INDIANAPOLIS – Charley Casserly has a unique perspective as an NFL analyst for CBS Sports. 

Casserly is finishing his fifth season on the network pre-game show, a stint that developed after a distinguished 29-year tenure in the NFL with Washington and Houston. 

Casserly served as a general manager for 16 of those 29 seasons.  Casserly’s tenure with Washington spanned the 1977-99 seasons.  He was elevated to the general manager post in 1989.  Casserly joined the Houston Texans in their 2002 expansion season.  During those NFL years, he brought teams to Indianapolis to face the Colts.

He has observed the Colts for years in his roles in the league and with the network.  Casserly has observer many different ownership styles in his career.  He had two very distinct examples while leading different teams, and he has witnessed others since then in a network capacity.  He knows the commitments an owner must make in building a program that achieves and sustains success.

“You have to have the commitment from the owner in more than one way,” said Casserly.  “You have to have a commitment to spend money not only for players, but for coaches and staff.  Two, you have to have a commitment to patience.  You’re going to go through tough times.  It’s a commitment in a number of different ways.”

Jim Irsay has been that type of committed owner in Indianapolis.  Irsay’s dedication helped the Colts produce one of football’s best eras from 2000-09 with 115 regular-season victories, playoff appearances in but one of those seasons, multiple division titles, two conference championships and a World Championship in Super Bowl XLI. 

Irsay is in the process of plotting an organizational direction involving key components.  He holds a firm conviction that three pillars of a solid organization, one that seeks repeated greatness, are the general manager, head coach and quarterback.  Casserly concurs and believes it is a timeless truism in the sport.

“It is essential in any era of the NFL,” said Casserly.  “You have to have an owner who is committed to winning, which the Colts do.  In addition to a solid general manager, you have to have head coach who is a good leader, a good motivator and who can hire good people.  He has to understand how to use personnel.  Ultimately, you’re not going to get where you want to get without a quarterback.  If you have one, conversely, every time you go out to play a game, you have a chance to win.”

Indianapolis was the only team to have double-digit victory totals and playoff berths from 2002-10.  Nine straight playoff appearances tied the league mark set only by Dallas from 1975-83.  The extended period of success helped Indianapolis fill Lucas Oil Stadium with sold out audiences in 103 of the last 104 home outings. 

This past season marked the eighth straight year the team played before a completely sold out home schedule.  Casserly believes fans hung tough through a difficult time and that there are things that can be anticipated.

“I think the fans have to look at it from a couple of points of view.  Last year is over with.  Move on, you have the first pick in the draft,” said Casserly.  “It also means you have the first pick in every round.  It gives you a chance to have a bonanza of a draft.  It also gives you a chance to maneuver with the picks. 

“You’re lucky there are quarterbacks to evaluate (if that is a pinpointed area of need).  You can have the first pick of the draft and there’s not a quarterback to take.  Look at the Detroit Lions.  They did not win a game three years ago, now they made the playoffs.  They got a terrific quarterback in Matthew Stafford because he was there in the draft, and they made the decision to pick him.  I think there is a lot of excitement there (for Colts fans). 

“The two young tackles (Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana) that were drafted last year (are good).  I think Castonzo is a guy who can be a bedrock on the left side and Ijalana can be on the right side.  I think you have a chance there.  You have some young running backs.  (Pierre) Garcon is certainly a young receiver to build upon.  You have (Dwight) Freeney at one defensive end.  (Robert) Mathis, you want to get him signed to give you your pass rushers.  There are young defensive tackles and (Pat) Angerer is a good prospect at linebacker.  (Antoine) Bethea is a good safety. 

“There are things to work with.  There are a lot of exciting things to go forward with.  The way the defense kind of came around at the end of the year, I think there should be a lot of excitement.”

Casserly is one who is measured in his demeanor.  He has seen all manners of sideline comportment around the league.  When observing the Colts over the past decade, he has seen composure, poise and results.  The results, he feels, are the true measure of any coach.

“I think the first thing to look at is how the team plays.  Is it disciplined?  Does it play with emotion?  Does it play hard?  That’s what counts,” said Casserly.  “The rest, really, is for NFL Films highlights, when you come right down to it.  What a coach wants to do is communicate with his players, hold them accountable and motivate them.  Those are the three things you want to do.  There are different ways to do it. 

“Tony Dungy was a guy who never cursed.  He never yelled, but he held people accountable.  He had a standard of how to practice, how to play, how to be disciplined.  How you hold them accountable is not as important as holding them accountable.  I think Jim Caldwell does a good of that.  It is evidenced in the emotion and effort the team played with last year.  It (the effort) was all positive.”

With the eye of a former general manager, Casserly was impressive with the integrity and dignity shown weekly by Colts players.  Throughout a difficult season, he saw players who handled themselves professionally.

