Colts owner Jim Irsay was unequivocal in his denial of a bubbling feud between head coach Chuck Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson.
After his preseason Super Bowl favorites got bombarded in the season opener by Tyrod Taylor and the Buffalo Bills, though, it's fair to wonder if a disagreement had any tangible effect on the creation of this roster.
"That couldn't be farther from the truth," Irsay told the Indianapolis Star on Sunday. "Someone mentioned that to me when I walked in the locker room. I don't keep track of the rumor mill. That could not be farther from the truth. Ryan and Chuck work hard together. They have a great relationship. I've seen coaches and general managers work together since I was 11 years old. I know the dynamic that needs to be there to work together. They have a great relationship.
"That report is completely false. I guarantee you. There is not one shred of truth to it at all, honestly. These guys have a great relationship. When I heard the report, I was as shocked as anyone. We have so many reports that go around the league these days with Twitter and all the different people who publish reports who are so-called journalists. Couldn't be further from the truth."
Losing to Rex Ryan -- or anyone for that matter -- only exacerbates a situation regarding Pagano's contract, which does not extend beyond this season. Add in the budding frustration of a team that only sees a Super Bowl win, or an amazing conference championship game run that ends without a blowout as a logical cap to this season, and you get a set of emotions that might resemble idling powder kegs.
Perhaps this is a situation that is simply being misrepresented. Good teams lose from time to time, and it often helps later on in the season.
But is it safe to say the microscope has been firmly planted on this team? Absolutely.
