His Dog Days Have Come To An End Bears Castoff Harbaugh Leads Colts Into Title Game

His dog survived, and so did the relationship with his previously estranged girlfriend, now his fiancee. He once had Mike Ditka’s breath in his face, now he has Ted Marchibroda’s arm around his shoulder.

Instead of being a second thought away from retirement, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh is one win away from the Super Bowl.

Harbaugh loves to say his life not long ago was “like a country song.” Since then, the music’s been a little more jazzy and up-tempo and the melody nearly perfect.

“It’s been a dream season for us,” he said, “and for me, personally.”

By now, the suckers for a good comeback story already fell for Harbaugh long ago. He was unceremoniously dumped by the Chicago Bears. He began the season as the backup to the Colts’ $2 million, free-agent acquisition Craig Erickson. But then in Week 2, the New York Jets turned the season around for Harbaugh - and perhaps themselves. The Jets were ahead by 21 when Erickson left the game. Harbaugh rallied the Colts for an overtime win and has been “The Comeback Kid” ever since.

He finished the regular season as the league leader in passing efficiency, earned a trip to the Pro Bowl and directed the faceless Colts to the playoffs, where they are the unquestionable longshot for the Super Bowl.

“This,” Harbaugh said, “is a pretty good gig.”

Harbaugh won’t knock the way he was handled by Ditka or other Bears coaches, but it’s evident that he is a confident player these days under the grandfatherly approach of 64-year-old Marchibroda.

“The difference is Jim Harbaugh’s playing Jim Harbaugh football,” Marchibroda said. “In the past, Jim has done whatever the coach had wanted him to do. He’s that type of guy. He does whatever he’s told. I want him to play like he wants to play, like he’s capable of playing.

“I once asked him why he was having so much success and he said, ‘I’m in a no-lose situation. I can come in and do whatever I want. I can pass or run.’ He says he’s feeling comfortable, and he seems to play best that way.”

The Colts work best when Harbaugh improvises. He has happy feet and is always apt to scramble. He is the team’s only breakaway running threat, because Marshall Faulk remains out following knee surgery and fullback Zack Crockett proved a one-game wonder. Harbaugh’s scrambling has gained precious first downs and gave the Kansas City Chiefs fits last Sunday.

“Jimmy’s running has helped us out of many jams,” Colts wide receiver Sean Dawkins said. “When he escapes trouble and keeps the defense guessing, he makes the plays and keeps us going.”

He operates without the gifts of other quarterbacks. Harbaugh is not a classic pocket quarterback, a deep thrower or precision passer. Mostly, Harbaugh throws off of one foot, or on the run.

“I don’t think I do anything as well as the great quarterbacks,” he said. “I’m just a grinder. It ain’t pretty. I really don’t recommend it to young kids who aspire to be quarterbacks.”

Coordinator Lindy Infante has designed an offense tailored to Harbaugh’s improvisational skills and strengths.

“If he can get me to play well, then he must be a genius,” Harbaugh said.

Happy and confident and comfortable with his coaches, Harbaugh has shown remarkable poise. His understanding of the game and defenses is apparent. He seldom makes mistakes and hides his weaknesses well. And when it has counted the most, Harbaugh has delivered rather than disappoint. He has thrown only one fourth-quarter interception, compared to seven touchdown passes.

“We’ve got to play mistake-free in order to win games,” Harbaugh said. “We don’t have the personnel of any team still alive in the playoffs. So we have to have fewer penalties and no turnovers.”

Once, Harbaugh considered retirement. But now, with everything back in place, he’d like to do a remake of a once-popular song. “Super Bowl Shuffle,” Harbaugh said. “I always wanted to sing that one.”