Indianapolis Colts: Why They Must Not Hire Jon Gruden to Replace Jim Caldwell

According to Phillip Wilson of the Indianapolis Star, the Colts have fired head coach Jim Caldwell:

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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay sounded like a boss who agonized over yet another major personnel decision in announcing the firing of head coach Jim Caldwell [Tuesday] at the team’s complex.

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That being said, another head coaching vacancy is now open, so let another candidacy period begin. And with names already popping up all over, it's no surprise to see Jon Gruden's name.

Well, before we actually get to Gruden possibly being a candidate for the Colts, it doesn't appear that he's going anywhere anyway.

In an article by Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune, Gruden said he is likely to stay in the booth for ESPN on Monday Night Football:

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Dousing speculation he plans to return to the NFL sidelines, former Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden told the Tampa Tribune he is remaining with ESPN as an analyst for its "Monday Night Football'' broadcasts.

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That, however, was back in late December, and as we all know, people can change their minds rather quickly. And what if Indianapolis does in fact draft Andrew Luck No. 1 overall out of Stanford?

Wouldn't the Circle City be that much more appealing to Gruden, as he'd have the rare opportunity to coach both Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck?

Absolutely.

The concern, however, is that Gruden isn't technically the best candidate for Indianapolis.

For example, he's been out of coaching since the end of the 2008 season, and although he won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay, Gruden's never really developed any quarterbacks as a head coach.

While in Oakland, quarterback Rich Gannon did improve under Gruden from 1999 to 2001, but Gannon also had receivers Tim Brown and Jerry Rice to target.

Then in Tampa Bay, the aging Brad Johnson was under center, and Tampa Bay also had the NFL's best defense. The Buccaneers didn't need to score much, and all Gruden had to do was manage the offense enough to not turn the ball over.

Additionally, Tampa played the Oakland Raiders in the Super Bowl, and from his days in Oakland, Gruden knew how to stop the Raiders offense. Needless to say, it was a lopsided victory.

After Johnson, Gruden did improve new Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia, but only for one season (2007).

Gruden has never been a part of Indianapolis's kind of system, and although his knowledge of the game wouldn't hurt the Colts, the offense is truly run by Peyton Manning. And if Manning stays, he'll have a major say in who he wants as the new offensive coordinator.

That being said, Andrew Luck also needs to learn the system from a guy who's been a part of it. So, if Manning stays, Luck will learn more from the legendary QB than from Gruden, who isn't as familiar as Manning is with the offense.

What Indianapolis needs to do is hire a defensive coach that will allow Manning to control the offense. Since, like Manning, Gruden has a Super Bowl ring, Gruden's ego could be a problem, too.

Finally, none of the quarterbacks who have played for Gruden can compare to Manning.

Unless Peyton Manning wants Gruden, the Colts should look in another direction.

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