OT: Scouting the Colts

SHOWTIME15 · Aug 8, 2010

How do you guys think the colts will do this year? Let me preface my remarks by saying NO team has lost the super bowl and come back the following year to win since the 72' dolphins (a team we all love

). The last team to go back to the super bowl after losing it was the buffalo bills - another polian choke job.

But heading into this year, the colts are probably the best team in the AFC on paper. they have an easy schedule for starters. secondly, they have anthony gonzalez AND bob sanders returning (the earlier reports of him retiring or needing surgery were false).

weaknesses:

-weak offensive line

-poor run game. it could be worse than last year since two of their OL are hurt and could miss time.

-coaching (caldwell was completely outcoached in the super bowl)

strengths:

-passing game

-secondary

-pass rush

I think we will beat them in November but will likely finish with a worse record than them (easy schedule, etc).

I do think the new rule that you can't snap the ball until the referee is in place will hurt their hurry up. Ironically, this is one rule approved by polian.

Keyser Söze · Aug 8, 2010

Do well in the regular season. That pink foreheaded freak will choke away their hopes in the playoffs....as per usual.

Sciz · Aug 8, 2010

Reggie Wayne is on his way down. When was the last time Peyton did not have an elite WR?

patsfan-1982 · Aug 8, 2010

they are built pretty much the same way the pats are top passing game not a great Oline average to weak running game... but the colts have the one key that you need in todays NFL to be a top team a great pass rush and adding jerry hughes, will only make it better they are still the #1 seed in the AFC

patriot lifer · Aug 9, 2010

They're the only truly blue chip team in the AFC, but that being said it seems that somehow teams that lose the Superbowl the previous year just don't perform nearly as well the subsequent year. Even with us in 2008, we lost our star qb.

I agree with the assessment of their strengths and weaknesses. I don't expect their running game to be anything to brag about (like last year). The one concern I would have if I were a Colts fan is the likelihood of Manning performing as well as he did last year. That was perhaps his best season ever, and I don't think it gets better than that which means the only direction is down.

Also, concerning their pass rush, I think Freeney is going to start to look older this year (and he did at times this past season albeit when he was dinged up). He struggled against our rookie in Vollmer, and no matter what we think of Seabass, Freeney is not the type of elite player who struggles against rookies. I think the longevity of the season will catch up with him and I think the Colts should moderate his snaps accordingly. His game is predicated on being a superior athlete over his competition, so his worst enemy is time, which tends to ravage a player's athleticism.

Pats Fan in Indy · Aug 9, 2010

Peyton Manning will blow out his knee and they will finish 4-12.

jah · Aug 9, 2010

As mentioned in a previous post, the Colts are very similar to us on offense. I think with Mankins (or if anyone proves to be a decent-to-good LG), we're better overall though on that side of the ball. As for Reggie Wayne aging: to be honest, I think he'll still be very good this season.

However, on defense the Colts definitely have the edge. Like the Patriots, they have a good, young secondary. The difference is that they actually have a decent D-line and linebacking corps. The way I see it, we have 1 hole out of 3 defensive line spots, and 1 hole and 1 spot that should be upgraded out of 4 linebackers. I admittedly don't know much about the Colts' OLBs or DTs, but their DEs (a.k.a. pass rush) are very good. I think the drafting of Jerry Hughes was very well-timed since Freeney is probably on his way down. Whenever Freeney is showing signs of getting tired, Hughes could very well just come in his place and do very well in the small amount of playing time he sees.

Personally, I see us beating them this season, but we end up 11-5 (with a first round bye, though) and they end up 13-3 (obviously with homefield advantage). I think this season will mark the return of the Pats-Colts playoff epic, as well.

stinkypete · Aug 9, 2010

The Colts are always a painful one to predict. They always look ripe for decline then they come out of the gate and win 7 straight. I book them for 12 wins a year until they prove otherwise.

BradyFTW! · Aug 9, 2010

Every year, I think we're going to beat the Colts... and then we don't. At this point, I'll believe it when I see it, but I do think that being back in Foxboro will help a lot.

JoeShmoe · Aug 9, 2010

Any team with Manning under center is going to win a lot more than they lose

Defsoul · Aug 9, 2010

TommyBrady12 said:
weaknesses:

-poor run game. it could be worse than last year since two of their OL are hurt and could miss time.