“I think it’s a tremendous compliment to the players and the organization,” said Casserly.  “There was one team that struggled this year and it (the behavior) got to be an embarrassment when they were losing.  You saw things with other teams where players went to the press and now all of the sudden things look dysfunctional.  You did not see any of that with the Colts.  That’s a testament to the head coach.  It’s a testament to the character of the players, to those who chose them.  No matter what it was, they kept playing hard every week.  With injuries hitting a couple of positions they became a little thin and it showed up.  The character of the players and their integrity should not be taken lightly.  It was something to be proud of.”

The Indianapolis Colts today hired Ryan Grigson as the team’s new general manager.

“Ryan brings to the Colts an outstanding NFL personnel history and a record of achievement,” said Colts Owner & CEO Jim Irsay. “He is a bright and gifted administrator who is the right fit for our organization. He is the right person for the challenges of his new role, and I am confident he can help us continue the winning tradition we have enjoyed, and that our fans have appreciated through the years.”

Grigson comes to the Colts following a nine-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, most recently as the director of player personnel from 2010-11. He began his NFL scouting career as the national combine scout and area scout for the St. Louis Rams (1999-2002). Grigson then joined the Eagles as a regional scout (2003-05) prior to being elevated as the team’s director of college scouting (2006-09).

“I’m excited for the challenge and I’m excited to know I have the support of someone like Jim Irsay who is a great owner and a “football” guy,” said Grigson. “That was comforting to me and it set the wheels in motion right away. I knew immediately, this is where I wanted to be. From the onset this was a fit for me. I just felt it. Just as you have instincts in all areas of life, evaluation and football. Right away, I knew in my gut that it felt right.”

As a college talent evaluator with Philadelphia, Grigson is responsible for the draft selections of running back LeSean McCoy (2009), wide receivers Jeremy Maclin (2009), DeSean Jackson (2008) and Jason Avant (2006), tight end Brent Celek (2007) and defensive tackle Trevor Laws (2008). Both Jackson (two) and McCoy (one) have been selected to the Pro Bowl. McCoy was the second leading rusher in the NFC this season (1,309) while setting Eagles’ franchise records for overall touchdowns (20) and rushing touchdowns (17).

Serving as the Eagles director of player personnel for the last two seasons, Grigson was instrumental in the signing of 2011 free agents, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, defensive end Jason Babin, running back Ronnie Brown, defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins, wide receiver Steve Smith and quarterback Vince Young. He also helped orchestrate a trade which sent quarterback Kevin Kolb to the Arizona Cardinals for cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. The free agent class along with Rodgers-Cromartie combined to start 56 games while Babin ranked third in the NFL with 18.0 sacks and earned his second career Pro Bowl nod.

During Grigson’s 12 years in the NFL, he has been part of teams that have made the playoffs on eight occasions, including three trips to the Super Bowl.

A native of Highland, Indiana, Grigson played collegiate football at Purdue University and captained the Boilermakers during the 1994 season.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity and a once in a lifetime blessing (to return to Indiana),” said Grigson. “I was born in this state, raised in this this state, went to college in this state and met my wife in this state. I spent most of my life in this state and learned to play football in this state. That says a lot about how near and dear Indiana is to me on all levels. That’s comforting knowing that I’m going to be embarking on this opportunity and challenge with that as a backdrop.”

Grigson was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 1995 NFL Draft, but spent the ’95 and ‘96 seasons with the Detroit Lions after being released by the Bengals following training camp. He spent time with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 1997 prior to retiring. Grigson was a pro scout for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL in 1998 as well as an assistant coach for McPherson College that same year. He made a stop with the Buffalo Destroyers (AFL) as the team’s player personnel coordinator/assistant coach before starting with the St. Louis Rams.

INDIANAPOLIS – On Sunday, the Colts have the same 60-minute opportunity they have had on nine previous occasions this season.

The Colts are looking for their first victory, and there have been past occasions this year when it has been very, very possible.

What the club needs, in the estimation of players and coaches, is consistent play throughout the duration of a game.  The effort is there, but it has been a matter of execution.

On Wednesday, Head Coach Jim Caldwell and center Jeff Saturday spoke.  The origin of the conversation did not matter, but the content of it did.  Saturday addressed the full squad with Caldwell’s blessing.

“As a matter of fact, he and I discussed it and talked prior to (the meeting).  It wasn’t just to the offense,” said Caldwell.  “He’s a leader, and that’s what leaders do.  I try to encourage that, that we have guys that will stand up and certainly be accountable.  I think that’s good.  I have not been around a team yet where the leadership on the inside, from players, is not extremely important.  We’ve always had that around here from (Dwight) Freeney, Reggie Wayne and the rest of the group of guys that do a tremendous job of sort of stepping up and trying to make a difference.”

Saturday is a leader, and he is a difference-maker.  He is just one of 53 players passionate for victory.  Until this season, he had been a part of just one losing season with Indianapolis.  The majority of the club’s active roster never had experienced a losing NFL season at all until last week’s setback to Atlanta sealed the fate.

