After about 24 hours to reflect on Week 1's loss, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen told the media that basically every part of his team played poorly and needs to do better. That was already obvious, though. Just as clear as Steichen should feel embarrassed by being out-prepared and outcoached by Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter.
Steichen told the media on Monday, "Things we've got to improve on: Communication, tackling, we've got to eliminate the explosive plays (defensively), special teams penalties, we've got to clean those up, and we gotta be better offensively moving the ball, staying consistent there, especially in backed up situations."
Steichen then expanded a bit on how the defense, especially, struggled with communication and getting players lined up correctly. One of the key problems with that is that getting players aligned is what the weeks of training camp and the preseason are for: limiting communication issues. Having an issue with that in Week 1 is inexcusable.
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen was outcoached by the Ravens' Jesse Minter in Week 1
Part of the blame for that should fall on defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, of course, but then Steichen is the leader of the entire team. He needs to hold Anarumo accountable while also making sure that the defense has the communication aspect down well before real games begin. Clearly, the issue shouldn't have been new. Either way, it's just poor coaching.
To make matters worse, the Ravens appeared far more prepared for the game on both sides of the ball. This is an issue because Baltimore's Jesse Minter was a head coach in his first game ever. He should have been the nervous one who was making mistakes, forcing his team to be just a bit off at times.
Steichen appeared to be a first-time head coach. The team wasn't only lost during the game, but it was lost entering the game. After the Indianapolis Colts organization preached a sense of urgency all offseason, Steichen and most of his team coached and played as if they didn't feel pressed to win the first game in a make-or-break season.
Maybe Shane Steichen doesn't have the makeup to be a head coach, the person tasked with overseeing all phases of a team. He mentioned the offense in his press conference, but his words about the special teams penalties and a lack of communication defensively are on him, too.
Still, Week 1 might turn out to be a lie. The rest of the season, starting with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, could see Indy find success when no one expects it. To keep his job beyond this year, Steichen needs the latter part to occur.
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