I think they have a pair of decent running backs in Addai and Brown, but their offensive line is not very good at run blocking. They tried to get bigger in the offseason by adding some more beef to the line. I wonder if that will work out for them.

TBradyOwnsYou · Aug 9, 2010

BradyFTW! said:
Every year, I think we're going to beat the Colts... and then we don't. At this point, I'll believe it when I see it, but I do think that being back in Foxboro will help a lot.

I think this year we crush the Colts so bad that it makes the first time Brady and Manning played look like a close game!!!

sbpatfan · Aug 9, 2010

Defsoul said:
I think they have a pair of decent running backs in Addai and Brown, but their offensive line is not very good at run blocking. They tried to get bigger in the offseason by adding some more beef to the line. I wonder if that will work out for them.

Meh, Addai is like Maroney v1.5 (as of late) and Brown had a pretty disappointing rookie season.

Sicilian · Aug 9, 2010

sbpatfan said:
Meh, Addai is like Maroney v1.5 (as of late) and Brown had a pretty disappointing rookie season.

I think that O-Line contributes a lot to how they look. I used to think the Colts had a great line, but the more I see, the more I think they're below average. Manning just makes them look a whole lot better because he makes decisions so quickly they don't have to protect for very long.

sbpatfan · Aug 9, 2010

Sicilian said:
I think that O-Line contributes a lot to how they look. I used to think the Colts had a great line, but the more I see, the more I think they're below average. Manning just makes them look a whole lot better because he makes decisions so quickly they don't have to protect for very long.

That's true, it's a team sport. One player can makeup for the incompetence of others. I wonder how Maroney would look on another team...

Defsoul · Aug 9, 2010

sbpatfan said:
That's true, it's a team sport. One player can makeup for the incompetence of others. I wonder how Maroney would look on another team...

We will see it in 2011. I don't see him back on the team after the 2010 season.

falloutboy14 · Aug 9, 2010

Just chiming in my somewhat informed opinion.

Offense:
O-line is on the verge of a mess. Both tackles are injured at the moment. I'm comfortable with the RT back-up (Adam Terry, waived by the Ravens). Ugoh and Chris Marinelli, are gonna compete for the LT spot at the moment. Never heard of the Marinelli guy till a few days ago, but he did good according to reporters. Saturday is in the middle of his decline, and wondering if he'll out-competed in a season or two. Ugoh, Devann, Justice & Pollak are competing at guard.

In the first team O v D drills, the running game isn't happening and the pass rush is getting to the QB. I imagine in time it'll improve, since back-ups are going against pro-bowlers, but any hopes for significant improvements are gone.

WRs are near stellar. Young guys are playing well. Garcon is beating out Gonzalez for the #2 spot, Collie is only a slot receiver, Gonzalez seems be going to rotate between the slot/outside when he gets in. I really wonder if Wayne will be on his way out soon, at least his starting spot. I think he's got 2 years left on his contract. I believe we have the deepest set of WRs in the league and if we can hold onto Gonzalez, Garcon, Collie, we'll be set for the first half of the decade.

TEs You guys know about Clark, so let me tell you about Brody Eldridge. He played TE and interior O-line in college. He's more a blocking TE then a receiving TE, which is what we need. He's the one highlight for the running game. I sort of have a pipe dream that in 2 years, coaches will turn him into a LT, if colleges do it, Colts can I'm sure.

Defense:
DEs Freeney's ankle seems fine. Hughes & the #4 guy, John Chick, are doing well. Keep in mind their level of competition though.

DT We essentially start two average nose-tackles in Muir/Johnson, which is why the run defense improved last year.

LBs Same guys as last year. Wheeler is the guy who's closest to losing his starting spot, but I don't see that happening this year.

DBs Hayden and Powers are the starters. They're not going to make the pro-bowl, but good enough when they can hide behind the pass-rush. Lacey & Townsend (from the Steelers) are fighting for the nickel spot. Sanders is healthy, but not practicing much as he's fragile as glass. The defense is looking for ways to get Bullit, Sander's backup, on the field, including putting him in as a LB during nickel formations, making it a dime with 3 safeties.

In general, this has potential to be the best defense since Peyton's been here. All 11 starters from last year are back, Sanders is healthy as of 10:30 eastern time, and no one's old that we need to be concerned about their decline. This is year #2 of Larry Coyer's defense (more aggressive blitzing) so hopefully that will pay dividends. Our blitzing last year was a bit predictable, as our LBs didn't have a lot of experience masking it. On offense, I imagine we'll find much the same as last year. Mudd is retired and I'm a bit concerned about us having a capable O-line.

