now -- Marvin Harrison will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He's had as much to do with the Colts' success this decade as Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy.

But unlike Manning, who is still firmly entrenched as the team's quarterback and one of the best players in the league, and Dungy, who walked away from the game on his own terms earlier this season, Harrison's fate is out of his control.

With the retirement of Tony Dungy -- which was announced yesterday -- the torch is passed in Indianapolis to Jim Caldwell. It was hardly news, considering his eventual elevation was announced last season. Still, Caldwell is a relatively unknown dude to be taking the reins of one of the league's premiere franchises.

While there are those who focus on the fact that Dungy "only" won the Super Bowl once, Caldwell has some awfully big shoes to fill. Dungy was at the helm of 10 straight playoff teams, and he won at least 12 games in the last six seasons with the Colts.