A year after 0-13 start, Colts locker room fun again
By CLIFF BRUNT
ISL Editor
Scattered snickering accompanied my interview with Dwayne Allen today.
I was chatting with the rookie tight end about how the young receivers were coming along when I heard it.
I’ve been going to NFL locker rooms for about a decade now, and I know that laughter can come from anything for any reason.
One of my colleagues told me the joke was on me. Apparently, Reggie Wayne thought it was funny that I held my recorder rather close to Allen’s face during my interview. I always try to get it as close as possible without invading personal space. Apparently, Mr. Wayne thought my attempt failed.
As I listened to the interview later, I could hear Wayne asking Allen how my recorder smelled. I laughed when I heard it because Wayne’s delivery is perfect.
As my colleague joked with me about Wayne’s short comic routine, we both laughed. And then it hit me.
People were laughing.
People were joking.
This is a big deal.
Players were talking about coaching changes in college football and jabbing each other about the weak bowl game their teammate’s alma mater was going to. Some of the guys were playing cornhole (bean bag toss). So entertaining was it that the media actually stopped for a while and watched on either side of the platforms.
My, have things changed.
Last year at this time, the Colts were winless and had one of the worst defenses in the history of the NFL. Going to Colts practices and into the locker room was one of the least enjoyable parts of my job. Most days consisted of Jim Caldwell again saying he wasn’t worried about his job situation, Caldwell saying he had no idea what the heck was going on with Peyton Manning, Caldwell saying he didn’t want to discuss Andrew Luck, Curtis Painter explaining why the offense was struggling and Jeff Saturday getting frustrated while discussing the team’s disastrous offensive line play. It should be noted that I gained more respect for Saturday being a standup guy last season than I gained for him through his Pro Bowl and Super Bowl appearances.
Last year at this time, Dan Orlovsky was heading into his second start in Painter’s place. The Colts were heading to Baltimore and loss number 13. There was no end to the losing in sight. There were no jokes. Just somber moods and nervous people who really didn’t want to make eye contact at risk of actually having to discuss losing again.
This year, the Colts are 8-4. The city is ChuckStrong. Andrew Luck is lighting it up. All is well. It’s almost like last year never happened. With a win over Tennessee on Sunday, the Colts solidify their playoff chances.
Playoffs?
Ok, that was just an excuse to get that legendary video in the story (this is Indy Sports LEGENDS, you know, and that rant qualifies).
Yes, indeed, playoffs. A word nobody expected to be talking about yet. But here the Colts are, and good for them. Thankfully, the wins have lightened the mood on North 56th Street. After what the organization went through last year, it’s good to see players laughing, even if it’s at my expense.
LOL.
Related: Cliff Brunt’s AP story notes that five of Luck’s top seven pass catchers are rookies.
Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cliffbrunt_isl.
