New-look Colts Hope To Make Some Noise

Frank Gore. Antonio Gates. Charles Tillman. Asante Samuel. Devin Hester. Brandon Lloyd

Six players who have been key to the Colts in all facets of the game over the past few years. Five players who are gone. With Gore, Gates, Tillman, Lloyd and Samuel retiring, and Hester being traded to the Panthers, the Colts have a bit of a new outlook this season, but the ultimate goal remains the same. Owner Jim Irsay has grown impatient enough with the team that he has slipped back into his previous addiction issues. A team that has the talent to make some noise but can't seem to put it quite together. What will make this year different? After week 1, a lot seems clear.

This is the right offense for Hroniss, but only if he can he claim it. After playing only 10 games in his rookie year, and finishing less because of injuries, Hroniss is developing a reputation for being injury-prone, but dynamic when he actually plays. After a tremendous start against the Tennessee Titans where he only missed 2 passes and threw 2 touchdowns, the injury bug hit him again with a torn bicep. He is expected to miss 8 weeks. Former star Colt QB Tom Brady has re-joined the team after a 1-year retirement and looks to steady the ship in Hroniss' absence. Brady signed on as a mentor and essentially an offensive-coordinator on the field for Hroniss. He wasn't pretty being thrust into action, but his veteran saavy will be critical for the Colts to sustain the momentum of an important early season division win if they hope to claim the AFC South. Key backup QB Tarvaris Jackson was retained on the roster over the cheaper Dennis Dixon despite Brady's high salary, which surprised many, but looks like the right move with Hroniss expected to miss significant time. Tarvaris nearly led the team to the division last season, but a series of 3 losses spelled doom on the season.

Jacquizz will run wild. With Frank Gore missing time last season, Jacquizz Rodgers showed he could be the feature back of the offense. When Gore returned, chemistry in the run game had mixed results as the coaches tried to placate both backs. With Powell back to sub Jacquizz as he did last season, Jacquizz will be handed the rock plenty as his 190+ yard rushing performance in Week One showed. Jacquizz's health will perhaps be more key than the health of the team's quarterbacks in predicting the success of Indianapolis this season.

With Hester's fumbling and inconsistency as a receiver, the corps has been retooled after Dez Bryant and Greg Jennings. Last season's late arrival Jeremy Ross will replace Hester on return duties, while the slot receiver role will be taken up by Jermaine Kearse and new addition Earl Bennett. Zach Ertz looks to come into his own role in the offense, taking the place of legendary TE Antonio Gates in the passing game, and the addition of blocking help through Brandon Pettigrew and David Johnson.

The defense looks to improve with the monstrous 6'8” DE Ropati Pitoitua added to plug the run defense, so that Jairus Wynn can be used properly as a sub. In addition to “The Monster” at defensive end, the team replaced Dezman Moses at backup ROLB with the speedy high motor of Larry English. The team's psycho package added speed, and after the success the team's nickel defense had last season, that is a scary prospect. Despite a league-low 15 sacks last season, the new looks that the front 7 have been able to put out have already generated 4 sacks and a batted pass. While the team only had 1 interception against the Titans, if not for several drops, the pass rush could have forced several more.

To replace the dynamic Tillman and gambling Samuel, the team signed big-money CB Javier Arenas, and cornerbacks Ras-I Dowling and Dimitri Patterson. Corey Graham has shifted into Asante's old role which he more or less took over after Samuel suffered an ankle injury midway through last season, leaving Dowling and Patterson to handle nickel duties. While 20 points allowed is not a terrific number, a critical goalline stand with 3 downs at the 3 yard line, 4 sacks, and more hurried opportunities and blown up option plays tell more of the story. The Colts had a top-12 defense last season and they appear to be ready to take a bigger leap this year.

The Indianapolis Colts have the talent to reach the postseason and break the recent dry spell, but since Helldawg66 took over as VP of Football Operations during a 2-6 season, the team has seen a steady increase in talent and playing level. The pieces are in place for a run at the AFC South title and if they catch a few breaks with health they might be able to be a sleeper team in the playoffs as well.