Jim Irsay on Colts: ‘We have to be tougher’

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts were blown out by the New England Patriots 45-7, and owner Jim Irsay said that his team needs to be tougher moving forward.


Jim Irsay saw his Indianapolis Colts upset the Denver Broncos on the road in the divisional round of the NFL Playoffs, and that gave them a lot of confidence heading into New England to face the Patriots. Unfortunately, the Colts never got things rolling in the AFC Championship and watched the New England Patriots run away with the win and Super Bowl berth.

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Andrew Luck looked rattle from the get-go, and the Colts allowed the Patriots to put up 28 unanswered points in the second half. It is the type of performance that will sting throughout the duration of the offseason.

After the game, Irsay took the time to talk to the media about what needs to be done moving forward.

“When you get to this level, this championship level, we have to be able to be a tougher team,’’ Irsay said, via Pro Football Talk. “We have to be able to stop the run. We can’t turn it over.”

Irsay also took the time to talk about the improvements he’d like to make around Luck for next season and in the future.

“What’s missing is trying to continue to bring in a team that I talked about, which is a really tough defensive team. A team that can run the ball and surround Andrew with that,” he added.

There is no question that the Colts are heading in the right direction, so they should not hang their heads about this loss. Every single player on the roster needs to use this loss as motivation to come back next season as a better football player.

If the Colts truly want to bring in a better running game, they are going to need to either sign, trade for, or draft a running back. One name that would make a lot of sense in the first round of the draft is Melvin Gordon out of Wisconsin, if he is still available.

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