To Open or Close Lucas Oil Stadium Roof, How Much Input Goes Into Colts’ Decision?
INDIANAPOLIS — T.Y. Hilton isn’t the first player to lose sight of a football in the sun when looking back through the open roof of Lucas Oil Stadium.
And each time it happens, especially when it’s to the detriment of the Indianapolis Colts like in last Sunday’s game where Hilton dropped a 44-yard touchdown pass, a common reaction is to ask why the roof would be open if it can be a negative factor?
Which brings us to how the Colts decide whether to keep the roof and window open for Colts home games.
“As we say the SOP, the standard operating procedure is, early in the year when we can open up the roof, the roof is going to be open,” Colts head coach Frank Reich said on Friday. “There is one person who makes that decision and that’s the big boss.”
That would be Colts owner Jim Irsay, who usually tweets out that news. The Colts (1-1) host the New York Jets (0-2) on Sunday (4:05 p.m., EDT, CBS4-TV). Because it's a late-afternoon game, the shadows and sun shining through won't be in the same areas as last week.
The Lucas Oil Stadium roof and window were open for Week 2.
Robert Scheer/USA TODAY Sports
“We go with whatever he says and we’re good either way,” Reich said. “It’s the same for both teams. I think it’s cool that we have that roof. I think the mindset is, ‘Hey, when we can open it, we’re going to open it.’ Is the sun a factor at times? Yeah, the stadium has been open since 2008. The roof has been open quite a bit.
“Did T.Y. lose that ball in the sun? Yes, he lost the ball in the sun. It was a fluke that he lost it in the sun, but he did. That happens, but you don’t worry about that. You just let Mr. Irsay make the call that he’s going to make. I tell them every week, ‘Open, closed, it doesn’t matter to us. We’re good.’”
Reich has been known to offer a suggestion to help the owner with that decision, but the coach doesn’t usually say anything.
“Yes, I will jokingly sometimes say if I know it’s going to be a little windy – even though the stadium closes off the wind a little bit – I will occasionally drop a hint, ‘Well if there’s any consideration to closing it this week, I’d be OK with that,’” Reich said. “I’m not sure my opinion matters a whole lot.”
It does, but Reich said that with a smile.
“No, but Mr. Irsay is great,” the coach said. “If I have an opinion, he’ll listen to it and we’ll talk it through.”
As a former quarterback, Reich recognizes the importance of a passer’s arm strength. That can come into play on a windy day.
“I actually think sometimes, how strong of an arm does the opposing quarterback have that we play?” he said. “I do think there are instances where I might say, ‘Here is my reason why I would like the roof open.’ If we’re playing a quarterback who has a below-average arm and it’s a little bit breezy or it’s a little bit cooler – ask any quarterback, they would rather play in a closed dome. Factors like that do go into it. When they come into play, which isn’t a whole lot, I do voice my opinion.”
Colts quarterback Philip Rivers played his previous 16 seasons in San Diego and Los Angeles, so he’s used to warm weather and ideal conditions. It's always 70 without any wind when the Lucas Oil Stadium roof and window are closed.
“I haven’t asked him, but I’m assuming he’s like every other quarterback I’ve been around,” Reich said. “Considering he’s played in San Diego and L.A. his whole career, he’s used to playing in the good weather. Philip’s arm is still live. He’s still got it. You guys have seen it, even in two games. I don’t worry about that with him. It’s just if you ask your quarterback, ‘Sure, give me perfect conditions.’”
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(Phillip B. Wilson has covered the Indianapolis Colts for more than two decades and authored the 2013 book 100 Things Colts Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. He’s on Twitter @pwilson24, on Facebook at @allcoltswithphilb and @100thingscoltsfans, and his email is phillipbwilson24@yahoo.com.)
