THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250755
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 131 lines
Lindy Infante is beating the Curse of the Cheeseheads.
Infante's Indianapolis Colts are 5-2 entering Sunday's game at the Washington Redskins. Although the Colts advanced to the conference title game last season under Ted Marchibroda, losing a berth in the Super Bowl by the narrowest of margins, Infante should be a strong candidate for coach-of-the-year honors. Eleven starters have missed a total of 31 starts this season because of injuries. Star running back Marshall Faulk, who has appeared in just four games, was completely healthy for but one.
Still, the Colts are atop the AFC East.
``I'm proud of the team and proud of the guys who have stepped in when the others were hurt,'' Infante said. ``You tell them every training camp that they're there because they have the talent to play in the NFL. But sometimes you wonder if they believe you. It's gratifying to see the way we've played. I would have been really disappointed if the team had used injuries as a crutch or an excuse.''
Though he never planned for it to happen, Infante is in his second stint as an NFL head coach. He took over the Green Bay Packers in 1988. It had been a decade since the Packers had posted a winning record in anything but a strike-shortened season, but in Infante's second year, the Pack won seven of their last nine games to finish 10-6 and tie for the NFC Central title.
Then came ``The Curse.''
``In 1989, a local TV station asked the public to vote for the best head coach in Packers history,'' Infante recalled. ``I won.''
Over that other Italian guy, uh, Lombardi?
``Yes, and as soon as it happened I said, `Boy, that's the kiss of death,' '' Infante remembered. ``Two years later, I was back in Florida.''
Fired by the Packers.
Then Marchibroda called prior to last season and offered him the job as offensive coordinator. Infante, confident Marchibroda was in the midst of a long run with the Colts, accepted.
``I got back into the business thinking I could help someone as an offensive coordinator for a few more years, then ride off into the sunset, go back into retirement,'' Infante said.
Under his guidance, the Colts placed three offensive players in the Pro Bowl for the first time since 1989. Jim Harbaugh became the organization's first quarterback to win the NFL's ratings title since John Unitas in 1965. Seven receivers finished the season with 15 or more catches. Five players scored at least three touchdowns.
Then Marchibroda left.
``It was a big shock to all of us,'' Infante said. ``I didn't expect this to happen. I was very appreciative of Ted and the rest of the organization for giving me the opportunity to come in and do the things I do.
``I could have stayed as the offensive coordinator, but no one in their right mind would have turned down the offer when it was put to them. All I had to do was go from one office to the next. We didn't have to hire a bunch of coaches. I didn't walk into a situation unfamiliar to me as far as front office and city and those things. I didn't have to move. The transition was so smooth.''
Colts vice-president Bill Tobin elevated linebackers coach Jim Johnson to defensive coordinator before Infante agreed to become head coach. Infante professed not to mind, saying, ``I would have done that myself.''
Rather than risk changing an attack that he felt was just beginning to hit its stride, Infante retained the title and responsibilities of offensive coordinator.
``Had I been someone coming in from another team, I might have done things differently,'' he said. ``From a continuity standpoint, my keeping the role made sense.''
His experience in Green Bay took care of whatever notions he might have had about head coaches as miracle-workers.
``I think a lot of coaches would like to jump in where they could rebuild, start off where there's no pressure on them,'' he said. ``I don't take that approach. I'm happy to take over a football team that feels good about itself and expectations are high. I'd rather coach people who know they can do things than coach people who are trying to figure it out.
``I've done some of my best planning and coaching, but without talent, you don't win. Good players will win games with average coaching quicker than great coaching will win with average players. Fair or not, that's the business.''
When asked about Harbaugh, who last season improved his quarterback rating by 15 percent over his previous career best, Infante deflects any praise by saying, ``He overcomes a lot of my bad coaching.''
``Lindy seems to be a lot more relaxed and confident now,'' notes offensive tackle Tony Mandarich, who was with Infante in Green Bay and made the Colts as a free agent last summer. ``That radiates onto the coaches and players. Green Bay was his first time around. In my opinion, he's going to be a better coach, not that I thought there was anything wrong with the first version.'' ILLUSTRATION: Lindy Infante: ``I'm proud of the guys who have
stepped in when the others were hurt.''
REDSKINS vs. COLTS
THE OPPOSING VIEW
REDSKINS vs. COLTS
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Where: RFK Stadium
TV: WAVY
Radio: WTAR, AM 790
Favorite: Redskins by 2 1/2
Last week: Washington ran its record to 6-1 with a 31-21 victory
over the New York Giants. The Colts are 5-2 after committing five
turnovers in a 27-9 home loss to New England.
Series stat: The Colts lead the series, which dates back to 1953,
16-8. The Redskins won the last meeting 41-27 two years ago in Gus
Frerotte's pro debut as a starting quarterback.
Redskins news flash: Washington's offense continues to lead the
league in red-zone success. The Redskins have been inside the
opponents' 25-yard line 17 times this season and have scored on each
occasion, including 12 touchdowns (71 percent). After eight games
last season, the Redskins had been in the red zone 29 times, but had
just 20 scores and only nine touchdowns (31 percent). ... RB Terry
Allen's three touchdowns last week pushed him into the league
scoring lead with 10 touchdowns. At his present pace, Allen would
finish with 23 touchdowns, two less than record-holder Emmitt Smith
scored for Dallas a year ago.
Colts news flash: Indianapolis has had just four of its last 28
games decided by 10 points or more. ... Defense is allowing 3.3
yards per rush, tied for fourth in the league. The longest run any
opponent has against them this season is 19 yards. ... The Colts
have been so besieged by injuries that only six offensive players
and five defensive players have started each game. ... QB Jim
Harbaugh is the league's third-ranked passer, hitting 61.3 percent
of his passes. Harbaugh has compiled QB ratings of more than 100
three times this season. ... K Cary Blanchard has hit 14 of 15
field-goal attempts.
Isn't that odd: Frerotte is one of just six quarterbacks to have
taken every snap through the first eight weeks of the season. He and
Kansas City's Steve Bono are the only two playing for teams with
winning records. The other four are Jacksonville's Mark Brunell,
Dave Brown of the Giants, New Orleans' Jim Everett and Baltimore's
Vinny Testaverde.
- JIM DUCIBELLA by CNB