2009 NFL Preview: Indianapolis Colts
2009 NFL Previews August 31st. 2009, 2:00pm
Let’s get this out of the way quickly: The 2009 Colts have the potential to be the best in the Peyton Manning era. Yes, even better than the pre-Freeney injury 2007 Colts. As is the case every year, if they’re healthy at the team’s key positions — QB, OL, DL, LB — heading into the playoffs, Jim Irsay and his rattail have a great shot at hoisting the Lombardi come February. Now, about that left tackle spot …
What happened in 2008: Injuries — both prior to the season and during — doomed the Colts’ Super Bowl hopes. Simply put, no team with that shoddy an interior offensive line can win a Super Bowl without an elite defense. The Colts overcame a horrendous 3-4 start to win 12 games for the sixth straight season (an NFL record), but they once again flamed out in the playoffs against the San Diego Chargers when their 31st-ranked running game reared its ugly head.
Offseason happenings: As usual, the Colts mostly stood pat in free agency. The team’s two significant moves were locking up center Jeff Saturday (short term) and blossoming corner Kelvin Hayden (long term). Yes, the third-best receiver in NFL history left the team due to salary issues, but anyone who watches the Colts regularly knows that Marvin Harrison really left the team in 2007 when Joseph Addai landed on the back of his legs. First- and second-round picks Donald Brown and Fili Moala should contribute immediately, rotating with likely starters Joseph Addai and the returning Ed Johnson. Oh, and Tony Dungy retired. You might have heard about that. Something, something, window closing, grumble, grumble …
From the schedule gods…: No Pittsburgh, no San Diego, no Baltimore, New England at home — what’s not to like? Nothing, really. With the Jags, Dolphins and a trio of NFC West shitcakes on the first-half docket, if the Colts can knock off the Titans on the road in week five they should revert back to their 2005-07 early-season form, when they started each year at least 7-0.
Projected finish: If Ryan Lilja returns and the offensive line stabilizes — 14-2 (with Tony Ugoh and Charlie Johnson currently acting as matadors on Manning’s blind side, this is a ‘uuuuuge IF), Super Bowl appearance. If Lilja ends up on IR and the offensive line struggles again — 11-5, wild-card exit. If Manning goes down — 2-14.
What’s missing: Certainty. Most critics think Dungy’s departure will be the domino that finally starts the Colts’ slide to mediocrity. We tend to think it’ll be more like Bill Cowher stepping down in Pittsburgh (strong organization, talented roster, etc.). It pains us to say it, but Bill Belichick is the lone irreplaceable coach in today’s NFL.
Why they’ll be a playoff team: Talent. They simply have too much of it.
Why they can’t win the Super Bowl: It’s not the things ESPN and the like will tell you — “Manning can’t win the big game,” “the Colts are soft,” “they can only play with a lead.” It’s the things that win games in January — special teams, running the ball late, forcing timely turnovers — that the Colts have struggled with as of late. Think back to the Colts’ Super Bowl run. There’s Adam Vinatieri kicking five field goals against the Ravens, Marlin Jackson picking off Tom Brady to seal the AFC Championship, and Dominic Rhodes juking Bears linebackers in the fourth quarter, grinding away clock. The Colts haven’t had that most years. It’s a leap of faith to expect they will this year.
Blog of choice: 18 to 88
Video: The Colts are one of the least hateable teams in the league. This video ought to go a long way toward changing that.
NFC East: 2009 Dallas Cowboys Preview | 2009 Philadelphia Eagles Preview | 2009 New York Giants Preview | 2009 Washington Redskins Preview
NFC North: 2009 Chicago Bears Preview | 2009 Detroit Lions Preview | 2009 Minnesota Vikings Preview | 2009 Green Bay Packers Preview
NFL South: 2009 Tampa Bay Bucs Preview | 2009 Atlanta Falcons Preview | 2009 New Orleans Saints Preview | 2009 Carolina Panthers Preview
NFL West: 2009 San Francisco 49ers Preview | 2009 St. Louis Rams Preview | 2009 Arizona Cardinals Preview | 2009 Seattle Seahawks Preview
AFC East: 2009 New England Patriots Preview | 2009 New York Jets Preview | 2009 Buffalo Bills Preview | 2009 Miami Dolphins Preview
AFC North: 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers Preview | 2009 Baltimore Ravens Preview | 2009 Cleveland Browns Preview | 2009 Cincinnati Bengals Preview
AFC South: 2009 Tennessee Titans Preview | Indianapolis Colts |
44 Responses to “2009 NFL Preview: Indianapolis Colts”
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August 31st, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Love this team. Manning is healthy, and more importantly, so is the O-Line. They will easily make the playoffs, but what they do in it is going to be the question.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I know I am crazy… I think I subconsciously compete with logic. I think the Colts will have a tougher fight to the playoffs than they had last year. Everyone in the division got better somehow. They are still the favorite, I just don’t think its going to be easy though.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:10 pm
finally got rid of dungy, im expecting a SB win
August 31st, 2009 at 2:10 pm
4-12
August 31st, 2009 at 2:10 pm
12-4.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Well, besides Tennessee, but that can kinda sorta be argued.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
I’m interested to see how good Donald Brown really is. I saw him in person against WVU and Pitt and I liked what I saw. My guess is he’s pretty productive behind that offensive going against 6-7 man fronts.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
if they’re healthy at the team’s key positions — QB, OL, DL, LB
I’d throw in a key position at safety with Bob Sanders, no?
