Colts buck trends
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts have their own way of doing things.
Frills are out, trash-talking is disdained and the self-adulation that permeates other parts of the NFL world is a foreign commodity around the team. If it seems more small-town America than Hollywood glitter, that’s fine with the unbeaten Colts.
“I think we look at ourselves as a small-town, Midwestern team that doesn’t have the personality some other teams have,” coach Tony Dungy said. “We don’t talk a lot, but I like that.”
Dungy is the symbol of the Colts’ personality. He speaks softly, rarely creates controversy and doesn’t allow historical quests to override daily workout routines.
His steady hand has worked almost perfectly in a basketball state that has developed a greater affinity for football as the wins pile up.
The Colts are the first to go 9-0 in back-to-back seasons and are an astounding 30-0 since November 2000 in regular-season games that carried any postseason significance.
But players are not about to boast of their success – and they credit Dungy for being an example of how to maintain a businesslike approach.
“We had our fill last year with all the hoopla and hollerin’ about the undefeated stuff,” soft-spoken defensive end Robert Mathis said. “I think it’s really more the personality of Tony Dungy rubbing off on us that you see.”
The Colts’ image is a stark contrast to this week’s opponent, the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys (5-4) proudly brandish their role as “America’s Team” and still carry the image of high-rollers from the old television series named after the city.
Team owner Jerry Jones is one of the NFL’s most outspoken owners, coach Bill Parcells owns two Super Bowl rings and, of course, there are the continual antics of receiver Terrell Owens.
From exotic celebrations to berating coaches and quarterbacks on the sideline, forcing trades to drawing penalties, Owens always puts on a show. It can be too much, even for a disciplinarian like Parcells.
“When, organizationally, we decided to bring ‘The Player’ in, it’s my job to make it work,” Parcells said. “I’ve done my best to make it work. I’d say it’s tested me a little bit, and it would be easy to have a big confrontation or a big blowup. But I’m at the point in my career now, where I’m trying to make it work.”
Dungy said he has never coached anyone quite like Owens although he has dealt with some explosive personalities: Warren Sapp, Keyshawn Johnson and Errict Rhett among them. He refused, however, to compare those former players to Owens.