OT: Scouting the Colts

[jah]

That said, I still pencil you guys in for 12 until you lose at least 4... Houston could finally be what everyone contends they can be, but IMO Jax and Tenn are who I think they are...teams who flash every once and again that just don't have a consistently high functioning QB. (BTW I feel the same way about the AFCE where some teams are capable of flashing but no one has me convinced they can compete consistently enough to unseat us with Brady starting).

Hmm, now that you put it that way, you're right. However, I'd put Houston right there with Jacksonville and Tennessee. It seems like it's always a close battle for the 2/3/4 spots in the AFC South, and that's because none of those three teams can be a consistent winner. Houston can go out and beat a good team, but then lose to an awful one right after that. Then, they can *almost* beat the Colts (every single time they play and I watch), and get blown out by a supposedly inferior team. I see no reason for this to change, seeing as Houston has essentially no secondary, a pretty bad O-line, and not much in the way of running backs. Personally, I hope that Houston improves because they're my second-favorite team (next to the Patriots, of course). I'm still giving this division to Indy. For both the Colts and the Pats, I feel like they're either going to have amazing seasons, or absolutely disastrous ones.

 

[Sicilian]

I'm in agreement with most here. I'm counting on the Colts being a 12+ win team (and a tough opponent for us) until the year I see otherwise. I always think they have reason to decline, and they never do, which is a testament to their overall organizational strength.

I think the OL is the clearest weakness they have. On defense, it's all about health. As much as some people wanted Hughes here, if Freeney goes down and the rookie has to step in, there's a problem. I think Hughes would still put up decent numbers, because teams would start to key in on Mathis, but that still degrades the overall effectiveness of their pass rush.

 

[Kontradiction]

I see a few of us our once again proclaiming the demise of the Colts. I just want to remind those people what we were all saying last year and how that ended up...

 

[jah]

I see a few of us our once again proclaiming the demise of the Colts. I just want to remind those people what we were all saying last year and how that ended up...

:yeahthat:

 

[lostjumper]

The colts will be fine as always. It helps to be spotted 6 wins at the beginning of the year from the rest of their division. That leaves them just going 6-4 over their 10 remaining games to end the year at 12-4.

 

[falloutboy14]

I hope you're not trying to diminish the rest of the AFC south. Last year Ten, Hou, & Jax combined for 24 wins, more then any other divisions 2-4 teams. Combined with the Colts, the AFC south had the best combined record. We did of course play the NFC west, and I'm sure you're aware of how that can inflate average teams records *cough* Miami. That said I wouldn't go so far as to say they're a cake-walk either.

Back to the Colts specifically, I was perhaps a little pessimistic earlier, but I think the O-line can improve some. Young guys have some experience at their positions. The RG & LT spots will be in their 2nd year at their respective position, depending on how those play out. So in theory, it shouldn't be worse then last year.

Also, Brandon James (Edgerrin's cousin) is showing good stuff as a returner. Probably the Colts weakest position since forever.

 

[Deus Irae]

I see a few of us our once again proclaiming the demise of the Colts. I just want to remind those people what we were all saying last year and how that ended up...

Manning choking away another playoff game?

 

[Kontradiction]

Manning choking away another playoff game?

Well that's a given. I was talking about people saying that they weren't going to make the playoffs and all of that junk. For better or worse, they ended up as the #1 team in the AFC. I don't think they're going to choke the Super Bowl away again this year, but I think they'll be a threat. This is unless, of course, Manning's relative luck with injuries comes to a sudden stop the way Brady's did after losing the Super Bowl.