Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian: No apologies necessary

Indianapolis Colts RB Joseph Addai (Darron Cummings/AP Photo)

Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian said no apologies are necessary.

Polian, who along with Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell was widely criticized for removing and not aggressively pursuing a 16-0 season, said that although the team appeared fresh and active in advancing to the AFC Championship Game, this week's not about addressing that issue.

The decision in December wasn't about public perception, Polian said.

And the victory over Baltimore in an AFC Divisional Playoff Saturday wasn't either, he said.

“We don't need any apologies,” Polian said Monday on his weekly radio show that airs on Hank 97.1 FM in Indianapolis. “(Former Colts Head Coach) Tony Dungy had a great saying that he immortalized and memorialized in very large print in our locker room both at our practice facility and down at the stadium. It says, 'No explanations, no excuses.'

“That's the way we go about our business. You can add, 'No Apologies Necessary' to that. We're going to do our job to the best of our ability and do what we think is right based on our long experience in this game. We recognize that people are going to disagree with that from time to time and they have every right to and in the end, all you can do is the best you can do.

“If it works out right, that's wonderful and if it doesn't, that's OK, too. At least you gave it your best shot.”

Polian on Monday also addressed:

* The hand injury to Jets DE Shaun Ellis: “It hurts some. For a defensive lineman, it can be used as a club – which is a good thing. When you're playing against him, you have to be prepared for it, especially getting clubbed on the shoulder. It's an asset there, but defensive linemen basically have to grab, so in that sense, it's probably a bit of a hindrance, but I don't think it will be too terribly difficult.”

* The Colts' defense: “We matched them shot for shot for 60 minutes physically. There was a time when we were called a finesse defense. Only a blind man would say that now. The fact is, we matched them shot for shot. We caused their offense to get out of sync. We made plays in the secondary when we needed to make them. We were able to really take over the game defensively. . . . We stood in there and gave as good as we got.. . . We pressured the passer and caused lots of dumpoffs and lots of errant throws when we had the opportunity. It was probably as good a defensive game as we've played in quite some time here. It's a tribute to our defensive players and it's a tribute to our defensive coaching staff, led by (defensive coordinator) Larry Coyer.”

* The Colts' special teams: "In the kicking game, out punt coverage was magnificent. We punted the ball exceptionally well. In fact, two times (rookie punter) Pat (McAfee) had a punt when they had 10 rushers. If we had thrown the ball, if we'd had the courage to throw it – which we didn't (laughing) – it might have been a touchdown. But Pat had to get it off and he got it off quickly and he did it well. We covered exceptionally well. (Tight end) Jacob Tamme started the game right off by causing a penalty with nothing but pure hustle on the kickoff coverage. (Cornerback) T.J. (Rushing) did a great job returning punts. We gained some positive yardage there in a game we knew was going to be a field-position game.

* The Colts' offense: “Offensively, against a really, really good defense and a big, physical tough, huge defensive line we more than held our own in pass protection and made plays down the field. We ran the ball well early. We did not run it well late and that's an area we can improve and have to improve. We didn't do a good job of running it in the second half. We've got to improve that. Short-yardage, (running back) Mike Hart did a great job. We converted two short-yardage situations there with Mike in the game, which give us another way to move the ball in those kinds of situations. All in all, not a flawless performance.”

* Similarities between Ravens and Jets: “I think it's to some degree accurate. I think you'll see much more blitzing from the Jets than we did from the Ravens. The Ravens elected against New England (in the Wild Card round) and against us basically to play coverage. I think the Jets will do less of that. I think they believe in coming after you and creating havoc and creating bad plays. Both teams do an exceptional job of defensing the run – the Jets, principally, with their linebackers; the Ravens up front with that great front three. Offensively, they are pretty much mirror images except that Sanchez is healthy and I'm not sure (Ravens quarterback Joe) Flacco was 100 percent with that hip situation. You could see a lot more movement out of Sanchez than perhaps Flacco was capable of doing. Sanchez zhas every bit as good an arm as Flacco; obviously not the experience level, but he has played in a lot of big games at the University of Southern California and he has conducted himself magnificently throughout the playoffs, so as Rex Ryan said, 'He's no longer a rookie; he has played 14 games.' There are a lot similarities, but I think you'll see more blitzing from the Jets and in Shonn Greene the Jets have a very special back who has fresh legs and who can run through automobiles, locomotives – whatever you put in his way, he's going to knock over. He's a great back.”