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Peyton is still my . You all see how easily I broke his TD record last year?
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...=tsn&type=lgns
Colts’ burning question: Has the window closed?
By Vinnie Iyer - SportingNews Jul 7, 12:22 pm EDT
The Indianapolis Colts had the breakthrough two seasons ago, finally living up to great expectations by winning Super Bowl 41.
Last season, they finished a game better in the standings (13-3) but reverted to the playoff disappointments of the past, getting upset at home by a Chargers team that was forced to use second-stringers in key offensive roles in the second half.
So how much longer can the Colts hang with San Diego and New England as the AFC’s ultimate triumvirate? Heck, can the Colts keep the Jaguars or ans from displacing them as AFC South champions?
The Colts haven’t run out of time—any reports of their demise are greatly exaggerated. As long as they have Tony Dungy on the sideline and Peyton Manning in the pocket, the Colts at least will be contenders for a playoff spot. At the moment, they still have much more on their side—including a strong defense and a fine running game—to stay on the field with AFC’s heavy hitters.
For starters, there’s nothing wrong with the offense. The Colts averaged the second-most points per game (28.1) in the Manning era last season, ranking only behind Manning’s 49-TD effort in ‘04. They had to perform for most of the season without old reliable wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who battled a balky knee, but managed just fine with their other skilled pass catchers—tight end Dallas Clark, new true No. 1 Reggie Wayne and then-rookie Anthony Gonzalez.
Joseph Addai maintained his steady production on the ground, and he should continue to make a big impact this season. He’ll be helped by the re-signing of his former running mate, Dominic Rhodes, who will keep Addai fresh and be a factor in both the rushing and passing games.
If it weren’t for the Patriots setting scoring at an unprecedented pace, the Colts’ improved firepower would have gotten a lot more attention last season. Thus, if Harrison is able to come back and be effective through a full season, the Colts might feature their best-ever offense. They can spread the ball around through the air but also know how to pound it when needed.
For the Colts, it comes down to the defense.
In their cover-2 defense, the Colts ideally want opponents to work the ball underneath and then allow their speedy defenders to close quickly and make plays. The Colts pride themselves on—and excel at—not giving up big, backbreaking plays.
However, that wasn’t the case in matchups against the Patriots (a regular-season loss) and the Chargers (two losses combined). All three losses were decided by four points or fewer, and although the offense made its share of miscues, the defense and special teams gave up difference-making big plays.
The Colts probably don’t want to see any more of Chargers running back Darren Sproles. Sproles first burned the Colts for a kickoff return touchdown and a punt return touchdown in Week 10, and he then scored on a 56-yard third-quarter reception to burn Indy in the playoffs.
Against the Patriots, the pivotal plays were coverage breakdowns on a 55-yard pass to Randy Moss and a 33-yard pass to Donte’ Stallworth in the fourth quarter. The two lapses set up New England for a pair of touchdowns.
Why focus on just two opponents, the Chargers and Patriots, and the rare lowlights for the defense that ranked third in the NFL? Well, because the Colts still have the top-level talent to take care of business in the AFC South and maintain a top-three playoff seed.
That means, of course, the Colts likely would draw either the Chargers or Patriots as a playoff obstacle down the line, after again playing each during the regular season. It’s not like the Colts were that far away from winning all three games against the Chargers and Patriots last season. The Colts just need to avoid the momentary mental and physical lapses that have cost them in the past.
The Colts still are on the elite path—the road just happens to have major bumps ahead. It’s a pretty good bet that New England, San Diego or Indy will represent the AFC in Super Bowl 43. The Colts are just as good as the other two—they just need to execute like it before their window starts to close.
Peyton is still my . You all see how easily I broke his TD record last year?
Did you see how easily I busted a nut on your entire team in the Super Bowl?
You got lucky that they didn't call holding on that on your O line on that one play when your loser teammate caught the ball on his in head.
I bet you your 2008 salary that I can break your 50 TD record by week 10.
Colts have a couple runs left in them still. Its not over yet barring a injury to 18.
Colts have the second youngest team in the NFL...window closing
The only thing in this article he gets right is the part about if Harrison comes back 100%, the Colts are put points on the board like no team has ever done before, even last year's Pats.
how is their cap?Colts have the second youngest team in the NFL...
The only thing in this article he gets right is the part about if Harrison comes back 100%, the Colts are put points on the board like no team has ever done before, even last year's Pats.
I think they are $2.6M under the cap right now with 46 players under contract. The massive contracts they gave to Freeney and Sanders might come back to bite them in the ass, and the omfg hueg deal they gave to Peyton has already been restructured a few times to clear cap space. But if Harrison comes back, they have the most talented offense in the NFL.
Do you remember last year how everyone and their dog was saying the Colts wouldn't be good because Addai was going to get too many touches and wear down without a proven backup, and that the defense would be worse than they were in 2006 because they lost seven starters or whatever it was? The Colts D ended up 3rd in the NFL, and Addai started the Pro Bowl.
In the playoffs, the defense just choked because there were too many injuries on the D line. Mathis and Brock were playing hurt, and the Colts pass rush is average without Freeney. The Colts could have won the Super Bowl last year if Freeney was healthy. If they had beaten San Diego, they probably wouldn't have done any better than SD did against New England, although I think Dungy would have had the balls to go for it on 4th down in the red zone instead of kicking FGs like Turner did. That was a poor strategy against the 2007 Patriots. Philip Rivers should have just told Turner to off and let him win the game.
^I think the Pats and Cowboys have the most potent offense in the NFL IMO, and would take them over the Colts.
But I still like Indys chances this year. They will be right up there in the AFC. No window is closed. Getting Freeney back should be a big boost.
You can't have a good year after year team like the Colts without a few crazy contracts.
Any idea when you will know about him?
But anyway... course their f-cked without Harrison but every good team has one or two 'f-cked if they lose _________' player
The Colts could always make and insane draft picks trade and heavily mortgage the future to pull in a Roy Williams to insure they stay a top level club but Manning is a once in every other generation player so they would have to make such a trade.
Meh Colts will be fine...this is just a write up to get people stirred up in the off season.
They're more ed without Freeney or Sanders than they are without Harrison. They pretty much played the whole season without Harrison last year...the writer of that article is kind of full of about the Colts window closing, but he is right about the Colts receivers would have got more attention if it weren't for the Pats blowing people out every week. Reggie Wayne led the NFL in receiving, and he played all over the field until they got comfortable starting Gonzalez on the right. They can still score without Marvin, but if Marvin comes back 100% they could break all of the records the Patriots set last year really easily. Last I heard about Marvin Harrison was he had surgery after the playoffs, might not be 100% by training camp, but should be good to go by Week 1. Same with Freeney.
The Colts 3rd ranked defense lost to an injury riddled Chargers offense. Congrats.
Rivers had no knee, Tomlinson had no knee, and Gates toe was shot.......no brainer, kick the fieldgoals.In the playoffs, the defense just choked because there were too many injuries on the D line. Mathis and Brock were playing hurt, and the Colts pass rush is average without Freeney. The Colts could have won the Super Bowl last year if Freeney was healthy. If they had beaten San Diego, they probably wouldn't have done any better than SD did against New England, although I think Dungy would have had the balls to go for it on 4th down in the red zone instead of kicking FGs like Turner did. That was a poor strategy against the 2007 Patriots. Philip Rivers should have just told Turner to off and let him win the game.
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