Doss-Blew out knee, game 6, never returned, signed for a mil.IF they valued him THAT much, they would have signed him.
Harper-injured and left game after 1 quarter versus Pats. Tried to go in SB, couldn't. If there is ONE guy I'd like to have back though, it's him.
David-Once HARPER was gone, it WOULD have been nice to make more of an attempt to keep a starter. I guess for another $500,000 grand, the could have upped the ante to a second rounder and made it more difficult for another team to sign him.
June-As a team, these guys finally DID put it together as a TEAM. I think it had more to do with the D-LINE changing their upfield rush on every down, AND Sanders' return. June was abysmal in many regular season games. Even the playoffs (AFCCG and SB) yielded some breakdowns (Dillon 4th down jaunt, 11 yard td, T.Jones 52 yarder).
Reagor gone before the Donks game.
Simon didn't play all year.
Stokely has been a ghost since '05. Has not played many games, so last year, they did it without him.
Rhodes would also be nice to have, but so would have Edge. I think they are effective splitting time. I think the Colts like Dorsey, but perhaps they'll take a RB with a 3rd round pick.
All in all, regardless of how poor the D was, a starter IS a starter, I get that. Of those mentioned, Harper, David and June are the missing starters. They have guys who last year saw plenty of action that will move to those starting spots. Depth is hurt, but obviously, they will have to draft for those spots.
What starter that the Colts lost would you want for your NEW ENGLAND team?
Year in and year out, it's replenishing through the draft for the most part. If they stumble and pick a bust, it hurts. But Polian doesn't just wake up on draft day and say, oh ****, what do we do now? He thinks things through,knows what is on the horizon, and does what he can to plan long term. It remains to be seen how good/bad the defense is next year. IMO, they will NOT play every game like a playoff game, BUT, I don't think you'll see any 375 yard rushing days either. Once again, they'll rely on the offense to put up more points than the opponents.