NFL Preview: Indianapolis Colts

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Owner: Jim Irsay

Lucas Oil Stadium

Head Coach: Jim Caldwell

Offensive Coordinator: Clyde Christensen

Defensive Coordinator: Larry Coyer

Special Teams Coordinator: Ray Rychleski

GM: Chris Polian

2009 Record: 14-2, 1st in AFC South

Additions:

Andy Alleman OG, Kansas City

Adam Terry OT, Baltimore

Deshea Townsend CB, Pittsburgh

Rookies

Jerry Hughes DE, TCU #31

Pat Angerer LB, Iowa #63

Kevin Thomas CB, USC #94 (IR for 2010 season)

Jacques McClendon OG, Tennessee #129

Brody Eldrige TE, Oklahoma #162

Ricardo Matthews DT, Cincinnati #238

Kavell Connor LB, Clemson #240

Ray Fisher KR, Indiana #246

Notable Rookie Fas:

Blair White WR, Michigan State

Losses:

Raheem Brock DE, Tennessee

Tyjuan Hagler LB, Seattle

Marlin Jackson S, Philadelphia

Tim Jennings CB, Chicago

Freddy Keiaho LB, Jacksonville

Ryan Lilja OG, Kansas City

Chad Simpson RB/KR, Buffalo

2009 Rankings

OFF: 7th Points, 9th Yards, 2nd Pass Yards, 32nd Rush Yards

DEF: 8th Points, 18th Yards, 14th Pass Yards, 24th Rush Yards

2009 Leaders

Peyton Manning 16 G 393-571 68.8% 4500 YDS 33 TD 16 INT 10 SCK

Joseph Addai 15 G 219 RUSHES 828 YDS 3.8 AVG 10 TD

Reggie Wayne 16 G 100 REC 1264 YDS 12.6 AVG 10 TD

Dallas Clark 16 G 100 REC 1106 YDS 11.1 AVG 10 TD

Matt Stover (Vinatieri INJ)10 G 9/11 FG 78.4% 52 LONG 33/33 XP

Pat McAfee 16 G 64 PNTS 2837 YDS 44.7 AVG 21 IN 20

Clint Session 83 Solo TCKL 102 TOT TCKL

Antoine Bethea 25 AST TCKL 4 INTS

Dwight Freeney 13.5 SCK

Jacob Lacey 13 PASS DEF

2010 Outlook:

It’ll be business as usual for the Colts once again in 2010. They get Anthony Gonzalez and Bob Sanders back from injuries and they add another pass rushing specialist in first round pick Jerry Hughes. They’ve improved their offensive line so that Peyton Manning will have no excuses if he can’t win another Super Bowl. Fans really disliked Bill Polian and the Colts at the end of last season for sitting out starters instead of going for the perfect 16-0 season. Once again, they should be able to get 13+ wins and win the AFC South. Expect another playoff run, but if they don’t find some balance on offense, they’ll be doomed to once again fall short of a Super Bowl victory. (Bill Polian’s teams’ record in Super Bowls is 1-5. 0-4 with Buffalo and 1-1 with Colts). Manning is All-Universe, but he can only take the Colts so far. I think the Colts could benefit from giving their running game more chances. For one, it’d open up the passing game more if the defense could only focus on the pass (which is what happened in the Super Bowl).

Impact Fantasy Players

Peyton Manning

Reggie Wayne

Anthony Gonzalez

Dallas Clark

Pierre Garcon

Prediction

The Colts will have home-field advantage in the playoffs, but will be unable to reach the Super Bowl. They’ll go 13-3.

Projected Starting Lineup

Offense

QB: Peyton Manning LT: Charlie Johnson

RB: Donald Brown/Joseph Addai LG: Jamey Richard

WR: Reggie Wayne C: Jeff Saturday

WR: Austin Collie RG: Kyle DeVan

WR: Pierre Garcon RT: Ryan Diem

TE: Dallas Clark K: Adam Vinatieri

Defense

DE: Dwight Freeney OLB: Clint Session

DT: Dan Muir CB: Kelvin Hayden

DT: Antonio Johnson CB: Jerraud Powers

DE: Robert Mathis FS: Antoine Bethea

OLB: Phillip Wheeler SS: Bob Sanders

MLB: Gary Brackett P: Pat McAfee

Schedule

1 Sep 12 IND @ HOU Reliant Stadium 1:00 PM
2 Sep 19 NYG @ IND Lucas Oil Stadium 8:20 PM
3 Sep 26 IND @ DEN Invesco Field at Mile High 4:15 PM
4 Oct 03 IND @ JAC Jacksonville Municipal Stadium 4:05 PM
5 Oct 10 KC @ IND Lucas Oil Stadium 1:00 PM
6 Oct 17 IND @ WAS FedEx Field 8:20 PM
7 Bye

8 Nov 01 HOU @ IND Lucas Oil Stadium 8:30 PM
9 Nov 07 IND @ PHI Lincoln Financial Field 4:15 PM
10 Nov 14 CIN @ IND Lucas Oil Stadium 1:00 PM
11 Nov 21 IND @ NE Gillette Stadium 4:15 PM
12 Nov 28 SD @ IND Lucas Oil Stadium 8:20 PM
13 Dec 05 DAL @ IND Lucas Oil Stadium 4:15 PM
14 Dec 09 IND @ TEN LP Field 8:20 PM
15 Dec 19 JAC @ IND Lucas Oil Stadium 1:00 PM
16 Dec 26 IND @ OAK Oakland Coliseum 4:05 PM
17 Jan 02 TEN @ IND Lucas Oil Stadium 1:00 PM