Gwedd · Aug 9, 2010

Good analysis all around. I have always been one to respect the Colts. Any team that plays as consistently well as they do needs to be respected. That doesn't mean I like them. As a football player, I admire Manning. As a human being, he leaves a lot to be desired, especially his disdain for his team mates.

Having said that, unless and until the Colts demonstrate a falling off, they must be penciled in as a 10-12 game winning team, and a likely post-season contender.

respects,

Defsoul · Aug 9, 2010

falloutboy14 said:
TEs You guys know about Clark, so let me tell you about Brody Eldridge. He played TE and interior O-line in college. He's more a blocking TE then a receiving TE, which is what we need. He's the one highlight for the running game. I sort of have a pipe dream that in 2 years, coaches will turn him into a LT, if colleges do it, Colts can I'm sure.

I remember the Oklahoma game against BYU last season, when he played center for the Sooners. He also played left guard last year, so he definitely has some blocking skills.

MoLewisrocks · Aug 9, 2010

falloutboy14 said:
Just chiming in my somewhat informed opinion.

Offense:
O-line is on the verge of a mess. Both tackles are injured at the moment. I'm comfortable with the RT back-up (Adam Terry, waived by the Ravens). Ugoh and Chris Marinelli, are gonna compete for the LT spot at the moment. Never heard of the Marinelli guy till a few days ago, but he did good according to reporters. Saturday is in the middle of his decline, and wondering if he'll out-competed in a season or two. Ugoh, Devann, Justice & Pollak are competing at guard.

In the first team O v D drills, the running game isn't happening and the pass rush is getting to the QB. I imagine in time it'll improve, since back-ups are going against pro-bowlers, but any hopes for significant improvements are gone.

WRs are near stellar. Young guys are playing well. Garcon is beating out Gonzalez for the #2 spot, Collie is only a slot receiver, Gonzalez seems be going to rotate between the slot/outside when he gets in. I really wonder if Wayne will be on his way out soon, at least his starting spot. I think he's got 2 years left on his contract. I believe we have the deepest set of WRs in the league and if we can hold onto Gonzalez, Garcon, Collie, we'll be set for the first half of the decade.

TEs You guys know about Clark, so let me tell you about Brody Eldridge. He played TE and interior O-line in college. He's more a blocking TE then a receiving TE, which is what we need. He's the one highlight for the running game. I sort of have a pipe dream that in 2 years, coaches will turn him into a LT, if colleges do it, Colts can I'm sure.

Defense:
DEs Freeney's ankle seems fine. Hughes & the #4 guy, John Chick, are doing well. Keep in mind their level of competition though.

DT We essentially start two average nose-tackles in Muir/Johnson, which is why the run defense improved last year.

LBs Same guys as last year. Wheeler is the guy who's closest to losing his starting spot, but I don't see that happening this year.

DBs Hayden and Powers are the starters. They're not going to make the pro-bowl, but good enough when they can hide behind the pass-rush. Lacey & Townsend (from the Steelers) are fighting for the nickel spot. Sanders is healthy, but not practicing much as he's fragile as glass. The defense is looking for ways to get Bullit, Sander's backup, on the field, including putting him in as a LB during nickel formations, making it a dime with 3 safeties.

In general, this has potential to be the best defense since Peyton's been here. All 11 starters from last year are back, Sanders is healthy as of 10:30 eastern time, and no one's old that we need to be concerned about their decline. This is year #2 of Larry Coyer's defense (more aggressive blitzing) so hopefully that will pay dividends. Our blitzing last year was a bit predictable, as our LBs didn't have a lot of experience masking it. On offense, I imagine we'll find much the same as last year. Mudd is retired and I'm a bit concerned about us having a capable O-line.

Thanks for the rational analysis. Better than we get from mediots. Your OL does have the potential to be one hot mess. And I sense that potential disconnect with Wayne, too. Your youngsters are good and if they can remain in psynch with Peyton that will cover a multitude of sins. But it has to be concerning as well that this is the first year Manning will be without his lifelong OC and another year removed from Dungy and now absent his legendary veteran OC Caldwell will be under a bit more scrutiny.

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).

OT: Scouting the Colts

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