It is not about the past or the future.  It is about the present, and that is Jacksonville on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“Jeff is one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around,” said tight end Jacob Tamme.  “When he speaks, everybody listens.  There are a lot of things we need to get better at.  There are things we have to do better on Sundays.  Guys have been working hard.  Guys have been preparing well.  We just have to find a way on Sunday afternoon to play to the best of our ability and make the plays it takes to win the game.  Definitely, it’s always good to have guys on the same page and to get things going a little bit.”

Quarterback Curtis Painter heard Saturday’s remarks, and Painter looked at the talk as a positive.  While this is a business, it is about going out to ‘play’ football.

“He kind of challenged up to keep things going,” said Painter.  “We need to get better and maybe approach this week with a little bit of fun.  In the whole scheme of things, you want to have fun playing.  You obviously will (have fun) if you have a little success.  I guess it’s don’t try too hard in a sense that you try to do too much.  Just kind of take what’s given to you.  A lot of times you try to push too hard and you get yourself in trouble.”

For the Indianapolis offense, it is about executing plays, converting third downs, trying to extend drives and avoid turnovers.  It is a specific aim to maximize possessions.  It is an aim that hopefully keeps Indianapolis from having a large deficit early in the game, as it has in the past three outings.     

“That’s the number one thing, trying to stay in phase and keep mistakes to a minimum,” said Painter.  “You can’t get it all back in one series.  You can’t get it back in one play.  There’s a lot of time left in the game.  This last game (against Atlanta), there was a lot of time left.  I think the biggest we need to do if the situation comes up again is stay patient, chip away at it, not force things on all accounts.  Being able to get in a rhythm and stay in phase is a big thing.”

Tamme concurs on the need to take full advantage of every offensive opportunity.  It has been an area of emphasis for a long time in Indianapolis.

“That’s something we’ve always talked about around here,” said Tamme.  “It’s as important now as ever.  We have to protect the ball and execute.  If we do that, we’ll keep moving it, keep those drives going.  When we get them going, keep them going and get to the end zone.”

Wide receiver Austin Collie heard Saturday’s urging.  He like the message and believes it can have an impact in helping the team correct its play.  He views Sunday as an opportunity, just as every team views a chance to compete.

“Yeah, I think we’ve taken a step back, but I expect big things this week,” said Collie.  “Jeff Saturday kind of took it upon himself to kind of kick the offense in the butt and make sure we get things going.  The season is not over with.  I think offensively you’re going to see a different offense.  You’re going to see an offense that’s going to fight until the end.  Obviously, it’s (struggling) not fun.  It’s a bit embarrassing, but it’s our responsibility as players to go out there every single Sunday and to perform to our best.  We haven’t been doing that.  I think that’s going to change.  There’s definitely a pep in our step this week, and I think we’re ready to turn this thing around.

“I think every week we have an opportunity.  This week is no different than last, and this week will be no different than the next.  So we just need to make sure that we’re ready to play, and ask a little bit more of ourselves each game as we continue.”

Tamme concedes it is difficult to look at the standings.  The best way to improve is to focus on fundamentals and be on detail.  Doing so collectively as a team can provide an opportunity for a different outcome, even against a tough divisional opponent.

“It’s tough, it’s very tough,” said Tamme.  “The struggle is to stay focused on this week, because I can’t change anything that we’ve done so far.  None of us can.  We have to stay focused on trying to go out there Sunday and get a win.  That’s what we have to do as professionals.  We take a lot of pride in what we’re doing.  That’s why it’s frustrating.  No one’s happy with where we’re at.  At the same time, we’re not going to mope around here and give up on this thing.  It’s time to get better and do the things we need to do to find a way to get a win on Sunday.”

Every player focuses on personal improvement.  Caldwell looks at everybody.  He sees Painter making improvements that others may not see.

“Oftentimes the numbers don’t tell the whole story,” said Caldwell.  “Sometimes there are a lot of factors involved in that.  There’s dropped passes.  There are all kinds of things that occur.  You can’t look at those (game numbers) strictly.  What we have to look at is what he’s been doing in practice, how’s he developed in his understanding of what we want him to do and whether or not he’s getting that accomplished.  Regardless of what you see in terms of stats and all that kind of stuff, I’m talking about the nuts and bolts of it.  I can see a steady improvement and a maturation process that’s developing.  Every guy, I don’t care who it is, even the great ones have bad games.  He may not have performed as well as we’d like to see him in the past ballgame, but that doesn’t mean that he’s not progressing.  I’ve seen steady improvement.  Oftentimes, like a lot of things, we talk about some things here or with a particular individual and I will (say), ‘I’m telling you I can see improvement in practice.’  Then down the line all of a sudden this guy starts playing a little bit better, and it’s like, ‘Where did that come from?’  It’s kind of like that iceberg that the great majority of it is submerged under the water, but just the tip’s showing.  Then later on, obviously, it begins to rise.  I think that’s the exact same thing that’s happening with a number of our guys out there, Curtis in particular.  He keeps improving.  He’s kept working.  We anticipate that he’ll keep getting better.”