"No Sally, mommy's dead remember?" -Peyton Manning
I desperately want to write an article boldly claiming that the Colts are going to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2001. I want to talk about how Peyton Manning is going to go back to flaunting the Manning face after his performance in the Super Bowl. I want to say how their terrible run game is going to come back to haunt them or that their defense is mediocre or that Mario Williams is going to tear through their line and tear off Peyton's arm week one in Houston. I can't though. They're too good. Peyton was money in every big game in 2009 (except against the Saints) and with the return of Anthony Gonzalez there's no reason to expect much of a drop-off. The only thing that can stop this team is injury or implosion (on a Manning team the latter is unlikely).
Offensively, where do you start? When Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon can come in and tear it up then who do you cover if you're a defense? Manning has so many weapons around him that even when defenses cover Reggie Wayne like they did in their final six games then he still has options. Dallas Clark is a beast who will provide Manning with a safety blanket even if their backs can't help the offense. Joseph Addai is in the last year of his contract and Donald Brown is improving so it's likely that they'll be more dangerous than last year when they do get the touches. Brown is already a solid pass catching back but he's looking for a breakout field to give defenses another threat to cover.
The only issue with this team is their defense. Obviously it isn't that big of an issue because they started 14-0 and came close to winning a ring (in a game where their best defensive lineman had a bad foot), but compared to their offense it's a bit of a problem. They should be better with Bob Sanders coming back from injury, but that's the same story as every offseason. Pretty much assume that he isn't on the team any more but if he shows up then it's great for Indy. To make a fat kid reference: he's the fries at the bottom of the drive through bag. You're already doing well but they're nice to have. The Colts made a point of shoring up their defensive depth in the draft, but they could have done more to improve their secondary. 14th in the league against the pass is good, but not great. They have Mathis and Freeney on their pass rush so obviously the issues aren't on their defensive line.
Because the Colts aren't as loud, they aren't getting the same attention as the Jets or the Vikings, but they're every bit as good if not better. Manning is still the best in the business and as long as this is a quarterback driven league then Indianapolis will keep winning with him at the helm. That being said the AFC South may be the best division in football this year. Houston has a top 5 offense and the Titans pulled themselves together when Vince Young (who has a .667 winning percentage) came in. The Colts will be good, but the road to 14 wins looks tougher this season. If they do get to the playoffs though, I'm calling a choke job true to their old nature. Can't wait.
No comments:
Post a Comment