August 31st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Didn’t we already have this preview?
August 31st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Donald Brown, Donald Brown, Donald Brown. Give him the rock.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:16 pm
I know lots of people have predicted a drop off for years, but its happening this year. The OLine still sucks (see insane # of sacks just in preseason) and Peyton’s targets are way below what he’s used to (fire up the Bustwagon for Gonzalez). I believe they are changing defensive strategy also, going away from the Tampa2 to a more traditional D, even though they dont have the personnel for it.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
My only critique is that the amazing Irsay pic you linked should’ve been the picture for the post.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Didn’t we already have this preview?
http://thebiglead.com/?p=17728
August 31st, 2009 at 2:20 pm
cgb: did you want my press pass to the VT-Bama game this weekend?
August 31st, 2009 at 2:21 pm
They’ll be lucky to win a game. This team is rudderless.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:22 pm
@Gods Does it give you access to anything before the game? I am going to have tickets so I don’t want to waste it.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:23 pm
11-5, 2nd or 3rd seed in the AFC. That’s all I can reasonably predict.
The Colts have always been a great regular season team and a mediocre postseason team — save for that one SB run.
Don’t think losing Dungy will hurt them. Let’s see how they react to it come January though.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:23 pm
As a true Colts fan one must truely hate the Colts. Yet, I find myself liking this team… mainly b/c Dungy is gone. The Colts were consistantly soft. Couldn’t win in the playoffs…
No blitzing EVER and ALWAYS allowing 3rd down conversions, gave Manning the least amount of possesions in the NFL. Just think about that for a minute.
So with some tweaks, and the addition of the 2nd coming of John Isenbarger (Austin Collie, another #17), I might really like this team.
Then again, if their D gives up a ton of big plays, I’ll long for the Dungy days. As any true Colts fan will tell you, the season doesn’t even start until the playoffs
August 31st, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Not sure. It gets you food before the game in the press box and after it and it gives you access to the coaches after the game. You can get the Nick Saban experience if you so choose.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
1-5 or 10-6
good job bsande..um i mean cap
August 31st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Needs more adversity.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
@ irish, I knew I wasn’t imagining things.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I think Donald Brown makes a difference on this team. I saw him make a few nice plays in there first preseason game. I would like to see Peyton get at least one more Super Bowl and cement himself as the best qb of this generation.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:30 pm
@ mrejr, did you announce your true identity on Sportscenter today?
August 31st, 2009 at 2:32 pm
@Gods – I think I would only further smear the reputation of bloggers if I attended those things shithoused.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
0-1 isn’t much to get excited about, maybe you should start the season earlier.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I haven’t seen Any Given Sunday in 15 years or whatever, but it was on yesterday. Dennis Quaid’s character is named Cap Rooney. I thought about that for a second and then went about my day.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
But it would be awesome.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:35 pm
maybe if peyton had some pocket awareness, could read defenses and get rid of the ball under 10 seconds he’d be a little better and the colts wouldn’t have to rely on their running game and defense. with a little work, peyton could be a poor man’s joe flacco.
/sarcasm…just to make sure
August 31st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
@Gods – Perhaps we should meet up in Atlanta regardless? I am getting in late Friday night and will be downtown for the game at like 9am Saturday and tailgating the entire day with a break to watch UGA-OKST.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:42 pm
@Gods – Perhaps we should meet up in Atlanta regardless? I am getting in late Friday night and will be downtown for the game at like 9am Saturday and tailgating the entire day with a break to watch UGA-OKST.
they’re gonna bone.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:45 pm
this preview makes me sick
August 31st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
this preview makes me sick
Matt Schaub too. He’s out 2-3 weeks with a mildly upset stomach.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
I have to cover a high school game that night and then I’m bolting earlyu in the morning to go to St. Simons Island. I would have loved to have been able to watch the Bama game fromt he press box, but a weekend at the beach, drinking, watching football and golfing won me over.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Jim Mora dis-agrees with this.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
travis johnson to san diego for a 5th round pick
August 31st, 2009 at 2:58 pm
What I want to know is if Raul Newford was born in 1982 than who made this salad dressing? How was the Sundance Film festival taken to this level? And for Gosh sakes who is helping these less fortunate disabled children enjoy a few weeks in their otherwise difficult lives?
August 31st, 2009 at 3:00 pm
they’re gonna bone.
There is a lot of I’d have sex with you in a New York minute if only I could meet you in real life on this site. Except for Jay, who doesn’t do anything in time set by those elitist bastards.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
hows the mission going?
August 31st, 2009 at 3:09 pm
and has paolo ever explained wtf the mission is
August 31st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
He’s trying to alienate every TBL poster on the site before Septmeber. I like his chances.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:28 pm
+1 GOTG. Great vacation spot.
August 31st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
My buddy’s mom has a sweet mini-mansion there and he is bringing like 15 people down for the weekend. It’s going to be awesome…unless UGA loses (which is certainly a good possibility).
August 31st, 2009 at 6:58 pm
I drank that hateraid on day 1