2007 Outlook:

Peyton Manning is the player everyone wants on their team. Manning has tossed for over 4,000 yards in all but two seasons since he entered the NFL in 1998. Keep this in mind too, Manning helped the team better itself by restructuring his contract taking a $10 million dollar roster bonus and turning it into a signing bonus and spanning it over his remaining 4-year contract. This guy wants to win wants to make his team better. Production on offense is a given, with Manning spreading the wealth among the receivers it's hard to say who will snatch the most yard this year but one things for sure, they will all be studs. Nothing is to change in 2007 on offense but defense is a totally different situation. Indy must find some good production in the corners. Last year the Indy defense was horrible. Statistically speaking they ranked 30th in the league. In the playoffs, the defense came together and turned out great numbers playing like a top ranked team as Booger McFarland seemed to cement the middle of the line after coming over in a mid-season trade. Booger is gone now, so we will see how the defense responds.

2007 Draft Review:

Even though the Colts had the last draft position, they managed to find some quality players. Tony Ugoh, a track star out of Arkansas will make a solid NFL tackle. His speed and quickness will keep him from sitting on the bench for too long. Indy also grabbed a couple of talented wide receivers in Anthony Gonzalez and Roy Hall, both from Ohio State. This duo not only will learn from a pair of the best, but will also find themselves some playing time filling Stokley's spot. Coe and Hughes will provide the defensive backfield with some depth and possibly fill in during Nickel and Dime situations. Overall a good draft considering what they were dealt. Draft Grade:B+

Key Acquisition:

The drafted corners, Hughes and Coe will be heavily counted on in the defensive backfield to provide some depth and spot help in the passing packages. While Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden hold down the starting positions as of now, Hughes and Coe could each see some playing time if either mis-steps. Both players have excellent potential and it will be vital to the future of the defense for one or both of them to develop into players that can help this secondary.

Key Departure:

Cato June was a catalyst in the cover 2 scheme at Indy. His presence will be greatly missed. June became an unrestricted free agent and immediately got picked up by Tampa Bay. June's spot at weak side linebacker was filled by sophomore Freddie Keiaho who played at San Diego State. Keiaho is a small linebacker, at 5'11" 230 lbs. He played well last year and looks to solidify the weak side for the 2007 season. The Colts front office even said June was expendable suggesting that Keiaho was quite underrated. We shall shortly see if they were right on target or not.

Offensive Preview:

The Colts are the top offensive unit in the NFL and their offense alone will carry them to an AFC South Title once again. With Manning, Addai, Wayne, Harrison, and Clark, opposing defenses have to be cringing. Coach Dungy wants to show the league that the offense isn't going to slow down in 2007. With the monkey of a title off Manning's back, he can relax and enjoy the game he is so great at. The only question marks are the depth at running back and QB. Rhodes has not yet been a full-time starter in the NFL, so it will be interesting to see how his frame holds up over a 16 game season. While Manning has yet to be injured, he is not invincible. If either were to fall, the Colts would be in some serious trouble.

Defensive/Special Teams Preview:

The Colts had one of the worst defenses in the leagues last season. It wasn't until Booger McFarland came over from Tampa Bay in mid-season and got comfortable with the unit that the Colts showed some defensive life. Word out of Indianapolis is Booger has suffered a season ending injury, therefore the Colts are going to have to scramble to find someone to re-plug those holes that brought this defense to respectability. Their best cover corner, Nick Harper, signed with a divisional rival, and their leader, Cato June left in free agency. On paper this looks like a nightmare for the Colts as they will return to the shootout football we have come to love. Bob Sanders is back from injury, but he is always a risk. For this defense, to be successful, Freeney will have to earn his keep by bringing consistent pressure from the side. We just don't see it however as the Colts DST should be avoided on draft day.

Season Prediction:

Looking into the schedule for the 2007 season, you'll find some interesting runs. For the first 3 games the Colts will most likely go 3-0 against New Orleans, Tennessee, and Houston. The next two are what's going to test the team, thankfully they play Denver and Tampa Bay at home before the BYE week. Afterwards the Colts play some tough road games but have an easy 3-game finale with Oakland, Houston, and Tennessee. The schedule favors the Colts this year, and if the defense can somehow pull through and close the season on a good note the Colts will have an opportunity to secure a bye in the playoffs to begin their Super Bowl Championship defense.

Projected Finish

12 Wins, 4 Losses (1st AFC South)

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