Saturday confident about Colts job: 'I know I can lead men'

Interim coach Jeff Saturday believes in his ability to lead the Indianapolis Colts despite all the concerns about his lack of experience.

"Everybody talks about my (inexperience)," Saturday said Wednesday, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder. "I'm completely comfortable in who I am as a man. I know I can lead men. I know the game of football and I'm passionate about it."

He added: "I spent 14 years in a locker room. I went to the playoffs 12 times. I got five dudes in the Hall of Fame that played with (me). You don't think I've seen greatness? You don't think I've seen how people prepare, how they coach, how they (manage), how they work?"

Saturday, who spent 13 seasons playing in Indianapolis, was named the team's interim coach Monday after Frank Reich was fired. The move drew heavy scrutiny because Saturday's never coached at the NFL or college level.

"Here's the deal, man," Saturday said. "None of us are promised a good job. I may be terrible at this and, after eight games, I'll say, 'God bless you. I'm no good.' I may be really good at it. I've got no idea, but I dang sure ain't going to back down."

Asked why he took the job, Saturday responded, "Because I care." He detailed his meeting with the Colts' roster and said he understood that players would find the switch challenging due to their relationships with Reich.

"I understand from (their) perspective. I've sat in that seat. They love Frank, man. That's their coach. They played for this dude. So, I don't minimize that at all," Saturday said.

The Colts are riding a three-game losing streak and head into Week 10 with a 3-5-1 record. Owner Jim Irsay insisted Tuesday that it's "absurd" to believe the franchise is tanking.

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