Sports in America
by: volsfan_82
NFL Preview: Indianapolis Colts
Jun 07, 2007 | 3:52PM | report this

I'm bored at work and I left my flash drive at home so I figured I'll do the other 2 AFC Division champions.  First with the reigning Super Bowl Champions...The Indianapolis Colts

2006 Record:  12-4 1st AFC South
Defeated Chicago in Super Bowl XLI

Offense:  Spread
Quarterback:  Peyton Manning
I loved the guy in college and I started rooting for the Colts because of him(until they switched the divisions around in 2002).  Peyton finally won the big one that had eluded him up until that point.  He's the best quarterback the Colts have had since Johnny U.  Grade:  5 out of 5

Running Back:  Joseph Addai
After having a 2 back rotation last season with Dominic Rhodes, Joseph Addai had one hell of a year, capped off by the game winning TD against the Patriots.  Look for Addai to be a clone of Edgerrin James in this offense.  Grade:  4 out of 5

Wide Receivers:  Key Player-Reggie Wayne
I know some people will think I'm a Marvin Harrison hater because I think Reggie Wayne is a better WR.  Marvin has become the 2nd WR on the team because he is a better route runner.  Wayne is the deep threat that makes it possible for Marvin and 1st Round pick Anthony Gonzalez and TE Dallas Clark to roam freely in the middle.  Grade:  5 out of 5

Offensive Line:  Key Player-C Jeff Saturday
In a hurry up offense, he is the captain of the line.  He does all of the blocking assignments at the line and he is always on top of his game.  Ryan Diem and Tarik Glenn are dominate as well.  Grade:  4.5 out of 5

Defense:  4-3 Cover 2
Defensive Line:  Key Player-DE Dwight Freeney
Freeney is the pressure end in this defense, which relies on the line to pressure the quarterback.  Robert Mathis and Anthony "Booger" McFarland also pressure the line as well.  Grade:  3.5 out of 5

Linebacker:  Key Player-OLB Rob Morris
Gary Brackett replaced him in 2005 as the middle linebacker, but Morris is now the starting OLB in this cover 2 scheme.  He is good against the run. Grade:  3 out of 5

Cornerback:  Key Player-Marlin Jackson
I think the corners of Jackson and Kelvin Hayden(who sealed the Super Bowl win with a pick) are here to stay as a great pair of corners.  Both are good one-on-one corders and both have the ability to shut down the opponents passing games.  Grade:  4.5 out of 5

Safety:  Key Player-Bob Sanders
Bob Sanders is a great hitter who really helped this defense transform late in the season after he returned from injury.  If he stays healthy, the sky is the limit for this defense.  Grade:  4.5 out of 5

Special Teams
K:  Adam Vinatieri
P:  Hunter Smith
One is the best clutch kicker of all-time, the other is one hell of a punter.  Grade:  5 out of 5

Overview
The Colts will make it to the playoffs, but their reign as world champs will end with a loss to the Chargers.

1 Comment | Add a comment   categories: NFL, Indianapolis Colts
 
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Dave_in_Indy
Jun 7, 2007
4:32 PM
Good analysis - disagree with the playoff outcome, but pretty much nailed the RB, QB, and WR - and were kinda charitable at the LB. But you never know, Indy cranks out strong LB's year in and year out (and then they're gone to help build another team's defense).

Glad to see you're not a ####.

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volsfan_82
I am an avid sports fan who attempts to watch/read about as many games as possible. Growing up in St. Louis, I am a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan. Not having an NFL team for most of my life, until the Rams showed up, I am a Tennessee Titans fan and I am also a University of Tennessee fan. I am a recent graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
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