Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee went scorched-earth on his outdated staff on Sunday.
The Colts had been formally eradicated from playoff rivalry in Week 17 after an embarrassing 45-33 loss to the lowly New York Giants, who beforehand hadn’t gained a single house sport all season and snapped a 10-game dropping streak to damage Indy’s postseason occasion.
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Indianapolis had three turnovers and allowed 4 Drew Lock landing passes as they dropped to 7-9 on the 12 months and kissed their playoffs hopes goodbye.
The Colts got here up brief when it mattered most, and McAfee, who spent his whole NFL profession with Indianapolis earlier than turning into one of many largest figures in sports activities media, has had sufficient.
Following the Giants defeat, the ESPN common wrote a scathing publish on X, criticising members of the staff, from gamers to the entrance workplace.
“Within the largest moments everyone with a mind knew they’d crack . . . they usually did,” McAfee wrote in response to a query from a fan.
“A blind particular person might see the crimson flags on this staff.. Work ethic questions, NEVER occurs on good groups.. Preparation dedication questions, NEVER occurs on good groups.. Late to conferences, NEVER occurs on good groups.. Late to/skipping remedy, NEVER occurs on good groups.. The franchise QB tapped out of a sport.. on third down.. within the crimson zone.. as a result of he was drained… NEVER HAPPENED within the historical past of the NFL. . . .
The Colts will miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive 12 months.
Beginning quarterback Anthony Richardson, who took himself out of a sport in opposition to the Texans earlier within the season as a result of he felt ‘drained’, didn’t play on Sunday on account of a number of accidents.
The second-year sign caller has thrown eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 61.6 passer ranking in 11 video games this season, and is extensively anticipated to be the staff’s beginning QB in 2025.
Nonetheless, McAfee forged recent doubts on Richardson’s temperament, writing that if a franchise quarterback left in the midst of a sport as a result of he was drained, the ‘fast response’ could be that the staff has ‘no likelihood.’
“And to the shock of no one.. that was the response by everyone who’s ever performed/coached the sport earlier than however.. Colts blogs and followers who’ve been masking the Colts since 2020 and more moderen knew higher than everyone… Began personally attacking me and making an attempt to kick me out of city,” McAfee continued to his 3.2million followers.
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“After I mentioned Joe Flacco offers us a greater likelihood to win than [Anthony Richardson] instantly after the faucet out.. I might’ve mentioned no matter backup QB we had on the roster. That may’t be what the face of your staff is doing.. simply can’t be.. and to an even bigger facet of all of it, in some way AR thought it was okay to do this. That’s a locker room subject.. that’s a tradition subject.. [that’s] an indicator of a loser angle radiating via a constructing that was constructed by greats.”
“I don’t know how they repair it.. I don’t assume it’s like a lightweight change. “Alright, we’re gonna change into Professionals now” however… possibly it’s, however what do I do know?
“Oh wait….. how this was all gonna work out. I knew that.”
McAfee additionally advised he was totally performed with the staff and won’t be renewing his season tickets subsequent 12 months.
“As a a number of 12 months season ticket holder (not renewing).. and somebody who has actively, day by day, tried to be an additive to this lovely metropolis. I hope they change into an excellent franchise once more.. this metropolis deserves it.. the OGs within the Colts constructing deserve it (gear managers, trainers, ticketing, PR, gross sales).. and on the flip aspect the gamers/coaches in that constructing deserve no matter occurs to them. Your unwarranted vanity, laziness, and lack of professionalism has lead you to ANOTHER early trip… which might be what most of you entitled bums have been hoping for.
“I don’t converse for town.. and I don’t converse for all ex Colts gamers as a result of I used to be solely a punter.. nominated for the HOF 3 instances now however nonetheless.. I converse from my very own perspective.. I’ve by no means seen a gaggle waste alternatives/expertise/cash greater than this group.”
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What occurs now could be anybody’s guess.
McAfee, who was a two-time Professional Bowl punter with the Colts from 2009 to 2016, definitely holds loads of sway in sports activities media, however it stays to be seen what impact his sturdy phrases can have on Colts proprietor Jim Irsay.
Many will really feel the plain reply is to fireplace GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen.
The Giants defeat dropped Steichen one sport under .500 (16-17) in his two seasons on the helm, and afterwards he was requested if he is involved for his job.
“I management what I can management,” Steichen mentioned.
“It is laborious to clarify,” he went on. “Clearly, you have to play an entire sport. We’ve not performed all of it 12 months. We have all acquired to be on the identical web page. Weekly, every thing we do has acquired to be razed as a result of to go on the market like that’s not adequate.”
Steichen and the Colts will now look to finish the season on a excessive word after they tackle the Jaguars within the Week 18 season finale.
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